Chapter 446

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Main Character:

Shen Yao

'Host, this move is clearly intended to sow discord; you absolutely must keep your cool.'

Don't fall for it and let anger cloud your judgment, or you'll easily do something irrational.

Shen Yao:...

Shen Yao felt the system was getting more childish; where did it draw that conclusion from? Was she the kind of idiot who would kick up a fuss over something like this?

'I was originally wondering how to quietly push the Emperor out,' but as it turns out, plans never keep up with changes—isn't someone jumping out to help her now?

System:... Huh?

'You're pregnant and shouldn't get worked up, and besides, we've put in no small effort for this child; how could you cause a scene over a man? That would be like not knowing the difference between the big and small jokers.'

'Does the Host plan to take advantage of this opportunity to bow out gracefully and give up her position to the other consorts in the harem to compete for favor?' The system seemed to understand the inside information the Host was referring to, and felt that this wasn't a bad idea.

Keep a low profile during the early stage of pregnancy; even if it's exposed, it can reduce dangers from the outside. Besides, with it providing escort protection, the Host won't be in danger (all of this being an affirmation of its own professionalism).

'It's only a small part; there's still more competing to do later. If there's truly no movement at all, those clever people in the palace will be able to connect this to here.'

Shen Yao's pregnancy this time carries extremely high risk. She doesn't know how many enemies there are, she doesn't know where the danger comes from; everything has to rely on themselves.

'Let's not say so much for now. Tonight, keep a close watch on the situation at Yongning Palace. Tomorrow morning, I'm going to Qianqing Palace.'

After finishing her words, regardless of what the system thought on the other end, Shen Yao called Xiao Fu to have someone send the food to the table.

Xiao Fu still held some hope that the Emperor would come, feeling that the Emperor's word was his bond and he couldn't go back on his word; Shen Yao mercilessly shattered her illusion: 'Once you enter the beauty's quarters, you won't want to come out. Tell Xiao Xiangzi to lock the palace gate on time tonight; the palace people at Furong Palace can also rest earlier.'

Nothing is more important than her body; it's actually better if the Emperor doesn't come.

On this side, Shen Yao didn't mind the Emperor leaving with the consorts of Yongning Palace; on the other side, Virtuous Consort was hoping for the situation she wanted to see through Yunxiang's report.

'Consort Shen truly hasn't shown any sign? She didn't send anyone to Yongning Palace?'

Yunxiang:... Consort Shen is favored, not a stupid person. What good result could come from sending people to Yongning Palace? Why has the mistress become so impatient lately?

'Mistress, Consort Shen is still in Furong Palace and hasn't come out; it seems she doesn't want to have a direct conflict with Noble Consort.' Don't look at the fact that those who intercepted them were low-ranking consorts of Yongning Palace; the one who actually calls the shots in Yongning Palace is still Noble Consort.

Anyone who has stayed in the palace for a long time knows Noble Consort's temper and character; Consort Shen doesn't look like a brainless flower vase.

Virtuous Consort snorted and leaned back against the soft pillow: 'Consort Shen not wanting conflict doesn't mean Noble Consort will tolerate this kind of thing.'

'Go, add more fuel to the fire for Noble Consort, and expose the matter of those few consorts secretly contacting us.'

Yunxiang:...?!!!

Yunxiang widened her eyes and hurriedly advised the mistress that doing this wasn't quite right: 'Mistress, those few people getting into trouble is a small matter, but affecting your reputation and word-of-mouth in the harem is a big matter.' One shouldn't do something that harms others without benefiting oneself just for a small gain.

Virtuous Consort didn't care; her mad appearance looked no more normal than the Empress at Fengyi Palace: 'Reputation? What reputation do I have left? Besides, the Emperor probably already suspects in his heart; otherwise, why would my grandfather suddenly resign from office and not come out?'

A pained expression appeared on Virtuous Consort's face, especially when thinking about how she hadn't been doing very well these past few years; she would rather drag everyone down with her into ruin.

