Chapter 3: A Willing Submission

"Bring Lady Jiang here."

On the night after the palace selection, news that the Emperor had chosen the newly promoted Ji Miaoyi, of the selected rank, spread throughout the palace.

As soon as the Fengluan Spring Grace Carriage, with its crisp bell sounds, arrived at the Yeting to pick her up, many in the palace found themselves unable to sleep.

The following day.

Inside the main hall of Changle Palace.

The sounds of smashed porcelain and curses grew increasingly louder.

The palace servants inside and outside the palace gates all lowered their heads, not daring to move, afraid of provoking their mistress further.

"Slut! Slut!" With her eyes red from crying, Consort Mi grabbed a plate of pastries from the table, about to throw it outside. "They're all a bunch of seductresses!"

Her personal maid, Yu Ling, quickly signaled the maids in the hall, who immediately began to clean up to avoid any shards that might injure their mistress.

Seeing her mistress in a fury, Yu Ling hastened to console her: "Your Highness, please take care of yourself. The imperial physician has warned that your pregnancy is unstable, and after many days of overexertion, you've weakened your body. You suffered bleeding yesterday after returning to the palace, so you must not get angry again! Even for the sake of the royal heir in your womb, you must maintain a peaceful mind and take good care of your health."

"Royal heir, royal heir, what good is this royal heir to me!"

At the mention of the royal heir, Consort Mi cried even harder. She looked towards the direction outside the hall, her hands clutching the satin on the table in frustration.

But after the anger, a deep sadness and confusion flashed across Consort Mi's charming face: "If the royal heir is really so important, why didn't the Emperor come even once yesterday? If the Emperor doesn't care for this child, why should I bear him!"

Yu Ling poured a cup of tea and handed it to Consort Mi, saying softly: "Your Highness, have some calming tea to help soothe you."

"Newcomers entering the palace, it's inevitable that the Emperor is fresh. Even if they gain favor, how could they possibly surpass you? Temporary favor is not important; having a child is a lifelong reliance. The Emperor's favor shifts so quickly in the palace; who can truly understand his heart?"

Yu Ling carefully observed Consort Mi's expression while gently persuading her. Consort Mi slowly calmed down, clearly taking the advice to heart.

Seeing that she was receptive, Yu Ling slowly said: "With a group of newcomers having entered the palace, the days ahead will be even more eventful. You are exceptionally favored and are now carrying the Emperor's heir. Such fortune cannot be compared to a single night of favor. The new favorites will soon be replaced by new faces, endlessly. Why should you subject yourself to this anger?"

Yu Ling was Consort Mi's dowry maid from her maternal family, a close confidant, extremely intimate, and her patient advice was naturally accepted, and she was also particularly unguarded with her.

At this moment, in her grief, she looked very fragile.

Consort Mi, her eyes red, was lost in thought, murmuring: "Yu Ling, I have long known that the Emperor has many women, and I have never expected him to favor only me."

"But every time I see him close to other women, my heart burns, and I feel suffocated."

"I don't care at all about this child. If I had known that I would have to endure the Emperor favoring others during these ten months of pregnancy, the feeling would be worse than killing me." Consort Mi cried even more, saying: "The Emperor didn't come after the new people entered the palace. If it were really ten months of pregnancy, wouldn't he forget who I am!"

Seeing that Consort Mi was about to get stuck in a corner, Yu Ling sighed and said: "Your Highness, I know you admire the Emperor. But you must also know that life must go on with or without favor, right? Instead of seeking something invisible and uncertain, having a child to bring joy to your knees and call you mother every day is the most precious."

"When you have a royal heir, the loneliness of the deep palace will no longer feel lonely." Yu Ling patiently persuaded, personally offering the tea to Consort Mi: "The temperature is just right, please taste it."

Consort Mi dabbed the tears at the corner of her eyes with a silk handkerchief, took the jade cup offered by Yu Ling, and just as she took a sip, Yu Ling, who was kneeling to massage her legs, said: "Your Highness, didn't we plan to cultivate a few new people to help you secure favor?"

"I know it's hard for you, but think about it—cultivating a few people who can serve us and have the Emperor's ear. Occasionally influencing the Emperor to visit our Changle Palace more frequently. In the end, when the royal heir is born, your position will be secure, and the Emperor won't forget you."

Yu Ling's hands applied just the right amount of pressure, slowly saying: "Most importantly, with you in charge, no matter how much the newcomers seek favor, they will always have to defer to you and won't be able to cause any trouble."

It made sense, and though Consort Mi was reluctant, she had to admit that Yu Ling's suggestion was the best course of action.

Her sobbing gradually subsided, and she started to weigh the feasibility of the plan in her mind.

Consort Mi was originally extremely unwilling to personally send another woman to accompany the emperor. But now, with her difficult pregnancy and insufficient fetal energy, there was no better solution.

The most important part was the last sentence.

If she didn't gather some young and beautiful newcomers, letting them grow, not only would she gain no benefits, but in a few years, they might step over her to ascend, enchanting the emperor and leading him astray!

As the master and servant whispered, a palace maid on duty at the Vermilion Cloud Hall entered to announce, "Your Highness, Su Jiaojiao of the selected rank seeks an audience."

Su Jiaojiao, of the selected rank.

Which Su Jiaojiao?

She had personally overseen the selection process and had some impression of the virtuous girls who were chosen. Consort Mi racked her brain but couldn't recall when a Su Jiaojiao had appeared.

Yu Ling, however, remembered and said, "Your Highness, in the first year of Tianyuan, there was a Su Jiaojiao who entered the palace alongside you. But she was only twelve at the time, still very young, so the Empress Dowager graciously allowed her to remain in the palace and be taken care of. As the seasons passed, she was forgotten."

