Chapter 199: Fond of He Jinli

Chapter 199: Fond of He Jinli

"Now that you're favored, do you think it's because you're no longer important?" Consort Qi questioned.

Yunli sneered, "Are you leaving with regrets?"

Taking a deep breath, Consort Qi confessed, "Of course, I'm not content. If you were demoted from being a Noble Consort, would you be?"

Yunli laughed, "If I were a Noble Consort, why would I be demoted? If I were you, I could be happy for life. Born into a prestigious family, high status, what does it matter if I'm childless or not favored? I'd wash my hands of everything, not vie with the Empress, not fight with others. Live peacefully, what’s so bad about that?"

Of course, Consort Qi didn’t believe her.

"No children, no favor, and that's okay?"

"Big sister, not everyone wants what you want. When I first entered the palace, I had to play dumb because I was in a tough spot. I didn't want to be your pawn. So of course, I couldn't just sit back. How could I live well as Baolin?"

"But now it's different. Big sister, indeed you disregarded my feelings and had me enter the palace. But honestly, meeting the Emperor was my luck. He’s so good to me, I’m fortunate to have received his favor, even bearing his child. I’m happy. As for fighting, there's always strife in the harem. But I wouldn’t harm others just to climb higher."

"As for if I were you, without favor, without children, but still in a high position, I could still live well. But you, what you want is power. Big sister, you and I are different. Initially, I didn’t want to be a pawn, later I just liked the Emperor. But you? What do you like? The position of the Crown Princess, the Empress. So, you wouldn’t understand my feelings."

"Ha! You like the Emperor? Which woman in the harem doesn’t?" Consort Qi almost laughed, "Such a foolish thing to say! Don’t you know the consequences of harboring feelings for the Emperor in the harem?"

"Of course, I don’t know! Everyone is different. Some people get heartbroken, others change beyond recognition, so what? At least I haven’t changed yet. I don’t want to change. I just like him. In my life, meeting He Jinli makes everything worthwhile." Yunli smiled, her gaze burning into Consort Qi.

"How could you understand? You’re just a pitiful creature."

"You… you really are… you really are foolish. How can you call me foolish? Falling for the Emperor like this, you’re the foolish one. He won’t reciprocate your feelings. Have you thought about it? Once you give birth to a prince, if you remain favored, you’ll become the target of the entire harem. Will the Emperor you like protect you then? Will he?"

"He will!" Yunli first declared loudly, then softly added, "He will. If… if he doesn’t, then he’s the foolish one, losing a woman who truly loves him. Without me, all the women in this harem love only the Emperor, no one will love He Jinli the man."

"That’s why I won’t tell him this. If he doesn’t protect me and loses me, he loses the only person who loves him for himself. Even if he’s a wise and valiant Emperor, he would still be a foolish man."

"It seems I've arrived just in time to hear the words Yun'er wouldn't tell me."

He Jinli pushed open the door.

Yunli looked over in surprise.

Consort Qi, facing away from the door, was equally shocked.

He Jinli glanced at Yunli, then turned to Consort Qi: "Does Consort Qi understand me well?"

Consort Qi knelt down: "This consort dares not..."

At that moment, Zhu Yu at the door subtly nodded at Yunli.

Yunli saw it but gave no sign.

Yunli wouldn’t have spoken such words to Consort Qi without preparation; she had planned this well in advance.

Not just today, but earlier, she had instructed her people.

If the Emperor suddenly appeared at certain times, remember to signal her.

Like just now, Zhu Yu stood under the lantern at the door.

She simply waved her hand gently behind the lantern, towards the window.

This gesture wouldn’t catch the attention of those outside, but it was quite visible from the dimly lit interior.

Yunli, facing the door and window, easily noticed it.

Conveniently, the conversation had reached that point, making it very appropriate.

Consort Qi tensed up completely.

He Jinli indifferently said: "Since you're leaving the palace tomorrow, you should return early."

Consort Qi breathed a sigh of relief: "Yes, this consort... this consort takes her leave."

It wasn't until she walked out that she suddenly realized something.

What Yunli said... seemed correct.

This departure might mean a difficult return, yet her heart felt only relief and ease that the Emperor did not question her, without the sorrow of parting.

Suddenly, she didn't know what expression to wear.

After a moment of stunned silence, she said nothing more and turned to walk into the night.

Back with Yunli, Yunli covered her face: "It's so annoying, why didn't anyone announce his arrival? Now you've heard everything, so annoying."

He Jinli sat down with a smile: "I never knew Yun'er thought of me in such a way behind my back."

Yunli humphed and sat down: "That's exactly what I think."

He Jinli laughed: "Have I ever neglected you?"

"No, it's just that she doesn't understand, hmm, she doesn't understand anything." Yunli said proudly.

He Jinli reached out, taking her hand: "Yun'er, rest assured, as good as you are, I will naturally protect you."

"And our child as well."

Yunli turned her head away: "Stop it, it's embarrassing."

"Have you had dinner yet?" Yunli asked.

"Of course not, I'll eat with Yun'er," He Jinli said.

Yunli got up and ordered dinner to be prepared.

After dinner, as usual, they felt the baby bump.

Yunli suddenly asked: "Why did you suddenly send her away from the palace? Is it because of the rumors in the palace?"

He Jinli paused in his movements: "Yun'er, you didn't know?"

"I thought there might be other reasons," Yunli frowned. "A few days ago, when Doctor Song came over..."

Yunli hesitated: "Your Majesty, could you promise not to be angry after hearing this?"

He Jinli raised an eyebrow: "Alright."

"Oh, it's all because of Qi Qingluan, that woman really has issues," Yunli frowned. "It seems Doctor Song was once favored by my great uncle. He had cared for Qi Qingluan before. But while he was merely repaying a kindness, Qi Qingluan almost sent him to his death. Did you know, she actually tried to have Doctor Song inquire about my medical records!"

"Doctor Song probably felt something was wrong and came to warn me. I couldn't hold back my anger at the time, so I confronted her. When I accused her of tampering with the incense she gave me in the past, she flatly denied it!"

Yunli snorted: "Today, she kept insisting she was wronged and even claimed that I was the one who sent her to the southern palace."

[He Jinli: Yun'er actually harbors deep feelings for me. But I won't ask what you've been up to these past few days.

Qi Jingyi: Are you serious?

Yunli: No worries, listen to the story I’ll spin for you…]