Chapter 0004: Betrayal Means Death

Chapter 0004: Betrayal Means Death

"Yes, Noble Consort," Yun Li quickly curtsied: "I shall remember."

"Qi Baolin is straightforward and perceptive. What do you think, Your Majesty?" Virtuous Consort Jin said with a smile.

The Empress really looked over, observing for a moment: "Indeed. Although she's a sister from the same family as the Noble Consort, she seems quite different."

"Thank you, Empress, and thank you, Virtuous Consort, for your compliments," Yun Li said, happily curtsying again.

Consort Lan covertly hid her expression behind her tea cup.

The looks that Yun Li received from the others were mixed, some appearing as if they were watching a fool.

The Empress did not rush to discuss whether Imperial Woman Wu was pregnant, instead making some small talk before dismissing everyone.

Virtuous Consort Jin stayed behind, using the excuse of needing advice about the eldest prince.

As everyone left Fengyi Palace, the Noble Consort wanted to call Yun Li to her side, but they were too far apart.

Deliberately avoiding her gaze, Yun Li made it difficult for the Noble Consort to call out to her in front of everyone, so she left first.

Yun Li, accompanied by Zhi Fu, leisurely walked away.

Inside Fengyi Palace, the Empress and Virtuous Consort moved to the small floral hall.

"Your Majesty, what do you think of Qi Baolin?"

"She’s only been here for a little over two months; it’s hard to say much. However, she doesn’t seem to be the same type as the Noble Consort," the Empress said.

"How many are there like her?" scoffed the Virtuous Consort.

"Indeed, but this Qi Baolin is certainly beautiful. Do you have any thoughts, sister?" the Empress inquired.

"I haven’t thought much, just that... let the sisters fight it out," the Virtuous Consort said.

The Empress laughed: "Say what you will, Qi Baolin doesn’t seem taken with the Noble Consort’s airs."

"Even the newly arrived Baolin knows that true virtue is valued by Your Majesty. Doesn’t the Noble Consort understand? It's merely ambition. The power of the Marquis of Dongchang’s household is significant," the Virtuous Consort shook her head.

The marquisate itself isn’t much. The title of marquis was granted for services rendered to the late Emperor by the old marquis.

But the Noble Consort’s father is the current Chancellor, a first-rank official heavily relied upon by the Emperor.

He holds significant power.

It's impossible for the Qi family's women not to have a place in the harem, but the Noble Consort is indeed a great concern for the Empress.

The Empress comes from a military family; her father also holds military power but is stationed far in the south. Moreover, his command isn’t at a frontier, nor is it of a kind to make the Emperor overly wary.

His official rank is only third-rank, and the title of Duke was only granted after she became the Empress. Plus, she is well aware of why the Noble Consort has been childless for so many years.

Should the Noble Consort bear a child, the Empress’s position might be in jeopardy...

Therefore, she had to be cautious.

As for Consort Jinde, she had made an enemy of the Noble Consort early on during her time in the Eastern Palace. Born of lower status, she had no choice but to rely on the Empress. Without this alliance, her eldest son might not have been born.

However, though she now defers to the Empress in all things, it doesn't necessarily mean her heart is truly submissive.

It's just like someone forced to bow their head under a low roof.

After all, the Empress has a father who is a general, whereas Consort Jinde's father is just a minor official from the provinces.

Yun Li returned to Le'an Palace, where Zhu Ding and others came up to greet her.

The gauze screens changed yesterday were naturally fine.

"Baolin, look, everything has been replaced. If it's not to your liking, I can change them again," Zhu Ding said with a smile.

"Hmm, it's all very good," Yun Li observed after a look around.

"Baolin, your meal is ready. Where would you like to eat?" Zhuyu came over to ask.

"Let's eat in the outer room," Yun Li said.

They didn't speak during breakfast.

After the meal was cleared away, Yun Li said, "Go about your tasks; I'm going to take a nap."

The attendants agreed, and Zhifu helped her lie down in the inner chamber.

Yun Li didn't bring any attendants with her when she entered the palace.

She had never intended to enter the palace; the eldest daughter of the Qi family being there was enough, she thought.

But then, things changed…

She had two conditions at that time; the first was not to bring any attendants. She'd rather come alone than have unreliable people arranged by her family.

As for those who had served her since childhood, their temperaments were not suitable.

The second condition was to have some money for her expenses in the palace. Naturally, the senior branch of the family should provide this.

Yun Li wasn't very sleepy at the moment, just a bit tired, lying there thinking about palace affairs.

She knew about the complexities of the harem early on. She wasn't afraid, but being involved did bring some annoyance.

On the Empress's side, after Consort De left, she had the imperial physician check on Lady Wu. Not just Consort De had to bow her head, even the Empress couldn't fully trust Consort De, who bore the only prince.

This was the nature of alliances in the harem.

Indeed, the physician confirmed it after examination; it happened during Lady Wu's first night serving the Emperor.

No one knew that at that time, the Emperor had chosen her casually.

After that, she wasn't favored again; she was only a servant before, and was promoted to Lady only because of that night.

And so, this woman was fortunate enough to conceive on her first encounter.

On the Empress's side, now that she knew, she didn't keep it a secret. Mainly because there was no need to.

Being just a low-ranking consort without much favor, she knew her survival was just a matter of fate. Losing it would be the same.

Thus, she directly informed the entire harem and distributed the bestowed gifts.

In the Cian Palace, the Empress Dowager remained indifferent. After all, the pregnancy of a mere consort, even if valued by the Empress Dowager for the child, wouldn't elicit much attention.

However, the rest of the harem couldn’t help feeling envious.

The Emperor's lack of offspring made any pregnancy within the harem significant.

Over the years, there had been several pregnancies in the Eastern Palace, but none had been successful.

Ye Xiuyi gave birth to a princess the year she entered the palace, but tragically, the child died three days after birth and didn’t even receive a proper ranking. At that time, it was the late Emperor’s mourning period, and she was still in her family's residence. It was chaotic then, and surprisingly, the matter wasn't thoroughly investigated afterwards.

Since then, no one in the harem has been pregnant.

Now, if Imperial Woman Wu can give birth to a prince, imagine the glory and wealth that would follow.

Such a fortunate event is something many would not want to see happen, so it really depends on her own ability.

In the afternoon, the Emperor also instructed his eunuchs to gift Imperial Woman Wu some items, though he did not visit her personally.

Some went to see her, but Yun Li did not.

Yun Li called her attendants.

Le An Palace was staffed with many, the main hall was locked, but there were several assigned to clean and maintain the place. However, they were of no concern to her.

In her quarters, she had eight attendants: four eunuchs and four palace maids.

"I’ve been here for over two months and haven’t yet had a proper talk with you all."

Everyone quickly agreed.

"There’s nothing special to discuss today. Imperial Woman Wu’s pregnancy is a happy event, but I am lazy by nature, don’t enjoy flattering, nor do I like getting involved. My point is, let’s keep our distance from Furongxuan. You all should understand what I mean. If anyone gets entangled with them, inform me early."

They looked at each other, all hastily asserting they were not involved.

Of course, they could only deny any involvement.

Yun Li just gave a very faint smile, one that revealed nothing. None of the servants could read any expression from her face.