Hearing this, Consort Mi had a faint impression. But she was in a state of distress, and a mere selected rank who had entered the palace in the first year of Tianyuan dared to request an audience. She immediately said sharply, "Am I someone anyone can ask to see?"

"Send her away!"

"Your Highness, wait!" Yu Ling quickly called out to the messenger maid and said, "If I remember correctly, this Su Jiaojiao is the legitimate daughter of the third-rank Minister of Revenue. Although she doesn't compare to you, her family background is quite prominent. Having been neglected in the palace for three years without seeing the emperor, she must be eager for his favor."

"But think about it, given her family background, if she were truly exceptional, she wouldn't still be in the position of a selected rank," Yu Ling said. "Why not meet her? If she's easy to manipulate, you could..."

This made sense. If this Su Jiaojiao had a decent family background and was simple-minded and easy to manipulate, she would be an excellent candidate.

Even though she entered the palace a year ago, she has never seen the emperor, making her essentially a newcomer.

Consort Mi's fine brows furrowed, but her expression softened as she calmly said, "Let her in."

The maids of the Vermilion Cloud Hall quickly tidied the hall, and Yu Ling helped Consort Mi to her seat on the throne, carefully applying rouge to Consort Mi's face.

Not long after, Su Jiaojiao entered from the door. She first glanced timidly at Consort Mi, then looked around the splendid Vermilion Cloud Hall before quickly lowering her head and kneeling before Consort Mi, her voice soft and trembling, "Your servant Su pays respects to Consort Mi."

Consort Mi glanced at her casually and said indifferently, "Rise."

"Grant her a seat."

Su Jiaojiao thanked her and sat on the secondary seat, not daring to look up and meet Consort Mi's gaze.

This behavior naturally caught Consort Mi's attention.

Such a timid and insignificant woman, no wonder she remained a lowly selected rank for so long!

Consort Mi sneered inwardly and leisurely placed her cup down, and finally looked at her properly, "Alright, I won't bite. Look up."

Su Jiaojiao seemed both flustered and fearful as she raised her eyes, inadvertently revealing a stunningly beautiful face.

With just one glance, Consort Mi felt uneasy.

Su Jiaojiao's slender and delicate form, combined with her pitiful glance, exuded an enchanting charm. Her eyes, like deep, bottomless springs, drew one into their depths.

Such beauty and charm surpassed even the most outstanding selected ranks. If the emperor saw her, he would surely not ignore her.

If this continued, would there still be a place for her?!

Consort Mi's alarm bells rang loudly, and she immediately darkened her face, ready to reprimand. Seeing this, Yu Ling quickly stepped forward, offering a cup of hot tea to Consort Mi, saying, "Your Highness, please drink." At the same time, she subtly shook her head, signaling Consort Mi not to act hastily.

Seeing Yu Ling's gesture, Consort Mi barely suppressed her jealousy and unease. Yu Ling curtsied and respectfully asked, "Since Su Jiaojiao has come to see Your Highness, she must have important matters. It's almost time for lunch, so please speak quickly."

Su Jiaojiao, seeing Yu Ling get straight to the point, could no longer hold back her grievances, her eyes instantly reddening. She lifted her skirt and moved to the front of Consort Mi, kneeling down and weeping, "Consort Mi, I come today to seek your protection and care. I am willing to serve you loyally, to follow your lead."

Consort Mi sneered, "You entered the palace in the first year of Tianyuan, and it’s been three years without you coming to pledge your loyalty. Why come today? It seems you have ulterior motives!"

"Not true, not true," she shook her head desperately.

She lifted her tear-streaked face, crying out, "Consort Mi... I’ve always been timid, hiding away in Junwu Pavilion for three years, enduring the scolding and mistreatment from Talented Lady Jiang in the same palace, always swallowing my grievances. My nature is weak; I dare not contend with others, and because of the disparity in rank, I never fought back, whether I was hit or scolded... I thought I could still manage, but recently, after new people entered the palace..."

Su Jiaojiao cried as if her heart was breaking, even rolling up her sleeves and raising her arms to reveal the shocking red marks crisscrossing them. "How can I go on? Consort Mi! If it weren’t for this, how would I dare to disturb you..."

Even Consort Mi, who was displeased by her appearance, couldn’t help but be somewhat startled by the wounds on her fair arms.

She hesitated for a moment, and Yu Ling beside her whispered, "Consort Mi, it doesn’t seem fake. Talented Lady Jiang has been out of favor for many years and was said to be harsh when she first entered the palace. Su Jiaojiao hasn’t been favored in three years, so what she says is likely true. With her temperament and looks, she’d be perfect to help you gain influence."

"How about..."

Su Jiaojiao cried sincerely, her story consistent and believable.

Consort Mi frowned slightly, staring at Su Jiaojiao’s tear-streaked face for a long while. After careful thought, she finally decided, "If what you say is true, I will seek justice for you."

She spoke more sharply, "I ask you, are you truly sincere in your allegiance?"

Su Jiaojiao, her eyes red, looked up as if she hadn’t expected Consort Mi to accept her, and spoke with deep gratitude, "If Consort Mi is kind enough to protect me, I will surely follow your lead."

Seeing how humble and obedient she was.

Consort Mi stared at her for a long time before overcoming her unease about Su Jiaojiao’s stunning appearance.

With a haughty tilt of her chin, she said, "Since you are sensible, I will not wrong you."

"Yu Ling."

Yu Ling stepped forward and curtsied, "This servant is here."

Consort Mi narrowed her gaze, a hint of a cold smile flashing within, "Go, bring Talented Lady Jiang here. I want to see for myself how this talented lady can be so vicious and domineering!"

Author's note: The despicable emperor will soon meet the female lead!