The Captive Consort's Tale - Chapter 86, Scheming (Part 2)

The Empress naturally ignored Consort Duan's emotions. She simply looked at Mingruo thoughtfully for a long time before saying, "It is said that the Emperor's new concubine is a beauty of unparalleled grace, with a face that could shame the moon and flowers. It is indeed true. After seeing her today, I can finally believe that there is truly such an extraordinary beauty as you, my sister."
Mingruo felt goosebumps all over from her gaze and stood up, but she still forced herself to remain calm and smiled slightly, then replied in a light but polite manner: "Your Majesty flatters me. Zhuohua is just a pretty girl, how can she compare to Your Majesty's noble and graceful demeanor?"
The Empress's expression softened at the flattery, and she stepped forward to take Mingruo's hand in her own, gently stroking it like a loving elder. But Mingruo knew very well how much malice lay hidden beneath that gentleness. If the Empress wasn't so cunning, how could she have controlled the harem for so many years without allowing others to seize power? Mingruo knew that the smile on her face now could turn into poison the next moment, and she had to be careful in everything she did to survive.
"Zhuohua, Zhuohua... What a beautiful name. The peach tree is in full bloom, its blossoms are bright and beautiful. I'm sure the Emperor also loves your peach blossom-like beauty and captivating thoughts. In the future, we should serve the Emperor well together. My sister is young and delicate, so you must take good care of the Emperor's health. Don't indulge him just because he wants something, that wouldn't be good."
This seemingly well-intentioned advice caused a glint of purple light to flash in Mingruo's eyes. When it came to understanding Emperor Xuli, there was no one else in the world but her. The Empress's words sounded like they were for Emperor Xuli's own good, generous and without any pettiness, but Mingruo knew very well that with Emperor Xuli's personality, he would not accept rejection. What he wanted, you had to give him, or of course, you could refuse, provided you had enough power not to give it to him.
Besides, she had been in the palace for seventeen years. Even if she was at her worst, she knew the character of these concubines. From childhood to adulthood, she had always kept her distance from the Empress, just because she was afraid that the Empress would see the truth she was hiding. Now she no longer needed to hide, but the urge to hide whenever she saw the Empress had not disappeared.
"...Zhuohua understands, thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty."
"It's all for the best that you understand. The Emperor truly dotes on you, even letting you live with him in this Panlong Palace. You should know that even I am not allowed to enter without being summoned." The Empress smiled, patted Mingruo's hand, released it, stood up, and walked around the hall. Mingruo also stood up, but did not follow behind the Empress. She simply stood still, watching the Empress lead the group of concubines around and back. Her dark eyes blinked and then lowered—after her desperate pleas, Emperor Xuli finally agreed to let her continue taking the medicine that changed her eye color, of course, on the premise that it would not cause any harm to her body.
Consort Duan, who had been ignored earlier, spoke up again, still brooding over the fact that Mingruo had just received a bow from her. She said that it would be such a pity if people didn't have brains.
“I’m telling you, little sister, you’ve only been in the palace for a short time. If you’re always living with the Emperor, it will cause a lot of trouble. You know, those old ministers in the court are all incredibly stubborn and difficult to deal with. Take my advice and ask the Emperor to give you a separate palace as soon as possible. That way, it will be easier for you to greet the other ladies in the future, and if the Emperor wants to choose a concubine, it won’t make you feel sad.”
Calling her "elder sister" repeatedly, Consort Duan truly put on airs and began to act old, relying on her family background and seniority in the harem.
Mingruo pursed her lips and said softly, "Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty. Zhuohua will remember them."
"That's good. I heard what the Empress said just now. Don't let the Emperor become too obsessed with beautiful women. He should prioritize state affairs." The implication was that beautiful women are a source of trouble, and you are the one who is beautiful, so don't keep clinging to the Emperor all the time.
"……yes."
Just as everyone was about to speak again, a clear, cold voice rang out: "What's going on today? Why is Panlong Palace so lively? Are they all here to see my beloved concubine?"
Mingruo heard the voice suddenly approach, and then the next moment she was pulled into an embrace filled with the fragrance of white datura flowers. She looked up and just as she uttered "Father—" she suddenly changed her words: "Your Majesty, why have you returned?"
Emperor Xuli made no attempt to hide his affection as he lowered his head and nuzzled her little nose. "I came back as soon as I heard you were awake. Otherwise, how could I have witnessed such a wonderful scene?" As he said the last sentence, he also glanced meaningfully at the Empress and the other concubines standing beside him.
"How come I didn't know that Panlong Palace had become a place you could come to whenever you wanted?"
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger!!" Even though they didn't understand his thoughts, the concubines all knew Emperor Xuli's unpredictable temper, and they hurriedly knelt down one after another. It was the Empress who spoke first. She prostrated herself on the ground, the golden hairpin in her hair trembling violently. Mingruo unconsciously took a small step back. The Empress was indeed kneeling towards Emperor Xuli, but she was still in his arms, which meant that she had also accepted the bow! "Please, Your Majesty, hear what I have to say—"
Emperor Xuli interrupted her: "Speak." He didn't like to hear nonsense.
"...Yes." The Empress glanced at Mingruo with resentment, then knelt down and lowered her head again, not daring to raise it this time.
"It is utterly unreasonable for the Emperor to bring his sister into the Panlong Palace—"
"Are you trying to reason with me?" Emperor Xu Li curled his lips slightly, his handsome face lazily looking down at the woman kneeling before him. "Are you tired of sitting on the Empress's throne?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress was startled and hurriedly began to kowtow: "Your Majesty, I dare not, I dare not! Please forgive me, Your Majesty! I did not mean any harm. I just wanted to see if my sister needed any help. I had no intention of offending her. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!" She was extremely guilty and dared not move her eyes. She knelt there stiffly, her teeth chattering with fear.
Heaven took pity on her; she loved the most noble man in the world, to the point that she was willing to give up her own life and her family. But this could not stop her from fearing him. With just a glance or a slight movement from him, she was terrified to the point that she could hardly believe it herself.
She didn't think such a lame excuse could fool Emperor Xuli, but strangely enough, he actually believed it! He grunted and said, "I'll believe you this time. From now on, no one is allowed to enter Panlong Palace without permission. Otherwise—at best, they'll be stripped of their titles and banished to the Cold Palace; at worst, they'll be given a cup of poison and their entire family will be exterminated!"
The concubines present couldn't help but shiver. One by one, they kowtowed and left in a sorry state. The Empress also left after giving Mingruo a meaningful look. In an instant, the entire palace was completely deserted, leaving only a few palace maids, Emperor Xuli, and Mingruo.

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The Captive Consort's Tale - Chapter 86, Scheming (Part 2)

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