It was late spring, and the growing mugginess made the atmosphere somewhat oppressive.
Consort Hu half reclined on the Soft Couch, the wide sleeve of her left arm hanging naturally in front of her, concealing her greatly swollen belly.
Logically, no consort in the palace now could threaten her position or the safety of her unborn child, and with imperial physicians and a female immortal master from the Zhongzhou Sect attending to her daily, she should have been in excellent health. Yet for some reason, her face was rather pale, her expression haggard, and she looked far from healthy. Even her temper had grown much more volatile than in previous years. Today, over a trivial matter, she had driven all her personal matrons and palace maids out to the front hall.
An announcement sounded outside the hall.
Somewhat surprised, Consort Hu braced herself against the edge of the couch and rose, taking two steps forward to greet the visitor. Her movements were somewhat awkward, but she had deliberately made them so, wanting the visitor to see.
She knew better than anyone the standing Duke of Lu held with His Majesty.
Seeing this, Duke of Lu hurriedly said, "Please remain seated, Your Highness. Please remain seated."
Consort Hu sat down with a smile and asked gently, "Have you come on business today, Duke? Does His Majesty wish to see me?"
As she asked this, she felt somewhat nervous, somewhat hopeful, and somewhat uneasy.
His Majesty had not come to her hall to visit her for many days.
"Your Highness, two visitors wish to see you."
Having said this, Duke of Lu withdrew from the hall without any hesitation.
Zhao Layue and Gu Qing emerged from behind a corridor pillar.
There was no telling how they had come here.
Consort Hu neither