Quick Transmigration: Underdog Turns out to be Untouchable-Chapter 949 - 860: Unwilling to Be a Slave 80
Nangong Shuangshuang discreetly put away the paper ball and continued examining Cheng Mei Ren’s body. Although she didn’t notice any abdominal pain, she discovered that Cheng Mei Ren seemed to be pregnant.
Nangong Shuangshuang was taken aback. This shouldn’t be possible. Every concubine in the harem has been schemed against by the Empress Dowager. How could Cheng Mei Ren possibly be pregnant? However, after a thorough examination, Nangong Shuangshuang confirmed that she indeed was.
Nangong Shuangshuang took a long time feeling the pulse, confirming that she hadn’t misdiagnosed. After thinking it over, she concluded that Cheng Mei Ren’s constitution must be unique, with some resistance to the Empress Dowager’s drugs, allowing her to conceive.
However, even if Cheng Mei Ren could conceive, her body wouldn’t be able to sustain the child for more than a month before it would silently miscarry, without her even knowing she had been pregnant.
Previously, out of compassion, Nangong Shuangshuang had transferred some energy to Cheng Mei Ren, which expelled the coldness and the poison from her body, allowing the child to be preserved.
But this child was conceived when Cheng Mei Ren’s health was at its worst. Even though it’s been preserved now, the chances of it being born healthy are still slim. Of course, if Nangong Shuangshuang intervened, the child could still be saved, but that would mean she’d have to stay by Cheng Mei Ren’s side to care for her.
Nangong Shuangshuang was unwilling to do this because Lady Jing was currently facing a crisis and needed her care. She didn’t want to leave Lady Jing, and she wouldn’t feel at ease if she did. Yet, she couldn’t bear to ignore the small life before her.
After struggling internally for a while, Nangong Shuangshuang sighed and said, "Cheng Mei Ren, there’s good news for you. You have a Dragon Embryo, but the child feels very weak. Whether it can survive is still uncertain, so you should be mentally prepared."
Cheng Mei Ren had originally used an excuse casually. She did feel some discomfort in her stomach, believing it was because her monthly cycle was approaching, as it always made her stomach uncomfortable. Therefore, she paid it no mind.
Who knew Nangong Shuangshuang would surprise her with the diagnosis that she was pregnant! But before she could feel joy, Nangong Shuangshuang quickly doused it with cold water, saying the child might not survive.
Cheng Mei Ren didn’t immediately plead with Nangong Shuangshuang to save her child. Instead, she paused and said, "Lady Nangong, could you take a message to Lady Jing for me, asking if she would allow me to stay at Yingyue Palace?"
Cheng Mei Ren’s intention was to gamble everything on fully aligning with Lady Jing. Lower-ranked concubines are not entitled to raise their own children. Typically, children born to lower-ranked concubines, whether boys or girls, are raised by the primary concubine, bringing benefits to both.
Concubines who have raised Princes or Princesses, regardless of whether they have given birth themselves, do not need to become nuns after the Emperor’s death. Similarly, concubines who have given birth do not need to leave, whether or not they have raised their children.
Cheng Mei Ren’s choice was very clever. If Nangong Shuangshuang could save the child in her womb, her position would be greatly enhanced, and by aligning with Lady Jing, Nangong Shuangshuang would surely do her utmost to protect her child, eliminating any concerns for its safety.
If Nangong Shuangshuang couldn’t save the child, she’d have to delay her decision to align with Lady Jing. At the very least, she couldn’t let the child fall into Yingyue Palace, causing misfortune for Lady Jing or making the Emperor misunderstand her.
Nangong Shuangshuang had no particular feelings about Cheng Mei Ren’s intentions. With her at Lady Jing’s side, it’s certain there would be no shortage of children. Once the Emperor deals with the Empress Dowager and the harem settles down, they can safely conceive children.
However, if Cheng Mei Ren moved into Yingyue Palace, with the Empress Dowager still watching closely, protecting her child would certainly be exhausting and risky compared to the benefits.
But Nangong Shuangshuang couldn’t make the decision on behalf of Lady Jing, so she decided to discuss it with her to see what her thoughts were.
Back at Yingyue Palace, after discussing Cheng Mei Ren’s matter with Lady Jing, Nangong Shuangshuang read the note Cheng Mei Ren had given her. What she learned surprised Nangong Shuangshuang: Bi Ying and Song Lin were food sharing? This was something Nangong Shuangshuang was unaware of in her previous life.
As for the strategy Song Lin provided to Du Zhaoyi, it must be said that Song Lin really understood the Emperor best. If Du Zhaoyi followed Song Lin’s advice, she really might remind the Emperor of her kindness, and if she cleverly used this goodwill, she might just regain his favor.
It’s well known that Du Zhaoyi’s beauty still surpasses that of many beauties in the harem, and the Emperor is quite indulgent when it comes to his fondness for beauty, as long as it doesn’t involve politics or impact his reputation.
However, Nangong Shuangshuang didn’t believe Du Zhaoyi would follow Song Lin’s advice. Du Zhaoyi was bold and unwilling to endure grievances.
Considering how she held a grudge for so long just because the Emperor praised Lady Jing’s eyes once, Du Zhaoyi would likely not appreciate a method that involved enduring grievances without guaranteed satisfaction. She would probably opt for a more intense strategy, one that could immediately regain her favor if successful.
Nangong Shuangshuang couldn’t help but ponder what tactics Du Zhaoyi might use. Du Zhaoyi’s maternal family was from a noble family. Even if her abilities were lacking, Du Zhaoyi could leverage significant power, and with enough money, she could easily recruit many people willing to help her.
Nangong Shuangshuang’s mind spun quickly through several bold, high-risk strategies. If used unsuccessfully, they could result in Du Zhaoyi falling out of favor completely, but if successful, she could instantly win the Emperor’s favor. Given Du Zhaoyi’s daring nature, these approaches were all possibilities.
While Nangong Shuangshuang pondered Du Zhaoyi’s affairs, Lady Jing spent a long time wrestling with Cheng Mei Ren’s situation before asking, "Shuangshuang, are you confident that you can ensure Cheng Mei Ren’s child is born safely?"
Nangong Shuangshuang snapped back to reality. Seeing Lady Jing’s demeanor, it was clear she wanted her to ensure Cheng Mei Ren’s child’s safety. Lady Jing wasn’t acting out of compassion but out of the habitual mindset of a woman in the harem, hoping to acquire a child — in the harem, more children are always better.
Nangong Shuangshuang secretly hoped to help Cheng Mei Ren, and the responsibility would likely fall on her anyway. If the Emperor learned about Cheng Mei Ren’s condition, he would certainly task Nangong Shuangshuang with ensuring the child’s safety. The main issue now was whether or not to let Cheng Mei Ren reside in Yingyue Palace.
