freenovelworld Chapter 23 The Cold-Hearted Emperor and His Favorite Concubine
Chapter 23 The Cold-Hearted Emperor and His Favorite Concubine
Today is Chu Yue's first time paying respects to the Empress since being made a concubine, and she has prepared herself well in advance.
"Master, it's ready." Xiao Tao put the hairpin in her hair.
Chu Yue glanced at it, found it acceptable, and nodded: "Let's go..."
When she arrived, everyone else was already there. Chu Yue was secretly surprised. What was going on today? Everyone was here so early.
"Your Majesty, I greet you all, my sisters..." Chu Yue bowed respectfully and paid her respects.
The Imperial Concubine had no desire to see Chu Yue's beautiful face. His Majesty was completely disregarding his own dignity as an Imperial Concubine for her sake.
"Get up," Consort Shu said calmly.
"Your Highness Consort Xie..." Chu Yue sat down in her seat.
Consort Xian was just a little in front of her. Looking at this person who was basically her equal, Consort Xian felt unhappy and her words became sarcastic: "It's true that one should look at a person with new eyes after three days of separation."
Consort Chu, a nobody in the palace, became Consort Chu after just one trip with His Majesty. She must have used some seductive tricks.
"Your Highness, what are you saying..." Chu Yue didn't want to waste time chatting with her.
"Now that Consort Chu has gained His Majesty's favor, does she have no regard for anyone else?"
Consort Xian would never miss an opportunity to mock Chu Yue.
"Your Highness is joking..." Chu Yue didn't want to talk to her, but the Consort kept trying to make conversation, so she had to muster her energy to deal with her.
"Sister Xianfei, you mustn't offend Consort Chu, or His Majesty will be angry if he finds out."
The Imperial Concubine slowly reminded the Virtuous Concubine that she was naturally happy to see Chu Yue being targeted, but she also had to offer some advice, because if His Majesty blamed her, she wouldn't be held responsible.
But if the Noble Consort said that, the Virtuous Consort would only get angrier. "Does His Majesty dote on Consort Chu so much?"
Consort Xian didn't believe it. What kind of person was His Majesty? He never treated any woman in the harem with a kind look.
Was Consort Chu really that special?
"Your Majesty's favor is too much for me..." Chu Yue said softly, lowering her head.
Consort Xian glanced at her sideways. Consort Chu lived in the best place and received the best gifts from His Majesty. What methods did she use?
The Empress, having watched the commotion from behind, finally came out. The Emperor had embarrassed her by Consort Chu's promotion to the rank of Consort, and she couldn't say she had any good feelings towards Chu Yue.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects..."
"Get up, everyone sit down..."
"Your Majesty the Empress..."
"What are they all talking about? It sounds quite lively to me." The Empress smiled dignifiedly.
"Your Majesty and I are talking about Consort Chu. We envy her because she is His Majesty's favorite."
"That's what the Imperial Concubine said sweetly."
"If His Majesty is pleased, you must not bully Consort Chu." The Empress appeared dignified and magnanimous.
“You should all learn from Consort Chu and win His Majesty’s favor, then you won’t have to envy others.”
The Empress's expression changed slightly upon hearing this. In the harem, who didn't try their best to please the Emperor, yet he remained unmoved?
Even the Empress herself was just a figurehead, wasn't she?
"What Your Majesty the Empress says is true..." The Imperial Concubine and the others had no choice but to respond with smiles.
Chu Yue seemed somewhat at a loss as so many people teased her. Everyone in the hall took pleasure in making fun of her, ostensibly saying that she had won His Majesty's favor, but the implication was that she had used tricks. Otherwise, why would she be the only one who could win His Majesty's favor among so many people?
"Oh dear, what's wrong, Consort Chu? You look so pitiful, as if everyone has been bullying you."
Consort Xian felt relieved to see Chu Yue's helpless and flustered appearance.
"Your Majesty, I dare not..." Chu Yue said softly, biting her lip, and lowered her head helplessly, her eyes filled with tears.
"Alright, everyone, say less. Consort Chu is timid, don't frighten her, otherwise His Majesty will be angry, and I won't be able to help you."
The Empress seemed reasonable, and Chu Yue's pitiful state after being bullied made her feel a little better.
"No, no, I wouldn't dare..." Chu Yue quickly bowed and said respectfully.
Before she could get up, a voice came from outside: "His Majesty has arrived..."
The person inside the hall rose again to pay their respects: "Your Majesty, I, your humble servant, greet you..."
