The Noble Consort Shu stumbles back to her palace, the moonlight piercing through the windowsill, casting a desolate glow on her lost soul.
The door was slammed open by her with a loud "Bang," echoing through the quiet palace, startling the little palace maid who shook violently in the corner.
She finally stripped off all pretenses, wildly tearing away the red silk ribbon that symbolized shame and despair.
What was once seen by her as a tool to entice the emperor now felt like a sharp blade, cutting into her self-respect and pride.
She stumbled towards the bronze mirror, staring at the face reflected in it, almost making countless men fall in love with it. At this moment, however, it was filled with confusion and unwillingness.
"Her face is so beautiful, irresistible to the eyes. How could the Emperor suddenly lose interest?"
She murmured to herself, her voice filled with confusion and resentment.
The mirror reflects her twisted face filled with anger and unwillingness.
She lightly traced her fingers along the edge of the bronze mirror, as if seeking solace in this cold artifact.
"The Emperor used to love it when I was like this. Every time he saw me like this, his eyes would light up as if on fire, excited to the point of wanting to engulf me whole. But now? He's not even willing to cast one extra glance at me, just because that Chenzhao Concubine is pregnant? Or because of that bit of sea cucumber? Hmph!"
Her voice echoed through the quiet palace, filled with a kind of hysterical unwillingness.
Suddenly, she put her hands on her own body and began to recklessly play with it, each movement filled with reckless indulgence and self-debasement.
It was also a form of almost self-torture.
She tried to numb herself and forget the humiliation and indifference she just experienced in this way.
But the emptiness and pain in her heart, was like a chasm, swallowing her sanity and dignity.
After a long time.
She played herself exhausted, her eyes filled with confusion and fatigue after the madness.
She whines and asks, "Your Majesty, will you please come and play with me?"
The voice echoed through the silent palace, carrying a heart-wrenching desire that seemed so helpless.
However, there was only deathly silence around her, with no response.
She seemed to have been drained of all her strength, slowly collapsing to the ground and leaning against the base of the bronze mirror.
Her body was still trembling slightly, as if startled by this sudden coldness and loneliness.
She mutters to herself with an empty gaze, "Your Majesty, how did you change? Did the love you showed me before, was all just pretend?"
Her lips were cracked, and her mouth curved in a self-mocking smile, "I gave up all my dignity and pride for you, using those dirty tricks to please you. But now... Just because the Chenzhao Concubine is pregnant, just because of that bit of sea cucumber, you are so cruel to me?"
The night is deep, and the candlelight flickers within the Xinghua Palace.
Yuyao did not fall asleep. She was lying half on the bed, casually flipping through a storybook, but her mind was elsewhere.
At this time, Liuli pushed the door gently into the room. Her steps were light, as if she was afraid of disturbing something.
Approaching Yuyao, she said in a low voice, "Madam, I just heard something amusing. The Noble Consort Shu dressed in a strange manner and went to the Taihe Hall. I don't know what means she used to get in to see the Emperor. But she didn't stay long before the Emperor sent her away. I heard that when she left, her face was very ugly, as if she had lost her soul."
When Yuyao heard this news, a mocking smile appeared on her lips.
She gently put down the storybook in her hand, raised her eyes to Liuli, and looked complexly, "She is also a pitiful person. In this palace, how can the favor last long?"
Liuli was somewhat surprised. She had expected the Consort to mock harshly, but she hadn't expected the Consort to react so calmly.
However, she quickly regained her composure and said, "Madam, should we take any precautions? After all, the Noble Consort Shu might become desperate and do something harmful to you."
She had heard that the Noble Consort Shu was the most crazy, she would do anything to get the favor.
Yuyao gently shook her head, her tone calm. "No need, just watch and see. You can arrange a few people to keep an eye on her, a little precaution is enough."
Fortunately, the Xinghua Palace is relatively remote and not many people pay attention to it.
And the slaves in the Xinghua Palace are all hers, none of them will speak out of turn.
Otherwise, the story of her locking the dog emperor out would have spread all over the palace complex long ago.
Of course, the people around the dog emperor wouldn't speak out of turn either, unless they were daft.
