“Why didn’t Tingyue come to Chengming Hall if she felt wronged?” Xie Chen asked casually.
He was somewhat surprised that someone with her spoiled temperament hadn’t come to complain and seek comfort.
Pei Tingyue timidly raised her head, the corners of her eyes slowly reddening: “When this concubine came to Chengming Hall recently, Your Majesty refused to see me. I thought… you had grown tired of me.”
By the end of her words, tears hung from her long lashes – crystal clear droplets that threatened to fall but didn’t, looking utterly pitiful.
She had come?
Xie Chen’s brow arched slightly as he thought carefully, realizing there indeed had been such an incident.
Some time ago, the palace attendants had announced her arrival, but he had been too busy with state affairs to entertain her and had sent her away.
These past few nights, he hadn’t summoned any consorts either.
With such repeated cold treatment, no wonder she was so afraid.
A subtle light flashed in Xie Chen’s eyes as he reached out to embrace her slender waist, pulling her into his arms and whispering comfortingly: “Tired of Tingyue? This emperor could never bear to.”
Appearing pained, he cupped her delicate face and said: “I’ve been busy with state affairs these past two days and accidentally neglected Tingyue. That was my fault. Now, whatever grievances you have, speak freely. Shall I make things right for you?”
Hearing his words, Pei Tingyue maintained her fragile, shy expression, but countless thoughts raced through her mind.
That damned emperor!
Speak freely about grievances, and then what?
Exempt her from punishment, show her favoritism, elevate her high until she becomes the thorn in the side of all Six Palace Consorts!
This was a trap she couldn’t afford to step into.
Steadying her mind, Pei Tingyue quickly formed a plan.
Finding a comfortable position in his embrace, she hooked her arms around his neck and said obediently: “As long as Your Majesty hasn’t grown tired of this concubine, that’s all that matters. As for other things…”
Her voice gradually softened, a shy expression coloring her features.
Xie Chen raised an eyebrow, signaling for her to continue, but instead she merely placed something in his hand.
Looking down at the object in his hand, he was taken aback.
It was her plain white waist sash.
The knot at her waist was extremely simple.
With just a gentle tug from him, all beautiful scenery would be revealed.
“Other things don’t concern this concubine.” The woman slowly leaned close to his ear, her voice melodious like a nightingale’s song: “Your Majesty, the night is deep. Shall we discuss other matters another day?”
Their gazes intertwined as the atmosphere in the hall gradually warmed.
Xie Chen watched her for a long moment before his eyes finally settled on her rosy, full lips. He chuckled softly: “Then this emperor must not waste these precious hours.”
He reached out to lower the Gold Brocade Curtain.
Before long, the Hibiscus Canopy reflected their inseparable figures.
Silk covers billowed like red waves, candlelight flickering.
The room filled with tender affection.
After all sounds had faded, gazing at the woman’s lovely sleeping face, Xie Chen’s eyes revealed indescribable emotions.
Tonight, she was remarkably different.
It was as if a dull, wooden puppet had suddenly gained intelligence, becoming vibrant and radiant.
A barely perceptible smile curled at Xie Chen’s lips.
Interesting.
He would see what waves this firmly controlled chess piece could make!
Early the next morning.
When Pei Tingyue woke, the space beside her was already empty.
Suppressing her full-body soreness, she sat up and silently cursed at the mottled marks on her body.
That damned emperor truly knew no restraint!
“What time is it?”
Seeing she was awake, the palace maid waiting in the hall hurried to draw aside and hang up the curtain, replying respectfully: “Reporting to Baolin, it has just reached Chen Hour.”
Upon hearing this response, the lingering romantic scenes in Pei Tingyue’s mind instantly vanished without a trace. She hurriedly threw off the brocade quilt and rose to dress.
The time for the six palaces’ consorts to pay morning respects to the Empress was at the second quarter of Chen Hour, and she was almost late!
