"I believe that if it were truly a matter of bearing the imperial heir, all of you ladies present would be more likely than Consort Yun!"
Consort Su was always outspoken and said whatever came to mind, so her words were never pleasant to hear.
Yun Chaoxi lowered her head dejectedly, remaining silent.
The Empress Dowager had always favored Yun Chaoxi, and seeing her sad, she suppressed her smile. "Consort Su, how long have you all been in the palace? You haven't given me a single grandson or granddaughter. If you can't do it, I naturally hope that the newly arrived Consort Yun can."
"What? Do you think what I said just now was wrong?"
Consort Su was startled. The Empress Dowager was usually very gentle, which was why she dared to say such derogatory things about Yun Chaoxi in public. She never expected the Empress Dowager to expose her in front of everyone.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I misspoke. It is the responsibility of all the sisters to produce offspring for the royal family. I should not have excluded Consort Yun."
The Empress Dowager nodded and said, "Get up. The people in the harem should work together. The worst thing is to fight and compete. The Emperor's favor is even and he never shows favoritism. What's the point of your fighting?"
The concubines all lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
The Empress Dowager is right. The Emperor truly did treat everyone equally, choosing different women each time he entered the harem, and starting a new round only after finishing one round.
It's like completing a task.
Therefore, even if the concubines harbored resentment in their hearts, they maintained a facade of harmony.
Although Consort Su admitted her mistake, she still felt that Yun Chaoxi was not valued by the Emperor. She received no rewards or promotions, and the daughter of the Prime Minister was nothing special.
The Empress Dowager comforted Yun Chaoxi, saying, "Perhaps the Emperor was too busy to remember. It's not appropriate for your rank to rise too quickly since you've just entered the palace. I have a set of ruby-embroidered headdress here; I'll have the nanny take it back with you when you leave."
Yun Chaoxi thanked the Empress Dowager.
After leaving Shou Kang Palace, Zhu'er was in low spirits. "My lady, is what Consort Su said true? Why didn't the Emperor bestow any rewards? Does he really not like you?"
Yun Chaoxi didn't seem to care much, "because the Emperor and I haven't consummated our marriage yet."
"Huh? What about last night?" Zhu'er asked in confusion. Last night, Eunuch Liu had instructed her to go to the Imperial Kitchen to fetch some newly made pastries, and when she returned, the Emperor had already left.
What happened last night that she doesn't know about?
Yun Chaoxi didn't explain much; the fewer people who knew about the emperor's impotence, the better.
"Zhu'er, when you get back, cook a pot of chicken soup and I'll send it to the Emperor."
"Okay!"
The kitchen in Liuxia Palace was small and didn't have many things, but Zhu'er was a very good cook. She could make even simple ingredients into delicious and tempting dishes that were full of aroma and flavor.
Yun Chaoxi brought a bowl of soup to the outside of the Imperial Study to request an audience with the Emperor.
Upon seeing her, Eunuch Liu recalled the terrifying events of the previous night, and his anger subsided slightly. "Consort Yun," he said, "His Majesty dislikes being disturbed when he is dealing with memorials. Please return."
Yun Chaoxi said softly, "I offended His Majesty last night, and I have come today specifically to apologize to him. Please inform him, sir."
Eunuch Liu thought for a moment, "Please wait here for a moment, Your Highness, while I go in and inform them."
Yun Chaoxi smiled and said, "Thank you for your trouble, Eunuch Liu."
Before entering, Eunuch Liu thought it was unlikely that the Emperor would see her, but to his surprise, the Emperor only paused for a moment before saying, "Let her in."
"yes."
Yun Chaoxi carried the tray and entered the Imperial Study alone. After bowing, she spoke with a hint of trepidation, "Your Majesty, I misunderstood you last night. I feel guilty, so I specially prepared a bowl of chicken soup to apologize to you."
The emperor continued writing with his wolf-hair brush until he finished reviewing a memorial, only then did he look up at the people below.
Unlike yesterday's cool and refreshing attire, Yun Chaoxi wore a crimson begonia-patterned cross-collar palace dress today. Her slender waist was bound by a belt, making her appear delicate and fragile. The skirt's distinct color layers accentuated her figure, making her resemble a beautiful, blooming begonia.
Yun Chaoxi's hands, which were holding the tray, were trembling slightly. She didn't hear the emperor's voice, so she secretly looked up and bumped into the emperor looking at her.
Yun Chaoxi quickly lowered her eyes again and stood obediently.
Chu Xiao cleared his throat and deliberately lowered his voice, "Bring it up and put it on the table."
After Yun Chaoxi put the soup down, Chu Xiao rested his chin on his hand, turned his head to look at her, and spoke again, "You said there was a misunderstanding last night. I ask you, why did you think I was fake last night?"
Chu Xiao had asked her this question before in Qin Fang Garden when he was acting as a guard. She had said that the fake emperor had a body odor. Now, Chu Xiao was asking her again as the emperor, wanting to hear her answer.
Yun Chaoxi timidly raised her eyes, only to meet the emperor's teasing gaze.
She couldn't help but curse him inwardly, "He's inhuman! He just wants to hear her say something wrong, doesn't he?!"
She lowered her head, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Your Majesty pounced on me like that, unlike your composed demeanor during the day. I was startled and instinctively pushed you away. In my panic, I thought you... were a fake."
Chu Xiao, "..."
He would flip through the cards five or six times a month, and An Yi was still as impatient as if he had never seen a woman before!
He never imagined that in the eyes of the women in the harem, he was an impatient and sweaty man.
Very well! He did it all behind the scenes, but the emperor is the one who has to take the blame!
Yun Chaoxi mustered her courage and grabbed Chu Xiao's arm, speaking softly, "I'm ready this time. Why don't you come to Liuxia Palace again tonight?"
After saying that, her face turned bright red with embarrassment, as if she wanted to dig a hole in the ground and bury herself in it.
Chu Xiao's gaze, unreadable, fell on her gently biting lips, full and juicy, seemingly bursting with juice at the slightest touch. After a while, he looked away, picked up his brush again, and opened the memorial. "The soup has been delivered, and I have received your apology. You may return now."
"Your Majesty, I take my leave." Yun Chaoxi looked reluctant, but she didn't linger for long and left after showing her face to everyone.
That night, Chu Xiao did not enter the inner palace but rested alone in the Zichen Palace. For the next five days, Chu Xiao did not choose any concubines.
On the sixth day, Chu Xiao chose Consort Li's name.
Yun Chaoxi guessed that this man would not come to her bedchamber again.
As darkness fell, An Yi became the emperor's stand-in to favor his concubines. Yun Chaoxi used a map to locate Chu Xiao's position, and coincidentally, he was at Qin Fang Garden.
Consort Li's palace was not far from her own, separated only by the Qinfang Garden.
Yun Chaoxi didn't let Zhu'er come with her and went to Qinfang Garden alone.
Chu Xiao strolled around the garden as usual, wearing a mask. Unexpectedly, he thought of Yun Jieyu, whom he had met here a few days ago. He chuckled and thought, "She's clever, but she's also timid."
As I casually glanced at the lakeside, I spotted a figure in turquoise water and could faintly hear sobbing.
He intended to turn and leave, but then, for some reason, he turned and walked towards the lake.
Upon closer inspection, it was indeed Consort Yun.
Why are you crying here?
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