Why?!!!

Virtuous Consort suddenly going mad forced Yunxiang to grit her teeth and carry out the mistress's orders, while Noble Consort, still in the palace and unaware she was being targeted, learned the Emperor was coming and ran straight out amidst the astonishment of the palace attendants.

Noble Consort couldn't be said to love the Emperor; it was just that the two had a period of better times in their early years, causing Noble Consort to reminisce now and then after falling out of favor.

Over time, even if she didn't love him, Noble Consort developed a certain obsessive psychology, leading her to act overbearing and petty both internally and externally.

Now hearing that the Emperor was coming, Noble Consort was excited in body and mind; she didn't care who had attracted the Emperor—once he came to Yongning Palace, he could only stay in the main hall.

The Emperor:...

The Emperor, love-blinded and lacking rationality, yet the Emperor who saw Noble Consort had a brain. Given that Left Chancellor Zhou Taishi was still of some use at court, and upon meeting Noble Consort's pitifully desolate expression, it wasn't too surprising that he would soften his heart and choose to leave with Noble Consort.

'It's a pity that the low-ranking consorts who pulled out all the stops truly have no chance of turning things around this time.'

Caught red-handed by Noble Consort, what was she thinking? Even if she had the heart, she should have chosen a place like the Imperial Garden where there are idle pavilions around; at worst, she could wrong herself a little, but moving out of Yongning Palace was the priority.

'Host, if they could think of that level, they wouldn't have remained silent and unloved for years,' the system said that some operations require brains.

It also overheard Virtuous Consort saying she would sell out those few people and then add more trouble for Noble Consort.

One can only say that without the brain to compete for favor, one must be honest to have a way to live; any impulsive jumping around without considering the consequences will become the endpoint toward death.

The sky had already darkened; Shen Yao, changed into her quilt, lay on the bed, with a warm-colored candle burning not far away.

Turning over to continue chatting with the system: 'Tomorrow I will go to Qianqing Palace to cooperate with the persona and put on a show. I just don't know if Virtuous Consort, who boasts of controlling the whole situation, can withstand Noble Consort's anger.'

The system retorted: 'Host, do you think Noble Consort will go find trouble with Virtuous Consort?'

Shen Yao closed her eyes, calmed her mindset: 'Tonight the Emperor will accompany Noble Consort.'

System:... Hmm?

But what does that have to do with Noble Consort going to find trouble with Virtuous Consort? Seeing that the Host had already rested, the system had a thousand words to say but could only hold them in and endure.

Hmm, the Host being too smart has this one downside; its little head can't quite keep up.

After one night passed, Shen Yao woke up refreshed, while the system, which hadn't rested well, was full of quiet resentment and weakly said the Host should tell it why Noble Consort would go find trouble with Virtuous Consort.

Shen Yao looked surprised: 'The Emperor is present, and Noble Consort won't find trouble with Virtuous Consort; could it be she'll come find trouble with me instead?'

'System, you must understand one thing: on the premise that the Empress doesn't participate in harem affairs, Noble Consort and Virtuous Consort cannot advance and retreat together.'

Not to mention that the relationship between Noble Consort and Virtuous Consort was already bad; even if they were as close as sisters, at this time they must officially fall out for the Emperor to see.

'Some things, although unrelated to Virtuous Consort, but you usually serve the Emperor with me, so you must have heard the Emperor's evaluations of Noble Consort and Virtuous Consort.' Shen Yao picked up the gold hairpin from the dressing table and inserted it into her hair, then motioned for Xiao Fu to bring the prepared clothes; they had to hurry to Qianqing Palace as soon as possible.

'The Emperor evaluates Noble Consort as straightforward and cute, and evaluates Virtuous Consort as having seven apertures.'

The system found the words from when the Emperor and the Host chatted idly and repeated them in a low voice.

