The princess regretted it.

Chapter 268 Concubine Cen heard the news of someone being pregnant

The weather is getting colder and colder, and it is often dim; today's weather is good, but it is a rare good day, with golden sunlight pouring down.

After the careful care of the imperial physician, Concubine Cen's spirits had recovered somewhat. She stood quietly by the window, eyes slightly closed, enjoying the warmth brought by the golden sunlight.

Mingyue walked in quietly. Seeing Concubine Cen in such a state, she hurried forward and carefully put a thick cloak on her. She then filled the hand warmer that had been prepared long ago and gently handed it to Concubine Cen. She said with concern: "Your Majesty, although the sun is shining today, it is still cold. You must take care of yourself."

Concubine Cen slowly opened her eyes, with a hint of laziness and loneliness in her eyes, and suddenly said: "Mingyue, come for a walk with me."

Mingyue was slightly startled, then a gentle smile appeared on her face, and she replied softly: "Yes, your majesty. I will accompany you for a walk, so that you can bask in the sun and relax. But it is windy outside, so your majesty must wrap your cloak tightly." As she spoke, Mingyue carefully helped Concubine Cen adjust the collar of her cloak to ensure that no wind could blow in. Then she supported Concubine Cen and slowly walked out of the palace.

The two left Jingyu Palace, and Concubine Cen, supported by Mingyue, strolled slowly through the Imperial Garden. Inside, palace servants busied themselves with their duties. Those pruning flowers, scissors in hand, meticulously carved the shape of each branch and leaf; those watering the flowers, buckets in hand, sprinkled them evenly on the blossoms, the water droplets shimmering in the sunlight. Concubine Cen's eyes slowly scanned all this, a mixture of emotions welling up in her heart.

Mingyue followed Concubine Cen's gaze toward the nearby flowerbed. The flowers there must have been recently moved from the greenhouse, now displaying a flourishing scene of lush foliage, their blossoms radiant and vibrant. This somewhat desolate and lonely winter imperial garden now felt like a springtime of vibrant vitality and splendor.

Mingyue smiled brightly and said softly, "My Lady, look, the flowers are blooming so beautifully!"

"The flowers in this garden, after being moved out of the greenhouse, how long can they last in this bitterly cold weather?" Concubine Cen murmured, her voice as soft as a falling feather, as if she was afraid of disturbing these delicate flowers that were blooming tenaciously in the cold winter.

A look of pity and sadness slowly emerged on her face. The expression was subtle and difficult to discern, making it difficult to tell whether this pity came from nostalgia for her own miserable half-life, or pity for these flowers, or pity for all the women in the palace.

Perhaps deep down in her heart, she felt that the women in the palace were no different from these flowers. In the past, they were all carefully cared for in greenhouses and enjoyed grace and glory. However, once they entered the palace and experienced the vicissitudes of the harem, most of them might eventually lose all protection and be thrown into this cold, cruel, and uncertain palace environment.

Even though they always try their best to show their beauty and grace, they can never escape the control of the fickle fate. Just like the flowers in this garden, they will wither and turn into mud at any time under the invasion of this bitter cold, leaving endless sorrow and melancholy quietly spreading and lingering in this winter imperial garden.

After listening to Concubine Cen's words, Mingyue did not understand the deep meaning of her words. She was just full of doubts, so she said without thinking: "The gardeners will continue to cultivate new flowers in the greenhouse. If these ones wither, they can just replace them with new ones." There was an innocent light in her clear eyes, and her tone was light and natural.

Mingyue's careless words struck a piercing blow to the softest, most vulnerable corner of Concubine Cen's heart. Her body trembled slightly, as if struck by an invisible lightning bolt. She slowly turned her head, her gaze fixed on Mingyue's bewildered face. An indescribable shock flashed across her eyes, followed by an endless sadness and self-mockery.

Indeed, what this palace lacked most was new "flowers." It wasn't just me; within the maelstrom of power and the vicissitudes of fate, every concubine was different. Years of struggle and perseverance, pain and joy, weren't they like the flowers in this greenhouse, blooming and withering at will, easily replaced? The grace, glory, hopes, and dreams of the past, eroded by time and misfortune, would eventually vanish, replaced by new people and events.

Suddenly, she seemed to understand, and she smiled silently to herself. She patted Mingyue's hand gently and said, "Come on, walk around with me again." Her tone was as calm as a bottomless pool, without the previous ups and downs.

Mingyue responded crisply: "Yes, my lady."

The two of them walked slowly along the winding gravel path, the stones beneath their feet making a gentle creaking sound. Suddenly, a faint woman's whisper drifted from the other side of a wall. "Have you heard? The shops outside are bustling with activity now that the Emperor has approved the selection. After next year's selection, the palace will be even busier." The voice was filled with barely concealed excitement and curiosity.

"This is not a secret. It has spread throughout the palace and outside, so of course people have heard it. Let me tell you a secret! Do you remember Nanny Su?" Another voice was deliberately lowered, but trembling slightly with excitement, as if holding a shocking secret and eager to share it with others.

"Madam Su?...Oh! Is she the one who served the Empress Dowager before?" The previous voice was a little doubtful, and he tried hard to search for some impression of Madam Su in his memory.

"Yes. Do you know where she is now?" The mysterious voice became lower and lower, as if afraid that the secret would be blown away by the wind.

"I don't know about that. What's wrong? Is there something wrong?" There was a hint of urgency in the puzzled tone, and he was tightly attracted by the mysterious atmosphere.

"Come, let me tell you, she is taking care of a pregnant concubine now." The mysterious voice finally revealed the answer, with a hint of envy and amazement.

"A pregnant concubine? Who? I haven't heard of her!" The voice mixed with surprise and curiosity instantly rose in volume, echoing in the air, breaking the original silence and deeply attracting the attention of Concubine Cen and Mingyue.

Mingyue looked up at Concubine Cen with worry, her eyes full of concern and speculation about the Empress's mood.

Concubine Cen's expression, however, was remarkably calm, like a deep, tranquil pool, without a single ripple, making it difficult to discern her true inner thoughts. She gently gestured to the moon, her slender fingers elegantly placed on her lips, silently conveying her instructions.

Then, she Weiwei gestured to Mingyue to support her and quietly move closer to the wall. There was a barely perceptible glint of inquiry in her eyes. Obviously, she was also eager to hear what secrets the two would reveal next.