Chapter 20 Empty Reward
A bit slow.
Pei Tingyue thought.
Her progress in conquering the emperor is a bit slow.
Although the emperor felt a little sympathy for her, he still wanted to use her as a shield.
She had to change this situation as soon as possible.
It’s no wonder Pei Tingyue is anxious. The oppressive feeling brought by the heroine is really too strong.
She has to seize the emperor's true love before the heroine comes out.
Otherwise, once the heroine emerges, she will never have the chance to win the emperor's true love. Her fate can be imagined, and she will be completely devoured by this deep palace.
What to do?
Pei Tingyue was thinking about this matter all the way.
She was also absent-minded when dining with Concubine Song.
With something on her mind, Pei Tingyue had no mood to enjoy the food. She ate a little and returned to the back hall.
After making the peach blossom cake and sending it to the front hall, Pei Tingyue lay on the couch and continued to think about this matter.
The emperor's heart is too cold and hard, and it is really difficult to pry it open.
In recent days, she has tried all kinds of tricks such as using beauty to win over the emperor, showing her sincerity, and acting cute and soft, but all she has done is to gain some favor.
If she wants the emperor to have her in his heart, these ordinary tricks will not work, she has to think of other ways.
Playing hard to get, playing hard to get?
Pei Tingyue thought about it and felt that it was not feasible. The emperor would definitely see through this trick. If he had time, he would still play with her. If he didn't have time, he probably wouldn't even pay attention to her.
This method is risky, and these are just leisurely interests, not enough to open the emperor's heart.
Then be a gentle and sweet-talking flower?
Relieve the emperor's inner boredom at all times.
This method is good, but it is not suitable for her.
After all, she appeared stupid and weak in front of the emperor, and it was impossible for her to become smart all of a sudden.
This path is not for her.
Pei Tingyue sighed and thought about other things.
Just as Pei Tingyue was thinking about how to arouse the emperor's heart, the harem was also changing due to two "happy events".
*
Changxin Palace.
Ever since the news of Concubine Shu's pregnancy spread, rewards have been pouring into the palace.
Some were awarded by the emperor, some were awarded by the empress, and even the empress dowager, who never cared about the affairs of the harem, gave a lot of rewards.
From gold, jade, pearls, and stones, hair ornaments, hairpins, silks, and satins, to rare ornaments, to medicinal supplements, flowers, and potted plants, everything is available.
This shows how precious Concubine Jiang Shufei's belly is.
Not only that, some palace concubines personally sent gifts.
In an instant, the main hall of Changxin Palace was filled with people.
Concubine Jiang Shu handled the situation personally, and when she felt exhausted, she went into her bedroom to rest. Concubine Huang from her palace took charge of the matter for her.
The excitement gradually subsided until the moon reached its zenith.
Tan Wu, the senior maidservant beside Concubine Jiang Shu, personally prepared a medicine to help with pregnancy and brought it to her. "Your Majesty, drink the medicine."
Concubine Jiang Shu was sitting on the bed, her face pale. She asked cautiously, "Did you watch over the brewing of this medicine?"
Tan Wu whispered, "No one else was there. I had the prescription written by Doctor Hu checked by other doctors. Only after they confirmed it was correct did I dispense the medicine. It was then locked in a small cabinet in the palace. I was the only one who handled the preparation of the medicine each time."
Concubine Jiang Shu was relieved and took the pregnancy-protecting medicine and drank it. "No wonder I'm so cautious. This time when I'm pregnant, everyone in the harem seems to be harmonious on the surface, but who knows what sinister methods they've devised to harm me."
Tan Wu put the empty bowl aside and comforted her softly, "Your Majesty, please rest assured. Tan Zhi and I will do our best to protect your baby."
"You two are the only ones I can trust," Concubine Jiang Shu sighed. "By the way, where is Tan Zhi?"
"She has received many gifts from above, and she is now arranging the storehouse."
