Consort Mei was truly a remarkable woman.

So many people in this palace adore Emperor Chengqian.

However, Consort Mei was able to withdraw immediately after initially developing feelings for him.

This is the performance of the smartest woman in the harem!

But even such a clever woman once trusted another person in the palace wholeheartedly.

In Hua Rong's view, Consort Mei came from a wealthy family.

They may not even love their own biological parents as much.

But in the end, he chose to believe one person.

That person was none other than Consort Xiang.

This sisterly bond was ultimately broken when Consort Xiang, vying for the emperor's favor, turned against her.

Consort Mei didn't care about Emperor Chengqian; she just couldn't accept that Consort Xiang valued them more than their sisterly bond and even more than Emperor Chengqian himself.

That's how all women are in this harem.

Not just the Fragrant Concubine!

However, only Consort Xiang was truly special to Consort Mei.

During the period when she couldn't accept that Emperor Chengqian not only liked her, but also other women.

Only Consort Xiang stayed by her side and comforted her, helping her to completely escape the clutches of Emperor Chengqian.

Consort Mei could not describe the significance of Consort Xiang to her during that period, but it was certainly greater than that of Emperor Chengqian.

Because this might be her first and only true friend.

It was the only sense of security she felt amidst the family's interests.

To put it dramatically, Xiang Fei was her only ray of light.

Before meeting Consort Xiang, she thought Emperor Chengqian would be...

Because he is her husband, the person she will spend her life with.

But before the dream even began, I was already awake.

Later, Consort Mei also developed a deep hatred for Emperor Chengqian.

She never imagined that the Fragrant Concubine, who had advised her to understand the fate of women in the imperial harem during those days, would be the one to do so.

They actually valued that man, Emperor Chengqian, so much.

This is a classic case of those involved being confused while bystanders see things clearly.

The Fragrant Concubine could persuade others, but she couldn't persuade herself.

Perhaps the reason I advised her back then was simply because I wanted to eliminate one competitor.

Even the reasons behind this were completely different from what Consort Mei had thought.

It is even more sordid and direct.

However, it cannot be denied that Consort Mei was still grateful to Consort Xiang.

Even after Consort Xiang's rivalry for the emperor's favor turned against her, Consort Mei still felt grateful to her.

So much so that even after Consort Xiang's misfortunes, Consort Mei still protected her child and ensured that the child grew up safely in the palace.

Then Consort Mei was proud.

Therefore, after Emperor Bumie ascended the throne, she chose to conceal everything.

When Emperor Bumie wanted to execute her, she did not offer any explanation.

Perhaps she had already had enough of living.

Consort Xian, who had once framed Consort Xiang, had also died due to the combined efforts of herself and the previous dynasty.

He died a tragic death.

For the sake of her family, she once chose to live a life of ignominy.

However, her family has become utterly corrupt in this growing power struggle.

The family's corruption led to the loss of her last remaining business.

That's why he died on the very day Emperor Bumie ascended the throne—a tragic and resolute end.

Hua Rong had long known that everyone in this world has more than one or two sides.

However, after fully understanding Consort Mei's character, she also fell silent, which was unusual for her.

This woman is intelligent, but in some ways, she's also pitifully foolish.

Xiang Fei clearly did not consider her a true friend.

However, she did many things because of Xiangfei's not-so-pure concern.

In the end, they were unwilling to leave their names.

Consort Xiang had no idea what Hua Rong was thinking; she really wanted to see her son.

But I also feel ashamed.

"I don't want him to know that his mother is living like this, neither human nor ghost."

Xiangfei's voice was filled with despair and trembling.

He didn't know how to face Di Bumie, and she didn't feel that she had done anything for her son all these years.

She lived a hard life, but her son's life wasn't easy either.

She knew better than anyone the power struggles within the imperial harem.

After all, she was a brief victor.

It was precisely because she was a brief victor that Emperor Bumie lived such a difficult life.

She was indeed good-natured, but the jealousy of women in the harem often stemmed from just one man.

After all, she had become that kind of person before.

“I don’t care if you are Consort Mei or not, but I still want to say sorry to you. I don’t know why I did that, I didn’t want to. But I just couldn’t control myself. I know that man is not worth loving. But in the end I still chose to love him, and I don’t regret it now.”

Hua Rong said calmly, "Whether you want to see me or not, you will still be able to see me."

Hua Rong wasn't acting out of kindness; all she wanted was for Emperor Bu Mie to be happy.

This sense of happiness naturally comes from many aspects.

Hua Rong was unable to give the Emperor an undying maternal love.

I don't want to do that either!

This is too much trouble!

Since that's the case, then let Emperor Bumie know how much Xiangfei loves him and how she endures torment for his sake.

Such a heavy, unconditional maternal love must have improved Di Bumie's temperament considerably.

Hua Rong didn't care at all what Consort Mei was thinking.

This woman isn't exactly a bad person, but she's not entirely good either.

In the harem, the victors are never women as innocent as blank sheets of paper.

Everyone has countless thoughts and worries in their heart.

In any case, Hua Rong doesn't need to be too merciful to Xiang Fei.

Xiang Fei remained silent, partly because she was now in someone else's hands.

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