Сhарtеr 5: А Heаvу Неаrt of Guardednеss
Whаt the Emрeror саrеd аbоut mоst was nоnе оthеr than his own еmpire.
If mere оbjеcts соuld drivе реoрlе tо actiоn, thеn the Еmperor shоuld be lуing awake аt night, guarding his Imрeriаl Sеal daу and night.
Only if thе Еmреror genuinеlу rеjеcted suсh notiоns could hеr dignity as Еmpress bе preservеd.
Тоdaу’s еvents preсiselу сonfirmed thаt her thinking was сorrесt.
“Wеll, now thаt the authоrity ovеr thе рalace is no longer in my hаnds, whаtever hapреns in the rear раlace will have nothing to do with the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.”
Hua Shu leaned back, speaking slowly and leisurely.
When the Empress held power, she could still suppress the ambitions of some.
But if real authority were to slip away, would those people willingly accept who was stronger than whom?
Hua Shu admitted she could not, especially when that very thing was right before her eyes, within reach.
Those who caught its scent would go mad for it.
The Imperial Carriage made its way to the Hall of Auspicious Beginning.
From afar, Consort Shu could be seen waiting at the entrance of the hall.
Today, she wore a long purple dress, with pink petal-shaped flower hairpins painted on her forehead. Her figure was graceful, and her demeanor dignified.
Only when closer could one see her lovely face, with a gentle warmth flowing between her brows.
As she saw the Emperor approaching, the corners of her lips curved slightly, unable to hide her smile, as she bowed in greeting.
“Your servant greets the Emperor. May the Emperor enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”
Chu Ze walked over to her side, and Consort Shu, her eyes filled with shyness, accompanied him inside.
However, this time, the Emperor did not seek her out for a heart-to-heart.
Instead, he went straight to the main event in the latter half.
Consort Shu lay on the bed, her eyes open, gazing at the desire in the Emperor’s eyes, which made her blush with shyness.
What was wrong with the Emperor?
Half an hour later, Consort Shu went to clean herself, while the Emperor changed out of his outer garments.
After finishing, Chu Ze sat on the small couch, idly playing with chess pieces, as Consort Shu slowly walked over and gently sat beside the Emperor.
Looking at the Emperor’s handsome profile, her heart raced uncontrollably. Remembering the sweat-drenched events from earlier, a blush spread across her face.
It had been a long time since the Emperor had felt such desire for her.
“Is the Emperor troubled by the Empress’s affairs?”
Consort Shu was most skilled at guessing the Emperor’s thoughts, especially since recently, this was the only matter troubling him.
Chu Ze did not speak, his fingertips placing a black chess piece. For some reason, when she mentioned the Empress, he instinctively wanted to avoid the topic.
In the past, he would have been interested in discussing rear palace matters with Consort Shu.
“Tell me, who wanted to harm Rong Zhaoyi’s child?” Chu Ze brought up another matter.
Rong Zhaoyi was clearly the victim of a hidden plot. If it wasn’t the Empress, then who could it be?
Consort Shu pursed her lips. So, this was what troubled the Emperor.
It seemed he had determined that this matter had nothing to do with the Empress?
“Your Majesty, this matter concerning Sister Rong is not something your servant dares to judge lightly. Perhaps someone was jealous of the Emperor’s favor toward Sister Rong, fearing that if she gave birth to a prince in the future, it would threaten their position. It couldn’t possibly be Sister Rong herself, could it?”
As she spoke, Consort Shu couldn’t help but glance sideways at the Emperor’s expression.
Her words were ambiguous, but upon careful consideration, they felt like a silent, deadly blow. When it came to threatening positions, the Empress, who had no heirs, was undoubtedly the prime suspect. Moreover, if it wasn’t her, would Rong Zhaoyi have done it herself?
After all, the child was not seriously harmed. Throughout history, such cases were not unheard of.
Chu Ze’s expression darkened, and the chess piece slipped from his fingers and fell onto the board. Clearly, he could not accept this.
Consort Shu quickly stood up. “Your servant has spoken out of turn. I beg the Emperor for forgiveness.””It was I who told you to speak. Enough, accompany me for a game of chess.” Chu Ze waved impatiently, not wanting to continue discussing the matter.
Consort Shu nodded and began playing against him.
Among the imperial consorts, only Consort Shu had decent chess skills, though she was no match for the Emperor. Each game was merely the Emperor going easy on her for amusement.
