The very next day, news of the commotion surrounding Xie Changsu and Xiao Mingyue’s night together spread throughout the inner palace.
Why was everyone gossiping about such a matter? Aside from the fact that loose lips were everywhere in the palace, another reason lay with Xie Changsu himself.
Everyone knew that Xie Changsu was frail and sickly. Since ascending the throne, he had rarely entered the imperial harem. Consequently, the harem possessed very few concubines—aside from Empress Zhao, there were only a few Ladys of Bright Deportment and Beauties, and that was all.
Xiao Mingyue had entered the palace directly with the rank of High Consort and had even been bestowed the honorific title “Chen.” This was more than enough to demonstrate how deeply favored she was. To make matters worse, the Emperor had been so insatiable last night—this was, beyond a shadow of a doubt, the textbook standard of a seductive temptress.
“Imperial Consort Chen has arrived—!”
To the eunuch’s sharp, high-pitched announcement, Xiao Mingyue stepped into the Hall of Phoenix Harmony. Today, she was dressed in a low-key manner, wearing only a plain, elegant water-blue imperial gown.
The water-blue fabric draped smoothly over her exquisitely proportioned figure, making her skin appear as fair as snow and her features as lovely as a painting.
From her dark, cloud-like hair, she had removed the eye-catching pure gold and rubies, wearing only a single gold begonia hairpin tilted to one side alongside two or three small pearl hair flowers. The luster of those pearls was soft and gentle, not at all ostentatious.
The imperial harem was never lacking in beauties. At first, the concubines were somewhat indignant, but upon seeing Xiao Mingyue, their spirits immediately dampened—such a countenance could only belong to the heavens.
Inside the Hall of Phoenix Harmony, fresh fruity fragrance wafted gently from the auspicious beast-shaped incense burners, enveloping the space beneath the high vaulted ceiling.
The Empress sat solemnly on the main phoenix throne at the top, wearing an imperial yellow satin gown embroidered with colorful phoenixes. Yet, her face bore only light makeup, giving her a delicate and soft appearance, looking just in her early twenties. On either side stood serving maids, holding their breath with lowered eyes like statues carved from clay and wood.
Xiao Mingyue stepped forward gracefully to pay her respects, saying, “This humble concubine, Pei Yue, pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless good fortune and lasting peace.”
Both sides of the hall were already filled with concubines adorned in jewels and jade. Clothes rustled gently, and hairpins clinked softly.
She had not arrived late, and whether in terms of etiquette or palace rules, she handled every detail meticulously, leaving no room for anyone to find fault.
Empress Zhao Qingyu zoned out for a brief moment—not because of how remarkably beautiful Xiao Mingyue was, but because she wanted to see what kind of person resided at the very tip of the Emperor’s heart.
This single glance did not disappoint her; Xiao Mingyue was indeed exceedingly beautiful, making it completely natural for others to adores her.
Seeing that the Empress delayed calling for Xiao Mingyue to rise, the concubines exchanged silent glances with one another—was the Empress intending to teach Xiao Mingyue a lesson? But Xiao Mingyue had only entered the palace yesterday, and it was entirely understandable for the Emperor to seek novelty. Was the Empress being far too impatient?
Silence filled the hall, broken only by the crisp chirping of birds outside the window and the faint crackle of burning incense inside the burner.
“Your Majesty? Your Majesty?” The attendant beside her reminded her twice before the Empress snapped back to her senses.
She hurriedly walked down to assist Xiao Mingyue up, her tone bearing a slight note of apology: “Forgive me, Little Sister. I lost my composure just now. I hope Little Sister can be forgiving.”
“This concubine is fine,” Xiao Mingyue replied with a gentle smile.
“Little Sister, please sit down quickly. I have prepared fine tea and refreshments today; please help yourself,” the Empress greeted Xiao Mingyue softly, signaling the servants to bring forth the delicate pastries and tea.
Just as Xiao Mingyue sat down, she noticed a scorching, intense gaze fixed upon her.
Xiao Mingyue turned her eyes to look, and it turned out to be Feng Yixue?
Feng Yixue was Feng Buji’s cousin, as well as the witness to the romance between her and Feng Buji.
Xiao Mingyue had actually forgotten all about her; this was going to be trouble.
Unexpectedly, when Feng Yixue saw her look over, she actually offered her a smile devoid of any ill intent, which left Xiao Mingyue somewhat baffled instead.
The daily morning court calls in the palace were nothing more than a few women gathering to chat about mundane matters, dispersing after a short while.
After stepping out of the Hall of Phoenix Harmony, Feng Yixue immediately came looking for her.
“Sister Mingyue, why did you enter the palace?” Feng Yixue’s expression held a touch of innocence mixed with confusion.
Xiao Mingyue smiled awkwardly, “This concubine is Prime Minister Pei’s sister, Pei Yue—not the ‘Mingyue’ you speak of.”
Even if the other party recognized her, she could not admit to being Xiao Mingyue; otherwise, she would be the daughter of an attainted traitorous official.
In fact, many in the palace knew this truth, but no one dared to voice it aloud.
Feng Yixue wanted to ask further, but Xiao Mingyue hurriedly made an excuse and departed.
The more she said, the more mistakes she would make—it was better to say nothing at all. Besides, she had far more important matters to attend to.
Inside the Palace of Heavenly Purity—
Xie Changsu was reviewing imperial memorials, while the Empress stood to the side grinding ink for him, presenting a picture of quiet and peaceful harmony.
Yet in the middle of this heartwarming scene, an ill-timed announcement echoed from outside the hall.
“Imperial Consort Chen has arrived—!”
It was now noon. Xiao Mingyue had first returned to her palace to change out of her earlier imperial gown, changing instead into a crimson fitted long dress. She wore a emerald-and-pearl necklace around her neck, her makeup heavy and elaborate, exuding an air of lavish splendor and seductive charm.
Ever since experiencing Feng Buji’s sudden emotional betrayal, Xiao Mingyue felt as though she was much more willing to go all out than before. She understood a fundamental truth—men liked women who were virtuous and dignified on the outside, but preferred them seductive and alluring on the inside. Thus, she dressed in this manner specifically to entice him.
As for why she still had to do this: last night, the System had suffered a glitch in its judgment. Xie Changsu’s favorability score toward her was not that high at all—in reality, it was only twenty-five percent! And even that twenty-five percent was solely thanks to her stunningly beautiful face…
Having experienced a false alarm, Xiao Mingyue decided to take the initiative!