It’s a bit slow.
Pei Tingyue thought to herself.
Her progress in winning over the Emperor was somewhat slow.
Although the Emperor had developed some affection for her, his intention to use her as a shield remained unchanged.
She needed to change this situation as soon as possible.
It wasn’t that Pei Tingyue was being impatient; the pressure from the female protagonist was simply too overwhelming.
She had to secure a shred of the Emperor’s genuine affection before the female protagonist appeared.
Otherwise, once the female protagonist emerged, there would likely be no chance left to win the Emperor’s true heart. Her fate would be predictable—swallowed whole by the depths of the palace.
What should she do?
Pei Tingyue pondered this matter all the way back.
Even while dining with Noble Consort Song, her mind was elsewhere.
With this worry weighing on her, Pei Tingyue had no appetite to enjoy the food. She ate a little casually and returned to the rear hall.
After preparing the Peach Blossom Cakes and having them sent to the front hall, Pei Tingyue reclined on the couch, continuing to mull over the issue.
The Emperor’s heart was too cold and hard, making it incredibly difficult to pry open.
Over this period, she had tried all sorts of tactics—using her beauty, expressing sincerity, acting obedient and soft—but they had only earned her a modicum of pity.
To make the Emperor truly care for her, these ordinary methods wouldn’t suffice. She needed to think of another approach.
Play hard to get, or feign indifference while secretly welcoming advances?
Pei Tingyue considered it but felt it wouldn’t work. The Emperor would surely see through such tricks. If he had time, he might play along, but if not, he probably wouldn’t even bother.
This method was risky, and besides, these were just trivial games of emotion, insufficient to unlock the Emperor’s heart.
What about being a gentle, understanding confidante?
Always there to soothe the Emperor’s inner troubles.
This method was good but not quite suitable for her.
After all, she had established an image of being foolish and soft in front of the Emperor; she couldn’t suddenly become clever.
This path wasn’t for her.
Pei Tingyue sighed and began considering other options.
Just as Pei Tingyue was thinking about how to stir the Emperor’s heart, the Imperial Harem was also undergoing changes due to two “joyful events.”
Changxin Palace
Since the news of Consort Shu’s pregnancy spread, rewards had flowed into the palace like a steady stream.
There were gifts from the Emperor, the Empress, and even the Empress Dowager, who usually paid no attention to harem affairs, had bestowed numerous rewards.
From gold, jade, pearls, and precious stones; head ornaments and hairpins; silks and satins; and exotic ornaments, down to medicinal cuisine and tonics; flowers and potted plants—everything one could imagine was present.
This showed just how precious Consort Shu Jiang’s pregnancy was.
Not only that, some palace consorts personally came to deliver congratulatory gifts.
For a time, the main hall of Changxin Palace was packed with people.
Consort Shu Jiang personally entertained them for a while but, feeling fatigued, retired to her bedchamber to rest, leaving Huang Jieyu from her palace to manage affairs.
It wasn’t until the moon was high in the sky that the excitement gradually subsided.
Tanwu, Consort Shu’s chief palace maid, personally prepared the pregnancy-preserving medicine and brought it to her. “Your Highness, please drink the medicine.”
Consort Shu sat on the bed, her face somewhat pale, and asked cautiously, “Did you oversee the preparation of this medicine yourself?”
Tanwu replied in a low voice, “No one else was involved. The prescription was from Doctor Hu, and I had other Imperial Physicians review it to ensure it was correct before procuring the medicine. It’s locked in the small cabinet in the hall, and each time the medicine is prepared, only I handle it.”
Only then did Consort Shu feel reassured. She took the pregnancy-preserving medicine and drank it. “It’s not that I’m being overly cautious. With this pregnancy, everyone in the harem appears harmonious on the surface, but who knows what sinister methods they’re plotting in the shadows to harm me.”
Tanwu set the empty bowl aside and gently comforted her, “Your Highness, set your mind at ease. Tanzhi and I will spare no effort to protect Your Highness and this pregnancy.”
