Chapter 251

Chapter 0251: Shock

He Jin Li was shocked.

Yes, shocked.

It took him a while before he flicked Yun Li's forehead, "Are you really fearless in what you say?"

Yun Li glanced at him lightly, "Actually, speaking the truth doesn't hurt. I've told Your Majesty before, it's because I care. I know the harem cannot tolerate such a person. So, I'm not just a naive fool. But I cannot stand filth in my sight, nor do I wish to dirty my hands. That's how I am, and I wish others were the same. I know it's impossible, but I still hope for a sincere heart."

"If Your Majesty likes and can protect me and the child, naturally, I think it's only right. If not, I won't complain, because that's how it should be. Your Majesty's previous suspicions really hurt me." Yun Li embraced him, "I regard Your Majesty as my husband, it's just that you have too many women."

Just as He Jin Li was about to speak, Yun Li placed her hand over his lips, "Don't speak. You're here, aren't you?"

He Jin Li fell silent, sighing after a while, "Alright, don't be sad. In the future, if I have doubts, I'll ask you directly."

Yun Li nodded in his arms, also letting out a long sigh.

It was as if she finally relaxed.

He Jin Li then patted her back again.

"Just remember, what you said today, you must never repeat. Coveting the position of Empress, should such words be spoken?"

Yun Li nodded in his embrace.

"Alright, it's late, and I'm very tired from the early court today. Shall we rest early?" He Jin Li said with a smile.

Yun Li hummed.

She muttered something.

He Jin Li pinched her hand, "I know you're on your period."

That finally satisfied Yun Li.

Being on her period meant she had to sleep honestly.

It's just that... He Jin Li himself didn't want to admit, he chose today to come because he knew she was on her period.

Honestly, habits can be terrifying. If the emperor still desires a concubine, he inevitably has to make some changes.

For instance, knowing her fiery temper, if he visited her during such a mood to engage in intimacy, she probably wouldn't comply.

So, he might as well choose a day when she's menstruating.

Indeed, the strategy was correct. It indeed made her feel more comfortable.

The emperor taking the initiative to visit Yu Qu Palace was a shock to the other consorts in the harem, as one might imagine.

They all were waiting for Yun Li to seek reconciliation with the emperor.

Of course, it would be even better if reconciliation failed, leading to her falling out of favor.

But the emperor's behavior at the recent family banquet made it clear that it was unlikely for Qiong Xiu Yi to fall out of favor anytime soon.

They thought the emperor had provided a way out, and it should have been Qiong Xiu Yi to step down.

Unexpectedly, the emperor was the one who visited her first.

How could this not make people angry?

Lan Xian Fei smashed a teacup in anger, "Such a seductive creature. How has the emperor been so blinded? What's so good about her?"

The attendants didn't know how to console her.

Honestly, this is ancient times. In the education of ancient women, someone like Yun Li would indeed be considered a Daji come to life.

From a young age, they were taught to be gentle, respectful, frugal, and yielding, even if they were concubines, they were to respect and be cautious around the principal wife.

Yes, everyone knows what men like, but social conventions are there for a reason, who dares to overstep?

Even if one wishes to act otherwise, it must be done discreetly and cautiously.

Who doesn't want to maintain a dignified and virtuous facade in public?

But how freely does Qi Yun Li live? Laughing, shouting, never holding back.

She even dares to joke, play, and even argue with the emperor.

Arguing.

The more noble a lady, the less she is inclined towards these two words. After all, not to mention the royal family, even in ordinary official households, which mistress dares to act this way with her husband?

There are legendary formidable women who left behind a good name, but why are they remembered?

Because they are rare.

And such ladies, in these times, are the ones people tend to avoid.

Thus, they are disliked, looked down upon, and incomprehensible to others.

No one knows why Qi Yun Li is so bold, nor why the emperor actually likes it.

So, the reasonable explanation is that it's because Qi Yun Li is too beautiful.

She is truly beautiful, seemingly even more so after giving birth to the ninth prince.

Some say she's harsh, some say she's wicked, but no one says she isn't beautiful.

Regardless of what others think, the emperor spent a very satisfied night in Yu Qu Palace.

And the next day, the Empress gifted Yun Li a pair of jade Ruyi, also showing her approval.

Yun Li, playing with the white jade Ruyi, smiled, "It seems, half a year of praying wasn't in vain."

This Ruyi may not be of the finest jade quality, after all, it's quite large.

But it's smooth and lustrous, a pretty good set of hand pieces.

"Still don't know how Lady Lan Xian reacted in anger," Zhi Fu laughed.

Yun Li lightly scratched the pattern on the surface of the Ruyi and chuckled, "Only with time can one truly judge character. Lan Xian Fei has been ranked lower than Jin De Fei for the past few years, and it wasn't just because of childbirth. She's definitely clever, but too impatient. Look at now, among the three managing affairs, Min Fei is out of favor, so let it be. She and Jin De Fei are both of the first rank, but she always takes the lead. Despite being two people, if there's resentment, she's the first to be blamed."

"Even if everyone is of the first rank, and our positions are the same, how did she come to lead? Do you remember last Mid-Autumn Festival? We were all called to pay respects, but it was specifically to her. Honestly, Jin De Fei, whether it's having birthed the eldest prince or raising the second prince, and even being of the first rank for many more years, should have more seniority, right?" Yun Li said.

"Your Highness is right. I think, Lady Lan Xian is not ignorant of this. It's just that she's impatient. Nowadays, people often petition to establish the Crown Prince. If she could overshadow Jin De Fei in the harem, perhaps the third prince she supports could gain more backing. But I fear His Majesty might not choose the third prince."

"Setting aside whether the third prince is suitable, his mother, Lady Zhang, is too repulsive, something His Majesty likely can't forget."

"The more it is so, the more impatient she becomes, right?" Zhu Yu said.

Yun Li shook her head: "I can understand the tragedy of the women in the harem. Unfortunately, understanding is all I can offer."

"Our ninth prince being lower in the order does have its advantages," Zhu Yu said.

Yun Li nodded, "Put away this Ruyi."

She didn't have the habit of fiddling with objects, maybe some other time.

Hearing the report, the Empress Dowager laughed, "The Empress really is... what can I say?"

"The Empress has been quite charmed by Qiong Xiu Yi these past six months," Aunt Fan laughed.

"But, Qiong Xiu Yi is indeed a person of character. I had underestimated her in the past," the Empress Dowager said.

"She's just bewitched His Majesty with her charms, also because she's young and somewhat attractive," Aunt Fan feigned ignorance.

The Empress Dowager laughed, "You sly one, could you really not tell?"