Chapter 338 Disdain
In stark contrast to the warm atmosphere in Weiyang Palace, a storm was brewing in Consort Li's bedroom.
The fine imperial porcelain vase was smashed to the ground and shattered instantly, with shards flying everywhere.
Next came the jade ruyi, the glass cup... all the precious objects within reach became victims of Consort Li's venting of anger.
"Why! Why is that bitch allowed to conceive the dragon's child!"
Consort Li's eyes were bloodshot, her face contorted with jealousy and rage, and her voice was shrill and piercing.
"I entered the palace earlier than her, and my family background is better than hers. Why should she get all the good things? What is Jiang Huan anyway!"
The palace maids and eunuchs knelt on the ground, trembling, not daring to breathe, for fear of being affected by their master's anger.
The entire palace was in a mess, as if it had just been robbed.
Consort Li's chest heaved violently, and she trembled with anger.
The news of Jiang Huan's pregnancy was like a poisonous thorn, piercing her heart.
She could almost see Jiang Huan's status solidified by her son, while she herself would be completely forgotten in a corner of the palace.
This fear and resentment drove her almost insane.
She lost her appetite and stayed in the messy palace for three whole days.
The initial anger and despair gradually dissipated, and a thought quietly took root.
On the morning of the fourth day, a ray of sunlight shone through the window, illuminating the mess in the room and the disheveled woman reflected in the bronze mirror.
Consort Li slowly raised her head and looked at herself in the mirror. The resentment and bitterness reflected in her eyes were gradually replaced by scheming.
"Pregnancy... Ah, pregnancy is good too."
She looked at herself in the mirror and gave a twisted, cold laugh, her voice hoarse yet carrying an unusual clarity.
"Ten months of pregnancy, that's a long enough time for many things to change, isn't it?"
"Most importantly, it is not advisable to...serve him in bed."
"His Majesty is in his prime, full of vigor and vitality. Now that Jiang Huan is pregnant and unable to please him, and has no one to serve her, isn't this a golden opportunity?"
The more Consort Li thought about it, the more feasible it seemed, and a long-lost fighting spirit was rekindled.
She considered herself to be of high status, with superior looks and talent. She believed that Jiang Huan was just clever and had taken advantage of the Emperor's novelty to win his heart.
Now that the situation has reversed, it is a golden opportunity for her to seize the moment and regain the emperor's favor.
"Someone come here!" she called out. "Prepare water for my bath, use the finest perfume, and bring me that newly made crimson palace dress. Get the kitchen moving immediately; I will personally oversee the preparation of meals for the Emperor."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The palace maid waiting outside the hall quickly responded and moved.
After carefully grooming herself, Consort Li regained her confidence and went straight to the small kitchen.
She personally selected the ingredients and supervised the cooking time, finally deciding on three dishes that she believed were foolproof.
She reasoned that the Emperor had been busy with state affairs lately, and Jiang Huan, being pregnant, was unable to attend to him personally, so he must be exhausted both physically and mentally. What he needed most at this moment was gentle and considerate comfort.
Her thoughtfulness and meticulous care, including serving dishes that suited his taste, must have touched the Emperor's heart.
To this end, she also carefully scented her wrists and the hems of her clothes with the sweet fragrance currently popular in the palace, striving to make every detail impeccable.
After making all the preparations, Consort Li, carrying a carefully prepared food box and accompanied by two palace maids, confidently arrived outside the Imperial Study and waited patiently.
About the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Huo Lin, accompanied by Wang Degui and several guards, came from the direction of the Imperial Hospital.
He frowned slightly, seemingly still pondering the pregnancy precautions the imperial physician had just given him.
The imperial physician said that a woman's sense of smell becomes exceptionally acute after she becomes pregnant, and she dislikes strong odors.
Some spices, in particular, can easily cause nausea and vomiting when smelled.
Shouldn't the incense in Weiyang Palace be changed? It seems some palace maids like to wear makeup, and the scent is quite strong.
