Chapter 76: Stealing the Limelight

Chapter 76: Stealing the Limelight

What a piece of work Consort Zhen is!

The enjoyable event was suddenly interrupted by the Emperor's scolding, and Min Jieyu instantly drained of color, not knowing what to do. Her hand, clutching the embroidery needle, froze mid-air, too scared to even twitch.

She didn't even understand what she had done wrong to provoke the Emperor's wrath.

After several stunned breaths, she hastily rose and knelt before the Emperor, pleading, "This humble concubine knows not what offense she has committed to displease Your Majesty. I beg for your mercy!"

Shen Huai had no intention of explaining. He hurled the wine cup down before Min Jieyu and shouted forcefully, "Remove her at once!"

"Min Jieyu has shown disrespect in the Emperor's presence and displeased me. Henceforth, she is demoted to the rank of Cairen and confined to her quarters, forbidden to leave without imperial decree!"

The sudden turn of events left Min Jieyu unable to comprehend what she had done wrong. She cried out in panic, "Your Majesty is wise, I beg for your mercy!"

But Shen Huai clearly had no intention of saying more. His frosty demeanor made everyone in the hall hold their breath, not daring to utter a word.

The imperial guards swiftly dragged Min Cairen out, and the palace servants promptly removed her embroidery frame, clearing out all of Min Cairen's belongings from the hall.

Once the hall was stripped bare, a sense of dread crept over them. Min Cairen's performance had been impeccable, and the concubines were at a loss as to what had provoked the Emperor's wrath.

Serving the Emperor was like walking on eggshells. With the Emperor's wrath looming over them, the hall fell into silence, and no one dared to speak, fearing to displease the Emperor further.

Su Jiaojiao observed silently as Min Cairen was dragged away, setting her cup down on the table with deliberate calm. The Emperor's reaction came as no surprise to her.

Min Cairen's provoking the Emperor's wrath was part of her plan, thanks to the Grand Eunuch's advice.

She glanced towards the Emperor.

His expression was extremely cold, and he remained unsettled long after Min Cairen was taken away.

It seemed that Consort Lian held a much more significant place in the Emperor's heart than she had imagined.

Shen Huai stared fixedly at the darkness outside the hall for a long time. The cold winter wind howled in from outside, bringing a chill into the hall.

As the coldness surrounded him, Shen Huai finally calmed down, suppressing his anger, and slumped back onto the dragon throne, massaging his temples in frustration.

The Empress cautiously observed the Emperor's expression, unsure of what to say to avoid making a mistake.

Min Cairen was Noble Consort Wang's person, and the Empress was naturally delighted by her misfortune. But what had she done to displease the Emperor so severely that she was demoted and confined?

Earlier, the Emperor had said... who allowed you to sing before me...

Was it the song Min Cairen chose that was taboo, or was singing itself taboo?

Since marrying the Emperor, he had rarely listened to music, and he showed little interest in other arts as well.

The Empress had thought the Emperor was simply uninterested in these things, but she hadn't realized there was such a taboo. She was fortunate that this was the first time she had organized such an event, and it was Min Cairen who had stumbled into this misfortune.

But why did the Emperor despise singing so much? What was the reason behind it?

The Empress keenly noticed this blind spot she hadn't been aware of and quietly filed it away in her mind.

After a long silence, Shen Huai finally emerged from the memories he loathed and returned to his usual indifferent demeanor.

He glanced around the hall and noticed Su Jiaojiao sitting in the middle, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. The movement revealed a section of her snow-white wrist, adorned with an emerald green bracelet that looked radiant and pure against her fair skin.

Seeing this bracelet, Shen Huai seemed to recall a tender memory, and his expression softened slightly.

Just as he was about to call out to Su Jiaojiao, Noble Consort Mi, who had remained silent beside him, frowned and said, "Your Majesty, there have been frequent disturbances in the palace recently, and it has not been peaceful. Even on New Year's Eve, such incidents have taken place. I feel genuinely uneasy."

The unrest in the harem naturally pointed to the Empress's shortcomings.

The Empress thought that Noble Consort Mi was trying to sow discord between the Emperor and her, and her gaze turned cold.

But since the Emperor was speaking to Noble Consort Mi at that moment, she could not interrupt.

Noble Consort Mi turned her head and said, "There are already few imperial heirs in the palace. I miscarried my child, and the Crown Prince has also suffered this misfortune. Coincidentally, Zhu Baolin is due to give birth after the New Year. Why not bring some joy to the palace in preparation for the birth of Zhu Baolin's child?"

Noble Consort Mi had always been known for her willful and domineering nature, and in Shen Huai's memory, she had always been a troublemaker. But since she miscarried her child, her temperament had calmed down significantly. She no longer engaged in disputes, and her jealousy had waned.

On such a lively day, with so many beauties performing for him, in the past, she would have likely been coquettish and noisy by his side. But today, she remained silent, appearing even more composed than the Empress.

She had miscarried during her first pregnancy, and Shen Huai had neglected her earlier due to the Left Minister's affairs, which had indeed hurt her deeply.

Seeing the change in Noble Consort Mi, Shen Huai felt pity for her, especially since what she said was not without reason.

This year, the harem had been plagued by constant disturbances, causing endless annoyance. The court and the harem were intricately connected; if the harem was unstable, the court would naturally be turbulent as well.

He pondered for a moment and softened his tone, "That makes sense."

"But if we are to use a joyous event to counteract the negativity, such a significant matter cannot be resolved with ordinary celebrations. I originally intended to promote a few concubines who have served for a long time or have made significant contributions to the court. If that is the case, I will have to reconsider."

