The festive atmosphere in the Hexi Palace every day, made the desolation of the Yikun Palace even more apparent.
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 Palace.
Even on the major days of the first and fifteenth, according to the ancestral rules that the Emperor must spend the night in the Yikun Palace, he did not come.
He would rather sleep alone in Chengqian Palace, rather than accompany Empress Zhu.
The fortunes in the palace are ever-changing, with each day different from the last.
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 become a joke.
The palace concubines were also mocking her behind her back for overreaching herself, daring to quarrel with the Emperor like Concubine Zhen.
Did she think everyone could seduce the Emperor like Jiang Xinyue?
You need to be as beautiful as her to do that!
Now, she's shot herself in the foot. The Emperor is ignoring Empress Zhu.
No wonder Empress Zhu feels embarrassed, she even waived the everyday greetings of the palace concubines, it could be due to a headache, but mostly she is probably embarrassed!
"Empress..."
Fen Yun lit the coal basin, "Should we go apologize to the Emperor? The New Year banquet is coming up, if the courtiers see that you and the Emperor are not getting along, this..."
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.
"Crash!"
"I won't go."
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?"
Of course, because he is the Emperor, because he controls the lives, glory, and favor of everyone in the harem!
In her own logic, Empress Zhu understands this.
But emotionally, she cannot accept it.
Coming from a prominent clan, 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.
Because Consort Liang is the mouthpiece of Empress Zhu.
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.
But this time, due to "Concubine Zhen being spoiled", the Emperor was shut out. Instead of blaming her, the Emperor was careful to placate her, and despite knowing that the Empress was enjoying the flowers in the warm pavilion, he ordered his guards to pick flowers.
Fine!
If he wants to pick flowers, so be it. But when she's angry, and wants to go to the Hexi Palace 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?
No!
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.
She remembers the day after her wedding with Shen Ye. They went to the Cining Palace together to thank their parents. The Dowager Empress was constantly giving her a hard time, but the Emperor defended her.
The spirited Emperor brought her to the warm pavilion to admire the snow.
He once said, "I am aware of your fondness for plum blossoms, which is why I have ordered the planting 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."
Soon, the plum courtyard bloomed, presenting a sight so spectacular it invoked envy. Who wouldn't covet her protection by the Emperor?
Every year, after it snowed in winter, she would invite all wives to admire the blooming plums and enjoy warmed wine. It had become a regular form of entertainment.
Now, everything had been ruined by Concubine Zhen.
The Emperor had seemingly forgotten the year he had promised to plant a forest of plums for her.
How was she supposed to reconcile with that? How could she submissively apologize to the Emperor?
Where had she gone wrong?
Relations between the Queen and the Emperor were tense, and everyone dared not act rashly. Only Concubine Zhen from Hexi Palace received the Emperor's complete favor, even while pregnant - even though it meant she could not accompany him at night, he would still often spend the night at her abode.
At last, only about ten days before the New Year's banquet, opposition voices were heard in court.
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."
Officials who had daughters serving as wives in the palace knelt together, "We beseech Your Majesty to weigh the importance of the imperial heir and distribute favor equally.”
Among them, only the victorious General Ye had the audacity to raise his voice. Most were too fearful to speak up.
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.
"Heard from whom?"
The Xuanwu Emperor chuckled lightly, teasing a sachet attached to his waist, its crude needlework revealing the poor embroidery skills of whoever made it.
His face even bore a smile, "Who might General Ye have heard this from?"
His laugh was enough to send chills down one's spine, "Did you hear it from Consort Ye, or was it the spy you planted within the palace?"
"I dare not!"
General Ye knelt on one knee, his fist clenched, "Your Majesty, there are many ladies in the harem, and if only Concubine Zhen is favored, the balance 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."
"What exactly are you trying to say, General Ye?"
Jiang Yankun, who by now held the third rank of official title, looked at General Ye disapprovingly, "The Emperor's affection or lack thereof is his own personal matter and has no relation 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!”
"You..."
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."
"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 become the Emperor!"
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!"
"Nonsense!"
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?"
Of course, not.
General Ye's face turned beet red at the blunt question, "You..."
"And you lot..."
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?"
The group of ministers exchanged uncomfortable glances. Helping each other stand, they pretended as if nothing unusual had just happened.
No, there was no such thing... no such thing...