“The only ones I can trust are you two.” Consort Shu (Jiang) sighed. “By the way, where is Tanzhi?”
“Her Highness bestowed many rewards today. She’s currently organizing the storage room.”
Consort Shu nodded. “Huang Jieyu has worked diligently for me all day. Have Tanzhi send her several rolls of fine fabric later.”
“This servant will remember.” Tanwu acknowledged, then looked at Consort Shu’s weary face with concern. “There has been constant noise outside all day, and Your Highness hasn’t rested well. You should retire early tonight.”
Consort Shu struggled to lift her eyelids, gazing through the lozenge windows at the hazy full moon. “Tanwu, I cannot sleep.”
Having served her for many years, Tanwu was sensitive to her mistress’s moods. Noticing Consort Shu’s despondency, she asked gently, “Is Your Highness unhappy?”
“Yes. The more rewards the Emperor bestows, the more displeased I become.”
Tanwu was puzzled. “Why? Just today alone, the Emperor’s gifts to us far exceeded what was given to Lin Zhaorong and Xianfei when they were with child. This is tremendous honor. Why isn’t Your Highness happy?”
Consort Shu laughed coldly. “I wish I could be happy, but behind this great honor lies the fact that I won’t be promoted to Guifei!”
Tanwu started, finally understanding.
Today’s lavish rewards were compensation for denying her mistress the position of Guifei!
Consort Shu continued sarcastically, “The Emperor is truly biased! When Liang Fei miscarried and threw the Imperial Harem into chaos, she received no punishment at all. When Liang Fei said she needed rest, the Emperor forbade anyone from disturbing her. To this day, he still reserves the Guifei position for her. Such profound affection!”
Tanwu frowned. “What is so special about that Liang Fei? She hasn’t emerged for a year, yet the Emperor still remembers her!”
“The bond of childhood sweethearts is naturally different.” Consort Shu’s expression turned grim, unwilling to discuss Liang Fei further. She gently stroked her belly. “I didn’t endure such hardship to conceive just for these petty rewards!”
“Your Highness means…?”
Consort Shu declared resolutely, “I will claim that Guifei position!”
Kneeling by the couch, Tanwu analyzed slowly, “But according to ancestral rules, there can only be two Guifei at a time. There’s already one Guifei in the palace, and the Emperor wants to keep the other position for Liang Fei. It might be difficult for Your Highness to advance.”
Abandoning her usual gentle demeanor, Consort Shu’s eyes flashed with venom. “I cannot change ancestral rules, but I can take other actions! Since the Guifei positions are full, I’ll simply create a vacancy!”
In the blink of an eye, her face regained its composure, though her voice remained chilling. “Tell our planted agents the time has come.”
Tanwu’s expression turned grave. “Since Your Highness has decided, this servant will relay the message. This operation must succeed, or we perish!”
The next day during morning greetings.
Empress Cui conveyed the Emperor’s decision. “His Majesty says Liang Fei remains Liang Fei as she hasn’t been formally appointed. However, the vacant Guifei position won’t be considered for promotion for now.”
One palace concubine complained discontentedly, “Not considering promotion for now? He’s probably saving it for Liang Fei. Going round in circles, that Guifei position still belongs to Liang Fei.”
Though many Imperial Concubines shared this thought privately, none dared question the Emperor’s decision openly.
No one expected someone to be bold enough to voice it aloud.
Empress Cui, rarely stern, rebuked coldly, “Are you dissatisfied with the Emperor?”
The palace consort regretted her words as soon as she spoke, realizing she had been improper. She rose to apologize, “Pinqie acknowledges her mistake.”
“Rise,” Empress Cui said without further reproach, then turned her gaze to Consort Xian (Xie) seated in the hall. “Take your proper seat.”
Consort Xian offered no refusal. Since Liang Fei remained Liang Fei, she, as Xianfei, held the highest rank among the four principal consorts and need not yield to anyone.
She stood and took the first seat on the left.