Ye Qiu was busy with state affairs, and with both Consort Hui and Consort Wang pregnant, the Emperor increasingly frequented Xianyue Pavilion. Sometimes Lady and Fang Pin needed to use visits to the princes as an excuse to see him, not to mention the lower-ranked concubines. There were rumors in the palace that the Imperial Concubine had fallen out of favor and that Yue Zhaoyi now exclusively enjoyed the Emperor's favor.
In truth, this was somewhat unfair to Qiao Qingyue. Ji Fei's recent visits to her Xianyue Pavilion were indeed two more than before, but no more than that; moreover, Ji Fei lately seemed less energetic than before, not as attentive and tender when facing her.
Who changed, her or him?
