vrcanaries Chapter 287 The Strife in the Harem Resumes
Chapter 287 The Strife in the Harem Resumes
The next day.
Song Siyao set off with Princess Qingyan, while Shen Pei departed from the capital for the fiefdom of the Prince of Zhen.
The two walked together for a while, then parted ways and went in different directions.
When the tiger is away, the monkey reigns supreme.
After Song Siyao and Shen Pei left, some people in the court breathed a long sigh of relief, as if the mountain that had been weighing on their hearts had finally been removed.
Cining Palace.
"Your Majesty, please try this tea. I brewed it myself."
Consort De served the brewed tea to the Empress Dowager, carefully trying to please her.
She was Shen Xuan's birth mother. Among Emperor Changlong's many concubines, she was neither favored nor out of favor.
Her father was an Annamese general.
Back then, her father won a battle, and Emperor Changlong granted him special permission to bring his family into the palace to receive an official title.
She fell in love with Emperor Changlong at first sight in the Qiankun Palace.
Later, after her father learned of her feelings, he found a way to get her into the palace.
Coincidentally, Emperor Changlong, in order to consolidate his position, intended to win over her father and also had the idea of bringing her into the palace as a concubine.
The two sides hit it off immediately, and she entered the palace smoothly.
Once inside the palace, Emperor Changlong, though not in love with her, respected and protected her.
Although she wasn't very happy, she didn't suffer too much injustice either.
However, now that Shen Xuan has grown up, she needs to plan for his future.
Her father died on the battlefield many years ago, and her only brother is not very capable either, so her family has declined.
The only thing she can be proud of is her niece.
Previously, the Empress Dowager had never paid attention to her. A few days ago, the Empress Dowager suddenly saw her and indirectly mentioned that she wanted to arrange a good marriage for Shen Xuanmou.
She knew that Jiang Yu was close to the Empress Dowager, and she also knew that the good marriage the Empress Dowager mentioned was referring to Jiang Yu.
She readily agreed.
Marrying Jiang Yu is equivalent to gaining the support of the Prime Minister's mansion.
Moreover, there was also the support of the Empress Dowager.
As a concubine whose family had fallen on hard times, who had no outstanding descendants, and whose son was not favored, she accepted the olive branch extended by the Empress Dowager without the slightest hesitation.
Now that Shen Xuan and Jiang Yu's marriage is arranged, they are just waiting for the Imperial Astronomical Bureau to choose an auspicious day so that the two can get married.
Consort De was overjoyed and became even more respectful to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager accepted the tea offered by Consort De, a smile playing on her lips, and said kindly, "I know that your tea-brewing skills are unparalleled in the palace, and no one can compare."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty the Empress Dowager," Consort De said with a smile.
The Empress Dowager's expression suddenly turned serious. "How long has it been since you personally brewed tea for the Emperor?"
Consort De blushed. "Your Majesty, His Majesty is very busy with state affairs and rarely comes to the inner palace."
Since Consort Rou's death, Emperor Changlong's heart has also died.
He devoted himself to state affairs and rarely spent the night in the inner palace, especially not with Consort De, whom he didn't particularly like.
"If the Emperor doesn't come to see you, don't you know to go see him?" the Empress Dowager asked.
"I have been there, but His Majesty was not very happy to see me. I was also worried that I might disturb His Majesty, so I stopped going," Consort De explained.
"Consort De, some things require everyone's joint efforts to achieve twice the result with half the effort. Now that the position of Empress is vacant, you must also make an effort," the Empress Dowager instructed.
"Your Majesty, I understand. I will brew tea for you when I return," Consort De replied.
The position of Empress! Consort De was thrilled just thinking about it; it was something she had never even dreamed of before.
She loved Emperor Changlong, and as long as she could stay by his side, whether as empress or an ordinary concubine, she would be happy to do so.
However, the inner palace is the least conducive to purity.
She was no longer the naive and unambitious Wei Qingzi she once was; she had her own desires.
"Don't wait until we get back, go now," the Empress Dowager said.
Time waits for no one. With Song Siyao and Shen Pei away, this is their best opportunity.
"Yes, Queen Mother."
Consort De carried the brewed tea to the Imperial Study.
Emperor Changlong was reviewing memorials in his study.
In the past, when Song Siyao was around, whenever Song Siyao was free, he would have her enter the palace to help him review memorials.
Now that Song Siyao is gone, he has to handle all these mountain of memorials by himself, which he is not used to.
Just then, Wang Fujin came in to report, "Your Majesty, Consort De has arrived."
"Consort De? What brings her here?" Emperor Changlong asked.
In his eyes, Consort De was a quiet concubine who didn't like to cause trouble and didn't like to come to see him.
He would follow ancestral custom and visit Consort De's palace once a month.
We will neither mistreat her nor overtreat her.
"They said they were bringing tea for Your Majesty," Wang Fu replied.
"Let her in." Emperor Changlong put down his imperial pen and closed the memorial.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Wang Fu turned and invited Consort De in.
Consort De walked up to Emperor Changlong and bowed respectfully, saying, "Your Majesty, I greet you."
"No need for formalities." Emperor Changlong sized up Consort De.
"Your Majesty, this is tea that I brewed myself. I brought it here especially to help you cool off in the summer." This was an excuse that Consort De had racked her brains to come up with.
Emperor Changlong said, "Tea is hot, and the more you drink, the hotter you get. How can it cool you down?"
Upon hearing this, Consort De stood there stunned.
She didn't know how to respond to Emperor Changlong's words.
Looking at Consort De's appearance, Emperor Changlong lost interest in her.
He certainly hoped that someone could confide in him, but clearly, Consort De could not give him what he wanted.
Once she came to her senses, Consort De immediately asked Emperor Changlong, "I wonder what Your Majesty would like to eat? I will make it right away."
Emperor Changlong, who was extremely busy with state affairs, had no time to think about what he wanted to eat. His diet and daily life were all arranged for him.
"No need, you can put the tea down," Emperor Changlong said indifferently.
"Yes, Your Majesty." Consort De put down her tea. When she looked at Emperor Changlong again, he had already buried his head in reviewing memorials.