It saves her the trouble.
The incident of the Noble Consort Shu leaving the Taihe Hall in a daze quickly spread throughout the six palaces.
Each palace was secretly laughing at the Noble Consort Shu, how could she be so favored? In front of the imperial heir, she was nothing at all.
In Guanju Palace, the candlelight flickered, and Zi Zhou sat in front of the bronze mirror with a mocking expression on her face.
"Consort Shu, with her cousin's momentary favor, dared to be so arrogant!"
Zhang Fei bit her teeth together, her voice low and filled with resentment, "Not only did she steal the limelight from me, but she also had me confined to my quarters. She is truly detestable!"
The concubine's attendant, Rou Rou, rushed forward to console her, "Madam, please calm down. Consort Shu may be favored for a time, but in the palace, he who laughs last wins. Please be patient and wait for the right time. Madam will certainly rise again."
Zhang Fei sneered coldly and turned her gaze to the deep night sky outside the window. She was calculating how to use someone else's hand to kill Consort Shu, so that she would also taste bitterness.
Fengyi Palace, the candlelight flickered, and the Empress was lying on the soft couch, with a mocking and disdainful smile on her lips.
"It seems that the Noble Consort Shu's high-handed appearance, in front of the Emperor, is nothing but that."
The Empress opened her lips gently and said to Qín Māma beside her.
The tone was filled with a bit of disdain and arrogance.
Qín Māma, upon hearing this, lowered her head and bowed respectfully. "The Empress's words are true. The Noble Consort Shu, who has been arrogant and obnoxious thanks to the Emperor's favor, is now humiliated by her own actions."
The Empress heaved a sigh, and her tone shifted slightly, a flicker of concern passing over her brow. "However, the matter of the Chenzhao Concubine's pregnancy truly troubles me. Add to that Yun Consort and Shu Young Lady, all three carrying imperial heirs. If they give birth successfully, the situation in the palace might change dramatically."
These three little creatures, each one is like a turtle, staying in the palace and never leaving.
Even if they do go out, they are extremely cautious and always on the lookout for trouble. She tried to eliminate the babies in secret several times but failed, leaving the dragon babies safely nestled in the wombs of those three miserable women.
Qín Māma heard this and flashed a hint of ruthlessness in her eyes, whispering, "Madam, why not seize this opportunity to get rid of them for good?"
The Empress raised her eyebrows slightly, indicating she should continue.
"Old servant has heard that there are many secret methods in the folk, which can cause a pregnant woman to miscarry or even deliver stillborn babies. If Your Majesty is determined, you are sure to find a suitable method."
Qín Māma spoke in a low voice, her expression filled with a hint of ruthlessness.
The Empress fell silent for a moment, her fingers gently tapping on the desk, as if weighing the pros and cons.
Finally, she slowly spoke, "This matter must be handled carefully, leaving no traces. Go and contact people outside the palace. Make sure to find a secure method."
Qín Māma carried out the order and left.
The Empress remained slumped on the soft couch, her eyes deep and calculating, planning each step ahead.
After Qín Māma received the order, she knew that this matter was of great importance. If it were to be exposed, the entire Fengyi Palace and even the Empress herself would fall into an irredeemable plight.
She carefully disguised herself and slipped out of the palace quietly under the cover of night.
This scene happened without anyone being aware of it. No one noticed anything.
The next evening, the Jing Emperor went to the Xinghua Palace again, thinking that after a night of reflection, Yao'er's anger should have subsided.
Luxi was in front, holding a lantern, followed by a group of eunuchs and palace maids, the Emperor's steps were filled with a hint of urgency.
When they arrived at the Xinghua Palace, the gate was still closed.
Luxi went forward to knock on the door and shouted loudly, "Your Majesty has arrived—"
However, there was no response from inside, the door was tightly shut.
The Emperor frowned slightly, his mood slightly dampened, but he remembered Yao'er's grievances the day before, and forced himself to remain calm, waiting patiently.
Xiao Qingzi opened the palace door and saw the Emperor, hurriedly kowtowing, "Your Majesty, Consort Yao is not feeling well today and has gone to rest. Please return to the palace."
