Chapter 50: Avoid him and return to Yilan Palace... Please...

A month later, in the Golden Palace, Zhou Ling, who had not attended court for a long time, sat on the dragon throne. Although his face was still pale from his injuries, his majesty was not diminished in the slightest.

After discussing important matters such as severely punishing the Baiyang Society rebels and purging the remaining members, a subtle change occurred in the atmosphere of the hall.

Several elderly officials, their hair and beards white, exchanged glances. Finally, Zhang, a founding father and Minister of Rites, stepped forward first, holding his jade tablet, and bowed deeply.

“Your Majesty,” he said in a loud voice, with the earnestness characteristic of an old minister, “having survived this great ordeal, we old ministers have been unable to sleep at night, deeply worried. A country cannot be without a ruler for a day, nor can it be without a crown prince for long. Your Majesty is in the prime of life, yet the will of Heaven is unpredictable. To secure the foundation of the nation and to reassure the hearts of the people, the issue of the succession is the most important matter at present!”

As soon as he finished speaking, another noble and military official stepped forward, his voice booming: "Your Majesty! Grand Secretary Zhang is absolutely right! The Eastern Yi vassal state, to congratulate Your Majesty on your recovery, has submitted a petition requesting the offering of ten noble ladies from the imperial family to fill the inner palace. These women have all been rigorously selected, are well-educated and reasonable, and possess exotic beauty. They may be able to produce offspring for Your Majesty, and also demonstrate the benevolent virtue of our Celestial Empire."

"No need." Zhou Ling's gaze was calm, but his voice carried an undeniable coldness. "I am still recovering from my injuries and have no interest in this. I appreciate the Eastern Barbarians' good intentions."

Seeing the emperor's immediate refusal, another official in the civil service rushed forward. This was the Minister of the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, who was in charge of ancestral temple sacrifices: "Your Majesty! If you feel that foreign women are unsuitable, fearing their intentions are unpredictable, why not hold a grand selection of imperial concubines? From the capital region and various prefectures, select virtuous and upright daughters of officials to fill the harem. This action is in accordance with the will of Heaven and the hearts of the people, and will surely help Your Majesty produce an imperial heir soon, thus ensuring the stability of the empire and bringing great fortune to the nation!"

"No need." Zhou Ling's gaze suddenly darkened, and the temperature in the hall seemed to drop several degrees. He was clearly impatient and imposing. "Selecting concubines is a waste of resources and manpower, and it disturbs the local area. We will discuss this matter later."

Seeing the emperor's resolute attitude, the senior officials were extremely anxious.

A censor known for his uprightness and outspokenness suddenly knelt down, his head touching the ground, and wept, saying, "Your Majesty! We are not acting out of personal motives, but for the sake of the nation! Your Majesty has been on the throne for several years, yet the harem is practically nonexistent, and you still have no children. This assassination attempt is a wake-up call! If... if something truly happens, the foundation of the nation will be shaken, and what will become of the imperial regalia? How can Your Majesty disregard the ancestral legacy and the safety of the realm because of a momentary displeasure? We... implore Your Majesty to reconsider!"

As he knelt and wept, several other officials followed suit, saying in unison, "We beg Your Majesty to prioritize the well-being of the nation!"

On the dragon throne, Zhou Ling looked at the kneeling ministers below, his eyes deep and unfathomable, his emotions unreadable.

He knew that the issue of having an heir had become an unavoidable focus of attention for both the court and the public after his brush with death. He could use his imperial power to suppress it, but he could not completely silence the public outcry.

After the court session, the air in the Imperial Study was filled with the fragrance of sandalwood.

An elderly minister with graying temples stood bowing before the imperial desk; he was none other than Lin, a founding elder of the dynasty.

After much deliberation, he finally mustered the courage to speak:

“Your Majesty, I know you dislike it when your subjects interfere in the affairs of the inner palace. However… now the entire court and the public are watching that lady in Yilan Palace. Miss Shen has been living there for quite some time, but she has no official title. If this continues, it may cause controversy.”

Seeing the emperor's hand pause slightly as he held the pen, Grand Secretary Lin seized the opportunity to advise:

"If His Majesty has no intention of holding a selection of concubines for the time being, it would be better to give Miss Shen a title first. Even the lowest rank of Imperial Concubine would be better than this ambiguous situation, which only invites gossip and slander..."

The vermilion brush left a red stain on the memorial. Zhou Ling raised his eyes, his gaze deep and unfathomable.

The following day, an imperial edict was delivered to Yilan Palace:

“Shen Fangru is intelligent and quick-witted, and skilled in domestic duties. She is specially appointed as a concubine and granted residence in Yilan Palace.”

