Chapter 157: Pregnant Overboard

Chapter 157

The spring waters were warm, and the goldfish in the imperial lake had also become lively.

Consort Shu was of a tranquil nature, and did not enjoy liveliness by temperament.

The other concubines and noble consorts would pass their leisure time watching dramas, listening to music and other such noisy activities, but she felt disturbed by the noise and never joined the crowds.

When she had nothing to do, she just liked to go to the pavilion by the imperial lake,

blow some breeze, feed the fish, which made her feel at ease and content.

On this day after her afternoon nap, it happened to be a nice sunny day, and Consort Shu was saying she'd go sit in the pavilion,

but when she neared a corner, she heard Noble Consort Xiao and Song Zhao chatting in the pavilion.

Song Zhao gently caressed Noble Consort Xiao's bulging belly, smiling radiantly and saying: "Elder sister is already six months along, looking at your pointed belly, it must be a little prince!"

But the smile that appeared on Noble Consort Xiao's face seemed somewhat forced,

"Whether it is a princess or a prince, what does it have to do with me? The moment the child is born, he will be raised on Consort Chen's knees, and will inevitably grow distant from me. Actually, in my heart I hope I can give birth to a princess, so Consort Chen might allow the mother and daughter to meet frequently, but if I give birth to a prince, and moreover the precious prince..."

She lowered her eyes, caressing her belly, with unconcealable sadness in her eyes, "I'm afraid that mother and child, are destined to grow distant in this life."

Her words were sorrowful, and Song Zhao quickly comforted her,

"Elder sister, don't be a pessimist. Think of it another way, Consort Chen lives in luxury, this child raised at her knees will surely be well taken care of. At worst, if Consort Chen truly prevents you from seeing the child, I can secretly mention it to His Majesty to persuade him to allow you to see the child."

Noble Consort Xiao was very moved upon hearing this,

she tightly grasped Song Zhao's hand, her voice choking with sobs, "Then I must thank Consort Yi for this..." She coughed twice, and then started violently retching.

Song Zhao immediately handed her a cup of warm water, and gently patted her back,

"Elder sister, drink some water to moisten your throat. How come the morning sickness has gotten worse these days?"

Noble Consort Xiao sipped some milk, dabbed the corners of her lips with a handkerchief, "It's like this every day, I'm used to it already."

Song Zhao said: "If elder sister is uncomfortable, return to the palace to rest first?"

Noble Consort Xiao waved her hand, "Being cooped up in the palace makes my chest feel stuffy and uncomfortable, I'd rather sit here and enjoy the breeze, it makes me feel much better."

Noble Consort Xiao cried out in fright, shaking off Consort Shu's hand.

After breaking free, she stumbled over her own calves and tripped on the low stone railing,

momentarily losing her balance and falling back, plunging straight into the imperial lake with a splash.

This sudden accident stunned everyone present.

The water where Noble Consort Xiao fell was not deep, she stood up and it just reached her chest,

but she flailed about in panic, causing her to bob up and down, unable even to yell for help clearly.

Consort Shu froze on the spot, stunned for a good while before shoving Qingyue and shouting:

"What are you standing there for? Hurry and save her!"

Qingyue did not know how to swim, and did not have the courage to directly jump in.

In their fluster, it was Song Zhao who first calmed herself down.

She lay on the ground, stretching out her hand with great effort, barely managing to grab a handful of Noble Consort Xiao's clothes,

then yelled at Xiaofuzi: "Hurry and save her!"

Xiaofuzi immediately leapt into the imperial lake without a word, circling his arms under Noble Consort Xiao's armpits to grasp her tightly and steady her.

Seeing the person was saved, the stone in Consort Shu's throat finally fell.

But at this moment, an unbridled female voice rang out behind her,

"What are you doing?"

Consort Shu shuddered and looked back,

only to see Consort Chen striding aggressively towards her.

Upon reaching her, she berated and forcefully slapped her resoundingly without letting Consort Shu get a word in edgewise,

"Bold Consort Shu! Noble Consort Xiao is pregnant with the imperial heir, how dare you push her into the imperial lake? Qinglan, go report this to His Majesty and Her Majesty immediately!"