If the Emperor wishes to go, he need only flip their plaques.
The Xuanwu Emperor's angry expression turned to secret delight after seeing three green-headed plaques of the Imperial Noble Consort in a row. His smile was irrepressible as he haughtily asked Li Zhong, "Did the Imperial Noble Consort arrange this?"
Of course, if it wasn't on her orders, how would they dare to do such an opportunistic thing?
"Your Majesty, please forgive us!" Li Zhong quickly knelt down. "The Imperial Noble Consort's previous green-headed plaques could no longer be used. Your servant thought, whether making one or two, we might as well make a batch of new ones. It seems I mistakenly brought all of the Imperial Noble Consort's newly made green-headed plaques."
Although the Emperor knew full well it was Jiang Xinyue's intention, Li Zhong still smoothly helped cover for her. Even if word got out, it would be Li Zhong's negligence, with no connection to Jiang Xinyue.
"This is not your fault," the Xuanwu Emperor rose. "It's Heaven's will."
Heaven's will that after nine months, the first person he would favor in the harem would still be Jiang Xinyue.
"Wang Dequan, prepare the imperial carriage for Hexi Palace."
The magnificent Hexi Palace had made no special preparations, as Jiang Xinyue couldn't appear as if she knew in advance that the Xuanwu Emperor would choose her plaque. However, a young eunuch from Chengqian Palace had come earlier to notify them, and red lanterns signifying imperial favor were lit at the entrance of Hexi Palace.
In Shunan Palace—
Consort Xiao, in her daze, seemed to hear a woman's agonized scream again, frightening her so much that she pulled the covers over her head.
Consort Yu's hand trembled as she poured tea. "What's going on? The wild cats in this palace are too brazen. How could Jiang... the Imperial Noble Consort manage the harem and not have these wild cats caught and killed? If it were me, I certainly wouldn't let these beasts disturb people's sleep."
Shu Xiang carefully offered a cup of cool tea. "Your Highness, our people from the Palace Eunuch Office reported that His Majesty chose Hexi Palace's plaque tonight."
She brought cool tea for Consort Yu, hoping it would help calm her down.
Contrary to her usual behavior, Consort Yu didn't lose her temper. Instead, she laughed softly, "As long as His Majesty is willing to favor the harem, it's a good thing. His Majesty cherishes the Imperial Noble Consort; it's not surprising if he favors her three or five times in a row. I just don't believe His Majesty will stick to her alone for a lifetime."
The palace had no shortage of anything except for ingenious beauties.
If one doesn't work, try two; if two don't work, try three; if three don't work, try a whole bunch. Surely one of them will succeed.
Even if they can't become His Majesty's favored consort, it would be good enough to irritate Jiang Xinyue!
For three consecutive days, His Majesty chose Hexi Palace's plaque, and the resentment of the harem's consorts could no longer be suppressed.
To this, Jiang Xinyue responded, "My personal palace maid personally told the Palace Eunuch Office, and you all heard it with your own ears. His Majesty insists on coming to my palace; what can I do? Should I turn His Majesty away? Rather than blaming me for monopolizing His Majesty, why don't you put more effort into inviting His Majesty to your own palaces? What's the use of always finding fault with me? His Majesty has his own legs; he goes wherever he wants to go."
She was advising the Emperor to spread his favor evenly, not forcing him to sell his body... well, that's not a very elegant way to put it, so let's not say it.
The Imperial Noble Consort's words were crude but true.
Since she didn't mind the consorts intercepting, it was time for them to cross the sea like the Eight Immortals, each showing their unique abilities!
The Xuanwu Emperor was quite exasperated. After that day, the number of consorts rushing to "accidentally" encounter him at any time and place increased.
Even from Chuxiu Palace, Liu Xiaoxiao and Cheng Nianhe, whom he had only met once, were encountered several times in the Imperial Garden.
It was said that one day, Lady Cheng played the zither while Lady Liu played the pipa. The beautiful music attracted countless colorful butterflies to circle around them, earning the passing Emperor's endless praise.
He even sat in Chuxiu Palace for half a day.
Xi Que gently placed the ice from the Internal Affairs Department into the ice basin, occasionally stealing glances at her mistress.
Shuang Jiang also didn't dare make a sound, her actions mirroring Xi Que's.
Jiang Xinyue put down the local chronicles and sighed helplessly, "Go about your business as usual. I've said it before, I'm fine."
It was just that the Emperor found it novel that Lady Cheng could attract butterflies with her zither playing, so he summoned her to Chengqian Palace twice to play for his amusement.
She had been mentally prepared from the beginning that the Emperor would sleep with other women. Moreover, they were still in the flirtatious stage; he hadn't even slept with them yet!
As long as it didn't harm her interests or her body, even if the Xuanwu Emperor took ten women in one night, she would applaud with both hands.
Love and men were just passing guests; only wealth and power could ensure she would always live the life she wanted.
Yet Xi Que and Shuang Jiang didn't believe it, thinking their mistress must be heartbroken inside and just putting on a brave face.
"Your Highness, Eunuch Wang is here."
"Quickly, invite him in."
Wang Dequan's face was full of smiles. "This servant pays respects to the Imperial Noble Consort."
"Please rise, Eunuch Wang." Jiang Xinyue also smiled. "Has His Majesty summoned me to Chengqian Palace again?"
Wang Dequan's smile deepened. "Painter Xie has almost finished the Emperor and Empress portrait, with only half an hour left. His Majesty wishes to paint one with the Imperial Noble Consort as well. He sent this servant to inform you, so you can prepare!"
"I understand. Eunuch Wang, please return to attend to His Majesty. I'll be there shortly."
Being painted together with the Emperor had always been an honor reserved for the Empress. There was also a saying that the Imperial Noble Consort was just a transitional stage before becoming Empress.
His Majesty's appointment of Jiang Xinyue as Imperial Noble Consort was to test the court officials' attitudes. If there was no fierce opposition, the Imperial Noble Consort would soon become the Empress.
Wang Dequan's attitude became even more respectful. "Yes, then this servant will take his leave. Your Highness, please take your time."
Although Jiang Xinyue didn't feel that being painted with the Emperor was a crucial matter, she still dressed up elaborately, showing extreme value for the occasion.
It was just a painting. If love faded, even a hundred paintings wouldn't prevent a change of heart.
This is why people often say, "The imperial family is the most heartless of all."
Xie Chenghui took several deep breaths, constantly reminding himself that the Imperial Noble Consort was already married, and married to the most noble Emperor who held the power of life and death over the entire country.
No matter how much his heart stirred for the Imperial Noble Consort, he couldn't harbor even the slightest inappropriate thoughts.
Otherwise, not only would he endanger the entire Xie family, but if discovered, he would also harm the Imperial Noble Consort.
Even if his thoughts were impure, they had nothing to do with the Imperial Noble Consort. Those jealous of her favor would use his admiration to frame her.
He couldn't let his unrequited love harm her.
"The Imperial Noble Consort arrives—"
If the Jiang Xinyue he saw a few days ago was a heavenly fairy, pure and flawless, gentle and moving,
Then today's Jiang Xinyue was a divine consort, noble and dignified, yet with an air that transcended worldly affairs.
Dressed in her finest, she was like the most precious flower in the mortal realm, and also like the bright moon in the heavens.
When the Xuanwu Emperor saw Jiang Xinyue, his eyes lit up, a hint of amazement escaping from them. He sincerely praised, "Yue'er, you look truly beautiful today."
In the entire harem, no one could rival the Imperial Noble Consort's beauty.