Cai Nu was the lowest rank in the imperial harem.

Meanwhile, in the Imperial Study, Grand Secretary Lin hesitated for a moment before adding:

"Your Majesty, according to palace rules, the rank of a Consort is too low to be in charge of the affairs of a palace. Yilan Palace is the residence of the principal consort. Now that Consort Shen has been granted the title, shouldn't she be moved to the West Side Palace to live with the other palace women?"

"No need."

Zhou Ling didn't even look up, but his tone left no room for argument:

"She lived in the main hall of Yilan Palace."

Grand Secretary Lin was about to offer further advice when he saw the Emperor put down his vermilion brush, his gaze turning icy.

"I say, no need."

These two words fell heavily, carrying the unique autocracy of an emperor.

When the news reached the inner palace, it immediately caused a huge uproar.

The Empress was so angry that she smashed the teacup.

"A concubine? His Majesty actually allows a concubine to occupy the main hall of a palace all to himself! What kind of rule is this!"

Consort Xian was consumed by jealousy:

"A mere concubine like yourself is not worthy to live in Yilan Palace? Your Majesty has been bewitched by that vixen!"

Meanwhile, inside the Yilan Palace, Fangru was kneeling to receive the bright yellow imperial edict.

When the words "Cai Nu" reached her ears, her fingertips trembled violently, and she almost dropped the light silk.

Cai Nu...

This title, the most despicable in the harem, felt like a slap in the face.

In his heart, she only deserved this condescending title.

The warm breath that fell on my ear during our passionate night is still there, but now it feels like an icy thorn piercing my heart.

However, since she was the lowest-ranking concubine, she could use this to her advantage and escape his entanglement.

The next morning, Fangru, for the first time ever, carefully dressed herself up and even chose a brightly colored dress before taking the initiative to go to Fengyi Palace to pay her respects.

She knelt with exceptional utmost respect, her voice clear and melodious: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects. Yesterday, His Majesty said that I was ignorant of etiquette and instructed me to come and learn more from Your Majesty."

"Last night?" The Empress was shocked. Wasn't the Emperor recuperating in his palace? He hadn't even attended the morning court for a long time. How could he have slept with this concubine?

Fangru raised her bright smile and said, "His Majesty didn't leave until 3 AM. He said he wanted to drink the ginseng soup I made tonight."

She deliberately let her collar slip down a little, revealing an ambiguous red mark on her neck.

The concubines in the hall gasped in shock, and Consort Xian accidentally knocked over her teacup.

The Empress's face turned ashen: "Is Consort Shen trying to intimidate me?"

"Your Majesty, I dare not," Fangru said, feigning shyness as she covered her face with her sleeve. "Although His Majesty claims to be ill, he was quite energetic last night in Yilan Palace. He asked for water three times at dawn, and this morning before leaving, he specifically instructed the imperial physician to prepare some medicine to reduce swelling for me..."

She paused deliberately, enjoying the Empress's sudden deathly pale face, and added fuel to the fire: "It's strange, His Majesty is usually so energetic, how come he falls ill and can't get out of bed as soon as he arrives at my sisters' palace? He even claims he has no appetite for the ginseng soup that Your Majesty personally prepared..."

The Empress abruptly stood up: "A mere palace maid! How dare you!"

Fangru had a faint smile on her lips: "Your Majesty, please calm down. His Majesty specifically instructed me this morning before he left that rank is just an empty title, and it would be undesirable to let one's temperament be bound by such empty formalities."

Of course, she made this up on the spot. How could someone like Zhou Ling explain matters of rank to her? But at this moment, in order to provoke the Empress, she was happy to flatter herself, and every word she uttered was aimed at the Empress's most sensitive points.

"How dare you be so disrespectful!" The Empress's fingertips trembled with anger. "Since Consort Shen looks down on rank, she should think carefully about the meaning of hierarchy! Recite the 'Admonitions for Women' thirty times, and you are not allowed to get up until you have finished copying it!"

"Your Majesty, I obey." Fangru lowered her head, concealing the smugness in her eyes.

In the side hall, Fangru slowly and methodically ground ink and laid out paper, planning that once the palace gates were locked, she could rightfully rest in the side hall of Fengyi Palace.

The thought that she wouldn't have to deal with that insatiable man tonight made even her handwriting lighter.

Little did she know that her whereabouts had already been reported to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.

"Copying books in Fengyi Palace?" Zhou Ling put down his vermilion brush, a cold glint in his eyes. "It seems I've been too lenient with her lately."

As night fell, the emperor's entourage marched straight into the Phoenix Palace.

The Empress was bathing in her bedchamber when the old nanny rushed to greet her, only to find Zhou Ling waving away all the palace servants.

