Ever since that night in the Imperial Study when he devised the plan to "spread the favor evenly," Xiao Che began his "painful yet joyful" career as a movie star.
Within just three days, the news of the emperor's change of heart spread like wildfire throughout every corner of the palace.
Today, His Majesty chose Consort Chen and had a long talk with her in her palace for half an hour.
The next day, His Majesty visited Consort De again and bestowed upon her a pair of jade ruyi scepters from the previous dynasty, and they "enjoyed" the moonlight together at midnight.
Even Consort Hui, who had been confined to her quarters for her stupidity, was "visited" by His Majesty because she was a distant relative of the Empress Dowager.
In an instant, the entire harem became vibrant and bustling again due to the emperor's sudden "favor." The palaces that had been silent for so long were once again ablaze with the flames of competition for the emperor's favor.
In stark contrast, Kunning Palace became increasingly deserted day by day.
If the previous confinement only instilled awe in the palace servants, preventing them from approaching, then the Emperor's blatant "infidelity" has completely shattered the Empress's unshakeable position in everyone's hearts.
When a tree falls, the monkeys scatter; when a wall collapses, everyone pushes it down.
The most realistic and cruel survival rules in this world are vividly displayed within these red walls.
The first to bring this "reality" to the forefront was the Imperial Household Department, which was in charge of all the expenses of the palace.
At noon that day, it was time for each palace to receive its share of the stipend.
A young eunuch from the Imperial Household Department, carrying a food box, strolled leisurely into Kunning Palace. His face no longer held its usual respect and flattery, but instead carried a hint of arrogance.
"Sister Ruolan, Her Majesty the Empress's lunch has arrived." He placed the food box on the table, his voice neither loud nor soft, but his tone revealed not a trace of respect.
Ruolan was angry, but given her mistress's current "situation," she couldn't show it. She could only suppress her anger and step forward to open the food box.
However, the moment the food box was opened, even though Ruolan had prepared herself mentally, she was still so angry at what she saw that she trembled all over!
Inside the food box, the so-called "Queen's rations" were incredibly meager!
The exquisite dishes made with the finest ingredients that used to be served are nowhere to be seen. In their place are two plates of wilted greens, a small bowl of greasy-looking fatty meat, and a bowl of stale rice that has long since gone cold and is covered in hard clumps!
This is hardly a lunch for the Empress.
Even the most respectable palace maids eat better than this!
This is not just shortchanging customers; this is blatant humiliation!
"You...you Imperial Household Department, is this how you serve your master?!" Ruolan's face flushed with anger as she pointed at the food box, her voice trembling. "This is the lunch you prepared for Her Majesty the Empress?!"
Seeing this, the little eunuch was not afraid at all. Instead, he lazily picked at his ear and said with a forced smile, "Oh, Sister Ruolan, you're wronging us. Nowadays, the palace is short of funds, and His Majesty is frugal, so the allowances for each palace are naturally reduced."
He paused, then added meaningfully, "Besides, we in the Imperial Household Department are just following the rules. Now... His Majesty's favor extends to other places, so we servants naturally have to prioritize those favored masters. Don't you think that makes sense?"
These words were extremely arrogant, tantamount to pointing a finger at someone and saying: Your empress has fallen out of favor, so she deserves to eat this pig swill!
"You...you're being insolent!" Ruolan was so angry she was practically spitting fire. She raised her hand, ready to slap him across the face!
"stop."
A cold and weak voice suddenly came from the inner hall, stopping Ruolan's actions.
Lin Wanwan, dressed in a plain nightgown, her hair casually tied up, and pale-faced, slowly walked out, leaning against the door frame.
"Your Highness!" Ruolan rushed forward to support her, her eyes filled with tears of grievance. "Look at them..."
Lin Wanwan didn't look at her, or even glance at the arrogant little eunuch.
Her gaze remained calm as it fell upon the box of cold rice and dishes on the table.
Her eyes were empty and numb, as if they had lost all their sparkle, leaving only a deathly gray.
She stared at him quietly for a long time, so long that the little eunuch began to feel uneasy, before she slowly looked away.
