Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 55

Late at night, when the surroundings were quiet, Xiao Yu opened the curtain and looked at Qin Ling’s swollen legs. Immediately, a lump formed in his throat.

Blaming anyone was blaming oneself.

Perhaps fast asleep, Qin Ling lacked self-control. Feeling itchy, she scratched her leg, but just as she felt comfortable, her hand was caught by a larger hand and lifted.

“Don’t scratch.”

Qin Ling had consumed a lot of medicine that night, and her mind was hazy. She squinted at Xiao Yu, unsure if she was looking at him, and eventually fell into a confused slumber.

Xiao Yu sighed and tore off a ribbon, wrapping it around her wrist.

That night, Qin Ling slept in his embrace—

In the first year of the Yanxi era, in the third month, the grass grew lush, and birds were in flight. A significant event occurred in the imperial court as the Qi army suddenly invaded the border of Sizhou with unprecedented aggression. Amid the widespread panic, General Su Jingbei, with sixty thousand elite soldiers, marched to the border to confront the enemy. The empress was pregnant with the eldest prince, and the Su family was devoted to the country, causing a subtle disturbance in the restless harem.

Since the arrival of the three consorts in the palace, besides the Yangxin Hall, the emperor could only be found in the Kunning Palace. They could only revolve around the palace, chasing after the emperor’s shadow. Considering the upcoming birthday of the empress, all the imperial consorts gathered in the Cining Palace.

Empress Dowager Chu looked at Su Ling and said, “I heard that the empress has started experiencing morning sickness. It’s so exhausting; it must be a prince.”

Confirming it as a prince was not appropriate.

Su Ling replied, “The physicians said it will get better after this period.”

Just as they discussed this, they heard footsteps approaching, and the palace maids inside the hall bowed and said, “May Your Majesty be safe and well.”

Su Ling and the three consorts paid their respects together, saying, “We pay our respects to Your Majesty.”

“Please rise.”

Xiao Yu paid his respects to the dowager and then, as usual, sat beside Su Ling.

Everyone knew that the new emperor did not indulge in sensual pleasures. His gaze was always indifferent, so indifferent that it made the Six Palaces lose their luster. Only when he looked at the empress, occasionally stealing a few glances, could one discern some warmth in his eyes. After years of marriage, their bond was naturally incomparable to others.

As the saying goes, “A woman’s heart is as deep as the ocean,” which was true. There was a certain kind of affection that could only be generated through a man’s exclusive favor. It could be said that the more unattainable a man seemed, the more enticing he became, and the more one obtained him, the more content one felt. Li Yuan thought so.

After appreciating the myriad colors among the people present, the empress dowager smiled and said, “The empress is carrying the dragon heir, and she has been experiencing morning sickness all along. Yet, she still has to handle the affairs of the Six Palaces. Truly, it’s been tough on her.”

Xiao Yu turned his head and asked, “She’s been experiencing morning sickness?”

Su Ling said, “It’s much better now, as compared to before.”

The empress dowager smiled and said to the three consorts, “As consorts of the harem, you should also share the burden with the empress.”

Share the burden.

When it came to sharing power in the harem, the only thing that could be shared was favor. This was already the third time the empress dowager had brought up this matter.

The three consorts stood together and said, “We will heed Your Ladyship’s teachings.”

Consort Liu was talented, Consort Xue was glamorous and enchanting, and Consort Li was charming and captivating. In the eyes of the empress dowager, they were like flower buds waiting to bloom in early spring, patiently awaiting the emperor’s picking.

The empress dowager smiled and nodded, then turned to Xiao Yu and said, “I heard that you all sent books when you heard of my recent illness. Your concern is truly heartfelt.”

Though her words were implicit, the dowager’s allusion was naturally clear for someone like Xiao Yu, who was born and raised in the palace. His stepmother was accustomed to using ancestral admonishments to oppress others.

