Chapter 102 An Irresistible Substitute

She knew Pei Yan's eyes all too well at that moment!

It contains a twisted possessiveness, a morbid obsession, and the ecstasy of seeing a substitute!

Xiao Fengyi's hands, hidden in her sleeves, clenched tightly, her meticulously manicured nails digging deep into her palms, causing sharp pain.

Don't misunderstand.

Looking at Pei Yan's dejected appearance, she felt not jealousy, but contempt and mockery.

Only pain can stop her from vomiting!

deep feeling?

Oh!

Who are you putting on this for?

If you're truly devoted, you should be like General Xie Zhenting, who protected the nation!

Ten years have passed since his wife passed away, and he remains alone, guarding the harsh northwest. No matter how many noble ladies offer themselves to him, he doesn't even glance at them!

That's what you call unforgettable!

She envied Lin Ruyue, even though she was already dead.

She felt sorry for herself.

Unlike the person in front of me.

On one hand, he pretends to be deeply in love with a stand-in, while on the other hand, his harem is full of women, and he doesn't even spare the women his son once liked!

Hypocritical! Disgusting!

No one knew better than her what kind of pervert the Emperor of Daqing was behind the scenes!

She was anxious for the emperor to establish a crown prince, partly out of personal motives, but more so because she didn't want the Great Qing Dynasty to perish at the hands of a madman!

Even her good-for-nothing eldest prince is much better than Pei Yan!

Just as Xiao Fengyi was sneering inwardly, Pei Yan made a move.

He seemed drunk, his steps unsteady yet urgent, as he walked step by step toward the figure at the back of the line.

Xie Nu'er felt the emperor's footsteps getting closer and closer, causing her body to tremble uncontrollably, like a willow in the cold wind.

But she remembered Xie Sangning's instructions and the old woman's teachings, and tried her best to suppress the fear in her heart. She raised her face and met that burning gaze.

Her eyes were filled with just the right amount of adoration; her clear pupils, like those of a startled fawn, were brimming with water, carrying a hint of innocent naivety and admiration.

Pei Yan's heart skipped a beat!

That was a look Lin Ruyue could never give him!

At that moment, an immense sense of satisfaction instantly overwhelmed all of Pei Yan's doubts and vigilance!

He knew perfectly well that this woman who looked so much like Lin Ruyue was bait that Xie Sangning, that cunning girl, had deliberately put in front of him!

A chess piece!

But... he couldn't resist!

I can't resist this person who looks so much like Lin Ruyue!

I couldn't resist those eyes that were filled with adoration and love for him!

This perfectly fulfilled all his fantasies and desire to conquer the woman he couldn't have!

Pei Yan stood in front of Xie Nu'er, ignoring all the gazes around him.

He reached out and grabbed Xie Nuer's slightly cool wrist, pulling her up abruptly!

"Raise your head!"

His voice was hoarse, and his gaze lingered greedily on her face, tracing her familiar features inch by inch, as if trying to see another soul through that face.

"Tell me, what is your name?"

Xie Nu'er stumbled as he pulled her, her wrist aching from his grip. Her body trembled even more violently, her long eyelashes fluttering like startled butterfly wings. Her voice, trembling and weak with just the right amount of tremor, said, "Your Majesty... this humble woman, Xie Nu'er..."

“Xie… Nu’er…” Pei Yan murmured, chewing on the name. Yes, he was confused. Xie Sangning’s adopted sister was specifically used to deal with his adopted sister in the talent show!

This name is a provocation to Pei Yan.

Look, the woman standing before you whom you desire is my slave, Xie Sangning. Do you want her or not?

"Good! Well done, Xie Nu'er!"

Pei Yan suddenly burst into laughter, the sound echoing throughout Chuxiu Palace. "I find you gentle and quiet, which suits my taste perfectly! From this day forward, you shall remain in the palace to accompany me! I shall bestow upon you the title of... Consort Ru!"

Like the moon, like her.

"Consort Ru?!"

These two words struck like a thunderbolt, hitting everyone hard on the head!

