Imperial Study.
In the sweltering summer heat, the Ice Vessels on both sides of the room emitted a faint coolness, mingling with the fragrance of gardenias drifting in from outside the window, creating a refreshing and cooling atmosphere.
Yun Ji, dressed in a yellow robe, furrowed his brows, his expression restless and troubled.
His features bore some resemblance to Yun Chaorong’s. Though nearly forty, his privileged life and careful maintenance still revealed traces of a handsome man.
However, the protruding belly added a touch of middle-aged prosperity.
Yun Ji was worried.
Truly, damn worried.
The frontlines were tense with war, and now his daughter wanted to go for a political marriage.
Although he had many children in the harem, his favorites were still the son and daughter born to the late empress.
Among the imperial clan, there weren’t many marriageable women, but no matter who he sent, he didn’t want to send Rong’er away.
Yet Rong’er had been making a fuss lately, insisting on going for the political marriage. No one could persuade her otherwise. If this continued, with the court officials urging him with memorials, he might really have to send Rong’er away.
“Your Majesty, Imperial Consort Li requests an audience, saying she has personally prepared cooling soup for you,” Eunuch Huang reported, bowing.
The Emperor, holding a memorial in his hand, nodded slightly. “Let her in.”
Before long, a woman in a pink silk wrap top and a purple gauze skirt floated gracefully into the room. A golden-edged begonia embroidered belt cinched her slender waist. In her twenties, she was at the peak of her charm.
“Your Majesty, you have been working hard lately. I have prepared cooling soup for you.”
Imperial Consort Li extended her delicate jade-like hands and took out the sweet soup from the food box. Sliced red dates floated on the surface, complementing the green beans and lotus seeds at the bottom of the bowl, making it look appetizing.
“Leave it here,” the Emperor said, in no mood to admire any green bean soup.
Green bean soup was less pleasing to the eye than a beauty. None of the women in the harem truly came to offer him food—they were all here to show their faces.
“Your Majesty, are you troubled by Princess Rongyang’s political marriage?” Imperial Consort Li’s voice was as melodious as a nightingale’s song.
The Emperor: “Needless to say, Rong’er is my precious daughter.”
A shadow flickered in Imperial Consort Li’s eyes.
There was more than one princess in the harem. She herself had the Third Princess, now five years old, yet why didn’t the Emperor treasure her like this? Why did he have to dote on that foolish Yun Chaorong?
But Imperial Consort Li’s tone grew even gentler: “Your Majesty, Princess Rongyang is sensible. She must want to share your worries and stand up for the sake of Da Yu.”
“That’s exactly why I don’t want Rong’er to grow up. It wouldn’t matter if she remained foolish forever.”
Imperial Consort Li’s smile stiffened slightly: “Daughters grow up. She’s sixteen now and has her own ideas. Just two days ago, Princess Rongyang told me that as a princess, supported by the people, she naturally must step forward in times of crisis.”
The Emperor raised an eyebrow: “Did Rong’er really say that?”
Imperial Consort Li chuckled softly.
Of course, Yun Chaorong had said it. She had merely sought out Yun Chaorong for a heart-to-heart talk, ostensibly advising her not to go for the political marriage while secretly encouraging her to be even more determined to do so.
“Of course—” Imperial Consort Li was about to reply.
“Of course not!”
A pink figure darted in, as if stirring up a gentle breeze.
Yun Chaorong, holding her skirt, skipped and ran into the Imperial Study—
Princess Rongyang did not need to request an audience or wait to enter the Imperial Study.
This was a rule the Emperor had established years ago.
“Father, Rong’er never said that,” Yun Chaorong declared, pushing the delicate Imperial Consort Li aside with a straight posture.
She tugged at the Emperor’s arm and cooed, “How could Rong’er bear to leave you, Father?”
Imperial Consort Li was jostled abruptly, stumbling and nearly twisting her ankle.
She was light as a swallow and agile in movement, so she could have steadied herself.
But this was in front of the Emperor.
Thus, Imperial Consort Li cleverly fell to the ground, as if in unbearable pain, her eyes welling up with a misty haze: “Your Majesty~”
Her pitiful appearance even made Eunuch Huang, who glanced at her, feel his heart tremble.