Upon hearing the Emperor call her Shihuai, Noble Consort Mi felt a sudden pang of sorrow, but she clearly remembered her conversation with Su Jiaojiao a few days ago. Even if she felt sad and distressed, she had to endure it for the greater good.

She said, "Your Majesty's intention is good, and I also think it is feasible. But—"

She paused mid-sentence and continued, "But just now, the Empress summoned the selected ranks from the Yeting to perform dances, which reminded me. There are already few high-ranking and mid-ranking concubines in the palace. Now, Noble Consort Wang is taking care of the Crown Prince, and Min Cairen has also... There are too few high-ranking and mid-ranking concubines, while the selected ranks and low-ranking concubines are too numerous. This imbalance causes the lower-ranking sisters to yearn for the Emperor's favor day and night, inevitably breeding resentment."

"The Empress is kind to give the selected ranks a chance, but I also wish to seek grace for all the sisters in the palace."

Noble Consort Mi stood up and curtsied, "It is now the fourth year of Tianyuan, and there has been no joyous event in the palace for a long time. Your Majesty might as well bestow a grand favor upon the entire harem. Firstly, it would allow all the sisters to partake in the imperial grace, and secondly, it could bring joy and ensure the safe birth of Zhu Baolin's child."

She lowered her head, forcing a trembling voice, "I have lost a child, but I am still a mother in spirit. I truly hope that Zhu Baolin's child can be born smoothly, adding another son to Your Majesty."

Noble Consort Mi's words were reasonable and well-founded, not considering herself at all, and they concerned the imperial heir, showing rare thoughtfulness and generosity. The more she refrained from causing trouble, the more Shen Huai felt a sense of guilt. He personally helped her up and said in a deep voice, "Your concern for the harem is deeply reassuring to me."

After she sat back down, Shen Huai tapped the armrest twice and said gently, "The matter of bestowing a grand favor upon the harem involves numerous individuals, and I need to consider each one carefully. You have been assisting the Empress in managing the six palaces recently and have been quite occupied. When your mother enters the palace in a few days, allow her to stay for a few more days before returning."

Upon hearing the last two sentences, Noble Consort Mi was immediately overjoyed, tears welling up in her eyes. She hurriedly thanked the Emperor and then sat back down, feeling relieved.

At the same time, she was increasingly amazed by what Su Jiaojiao had told her a few days ago.

Back then, she had only wanted to ask if Su Jiaojiao had requested a favor from the Emperor to reward her. But after a few words, they ended up discussing the Empress's plan to have the harem prepare performances for the New Year's Eve banquet.

At that time, Su Jiaojiao said that the Empress's move had two purposes.

To promote her own people, to divide the favor of Noble Consort Mi's faction, and to win the affection of the entire palace.

The Empress's plan was meticulously calculated, but Noble Consort Mi was currently in a position of the Emperor's pity and favor. Disrupting the Empress's plan was not a difficult task, and if done well, Noble Consort Mi might even gain additional benefits.

Su Jiaojiao then detailed how Noble Consort Mi should act and what to say.

Initially, she had been skeptical, but Su Jiaojiao's eyes were so innocent and sincere, and if this matter succeeded, it would bring only benefits and no harm, so she agreed.

Now that it had truly succeeded, Noble Consort Mi was even more astonished and deeply impressed. The little selected rank she had once disregarded had such clever thoughts and strategies behind the scenes.

In the past, she had only been suspicious and did not truly trust Su Jiaojiao, treating her as a dispensable pawn. But Su Jiaojiao had never harmed her and had repeatedly provided her with strategies.

Especially, Su Jiaojiao was the only one who thoughtfully considered her after the loss of her child.

Not only did she hand-copy Buddhist scriptures to pray for her deceased child, but she also sought blessings for her on her own birthday.

She, Yin Shihuai, was domineering and unyielding, and in the past, she was also jealous and ruthless, but she was not heartless and could distinguish between good and bad.

Su Jiaojiao was as sly and clever as a fox, perhaps exploiting her power and status.

But based solely on these two acts of hers, as long as Su Jiaojiao harbored no ulterior motives, Noble Consort Mi could ensure her swift ascent.

Once, what she cared about most was the Emperor's favor, but after losing her child, she realized that what the Emperor could give her was never his heart.

The Empress, seated beside the Emperor, lowered her head to sip tea, her expression icy.

She had assumed that Noble Consort Mi was going to accuse her of mismanaging the harem, but instead, she followed her lead and suggested that the Emperor promote the entire harem, rendering all her efforts futile!

If the entire harem were to be promoted, it would be as if no one had been promoted at all.

Even those she wished to promote might not fare as well as the consorts from rival factions.

Noble Consort Mi brazenly proposed the promotion of the harem, and the harem consorts would undoubtedly be grateful to her, the Noble Consort. Not only would her domineering reputation wane, but her status among the harem members and in the Emperor's heart would also rise. With this shift, could she, the Empress, still hold absolute sway?

The situation she had meticulously crafted had ended up benefiting Noble Consort Mi! How could she not resent this!

Noble Consort Mi had always been domineering and haughty, not deeply cunning. How could she have come up with such a clever idea?

Someone must have coached her on these words.

There were few smart people in Noble Consort Mi's faction, so who could it be?

The Empress cast a cold glance at Su Jiaojiao, who was leisurely sipping soup in the lower seat.

Consort Zhen... what a Consort Zhen indeed!

She was truly baffled. She had never heard that Min Cairen could sing, so how was it such a coincidence that she sang today and displeased the Emperor?

A woman who bore a grudge against Min Cairen and was so deeply cunning, besides Consort Zhen, there was likely no one else!