In the next morning, when Bai Mengxiang had woken up, Xu Yongheng had already left for the morning court. Bai Mengxiang didn't worry about anything, instead, he was quite excited.
Today, Mei Lin was hosting the mini meeting for Yu Zhuang's arrival as the new consort in the harem. Bai Mengxiang already knew that some drama was going to happen and he just couldn't help his excitement. The meeting where all concubines and consorts attended had never ended up as a pretty sight. Bai Mengxiang had learnt that from all the movies he watched, and honestly, it taught him quite a lot. Bai Mengxiang was just going to be a bystander watching as everyone else played their role in the play because he didn't need to get involve with petty fights. But it had been quite a while since something like this made him so happy. Well, that didn't mean that there has been none.
His time spent in this world couldn't be considered bad, but he had never step foot outside of the palace, and boredom was catching up to him. The only excitement he got was when System played movies in his mind so that he could watch them. But as much as Bai Mengxiang wanted to get out of the palace, he also knew that it could be dangerous, especially since he was carrying a child and couldn't really move around like he use to. Especially since there were some people out there who wanted to get rid of him, or, to be specific, Bai Mengxiang's child.
From what Bai Mengxiang knew, if he gave birth to a son, most likely, there would be a lot of people scheming to get rid of a potential crown prince. Sons were cute, but a baby girl would be adorable too. What he did know though, was that whether his child is a boy or a girl, they were definitely going to have incredible genes. Bai Mengxiang could already imagine how beautiful they would become in the future.
Bai Mengxiang did meet a problem though. For some random reason, Xu Yongheng's love meter had stopped at 92% and hasn't been rising. The only answer he could think of was probably because he hadn't given birth yet, but even he didn't know.
All he knew was that it was going to be a headache trying to get the meter up so while he was at it, he was going to annoy the heck out of Shilian and Yu Zhuang, because, why not?
At that moment, Xiao Lan had finished dressing him up for the day. His outfit was not extravagant but it was still befitting of someone with his status. His hair was not in a bun or anything, instead, it was left flowing freely. The robe he wore was made from the finest of silk given from the Empress Dowager herself, and was personally designed with her ideas. Since the Empress Dowager knew that he liked flowers, the white robe was imprinted with a lotus, red and gold thread were embedded onto the cloth and the sleeves were made to be longer so that they flowed when his hands were down by his side.
"There you go, Imperial Noble Consort. Today, you look beautiful as always, and there seems to be a heathy glow coming from you." Xiao Lan couldn't hide the smile on her face that made it seem like she was complimenting her child. She looked like she was staring at her own child.
"Thank you, Xiao Lan. The meeting should be beginning soon, right?" Bai Mengxiang put on his most dazzling smile and his voice was a powerful yet sweet tone to listen to.
"Yes, Imperial Noble Consort. I reckon that it will begin in a little while. There should be enough time for you to take a walk around the palace if you want to, Imperial Noble Consort," Xiao Lan helped Bai Mengxiang get up, her eyes never leaving his figure, and she also put a smile on her face.
"It will be alright. It wouldn't be good for me to arrive later than everyone," Bai Mengxiang gently shook his head as he began walking out the doors with Xiao Lan walking by his side to make sure nothing happens to him.
The walk was peaceful and quiet. Since Bai Mengxiang was rarely out, he took glances at everything, from flowers to birds and butterflies, and even at humans. He didn't talk, mostly because he didn't want to and because Bai Mengxiang didn't really speak when walking or looking at the scenery. He also knew that Xiao Lan understood that much about Bai Mengxiang.
By the time they had arrive, Bai Mengxiang, though not the first to arrive, was not the last to arrive. Staring at all the different faces, he only smiled as he walked a straight line towards Mei Lin.
"Long live Her Majesty, the Empress, may you live ten thousand years," As Bai Mengxiang said that, he only bended his back slightly. Because he was pregnant, he was excused from the common bowing that he had to do, and instead, had to only do this much.