Instead of getting angry, she displayed an extreme sense of despondency, as if she were "utterly disheartened and hopeless."
She waved her hand gently, her voice so soft it seemed as if it might be blown away by the wind at any moment.
"……never mind."
"...Take them all away."
"I...have no appetite."
After saying that, she turned around like a puppet whose energy had been drained, and slowly, leaning against the wall, walked back to the inner hall.
That figure, so desolate and lonely, was filled with endless despair and sorrow.
"Your Majesty!" Ruolan looked at this scene in disbelief.
After the initial shock, a hint of disdain and smugness flashed deep in the eunuch's eyes!
He knew it!
A phoenix that has lost its imperial favor is no better than a chicken!
This once powerful empress, who dared to stand up to even the regent, is now nothing more than a pitiful creature who can only silently endure the humiliation of her servants!
Feeling reassured, he gave Lin Wanwan a perfunctory bow as she walked away, then, carrying the empty food box, turned and left triumphantly. He wanted to immediately report this "good news" to his master.
After the young eunuch left, Ruolan could no longer hold back her tears, which fell down in a steady stream.
She strode into the inner palace and looked at Lin Wanwan, who was sitting quietly by the window, staring blankly out the window. She choked up and said, "Your Majesty! Why do you tolerate them?! A bunch of sycophantic and servile dogs! Even if you are confined, you are still the mistress of this harem! Just say the word, and I will go to the Imperial Household Department right now and tear their mouths apart!"
Lin Wanwan did not turn around.
She whispered in an almost dreamlike voice, "...What's the use of tearing their mouths open?"
"Can it win back... His Majesty's heart?"
Her voice was filled with endless sorrow and self-mockery, as if she were a woman completely immersed in the pain of heartbreak, unable to extricate herself.
This "weakness" and "despair" were clearly seen and remembered by the spies of the regent and empress dowager, who were hiding in the shadows.
Soon, a detailed secret report was placed on the desk of Regent Xiao Yuan.
"...Her Majesty the Empress was so heartbroken that she spent her days in tears, lost her appetite, and became haggard, no longer possessing any of her former charm..."
Looking at the contents of the secret report and listening to the embellished descriptions by his informant, Xiao Yuan finally revealed a genuine and satisfied smile.
He leaned back in his chair, gently turning the jade thumb ring in his hand, his eyes gleaming with a confident light.
That's right, that's more like it.
A woman, especially one who was once showered with love and affection, loses everything once she loses a man's love.
It seems that Xiao Che, that little brat, really dislikes her.
This once incredibly formidable empress has completely lost all fighting spirit and has become a useless... cripple.
...
Night falls.
Inside Kunning Palace, it was pitch black, as if even the lights were too stingy to illuminate this "cold palace".
However, in the small, unremarkable kitchen in the backyard, which was usually only used for brewing medicine, the lights were on and the air was steaming.
A delicate copper hot pot was bubbling away, its bright red broth swirling with tender lamb and vibrant green vegetables. The rich aroma, a blend of spiciness and freshness, filled the small kitchen, a stark contrast to the somber atmosphere of the Kunning Palace.
Lin Wanwan picked up a perfectly cooked piece of tripe, dipped it in the sesame oil and minced garlic sauce, and then put it in her mouth with satisfaction, her eyes squinting with happiness.
Across from her, Ruolan was putting vegetables into the pot while still fuming about what had happened during the day.
"Your Majesty, how could those servants be so wicked? Back when you were in the throes of imperial favor, they were all like lapdogs, practically begging you to pluck the stars from the sky!"
Lin Wanwan picked up another piece of tofu that had soaked up the broth, ate it with satisfaction, and then slowly began to speak:
"The higher they are praised, the better, right?"
"Hmm?" Ruolan was a little puzzled.
Lin Wanwan stared at the bubbling red soup in the pot, her eyes turning cold and sharp.
She gently blew on the hot air from the chopsticks, and a cold smile curved her lips.
"Let them fawn over the powerful and belittle the weak as they please."
"The higher a person stands, the harder they will fall."
She looked up at Ruolan, who had a blank expression on her face, and smiled slowly.
"It's time to start tightening our net."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com