Chapter 444

·

·

·

Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"What a grand gesture — just this Flowing Light Gauze, a single bolt is worth a thousand gold."

The System marveled at the Emperor's generosity; they hadn't even met face to face yet, and he had already sent a heavy gift ahead.

Tsk tsk tsk.

No wonder so many concubines in the Huang Hou vie for favor — who wouldn't like a life of being surrounded by attendants and having whatever they want?

"Stay calm. This is only the beginning. As long as we can secure that position, never mind one bolt of Flowing Light Gauze — the entire Yu Guo treasury will be ours."

Shen Yao waved her hand, letting Xiao Fu and Xiao Ji register the bestowals Li Guiquan had delivered into the storehouse.

"Keep this hairpin. You'll be able to use it when you change clothes in a bit."

Treasures are for display, not for sealing away to gather dust. Shen Yao smoothed the stray hairs at her temples, intending to maintain her high-profile persona for now.

"Master, let this servant help you go wash and dress," the evening meal was to be eaten in Qianqing Palace, and after eating she would certainly stay the night for bedchamber service — this was their master's exclusive imperial favor.

Never mind whom the Emperor might summon for bedchamber service in the future; right now, Furong Palace had seized the lead, and that was something worth rejoicing over for mistress and servants alike.

Shen Yao gave an "mm" and nodded. "Hurry up, don't delay."

Until the meat is in your mouth it's not guaranteed. The Emperor has seen no end of Huang Hou beauties; who knows, he might change his mind on a whim.

Shen Yao felt that since she was the first among the newcomers to be summoned for bedchamber service, she might as well prolong this time as much as possible. The Emperor's body cannot wait too long; she must seize the time and become pregnant as soon as possible to control the situation.

The internal and external situation of Yu Guo grows more severe the longer it drags on — this is the future family estate of them, mother and son, and absolutely cannot be lost cleanly in the Emperor's hands.

She hadn't even performed bedchamber service yet, let alone become pregnant, and Shen Yao was already finding the useless Emperor somewhat contemptible. She sighed heavily in her heart, took out the medicinal pills she had long prepared and swallowed them, then shed her clothes and soaked herself in the warm water, eyes closed, letting Xiao Fu and Xiao Ji wash and attend to her.

By the time Shen Yao left Furong Palace seated in a sedan chair, the news that the Emperor had summoned her for bedchamber service had already spread throughout the Huang Hou.

The Empress in Fengyi Palace remained silent as ever, wholeheartedly kneeling before the Buddhist shrine reciting scriptures and praying for blessings — even when Gui Mama mentioned that Shen Yao was the very person who had been promoted from Sixth Rank Bao Lin to Third Rank Jieyu.

"Mama, no matter whom the Emperor favors, it has nothing to do with this Palace.

The Xiao Family is gone, the Imperial Son is gone. This Palace guards an empty Empress Position, guards the Emperor's unfulfillable promises — what more can be done?"

The Empress's counter-question was light and dismissive, yet it stunned Gui Mama rooted to the spot, unable to recover.

Gui Mama was the Empress's wet nurse, having accompanied the Empress from childhood into adulthood. She watched her grow from a youthful maiden into the Middle Palace Empress who commanded everyone's attention, then witnessed her lose all vitality and become like a soulless wooden puppet.

Her Ladyship has suffered bitterly; there hasn't been a shred of sweetness along this whole road. Even now, kneeling daily before the Buddhist shrine is merely a technique to endure the days.

Her true master died long ago.

Eyes brimming with tears, Gui Mama spoke no more, only bowed her body and let the Empress pour out her words. She had heard such words too many times, yet each time her heart ached fiercely.

My Lady, just what must be done to let her find some ease?

"Ease? There is no ease. Living in the palace, where is there any ease to speak of?"

The Noble Consort swirled the cup and bowl she held in her hand, bringing it to her lips to sip slowly.

Lian Xiang at her side felt heartache seeing her master torment herself again. Every time news came from the Emperor's side, it would leave her master's spirits low for a long while.