"You may rise, Imperial Noble Consort Bai. Please, take a seat." Mei Lin, with her wise eyes and a dignified aura, spoke without any signs of emotion within her words. She looked at all the other concubines and consorts as Bai Mengxiang made his way to his seat.
As he made his way to his own seat, the other concubines and consorts began to greet him, bowing as they all spoke in unison.
"Long live the Imperial Noble Consort, may you live ten thousand years."
"You may rise," Bai Mengxiang nodded while saying as he sat down on his comfy chair.
Bai Mengxiang had his own table and chair which was situated to the right of Mei Lin's. Because he was the second highest ranked person in the harem, he was seated to the right of Mei Lin.
Bai Mengxiang only put on a calm smile as his eyes roamed, looking at all concubines and consorts gathered up. Though his aura was not at intimidating as Mei Lin's, it was enough to make everyone else, besides Mei Lin, sit up straighter, their backs in a straight line.
There weren't a lot of people, only on other consorts and two concubines, and the late arrivals, Yu Zhuang and Shilian, which was considered a pretty small size for someone like Xu Yongheng. Knowing that they were all from a noble family, Bai Mengxiang couldn't help but smile. Though, he made sure it didn't appear evil of something. Though they were all from a noble family, Bai Mengxiang's family was one with a strong and firm background.
Mei Lin was a princess from a different nation, and that was why she became Empress. Even though she married Xu Yongheng it was only because of a treaty, and that was why she had compromised with Xu Yongheng that she would do her job as Mother of the Nation and that other than that, she wanted nothing to do with him. True to her words, she controlled the harem with a firm hand, but even then, things weren't totally under her control.
Why? Because Bai Mengxiang also had supporters behind him too. Because his family was a noble family, the strongest one after the Imperial Linage, he had many people who support him. But, being the person that he was, he didn't fight for the throne or power, and had gotten along with Mei Lin. But that was the original Bai Mengxiang. The Bai Mengxiang now, even though he didn't show it, he was a person who hid his trickery behind his smiles.
Well, Bai Mengxiang wasn't going to try anything, because he didn't have to. He could sit down all day and everything would be completed by itself. Yu Zhuang and Shilian, would for sure, dig their own graves.
Bai Mengxiang had a firm hold on Xu Yongheng's heart, and although it wasn't 100% yet, it was already in the nineties. Even so, though Bai Mengxiang also wanted to take part in this play, he couldn't. But, that was fine. After all, he got first seat tickets to this new play.
Xiao Lan looked at Bai Mengxiang intensely, making sure that everything was alright. After all, today was a hot and sunny day, even she was having trouble in the sun.
"Imperial Noble Consort, are you feeling uncomfortable? If there is anything you need, just tell me and I will make sure to do it," Xiao Lan couldn't hide her worry, after all, she couldn't trust anyone in the palace. Bai Mengxiang was pregnant, and Xiao Lan was sure that there were going to be people trying to harm him, that's why she was taking extra precaution. After all, the palace was never an easy place to survive in. It had never been.
Bai Mengxiang was feeling kind of hot but it wasn't that bad, he was just scared that his pale skin might get burnt.
"It's alright, Xiao Lan. I just wonder when Consort Yu and Consort Shi will get here. After all, Her Majesty and all the other consorts and concubines are waiting for them. The weather is hot, it won't be good to wait for too long." Though Bai Mengxiang said this in a quiet tone, his voice was still heard by a few people.
Those particular people couldn't help but feel their heart get warm. The Imperial Noble Consort was too kind, even now he was worrying about them when he was the one who is pregnant.
Bai Mengxiang knew well that his words had impacted those few people greatly. After all, that was how he intended it to be.
"Long live Her Majesty, the Empress and Imperial Noble Consort, may you live ten thousand years. Please, excuse this consort for his late entrance." Yu Zhuang walked forward and bowed, his bow was not too low, and he did not seem to care for anything at all. His words were spoken with carelessness.
Mei Lin's eyes glinted, looking at Yu Zhuang. This person, she was going to have to take control of him and make sure he was well taught about the rules of this palace or else Xu Yongheng was going to get angry.