'A heart with seven apertures is exquisite; named as praise but actually as wariness.' Shen Yao looked up and met the beauty in the copper mirror, revealing a smile: 'Virtuous Consort's grandfather supported Prince Yong back then, and now Prince Yong's eldest son is the child of Virtuous Consort's maternal cousin.'

System:...?!!!

"Host, how did you know?" It hadn't even investigated!

"The Emperor said it casually, not just Prince Yong," Shen Yao stood up, leaning on Xiao Fu's arm as she walked out, "Prince Cheng, Prince Jin, Prince Wei, Prince Dun—the Emperor has mentioned all five princes whose households have offspring."

Who made it so the Emperor has no offspring? The court officials pressuring him creates great pressure to produce an heir.

Every night when sleeping, the Emperor's eyes would always fix on Shen Yao's abdomen; if Shen Yao weren't certain this person truly didn't know about the pregnancy, she would suspect she had been exposed—the Emperor's cheat was even greater than hers.

"Our opponents are not only inside the palace, but outside as well," Shen Yao sat in the sedan chair waiting at the doorway, looking expressionlessly at the city walls along both sides of the corridor, "Do you think Consort Virtue has survived until now for no reason?"

System:...

The System was once again shaken by the Host's perceptiveness—who made it truly not know.

"Your Highness, if we go now, we'll just happen to see the Emperor leaving court."

Xiao Fu quickly walked to her master's side, keeping her voice between the two of them.

"Mm, when you see the Emperor, just kneel; none of you need to say more."

This performance is for the entire imperial harem to see, and the Emperor counts among the audience.

Shen Yao is at least a minor favored consort; being stripped of favor and slapped in the face for no reason, she must find a chance to regain her dignity, otherwise next time any Tom, Dick, or Harry will dare to pop up—does Shen Yao even want to live then?

Xiao Fu nodded in agreement, silently praying in her heart that her mistress's plan would go smoothly.

Just as Shen Yao was heading to Qianqing Palace to lodge a complaint, Yongning Palace on the other side was also in a commotion.

Noble Consort put on her favorite wedding dress and gold hairpin, boarded the sedan chair, and headed straight for Cuihua Palace.

The two palaces aren't far apart; even by sedan chair it's only the time it takes to drink a cup of tea.

Noble Consort had just finished her exchange with the Emperor last night, and now she was in a very good mood—she hadn't even had time to settle accounts with those few consorts in her own palace who were eating from the inside while working for the outside, and she ran to Cuihua Palace to reminisce with Consort Virtue; what a close relationship indeed.

Slap—

"You dare hit me?"

"I'm hitting exactly you!"

Noble Consort shook the palm she had just used, coldly smiling as she looked at the utterly incredulous Consort Virtue.

"Surprised by what? The Emperor just granted this palace the authority to assist in managing the Six Palaces last night. Consort Virtue, ah Consort Virtue, your luck is truly good—you caught the right time."

Consort Virtue:!!!!

Consort Virtue wanted to kill someone; Noble Consort was bullying others too much, running to Cuihua Palace to slap her—truly arrogant.

Noble Consort lowered her head and leaned close to Consort Virtue, speaking under the other's furious glare: "The Xiao Family is gone, the Empress has been defeated—you don't think the Ye Family can remain safe and sound, do you? Ye Jingwan, always calling me naive, you're no better yourself."

Covering her mouth with one hand, Noble Consort looked smugly at Consort Virtue, even calling out the other's maiden name: "Last year when Consort Shu died, it was you who did it, wasn't it?"

Consort Virtue:...?!!!

Consort Virtue no longer cared about the slap on her face; her originally calm heart began to beat violently. Despite wanting to maintain her composure again and again, that panic from within still swept over and engulfed Consort Virtue's entire body.

Does Noble Consort know? How does Noble Consort know? Consort Shu's matter was clearly so hidden that not even Consort Shu's natal family had suspected anything—surely Noble Consort isn't deliberately bluffing her?!