Rebirth of Her Royal Highness the Princess

The imperial edict came down, conferring Shen Yuping the title of concubine and granting her the title of "Hua". She was granted the right to live in Huayin Palace.

"Congratulations, Empress Hua."

Everyone knelt down to congratulate her. Shen Yuping was very excited, but she kept a faint smile on her face. She nodded slightly to express her gratitude, then slowly stood up and looked ahead with a firm look in her eyes.

"All of you go away. I want to be alone." Hua Fei waved her hand, signaling everyone to leave. She sat alone in front of the dressing table, staring at the mirror in a daze.

"So what if I was given the title of consort? The emperor doesn't love me anymore." Hua Fei muttered to herself. She recalled the good times she had spent with the emperor, but now she felt that everything had changed.

Seeing this, Wen Yan, the personal maid beside her, whispered to comfort her, "Your Majesty, please don't say that." She walked to Concubine Hua and patted her shoulder gently.

Hua Fei looked up at Wen Yan, tears flashing in her eyes: "I know I shouldn't be so depressed, but I just feel uncomfortable."

Wen Yan looked at Concubine Hua distressedly and said, "My Lady, you are the best in the harem. How can you give up on yourself just because of a momentary setback?"

Hua Fei sighed and said, "I understand, but the bitterness in my heart is hard to describe."

Wen Yan smiled and advised: "Your Majesty, you must believe that the emperor still has feelings for you. Maybe he has been busy with government affairs recently and neglected you. As long as you dress yourself up well, the emperor will definitely change his mind."

After hearing what Wen Yan said, Concubine Hua felt a little better. She nodded and said, "Well, I can't just give up like this."

So, Concubine Hua began to dress up carefully. She picked out a gorgeous dress, combed her hair into an exquisite bun, and put on precious jewelry. She was determined to cheer up and appear in front of the emperor in the most beautiful manner.

Concubine Hua came to the gate of the Qianqing Palace and stood quietly, waiting for the emperor's summons. Her eyes revealed a hint of anticipation and uneasiness, as if she was looking forward to something important. However, at this moment, a figure appeared in her sight - Concubine Jing walked out slowly with a bulging belly, followed by a group of palace maids.

Hua Fei's eyes were instantly attracted by Jing Fei. Her expression changed slightly, but she quickly regained her composure. She smiled and saluted Jing Fei, saying, "Sister Jing Fei."

Concubine Jing also smiled and responded, "Sister Hua Fei." The conversation between the two was brief and polite, and they seemed to be trying to maintain superficial harmony. But in this brief exchange, the eyes of Concubine Hua and Concubine Jing intertwined, revealing a complex emotion.

It's only been three months, but her belly is already bulging. She must be relying on the fact that she's pregnant.

Hua Fei looked at Jing Fei's belly, and a trace of jealousy flashed in her eyes. She suppressed her inner unhappiness and said to Jing Fei with a smile: "Sister is so lucky to be pregnant so soon." Jing Fei gently stroked her belly and said lightly: "This is all thanks to the emperor." Hua Fei felt a sharp pain in her heart. Hua Fei clenched her teeth and tried to keep her voice calm, "Sister is now pregnant and has difficulty moving. You must take good care of yourself."

Concubine Jing smiled and said, "Thank you for your concern, sister. I am here to see the emperor today, right?"

Concubine Hua's heart sank. She thought she had arrived early enough, but she didn't expect that Concubine Jing had already met the Emperor first.

At this time, a eunuch came out and announced loudly: "The emperor has ordered that no one will be seen today."

Concubine Hua's expression turned very ugly, and Concubine Jing said to Concubine Hua, "Sister Hua, what a coincidence."

Hua Fei looked at everything in front of her, her heart filled with helplessness and anger, but she still suppressed her emotions and said, "It's okay, it's nothing. Sister will leave first." After that, she turned around and left this place that made her feel humiliated.

On the other side, Concubine Jing showed a smug smile and said to herself: "Hmph, fighting with me. She is just the daughter of a cabinet scholar and the niece of the Empress Dowager. She still can't beat me." She seemed to be very satisfied with her methods and felt that she had successfully suppressed her opponent.

However, she didn't know that the struggle was not over, but had just begun.

Concubine Hua returned to the palace and became angrier the more she thought about it.

"Your Majesty, calm down." The personal maid handed over a cup of tea, "The Concubine Jing is pregnant now, so it's natural that the Emperor will favor her. We can look for an opportunity in the future."

"Favoritism? Why?" Concubine Hua slammed the teacup to the ground. "I am the daughter of a cabinet scholar and have been with the emperor for many years, but I am not as good as a concubine who just entered the palace!"

"Your Majesty, please calm down. It's not good to hurt yourself if you get angry right now." The maid hurriedly bent over to pick up the pieces. "I heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs has recently received a few coral hairpins from the Western Regions as tribute. Why don't you ask for one to wear, so that you can overshadow Concubine Jing."

After hearing this, Concubine Hua calmed down a little, "Well, just be patient for a while. One day, I will let Concubine Jing know how powerful I am."

At the same time, in the imperial study, the emperor was worried about state affairs.

"Your Majesty, I have a favor to ask of you." The queen walked slowly over and spoke softly.

"What's the matter?" The emperor raised his head and glanced at the queen.

"I heard that there has been severe flooding in the south of the Yangtze River recently and the people are suffering. I am willing to donate part of my private wealth to do my part to help the victims." The queen bowed her head slightly with a pious look on her face.

A trace of relief flashed in the emperor's eyes, "The queen is thoughtful. But the harem is not allowed to interfere in government affairs. I will make my own arrangements for this matter."

"I understand." The queen smiled, "I just want to do my best."

The emperor nodded, and he admired the queen even more. He then asked the queen to donate some money from the harem to help with disaster relief.

After the Queen left, the Emperor couldn't help but think of Concubine Hua. Although Concubine Hua was wrong, her father, her uncle, could really help him in the cabinet. Now that Concubine Hua was angry, he decided to appease her later.

On the other hand, Hua Fei was even more angry when she learned that the Queen had asked the Emperor to donate money for the disaster victims. She thought that the Queen was deliberately showing off to win the Emperor's favor.

"Damn it! She actually got the upper hand." Concubine Hua said gritting her teeth.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty." The maid suggested, "We can also donate money and goods to the disaster area, and donate more than the Queen, and be more generous, so as to show Your Majesty's benevolence."

Hua Fei thought it made sense, so she ordered the preparation of the donation. She wanted everyone to know that she was the most powerful and prestigious woman in the harem.

A young eunuch hurried in, bowed to Concubine Hua and said, "Madam Hua, the Emperor has sent a message saying that he wants to come over to your place tonight!"

Upon hearing the news, Concubine Hua's face showed joy, but she still pretended to be calm and nodded, responding: "Yes. Got it. Thank you, eunuch." Then she signaled to the palace maid beside her to give some silver as a reward to the eunuch who came to deliver the message.

The eunuch thanked him and left.