Chapter 0231: Support

Chapter 0231: Support

There will come a day when he no longer wishes to visit.

He thought, it's the same for Yun Li.

But if Yun Li remains the same by then, even if not as often as now, he would still occasionally visit her for a meal.

He wouldn’t let her never see him.

Even in old age, it would be the same.

Both harboring their thoughts, they each went about their day.

Today, Yun Li didn’t wear that cyan bird hairpin; it would have been too ostentatious, almost as if competing with the Empress.

Instead, she wore a pair of exquisite begonia flower hairpins, the petals intricately carved and inlaid with rose quartz, with ruby stamens at the center.

This pair was also exceptionally eye-catching.

Naturally, upon her arrival for the greeting, it caught people’s attention.

"Oh, Sister Yun, those hairpins are quite beautiful, new aren’t they? I haven’t seen you wear them before," smiled Consort Jin De.

"Also rubies, how coincidental," Wu Zhao Rong glanced at Yun Li and then at the Empress above.

The Empress didn’t wear that hairpin today, but she noticed Yun Li’s hairpins.

"They are beautiful. Sister Yun wearing such hairpins is just right, they’d be too much for me," laughed Consort Min Fei.

"Yes, they are beautiful," Ning Xiu Yuan also smiled, "Sister Yun wears them well."

"Ah, why is everyone looking at me? Ah, it’s so bothersome," Yun Li bashfully covered up then said, "It’s just that the Empress's hairpin was so beautiful, of course, I couldn’t wear something like that, but I also liked it, so what to do? I asked the Emperor, and he had Meng Chang bring me this. It can’t compare to the Empress's, but it’s also quite beautiful, right?"

The crowd…

Even Consort Jin De, who had started the conversation, found herself at a loss for words.

The mention was perhaps to hint she was comparing her jewelry to the Empress's, not a serious matter, but maybe the Empress would be displeased?

But with her saying, "I asked for it because I was envious of the Empress's,"…

How are we supposed to respond to that?

Are we supposed to laugh at you or envy you?

Give us a direction...

"Yun Li, although you are young, it's not always good to be so informal with the Emperor," the Empress said with a smile. "As women, we still need to adhere to propriety."

"The Empress is right, but I am only a consort, naturally not comparable to the Empress's virtuous and gentle demeanor. I will be more mindful in the future. Thank you for the reminder," Yun Li stood up to bow, seemingly a bit embarrassed.

The Empress was reassured, "It's alright, you are not without sense. Let it be, it's a minor matter, please sit."

Compared to the Noble Consort who constantly emphasized propriety, today's Yun Li was much more pleasing to her.

Her current recklessness, seeking favor in the Emperor's quarters without consideration of time, shallowly asking the Emperor for gifts, will eventually lead to disdain.

By then, she would realize it herself.

There really was no need for her to remind Yun Li.

The crowd, both envious and in agreement with the Empress, could only offer dry laughter.

Yun Li, observing their reactions, really wanted to laugh and barely managed to hold it in.

That night, when the Emperor visited again, Yun Li was not at all surprised.

The Empress, while combing her hair and hearing that the Emperor had gone to Yun Li's palace again, simply said, "Keep He Bao Lin tomorrow. She’s skilled with needlework; have her make a pair of pillowcases for the Grand Princess."

"Yes," Ruyi responded.

Indeed, after the morning greetings the next day, the Empress retained He Baolin, not mentioning anything in front of everyone.

Only after everyone had left did she say, "Sister, you're skilled with needlework, why not make a pair of pillowcases for the Grand Princess?"

He Baolin naturally agreed, but she felt the Empress was treating her too much like a servant.

Yet, without any other option at the moment, she could only comply.

By noon, the Dowager Empress was informed of this matter.

"The Empress really does have a good quality, never turning back despite all difficulties."

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. Perhaps the Empress feels it's not easy to change the situation," Zhao Shicheng said with a smile. "This He Baolin really isn't someone who can be supported easily. Forcing her rise might just lead to a fall with a bloodied face. The Empress has no choice now. With Consort Lan about to give birth, and although the Imperial Physician wouldn't explicitly say, this child is likely to be a prince. Consort Lan's background is ordinary, but if it comes to selecting the Crown Prince without a direct heir, His Majesty might not care much about lineage."

The Dowager Empress huffed, "Of course, I know she's in a difficult position, but I don't understand. If the Emperor were to support the He family, would that benefit the Xie family?"

"Your Majesty is wise, but there are many fools in the world," Zhao Shicheng offered apologetically.

The Dowager Empress shook her head, "Let it be. If she refuses to be a compliant Empress, let her make a fuss."

It was just a matter of whether she, the Dowager Empress, could suppress her.

Ning Xiuyuan might not currently enjoy significant favor, but her position is stable. In the future, as her children grow, they indeed pose a threat to the Empress.

But if the Empress is supporting the He family now, will they still submit once they gain power in the future?

The Dowager Empress isn't afraid of the He family, but suppressing such individuals seems more prudent.

It's just that she disdains to bother herself with oppressing a minor figure like He Baolin.

What difference would it make if she were to rise?

The Emperor insists on supporting the He family, but what was the character of Consort He back in the day?

If the He family were so capable, why would they end up selling their child?

It's not that she looks down on the He family, but Consort He of the past and He Baolin now are equally incompetent.

The Dowager Empress can assert without hesitation that the Emperor is the late Emperor's offspring and was raised by her.

Had he been raised by Consort He, he wouldn't be the man he is today.

The Empress probably thinks He Baolin won't bite back, but while the Emperor needs to give face to his Dowager Empress, one day he might not show the same courtesy to the Empress.

"Let's see what happens in ten or twenty years, I'll just watch," scoffed the Dowager Empress.

However, no matter how you look at it, the Empress's determination to support He Baolin cannot be in vain.

Indeed, the next day, Emperor He went to Yu Zhi Palace. It's been a long time since his last visit.

Given that Consort Yu of Yu Zhi Palace is not favored, his visit meant He Baolin would be attending to him.

And indeed, the next day, that was the case.

He Baolin, looking bashfully coy, really made everyone's teeth ache.

The Empress appeared quite content, even gifting her own pair of bracelets to He Baolin.

This favor made everyone clearly understand her standing.

Consequently, He Baolin's days in the harem improved significantly.

After all, despite some awareness of her background, lack of favor meant no benefits, leading to less enthusiastic service from the attendants.

Your identity is irrelevant if it brings no advantages to the servants.

Why should they eagerly serve you without any hope for rewards?

There are plenty of favored and generous mistresses; serving them brings joy and rewards, so why bother with anyone else?

Why exert effort in vain to offer tribute to you?

[He Baolin: I come from an extraordinary background.

Servants: Oh, amazing, truly impressive.]

[From the previous chapter's skit:

Yun Li: The wise do not fall in love.

Mei Shufei: The heartless will surely reach the shore.]