The Emperor naturally didn't believe it. He thought Yao'er was still angry and deliberately avoiding him.
So, he raised his voice and said, "I will go in to see her. If she is really ill, I can also be at ease."
With that, he took a step towards the inside.
Xiao Qingzi rushed to stop him, "Your Majesty, the Consort has ordered that no one is allowed to see her. If you insist on entering, it may disturb the Consort and not be good for the imperial heir."
The Emperor stood at the gate of the palace, unable to proceed or retreat.
He was angry with Yao'er's stubbornness, yet worried that she might truly be unwell. In that moment, his expression was quite ugly.
Luxi whispered gently, "Your Majesty, since Consort Yao does not wish to see you now, it is likely that she has a valid reason. Why not return to the palace first and come again tomorrow? Perhaps Consort Yao will be willing to see you then."
The Chenzhao Concubine was indeed bold. She had twice kept the Emperor out of the palace. Didn't she fear that she would truly lose the Emperor's favor and he would never come to see her again?
She still thinks that because she's carrying a dragon heir, the Emperor won't do anything to her, and acts with such abandon?
Little did she know that in the palace, a woman is honored by her son, but at the same time, she is also honored by her son.
If the Chenzhao Concubine really angered the Emperor, then even if she gave birth to a son in the future, her fate would not be much better.
In the palace, favored concubines and princesses can sometimes live worse than the slaves.
This Chenzhao Concubine used to seem smart. Now why has she become so stupid? What is she being stubborn about?
No wonder her favor was taken away by the Noble Consort Shu.
Just look at how the Noble Consort Shu serves the Emperor. She really uses all her tricks, tricks, and tries her best to please him, afraid that he wouldn't be pleased.
This time, the Emperor was really angry. He shook his sleeves and turned around with his group, heading back to the palace.
On the way back to the palace, he was angry at Yao'er's stubbornness. As the supreme ruler, it was his right and duty to bestow favor on the concubines in the harem.
He asked himself if he had slighted Yun Yao in any way, and was sure that he had not. He had ordered that she be given the best care, and had done his best to protect her.
Even though he had shown more favor to the Noble Consort Shu in these days, he had never forgotten to visit her.
He had already compensated her for the incident with the sea cucumber in the Imperial Kitchen and punished the slaves involved. What was she still upset about, what was she causing a fuss over?
"This woman is truly both loved and hated by him."
The Emperor frowned, if any other woman dared to do so, he would have demoted her to the cold palace to scrub the toilet.
Xinghua Palace.
Yun Yao was lying on the bed, holding a novel. She seemed to be flipping through the pages one after another, but her mind was clearly elsewhere, not focused on the novel.
The little concubine on the side said softly, "Madam, you have rejected the Emperor again today. The concubine is afraid that the Emperor will really be angry."
Yun Yao sneered coldly, "Let him be angry. I no longer care. If life in the palace is unbearable, I will secretly leave here and enjoy a carefree life, traveling and playing in the mountains and by the water."
The little concubine named Liu Li heard this and was shocked. She hurriedly said, "Madam, how could you have such an idea? Even if you don't care about yourself, you should also think about the little master in your belly. Although the palace restricts people, the little master will be born either a prince or a princess, with a high status. If you secretly leave the palace, your little master will lose this good future."
Yun Yao's heart stirred, she knew Liu Li was doing it for her benefit, and she felt a bit hesitant in her heart.
If she really took the two children out of the palace, causing them to lose their status as princes and princesses, would they grow up to hate her?
"Liu Li, you are right. I cannot be so selfish and only consider my own freedom."
Yun Yao sighed softly, "Then let the 'dog' emperor come tomorrow. Let him in."
But as soon as she spoke, she couldn't help but furrow her brow, feeling a bit uncomfortable in her heart.
She was deeply conflicted.
After returning to the Taihe Hall from the Xinghua Palace, the Emperor was extremely displeased, seeing everything as unpleasant, and he wanted to scold anyone who came across his path.
