"The rest of you need to work harder!"
"How can it be acceptable for the Emperor to have only one Prince! It's not as if His Majesty avoids the Harem. You must all serve His Majesty well and strive to expand the imperial family soon!"
The concubines quickly rose to receive her instruction.
"We shall humbly follow the Empress Dowager's teachings."
They appeared respectful on the surface, but inwardly, their bitterness was beyond words.
Oh, Empress Dowager, we wish to bear children, we truly do, if only we could conceive this very instant. But the Emperor doesn't touch us; we are helpless too!
The Empress Dowager paid no mind to these matters, continuing to chat and laugh with the Empress and the Noble Consorts. She looked every bit the benevolent matriarch.
Noble Concubine Shih was furious but dared not voice her dissent. Who wants to chat and laugh with the Empress? Pah!
