The festive atmosphere in the Hexi Pce every day, made the destion of the Yikun Pce even more apparent.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Ever since the Emperor and the Empress had their fight, with Empress Zhu leaving the banquet in a rage, the Emperor had not visited the Yikun Pce.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Even on the major days of the first and fifteenth, ording to the ancestral rules that the Emperor must spend the night in the Yikun Pce, he did note.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He would rather sleep alone in Chengqian Pce, rather than apany Empress Zhu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The fortunes in the pce are ever-changing, with each day different from thest.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The concubines of the harem were still making fun of Concubine Zhen with Empress Zhu, and in the blink of an eye, she herself has be a joke. <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The pce concubines were also mocking her behind her back for overreaching herself, daring to quarrel with the Emperor like Concubine Zhen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Did she think everyone could seduce the Emperor like Jiang Xinyue? <span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
You need to be as beautiful as her to do that!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now, she''s shot herself in the foot. The Emperor is ignoring Empress Zhu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No wonder Empress Zhu feels embarrassed, she even waived the everyday greetings of the pce concubines, it could be due to a headache, but mostly she is probably embarrassed!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Empress..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fen Yun lit the coal basin, "Should we go apologize to the Emperor? The New Year banquet ising up, if the courtiers see that you and the Emperor are not getting along, this..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The fifth prince, after all, is not the biological son of Empress Zhu, his future prospects depend on the support of the ministers and the Emperor''s favor.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Crash!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I won''t go."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Makeup materials scattered all over the dressing table, with the Empress Zhu''s chest heaving wildly, "I have been his wife for decades, and for a concubine, he insulted me so, I must grovel and ask his forgiveness, why should I?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, because he is the Emperor, because he controls the lives, glory, and favor of everyone in the harem!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
In her own logic, Empress Zhu understands this.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But emotionally, she cannot ept it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Coming from a prominent n, Empress Zhu values her dignity and pride more than life. This can be seen from the fact that Consort Liang, who holds nothing back in her words, still enjoys such favor from the Empress.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Because Consort Liang is the mouthpiece of Empress Zhu.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
All the vulgar words that the Empress, due to her status, can not utter, are put into words through Consort Liang‘s mouth, which provides a great satisfaction to the Empress.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
But this time, due to "Concubine Zhen being spoiled", the Emperor was shut out. Instead of ming her, the Emperor was careful to cate her, and despite knowing that the Empress was enjoying the flowers in the warm pavilion, he ordered his guards to pick flowers.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Fine!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
If he wants to pick flowers, so be it. But when she''s angry, and wants to go to the Hexi Pce to argue, can''t the Emperor express a bit of regret and give her a small amount of dignity as the head woman of the harem?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No!<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Not only does he not do that, he actually ordered all the plum blossom trees in the warm pavilion to be cut down because she has disturbed his cosy time with Concubine Zhen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
She remembers the day after her wedding with Shen Ye. They went to the Cining Pce together to thank their parents. The Dowager Empress was constantly giving her a hard time, but the Emperor defended her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The spirited Emperor brought her to the warm pavilion to admire the snow.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
He once said, "I am aware of your fondness for plum blossoms, which is why I have ordered the nting of them in this courtyard. You are free to admire the flowers and prepare wine at your leisure in these surroundings. It''s quite a beautiful setup."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Soon, the plum courtyard bloomed, presenting a sight so spectacr it invoked envy. Who wouldn''t covet her protection by the Emperor?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Every year, after it snowed in winter, she would invite all wives to admire the blooming plums and enjoy warmed wine. It had be a regr form of entertainment.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Now, everything had been ruined by Concubine Zhen.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Emperor had seemingly forgotten the year he had promised to nt a forest of plums for her.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
How was she supposed to reconcile with that? How could she submissively apologize to the Emperor?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Where had she gone wrong?<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Rtions between the Queen and the Emperor were tense, and everyone dared not act rashly. Only Concubine Zhen from Hexi Pce received the Emperor''splete favor, even while pregnant - even though it meant she could not apany him at night, he would still often spend the night at her abode.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Atst, only about ten days before the New Year''s banquet, opposition voices were heard in court.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Consort Ye''s father, General Ye, was the first to raise the issue. "Your Majesty," he said, "I have heard about your exclusive favoritism towards Concubine Zhen. Discontent spreads among the multitude of wives in the harem, and I fear this unabated favoritism is unsuitable. Concubine Zhen, even in her pregnant state, continues to cling to Your Majesty, raising questions about her conduct. I urge Your Majesty to consider the imperial heir and ensure that favor is distributed evenly."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Officials who had daughters serving as wives in the pce knelt together, "We beseech Your Majesty to weigh the importance of the imperial heir and distribute favor equally.”<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Among them, only the victorious General Ye had the audacity to raise his voice. Most were too fearful to speak up.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
After all, the deterrent effect of how the Emperor dealt with the Wu and Song families was still present. Nobody knew whether the Emperor would hold a grudge and if they would be next in line for his wrath.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Heard from whom?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The Xuanwu Emperor chuckled lightly, teasing a sachet attached to his waist, its crude needlework revealing the poor embroidery skills of whoever made it.<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
His face even bore a smile, "Who might General Ye have heard this from?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Hisugh was enough to send chills down one''s spine, "Did you hear it from Consort Ye, or was it the spy you nted within the pce?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"I dare not!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
General Ye knelt on one knee, his fist clenched, "Your Majesty, there are manydies in the harem, and if only Concubine Zhen is favored, the bnce in the harem would inevitably be disrupted. An unsettled harem leads to an unstable court. As the ruler of this country, Your Majesty should not act so capriciously. And as for Concubine Zhen, she has bewitched Your Majesty, leading you to lose your judgment. She must be punished severely."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"What exactly are you trying to say, General Ye?"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Yankun, who by now held the third rank of official title, looked at General Ye disapprovingly, "The Emperor''s affection orck thereof is his own personal matter and has no rtion to the court. Are you implying that if the Emperor does not favor your daughter, you will refuse to fight for the Great Yan Dynasty? Isn''t that a threat to the Emperor? General Ye, you really are audacious!”<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"You..."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
With eyes as wide as copper bells, General Ye retorted angrily, "Your Majesty, I have no such intention. Every single word I spoke was in consideration for Your Majesty and this kingdom."<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Running the kingdom is the Emperor''s task. Why are you worrying yourself over it, General Ye? You should content yourself with your own duties. Don''t overstep. You wouldn''t want anyone mistaking your ambitions, thinking you wish to be the Emperor!"<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Once Jiang Yankun had finished his blistering tirade, General Ye was itching to gag him, "You''re just enjoying this, aren''t you, Jiang? Because the emperor favours your daughter!"
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"Nonsense!"
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Yankun sneered, "Had the emperor favored Consort Ye, wouldn''t you be over the moon? You wouldn''t be expecting the emperor to punish Consort Ye harshly then, would you?"
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Of course, not.
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
General Ye''s face turned beet red at the blunt question, "You..."
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
"And you lot..."
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
Jiang Yankun''s gaze shifted from General Ye to the ministers behind him, "Are you threatening the emperor, too? If he doesn''t sleep with your daughters, he won''t be able to govern smoothly? Is that how you want to create turbulence in the empire?"
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
The group of ministers exchanged ufortable nces. Helping each other stand, they pretended as if nothing unusual had just happened.
<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0
No, there was no such thing... no such thing...<span ss="css-1gz1n0z"><span ss="bg css-i073lf"><span ss="num css-0">0