After Wang Yi gave birth, other concubines and wives also entered late pregnancy, enduring the pain of childbirth before giving birth to their ten-month-old "fruits of love."
This was the consequence of Lu Ming's actions. Looking at the beautiful women, their faces pale, cradling their children with doting expressions, Lu Ming's expression also became somewhat lewd.
Only Lu Ming could get women pregnant after playing with them.
Among them were wives of high-ranking officials and noble ladies, all women with haughty tastes, conquered by his cunning schemes.
Every time he looked at their blushing faces, he felt a surge of pride.
Life, after all, is about striving in the first half, and enjoying and playing in the second half.
Now, having occupied Guanzhong and Yizhou, two major grain-producing areas with abundant coal and iron resources, he only needed to rest and recuperate for a few years, then launch a massive attack and sweep them all away in one fell swoop.
The foundation he had laid was now enough for him to enjoy women while waiting for the time to pass, all the while comfortably sitting on the wall observing the world.
Sitting in the palace, Lu Ming toyed with a wine cup.
This was a tribute from the Western Regions, brought over by Zhang Chun's caravan.
It was an exquisite moonlight cup, made of jade. The place with the most jade was undoubtedly Myanmar, now probably called Nantuo.
However, other places in the Western Regions also had jade, just less so.
Even in modern times, mining jade is difficult; in ancient times, it was even more so. Therefore, jade was incredibly precious, and only royalty could afford to wear it.
Others were not qualified to wear it; being caught meant execution.
Using jade to make a wine cup was indeed extremely extravagant.
Now, India was relatively prosperous, possessing everything, and relatively isolated. If given the opportunity, he would definitely plunder it thoroughly.
As long as Yizhou was stable and roads were developed in Nanzhong, he could invade Jiaozhou and seize the seaport. Traveling by sea to India to rob and plunder would take time; the idea was good, but putting it into practice was difficult.
Lu Ming's thought was fleeting. He was currently watching the voluptuous beauty Yang Yuhuan dance in the arena.
The graceful dancer wore a light gauze dress, her breasts and nipples barely concealed beneath.
Her full thighs were encased in thin black stockings, making his mouth dry.
Barefoot, only covered by stockings, she danced in the arena.
The dancers surrounded her like stars around the moon, further emphasizing her noble status.
As she danced, Yang Yuhuan flirted with Lu Ming.
Every now and then, she would lift her leg high, displaying her alluring genitals to Lu Ming, making him rock hard!
Although Lu Ming was disheveled, wearing only a coat, he still possessed an imposing aura.
The beautiful and dignified Xue Baochai was buried between his legs, sucking on his increasingly swollen penis. Her small mouth held the glans, her tongue licking vigorously, moving back and forth along the frenulum, occasionally attempting deep throating, wanting to swallow the entire shaft!
Beside Xue Baochai stood her plump younger sister, Xue Baoqin. The two sisters had been Lu Ming's bedmates ever since their aunt, Aunt Xue, started pimping them.
Moreover, he wanted more; he wanted to have his way with every woman in the Red Chamber, one by one!
"Don't laugh at me lying drunk on the battlefield," he thought. Why go out and risk your life when you can enjoy it properly?
Lu Ming didn't want to go out.
He just wanted to enjoy himself.
Watching the woman he had violated slowly swell her belly, seeing the women who had once looked down on him lower their proud heads, yearning for his attention—this feeling was exhilarating!
Meanwhile, in the harem, the beauties who hadn't attended the banquet gathered in small groups, chatting, playing mahjong, or doing needlework.
Grandmother Jia, her black hair streaked with silver, held her child in her arms, her emotions a complex mix.
She had finally given birth, only to become a concubine in the harem. She was already old, her grandson was over ten, and yet she had been impregnated, giving birth to an illegitimate child!
To the Jia family, wasn't this an illegitimate child?
But no matter what, it was still her own flesh and blood!
Stroking the infant in her arms, a trace of tenderness flashed across Grandmother Jia's face.
Since following Lu Ming, her legs no longer ached, her back no longer ached, and she could walk without even breaking a sweat—she had noticed these changes acutely.
She didn't know if it was because of being with Lu Ming, or if her health had improved.
Perhaps both.
An old woman, in truth, no longer valued her chastity so much.
She was of advanced age, but her insight was far deeper.
Knowing Lu Ming as she did, this man wouldn't do things without reason; there must be a cause. The world seemed chaotic now.
In truth, upon closer examination, only Lu Ming had a chance to seize the throne.
The Han emperor had lost his authority; it was time for a reshuffling of the world.
Having seen through all this, she knew that the best outcome now was to obediently live in the harem; only by living could she have hope.
As for returning to the Jia family, Grandmother Jia had already given up all hope. Even if the Jia family were to regain its former glory one day, she would not go back.
Touching her daughter in her arms, she knew she had been defiled and could never go back.
Going back wouldn't bring any benefit; it wouldn't necessarily be much better than now. Besides, her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughters were all in the palace. What joy could she possibly find in returning to the Jia family?
"Consort Wang has arrived!"
A maidservant announced loudly.
Consort Wang was none other than Lady Wang, Jia Baoyu's mother.
Lady Wang wore palace attire and high heels; she had changed to high-heeled boots for the cold weather.
Her complexion was much better than before; a faint smile played on her lips, and her face was rosy.
"Sister greets elder sister."
Grandmother Jia moved her lips slightly but replied, "Sister, there's no need for such formality."
In the palace, whether sisters, mothers and daughters, or granddaughters, they were all essentially sisters.
Because their man was Lu Ming, the same man.
And this was a very awkward situation for elders, because the former junior had become their elder—a truly strange and peculiar feeling.