"Master."

Lian Xiang tried to snatch the cup and bowl from the Noble Consort's hand, but the Noble Consort nimbly dodged.

The Noble Consort's eyes were hazy, her brow tips carrying a few threads of drunkenness, yet on closer look only cold clarity remained. "Lian Xiang ah, this Palace's heart is truly bitter. Why must this Palace have come to such a pass? The Emperor can be at peace with a new love, carefree and at ease, while this Palace—"

The Noble Consort still wanted to say more, but meeting Lian Xiang's terrified expression, she instantly lost the desire to speak.

Clatter—

The cup and bowl in her hand were tossed aside, ignored. The Noble Consort sneered and waved her hand. "Fine, fine. If this Palace shuts up and says nothing, will that do?"

Truly a killjoy. The people in this palace — not a single interesting one.

The Noble Consort rose and flopped back onto the couch to rest. After making a scene she actually slept soundly, but the personal maids like Lian Xiang who attended her were tormented into a cold sweat. A person who goes mad with drink is truly terrifying; next time they absolutely must not let their master get into trouble again.

News of the unrest in Yongning Palace was delivered to Cuihua Palace at the first moment.

Whether the Virtuous Consort truly loves the Emperor is hard to say, but the Virtuous Consort truly hates the Noble Consort.

As long as there is any movement in Yongning Palace, Cuihua Palace will absolutely be the first to know.

Today was no exception. The Virtuous Consort had originally been admiring her own painting; upon hearing Yunxiang's report, she hurriedly set down the pen and paper in her hand and asked whether the Noble Consort's outburst had blown up.

Yunxiang explained awkwardly, "Yongning Palace's defenses are strict. The Noble Consort is not the Empress — she can't make a big scene."

The one who truly dares to trample the Emperor's dignity is the Empress of Fengyi Palace. The Noble Consort only looks fierce; in reality she values the Emperor and her clan immensely. Anything that would damage both sides' dignity, the Noble Consort would absolutely never do.

The Virtuous Consort gave a cold snort. "Exactly. So the Noble Consort lives in frustration, not much more at ease than this Palace."

On the surface she bares fangs and claws, wishing she could place her eyes in the heavens; in private she is meek and compliant, knowing only how to sulk. Truly pathetic.

Yunxiang:...

Uh, words though they may be, it seems her own master only dares to pick faults with the Noble Consort — a case of the elder brother laughing at the younger brother for running fifty paces when he ran a hundred.

"The Emperor summoned Furong Palace's Consort Shen for bedchamber service," the Virtuous Consort murmured Shen Yao's name twice in a low voice, then said thoughtfully, "Could it be the one who wore a Flowing Light Gauze Skirt at the Fengyi Palace gate this morning?"

Yunxiang nodded. "It is this Consort Shen. The Emperor sent Eunuch Li to deliver many bolts of Flowing Light Gauze; it seems she is to replace Changle Palace's Tang Meiren as the new favorite."

The Virtuous Consort gave a light laugh. "New favorite? That depends on whether the other newcomers have the ability."

If another dark horse competing for favor suddenly emerges halfway, this Consort Shen will be mere roadside cannon fodder.

The Virtuous Consort still leaned toward Consort Shen exiting the stage at light speed, because this person is somewhat unconventional — whether it's the speed of her promotion or the rank the Emperor bestowed, both make one uneasy.

"What is this Palace worrying about? Left and right, without offspring she cannot go far."

The Virtuous Consort suddenly laughed, uttering a sentence Yunxiang dared not take up.

After all, the greatest taboo in the palace is the issue of offspring. In previous years there was still news of pregnancies spreading; now there isn't even a stir of pregnancy. The Emperor's side is already frantic, trying every method, but unfortunately no results have been seen yet. This batch of newly entered concubines — who knows if any of them will have such luck.

Whether there is or isn't, the key factor depends on the Emperor.

Shen Yao sat in the sedan chair and was carried to Qianqing Palace, beginning a formal audience with the Emperor.

