Chapter 18: You’re usually so quick with that sharp tongue of yours; why don’t you explain yourself now?

Yuan Peipei was very obedient.

So she didn’t complain of fatigue for several nights in a row.

Until the flood came.

“Finally, I can rest for a few days!” No one truly understood her feelings!

Various nourishing supplements for warming the palace were constantly sent to the Palace of Silken Garments.

Other consorts, hoping to curry favor, also sent gifts, filling the side halls almost to overflowing.

Cuizhi reminded Yuan Peipei, “Your Highness, the harem is full of deceit. You must never use gifts from other consorts lightly.”

Lan Xin kept nodding in agreement, “Yes, yes, now that you are the emperor’s sole favorite in the harem, you are the easiest target for jealousy. It’s best to be cautious.”

Yuan Peipei recalled the book she had read.

The women in it were indeed treacherous, often slipping harmful substances into gifts meant for others.

“But I can’t possibly use all the items the emperor gave me,” Yuan Peipei thought, her mind still on her family. “Maybe I should send some to my mother and the others.”

Consort Roujia returned to the Prime Minister’s residence, her procession even larger this time, but the expressions of those gathered outside the residence were grim.

“Greetings, Consort Roujia.”

Yuan Peipei wanted to step forward to help. “Father, Mother, please rise.”

But she was gently avoided.

“Consort, that won’t do. Your precious hands shouldn’t be sullied by our coarse presence,” Lady Yuan’s tone was dripping with sarcasm.

Her mother was still holding a grudge.

Yuan Peipei forced a smile and said, “I’ve brought many things back with me.”

“Thank you for your generous gifts, Consort Roujia.”

Sitting in her family’s main hall, Yuan Peipei felt restless, like an outsider.

Her nose tingled with emotion, but she held back the tears, trying her best to smile.

“Where is my sister?”

She hadn’t seen her last time she came home.

Lady Yuan replied dismissively, “Jinjin went up the mountain to offer incense.”

“Oh.”

Yuan Peipei smiled again and turned to Prime Minister Yuan. “Father, is there anything you wish to tell your daughter?”

When she entered the palace before, her father had repeatedly warned her to be careful, worried about her safety.

Now, he wouldn’t even say a word to her.

Prime Minister Yuan shook his head. “Now that you are a noble consort, feeling at ease in the palace, even having struck Noble Consort Ning, I suppose there’s no need for me to worry.”

Yuan Peipei suddenly felt nervous.

She had never hit anyone before, and hearing her father mention it like this made her uneasy, afraid to look up.

But she hadn’t forgotten the most important thing she came back for.

When she lifted her eyes again, the childishness had faded from her face, replaced by determination and resolve. “Father, the emperor is diligent and devoted to governing. Though exhausted, he never complains. I saw him annotating countless memorials, writing without pause for hours. It is truly exhausting.”

She wanted her father to know of the emperor’s hard work, to see he was a good ruler, so that he wouldn’t side with others against her.

Prime Minister Yuan suddenly turned to look at her. “You were by the emperor’s side while he was reviewing memorials?”

Yuan Peipei didn’t mention that she had been sitting on the emperor’s lap but nodded in acknowledgement.

“Did the emperor not suspect you?” Her father asked in surprise.

Yuan Peipei shook her head, “No.”

Her father’s eyes seemed deep in thought. Then, he spoke earnestly, “Don’t blame your parents for changing their attitude toward you. It’s simply that the boundaries between sovereign and subject must be maintained. Your brother’s lesson is a warning from the past. Our family is watched by countless eyes; one misstep could bring disaster.”

So that was the reason.

Yuan Peipei felt much clearer inside and nodded with a smile. “I understand.”

Prime Minister Yuan continued, “Since the emperor has given you the privilege to visit home more often, you should spend more time with your mother.”

Lady Yuan looked at him in surprise but said nothing.

“Yes, yes, I will come home often,” Yuan Peipei said joyfully.

Today was truly a good day; her parents were no longer angry with her.

This time, Yuan Peipei left the Prime Minister’s residence only after finishing her meal. Had it not been to maintain the dignity of her rank as noble consort, she would have leapt for joy.

Back at the palace, she hummed a tune, her smile radiant like blooming flowers.

Such good news had to be shared with the emperor.

She naturally made her way to the Hall of Diligent Governance, but was stopped at the door by Du Heng.

With a smile plastered on his face, Du Heng said, “Noble Consort, you’ve returned so early today. Is everything at the Prime Minister’s residence well?”

“Yes, all is well,” Yuan Peipei said, trying to walk past him, but was stopped again.

“Uh, noble consort, the emperor isn’t inside.”

Yuan Peipei didn’t doubt him. “Oh? Then where has the emperor gone?”

“To… to…”

Before Du Heng could think of an excuse, the doors of the Hall of Diligent Governance swung open, and Consort Shu, disheveled and with her hair in disarray, a suspicious mark on her neck exposed, stepped out.

Seeing the crowd, she quickly adjusted her clothing and returned to the palace with her maids.

Du Heng was speechless.

This was bad—Noble Consort had seen everything.

Curious, Yuan Peipei entered the hall and moved toward the inner chamber, just in time to see Duke Jin in only his undergarments, chest exposed.

Du Heng couldn’t stop her even if he wanted to.

Duke Jin was stunned but expressionless, standing as if nothing had happened.

[Oh dear, trouble’s coming, Peipei darling, look—he’s sweating out of fear.]

[You usually chatter so much, why don’t you say something now?]

[Oh no, Peipei darling won’t misunderstand, right? Don’t worry, Consort Shu is just setting a trap to secure a legitimate status for her unborn child.]

Indeed, that was the case.

Yuan Peipei stepped forward.

Duke Jin even leaned in slightly, bracing for a slap.

Du Heng quickly turned away; as a servant, he didn’t want to witness such a scene—too embarrassing for the emperor.

But then…

“Consort Shu bullied you?” Yuan Peipei said, her face puffed with anger. “She’s just as wicked as the women in the book you gave me!”

She fastened Duke Jin’s robe. “Don’t catch cold; it’s easy to get a stomach ache. Du Gonggong, why didn’t you warn the emperor?”

With his back turned, Du Heng kept bowing, “It’s all the fault of this humble servant. I’ll remember next time.”

The slap Duke Jin had been waiting for was nowhere to be found.

“Peipei, you’re not angry?”

Does she really not care?

No matter who he was with, she didn’t mind?

Yuan Peipei said, “Of course I’m angry. Consort Shu is so bad—pregnant but blaming you. Emperor, tell me how she bullied you. I’m a noble consort now, one rank above her; I’ll help you get justice.”

Duke Jin was speechless.

This was not what he had imagined.

“If you’re afraid of embarrassment, just tell me quietly. Did you let her get away with it?” Yuan Peipei asked softly, genuinely concerned.

Duke Jin could only hold his head in his hands, amused and exasperated. “Peipei, how did you know Consort Shu is pregnant?”

Yuan Peipei’s eyes widened.

Oh no! She had let it slip.

“Oh, I guessed, didn’t I? Emperor, you think I’m smart, right? Now tell me, how did she bully you? I want to help you get revenge.”

Her innocent eyes were full of trust for Duke Jin.