The wicked sister-in-law is in charge; meals include fish and shrimp.

Chapter 309 The plan failed

It's utterly despicable to steal someone else's child when you can't have one yourself!

If she's so capable, why doesn't she try to steal the Empress's mantle?!

Cheng Yan'er calmed herself down and tightly grasped Jinxiu's wrist. "We'll go to Jiaolan Palace as soon as it's light!"

As long as the Empress is there, there's nothing to fear!

Even if it doesn't work, she would rather give Chun-ge'er to the Empress than to that vicious woman, Qin Wan-yue!

Inside the Jiaolan Palace, the concubines sat chatting and laughing, while Chu Sangning sat on her golden throne, her eyes fixed on the palace gate.

After a long while, she glanced at the empty seat below and made up her mind.

All the concubines knew that Qin Wanyue's daily greetings were either very timely or a little late, and they were used to seeing her punished.

"Your Majesty, I am so sorry, I was so overwhelmed with joy today that I am late."

Suddenly, a affected voice came from outside the hall, followed by Qin Wanyue, who swayed in like a butterfly.

Gibuchuhe chuckled, "I wonder what joyous occasion awaits you, Consort? Is your belly showing signs of pregnancy?"

Upon hearing this, several of the concubines present covered their faces and chuckled, thinking to themselves that only the Empress and Consort De could keep up with Qin Wanyue.

Qin Wanyue's smile froze for a moment. After giving a perfunctory bow, she sat down in her seat.

Seeing the dark circles under Cheng Yan'er's eyes, she said smugly, "It's pretty much what Consort De said."

"His Majesty has granted permission for me to take Chun-ge'er with me. Isn't this a joyous occasion?"

She glanced at Cheng Yan'er, whose face was ashen, and a smirk played on her lips.

What's the use of giving birth?

With just a word from her, wouldn't Jun Shuyan give her that little bastard?

Oh, what a pity! Mother and child will be separated soon; it's so sad to think about it.

The concubines were all shocked, and those who were pregnant looked at Cheng Yan'er with pity.

How painful must it be for a child who is already so old to be separated from their birth mother?

It would be fine if it were someone else, but unfortunately it was Qin Wanyue.

There are no pampered dodder vines in this deep palace; those in the know understand.

Chu Sangning put down her teacup and chuckled, "Sister, you're probably too happy too soon. Chun-ge'er is already in my palace."

Cheng Yan'er almost burst into tears upon hearing this.

Jun Shuyan is a monarch; what he says will not change.

No one was more suitable than the Empress, which saved the lives of the mother and son.

With the Empress taking care of her, she could come to visit often, and there was no need to worry about the child being in danger.

There's no need to even think about it with Qin Wanyue; it's considered a sign of Qin Wanyue's kindness that the child isn't tortured.

Qin Wanyue's smug expression cracked for a moment. "Empress, are you joking? His Majesty has already promised me that he will bring Chun'er over on an auspicious day."

She twisted her handkerchief tightly, her anger already rising.

"What's so funny about this?" Jibuchuhe had barely finished speaking when Jinxiu came in carrying Chun'er.

As soon as the little guy came in, he stretched out his arm toward Chu Sangning, who was sitting on the golden throne.

"This little prince and his empress sister are truly close; look how happy they are!"

"If it were us younger sisters, I'm afraid it wouldn't work."

Jibuchuhe added fuel to the fire, and Qin Wanyue, who already looked pale, looked even worse now.

Looking at the two people seated on the throne, so intimate and almost like a mother and son, she nearly ground her teeth to powder.

"Why not? What kind of person can a little kid choose? I could do it just as well."

After she finished speaking, she stood up, took a few steps forward, and then stretched out her hand.

Before anything even happened, Chun-ge'er let out a loud cry and started crying, "Zou... beat Kai! Waaah..."

He kept burrowing into Chu Sangning's arms, seemingly terrified of the woman with long fingernails behind him.

"Get out of my sight right now!" Chu Sangning shouted, glaring at Qin Wanyue. Qin Wanyue angrily withdrew her hand and slunk back to her seat.

Chu Sangning gently coaxed the little guy in her arms until he calmed down before letting the nanny take him downstairs to play with Yaoyao.

Cheng Yan'er followed the old woman's retreating figure with worried eyes. Jibuchuhe squeezed her hand and whispered, "Don't worry, the Empress is here."

Seeing that the child had been taken away, Qin Wanyue offered an excuse to explain what had just happened, saying, "Perhaps my sister's fragrance was too strong today, making Chun-ge'er uncomfortable."

"My sister will come to my palace to take the child tomorrow." She gritted her teeth and insisted on having the child, knowing that this was a rare opportunity she might not have again.

Her belly still hadn't shown any signs of pregnancy, and she was scared!

So what if it's not her own? As long as she can't let the child see its birth mother, Qin Wanyue has plenty of strength and means.

Jibuchuhe was almost amused by her shamelessness. "Only the Imperial Concubine is joking. The Empress has already said that the little prince is already in her palace."

"Are they trying to kidnap the child?"

She emphasized the words "snatch the child" so much that the concubines dared not utter a sound and could only watch the show.

Qin Wanyue suddenly stood up and pointed at her, "What business is it of yours if I'm talking to the Empress?! You'd better shut up!"

At this moment, her hatred for Gibchu River had reached its peak. This woman had not done this before, but in front of so many people, she had humiliated her.

Last time, he attacked her, a noble concubine, in front of so many people. This time, he didn't lay a hand on her, but the things he said were even more outrageous!

Jibuchuhe remained seated, then slapped down the hand that was pointing at her, saying sarcastically, "Sister, you know that's the Empress, don't you?"

"How dare you..."

She glanced lightly at the furious Qin Wanyue and said with a faint smile, "Then you still dare to snatch the child?"

Qin Wanyue is most susceptible to provocation, but at this moment, Gibbchuhe seems extremely arrogant.

"I...you've gone too far!" she said, raising her hand, but Chu Sangning shouted, "If you make another sound, get out of here!"

"You've scared the little princess and the little prince to tears, I won't let you get away with this!"

Chu Sangning rubbed her temples. She really couldn't understand how Qin Qiao, such a shrewd and cautious person, could have given birth to such a stupid and impulsive daughter.

It really does live up to that saying in the imperial harem: big breasts, no brains!

Qin Wanyue felt extremely wronged and returned to her seat.

Chu Sangning took a sip of the rosewater in her hand and said, "Chun-ge'er can have the little princess as a companion when he comes to Jiaolan Palace."

"I will explain to the Emperor myself; some things cannot be rushed."

She looked at Qin Wanyue and asked, "Sister, do you think what I said is right?"

No matter how dissatisfied Qin Wanyue was, she dared not say it aloud, lest it reach Qin Qiao's ears and she be finished.

These are turbulent times, and she has been repeatedly warned not to cause trouble in the palace.

"Sister is right, it was my oversight," she said reluctantly, the handkerchief in her hand already twisted beyond recognition.