Chapter 173 The Cannon Fodder Concubine of the Harem—Could Not Be Kept

For several days in a row, Emperor Jingping stayed overnight at Qinyuan Palace.

One day during this period, Consort Li tried to intercept Yao Yao but failed, which made her resent Yao Yao even more.

However, even if Consort Li wanted to make a move against Yaoyao, she couldn't, because Yaoyao rarely even left the palace and was practically never seen by anyone.

The only time Yaoyao stepped out of the palace gates was on the first day of the lunar month when she went to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was a strict woman who disliked the rivalry among the women in the harem. Therefore, when paying their respects to the Empress Dowager, no one dared to be presumptuous or make any small moves.

The current Empress Dowager is the Emperor's biological mother, and the Emperor respects her greatly. Whether or not the Emperor can become Empress is also very important to the Empress Dowager's opinion!

Consort Li certainly wouldn't dare to cause any trouble at this critical juncture.

*

On this day, as usual, Emperor Jingping finished reviewing the memorials and planned to go to Qinyuan Palace.

As soon as they stepped out of the Hall of Mental Cultivation, Consort Shu's head maid, Lü Ling, hurriedly knelt down to pay her respects.

Emperor Jingping frowned and asked impatiently, "Which palace are you from? How can you be so unruly?"

Wang Bao, standing behind the emperor, immediately recognized that this was Lü Ling, who was by the side of Consort Shu.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly, realizing how important favor was; His Majesty remembered every palace servant in Qinyuan Palace.

This Green Ling was Consort Shu's most capable head maid, always by her side, yet His Majesty had no recollection of her.

"Your Majesty, this servant is Lüling, a maidservant of Consort Shu in Fenghua Palace. The Second Princess has been running a fever since this morning and has been crying and fussing, saying she wants to see Your Majesty. That's why Consort Shu sent this servant here to invite Your Majesty to Fenghua Palace."

Green Diamond spoke somewhat hastily, but her enunciation was clear, allowing Emperor Jingping to hear her words.

"Lead the way," Emperor Jingping said without hesitation.

Emperor Jingping frowned, feeling somewhat worried. He had very few children, only two princesses, so he valued his children very much.

Green Diamond excitedly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty!"

Along the way, the group walked quickly, and Fenghua Palace was in a good location, not too far from Yangxin Hall.

"Chaoyang, don't be afraid. Father is here."

As soon as Emperor Jingping stepped into Fenghua Palace, he went straight to the courtyard where his daughter lived. He opened the door and saw his daughter being held in Consort Shu's arms. He said to her with comfort.

"Father, your daughter misses you so much!" the four-year-old girl said pitifully.

Seeing his daughter's pale and weak appearance, Emperor Jingping felt a pang of sorrow.

"Your Majesty, you've finally arrived! Chaoyang has been longing for you for so long!" Consort Shu said, her voice choked with emotion.

Emperor Jingping ignored her words, instead giving a sharp look to the imperial physician beside him, and coldly asked:

"How is the Second Princess's health now?"

The imperial physician quickly knelt down, prostrating himself on the ground, his voice trembling slightly: "Your Majesty, the Second Princess's fever has subsided, and she now only needs to rest and recuperate."

Upon hearing that his daughter's fever had subsided, Emperor Jingping was finally relieved.

"The imperial physician said that Chaoyang needs to rest. Consort Shu, please put Chaoyang on the bed and let her rest early."

Emperor Jingping watched as Consort Shu sat by the bed, holding Chaoyang tightly. How could Chaoyang fall asleep quickly in such a position?

Consort Shu explained awkwardly, "Chaoyang likes me to hold her while we sleep."

Emperor Jingping: "That's right. Chaoyang is still young and sick today. You should hold Chaoyang while he sleeps tonight to prevent him from having nightmares."

Consort Shu, who still wanted to have a private talk with the Emperor: "..."

Her heart skipped a beat. Did His Majesty mean he was about to leave?

"Father, I want you to lull me to sleep."

