Xie Zhizhi pondered deeply: Could the Imperial Noble Consort really change the Emperor’s mind by pleading for the Third Prince’s confinement to be lifted?
If the Emperor were to revoke his own decree, wouldn’t that be slapping his own face?
Little did she know at this moment that the Dog Emperor would not only slap his own face but do so eagerly and without hesitation.
Night fell with a surging darkness, the moon tonight full and plump, shining unusually bright.
The palace paths paved with blue bricks were solid and smooth, wide enough for four carriages to travel side by side.
The Imperial Noble Consort’s sedan chair led the way.
Two rows of palace maids followed closely on either side, holding palace lanterns. In her conversation with the eunuch, the Imperial Noble Consort’s words were filled with concern for the Third Prince.
In Xie Zhizhi’s limited memories, the Original Host was not familiar with the Imperial Noble Consort, even though she was the Third Prince’s birth mother.
The Original Host had tried several times to win her favor, but the Imperial Noble Consort had always been dismissive. Eventually, the Original Host gave up and focused solely on clinging to the Third Prince.
It was said that the Imperial Noble Consort enjoyed the Dog Emperor’s favor, rarely left the Zhaoyang Palace, had delicate health, and was famously pampered—yet the Dog Emperor adored her precisely for these traits.
Now that her son was confined, she had no choice but to emerge.
Xie Zhizhi didn’t understand these tactics of vying for favor. After eating and drinking her fill in the Space, she was finally about to meet the Dog Emperor.
The palace was truly enormous; it had taken so many twists and turns to locate the Dog Emperor.
Outside the Space.
The Shu Ning Palace was brilliantly lit, and even from beyond the palace walls, the sounds of the Dog Emperor flirting and laughing with the consorts inside could be heard.
In the Original Host’s memories, this was Noble Consort Shu’s bedchamber. Had the Imperial Noble Consort come here to start a fight?
Xie Zhizhi quickly pulled up a chair to sit, grabbed a handful of melon seeds, and watched as the Big Black Dog, having drunk its fill of Spirit Spring Water, trotted over and settled beside her.
“Do you know how to crack melon seeds? Here, try some.” Seeing the eager look in the Big Black Dog’s eyes, she placed a few seeds on a plate for it to try.
“Woof!” Thank you, Master.
The Big Black Dog wagged its tail happily, lowered its head to lick the shells of the seeds, found them oddly sweet, and decided it didn’t like them.
“Go pick whatever you like from the storage room~” Xie Zhizhi patted its head and quickly turned her attention back to the melon-eating scene outside.
Outside, the eunuch accompanying the Imperial Noble Consort entered the palace to announce her arrival.
The next moment, Xie Zhizhi noticed the Imperial Noble Consort’s complexion visibly grow even more fragile and pitiable. A sheer veil half-covered her face, her eyes shimmering with a natural, captivating allure.
Ugh.
As expected, no one in the rear palace was easy to deal with.
Was her frailty all an act?
Less than five minutes after the eunuch’s announcement, a portly man in a yellow robe emerged with somewhat unsteady steps—it was the Emperor. Seeing the Imperial Noble Consort, his concern seemed genuine: “Did I not instruct you to rest well in your bedchamber?”
Beside the Emperor stood a beautiful, elegantly dressed woman with delicate features—Noble Consort Shu, who performed a perfunctory curtsy: “Greetings, Imperial Noble Consort.”
The Imperial Noble Consort ignored her, not bothering to acknowledge her or allow her to rise. Supported by palace maids, she stepped down from her sedan chair and offered a weak curtsy to the Emperor, speaking urgently:
“Your Majesty, this humble consort has come regarding the Third Prince. Our son truly had no contact with Xie Zhizhi; he usually paid her no mind. I beg Your Majesty not to blame our son or confine him. The Ministry of War still has many matters requiring his attention…”
“Enough, enough!” the Emperor interrupted irritably. The mere mention of Xie Zhizhi’s name reminded him of everything that had happened at the General’s Mansion, and his face flushed with anger:”The words I have spoken cannot be taken back. Moreover, the Crown Prince makes a valid point. Xie Zhizhi entered the palace to see the Third Prince this morning, yet fled after leaving. The Third Prince is the prime suspect. Until she is captured, the Third Prince shall remain confined within the palace!”
Xie Zhizhi: I’m right here! I never fled!
Upon hearing this, the Imperial Noble Consort realized it was tantamount to banishing her son to the cold palace. With the court struggles so intense, her son would lose all standing in a few months. This marriage alliance had been imposed by the Emperor against her son’s wishes, and now all the blame was being shifted onto him. That old emperor truly had no heart.
Though seething with hatred inside, the Imperial Noble Consort outwardly maintained a frail appearance, her eyes slightly closed, as she spoke softly and tactfully, retreating to advance:
“Third Prince deeply reveres Your Majesty. This humble consort also believes Your Majesty will handle this matter appropriately. Then… I shall not disturb Your Majesty and Noble Consort Shu any further.”
Her final words were uttered with heart-wrenching sorrow. The Imperial Noble Consort swayed as she turned, appearing too weak to stand steadily. Every gesture was executed with perfect precision—graceful, delicate, and filled with boundless reluctance.
Watching from her Space, Xie Zhizhi found herself somewhat captivated by the classical beauty’s performance. The timing of that glance was impeccable, angled perfectly for the Dog Emperor to see.
Sure enough, the next moment she saw the Dog Emperor’s expression shift from displeasure to one of pity, instantly forgetting his earlier stern stance. What a lust-blinded, foolish ruler.
The Emperor stepped forward to support the Imperial Noble Consort’s frail form, his hand stroking her back and sliding downward. His voice lost its severity, taking on a lustful tone. “You truly do not take care of yourself. I shall accompany you back.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” The Imperial Noble Consort naturally clung to him tightly. Turning her back to the Emperor, she cast a contemptuous glance at Noble Consort Shu. If it weren’t for my son, I wouldn’t bother competing with you at all.