Jiang Xinyue timidly lifted her head from the embrace of the Xuanwu Emperor, her large, limpid eyes that seemed washed by rainwater blinking earnestly at him. "But...this concubine fears conflict with the others, which would put Your Majesty in a difficult position. This concubine does not wish to trouble Your Majesty."
Only one who deeply loves someone would be so considerate and put themselves in such a humble position for the sake of their beloved.
Even the cold-hearted Xuanwu Emperor could not help but be moved by this.
In the inner palace, he had favored many women, each claiming to love him. But he could see that they loved more the power and status he bestowed upon them.
From a young age, he had known that not only were emperors heartless, but imperial consorts were even more ruthless.
Even the most innocent and kind-hearted girl, after being immersed in the inner palace for many years, would become utterly transformed.
This deep palace was a gaping maw of a beast, devouring all the beautiful qualities of these women.
How long could Jiang Xinyue's love for him last?
That night, the Emperor did not explore the secrets of the body with Jiang Xinyue, but instead held her hand and watched the room full of night-blooming cereus flowers all night long.
Early the next morning, the Xuanwu Emperor pinched the cheek of the sleeping beauty and whispered in her ear, "Little liar, you said you loved me deeply, yet you're still sleeping while I'm already awake."
Jiang Xinyue: *Rolls over and continues sleeping.*
At dawn, one side of the bed had already grown cold. Xi Que and Shuang Jiang were attending to Jiang Xinyue's dressing and grooming.
Today was her first public appearance before the other consorts in the inner palace. She did not intend to conceal her brilliance, nor did she wish to become a target for criticism.
A green robe accentuated her refreshing and extraordinary beauty. Her exquisite hair bun was adorned with tassels of the same color. Her skin was snow-white, her eyes bright and teeth lustrous - she was as beautiful as a pristine magnolia in the misty rain of Jiangnan, untainted by the mundane world.
Yikun Palace—
Jiang Xinyue arrived neither too early nor too late. The hall had already gathered quite a few consorts waiting to pay respects to the Empress.
As soon as she entered, over a dozen scrutinizing gazes fell upon her simultaneously.
She steadied herself with Xi Que's hand and walked calmly inside. "This concubine pays respects to the Empress."
Empress Zhu smiled kindly. "You have been fortunate to receive the Emperor's favor. Cherish it well, and do not be as willful and arrogant as before."
Jiang Xinyue blushed. "This concubine thanks the Empress for her guidance."
Empress Zhu shook her head. "It is no guidance, merely a word of advice out of pity that you lovely young ladies have to fritter away your years in this forbidden palace. Just an old woman's words."
Consort Liang joked, "If the Empress is old, then we longtime palace dwellers have no right to speak. Your Majesty looks as radiant as when I first met you."
Concubine Chu coughed into her hand. "Speaking of which, Consort Zhen should thank Consort Li. If Consort Li had not gifted her that pot of night-blooming cereus, how could His Majesty have ordered all the flowers from the imperial gardens moved to the Xihuo Palace?"
A single remark intended to provoke two people.
But Jiang Xinyue seemed not to detect the provocation in her words, sweetly thanking Consort Li, "Indeed, I must thank Consort Li. A room full of night-blooming cereus was the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed in my life."
You said I was a fleeting beauty, didn't you?
Well, let me tell you, the most beautiful flower, even if it only blooms for a moment, in that single second before its petals scatter, it can leave an impression for a lifetime.
By revealing her claws at the opportune moment and letting others mistake her for a flawed vase that cannot contain her temper, no one would hasten to deal with her.
Consort Jiang blew on her hot tea. "Consort Zhen, my servants told me that last night, Court Lady Jiang went to the Xihuo Palace to see you but was demoted to a court lady and sent to the cold palace by His Majesty. Is this true?"
"Court Lady Jiang...is your own sister, is she not?"
Jiang Xinyue feigned a look of surprise. "This concubine dares not speculate on His Majesty's intentions, so I do not know why my sister was sent to the cold palace. If Consort Jiang is curious, you should ask His Majesty directly."
Empress Zhu sipped her tea, a smile playing on her lips, pretending not to notice Consort Jiang's embarrassment.
Over the years, Consort Jiang had relied on Consort Li's support to repeatedly undermine the Empress, but this time she had kicked an iron plate - now it was her turn to suffer.
"Insolent!"
Consort Jiang slammed her palm on the table. "I asked you a question. What do you mean by deflecting to His Majesty?"
"Please forgive this concubine, Your Majesty."
Jiang Xinyue knelt directly before Empress Zhu. "Consort Jiang's question, this concubine truly does not know the answer. Whether His Majesty demotes a consort or promotes a concubine, this concubine does not dare speculate on the reasons. Since Consort Jiang seems eager to know, this concubine only suggested she ask His Majesty directly. This concubine meant no disrespect."
She just wanted Consort Jiang to go commit political suicide, nothing more.
"Enough, enough..."
Empress Zhu rubbed her brow, mediating. "Court Lady Jiang's demotion was surely because she violated palace rules. All of you should be warned - if you dare cause trouble in the inner palace, her fate today will be yours tomorrow. Do you understand?"
"Yes, we heed the Empress's guidance."
A chorus of beautiful voices answered in unison. Within a single cup of tea's time, they had all dispersed.
Consort Li had a carriage and the highest rank, so she always left first. Next were Consorts Liang and De.
Consort De was silent and reticent, with hardly any presence, but the sense of danger she gave Jiang Xinyue was greater than Consort Liang's.
For an unassuming woman to safely give birth to the Emperor's child and ascend to the rank of one of the four senior consorts in the treacherous inner palace was itself inconceivable.
After the Emperor favored Jiang Xinyue for two consecutive nights, on the third day he flipped over Consort Li's plaque in the Changxin Palace.
The palace servants could not help but marvel - if anyone truly enjoyed the Emperor's ultimate favor among the six palaces, it was indeed the unparalleled Consort Li.
Yet for Consort Zhen to rise from a court lady to a consort in just three months after entering the palace was no small feat either.
Late at night, the moonlight poured down like water, illuminating the graceful figure by the window.
The soft moonbeams seemed to coat her in a silvery glow, making her appear not quite human, but rather a celestial maiden about to take wing and return to the heavens.
In the unpolluted ancient skies, the stars shone brilliantly, causing even the moon to seem purer and more radiant.
Xi Que gazed at her with pity, wanting to speak but holding back. "Your Ladyship, don't wait any longer. His Majesty will not come tonight."
Mistaking Jiang Xinyue's admiration of the view for pining after the Emperor's affections, Xi Que thought she was lamenting her unrequited love.
Jiang Xinyue decided to play along, a hint of sorrow in her eyes. "Xi Que, do you think His Majesty and Consort Li are looking at the same moon as I am?"
Xi Que could not bear to say that the spring night was painfully short, for Concubine Li and the Xuanwu Emperor had already retired.
Changxin Palace —
After their intimate moments, Concubine Li fell into a deep slumber.
The Emperor lay on the outer side of the bed, but the pungent fragrance of Concubine Li's hair oil made him feel uncomfortable.
This had never happened before.
The sultry weather was already oppressive, and that floral scent made the Xuanwu Emperor dizzy.
He rose directly, treading lightly so as not to disturb Concubine Li: "Do not wake the Concubine, I shall go out for some fresh air."
