Chapter 171:

Princess Diwa moved into the palace, which greatly upset the concubines. Originally, Noble Consort Shen had enjoyed exclusive favor in the palace, but now another princess had arrived. Although Diwa’s stay was temporary, many worried about her character.

“What sense of shame can this barbarian girl possibly have?”

Of course, there were those who secretly hoped that Princess Diwa might vie for the emperor’s affection, thinking this could diminish Noble Consort Shen’s prestige.

If someone else succeeded, it would prove that everyone had a chance.

Qing’an Palace.

“Your Highness, are we really going to do nothing? Many people are saying it’s inappropriate for Princess Diwa to reside in the palace. Before, wasn’t she fond of the Sixth Prince? The emperor and the Sixth Prince bear a certain resemblance; who can say she won’t set her sights on the emperor next? You should make preparations early,” Tao’er expressed her concerns.

Today, Guo’er was away, so they spoke more freely.

Though these maids weren’t particularly shrewd, they would eventually recall the events of that day.

Guo’er’s swift movements had given them a clear understanding.

But since their mistress said nothing, naturally they wouldn’t speak out either.

Except for certain important matters, everything else proceeded as usual.

Xu Yue smiled slightly and placed her teacup down. “Who the emperor favors is certainly beyond my control. It’s not just someone of my status; even if the empress were still alive, she wouldn’t dare to say such things.”

“Your Highness, that’s not the way to think. You must always be prepared for unforeseen circumstances,” Tao’er felt her mistress was being too careless.

“Even so, I shouldn’t interfere,” Xu Yue replied calmly, though Emperor Jing, who had not yet entered the door, was already feeling upset.

Laixi, seeing his master’s dark expression, shivered slightly.

In recent days, he had clearly seen that Lady Yue did not love him as passionately as she appeared to. Still, he always thought perhaps his previous indulgence had hurt her heart. As long as he treated her well, she would eventually be moved.

However, without even seeing her delicate face, just hearing her cold, emotionless words, Emperor Jing suddenly felt uncomfortable, even intolerant.

“Your Majesty,” Guo’er, carrying porridge from the kitchen, met Emperor Jing at the door.

Inside, Xu Yue heard Guo’er’s voice and knew the emperor had arrived.

Since he had come, Emperor Jing lifted the curtain and entered.

“Your Majesty,” Xu Yue greeted him.

“Hmm, rise,” he replied indifferently.

Seeing his expression, Xu Yue guessed he had overheard her words inside. However, she didn’t think there was anything inappropriate about what she had said.

Emperor Jing waved his hand, and the palace maids filed out.

Xu Yue hurriedly poured tea for Emperor Jing and then brought a towel for him to wash his hands.

Looking at her for a long time, Emperor Jing asked, “What have you been up to today?”

Without pausing her actions, Xu Yue replied, “Nothing much, just chatting.”

“Oh? About what?” he raised his brow.

Xu Yue looked at him and thought for a moment. “Just idle talk. They were saying how beautiful Princess Luolisha is.”

Emperor Jing remained expressionless. “And you, Yue’er? Do you think Princess Luolisha is beautiful?”

Xu Yue smiled and nodded. “Of course. Who doesn’t know the princess is exquisitely beautiful?”

“If she’s so beautiful, have you considered that she might seduce me?” His tone remained calm.

Xu Yue was momentarily stunned, then replied with a smile, “Yue’er believes His Majesty would never be seduced!”

She answered coquettishly. Normally, Emperor Jing would have been delighted, but not today.

Emperor Jing stared at Xu Yue for a moment before rising to his feet. Though his expression remained composed, his words carried an icy chill.

“We demand your sincerity.”

With that, he turned and left.

This was the first time since Xu Yue entered the palace that Emperor Jing had acted this way.

Despite her strong composure, she was stunned.

Emperor Jing had just arrived and immediately left, so naturally no one else knew what had happened.

Xu Yue did not chase after him. When the emperor was angry, no matter how slight, it was unthinkable for a concubine to run after him.

Jin Xin, who had a particularly close relationship with Xu Yue, hurriedly entered and saw her mistress in a daze.

“Your Highness, what happened?”

Xu Yue shook her head with a bitter smile. “Nothing.”

Then she remained still for a while longer.

She never expected Emperor Jing to react so strongly. She thought her words were perfectly reasonable just now. Xu Yue often mixed truth and falsehood to make her words more convincing.

She truly believed Emperor Jing would not be interested in Princess Diwa. In her view, there must be some ulterior motive between them, but certainly not related to romantic feelings.

Yet Emperor Jing, for some unknown reason, became dissatisfied at this moment.

Seeing his cold expression just now, Xu Yue suddenly felt as if she had returned to before her rebirth. Back then, he had been just like this.

It was as if she saw the flames of that fire again. Holding her forehead, Xu Yue felt a growing headache.

“Your Highness, are you unwell?”