"Your Majesty, Consort Shen is currently..."

"I know." Zhou Ling interrupted the nanny and walked straight to the side hall.

He pushed open the door of the side hall and saw Fangru leisurely dipping her brush in ink. He couldn't help but sneer, "My beloved concubine is truly diligent."

Fangru was so startled that she dropped her pen, but she forced herself to remain calm: "Your Majesty, I am carrying out Her Majesty's instructions..."

"What are your orders?" Zhou Ling suddenly reached out, grabbed her wrist, and pressed her against the desk. The still-wet ink instantly stained her sleeve.

"Then I will personally check your homework now."

She could hardly believe her ears. Had he gone mad? This was the Phoenix Palace! The Empress's bedchamber was just a wall away!

This man actually wanted to sleep with the Empress in her palace, right in front of her.

She suppressed the turmoil in her heart, but her voice still trembled slightly: "This is the palace of the head of the six palaces! Her Majesty the Empress is right next door!"

“Perfect.” He bent down and bit open her silk sash, his hot breath burning on her neck. “Let her hear how you…do your homework on this desk.”

"Your Majesty!" Fangru struggled violently, kicking over the bookshelf next to her, scattering papers all over the floor.

Fangru tried to call out again, but he silenced her with a torn piece of his sleeve.

She could only let out broken sobs as she watched helplessly as he tied her hands to the corner of the table with a belt.

"Hide?" Zhou Ling chuckled, his fingertips tracing her trembling skin. "Let's see where you can hide."

Fangru was filled with shame and indignation, but gradually crumbled under his offensive.

She could only bite her lip and plead in his ear, "Please... go back to Yilan Palace..."

The Empress had just bathed and changed her clothes, and was removing her makeup in front of the bronze mirror when she suddenly heard a strange noise coming from the side hall.

She frowned and gestured for the palace maid to check, but the maid blushed and retreated as soon as she approached the door.

"Your Majesty..." the palace maid's voice was barely audible, "His Majesty..."

The jade comb in the empress's hand suddenly fell to the ground.

She strode toward the side hall, but froze when she touched the door frame.

Through the carved seams, one could clearly see the black dragon-patterned outer robe hanging to the ground, entangled with the woman's apricot-colored skirt.

"...It hurts!" Fangru's coquettish voice, tinged with tears, pierced through the window paper.

The queen's fingernails dug deeply into the door frame.

That was the rosewood table she had personally chosen, and it was now creaking under its own weight.

The sound of the book being overturned was exceptionally clear, like a slap across her face.

Outside the palace, the palace servants listened to the commotion coming from inside—the sound of tearing clothes, suppressed breathing, and the creaking of the desk—and their faces turned ashen.

The candlelight flickered inside the side hall.

Fangru was pressed down on the cold desk, her whole body trembling.

She could hear the Empress's suppressed gasps outside the palace and feel the prying eyes of the palace servants.

The feeling of being exposed in front of everyone was more humiliating than when she was in Yilan Palace late at night.

"Focus." Zhou Ling whispered in her earlobe, but became increasingly reckless.

She bit her lip hard, but soft moans still escaped through her teeth.

The most unbearable thing was that when her gaze swept across the bright yellow hem of the dress outside the window, she trembled shamefully. She realized that being eavesdropped on could make her feel this way…

"It seems the Empress cares about you a lot." Zhou Ling suddenly increased the pressure, satisfied with feeling her tension. "Can't you feel it? She's still standing outside."

Fangru shook her head in despair, hearing the Empress's staggering footsteps as she left, accompanied by the suppressed gasps of the palace maids.

Zhou Ling's burning lips brushed against her sweaty earlobe, and amidst the surging tide of passion, each word was etched into her heart: "Remember, I want you to experience the cold stares of the harem, the Empress's harassment, and the lowliness of your rank..."

Her broken sobs were rendered in disarray.

“When you’re struggling hopelessly in the abyss,” he said, capturing her trembling fingertips and pressing them to his chest, “you’ll remember to hide in my arms.”

When everything calmed down, Zhou Ling carried the disheveled Fangru out of the side hall and coldly said to the kneeling palace servants, "By imperial decree, the Empress has failed in her duties and is hereby confined for one month."

He looked down at Fangru, who was pretending to be asleep in his arms, and smiled slightly: "As for Consort Shen... since you like Fengyi Palace so much, I will come and 'copy books' with you again at this time tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Fangru could no longer pretend and glared at him.

Zhou Ling laughed loudly, picked her up, and strode away.

That night, everyone in the palace learned two things: the Empress had completely lost power, and the seemingly unfavored Consort Shen was actually the person His Majesty cherished most.