Chapter 70 Taken into the Royal Harem

Chapter 70: Taken into the Harem

Consort Xi was the first to voice her opposition, her tone sharp: "Your Majesty! This woman is a courtesan, passed from man to man. Your Majesty, as the Son of Heaven, how can you keep such a lowly person by your side?"

From his seat below, Xiao Xiuzhan also wore a look of astonishment, clearly not expecting Ning Xiang to make such a bold request.

Jiang Yaozhen calmly observed the expressions of Xiao Xiuzhan and Consort Xi, thinking to herself: It seems this matter was not arranged by Xiao Xiuzhan.

Consort Xi is the emperor's favorite consort; why would Xiao Xiuzhan send a woman to the emperor's side to compete for favor with his own mother?

Then, who exactly brought this Ning Xiang before the emperor?

Ning Xiang, with a respectful and composed demeanor, explained unhurriedly: "Your Majesty, Imperial Consort, although I make a living at the Spring Fragrance Pavilion, I sell my art, not my body. I remain chaste to this day. If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may summon palace attendants to verify!"

Upon hearing this, the emperor's eyes immediately lit up.

Women with a unique fragrance are rare, but women with a unique fragrance who are also virgins are even rarer!

"If that is the case, then have someone examine Miss Ning Xiang!"

The Empress Dowager then spoke slowly: "Emperor, let Nanny Wu go and examine her."

Nanny Wu was the Empress Dowager's personal nanny and an experienced elder in the palace. Whether a woman was a virgin or not, she could determine with a single examination.

Soon, Nanny Wu led Ning Xiang away.

Seeing that the emperor was inclined to take Ning Xiang into the harem, Consort Xi could hardly suppress the anger on her face.

Below the stage, Xiao Xiuzhan also wore a furious expression.

He knew better than anyone whether Ning Xiang was a virgin or not.

But he couldn't expose this publicly and tell the emperor that Ning Xiang had already been defiled by him.

According to the laws of Daye, princes were not allowed to frequent pleasure quarters. If he admitted it himself, wouldn't that give the ministers an opportunity to impeach him?

He could only pin his hopes on Nanny Wu, hoping she would give a negative conclusion and dissuade the emperor from taking Ning Xiang into the harem.

In less time than it takes to drink a cup of tea, Nanny Wu returned to the hall with Ning Xiang.

"Your Majesty, Miss Ning Xiang is indeed a virgin."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Xiuzhan shot to his feet, exclaiming in disbelief: "How is that possible?!"

Nanny Wu looked coldly at Xiao Xiuzhan: "Third Prince, do you distrust this old servant's examination skills, or do you suspect this old servant of deceiving the emperor?"

Nanny Wu was the Empress Dowager's maid who accompanied her into marriage and had served the Empress Dowager for nearly fifty years. Her words represented the Empress Dowager's dignity and could not be questioned by others.

"Nanny Wu misunderstands; that is not what I meant. It's just that she, after all, comes from the world of pleasure..."

The Empress Dowager took over Xiao Xiuzhan's words, looking at the emperor: "What the Third Prince says is not without reason. Although Miss Ning Xiang is chaste, she still comes from a pleasure quarter. Even if she carries a unique fragrance, it is not appropriate to give her too high a rank, lest it cause gossip in the harem. I think it would be best to confer upon her the title of Beauty. What does Your Majesty think?"

Hearing this, the emperor was overjoyed: "Everything shall be arranged according to Mother Empress's wishes!"

He simply wanted to take the woman into the harem; her rank was secondary.

On the surface, the Empress Dowager acknowledged Xiao Xiuzhan's words, but in reality, she was still complying with the emperor's wishes.

"If that is the case, then take Beauty Su away and settle her in the Palace of Gathered Elegance! Let the banquet continue!" With the Empress Dowager's order, the music struck up again, covering up the earlier commotion.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Consort Xi's face clouded with anger.

The emperor, on the contrary, wore an expression of barely contained anticipation.

He secretly estimated the time, planning to find an excuse to go to the Palace of Gathered Elegance once Beauty Su had finished bathing and dressing.

Xiao Xiuzhan felt as if sitting on pins and needles and, unable to bear it any longer, excused himself on the pretext of being unable to handle more wine, and left the banquet.

Seeing this, Jiang Yaozhen also quietly left her seat and followed.

Palace attendants were about to lead Ning Xiang to the Palace of Gathered Elegance when Xiao Xiuzhan stopped them coldly with a stern shout: "All of you, get out of my sight!"

The palace attendants dared not disobey and had no choice but to retreat.

Ning Xiang, unhurried, bowed to Xiao Xiuzhan: "Greetings, Third Prince."

