Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

Chapter 490: Chapter 490: Still Fond of the Little Princess

“You should have said so earlier. I can make dishes that are both nutritious for pregnancy and delicious,” Jiang Ning said with a playful smile. “Does Concubine Yu want to eat sweet and sour lemon shrimp, or maybe the savory, slightly spicy Three Chickens Stew?”

“Three Chickens Stew?”

“Oh, you want something spicy?” Jiang Ning’s gaze swept over her belly meaningfully. “Since it’s a little princess, Concubine Yu, you should stop fussing, shouldn’t you?”

Concubine Yu was taken aback, then became angry with embarrassment, “Princess Consort, you’re trying to trick me into revealing information again!”

“Do you really believe those common sayings about sour for a boy and spicy for a girl, even though you’re a noble lady from a distinguished family?” Jiang Ning laughed lightly, “I was just joking. But honestly, a little princess is better, isn’t it?”

Her dark eyes glanced casually at Concubine Yu.

Suddenly, Concubine Yu felt a shudder in her heart. Looking at the beautiful Princess Consort in front of her, who was as radiant as a splendid spring flower, a chilling sensation welled up inside her.

The Emperor used to have four sons – of course, there were more before, but most of them died young, with only the four of them surviving till adulthood.

Some died on the battlefield, some were crippled, and some frequented brothels and died of venereal disease.

The final winner was Prince of Yu who made a name for himself in Chang’an City since the age of twelve, and who is now the Crown Prince.

Although the Emperor has always been healthy, at fifty, he couldn’t help but be wary of the uncertain stability of the newly-appointed Crown Prince. If Concubine Yu were to give birth to another prince, it would be inevitable.

Concubine Yu’s voice trembled slightly, “Whether it’s a prince or a princess, it’s just a young child and can’t be compared to the Crown Prince.”

And pose even less threat to him.

This was Concubine Yu’s unspoken message.

Jiang Ning laughed, “Oh, Concubine Yu, where has your mind gone? I just meant that I like little princesses more; they’re so fragrant and soft. Don’t you think so?”

“Yes, yes. Girls are always cute,” Concubine Yu reluctantly agreed with a smile.

“Regardless of whether it’s a boy or a girl, the best child is the one born to oneself, isn’t it?”

“…Of course.” Concubine Yu’s heart sank again.

The laughter from the soft-spoken Princess Consort was an unmistakable threat.

If Concubine Yu dared to help the Prince of An’s residence and oppose her, she should think about the safety of the child in her womb first.

Concubine Yu was scared.

She was genuinely terrified.

She initially thought she could rely on the fact that she was carrying the emperor’s heir to win some face in front of her sister, who was always more dominant. She was eager to vent her frustration on the Crown Prince’s behalf.

But she almost lost her own child.

No matter how close her nephew is, her own child always comes first.

As for her position in the palace, the Crown Prince and Princess Consort will be supporting her and her child in the future – whether a boy or girl. Why should she offend them for the sake of outsiders? Wasn’t that just crazy?

In the evening, Jiang Ning casually left Concubine Yu’s residence.

She didn’t care whether Concubine Yu’s child was a boy or a girl.

This time, it was merely a warning.

There were so many concubines in the Emperor’s harem, big and small, with all kinds of intentions.

If they all provoked her, she wouldn’t be able to take it.

It would be so annoying.

After punishing both Concubine Xian and Concubine Yu, she hoped it would serve as a warning to the rest of the harem to keep them in check.

As expected, the harem quieted down considerably after that.

Jiang Ning resumed her carefree days of checking the accounts, counting money, and playing with her two children.

But of course, she also couldn’t resist thinking up new recipes and cooking delicious dishes for her greedy Royal Mother-in-law every now and then.