“Bring me some water. I need to lie down.”

Since entering the palace, Xu Yue had always been cautious, doing everything according to Emperor Jing’s preferences. She deeply understood his tastes and constantly adjusted herself accordingly.

Precisely for this reason, she had enjoyed continuous favor since entering the palace. But today, Emperor Jing suddenly turned cold toward her, making her feel as if she had returned to her past life.

That lonely and tragic past life.

Emperor Jing left in a huff that day and did not return to the harem.

For seven consecutive days, he summoned no one to his chambers. Everyone knew that for the past few months, only Noble Consort Shen had been with him. Now it seemed things were about to change.

Due to her painful memories from her past life, Xu Yue had been in low spirits recently.

But she did not go to appease him actively, perhaps subconsciously believing this life was different from the previous one.

There were indeed many who wanted to take this opportunity to curry favor with him, but they were all scolded and sent back.

As a result, no one dared to provoke trouble anymore.

As if to vent his anger, Emperor Jing summoned Princess Diwa to Xuanming Hall, causing rumors to spread wildly throughout the palace.

Xu Yue, who managed palace affairs, naturally could not allow these rumors to damage the emperor’s reputation, so she warned everyone sternly.

As a result, fewer people discussed the matter openly, though secretly everyone knew that Noble Consort Shen and Emperor Jing had a conflict.

Seeing her mistress in low spirits, Jin Xin asked, “Why don’t you prepare something delicious and go speak kindly to the emperor? This matter could be resolved. Why endure like this?”

Xu Yue smiled slightly at this suggestion and shook her head.

“The emperor’s anger is unreasonable. If I go now, although we might reconcile, it’s not guaranteed. It’s better to wait for a suitable opportunity.”

Xu Yue had naturally thought about this issue these past few days.

In the long run, she could never afford to lose the emperor’s favor, but everything had its limits.

She believed that now was not the best time to approach him.

Hearing her maid’s words, Jin Xin understood that her mistress had other plans.

Considering her mistress’s actions over the years, which had been without fault, she decided not to say more.

Xu Yue had her own thoughts, but Emperor Jing was unaware. Seeing that this ungrateful girl did not come to apologize actively, he was reluctant to go see her again.

He knew very well that his outburst was unreasonable.

Nevertheless, he still hoped Yue’er would come to reconcile voluntarily.

Not only that, he even felt a hint of regret, wondering why he had angrily left that day!

Now the situation had become awkward, which troubled him greatly.

Originally, he had wanted to love and spoil her. Such a young girl—he had no doubt he could warm her heart, but he had hurt her in an instant.

He scolded himself, thinking that at his age, he was still getting upset because she didn’t show jealousy. If others knew, they would only laugh at him.

Previously, the empress dowager had noticed he hadn’t visited the harem and had inquired about it.

He had made excuses, and every time the empress dowager saw him like this, she refrained from asking further.

His face slightly flushed, for how could he reveal the true reason?

“Laixi.”

“Your Majesty, I’m here.”

Recently, the palace atmosphere had been poor. If the emperor was even slightly displeased, he would scold those around him. Only Laixi dared to stay close; others would not dare to serve him closely.

“What has Noble Consort Shen been doing today?”

Laixi’s heart chilled slightly.

The emperor asked the same question every day, and upon learning that Noble Consort Shen was doing well but unwilling to humble herself, he would become angry again.

This cycle repeated daily.

Previously, he had always thought the emperor was deep and unfathomable, but recently he appeared to be love-stricken, acting quite childish. Hearing that Noble Consort Shen had not come, he would grit his teeth in anger, only to ask again the next day.

“Today, Noble Consort Shen visited the empress dowager and then returned to Qing’an Palace, where several young princes were with her.” This indicated she was doing reasonably well.

“She’s doing well but doesn’t know to come see me. Is she deliberately distancing herself from me?” Emperor Jing said through gritted teeth, clearly unwilling.

Laixi naturally dared not say anything, merely lowering his head silently.

Emperor Jing, dissatisfied, tapped the table, then thought for a moment and spoke, “Previously, the Shen family’s female members did not enter the palace due to illness. Tell Laifu to find a way to make the Shen family themselves request to enter the palace to see their children.”

Upon hearing this, Laixi understood.

So the emperor was forcing Noble Consort Shen to come and beg for an audience!

Smiling as he acknowledged, he turned and left.

“Laixi,” Emperor Jing called out to stop him.

“Your Majesty, what else do you command?”

“Make it quick.”

“Yes.”

Watching Laixi’s retreating figure, Emperor Jing slightly curved his lips.

Sure enough, within a day, Laifu had completed the task, and naturally the Shen family sent a letter to Xu Yue, hoping to enter the palace to visit.

Upon hearing this news, Xu Yue felt it was indeed too coincidental.

But it was also like receiving a pillow when drowsy.

It had already been eight days; it was time to humble herself and take the initiative.