The fact that Emperor Rongsheng had taken all the women of Nanning into his harem was like a boulder thrown into a calm lake, causing a huge uproar in the court.
However, Jiang Chuwei was not surprised by this.
Because she was already certain in her heart that Emperor Rongsheng must know about her past life.
The dramatic change in Emperor Rongsheng's attitude toward the General's Mansion is enough to prove this point.
Back then, the General's Mansion was walking on thin ice, carefully dealing with the Emperor's suspicions.
But now! My elder brother Jiang Huai has been in the capital for over a hundred days, and the Emperor hasn't uttered a single word about it!
Even his father, Jiang Zhongyong, regained the emperor's favor.
Sure enough, Jiang Zhongyong has been summoned to the palace for the third time in a short period of time.
At first, he was full of suspicion, always feeling that there must be a conspiracy or trap involved.
After all, serving a ruler is like serving a tiger; who can predict how the emperor's thoughts will change?
However, to his surprise, the emperor had no ulterior motives this time, but instead had a heart-to-heart talk with him.
At each meeting, Emperor Rongsheng seemed to forget the distinction between ruler and subject, and simply pulled Jiang Zhongyong along to reminisce about the years when they fought side by side and shared hardships.
This situation left Jiang Zhongyong extremely puzzled, and he even muttered to himself, "Could it be that the poison has really invaded the Emperor's brain?" Otherwise, how could such an incomprehensible change have occurred?
Moreover, the Emperor also favored the three sons of the Jiang family, bestowing upon them precious rewards or entrusting them with important responsibilities.
For a time, the entire General's Mansion was the talk of the town, becoming the focus of everyone's attention.
As for Emperor Rongsheng's true intentions, only he himself probably knows best.
When Emperor Rongsheng stepped into the long-missed harem, all the women in the harem secretly looked forward to it.
Emperor Rongsheng never stepped into the inner palace after falling into a coma.
This time, he actually came, and his goal was clear—to go straight to Plum Blossom Palace.
The women in the harem were jealous, but there was nothing they could do about it.
They only felt jealousy and envy.
When Consort Mei learned that the Emperor was coming, she couldn't help but feel a surge of joy and anticipation.
After quickly getting ready, she eagerly went to the door.
However, when she saw Emperor Rongsheng's expressionless face, her joy vanished almost instantly.
Whenever the emperor saw her, his face would immediately light up with a smile.
Before she could even pay her respects, Consort Mei, as usual, acted coquettishly and threw a tantrum, her eyes slightly red and brimming with tears, looking utterly pitiful.
To Consort Mei's surprise, Emperor Rongsheng did not embrace her and gently comfort her as he had done in the past.
Instead, he simply stood there quietly, gazing at her with an unusually calm look, as if examining a strange object.
Consort Mei's tearful and pitiful appearance seemed to have lost its magic at this moment, failing to touch the emperor's heart in the slightest.
As time passed, Consort Mei gradually became flustered and confused.
In the past, as long as she showed a little weakness and cried a few times in front of Emperor Rongsheng, she could get everything she wanted.
Emperor Rongsheng was never stingy with either rare jewels or imperial favors.
But why is everything so different today? Could it be that she did something wrong to anger the Emperor? Countless questions swirled in Consort Mei's mind, making her increasingly anxious and uneasy.
Finally, as Consort Mei's performance drew to a close, Emperor Rongsheng slowly spoke: "Mei'er, how many years have you been in the palace?"
Consort Mei was taken aback by his words, staring blankly at the Emperor, unsure of how to respond.
After a moment's thought, she said timidly, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty has been in the palace for five years." Her voice was as soft as a candle flickering in the wind, barely audible.
Emperor Rongsheng nodded slightly, then asked, "So, do you wish to leave the palace?"
These words were like a thunderclap in Consort Mei's ears.
Her eyes widened in disbelief as she exclaimed, "Your Majesty, do you no longer want me?" Tears streamed down her fair and delicate cheeks like a burst dam.
Faced with Consort Mei's panic, Emperor Rongsheng remained unmoved and continued to ask expressionlessly, "I remember that your hometown is Shu. Do you wish to return to your hometown now?"
Consort Mei's heart sank suddenly, and she felt as if she had fallen into an ice cellar.
She really didn't understand what the emperor's words meant. Did the emperor intend to abandon her?
Despair and resentment, like two venomous snakes, silently burrowed into her heart and spread rapidly, gradually devouring her.
Looking back, he forcibly abducted her into the palace. At that time, he doted on her and took great care of her. But now all of that has shattered and vanished like a mirage. Has he already grown tired of her so easily?
However, she was, after all, the emperor's concubine! Since ancient times, there has never been a precedent of a concubine being ruthlessly sent back home.
"Your Majesty! I have no one else in my family. In this world, Your Majesty is my only remaining relative."
After speaking, Consort Mei gazed at the high and mighty emperor before her with earnest yet sorrowful eyes. She hoped that the emperor would respond with the same deep affection as before, saying: "I am your eternal support in this life."
Then, he lovingly reached out and pulled her into his arms, giving her endless warmth and comfort.
Unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. The Emperor didn't react as Consort Mei had imagined. His face was ashen, and he coldly said without expression, "You still have another relative, your brother Xie."
Before she could finish speaking, Consort Mei was struck dumb as if by lightning, and then her body involuntarily went limp to the ground.
She never expected that the Emperor would know about Xie Zhichu.
How did he know?
You should know that he was someone she carefully kept hidden in her heart.
At this moment, Consort Mei was extremely flustered and completely at a loss.
Why would the Emperor suddenly mention this person? And why was his attitude so cold and resolute?
Little did people know that Emperor Rongsheng, who appeared calm and composed, was actually burning with rage inside.
It was because in his dreams, Consort Mei was always haunted by the scholar named Xie Zhichu, unable to forget him.
They even showed indifference towards the ninth prince they had conceived together.
Since her heart isn't in the palace, let her go out and give her freedom.
He wouldn't even want a woman like that.
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