"Sister, I really didn't mean to blame you."
Feng Qianzhong was startled, her face turning deathly pale. This was the first time her sworn sister had ever spoken such harsh words to her.
He even directly ordered the guests to be sent away.
Empress Ru stood before her dressing mirror, plucked a white hair, and gazed at her no-longer-young face in the mirror. The fine lines at the corners of her eyes were impossible to hide as her expression tightened.
A hint of resentment and helplessness gradually appeared in his eyes.
She is already 35.
Compared to the young girls who had just entered the palace, they were at a complete disadvantage in front of the emperor.
"Why do you need to explain? Do you think I can't hear the resentment in your words?"
Empress Ru sneered, not even glancing at her.
"In this deep palace, who can not resent, who can not feel bitter? There are so many concubines in the palace, but there is only one emperor."
"Do you think my situation is much better than yours?"
"When I recommended you to the palace, I hoped you could help me win favor. But in the end, I couldn't count on you. I didn't blame you, but you're complaining about me."
"I'm sorry, sister. I was just saying it casually. I didn't expect it to make you think too much. I'm not good with words, so please don't take my words seriously.
Feng Qianzhong panicked for a moment and awkwardly explained, "As you know, Chong'er has never understood those scheming tricks, nor can she say pretty words."
Empress Ru sighed and looked at her.
He waved.
He gestured for her to come over.
After all, she was the adopted sister he brought in.
“I have no younger sister. I am the only woman in my family and the youngest. Although you are my adopted sister, I have always regarded you as my own sister.”
"You have entered the palace but have not won the Emperor's favor, which makes me very anxious."
"To be honest, the Emperor has agreed to come to Chengqian Palace tonight. This is my only chance, and I must seize it."
She stroked her belly.
"Chong'er, do you know how much I long to have a child of my own? Success or failure hinges on this moment. After having a child, regardless of whether the emperor will care about me, I will at least have something to look forward to in this life."
As she thought about it, a slight smile appeared on her lips.
He picked up the gold hairpin from the table and pinned it to her head. The exquisitely carved peacock, adorned with dazzling tassels, shimmered with light, a sight to behold.
"You know, I have loved and resented, but in the end I understood. The most important thing for an emperor's woman to learn is to abandon love and waiting, and to learn to be good to herself."
"I have no children, and I am now 35 years old. I cannot live entirely because of my maternal family."
"Take it easy, just do your best in everything."
"Look. How beautiful our Chong'er looks in this hairpin! Young girls like you are prettier and suit it better."
"Thank you for your guidance, sister."
The disappointment in Feng Qianzhong's eyes vanished in an instant, replaced by relief. She shyly pursed her lips and smiled.
"Your sister is much prettier than me, how can you say such a thing? Even if you're a bit older, you're still the most beautiful."
"..." Empress Ru forced a smile and decided not to argue with her, knowing that she had low emotional intelligence.
"Yes, I am old, but it doesn't matter. Even if I am favored, I will not forget you. Tomorrow morning, when the Emperor leaves, he will surely pass by Zhaoyang Pavilion where you are."
"And forget about those superficial tricks. His Majesty has seen plenty of singing and dancing. Why don't you..."
Empress Ru quietly pulled her to her side and whispered a few words to her.
Feng Qian nodded, understanding the implication, and looked at Consort Ru with gratitude in his eyes.
That night.
Empress Ru drank the bowl of the thick, well-prepared medicinal soup.
Following Mi Shan's instructions, they dared not make the slightest mistake.
Then he lit an incense stick towards the Guanyin statue of Guanyin who grants children placed inside the hall.
Hands clasped together.
She prayed to God to grant her a child.
"Whether it's a boy or a girl, as long as you can give me a child."
She once enjoyed immense favor and privilege. Her only regret in life was never being an empress and never having children.
Afterwards, to avoid any accidents, she even went to the palace gate to wait for the emperor's arrival.
The emperor arrived as promised and escorted her into the sedan chair.
When passing by Feng Qianzhong's door.
Empress Ru lifted the curtain and glanced outside.
The doors and rooms of Zhaoyang Pavilion were tightly closed, and Feng Qianzhong had extinguished the candles and gone to bed early.
Empress Ru felt a warmth in her heart.
"My dear sister, I haven't spoiled her for nothing."
Originally, Consort Ru was worried that she might cause trouble on the way, like Qin Miaomiao had previously stopped the Emperor from going to see Mi Shan.
She told Feng Qianzhong in advance because she trusted her adopted sister.
If Feng Qianzhong betrays her trust and truly acts heartlessly, the Empress Dowager will have plenty of ways to punish her.
They entered Chengqian Palace.
The emperor took his seat, and the imperial concubine had specially prepared a banquet for him, with musicians playing music in the background.
The night was shrouded in darkness.
Feng Qianzhong lay on the bed, with his maid Yunying sitting on the floor below him, kneeling and embracing.
"My lady, why are you pretending to be asleep so early? If you don't fight and compete, you'll end up with nothing. Why listen to the Imperial Concubine's words? You should think more about yourself."
Hearing the lively sounds coming from Consort Ru's side, Yunying couldn't help but complain.
"Shut up," Feng Qianzhong said coldly, frowning as he scolded, "My sworn sister has been so good to me, how could I do anything to betray her?"
"This servant is only thinking of Your Highness. Now that the Prince of Pingxi has fallen, Your Highness's power will inevitably plummet. Don't you plan to find a new patron?"
My dear reader, there's more to this chapter! Please click the next page to continue reading—even more exciting content awaits!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
