Chapter 13: Since When Did the Emperor Look Forward to His Consorts Competing for Favor?

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Yuan Peipei thought the Emperor was truly a kind man. Whenever there was something good, he would bring it to her. But what should she give him in return?

“What are you thinking about?” Du Gujin asked, pinching her nose as she stared off into space.

Taking the opportunity, Yuan Peipei spoke her heart aloud: “I want to give you something.”

No sooner had she finished speaking than Du Gujin scooped her up in his arms.

“Peipei, just give yourself to me.”

[Ugh! The villain is clearly just after our Peipei’s body!]

[Aaaah, time for the censored part again.]

The news that the rouge and powders from the Western Regions had just arrived at the palace and were immediately sent to the Palace of Splendid Dresses quickly spread throughout the entire imperial court.

Consort Shu and the others rushed to Consort Ning’s side to voice their grievances.

“Sister Ning, whether by talent or family status, those things should have been yours. That little wretch somehow ensnared the Emperor’s heart, and all the good things were sent there.”

Consort Shu’s jealousy nearly overflowed from her eyes.

Consort Ning remained unmoved. “They’re just rouge and powders. What does it matter if they’re given to her?”

After all, that wretched woman was merely the Emperor’s medicinal aid to ease his body. Once she no longer served her purpose, she would be dealt with properly.

Consort Shu attempted to use this as a weapon but ended up sidelined; Consort Ning didn’t care at all.

After leaving, Consort Shu’s suspicions deepened. “Keep an eye on Consort Ning.”

“Yes.”

At this moment, Consort Shu’s expression was calm, with not a trace of jealousy in her eyes.

Yuan Peipei used the new rouge and powders, appearing even more radiant and alluring. Still uneasy about her family, she considered for a moment and decided to bring some fine medicines and various necessities with her as she left the palace to return to the Prime Minister’s residence.

This time, Prime Minister Yuan and the others had clearly learned their lesson; everyone bowed deeply at the gate.

Yuan Peipei, mindful of palace etiquette, replied with a respectful “Rise.”

Once inside, she did not behave as lively as usual. After distributing the items to the Prime Minister and others, she asked, “Where is Sister?”

Madam Yuan now looked at her daughter with no kindness. It was because of this daughter that her first-rank noble title had been lost, turning her into the laughingstock of the capital’s noblewomen and forcing her to avoid even stepping outside the front gate.

“Jinjin has gone out. If Consort Rou has any instructions, I can relay them.”

Yuan Peipei knew her mother was angry with her.

“I just have some things I want to say to my sister.”

She wanted to ask why her sister had harmed her.

Since there was no answer to this question, she couldn’t sleep well, her dreams filled with thoughts of it.

Yuan Peipei fell silent, and the others were quiet too, a feeling that made her very uncomfortable.

“I—I’ll return to the palace first.”

Once inside the sedan chair, her eyes turned red again, unable to hold back her feelings of grievance.

It seemed that ever since entering the palace, she no longer had a home.

Crying, she just wanted to confide in Du Gujin, but as she passed the rockery in the imperial garden, she saw Du Gujin holding Consort Ning.

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“Your Majesty, how much longer? Seeing you hold onto someone you dislike every day is truly heartbreaking.”

“Dislike?”

Was she the fool being spoken of?

Du Gujin’s voice turned cold: “Soon. My body still needs her as a medicinal aid, so I have to soothe her first. My beloved consort, it’s you who are truly suffering.”

Consort Ning leaned against Du Gujin, feeling completely satisfied.

Yuan Peipei’s tears flowed even more fiercely.

She turned to leave.

So even the Emperor thought she was a fool.

She was nothing but a medicinal aid.

There really was no one in the world who loved her.

[Peipei, don’t go. The villain is just deceiving Consort Ning.]

[Yeah, it’s all to keep control of Consort Ning’s father’s military power.]

[The villain has already rolled his eyes at Consort Ning several times. He’s almost disgusted with that woman.]

Yuan Peipei: “?”

She glanced back secretly, just in time to see Du Gujin grabbing wildly behind his back, as if trying to strangle someone’s hand.

“!”

So the Emperor was deceiving Consort Ning?

A little eunuch happened to pass by. “Greetings, Consort Rou.”

The words startled the two who were leaning on each other.

Consort Ning reluctantly let go.

Du Gujin instantly relaxed his grip.

What if Peipei had heard what was just said and misunderstood?

Yuan Peipei thought she absolutely must not delay the Emperor’s important matters.

“You, you continue. I’m just passing by. I’ll leave now. Your Majesty and Sister Ning, please continue your pleasant conversation.”

Having spoken, she scampered off as if someone were chasing her.

Consort Ning’s gaze grew even more disdainful.

Fool, you’re smart after all.

Du Gujin frowned, watching the direction Yuan Peipei ran off toward, his lowered hand slowly clenched into a fist.

Peipei didn’t care at all that he was with another woman.

Or was she merely feigning kindness with him, without an ounce of genuine feeling?

Yuan Peipei didn’t know what those two were thinking. She didn’t stop running until she reached the Palace of Splendid Dresses.

Cuizhi and Lanxin came to meet her.

“Your Highness, what’s wrong? Is someone chasing you?”

Both looked toward the palace gate but saw no one.

Yuan Peipei entered, took a sip of tea, and lightly patted her chest.

“Good thing I ran fast.”

She had nearly delayed the Emperor’s important business.

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At dinner, Du Gujin deliberately did not go to the Palace of Splendid Dresses.

In the imperial study, he picked up a book, then put it down; picked up a memorial, then put it down again.

“Duheng!”

Duheng hurried forward.

“Has anyone from the Palace of Splendid Dresses sent word?” Du Gujin asked.

Duheng shook his head: “No.”

Du Gujin’s expression darkened. “After all this time, there’s still no progress. They don’t even know how to vie for favor.”

Duheng: “?”

Since when did an Emperor hope for his consorts to compete for favor?

Getting up and pacing, Du Gujin continued, “Send someone clever to subtly remind them in the Palace of Splendid Dresses. Be sure, subtly. Absolutely not because I want to go over there myself.”

Duheng responded and chose a clever little eunuch outside the door, whispering in his ear so no one else could hear.

Though surprised, the little eunuch still turned and hurried to the Palace of Splendid Dresses.

His name was Little Pine Nut, personally promoted by Duheng, so he was trustworthy.

Arriving at the Palace of Splendid Dresses, he pretended to pass by casually.

“Oh? Isn’t this Sister Cuizhi?”

Cuizhi, who had met Little Pine Nut a few times before, smiled and approached. “Little Pine Nut, where are you headed?”

Little Pine Nut made up a reason, saying he was returning from the Empress Dowager’s palace.

“On the way, I met other consorts discussing how to compete for favor. But honestly, no matter how they try, they can’t surpass Consort Rou.”

That should be subtle enough, right?

Cuizhi smiled without saying much. After Little Pine Nut spoke, she walked off, not thinking much of it.

“Cuizhi, who was that?” Lanxin asked.

“Oh, Little Pine Nut, just passing by and chatting for a bit.”

As for what they talked about, she didn’t say, and Lanxin didn’t ask.

Little Pine Nut returned to the imperial study to report.

Duheng trusted him very much.

“Your Majesty, just wait and see. Soon, someone from the Palace of Splendid Dresses will surely send word asking you to come over.”

Du Gujin said nothing but smiled faintly at the corner of his mouth.