Concubine Jiang Shu nodded and said, "Jieyu Huang has worked hard for me all day. I will ask Tan Zhi to send her some good fabrics later."
"I've made a note of that." Tan Wu agreed. She looked at Concubine Jiang Shu's tired face and said worriedly, "Your Majesty, you haven't had a good rest after all the noise outside all day. Go to bed early tonight."
Concubine Jiang Shu struggled to open her eyelids. She looked at the hazy full moon through the diamond-shaped window and said, "Tan Wu, I can't sleep."
Tan Wu had served her for many years and was very sensitive to her emotions. Noticing Concubine Jiang Shu's melancholy, she asked with concern, "Your Majesty, are you unhappy?"
"Well, the more rewards the emperor gives me, the more unhappy I am."
Tan Wu was puzzled. "Why? Today alone, the rewards the Emperor bestowed upon us far surpass those given to Consort Lin Zhaorong and Consort Xian when they were pregnant. This is a tremendous honor. Why wouldn't Your Majesty be happy?"
Concubine Jiang Shu smiled coldly, "I want to be happy too, but behind this great honor, I can't be promoted to the position of Imperial Concubine!"
Tan Wu was shocked and understood.
Today's generous reward is compensation for not giving my master the position of imperial concubine!
Concubine Jiang Shu continued sarcastically, "The Emperor is truly partial! When Concubine Liang had a miscarriage, she caused chaos in the harem, but she received no punishment. When Concubine Liang asked to rest, the Emperor refused to allow anyone to disturb her. Even now, he's still keeping her the title of Imperial Concubine. He truly shows deep affection!"
Tan Wu frowned, "What's so good about Concubine Liang? She hasn't been out for a year, and the Emperor still misses her!"
"The feelings between childhood sweethearts are naturally different." Concubine Jiang Shu's face was unfriendly, and she didn't want to mention Concubine Liang any more. She gently stroked her belly, "I went through so much trouble to get pregnant, not to ask for such a reward!"
"What does the Queen mean?"
Concubine Jiang Shu said firmly: "This is the position of Imperial Concubine, I must take it!"
Tan Wu squatted beside the couch and analyzed slowly, "But according to the ancestral rules, there can only be two imperial concubines at a time. Now there is already one imperial concubine in the palace, and the emperor wants to reserve the other position for Concubine Liang. I'm afraid it will be difficult for Your Majesty to move up."
Concubine Jiang Shu was in contrast to her usual gentle and soft demeanor. A hint of malice flashed across her eyes. "I may not be breaking the ancestral rules, but I can do other things! Since the position of Imperial Concubine is full, I will leave it vacant!"
In the blink of an eye, her face returned to calm, but her voice was still creepy, "Tell the people I have placed there that it's time."
Tan Wu's face was filled with solemnity. "Since the Majesty has made the decision, I will pass on the message. This operation will end in failure, or we will die!"
*
When I went to pay my respects the next day.
Empress Cui explained the emperor's intentions, "The emperor said that Concubine Liang has not yet been canonized and is still Concubine Liang. However, the vacant position of Imperial Concubine will not be considered for promotion for the time being."
One of the concubines was dissatisfied, "You are not considering promotion for the time being? I am afraid it will be reserved for Concubine Liang. After all the twists and turns, the title of Imperial Concubine is still Concubine Liang's."
The concubines only dared to think about this in their hearts, but they did not dare to question the emperor's decision openly.
I didn't expect someone to be so bold as to say it directly.
Empress Cui, with a rare cold expression, scolded, "Are you dissatisfied with the Emperor?"
The concubine regretted her words immediately after speaking them out. Knowing she had lost her composure, she stood up and apologized, "I know I was wrong."
"Get up." Empress Cui didn't blame her too much. She looked at Concubine Xie who was sitting in the hall and said, "Go sit where you should sit."
Concubine Xie did not refuse. Since Concubine Liang was still Concubine Liang, she, Concubine Xian, was the leader of the four concubines, so there was no need to give way to her.
She stood up and sat in the first seat on the left.
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