abcnovels
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
Chapter 16
He pinched Jiang Xinyue's nose: "My dear consort speaks truly. I too do not believe in ghosts, which is why I've come to help you catch this ghost tonight."
"The Empress has arrived—"
Empress Zhu entered, and Jiang Xinyue withdrew from the Emperor's embrace to pay her respects.
"No need for such formality from the Cherished Consort."
Before the Xuanwu Emperor, Empress Zhu maintained her poise and elegance: "Were you not frightened?"
Jiang Xinyue glanced warily at the Emperor, her face flushed as she replied: "No... not at all!"
The Xuanwu Emperor teased: "I would have said a prayer of thanks if she was not scared by that ghost."
As he spoke, Wang Dequan had already brought in Concubine Chu and her attendants before the Emperor and Empress: "Your Majesty, Concubine Chu has arrived."
"Vile woman, it was you who went to the Palace of Exile and incited Jiang Yutong to hang herself in Xihuo Palace. And it was you who had your maid pretend to be a ghost to frighten the Cherished Consort?"
Concubine Chu was so terrified that her legs went weak and she fell to her knees, trembling as she stared at Hong Xi, too petrified to speak.
Empress Zhu sighed: "Concubine Chu, do you admit your crime?"
Concubine Chu lifted her head, the feigned gentleness in her eyes now replaced by resentful glares directed at Jiang Xinyue, cowering behind the Xuanwu Emperor's back.
"This concubine is innocent!"
Concubine Chu stubbornly protested: "This concubine did not go to the Palace of Exile. It is the Cherished Consort herself who is wicked, despised even by her own sister. She cannot stand to see this lowly one rise in status. This concubine merely had Hong Xi pretend to be a ghost to frighten her, but she was unharmed. What crime is there in that?"
"That is only because I had His Majesty's protection, or else I might have fainted from your fright."
Jiang Xinyue brushed away imaginary tears as she feigned distress: "The imperial physician said I was severely shaken and need complete rest. If I were to be frightened again, I could fall gravely ill beyond the cure of any medicine. Was Concubine Chu trying to scare me to death?"
The Xuanwu Emperor took this opportunity to punish her: "Concubine Chu is cruel and vicious, plotting against the other consorts. From this day forth, she is demoted to the lowest rank of palace maid and sent to the Criminal Servants' Prison as a slave."
Whether or not she truly went to the Palace of Exile to release Jiang Yutong, the Emperor had spoken, so it must be true.
Jiang Xinyue did not mind going along with the Emperor's judgment against the newly demoted Chu, given the resentment she harbored.
As for the true mastermind behind the scenes, Jiang Xinyue was not in a hurry. That person should be the one feeling anxious now.
After all the commotion, the Xuanwu Emperor rested in Xihuo Palace.
Seven days apart had made the Emperor's passion run high, leaving Jiang Xinyue struggling to keep up. After their lovemaking, Wang Dequan dutifully brought the customary "nourishing soup" as usual.
Observing her drink it down so readily, Wang Dequan felt a twinge of guilt.
The Xuanwu Emperor tenderly kissed her cheek: "Is there anything my beloved desires?"
Yet no sooner had he asked than he regretted it.
A ruler's word carried great weight - what if the Cherished Consort made an unreasonable request that put him in a difficult position? Should he grant it or not?
"This consort desires..."
She embraced the Emperor's sturdy waist, gazing up at him as if he were her entire world, her eyes brimming with pure adoration that made him avert his gaze.
The innocent girl offered her true heart clumsily yet sincerely: "This consort is rather greedy... I desire Your Majesty's heart."
Her response was unexpected. The wariness in the Emperor's eyes melted away as he tenderly replied: "My heart belongs to you already. See for yourself?"
He took her hand and placed it on his chest.
Feeling the firm muscles beneath, her heart raced, but she suppressed her excitement and feigned a shy, bashful demeanor as she pressed her face against the Emperor's solid chest.
Jiang Xinyue did not believe the honeyed words of this man prone to uttering pleasant falsehoods.
Yet that did not stop her from indulging in another long night of passion with the skilled Xuanwu Emperor.
From being so bold and forward, the next day Jiang Xinyue experienced firsthand what those novels described - the leading lady rendered too weak to leave the bed after being thoroughly ravished by the domineering male lead.
That morning when the Xuanwu Emperor went to court, she had intended to dote on him by helping him dress. But the moment she tried to stand, her legs turned to jelly and she tumbled forward.
Had the Emperor not caught her swiftly, she might have fallen flat on her face in an utterly disgraceful manner.
With a look of deep satisfaction, the Xuanwu Emperor scooped her up and deposited her on the bed: "I have already sent word to Yikun Palace that you are unwell today, so you need not go pay respects."
"But I cannot do that!"
Jiang Xinyue shot him a resentful look: "This consort had intended to ask the Empress today to have servants come move my residence. I must go."
"I will have Wang Dequan instruct the Imperial Household Department to send people. Just obey me."
Jiang Xinyue wrapped her arms around his neck, her eyes alight with adoration: "This consort understands the Emperor's consideration and is delighted. But I have not paid respects to the Empress for seven days already. If I do not go now after spending the night, others will say I have grown arrogant and unrestrained through the Emperor's favor."
"I am happy to indulge you; you may grow arrogant with my favor if you wish."
Yes!
When favored, he was happy to spoil her, finding even her willful behavior charming and appealingly innocent.
But the day his favor waned, everyone - including the Emperor himself - would condemn that same "arrogance and lack of restraint" he now indulged.
"This consort does not want that."
The indulgences other consorts could only dream of, she dared not accept: "The Empress has always treated this consort well, as has my senior sister Consort Liang. I do not wish others to say I am disrespectful to the Empress or make her lose face. This consort would feel deeply upset by that."
She clung to his neck like a spoiled child: "Your Majesty... please do not be so... vigorous next time! My legs have gone quite weak."
The beauty's languid murmurs in his ear nearly made him lose control again. To prevent the situation from becoming even more improper, he swiftly took his leave.
Jiang Xinyue smiled faintly, then immediately rose and summoned her maids Xique and Shuangjiang to assist with her grooming and attire.
She wore a bright pink palace dress with a hem that trailed along the floor, the pale green silk embroidered with peach blossoms, butterflies, and other intricate patterns in various shapes and vivid colors.
The ornate ensemble only enhanced her already striking beauty, making her appear all the more gorgeously alluring.
With her hair simply styled and adorned with earrings, bracelets, hairpins, silk flowers, and hair ornaments, she exuded elegance and nobility.
Lastly she put on the ornate dress robe, leaving her maids Xique and Shuangjiang utterly enchanted by her radiant appearance.
At Yikun Palace—
The concubines in the room all stared at the entrance, as Consort Jiang had recently been favored. She wore a pink palace dress, looking even more beautiful, and covered her mouth with a slight laugh, "Consort Zhen attended His Majesty's bedchamber last night. She should be in high spirits, so why hasn't she come to pay respects to the Empress?"
Consort Liang praised Consort Zhen for being sensible, saying she was not like Concubine Li, who became arrogant due to the Emperor's affection and disrespected the Empress.
What a slap in the face!
It seems that in the palace, once a woman gains favor, she becomes haughty.
Consort Zhen was no exception.
The bright sunlight shone through the entrance of the Yikun Palace hall, and a graceful figure appeared, "It's only been one night, and Consort Jiang already misses me so much?"