Chapter 321 Ruyi's Royal Love in the Palace Gao Xiyue 11

The Empress was cornered, but unwilling to be suppressed by a mere concubine, she still said defiantly, "In short, I will set an example and follow the old system of our ancestors."

"From this day forward, we will no longer use the expensive fabrics that are tributes from Jiangnan, nor wear precious jewelry. The amount of rouge and face powder we use on a daily basis and the amount of charcoal we use in winter will also be reduced by half."

Consort Jia lowered her eyes, her charming phoenix eyes filled with dissatisfaction, but as the Empress's person, she could only reluctantly reply, "...Yes."

Gao Xiyue had no intention of agreeing. She didn't want to compromise herself in the slightest. The Empress Dowager was gone, and she didn't know when this frugality campaign would end. She would rather enjoy life than suffer.

Her clear eyes swept over the Empress, and her cherry lips parted slightly, "Then Your Majesty, if the Emperor does not like me dressed like that, whose opinion should I listen to?"

The Empress smiled gently, suppressing her anger, and replied, "...Of course, I will listen to Your Majesty."

This is clearly using the Emperor to pressure her. Once she leaves Changchun Palace, Consort Chen will definitely run to Yangxin Hall to beg for favors.

Gao Xiyue nodded indifferently, "Then I understand."

After paying her respects, Gao Xiyue strolled out of Changchun Palace.

“Sister Consort Chen.” Consort Zhe approached, her fair face pleading, “Are you going to the Emperor to ask for his favor? Can I come with you? I really don’t want to dress up like that.”

When Consort Zhe was still a prince, she tried to curry favor with the Empress, but she had actually guessed that the Empress was responsible for Gao Xiyue's first child being harmed.

So she distanced herself from the Empress. After becoming pregnant, she started associating with Gao Xiyue, because she was really afraid that the Fujin (the Empress's wife) would also harm her.

Although Gao Xiyue did not agree to her request to join her, Consort Zhe was a very outgoing person and often visited Xinxuezhu.

The two embroidered small clothes together, and occasionally they would play a duet on the zither and pipa.

Over time, they developed feelings for each other, and the two little ones, Yongjin and Yonghuang, became friends and played together like one person.

Because of her close relationship with her, Consort Zhe's relationship with the Empress naturally deteriorated.

But Consort Zhe is no longer afraid. She has a son and a daughter to rely on. As long as she doesn't make a mistake, the Empress won't make things difficult for her openly.

“Sure, let’s go together.” Gao Xiyue nodded indifferently.

It's likely that only the two of them were asking for this favor, since no one else would dare to offend the Queen.

Consort Zhe sighed, feeling utterly helpless. "I feel that since you became Empress, you've become much more impatient."

"How can I not be anxious? I've drunk so many fertility-enhancing medicines, but none of them have worked, and the Emperor even gave me a portion of the palace power."

"Furthermore, the Empress proposed that the princes and princesses be raised in the Xiefang Palace, but the Emperor rejected that proposal as well."

During her time as a prince, she always held the power of the Chonghua Palace, which Hongli never revoked. After becoming Consort Chen, he also granted her a portion of the palace power.

It's clear that Hongli doesn't trust the Empress much now, just so she can protect him and Yongjin.

Especially when Consort Zhe was pregnant with Jingyu, she caught Sulian trying to harm Consort Zhe and reported it directly to Hongli.

Although it was discovered that it was Fucha Fujin and Sulian who had done it, and Fujin was unaware of it, Hongli did not believe it.

For interfering in the prince's offspring, Consort Fucha was divorced by the Fucha family, and Sulian was also sentenced to death.

However, due to Consort Jia's kindness in saving her mother and the covert threats, Su Lian did not reveal that she had interfered.

"Is that so?" Consort Zhe asked in surprise, then patted her chest with a look of relief. "Luckily, the Emperor didn't agree. I wouldn't dare hand the child over to the Empress."