“Today, Grand Tutor Yang submitted a memorial to me, demanding that the Empress be severely punished.”
As they played, Chu Ze casually brought it up.
Grand Tutor Yang was his former teacher and also Consort Shu’s father.
Upon hearing the Emperor’s words, Consort Shu, holding a chess piece, unconsciously withdrew her hand.
In an instant, she regained her composure. “Your Majesty, I am merely a consort, unfamiliar with state affairs. Outsiders may not know the truth of the matter, and seeing that Your Majesty has taken back the Phoenix Seal, they likely assume the Empress has committed a grave offense.”
The act of reclaiming the Phoenix Seal was significant, and rumors had begun to spread. It was only natural for some to conclude that the Empress had plotted against the imperial heir and demand severe punishment.
Chu Ze did not comment on whether it was right or wrong. He merely mentioned it and fell silent.
By evening, the Emperor did not stay overnight and left the Hall of Auspicious Beginning.
Li Sheng waited, unsure where the Emperor intended to go. Could it be that His Majesty was still concerned about Rong Zhaoyi?
“To the Palace of Earthly Tranquility,” Chu Ze said leisurely as he sat in the Imperial Carriage.
Li Sheng’s eyebrows nearly shot up to his hairline as he shrilly announced:
Set course for the Palace of Earthly Tranquility!
………..
Inside the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
Hua Shu had already bathed, dried her hair, and was about to rest. She was already lying in bed when she heard the news of the Emperor’s arrival.
She closed her eyes, frowning, a faint anger simmering within.
Annoying.
Though reluctant, she had no choice but to rise. Under another’s roof, one must bow their head first.
Due to her slow movements, the Emperor had already entered the room.
Hua Shu was fastening the sash around her waist, her long hair cascading over her shoulders, a strand of dark locks curling and clinging to her chest.
She looked up, the view fully revealed—the stark contrast of black and white was particularly striking.
These past few days, Hua Shu had spent most of her time on skincare, and it had been effective. Her skin had been nurtured to an exquisite smoothness.
Hua Shu performed a curtsey, then slipped on a red outer robe.
Chu Ze slowly averted his gaze and walked directly to the small couch. “You punished Consort Wan today.”
His tone gave no hint of emotion, but Hua Shu was certain he wasn’t angry at all.
Once properly dressed, Hua Shu walked over and sat on the side, casually picking up a peony-patterned fan from the table and waving it gently. Only then did she feel the anger in her heart cool slightly. “She spoke disrespectfully and deserved punishment. Does Your Majesty believe I punished her unjustly?”
Her wrist was slender, and as she waved the fan, a breeze stirred the strands of hair at her temples. Her relaxed demeanor carried an innate charm.
The Empress had changed a great deal.
Chu Ze noticed his own thoughts and turned away somewhat uncomfortably.
“As the Empress, aren’t you supposed to advocate benevolence and kindness? Why such great anger? Is it resentment toward her, or toward me?”
The Emperor’s words were undoubtedly cutting, even mocking. He deliberately brought up the original host’s hypocritical benevolence.
Hua Shu sneered inwardly. It was only natural to feel resentment—what great favor had she been shown that she should be grateful for?
“Your Majesty, I naturally dare not resent you. However, as the Empress, if a consort provokes me, I certainly cannot show leniency.”
Listening to her, Chu Ze felt that the Empress had not changed after all. She had merely become more cunning, better at manipulating people’s hearts.Thinking of this, Chu Ze stood up and spoke coldly, “Do you think that by changing your tactics, you can make me look at you differently? I tell you, the only way is to stay honest and well-behaved in the palace, and not make any more mistakes. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being ruthless.”
After saying this, he turned and left.
Yun Xiu, who was preparing hot water, knelt on the ground, somewhat stunned to see the Emperor leave just like that.
Nanny Wen, however, entered first. “Your Majesty, did the Emperor trouble you again?”
Hua Shu shook her head, resting her chin on a round fan, her gaze fixed in the direction the Emperor had left.
She had become a palace maid at fifteen and had spent nearly fifteen years in the palace, well aware that some nobles’ hearts were impossible to fathom.
But she could sense that the Emperor was inherently wary of her, the Empress.
He would not allow any situation he could not control.
“He didn’t trouble me, but I do have a bit of a competitive spirit in my heart.”