But the Emperor did not look at Imperial Consort Li, his attention solely on his precious daughter, somewhat lost in thought.
Yun Chaorong was dressed today in pink radiant satin, overlaid with a layer of light gauze. Her hair was styled in a soaring bun, adorned with a ruby headpiece. Having just run from afar, her cheeks were flushed, and with her red lips and white teeth, she appeared radiant and vibrant.
For a moment, the Emperor thought he saw the late Empress from many years ago, smiling as she ran toward him.
“Rong’er, it has been a long time since you dressed like this.”
“I was lazy before, but from now on, I will dress up properly. Rong’er wants to be the most beautiful princess in the world.”
Yun Chaorong replied with a smile.
Of course, she knew the original host had not dressed like this for a long time.
The original host was always bright and beautiful as a child, but as she grew older, one day Xie Nanzhu said her attire was too ostentatious and that she should dress more plainly, avoiding an air of arrogance.
Yun Chaorong thought: Hilarious, I am the eldest princess. What does it matter if I am ostentatious and arrogant? I haven’t killed or set fires, so when is it anyone else’s place to criticize? From now on, I’ll look this beautiful every day, stunning him and infuriating him.
The Emperor looked at her dotingly: “Rong’er, what did you say when you came in earlier?”
Yun Chaorong glanced sideways at Imperial Consort Li, who was still sitting on the ground:
“This daughter did not say anything to Imperial Consort Li about the people’s support or stepping forward in times of crisis. The imperial family and relatives are all supported by the people. What, should we round up all the imperial relatives and send them away?”
The Emperor’s face turned cold as he looked at Imperial Consort Li: “What is going on?”
Imperial Consort Li hurriedly knelt properly, pleading pitifully: “It was this concubine who misunderstood the princess’s meaning. Please punish this concubine, Your Majesty and Princess.”
Although she said this, everyone knew the princess was soft-hearted. As long as she cried a little, the princess would end up pleading on her behalf.
But Yun Chaorong’s next words were:
“Imperial Consort Li, you spread unclear matters before my imperial father. Do you have no regard for me, or no regard for the Emperor?”
With just a few words, Yun Chaorong left her with no way out.
“Your Majesty, please see clearly, this concubine would never dare,” Imperial Consort Li did not know why this wretched girl had changed her temperament, but she knew the Emperor was already displeased.
She no longer played the part of teary-eyed innocence, instead letting two clear streams of tears fall, presenting a pitiful and sorrowful appearance.
“Your Majesty, this concubine has served you for many years. Do you not know this concubine’s heart…”
Unexpectedly, on the other side, Yun Chaorong also began rubbing her eyes, softly sobbing:
“Imperial Father, this daughter lost her mother at a young age. Although I have your love, I am always somewhat different from those children who have their birth mothers. It is nothing if Imperial Consort Li has no regard for this daughter.”
Seeing Yun Chaorong’s reddened eyes, the Emperor felt a pang of pain in his heart.
Imperial Consort Li misspeaking was not a major issue, but making Rong’er cry and mention the late Empress—that was a major issue.
“You are this Emperor’s princess, the apple of this Emperor’s eye. Who in this world dares not to regard you with respect!”
The Emperor summoned Eunuch Huang: “Convey this Emperor’s oral decree: Imperial Consort Li spoke recklessly and is confined to Linhua Palace for reflection. She is also fined three months’ stipend.”
Eunuch Huang received the imperial decree, thinking to himself, how could this be mere house arrest and salary reduction? This was clearly a slap in the face of Imperial Consort Li for the entire palace to see.
Imperial Consort Li also knew that nothing she said would be of any use now. She wiped away her tears, lowered her head, and gritted her teeth: “Your servant admits her mistake and thanks Your Majesty and the Princess for their mercy.”
She rose on her numbed legs and walked out of the imperial study, her eyes filled with resentment.
That wretched girl, who knows who has bewitched her into putting on such an act—she will surely regret it later.
Once that wretched girl goes to the Northern Qiang for a marriage alliance, let’s see who will still be there to back her up.