As for the current Holy Emperor's appearance, one could only say it was slightly above average; an aura of majesty added quite a few points.

"This subject Shen greets the Emperor, may the Emperor be auspicious."

"Beloved Consort, exempt salute."

Yu Yu pulled Shen Yao's hand and went to the bedchamber to sit down, the two facing each other chatting idle talk.

Mainly Yu Yu asked, Shen Yao answered, revolving around the Shen Family and the Imperial Palace.

Shen Yao: ……

"Has Beloved Consort had any discomfort since first entering the Huang Hou?" Yu Yu's lip corner curved up slightly.

"None, this subject thanks the Emperor for his care, this subject, this subject entering the palace is already luck, to gain the Emperor's favor is even more this subject's blessing, this subject……" blah blah blah, Shen Yao spoke with however much exaggeration was needed, perfectly acting out the persona of a pure love-brain girl.

After all, she entered the palace because she admired the Emperor, and from the start was in a weak position.

Yu Yu occupied a high position, ordinarily hearing who knows how many kinds of flattery, but the intense affection Shen Yao displayed was direct yet bashful, a kind of refreshing thing.

Yu Yu somewhat hurriedly touched his own cheek, interrupting the conversation and mentioning it was time for the late dinner.

Shen Yao: Virtue~

Like a little wife, cute and obediently following beside Yu Yu to the main hall for dining, Shen Yao mustered courage, using a pair of eyes to watch him.

Yu Yu: ……Consort Shen's love is a bit much, can appropriately take some back.

Shen Yao just wouldn't take it back, not only not taking it back, but instead growing even more scorching and fierce.

Yu Yu felt he seemed to have been targeted by a wild beast, this meal could be called an execution.

What's going on? Ordinarily it's the consorts who are bashful and nervous, sitting restlessly, while he himself holds all the cards, controlling the whole situation with ease.

This time it was the two swapping, changing to Yu Yu unable to cope, Shen Yao strongly controlling the scene.

"Cough cough, is Beloved Consort not hungry? Evening hard work, still should eat more."

Yu Yu publicly ran a train, making Shen Yao's face turn bright red.

Somewhat regretfully putting down the public chopsticks in her hand, Shen Yao picked up the bowl and plate and buried her head eating fiercely.

A pure girl cannot counterattack in this aspect a battle-hardened old hand, but she can use action to show, she is not tired at all, even if tonight she still has to work overtime.

Eating and drinking their fill, the two wandered two circles around Qianqing Palace surroundings, then each washed and changed clothes, proceeding to today's most important step.

"Host, are you nervous?" How come you're trembling a bit.

Shen Yao closed her eyes enjoying the palace maids' rubbing service, "What am I nervous for? This is the most critical step for our success," this is called excitement.

Raising hand to cover mouth corner, Shen Yao secretly swallowed the pill that appeared in her palm, that meal just now wasn't eaten for nothing, the System took the chance to examine the Emperor's body once, one can only say the situation is very bad, even Shen Yao with a cheat has to rely on the pill's effect, let alone other ordinary people?

"Such an Huang Hou eats people, still better let the Emperor abdicate and yield to the worthy as soon as possible."

Regardless before or after entering the palace, Shen Yao has always treated the Emperor as a tool person, useful then keep a while longer, not useful then quickly go offline and don't delay matters.

Don't look at Yu Yu's face nowadays appearing still okay, but in the System's mouth, this one could even do the thing of having Jiangnan confidants secretly select show girls for him, not a wise monarch.

"Consort Jieyu, should get up."

Amid a mist of white vapor, only heard a hua-la sound, Shen Yao rose from the bathtub accompanied by water sounds.

Using soft absorbent cloth to wipe the body, then applying moisturizing fragrant ointment and fragrant dew, then changing into the already prepared sleeping clothes, hair let down smooth and draped behind the head with only a hairpin simply coiled to fix it, Shen Yao rested her hand on the palace maid's arm bend, slowly returning to the Qianqing Palace inner chamber.