On the Empress's orders, the Royal Physician examined the Crown Princess, Princess Zhilao, and Princess Consort Xue. The Empress and the other consorts were waiting for the response of the Royal Physician who turned to the Empress and bowed.
"Your majesty, the Crown Princess is healthy to bear the Royal Heir," the Royal Physician informed them with a delighted face. The Empress faked a smile and asked about Zhilao Mi and Xue Yu-Yan.
"Your majesty, Princess Zhilao is also healthy but Consort Xue might face some problems in the later stage." The smile from Xue Yu-Yan's lips vanished instantly. Zhilao Mi glanced at Xue Yu-Yan who was looking dejected.
"Royal Physician, I think you made a mistake. You shall examine me one more time," Xue Yu-Yan requested.
"Princess Consort, the Royal Physician has checked all of us when we got married to his majesty. You are doubting the knowledge and skills of the Royal Physician," Consort Ju Fen stated and then looked at the Empress who was slightly disheartened to learn about that.
"I do not dare to question the knowledge of the Royal Physician. Forgive me, if it seemed an insult to you, Royal Physician," Xue Yu-Yan apologized.
"Princess Consort shall not ask for the forgiveness. She can improve her health to avoid complications in the later stage. I will recommend some herbal medicines to Princess Consort which she needs to take after dinner," the Royal Physician asserted. Xue Yu-Yan was delighted and heaved a sigh.
"Soon we will hear the noises of young kids in the Palace. Crown Princess, you have to bear a healthy boy to strengthen the position of the Crown Prince else it will be difficult for him," Consort Ju Fen taunted the Crown Princess.
"Consort Ju, I might sound rude but my future child will have nothing to do with the position of the Crown Prince. The support of the subjects, our people, is indispensable for any Ruler. And it will be heaven's wish whether I give birth to a boy or a girl. Even a girl has the strength and capability to strengthen the Empire," Ying Lili pronounced. The Second and the Third Consorts found how embarrassed Consort Ju felt at that moment.
"Crown Princess, calm down and be respectful towards Consort Ju," Weng Wei said with a stern expression.
"Forgive me, your majesty. I was only saying that Consort Ju must not discriminate," Ying Lili pronounced. Weng Wei nodded and told the First Consort to be careful of her words.
"Royal Physician, thank you for examining them. You shall take leave," Weng Wei stated. The Royal Physician bowed and left. Weng Wei ordered the Court Lady of her Manor to bring the Royal Astrologer who was waiting outside the chamber.
As the Royal Astrologer entered, he greeted the Empress first, followed by the Crown Princess and the others. "Please take your seat Astrologer Mengyao," the Empress said. Mengyao took his seat and took off the cloth bag which he had hanged around his shoulder.
"Astrologer Yao, please give three auspicious days when the three daughters-in-law can consummate with their respective husbands," Empress Wei stated. "Start with the Crown Princess, first," she added.
Mengyao nodded his head and took out a book of astronomy and stars from his bag. He checked the positions of the moon and stars thus, accordingly calculated a day of consummation for the Crown Princess. "According to their stars, the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess shall consummate on the next full moon which is after five days," Astrologer Mengyao suggested.
Empress Wei nodded and was going to ask about Zhilao Mi and Xue Yu-Yan when she heard Astrologer Mengyao. "Since this is the first time I matched the stars of the Crown Prince and the Crown Princess, I found a distinctive and astonishing thing," Mengyao pronounced.
Everyone got curious to know about that except Ying Lili who had the least interest in that. "What is it, Astrologer Mengyao?" Empress Wei queried.
"They together are considered as the greatest rulers of our Empire. The Empire will become prosperous under them. Basically, the stars of the Crown Princess are too good for the Crown Prince." Frowns appeared on the forehead of Astrologer Mengyao.
Empress Wei asked the astrologer why he was looking worried.
"Your majesty, something is disturbing in the stars of the Crown Prince. It may happen or may not," Mengyao stated. This grabbed the attention of the Crown Princess.
"What does the Royal Astrologer mean?" Ying Lili asked.
"Your highness, a dark time will come in the life of the Crown Prince. He may lose everything," Mengyao stated. Empress Wei, Consort Ju, and Xue Yu-Yan smiled a little upon hearing that while others got a little worried. "But because the Crown Princess's stars are strong, that may not happen," the Astrologer stressed in his final words.
"It is just a prediction. A prediction has nothing to do with the future of anyone," Ying Lili opined. The Third Consort and Princess Zhilao Mi agreed with her.
Mengyao nodded and then predicted a day for Princess Zhilao and Princess Consort Xue for the consummation with Prince Jian Guozhi. "This month no such day is good for them. It will be next month in the first and third weeks. Any day will be better for the consummation in these two weeks," Mengyao depicted.
Weng Wei smiled upon hearing that. Astrologer Mengyao took his leave. "Crown Princess, you need to be careful. Whatever Astrologer predicted for all these years has turned true. What if something happens to him?! I think you need to go do powerful chants in the Buddhist Shrine," Ju Fen advised the Crown Princess who nodded her head.
"Crown Princess, you do not need to be worried. Everyone shall take their leave. It is late lunch hours. The Emperor must be waiting for me," Weng Wei stated. The other stood up, bowed, and left from there.
As they came out of the chamber, Zhilao Mi saw that the Crown Princess was troubled after hearing the prediction. "Crown Princess, Astrologer Mengyao said that it may happen or may not happen. Do not get anxious. Nothing is going to happen," Zhilao Mi solaced Ying Lili who thanked her but her heart was still a little disturbed to know all that.
"I will see you later, Sister Mi," Ying Lili said and walked away. She went to the chamber of Princess Qi Jing as Sheng Li had told her that they would have lunch there. As she reached the chamber, she saw Sheng Li was looking delighted with Qi Jing. He was smiling brightly.
'They are right. A sister is the second mother,' Ying Lili murmured. "I just hope everything will go right. I never believed in predictions that much but whatever the Royal Astrologer said today is making me worried," she thought.
