The Jingyuan Emperor nearly choked on his tea.
How shameless of her!
Empress Lin pressed her lips together, suppressing a smile.
Consort Li, Consort Shu, De Fei, Hui Pin, and the other consorts paled upon hearing this.
If the Empress was the Emperor's true love, then what did that make them?
Consort Li, in particular, was nearly bursting with rage. As the consort who had received the most imperial favor, she had always believed herself to be the Emperor's favorite. How could Empress Lin suddenly become his true love? She glared at Shen Mingzhu, almost puffing up like an angry pufferfish.
"Deceitful nonsense!" she thought. "Utter rubbish!"
The Jingyuan Emperor coughed awkwardly and glanced at the Empress.
"Lady Shen, why haven't you expressed your gratitude?"
"This humble subject thanks Your Majesty for your gracious decree."
Shen Mingzhu respectfully accepted the Imperial Decree and returned to her seat.
Shen Mu watched her daughter holding the decree, uncertain whether it was a blessing or a curse.
No sooner had Shen Mingzhu sat down than the voice spoke again.
[Gua Gua, quickly check out the Crown Prince for me! Mainly, see if he's handsome and dashing. If he's not 180 cm tall with an eight-pack, I don't want him!]
The System sighed in exasperation.
[Host, Crown Prince Yan Beichen has been unconscious for over three months due to injuries sustained on the battlefield. He is quite handsome, though. Just look up at the Emperor and Empress—since the originals are attractive, the copy naturally won't be bad either!]
The Emperor and Empress pondered the terms "original" and "copy" before nodding in agreement.
That System called Gua Gua was absolutely right!
Empress Lin thought: Chen'er truly takes after me—dashing and elegant. He earned the title "Jade-Faced Asura" on the battlefield. Naturally, he is peerlessly handsome.
Jingyuan Emperor thought: I was once the most distinguished gentleman in Great Yan. Chen'er inherited my looks—strikingly handsome and unmatched.
Surely, that should satisfy the young lady?!
Shen Mingzhu looked up toward the Emperor and Empress at the head of the hall, only to find Consort Li glaring daggers at her, as if her eyes alone could kill.
[Gua Gua, what's wrong with Consort Li? She seems to hate me.]
[Host, you're holding the title of the Second Prince's fiancée. What mother-in-law would look kindly upon her daughter-in-law?!]
[Gua Gua, serves her right that the Jingyuan Emperor's true love is Empress Lin, hehe～～～ I bet she still doesn't know?]
Having read the book, Shen Mingzhu knew that Empress Lin was the love of the Jingyuan Emperor's life. His deep affection for their son, Crown Prince Yan Beichen, ultimately led to the prince's tragic fate—beautiful, strong, but doomed.
The Jingyuan Emperor had intended for the other princes to serve as whetstones to sharpen the Crown Prince, but he overestimated their loyalty. This miscalculation sparked the fierce struggle among the five princes for the throne, and the Emperor's sudden death became the catalyst for Yan Beichen's tragic downfall.
The System replied, [Host, you are correct. In the imperial harem, Empress Lin is the Jingyuan Emperor's Bai Yueguang—his true love and white moonlight. Consort Li is his passionate red rose, Consort Shu his understanding confidante, and De Fei his intimate companion, with whom he often drinks tea and plays chess for relaxation. As for Hui Pin, she is the Emperor's delightful diversion in his leisure time—charming and uniquely captivating!]
[So, who is the Jingyuan Emperor's favorite? Without a doubt, it's Empress Lin, his Bai Yueguang! That is true love. Don't be fooled by his dignified and imposing demeanor now—he's actually quite reserved and secretly broods over the time Empress Lin went boating with General Su!]
Upon hearing this, Shen Mingzhu fell silent.
Not only did Shen Mingzhu fall silent, but the entire imperial harem fell silent!
Everyone simultaneously turned their gaze toward the Jingyuan Emperor, their faces filled with quiet resentment.
Is this how it is?
Your Majesty.
Especially Li Consort, who was the most heartbroken. She secretly wiped her tears with her handkerchief.
Shen Mu tugged at Shen Mingzhu, hoping she would "say no more."
If this continues, the harem will fall apart!
A scattered harem!
The Jingyuan Emperor, however, remained unperturbed. He clearly understood that Shen Mingzhu’s words were accurate.
He truly only loved Empress Lin Wanrou.
As for the other consorts, they were merely for the purpose of continuing the lineage.
As an outstanding emperor, his heart and his body were separate entities.
Just as the entire harem was immersed in sorrow, Shen Mingzhu’s inner voice echoed once again.
[Why isn’t there any singing or dancing at the Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet? I was looking forward to admiring the graceful dance moves of the beautiful ladies!]
Shen Mingzhu had already finished a plate of pastries, and with no performances in sight, she was growing bored.
System, [Wait, Host, it should be starting soon. Don’t be impatient! Haste makes waste!]
The Jingyuan Emperor glanced around the hall and then gave a meaningful look to Grand Eunuch Wang Defu standing beside him.
Wang Defu’s sharp voice rang out:
"The Mid-Autumn Palace Banquet now officially begins"
As soon as Wang Defu’s announcement ended, a group of ancient beauties filed in gracefully. Accompanied by melodious zither music, the opening dance commenced…
Shen Mingzhu savored pastries and sipped tea while enjoying the ancient court dance.
As she watched, her mind buzzed with commentary.
[As expected of a performance for the emperor and his consorts—they dance so exquisitely! Their figures are graceful, their waist and abdominal strength remarkable. That lady’s waist isn’t just a waist—it’s a lethal blade that captivates the soul. Clearly, she’s been training since childhood.]
[Host’s commentary is spot-on!]
Everyone thought Shen Mingzhu’s inner monologue had ended.
But shortly after, her thoughts resounded once more.
This time, Shen Mingzhu showcased her literary talent.
[Gua Gua, look, just look at that beauty—she’s so stunning! It truly brings to mind that line: "Heaven’s favor, how could she bear to abandon it? One morning, chosen to stand by the monarch’s side; a glance and a smile, a hundred charms born, the six palaces’ painted beauties all lose their color."]
[Gua Gua, quick, look at that white-bearded minister—his eyes are glued to her, hahaha…]
At Shen Mingzhu’s inner remark, several ministers spat out their tea in surprise.
Not a single elder minister dared to lift their heads to watch the dance performance.
Especially the white-bearded minister!
Only Grand Scholar Su Huaiyuan of the Hanlin Academy silently savored the two lines of poetry Shen Mingzhu had just recited: …What excellent verses!
At that moment, his gaze toward Shen Mingzhu brightened.
Where was the coarseness and vulgarity? Wasn’t she rather talented?
It seems rumors cannot be trusted!