The chief palace maid of Chengming Hall, noticing her frantic movements, softly reminded her: “When His Majesty left, he specifically instructed that Baolin had a taxing night and need not attend morning greetings today. That’s why we didn’t wake you.”
Taxing was an understatement!
He had been tormenting her!
Pei Tingyue inwardly rolled her eyes but maintained her swift washing routine.
Although the Emperor had excused her from today’s greetings, she still had to go.
Staying overnight at Chengming Hall was already an extraordinary favor. Being exempted from morning greetings on top of that would likely mean she wouldn’t survive tomorrow.
Despite rushing, Pei Tingyue still arrived late at Fenghua Palace.
Under the hostile gazes of the assembled consorts, she slowly performed a curtsy toward the main seat: “Your humble consort pays respects to the Empress. May Your Majesty enjoy boundless fortune and peace.”
On the phoenix throne sat a woman of exquisite beauty dressed in palace robes embroidered with golden peonies. Though her face carried a faint smile, her eyes naturally commanded authority that brooked no disrespect.
This was Cui Wan, the female lead from The Empress’s Power Over the Palace.
Empress Cui hailed from the prestigious Qinghe Cui Clan, foremost among noble families. As the legitimate eldest daughter of the Cui family, she possessed peerless beauty, lineage, and political acumen.
Had she not been frail and passed away early, the final victor might not necessarily have been the female protagonist Shen Yuyao.
Noticing the figure entering the hall, Empress Cui smiled gently and spoke in a warm voice: “So Baolin Pei has arrived. Please take your seat quickly.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty.”
No sooner had Pei Tingyue sat down than she heard a slightly caustic voice before she could even take a sip of tea to soothe her throat: “Baolin Pei has only enjoyed favor for a few days, and already she dares to be late for Morning and Evening Greetings! What insolence might follow in the future!”
Pei Tingyue focused her gaze and identified the speaker as Lin Zhaorong, who had punished her to copy scriptures a few days prior.
From her observations these past days, among all the palace consorts, this one produced the most sour remarks.
As Pei Tingyue had recently received considerable favor, sparking envy in many, now that Lin Zhaorong took the lead, the lower-ranked consorts quickly joined in agreement.
“What will become of us going forward?”
“She clearly holds no regard for palace regulations.”
“Her Majesty should discipline her properly…”
Listening to the rising chorus of accusations against her, Pei Tingyue once again marveled at the original host’s interpersonal relationships.
How could social connections deteriorate to this extent!
Not a single person spoke in her defense!
Yet she felt no urgency internally.
After gathering her composure, she assumed an expression of extreme grievance and looked toward Empress Cui.
Their eyes met briefly, and Pei Tingyue received a reassuring glance.
The next moment.
“Enough!”
Empress Cui’s brow furrowed slightly as she swept a stern gaze across the hall.
Instantly, the hall became so quiet one could hear a pin drop.
“His Majesty sent word early this morning exempting Baolin Pei from morning greetings. Despite physical discomfort, Baolin Pei still came to pay respects. Instead of acknowledging her deference, you all resort to mockery—this is utterly unacceptable!”
Empress Cui rarely used such a severe tone. For a moment, the consorts were intimidated into silence.
The consorts who had spoken earlier wore stiff expressions, particularly Lin Zhaorong.
Being a senior consort who had navigated the palace for years, she quickly composed herself. Shooting a resentful glance at Pei Tingyue, she lowered her head to admire her manicure.
Due to this minor incident, no one targeted Pei Tingyue further during the greetings, and the assembly soon dispersed.
Arriving at the gate of Fenghua Palace, a palace maid bowed to Pei Tingyue and said, “Baolin, our lady is waiting for you on the Palace Road.”
Hearing this, Pei Tingyue looked outside the palace gate and saw Lin Zhaorong sitting upright in her sedan chair, staring directly at her with a cold sneer on her red lips.
Pei Tingyue thought to herself how timely this was, as she happened to have something to say to Lin Zhaorong.