The emperor strode in, his gaze falling on his little darling, whose head was bowed and whose expression was unreadable.
"Get up," the emperor said calmly after he sat down.
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
I usually pay my respects to His Majesty but never get to see him. Why have you come today? But it's always good to see him.
"Your Majesty, what brings you here today?" The Empress was most pleased with this moment, because she was the only one who could sit beside His Majesty.
The emperor did not speak, his eyes fixed on Chu Yue. He hadn't been able to see her face clearly because she had her head down, but now he could tell that she seemed to have been crying.
Sitting there, isolated and helpless, surrounded by an aura of desolation.
He was worried that she would be targeted for suddenly advancing so much in her class, so he came to check on her, but he was too late.
The Empress followed his gaze and saw that the Emperor was looking at Consort Chu. Her expression stiffened for a moment, but she quickly regained her composure: "Your Majesty, Consort Chu is young and timid. She was frightened by a few teasing words from us concubines."
"I will send something to Consort Chu in a little while as an apology."
As an empress, she was willing to lower her head, so His Majesty had to give her some face, no matter what.
"Consort Chu." The emperor ignored the empress and simply called her his little darling.
Chu Yue looked up, her eyes red and filled with helplessness; she looked utterly pitiful.
"Your Majesty..." Chu Yue choked up as soon as she opened her mouth, as if she had seen someone she trusted and had grievances to tell.
The emperor's face darkened instantly. How dare they bully his people in broad daylight?
"Come here." The emperor extended his hand to her.
Chu Yue hesitated for a moment before taking small steps over.
Everyone else watched as Chu Yue walked to His Majesty's side, only to be pulled back by him.
The Empress almost lost her composure. She was clearly the only one who could stand by His Majesty's side, but now His Majesty had sent Chu Yue over. What did His Majesty mean by this?
The emperor held his beloved little hand and gently squeezed it: "Have you been crying?"
His voice was gentle yet magnetic, and the people in the hall were almost speechless with astonishment. When had His Majesty ever been so gentle?
"Your Majesty...no..." Chu Yue shook her head, biting her lip lightly.
Her voice was still choked with sobs; how could she not have cried?
"I have other matters to attend to. Consort Chu, come with me. Empress, keep a close eye on the others." After saying this, the Emperor stood up, pulled the others along, and left.
Regardless of what the other people's expressions were like.
He came here today to support his little darling; with him there, who would dare to bully her?
The Empress looked very unwell; His Majesty meant that she had mismanaged the harem.
"Go back now, and make sure this doesn't happen again."
The Empress was tired and waved her hand wearily.
"Yes, Your Majesty, I understand. I will take my leave now."
The imperial concubine and her companions bowed and withdrew. Although they had opinions, who could they talk to?
Chu Yue followed behind the emperor, her small hand held tightly by him the whole time, and he would squeeze it from time to time.
Upon arriving at the Qianzheng Hall, the emperor began to handle matters, and Chu Yue quickly went to the side to grind ink.
"You don't need to do it, just sit next to me." The emperor stopped her; how could the little darling's hands do these things?
It would be bad if you got hurt.
"Your Majesty, weren't you sent here to accompany you? If you won't let me grind the ink, what am I supposed to do?"
Chu Yue asked softly.
"Stay here with me, so you won't be bullied again."
"Is Your Majesty feeling sorry for me?"
Chu Yue nestled against him, her tone both coquettish and playful.
The emperor pinched her cheek without saying a word. He was naturally distressed; otherwise, why would he have gone over there?
He cherished her dearly, so naturally he couldn't let her be bullied.
"Your Majesty... it's a good thing you went, otherwise who knows how long they would have laughed at me?"
Chu Yue kept pestering him, making it impossible for him to concentrate on his work.
Helpless, the emperor could only reach out and hug her, touching noses with hers: "Don't pay attention to what others say, just listen to me obediently."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey..." Chu Yue leaned in and kissed him, then quickly lowered her head and buried herself in his arms.
The emperor was so exasperated by her that he laughed; she was truly a handful.
He pinched her twice with his large hand to stop her from moving. Only then could he concentrate on dealing with the matter.
Chu Yue dared not disturb him, silently nestled against the emperor, for today's scene was merely a minor spectacle.
With His Majesty's favor towards her so much, how could the people in the harem let her off easily?
Chu Yue had to be on the safe side, so after her night with the emperor, she asked Linglingyi for a fake pregnancy pill.
How to use it will depend on the situation.