News of Song Yunzhao's pregnancy quickly spread throughout the harem. It was like a clap of thunder on a clear day, stunning everyone.
There had been no warning at all.
Song Jieyu had been favored for so long with no sign of a child. Who would have thought that just as the Empress Dowager returned, she would become pregnant? How could anyone not be impressed by such luck?
In Cuiwei Palace, Consort Shu wore a deeply conflicted expression as she paced back and forth in her inner chambers. Yunshang, growing dizzy from watching her, hurried forward. "Your Highness, please rest. Good news has come from Wangyou Palace. Everyone will surely go to offer congratulations tomorrow. You must conserve your energy."
Consort Shu glanced at Yunshang. 'She has no idea what's troubling me,' she thought. 'But I can't voice these private worries. I can only keep them bottled up. How could I possibly be happy?'