Xiao Yu’s gaze shifted, falling on Li Yuan’s figure. The faint scrutiny of a man was like striking a spark in this deep palace, igniting a flame.

Consort Xue concealed her thoughts on her face and frowned as she glanced at Li Yuan.

Then, as if nothing had happened, Xiao Yu casually asked the dowager, “How did Mother develop this recent illness? What did the physicians say?”

The dowager replied, “It’s nothing serious, just minor issues.”

Xiao Yu said, “Mother, please take good care of your health.”

This scene was truly filled with maternal love, filial piety, and harmony between husband and concubines, creating a tranquil atmosphere.

***

In the darkened Kunning Palace, Su Ling sat in front of the dressing table as usual, removing her earrings and makeup. Fu Ying stood by attentively, serving her. However, her expression was unlike usual.

Su Ling mischievously flicked some water droplets on her face and turned her head with a smile. “What are you thinking?”

Fu Ying replied, blinked her eyes, and stammered, “Wh-what could this servant be thinking? When will you rest today, Your Majesty?”

Su Ling glanced at the door. Since the war broke out, that man had been busy planning the transportation routes for grain and supplies with the Ministry of Revenue. He seemed even busier than before.

“Just wait a little longer,” Su Ling said.

Fu Ying opened her mouth, closed it again, and hesitated to speak.

“What’s wrong?” Su Ling asked.

Fu Ying slowed down her tone and tried to sound casual. “Your Majesty, you should rest early today. Eunuch Sheng said that His Majesty is resting in Changchun Palace today.”

Su Ling paused momentarily. Her eyes softened, and she whispered, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? Since that’s the case, then I’ll rest early.”

Fu Ying sighed in relief, knowing that her mistress could react differently. She said, “Then I’ll leave the lamp for you.”

Su Ling nodded. “Alright.”

The palace attendants withdrew under the moonlit crimson curtains, and the doors creaked shut.

Su Ling quietly walked away from the dressing table. In Changchun Palace was Consort Li, who went by the name Li Yuan, she thought.

She clenched her fists and paced aimlessly in the room, circling back and forth. Her chest felt inexplicably stifled as if she had lost a part of her soul. She collapsed onto the couch, taking deep breaths.

In fact, she had anticipated that there would be such a day, sooner or later. She didn’t marry an ordinary man, but an emperor. The court was in turmoil, factions vied for power, and the Su family’s influence was almost pushed to the forefront. The harem was destined to balance various forces, and she, as the master of the harem, should bear the burden.

Moreover, it would also prevent historians from recording Su Ling as a selfish and jealous woman. Yes, it should be like this.

She covered her lower abdomen, trying to calm her breathing. She didn’t know how long had passed, but she still endured it and looked up at the doors of the Kunning Palace.

In fact, whether in the past or now, Xiao Yu had always been busy. He had cases to handle, memorials to approve, and he often entered the palace in the early morning hours. He would softly say, “Ah Ling, I just came back.”

She still felt that the door would open, and he would come. She still wanted to wait for him.

But tonight was longer than any other night.

The spring rain was gentle and fine, but Su Ling felt incredibly stifled. With every blink, she could see his faint, low smile.

“If there are no state affairs, I promise to return to the residence every day.”

“I promise you, no matter how late it is, I will return to the Kunning Palace.”

“Ah Ling, nothing will change for you in my presence…”

The night was long, and the rain grew heavier, causing the windows to rattle.

Su Ling suddenly sat up, and her tightly wound emotions completely collapsed with a thunderclap. Tears the size of beans fell swiftly.

She buried her head in her knees.

She understood all the reasoning in the world.

But the order was wrong…

She sobbed with a covered face, whispering, “Why did you become my husband first before becoming my monarch?”

The daylight disappeared, and the moonlight grew dim.

The pouring rain pelted the windows of Changchun Palace.

Li Yuan had known since childhood that she would serve the Great Zhou’s emperor in the future. So on this night, she made thorough preparations. Even the transparent veil she wore was imbued with the fragrance of orchids.