Even if he lay on the dragon bed, the fire in his heart still didn't subside, and he had no sleep at all. No matter how he lay, he felt like there was a fire burning in his chest.
The Emperor's face was ugly, and he cursed quietly: "Damn woman, ungrateful, the emperor has already lowered his status and humbly apologized and tried to please. Yet she still blocked me out of the palace. Doesn't she fear that I will put her in the cold palace? The emperor should just send her to the cold palace to scrub the toilet, every day and year after year, scrubbing her for ten or eight years. See if she is still stubborn…"
Luxi stood outside the bedroom, listening to the Emperor's low curses, his lips twitching.
If the Chenzhao Concubine continues, she might really be demoted to the cold palace to clean the toilet…
Of course, this also indirectly proves that the Emperor cares about the Chenzhao Concubine.
If it were another concubine, the Emperor wouldn't even bother to scold or give a glance. He would just issue an edict to demote her as far as possible.
The next morning, as the sky began to lighten, the Emperor dragged his weary body, dressed in neat clothes, and prepared to attend the morning meeting at the Zicheng Hall.
He had dark circles under his eyes, his steps were heavy, and each step seemed to tell the story of his sleepless night.
Inside the Zicheng Hall, the ministers stood in order, and upon seeing the Emperor looking so haggard, they all exchanged glances, guessing silently in their hearts.
However, no one dared to speak up, and they could only bow low and wait for the Imperial edict.
"Anything to report? Dismiss the meeting if there is nothing."
The Emperor's voice was low and hoarse, revealing his obvious dissatisfaction.
"I have a report."
An elderly minister stepped forward, respectfully handing over an edict, which contained nothing but trivial matters of state affairs.
But to the Emperor, they were like noise, making him even more agitated and restless.
Finally, the early morning meeting ended, and the Emperor could not wait to return to the Imperial Study Hall. He wanted to find a quiet place to carefully organize his thoughts.
"Your Majesty, the Noble Consort Shu requests an audience."
The high-pitched voice of the eunuch broke the tranquility of the Imperial Study Hall.
The Emperor, upon hearing this, furrowed his brows and coldly declared, "I will not see her. Have her leave."
The Noble Consort Shu, seeing that the Emperor would not even see her, panicked and knelt down outside the Imperial Study Hall.
She had the appearance of not getting up even for a moment.
She sobbed with a pitiful expression, "Your Majesty, the concubine has made a mistake. The incident on that day was indeed my fault. Please show mercy and give the concubine a chance to reform."
Hearing her voice, the Emperor felt even more restless, and was about to rebuke her when he suddenly thought of Yao'er's cold face and her disdainful look at him.
For a moment, complex emotions filled his heart, and he inexplicably allowed the Noble Consort Shu to enter.
The Noble Consort Shu, upon seeing that the Emperor was finally willing to see her, was overjoyed. She quickly tidied up her appearance and bowed respectfully, displaying even more allure.
She tried to use the methods she had used before to please the Emperor, unaware that the Emperor now was no longer the same man he used to be.
"Noble Consort Shu, do you know you have made a mistake?"
The Emperor asked coldly, his gaze very cold, piercing the heart.
The Noble Consort Shu shivered in her heart but still managed to compose herself, saying, "The concubine knows her fault. The concubine is willing to accept the punishment and only asks that Your Majesty forgive her."
The Emperor sneered coldly and said, "Forgiveness? Do you know that what you have hurt is not just her, but also the heart of the Emperor. Although the Emperor has favored you, he is not without principles. Your actions are unacceptable. How can the Emperor trust you anymore?"
Upon hearing this, the Noble Consort Shu's face turned pale instantly. She hadn't expected the Emperor to be so resolute.
Why did it have to be such a big deal? It was just some slaves who took Chenzhao Concubine's sea cucumber, how could it be so heated?
Can she repay that woman with ten or eight sea cucumbers?
If ten are not enough, then she can repay with a hundred...
The Noble Consort Shu wanted to argue a bit more, but she saw that the Emperor was already impatiently waving his hand, indicating that she should leave.
"Go away, I don't want to see you anymore." The Emperor's voice was as cold as ice, causing shivers.
