Consort Xi Men Xin Yue, accompanied by her personal maid Lian Yan, came out to greet him, standing at the entrance of the grand hall and bowing respectfully. "This concubine greets Your Majesty. May Your Majesty live ten thousand years."
"Rise."
The cold, harsh voice reached Xi Men Xin Yue's ears, and a myriad of thoughts flashed through her mind in an instant. She followed the tall figure into the hall.
Inside the grand hall, ornate crystal palace lanterns hung in the four corners, casting colorful light onto the floor, making it extraordinarily beautiful. The Emperor walked to the head seat and sat down, coldly commanding, "All of you, withdraw."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
In the grand hall, eunuchs and palace maids cautiously filed out. Only Xi Men Xin Yue and the Emperor on the high seat remained.
The Emperor's handsome features were somewhat sinister under the shadow of the palace lanterns, and a ferocious light flashed in his eyes. He spoke coolly, "Xin Yue, come here. I have something to ask you."
Although his tone was gentle, it sent a chill down her spine. Xi Men Xin Yue retreated two steps instead of moving forward. The man on the high seat's expression darkened.
"What is it?"
Xi Men Xin Yue knelt down, trembling, and spoke with eyes as clear as water, "Your Majesty, has this concubine done anything to displease you?"
She could tell that the man on the upper seat was very angry, but she didn't know why. She felt scared and uneasy from the bottom of her heart, speaking more cautiously.
"A Jiu committed suicide."
The Emperor spoke with a blank expression. Xi Men Xin Yue nodded, "This concubine has already heard."
"Why did he commit suicide when he was fine? And you have always seemed to trouble him, yet he tolerated you again and again. What unspeakable secret is there between you two?"
Each word was spoken with force, like a golden hammer striking a heavy drum, each sound astonishing.
Xi Men Xin Yue's face turned pale, a fleeting light flashed in her eyes, and she spoke quickly, "Your Majesty, what could there be between him and me? I don't know about his affairs. This concubine just saw him in trouble, so I bullied him. This concubine knows she was wrong. This concubine knows she was wrong."
If this man were to know what she had done, she would not live to see another day. Xi Men Xin Yue dared not say another word, nor did she dare to reveal any flaw.
She kowtowed repeatedly and begged for mercy.
The man on the high seat narrowed his eyes, a dangerous glint flashing past.
His figure blurred, and he was beside Xi Men Xin Yue. He reached out with one hand, grasping her by the neck, and lifted her entirely.
Although his grip was not of full strength, it was enough to make her suffocate. Xi Men Xin Yue, though skilled in martial arts, dared not struggle, as any struggle would only hasten her death.
"Your Majesty, how can you treat this concubine like this? What mistake has this concubine made? Your Majesty, this concubine still carries your flesh and blood in her womb!"
This last sentence finally had some effect. The Emperor's hand loosened, and Xi Men Xin Yue slumped to the ground like a soft shrimp, as humble as mud, not daring to say another word.
This man was truly as cruel as a tiger or wolf. Even if she knew martial arts, if she dared to fight back, he would likely cripple her without hesitation. xxs壹贰
"If I find out you're hiding anything from me, you—will—not—fare—well."
As the last few words fell, Xi Men Xin Yue's body trembled uncontrollably. Coughing, she said, "Your Majesty, how could this concubine dare to hide anything from Your Majesty? Even if Your Majesty gave this concubine ten thousand胆量, she still wouldn't dare."
As her words ended, the tall figure in front of her turned abruptly and walked towards the outside. The voice of a eunuch was heard, "His Majesty is returning to the palace."
As soon as the Emperor left, Xi Men Xin Yue's personal maid, Lian Yan, rushed in. Seeing her mistress collapsed on the ground, her face changed. She quickly asked, "Your Highness, what happened?"
Xi Men Xin Yue said nothing. With the support of Lian Yan's hand, she got up. There were many things Lian Yan did not know, not only Lian Yan, but even her father, Xi Men Zheng Hao, was unaware of this matter.
Throughout the entire court, only she knew the inside story. If she made even a slight mistake, the Xi Men family would not have a moment's peace.
At this moment, Xi Men Xin Yue finally, belatedly, felt fear. This was all the retribution for her own actions. She prayed that it would not implicate the people of the Xi Men family.
"It's nothing."
Xi Men Xin Yue shook her head, said nothing, and turned to head towards her sleeping quarters...
Leaving Jian Yang Palace, the Emperor, with a somber expression, coldly ordered a eunuch beside him, "From today onwards, pay close attention to every move of Consort Shu, Xi Men Xin Yue, in Jian Yang Palace. Report any clue to me immediately."
"Yes, Your Majesty." The eunuch received the order, calmly instructed two other eunuchs to monitor Jian Yang Palace. Eunuch A Jiu's suicide had allowed him to rise. His name was Xiao Lin Zi. After giving instructions to the junior eunuchs, Xiao Lin Zi walked over and respectfully asked, "Is His Majesty returning to the palace now, or going to another palace?"
A flicker of interest crossed the Emperor's handsome face. The concubines selected to enter the palace a few days ago had not yet been favored. They were all beautiful women, and although they couldn't compare to the Empress, they were far more charming. Moreover, he couldn't casually go to the Empress's quarters; it would be troublesome if any flaws were revealed. It seemed some matters needed to be implemented quickly.
"Go to Consort Mei's palace."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Xiao Lin Zi immediately announced to those behind him, "Prepare the imperial carriage to Consort Mei's palace."
A night of spring breeze and rain turned into dew. The entire vast harem knew of Consort Mei's favor. Early in the morning, Wen De Palace, where Consort Mei resided, was bustling with people. The concubines who had recently entered the palace, as well as the Zhao Yi, all came to offer their congratulations.
Pink blossoms and green willows, fragrant hair and flowing sleeves.
Eunuchs came and went busily. The Emperor bestowed many gifts, making the concubines who had not yet been favored very envious. Although they spoke words of congratulations, their hearts were filled with hidden schemes.
Consort Mei on the high seat was radiant with joy, her smile like peach blossoms. Her fair jade fingers, adorned with red nail polish, revealed a jade thumb ring set with emerald, which gleamed with a green light, clearly a precious item. This once again drew gasps of admiration from everyone.
It seemed the Emperor truly favored Consort Mei, bestowing so many gifts and a valuable jade ring.
The news of Consort Mei's favor reached Xi Men Xin Yue's Jian Yang Palace early in the morning, and also reached Feng Luan Palace.
Xi Men Xin Yue in Jian Yang Palace wore a grim and unreadable expression. She had tried to steal a chicken but ended up losing the rice.
Last night, that man had almost strangled her to death, and yet he still had the heart to favor that slut, Sima Lan Mei.
It was understandable that the Emperor would favor these women after they entered the palace. Xi Men Xin Yue had made preparations when she allowed them to enter.
However, she never dreamed that in her near-death state, the man would still have the inclination to favor other women. This made her resentful and unable to find peace.
She abruptly stood up and waved her slender jade fingers, causing precious antique jade ornaments beside her to shatter on the floor.
The palace maids in the hall, not knowing what had happened, were so startled that they all fell to their knees.