As long as she pleased him once, he would savor it.

Xiao Yu sat on the couch, holding a crimson book that recorded the favored consorts, flipping through it repeatedly, and every page was about the Kunning Palace. The empress dowager had purposely sent this to him.

Each page contained evidence of the emperor’s exclusive favor toward one person.

Li Yuan stood by, feeling both ashamed and anxious, dressed in a light blue chiffon gown that clung to her body, revealing every detail clearly.

Xiao Yu closed the book, lifted his gaze, and saw Li Yuan’s cheeks flush. She reached out her hand and said, “I’m here to assist Your Majesty with changing clothes.”

He threw the crimson book aside.

If he came tonight, he wanted to do things properly.

Looking back at history, he knew how many monarchs had indulged in love and allowed grievances to arise in the harem, leading to factional strife. The emperor’s attitude toward the previous dynasty and the harem should have been fair and balanced to create a peaceful harmony. He was well aware of that. Even the ancestral teachings were explicitly written in this manner.

But at this moment, when Li Yuan approached, with the fragrance wafting in the air, the “Your Majesty” she spoke suddenly turned into “Third lang” in his mind.

“Third lang.”

Xiao Yu forcefully pushed the person in front of him, the strength in his palm causing Li Yuan to fall backward, her head hitting the purple sandalwood pillar behind her. The nearby candlestick was knocked over and extinguished.

He lowered his gaze and looked at the flickering flame, gradually tightening his grip on his fingers.

“Someone, come!”

This sudden rage made Eunuch Sheng tremble, “I’m here, Your Majesty.”

“Bring the lantern. I’m going back…”

Eunuch Sheng knew where he intended to go, so he didn’t ask further. Only Li Yuan, clutching her throbbing head, crawled over and knelt beside Xiao Yu, choked with sobs, “Your Majesty, please wait.” Li Yuan hooked her finger around the corner of his clothes, tears falling continuously. “Your Majesty, may I say a few words?”

The trembling, tearful, pleading beauty carried a sense of brokenness. Xiao Yu had experienced this sense of brokenness in the harem once before, including with his own mother. It was his stepmother who held great power, and it was his birth mother who died in the harem.

“Speak.”

Li Yuan was well aware that the emperor’s affection for his wife during his youth and a man realizing that more than one woman could capture his heart were two different matters. If she failed tonight, there would be no further chance for her.

This was her only opportunity.

Li Yuan lifted the fallen candlestick, turned around, and retrieved the crimson book. With red-rimmed eyes, she said, “I know why Your Majesty favors me, and I also know why the empress dowager sent this book. Naturally, I understand… why Your Majesty came to me tonight.”

Xiao Yu’s expression turned fierce, his voice even lower, “Li shi, gather your wits before speaking.”

“Your Majesty, I have a presumption in mind. You can punish me however you wish, but tonight, I implore you to stay in Changchun Palace and complete this book. It’s chilly tonight, and if you wish to review documents, I’ll prepare ink and light the lamps for you. If you wish to rest, I’ll remain on duty to serve you.” Li Yuan tightened her clothes as she spoke, concealing her allure, and lowered her head with the utmost propriety. Her words were so understanding and tactful, like a gust of wind dispersing the knots in one’s heart.

“What do you want?” Xiao Yu asked.

Li Yuan knelt on the ground, lifted her head, and spoke slowly, “Your Majesty, I am merely a dust-like existence in this world. The Li family has received your grace for generations, and even I, Li Yuan, can be considered one you have raised. Whether it is as a recipient of your favor or as a servant, it is all a blessing, the gratitude I should repay in this lifetime. I, Li Yuan, truly, truly have no other requests.”

Xiao Yu pondered momentarily and looked at her, saying, “We remember your maternal family name is Jiang, isn’t it?”

Li Yuan blinked and replied, “Yes.”

Xiao Yu tapped his fingertips on the desk and said in a low voice, “Light the lamps.”