Chapter 6 The Concubine is Just a Concubine

Inside Kunning Palace, Granny Wang had already informed Empress Cheng that they had not consummated their marriage. Naturally, the Empress was also aware of the little incident that had occurred outside. Regardless of how Jiang Fenghua did it, she ultimately preserved her dignity.

Empress Cheng raised her eyebrows slightly and said calmly, "If Jiang Fenghua is capable, it's only a matter of time before they consummate their marriage. Judging from what I've seen today, I've chosen a good princess for Shang'er."

"The prince is helping her up and down; he must like the princess," said Granny Xi. "The ninth princess is so ill-mannered. She's already at the palace gate and doesn't even come in to pay her respects to the empress. I really don't know how the imperial concubine raised her."

"She'll get what's coming to her sooner or later." Empress Cheng also disliked Xie Ling'er.

Granny Xi gloated, "Ever since the prince's marriage was arranged, the Consort went to His Majesty and cried, saying that Miss Su and our prince were in love and that she wanted to ask for a favor for Miss Su. In the end, His Majesty refused the Consort with the words 'A monarch's word is law,' and his face was so ugly at the time. His Majesty finally got his revenge for the Empress. It was the Empress who was wise enough to ask for the imperial decree before the Consort."

Upon thinking of this, the Empress's face instantly darkened. "She instigated her niece to seduce my son, making Shang'er completely infatuated. Since Shang'er likes her, I will not do anything to break up the couple and hurt the bond between mother and son. I will grant her wish to become a concubine."

"Your Majesty is wise," said Granny Xi, flattering her.

Empress Cheng sneered, "Although Shang'er is the legitimate son, he rarely receives the Emperor's favor. Now that the Crown Prince has not been established and the Emperor has many sons, they are fighting each other to the death, both openly and secretly. In addition, the Emperor is suspicious by nature. He is afraid that my son will get the support of the Su family, so naturally he will not agree."

"Shang'er needs to conceal his talents now, and he's reached the age for marriage. Marrying the daughter of a powerless tutor would put the Emperor at ease. The Jiang family is a scholarly family, so they are a barely suitable match."

The Emperor also intended to put Prince Heng in a bad light, keeping an eye on the Cheng family.

The emperor and empress each had their own agendas. The emperor's act of granting them a marriage was like a godsend for Empress Cheng.

At this moment, a palace maid entered the inner hall and reported: "Your Majesty, the Prince and Princess have arrived at the main hall."

Empress Cheng smoothed her hair, took the arm of Granny Xi, and rose from her seat. "Let's go see my beautiful daughter-in-law." Another reason she chose a daughter from the Jiang family was that Jiang Shaofu had little power and would be easier to control in the future.

The magnificent palace, with its splendid gold and carved beams and painted rafters, is both solemn and elegant. The entire palace exudes majesty and nobility. Apart from the Chengqian Palace where the emperor resides, the empress's palace is the most splendid.

Jiang Fenghua and Xie Shang were led into the main hall to wait. She kept her eyes straight ahead, neither humble nor arrogant, and maintained a dignified posture throughout.

She thought to herself: Consort Su and Empress Cheng were openly and secretly fighting each other. In front of the Emperor, Consort Su always had the upper hand over Empress Cheng. Although the Empress was the head of the harem, her relationship with the Emperor was as shallow as paper. She had always been bitter and never received her husband's favor.

Thinking of this, Jiang Fenghua's lips curled up slightly. She was really similar to herself. However, the Empress was very clever, and her whole life was spent scheming for the position of Empress, while she was always obsessed with Xie Shang's love. She was incredibly stupid.

At this moment, the Empress entered with a smile and sat upright on the soft couch.

Xie Shang quickly bowed and said, "Your subject greets Your Majesty."

Jiang Fenghua also knelt down respectfully, "Your Majesty, I pay my respects."

"No need for formalities, please rise!" Empress Cheng said with a smile, her eyes fixed on Jiang Fenghua. "Shang'er, hurry up and help your wife up."

"Yes." Xie Shang respectfully helped Jiang Fenghua up.

She rose gracefully, "Thank you, Your Highness."

At this moment, Granny Xi brought over tea, which Jiang Fenghua took and stepped forward, saying, "Mother, please have some tea."

The Empress took the gift, sipped it lightly, and then put it down. She instructed a palace maid to bring a tray with several exquisite pieces of jewelry on it, which she considered a gift for their first meeting.

She accepted the tea respectfully, thanked her, and the tea ceremony for her mother-in-law passed by uneventfully.

The Empress suddenly spoke up, "I have heard about what happened outside the palace just now. Shang'er wants to take her as a concubine. Do you have any objections?"

"Your Majesty, I have no objection. I will return to the palace and begin to arrange for the Prince to take a concubine." Jiang Fenghua's expression was calm and her attitude respectful.

The Empress frowned slightly. She was more beautiful than Su Tingwan, but her personality was too soft. She was probably no match for that scheming woman, Su Tingwan.

The Empress then had Granny Xi invite them to sit down, and affectionately took Jiang Fenghua's hand, praising her, "My daughter-in-law here surpasses all the women in Shengjing City. Her beautiful appearance is truly delightful."

Jiang Fenghua said shyly, "Your Majesty flatters me. I am not that good." She secretly glanced at Xie Shang.

The Empress, seeing this, said, "If I say you're good, then you're good. Fenghua, let's call you Ruan Ruan. From now on, I'll call you Ruan Ruan, just like your mother does, okay?"

Jiang Fenghua felt flattered and overwhelmed. "Okay." Her delicate appearance was pure and harmless, as if she were an extremely obedient and useful pawn.

In her previous life, Jiang Fenghua was abandoned by the Empress because she couldn't win Xie Shang's favor and disobeyed the Empress.

Later, Su Tingwan's methods proved to be truly brilliant. Xie Shang almost severed his mother-son relationship with the Empress because of her. Even after Su Tingwan ascended to the position of Empress, Consort Su shared the title of Empress Dowager with the Empress, which angered her so much that she vomited blood.

In this life, she is willing to be the empress's pawn, and she will stop at nothing to ascend to the position of empress.

After breakfast, Xie Shang made an excuse to go to the Imperial Study and left alone, while Jiang Fenghua stayed behind to talk with the Empress.

Jiang Fenghua sat gracefully on the soft stool. The Empress spoke frankly, "We've only been married for less than two days. Are you really willing for Shang'er to take a concubine into the family?"

"Even if I am unwilling, I can't change anything. It's better to let them be together as lovers. Isn't that what Mother thinks too?" The more you try to stop him, the more he will oppose you. It's better to let him do as he pleases.

Her features were exquisitely beautiful, her expression was as calm as a breeze, and her crystal-clear eyes remained undisturbed, as if she truly did not mind.

Empress Cheng scrutinized her for a moment, and a smile suddenly appeared on her lips. She was indeed a clever woman.

"With such a virtuous wife as Ruan Ruan taking care of Shang'er, I can rest assured." Empress Cheng then steered the conversation to the main topic. "Su Tingwan grew up on the frontier and is a bit lively. Shang'er is only infatuated with her because it's something new and exciting. After Consort Su enters the palace, I will entrust you with the important task of teaching her. As for how to teach her, Ruan Ruan, you can come up with your own methods. After all, she's just a concubine. Men need to be coaxed a bit, and she'll naturally come to your room."

"Your Majesty, I understand." Jiang Fenghua's ears turned bright red. She lowered her head slightly, her gaze fixed on the teacup in front of her. The Empress was trying to win her over, and she had to respond.