Chapter 475 A Showy Harem? The Former Dynasty's Princess
The eldest sister, Ji Qingrong, was also among them. Ji Qingwu specially came down the steps to help her, and the two sisters exchanged a few words with smiles.
Finally, there were the imperial concubines. As the emperor's concubines, they had to perform a grand ceremony to the empress according to etiquette. They not only had to respectfully kowtow and touch the ground, but also present carefully prepared congratulatory gifts.
Ji Qingwu had no intention of making things difficult for them or giving them a warning.
Whether the gifts presented were precious gold ruyi and red coral, or hand-embroidered handkerchiefs and handwritten Heart Sutras, Ji Qingwu treated them all the same, responding with a faint smile and then asking them to stand up.
Those who had hoped to see a power struggle between the new empress and her favorite concubine were disappointed.
Because the Empress did not pay much attention to Wei Liru, who always had a faint smile on her lips, displaying the demeanor of a empress.
After exchanging pleasantries for a while, everyone left the main hall one after another.
Only one person remained.
Ji Qingwu looked up at the person to his lower left, the curve of his lips remaining unchanged.
"Consort Wei, you look like you've lost weight."
The last time the two met was during the palace coup.
Wei Liru has indeed lost a lot of weight, and the dark circles under her eyes are difficult to conceal even with heavy makeup.
"Your Majesty's appearance is not as dignified as the Empress's, because these days, I have been worried day and night about His Majesty's safety on the border. I have lost my appetite and cannot sleep," Wei Liru replied.
Ji Qingwu nodded slightly and said nonchalantly, "Then let's go back to the palace to have some snacks and catch up on some sleep. I'm also very tired."
However, Wei Liru smiled and asked in return, "Your Majesty didn't sleep well last night either, did you? On my way here, I heard that His Majesty left at dawn and did not spend the whole night with Your Majesty."
The entire palace was aware of this matter.
Logically speaking, after the emperor and empress's wedding, there should be a three-day break, a time when the two should be deeply in love.
But the emperor left Chenning Palace before dawn, leading everyone to speculate whether the seemingly favored empress had offended him.
Ji Qingwu said calmly, "Oh? Did His Majesty spend a whole night in Consort Wei's palace?"
Wei Liru's lips stiffened slightly before she replied, "Of course I have."
Ji Qingwu chuckled and shook his head.
She knew perfectly well that Emperor Wusu's harem was mostly just for show; there were no concubines who treated the emperor like a formidable enemy.
Ji Qingwu had assumed that Wei Liru would be an exception among all the people in the palace.
However, she had already read the daily records submitted by the Imperial Household Department that morning. The records of the emperor spending the night in the inner palace were empty, but the records of him spending the night alone in Zhaoyang Palace filled three volumes.
Li Yuzong even specially sent someone to deliver a plate of green plaques, the painted square plaques all rusted.
Ji Qingwu knew exactly what was going on. Li Yuzong had sent these things to her before she could even summon the emperor's harem and noblewomen. Who had instructed him to do this, and what was his intention?
The problem between her and Emperor Wusu was merely an internal matter between them and had nothing to do with these women.
Ji Qingwu stood up and straightened the wrinkles on his phoenix robe.
Because she was the Empress, according to the hierarchy, Wei Liru could not sit and could only stand up with her.
Ji Qingwu said, "Consort Wei, please leave the hall."
She walked toward the side door, not wanting to talk to her any further.
"Your Majesty the Empress!"
Before leaving, Ji Qingwu's helpless gaze instantly shattered Wei Liru's pretense.
Wei Liru called out loudly, "Your Majesty, please wait!"
Ji Qingwu didn't want to offend Wei Liru in front of all the palace servants, since it wouldn't be good for anyone if rumors of discord between the two of them spread on the very first day.
She instructed, "Aunt Fanghua, take some people to guard the gate."
When only the two of them remained in the hall, Wei Liru spoke up: "Does Your Majesty think that by defeating me, you can enjoy exclusive favor in the harem?"
Ji Qingwu looked at her, puzzled.
Wei Liru continued, "I know that the Emperor's heart is not in Guanju Palace."
She had always been aware of this, and so had every concubine and mistress who entered the palace.
On the eve of their entry into the palace, Eunuch Li, who served the emperor, told them that within the palace gates, there was no room for love or romance, only for the fate of their families.
To the emperor, they were mere decorations; to their families, they were tools for vying for fame and fortune.
Wei Liru accepted all of this.
But who could sit next to such a talented and handsome emperor and not be tempted? Wei Liru wished she could be that exception.
But now, no matter how unwilling I am, it's useless.
Wei Liru asserted, "Perhaps the Emperor's heart is partly with the Empress, but certainly not entirely."
Ji Qingwu asked, "What exactly are you trying to say?"
Wei Liru took a deep breath and said, "The woman in Anhua Palace is the woman the Emperor loves but cannot have. The Emperor has always had her in his heart."
Anhua Palace?
A look of confusion flashed across Ji Qingwu's eyes; it seemed somewhat familiar.
Seeing her frowning and deep in thought, Wei Liru asked, "Does Your Highness know who the woman residing in Anhua Palace is?"
Ji Qingwu remembered.
Last time, she and Yuan Heng got lost at the gate of Anhua Palace, and it was the maids of Anhua Palace who escorted them out, but she really didn't know who lived inside.
Ji Qingwu shook his head: "I don't know."
Wei Liru crumpled the handkerchief, glanced cautiously at the door, and said in a low voice, "It's Liang Muhui."
This name seems to be something that cannot be mentioned in front of others.
Ji Qingwu had never heard of this name before and asked, "Who is she?"
Wei Liru's voice was even lower: "She is the former princess who was engaged to the emperor."
Is that true? The emperor had a former lover?
Ji Qingwu was surprised, but she didn't show it on her face. It was obvious what Wei Liru was thinking when she told her all this.
She looked at the other person and said, "So?"
Seeing that she still had a smile on her lips and no displeasure on her face, Wei Liru continued, "The royal family of the previous dynasty were all killed, but she was the only one spared and is still hidden in the harem. This is enough to show how important she is in the emperor's heart."
"Moreover, it is Liang Muhui who is unwilling to get close to the Emperor. If she ever changes her mind and wants to reconcile with the Emperor, Your Highness should be prepared."
Wei Liru's subsequent words were quite meaningful.
Ji Qingwu's eyes flickered.
Emperor Wusu was a decisive man who left no way out for others.
The remnants of the previous dynasty are definitely a major threat to the current emperor, and the fact that the people of Anhua Palace have survived to this day is clearly very important to him.
Ji Qingwu nodded and said, "Alright, I understand."
Seeing her calm demeanor, Wei Liru realized she hadn't achieved her goal and grew anxious: "Do you...do you really understand what I'm saying?"
Ji Qingwu said, "I understand."
Then, she put on a stern face and admonished, "So what? Consort Wei should not bring up these past events again, lest you bring trouble upon yourself."
Wei Liru was speechless for a long time.
When she first discovered this secret, she was depressed and even fell ill for a month. How come Ji Qingwu seemed completely indifferent, as if she were talking about some trivial matter?
Wei Liru said, "Actually, the Empress doesn't have any real feelings for the Emperor, which is why she's so magnanimous."
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