books44 Chapter 28 Don't run, don't run!
Chapter 28 Don't run, don't run!
Five days have passed since the new concubines entered the palace, but the emperor has yet to set foot in the inner palace. The old concubines, who have been neglected for many years, are used to it, but some of the newly arrived young concubines are starting to feel uneasy.
Every morning when he went to pay his respects to the Empress, the earnest expectation in his eyes made the Empress feel a little pressured.
But what could she do? If His Majesty didn't enter the harem, could she possibly drag him there by force?
That afternoon, the Empress Dowager sent someone to summon the Empress.
As soon as the Empress stepped into Cining Palace, she felt a solemn atmosphere.
The Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, her face displeased. "The newly appointed concubine has been in the palace for five days. Apart from the Emperor summoning Consort Qiao to serve him at the first meal, there has been no further activity. As the Empress, are you just going to stand by and do nothing without thinking of a solution?"
The Empress's face paled slightly. "Aunt, I am also worried, but you know His Majesty's temperament..."
The Empress Dowager snorted, "In the past, it was the Consort who was domineering and monopolized the Emperor's power. I could understand if you said you had no choice. But now that the Consort is dead, if you don't establish yourself as Empress now, when will you?"
The Empress's eyes flickered, and she lowered her head, remaining silent.
"I know it's difficult for you, but is being the mistress of the harem so easy?"
The Empress Dowager's sharp gaze fixed on the Empress: "You must remember, imperial favor is fleeting. What we truly need is an imperial heir, a stable successor."
As she spoke, her gaze swept over the Empress's belly, and she lowered her voice, saying, "Although I am the Empress Dowager, the Emperor did not come from my womb; there is a barrier between us. But you are different. You are his lawfully wedded wife, and the one who will come from your womb is the most legitimate and noble eldest son. As long as we have this child, why should we fear that the wealth and honor of our Wang family will be lost?"
The Empress lowered her head deeply: "Your Majesty, I understand..."
"Stop just talking about understanding! You need to do it!"
The Empress Dowager said, "Think of a good way. If you really can't win His Majesty's heart, I think your little sister has grown up now. She is pretty and clever. I don't mind letting her enter the palace to serve the Emperor."
The Empress trembled slightly upon hearing these words.
She knew that the Empress Dowager's words were not just a simple threat; she genuinely intended to do so.
Suddenly, the Empress Dowager changed the subject: "And that Consort Qiao who looks like the Imperial Concubine, you should also keep a close eye on her. I always feel that there is something strange about her... With such a face, she is a threat after all. You must not let her have the opportunity to climb over you and become the second Chu Qingyin."
The Empress replied respectfully, "Your Majesty's teachings will be remembered."
The Empress Dowager waved her hand, "Alright, alright, you may leave. I need to recite scriptures."
The Empress bowed and took her leave, her face serene and composed, but her heart was in turmoil.
**
Meanwhile, in a secluded corner of the Imperial Garden, Consort Shu was strolling and admiring the flowers with Chu Qingyin.
In the February spring breeze, peach and apricot blossoms are in full bloom, their delicate pink petals clustered together in layers, resembling the magnificent clouds on the horizon.
Consort Shu, dressed in a light purple gown, stretched out her slender hand and pointed to a cluster of peach blossoms in full bloom: "Sister Qiao, look how beautiful these peach blossoms are, just like you, so beautiful and charming."
Chu Qingyin, dressed in a moon-white long dress, smiled faintly upon hearing this: "Sister Shufei, you flatter me. Peach blossoms are beautiful, but their blooming period is short. In the blink of an eye, they will wither and turn into spring mud to protect the flowers."
Consort Shu gave Chu Qingyin a meaningful look: "Sister is right. In this palace, beauty is indeed fleeting. But if one can gain the Emperor's favor, that's another matter."
Chu Qingyin was slightly taken aback, but quickly regained her composure.
She knew that Consort Shu's words were not unfounded.
Sure enough, Consort Shu continued, "Speaking of which, His Majesty hasn't visited the inner palace for five days. Do you know why?"
Chu Qingyin shook her head: "I am new to the palace and do not know much about palace affairs."
Consort Shu chuckled softly, "It's all for the sake of Consort Chu. Even though you were outside the palace before, you must have heard of Consort Chu's reputation as the most beautiful woman in the harem, right?"
Chu Qingyin nodded: "Yes, the people outside the palace all know that His Majesty dotes on the Imperial Concubine."
"It's more than just favoritism. If you ask me, His Majesty's feelings for the Consort are so deep that he can't extricate himself from them."
Consort Shu raised her hand and touched the gold hairpin at her temple. Although she praised her, her tone revealed a hint of jealousy: "With her around, all the beauties in the palace pale in comparison. His Majesty can only see her and can't look at anyone else."
Chu Qingyin found these words laughable.
A deep affection, impossible to extricate oneself?
If she weren't the one who died young, and knew that Pei Yuanling's "deep affection" was just a facade, she probably would have believed it too.
Seeing that Chu Qingyin's reaction was indifferent and she didn't say anything, Consort Shu couldn't help but glance at her a few more times.
This newly arrived concubine, Qiao, seemed even more composed and calm than she had imagined.
"Sister Qiao," Consort Shu suddenly said, "what do you think is the best way to win His Majesty's favor?"
Chu Qingyin lowered her eyes: "This concubine dares not speak presumptuously. In this concubine's opinion, as long as one serves His Majesty wholeheartedly, one will naturally gain His Majesty's favor."
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu narrowed her beautiful eyes slightly.
This Consort Qiao speaks shrewdly and is quite shrewd.
Just then, Zijuan, who was beside Consort Shu, came over and whispered, "The new spring clothes made by the Imperial Clothing Bureau have arrived."
Consort Shu nodded and said, "I understand." Then she said to Chu Qingyin, "It's getting late. I still have some official business to attend to in the palace, so I'll head back first. I'll invite you to stroll in the garden another day."
Chu Qingyin nodded in agreement, and then gave a slight bow, "Please take care, Consort Shu."
As the pale purple figure gradually disappeared into the pink and white garden, Chu Qingyin's gentle expression faded.
Today, Consort Shu suddenly invited her to come and admire the flowers. She was worried that things had been too peaceful these past few days and she could no longer sit idly by and wait for her fate. She had to think of a way to win Pei Yuanling's attention, so she readily agreed.
I never expected that Consort Shu summoned her just to trick her into revealing information; it was utterly pointless.
She found a stone bench next to a rockery and sat down, resting her snow-white cheek on her hand, absentmindedly staring at the apricot blossoms in the light rain.
How can we bring Pei Yuanling back to the harem?
According to the information Xianglan has gathered in the past few days, the emperor has indeed never set foot in the inner palace since the death of the imperial concubine.
I thought that with a new concubine entering the palace, the emperor would at least come and see her, even if it was just for novelty. But it turns out he's the same as always, seemingly having absolutely no interest in these delicate beauties of the harem.
After five years of marriage, Chu Qingyin suddenly realized that she didn't seem to have truly understood Pei Yuanling's inner thoughts.
Suddenly, a commotion interrupted her thoughts.
"Don't run, don't run!"
"Ouch, little darling, slow down!"