Chaoyang remembered her mother's words: she must keep her father, the emperor, by her side. The little girl, living in the inner palace, naturally knew how important her father was.

Consort Shu was very pleased with her daughter's performance. She looked at Emperor Jingping pleadingly, hoping he would stay.

Emperor Jingping couldn't bear to refuse his daughter, so he softly agreed, "Okay."

*

Meanwhile, in Qinyuan Palace, Yaoyao and Hongguo were discussing what delicious dinner the imperial kitchen would prepare for Emperor Jingping's arrival.

Because Emperor Jingping often dined at Qinyuan Palace during this period, Yaoyao was truly amazed by how lavish Emperor Jingping's dinners were!

This was a boon for Yaoyao, as most of Emperor Jingping's dinner ended up in her stomach.

Emperor Jingping once jokingly referred to Yaoyao as a "glutton."

Just as Yaoyao was speaking happily, Wang Bao entered.

Hongguo reported to Yaoyao, who then told Wangbao to come in directly.

Seeing that only Wang Bao was there, Yao Yao was a little puzzled: "Why are you alone? Where is His Majesty?"

Seeing that Jia Jieyu was still completely unaware, Wang Bao sighed inwardly and then said:

"Your Majesty was originally going to come, but because the Second Princess had a fever and was not feeling well, His Majesty went to see her instead. His Majesty asked me to come and inform you."

When Yaoyao heard that His Majesty wasn't coming, she felt a little disappointed. She forced a smile and said, "The Second Princess's health is important. His Majesty should go and see her."

Only after Wang Bao left did Yao Yao's smiling expression fall.

The Second Princess is the daughter of Consort Shu. If His Majesty goes to see the Second Princess, will he have to stay overnight at Fenghua Palace?

Just thinking about this possibility made Yao Yao feel suffocated, and she couldn't calm herself down.

Hongguo could tell that her master was in a bad mood and knew why, but she didn't know how to comfort her.

*

Emperor Jingping saw his daughter, who had been coaxed to sleep, and gestured for Consort Shu to come out with him.

"Chaoyang is asleep, I'm leaving now. You should go back and rest too. There are palace maids and imperial physicians here to watch over you, so don't worry."

After the two went to the outer room, Emperor Jingping said indifferently.

Seeing how hard Consort Shu was taking care of her daughter, Emperor Jingping naturally wouldn't let her hold her daughter all night anymore.

Consort Shu's smile froze on her face. She still wanted to persuade the Emperor to stay, so she said with a smile:

"Your Majesty, it's so late, why don't you stay here tonight?"

Emperor Jingping waved his hand: "No, I'll go see Chaoyun."

"Uh... okay." Consort Shu's expression stiffened for a moment, then quickly changed.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."

Consort Shu was very disappointed when she heard the Emperor's refusal, but she was relieved when she heard that it was to visit the eldest princess.

Seeing Chaoyang's sick and weak state, Emperor Jingping also thought of his eldest daughter. He felt a pang of guilt, realizing that he had been too busy with state affairs to care for his daughter.

Emperor Jingping was eager to see his eldest daughter, Chaoyun.

Currently, his eldest daughter, Chaoyun, is being cared for by the Empress Dowager's side, and Emperor Jingping still trusts his mother.

Not long after Emperor Jingping left Fenghua Palace, Furong Palace received the news.

"Hahahaha! I thought Consort Shu could keep His Majesty here, but in the end, she still couldn't. She couldn't even keep him with her child. Useless thing!"

Consort Li stroked her long nails, rolled her eyes elegantly, and said sarcastically.

"I heard that His Majesty went in the direction of Cining Palace. I think His Majesty went there so late that he must have gone to visit the eldest princess. Consort Shu has shot herself in the foot."

Liu Yun said this while massaging Consort Li's shoulders.

Hearing Liu Yun's words, Consort Li laughed even more happily: "Your analysis is very correct. Consort Shu wanted to use the child to keep the Emperor, but she did not expect that this would arouse the Emperor's concern for the eldest princess."

"That's hilarious! They tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead!"