“Your Majesty?” Consort Shu hurried forward upon seeing the Emperor, faint sobbing sounds audible from within.
Pretending to know nothing, she cautiously inquired, “Your Majesty, what’s the matter?”
Qi Jingheng instinctively avoided her and was about to walk outside. Though the Emperor’s expression remained calm and unreadable, he was clearly displeased.
Consort Shu’s heart leaped into her throat. Without another thought, she grabbed the Emperor’s sleeve, softening her tone, “Your Majesty, it is this concubine’s fault for angering you.”
As she spoke, she tightly wrapped her arms around the Emperor’s waist, fearing he might leave. Inside, two matrons quietly dragged away the drenched Que’er.
Que’er had cried herself hoarse, her shoulders trembling uncontrollably.
She had thought she would attain immense wealth and status, never expecting this outcome. After today, she didn’t know how she would face herself.
Consort Shu didn’t glance in that direction, merely looking up with tear-filled eyes. “This concubine was wrong. I wanted to please Your Majesty, so I imitated others in doing this. Little did I know it would anger you. Please don’t be angry with me, Your Majesty, alright?”
Though ostensibly yielding, her words subtly slandered Consort Xian and Talent Luo.
She was referring to Consort Xian and the Luo family sending Talent Luo to the Emperor’s side.
Consort Shu wanted the Emperor to understand that she had acted this way only by imitating Consort Xian. If the Emperor showed excessive favor to Talent Luo, it would set a trend throughout the palace.
Qi Jingheng’s gaze deepened before he spoke, “Since you are in the palace, you must distinguish right from wrong clearly, not compare everything.”
Leaning against the Emperor’s back, Consort Shu felt a pang of bitterness upon hearing these words. Was the Emperor telling her not to compete with others? To follow the principle of equal favor in the harem?
She knew this, but how could she possibly comply? Absolutely impossible.
“Your Majesty, this concubine understands. I was foolish, constantly thinking of you. I am with child and feared you might grow displeased, that after a while you would no longer visit me.” Consort Shu’s eyes reddened. Though proud and domineering, before the Emperor she was merely a concubine who longed day and night for his presence.
Qi Jingheng released her hand, turned around, and looked at the person before him, falling silent.
Consort Shu lifted her head and eagerly nestled into his embrace. “Your Majesty, will you stay with me? I ask for nothing else, only your company.”
Pouring out her heartfelt affection, Qi Jingheng ultimately let the matter go, looking down at her. “You are with child now. Avoid agitation, rest well, and don’t cause trouble.”
Qi Jingheng’s demands on the harem were not high. After all, with so many people gathered together, minor conflicts were normal. As long as no major disturbances arose, he wouldn’t interfere.
Hearing this, Consort Shu obediently nodded, appearing uncharacteristically docile. In truth, she knew the Emperor was letting today’s matter slide. As for the warning not to cause trouble, she paid it little mind, having heard it often enough.
Moreover, her greatest confidence now was the imperial heir she carried—something no one could surpass.
As for that little hussy who tried to seduce the Emperor, what did she amount to?
Consort Shu’s pregnancy had already unsettled the harem, with everyone awaiting the morning greetings to witness the spectacle.
“His Majesty truly dotes on Consort Shu,” Sun Baolin murmured softly, only to see Rong Jieyu in front of her turn around, visibly annoyed by her remark.
In her mind, she refused to admit defeat to anyone. She simply believed that Shu Fei had been in the palace longer and that when there were fewer concubines in the past, the Emperor had favored her more.
Just as Rong Jieyu was about to speak, she saw someone approaching from behind—it was Luo Shuran.
She wore a simple green gown, tied at the waist with a white sash woven into an elegant knot. Small jade pendants hung on both sides, complementing the jade ring on her finger.
Today, her face was pale, and even her lips lacked color. Though she appeared sickly, her delicate beauty was utterly captivating.
Rong Jieyu unconsciously twisted the handkerchief in her hand, unable to hide her jealousy. Then, she changed her expression, a half-smile playing on her lips as she approached.
Seeing Rong Jieyu come over, Luo Shuran performed a proper curtsy.
“Sister Luo, why do you look so unwell? Are you ill?” Rong Jieyu was most skilled at sarcasm, and she had come deliberately to mock Luo Shuran.
While most of the attention in the harem was on Shu Fei, she hadn’t forgotten Talent Luo. The Emperor had favored her for two consecutive days, and everyone thought she would rise quickly. Yet now, suppressed by Shu Fei, she faced the prospect of falling out of favor.
Rong Jieyu was on good terms with Qi Zhaorong and often interacted with her, so she naturally knew about Talent Luo offending Qi Zhaorong and being punished as a result.
She had come to watch the drama and, in passing, to ridicule Talent Luo and embarrass her.
Upon hearing this, Luo Shuran paid no mind to the mockery in her words. Instead, she smiled and said, “Rong Jieyu has sharp eyes. This humble one has been… ill for a few days, cough.” As she spoke, she quickly took out her handkerchief, unable to suppress a cough.
Her pale complexion, combined with her symptoms, made it seem as though she were seriously ill.
Seeing this, Rong Jieyu instinctively stepped back, nearly stepping on Sun Baolin’s foot. The two of them fumbled, both covering their noses with their handkerchiefs.
Rong Jieyu had originally intended to say much more, but now she swallowed her words and even wanted to leave quickly.
“You really shouldn’t have come out if you’re this ill,” Rong Jieyu said. Behind her, Sun Baolin quietly took another step back. She had heard that colds could be contagious and could even be fatal.
Without waiting for Luo Shuran to respond, Rong Jieyu turned and left, with Sun Baolin quickly following.
Left alone, Luo Shuran coughed a few more times into her handkerchief. Ming Xia, who was behind her, stepped forward to support her. “Mistress, are you alright?”
Ming Xia looked at her mistress, unable to hide her worry. She thought to herself, Didn’t my mistress say she was pretending? She even asked me to remove her lip color and make her look paler. Why does she seem genuinely unwell now?
As she was lost in thought, she saw her mistress turn her head slightly and give her a subtle wink.
Seeing this small gesture, Ming Xia felt somewhat reassured. It seemed her mistress was most likely pretending.
Luo Shuran was indeed pretending. She knew Rong Jieyu’s character well—she loved to watch drama and stir up trouble, always eager for things to escalate.
Soon, they entered Kunning Palace, where many concubines had gathered. Everyone chatted among themselves, mostly discussing Shu Fei’s pregnancy.
But in these public conversations, everyone chose their words carefully.
Moreover, with Shu Fei pregnant, her influence was likely to grow in the future. Most people in the palace were opportunists, naturally eager to flock to Le’an Palace.
Before long, someone from Le’an Palace arrived to inform the Empress that Shu Fei was unwell and would not be coming to pay her respects.
The concubines had nothing to say upon hearing this. They had originally come to watch the drama, but the main character had unexpectedly not shown up.
However, Shu Fei was truly arrogant and willful. She had just become pregnant and was already requesting leave, showing no regard for Her Majesty the Empress.
Empress Zhao, on the other hand, was gracious and dignified. She granted Shu Fei’s leave and even smiled as she instructed her attendants to take good care of Shu Fei, ensuring the safe birth of the imperial heir.
Luo Shuran watched quietly.
She wondered whether beneath the Empress’s compassionate smile, there were turbulent undercurrents.