"Su Ningxiang, you have some nerve! How dare you, behind this prince's back, seduce Father Emperor! Who gave you the courage?!" Xiao Xiuzhan was furious.

"Didn't Your Highness force Ningxiang to take this step?" Ningxiang raised her eyes, tears glistening, "Does Your Highness remember how long it has been since you last visited Ningxiang at the Spring Fragrance Pavilion? Places like the Spring Fragrance Pavilion always favor the rising and scorn the falling. With Your Highness not visiting Ningxiang and many newcomers arriving at the pavilion, the Brothel Madam wanted to force Ningxiang to receive clients. If Ningxiang hadn't taken this risky move, I'm afraid I would have truly ended up, as Consort Xi said, being passed from man to man!"

Ningxiang's delicate, tearful appearance softened Xiao Xiuzhan's heart.

So, it was because she had lost his protection that she was forced to resort to such a desperate measure.

Indeed, during this period, he had been busy with court affairs and had no time to spare for the Spring Fragrance Pavilion.

Ever since discovering that Jiang Yaozhen carried a unique fragrance, he had gradually lost interest in Ningxiang.

"Then what about the unique fragrance on your body, and... your virginity? How do you explain those?" Xiao Xiuzhan still had doubts.

Ningxiang's mouth curved in a self-mocking smile.

"Does Your Highness truly believe there are women in this world born with a natural body fragrance? This fragrance is merely the result of Ningxiang taking a medicine called the 'Fragrance Pill.' This medicine is poisonous; long-term use leads to infertility. But to gain His Majesty's favor, even if it means I can never bear children, Ningxiang is willing! As for the virginity..." Ningxiang paused, "If I can forge a body fragrance, then a maidenhead is hardly difficult, is it?"

Xiao Xiuzhan was shocked upon hearing this: "You... this is the crime of deceiving the emperor!"

"Shh!" Ningxiang pressed her slender jade finger against Xiao Xiuzhan's lips, whispering, "As long as Your Highness doesn't speak of it, it is not deceiving the emperor. Ningxiang only wishes to live with dignity. I hope Your Highness, considering how diligently Ningxiang has served you all these years, will give Ningxiang a way to survive. Is that acceptable?"

The rich fragrance emanating from Ningxiang, along with her face, which appeared even more enchanting than before, stirred Xiao Xiuzhan's heart.

The thought that she would become his father's woman in the future actually sparked an indescribable jealousy and resentment within him.

Xiao Xiuzhan looked at Ningxiang, a flash of greed in his eyes: "If this prince helps you keep this secret, how will you repay me?"

Ningxiang pretended to hesitate: "What does Your Highness want?"

Xiao Xiuzhan leaned close to her ear, his tone ambiguous: "Naturally... to have you blow more pillow talk for this prince in Father Emperor's ear..."

This scene happened to be witnessed by Jiang Yaozhen not far away.

Consumed by jealousy, she rushed forward, furious: "Your Highness! How can you, behind my back, entangle yourself with another woman?!"

Seeing this, Ningxiang quickly retreated a few steps, bowed to Xiao Xiuzhan, and took her leave: "Your Highness, this commoner woman will take her leave first."

With that, she drifted away.

Xiao Xiuzhan gazed at Ningxiang's departing figure, undisguised longing in his eyes.

"Your Highness!" Jiang Yaozhen's anger was hard to quell, "With such behavior, do you have any regard for me, your fiancée?"

"So what if I have you in my sights or not?" Xiao Xiuzhan closed in on Jiang Yaozhen, and indeed, he did not detect the unusual fragrance from before. He sneered, "Last time, you took a 'fragrance pill' before coming to see me, didn't you? I actually believed you were born with that scent, but it was just some drug. What? You think you can fool me and still forbid me from seeing other women? Who gave you the nerve?"

Jiang Yaozhen never expected her trick to be exposed on the spot. Instantly overwhelmed with shame, her face flushed crimson.

She quickly feigned a tearful look: "I deserve to die for this! I only wanted Your Highness to care for me more, so I resorted to such a desperate measure. I never meant to deceive you. I know I shouldn't interfere with Your Highness's private affairs, but that Miss Ning Xiang is now His Majesty's woman. If you insist on entangling with her, aren't you afraid of inviting disaster?"

"I was just stringing her along to make her useful," Xiao Xiuzhan said, looking at Jiang Yaozhen's eyes, which were deeper and more alluring than those of ordinary women. He chuckled lightly, "Is Second Miss Jiang jealous? Don't worry. Ning Xiang may have an unusual scent, but she's nowhere near as good-looking as you. Naturally, I still prefer you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he eagerly yanked off the veil covering Jiang Yaozhen's face, intending to steal a kiss.

When he saw her face covered with festering pustules, he recoiled in horror.

"You... what happened to your face?!"