"His Majesty!"

Empress Xiao Fengyi could no longer contain herself and cried out in alarm!

Newly admitted palace maids, without any palace selection or merit, directly granted the title of imperial concubine?!

This is simply unheard of since the founding of the People's Republic of China!

It broke all ancestral rules and palace regulations!

"Your Majesty, please reconsider!"

Xiao Fengyi stepped forward, her voice urgent, "A newly appointed imperial concubine can only reach the rank of Consort according to ancestral rules! The adopted daughter of the Xie family has neither merit nor virtue, yet she is suddenly promoted to Imperial Consort. This may cause controversy in the court and among the people, and unrest in the harem, Your Majesty!"

"Ancestral rules?"

Pei Yan turned his head sharply, his eyes, which had just been intoxicated, instantly becoming sharp!

His face betrayed undisguised annoyance and warning: "My harem! My empire! The rules are set by me!"

"Your Majesty! You have overstepped your bounds!"

Xiao Fengyi swayed, feeling a metallic sweetness rise to her throat!

There's no cure!

She bit her lower lip hard.

Let whoever wants to be empress be it!

"Your Majesty, I will obey your command."

She turned stiffly to the terrified eunuch beside her and forced out a few words through gritted teeth: "Keep the nameplate! Consort Ru!"

Xie Nu'er seemed stunned by this enormous surprise. Her body went limp, and she knelt heavily on the ground with a thud, her voice trembling with a perfectly timed sob:

"Your humble servant Xie Nu'er...kowtows to express her gratitude for Your Majesty's divine grace! Long live Your Majesty! Long live Your Majesty!"

The voice seemed to be extremely sincere and heartfelt.

——

The General's Residence.

The afterglow of the setting sun bathed the ground in a warm golden light.

Everyone in the mansion, from the stewards to the lowliest servants, stood respectfully with their hands at their sides, watching the magnificent imperial carriage slowly approach.

Xie Nu'er, no, now the newly appointed Consort Ru of Daqing, stepped down from the carriage with the help of palace maids.

Xie Sangning stood at the front, smiling, and led everyone to curtsy slightly: "Welcome back to the residence, Consort Ru."

Today is the day the selected young ladies return to their residences; they will officially enter the palace three days later.

Looking at the woman before her who had pulled her out of the mire and given her a new life, Xie Nuer was filled with mixed emotions.

She stepped forward quickly, bowed deeply to Xie Sangning, her voice choked with barely suppressed sobs:

"This servant...thanks to the young lady for saving my life!"

This bow was filled with genuine emotion.

If it weren't for Xie Sangning, where would she be today?

Xie Sangning reached out a hand to help her up, her smile unchanged: "Your Majesty is too kind. This is your own good fortune. Congratulations, Your Majesty, for achieving your wish."

She changed the subject, lowering her voice so that only the two of them could hear her:

"However, Your Majesty must remember that the inner palace is like a tiger's den. The nine-layered palace may seem magnificent, but it is actually fraught with danger at every turn. Today you are favored and honored, but tomorrow you may be in an abyss. Your future survival in that dragon's den and tiger's den will depend entirely on your own abilities."

Xie Nu'er felt a chill run down her spine, and looked up to meet Xie Sangning's eyes.

She nodded vigorously: "I understand! I will certainly remember your teachings, Miss!"

Xie Sangning nodded slightly and gestured behind her.

Ru Chun and Ru Dong each stepped forward carrying a heavy brocade box.

"When Your Highness first enters the palace, you cannot be without someone by your side, nor can you be without some money to rely on."

Xie Sangning pointed to the brocade box that Ru Chun was holding, "This contains five thousand taels of silver notes, as well as some jewelry and antiques. The palace needs silver and silver for various purposes. Your Highness, please keep it safe."

She then pointed to the box that Ru Dong was holding: "These are the clothes and fabrics prepared for Your Highness. In the palace, these are indispensable. It is only natural for people to compete for favor and beauty."

"These two are Your Highness's personal maids, carefully selected to accompany you into the palace."