Pregnant Before the Royal Marriage

Chapter 721: Chapter 721: Building Good Relations

Jiang Ning knew right away that it wasn’t Li Hongyuan who sent Li Quan to deliver the clothes.

In fact, Li Hongyuan hadn’t even noticed that she had come out without her clothes on.

After putting on the cloak and feeling its warm embrace, Jiang Ning smiled at Li Quan, “Thank you, Eunuch Li, for coming out in such cold weather.”

Li Quan hurriedly replied, “Your Highness, how can I not be willing to serve my masters?”

“Eunuch Li, please go back.”

Jiang Ning held Xiachu’s hand and stepped on the snow to leave.

The snowflakes were big and soon their shoulders were covered with snow.

Dongxie was somewhat worried, “Master, should I have someone bring over a palanquin? I’m afraid you’ll catch a cold in this heavy snow.”

“Can’t I even walk a few steps? If I don’t move around, I’ll become useless.”

Jiang Ning didn’t care much.

She liked snow and the feeling of walking in the snowy night.

The tranquil silence brought her peace of mind.

Xiachu whispered, “The Crown Prince is too cold towards you, Master.”

“The Crown Prince is inherently cold-natured,” Dongxie said, “Isn’t he even more indifferent towards Concubine Li and Jin Liangyuan?”

“How can they compare with our Master?”

“Indeed, they cannot. But have you forgotten? Before our Master entered Prince of Yu’s Mansion, Concubine Li had been by the Crown Prince’s side, and was said to be his favorite concubine. But as I’ve seen over the years, she is nothing special.”

“That’s true,” Xiachu nodded, “The Crown Prince has always been like this. Master, don’t be too sad.”

Jiang Ning walked with a light step, smiling, “He’s been quite good to me. I won’t be sad. It’s not that serious.”

Her earlier pretentiousness of course had been an act.

Huang Ying’s words were a reminder to her.

No matter what, she still had to maintain a good relationship with Li Hongyuan and couldn’t simply oppose him or create conflict.

After all, he was the Crown Prince, and if he was unhappy, what would she do if he deposed her as the Princess Consort?

What’s more, if he had a few more sons with other women, it wouldn’t be a problem, but Wenzan would have to fight and compete, right?

The struggle for succession had always been bloody throughout history.

It was too dangerous.

To eliminate this danger in the cradle, she had to prevent the birth of Li Hongyuan’s other sons.

How could she do that?

Jiang Ning thought of the usual tactics in palace dramas – drugging to induce miscarriages or plotting against the children.

But none of those would work.

Jiang Ning was relatively ruthless towards her enemies, but she couldn’t bring herself to harm a child.

This was the moral bottom line she set for herself.

If she couldn’t harm pregnant women and children, then she could only prevent others from getting pregnant.

How could she prevent others from getting pregnant?

Of course, by not sleeping with them.

But that wouldn’t be realistic either.

As a Prince in a feudal society, the future Emperor who would maintain chastity for one woman was a pipe dream.

According to the Imperial Physician, it was because of physical reasons that Concubine Li had been unable to conceive for many years.

As for the newly arrived Jin Liangyuan, she was a foreigner, and according to Li Hongyuan, although he would sleep with her, he wouldn’t leave her with an heir.

For now, there was nothing to worry about.

But in a few days, the selection would take place, and new people would come to the East Palace.

These newcomers, one after another, all hoped to win the favor of the Emperor or Crown Prince and plant the royal seed in their wombs.

The thought was rather amusing.

As Jiang Ning pondered this, she sighed.