I need to write this down. When I get back, I'll have Wang Degui arrange for everything to be changed to the lightest possible dishes.
She seems to really enjoy the smell of dried orange peels lately. Hmm... we should make sure everyone in the Imperial Household Department eats more oranges every day.
Just then, a sweet, almost cloying fragrance wafted on the wind and hit my nose.
Huo Lin paused, his brows furrowing instantly.
He looked up and saw Consort Li standing not far away, smiling at him with a radiant smile.
"Your Majesty, this concubine greets you." Consort Li bowed gracefully, her voice so soft it could melt water. "Your Majesty is busy with affairs of state every day; you must be exhausted. This concubine has specially prepared some food; would Your Majesty like some?"
Huo Lin's face darkened instantly when he saw her obviously meticulously applied makeup and the fragrance emanating from her body. He subconsciously took a half step back, distancing himself from her.
I was just thinking about it when someone urged him to make an example of someone, right?
The smell was so strong it almost felt real, like a punch landing on your nose.
Did you take a bath with a spice jar?!
Huo Lin was displeased. He already disliked Consort Li, and now even looking at her was an eyesore.
Seeing Huo Lin retreat with a displeased expression, Consort Li's heart skipped a beat. She quickly stepped forward and raised the food box higher, trying to attract the emperor's attention with the aroma of the dishes.
"Your Majesty, this is from me personally..."
"Stop!" Huo Lin shouted sharply, taking another step back to create even more distance between them, his tone filled with disgust, "Stay away from me!"
Consort Li was so frightened by his sudden rebuke that she froze on the spot, and the smile she had been maintaining instantly shattered, leaving only embarrassment on her face.
Huo Lin even covered his mouth and nose with his wide sleeves, as if the fragrance were some kind of poisonous fog.
He turned to Wang Degui beside him with extreme impatience and ordered in an irritated tone, "Wang Degui, can't you smell this overwhelming stench? Quickly summon Consort Li back to the palace. From now on, without my explicit summons, no one in the harem is allowed to linger near the Imperial Study, especially..."
He glanced at Consort Li with disgust: "Especially those who carry these messy smells, lest they defile my place."
Wang Degui was quick-witted and immediately bowed, replying, "This servant obeys the decree!"
He turned to Consort Li, whose face was deathly pale: "Consort Li, you heard it too. Please go back to the palace and rest first."
"Your Majesty... Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I just..." Consort Li tried to make one last struggle, her voice choked with grievance, and her eyes instantly reddened.
Huo Lin, however, was extremely impatient, as if he couldn't bear to stay even a second longer. He turned around, flicked his sleeves, and strode away.
At that moment, he had only one thought: he had to hurry back and change his clothes, and he absolutely could not bring this strange smell to Jiang Huan.
It seems I'll have to make sure Wang Degui keeps a close eye on the women in the harem from now on, and that they don't wander around aimlessly.
Those who have a strong odor are considered dangerous individuals and are strictly prohibited from approaching within a hundred paces of Weiyang Palace.
As Consort Li watched Huo Lin leave without a backward glance and listened to Wang Degui's seemingly respectful but actually dismissive words, all her hopes collapsed at that moment.
She clenched her fists tightly, her sharp nails digging deep into her palms, barely managing to keep from losing her composure on the spot.
What she thought was a golden opportunity, her meticulously planned path to regaining the Emperor's favor, was utterly shattered in such a humiliating way, leaving her only with a heart full of shame.
The food box slipped from her trembling hands and crashed to the ground with a thud, mingling with the dust.
She stared intently at the rolling pastry, as if she could see the woman in Weiyang Palace enjoying the emperor's exclusive favor.
A wicked thought flashed through her mind, and Consort Li almost let out a cold laugh.
Jiang Huan... Jiang Huan...
Even if you're pregnant with the emperor's child, in this deep palace, you have to be able to give birth to it.
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