newbobooks Chapter 113 The Ruthless and Cold-Hearted Emperor and His Beloved Concubine 11
Chapter 113 The Ruthless and Cold-Hearted Emperor and His Beloved Concubine 11
The chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom, and Empress Xiao held a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet, inviting the Crown Princess and Chu Yue to attend as well.
As Chu Yue was someone whom her son liked, Empress Xiao naturally extended her affection to her as well.
When Chu Yue arrived at Yun Jin Palace, the Crown Princess had already finished getting ready.
Today she is dressed in the Crown Princess's palace attire, which is luxurious and elegant, with exquisite patterns embroidered on it. She also wears dazzling jewelry on her head, with gold hairpins and jade hairpins that exude nobility.
Chu Yue stepped forward and bowed slightly: "This concubine greets the Crown Princess..."
"Get up." The Crown Princess's voice was completely flat.
She looked at Chu Yue, her eyes turning cold, as if she were an enemy.
"Your Highness, it was all my fault last time. My body is too weak. I bled uncontrollably after drinking the contraceptive soup, which is why Your Highness was angry. I really didn't mean to."
Chu Yue frowned slightly, a look of guilt on her face.
"Consort Chu, it is your blessing that His Highness does not allow you to drink. If you are fortunate enough to give birth to His Highness's child, you will also have to call me your legal mother. His Highness and I will treat her well."
The Crown Princess looked at Chu Yue with disdain in her eyes, and sure enough, when she said those words, Consort Chu's expression changed.
So what if she wins His Highness's favor? She's just a concubine, and the children she bears will be raised under her name.
Chu Yue's face paled, and she spoke in a hoarse voice, "What the Crown Princess said is true..."
The Crown Princess did not feel pleased with Chu Yue's humble demeanor.
She was the legal wife; all she did was send her a bowl of contraceptive soup. In any other family, people would say she did the right thing.
But His Highness, for the sake of Consort Chu, stormed into her palace and forced her to drink a contraceptive potion.
After that day, she recuperated for a long time, but her body became weak.
When her period came again, she experienced persistent lower abdominal pain and continuous vaginal discharge.
However, Consort Chu won His Highness's favor and recovered her health.
He was standing perfectly fine in front of her, with exquisite makeup, and even though he was only wearing an elegant dress, there was no sign of any illness on his part.
"Let's go. The Empress is hosting a chrysanthemum appreciation banquet. You are a member of the Eastern Palace. Don't embarrass the Eastern Palace if you go." The Crown Princess's expression was cold, and her words were merciless.
Chu Yue whispered, "Yes, Crown Princess." Then she followed behind.
Royal Garden
All the ladies-in-waiting invited by Empress Xiao had arrived, including Consort Chen and Consort Xian, who sat there in their magnificent palace attire, exuding elegance.
Chu Yue followed the Crown Princess to her seat, where she was surrounded by the families of the empresses and princes, creating a lively atmosphere.
"Her Majesty the Empress has arrived..."
Ruyue helped Empress Xiao slowly approach.
Chu Yue followed the others in bowing: "Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress..."
Empress Xiao wore a magnificent golden palace dress, exuding elegance and grace. Her makeup was exquisite. Since the Crown Prince recovered, she was no longer worried and haggard. Her mood improved, and she looked several years younger.
She sat upright at the head of the table, her gaze sweeping over everyone, and said calmly, "Rise, all of you."
"Your Majesty the Empress..."
"Today's banquet is just a simple affair, please make yourselves at home."
Empress Xiao smiled faintly. Now that the Crown Prince had recovered, everything seemed pleasing to her eye.
No longer feeling constrained, everyone relaxed and began to enjoy the flowers.
Chu Yue sat there with her back straight, and after a while, she became a little stiff.
In such an occasion, though it may seem casual, who would dare to truly let their guard down?
One wrong move and you could be charged with a serious offense of disrespect.
"Your Majesty, I heard that something happened at the Eastern Palace a few days ago. I wonder if it has been resolved now?"
Consort Chen spoke with a smile, appearing concerned about everyone in the Eastern Palace.
The Crown Princess's face stiffened; she hadn't expected the news to get out.
She wasn't afraid of the news spreading that she had given the contraceptive soup; people would only say she had done the right thing. What she feared was that the news would spread that the Crown Prince had also given her the contraceptive soup.
Empress Xiao's expression remained unchanged: "What could possibly happen in the Eastern Palace? Consort Chen must have misheard."
"Your Majesty, I am only concerned about you. He has finally recovered from his injuries. I hope nothing else happens to him."
"Consort Chen is overthinking it." Empress Xiao looked at Consort Chen with a warning in her eyes.
Consort Chen smiled and said nothing more.
Chu Yue sat there listening to their heated debate, feeling even more exhausted. Where there are many women, there is a battlefield, and she didn't know when it would end.
The Crown Princess glanced at her, feeling even more displeased; she looked like someone who couldn't be presented in public.
"Oh dear, Consort Chu, I was careless. Are you alright?" the Crown Princess asked anxiously.
When Chu Yue came to her senses, her dress was already soaked with tea, making her look rather disheveled.
Seriously... speechless. Don't be so obvious about it.
"I'm... fine." Chu Yue lowered her head and wiped her dress.
Empress Xiao looked over upon hearing the commotion: "What has happened?"
"Your Majesty, I have accidentally wet Consort Chu's dress. I am truly ashamed."
The Crown Princess frowned deeply, extremely worried.
"Ruyue, have someone take Consort Chu downstairs to change her clothes."
Empress Xiao gave the order in a deep voice, looking at the Crown Princess with some displeasure. In such a situation, how could she, as the Crown Princess, make such a small mistake?
Ruyue nodded in agreement and gestured to Shanhu to take Chu Liangdi away. Shanhu came to Chuyue and said, "Chu Liangdi, come with me."
Chu Yue bowed respectfully to the Empress: "This concubine... thanks Your Majesty the Empress..."
Empress Xiao nodded with a softened expression.
"With such a beauty in the Crown Prince's residence, there must be good news to come." Consort Chen watched all this.
Speaking of this, Empress Xiao gets angry. Good news?
The Crown Princess herself is useless, and she even sends contraceptive soup to the other concubines. Where will the good news come from?
“Prince Cheng is not young anymore, it’s time for him to marry a princess to continue the royal lineage.” How could Empress Xiao be at a disadvantage? He was the empress, the mother of the nation.
Although she lost her composure for the sake of the Crown Prince a few days ago, now that the Crown Prince is better, he won't have the chance to act arrogantly in front of her.
Consort Chen's lips stiffened: "Chen'er is easygoing and might upset the young lady. It's not too late to talk about it when he's a bit more mature."
It wasn't that she didn't want Prince Cheng to marry a concubine; what she wanted was for him to marry someone who could be helpful to him, someone from a strong family background.
"That's why we need to marry a princess to settle things down. If we keep doing this, it'll become a bad situation."
Empress Xiao gave her no chance to refute, and once she started the conversation, she was determined to continue.
"Your Majesty's opinion must be consulted," Consort Chen gradually conceded defeat.
"His Majesty naturally shares the same opinion as me." Empress Xiao looked at Consort Chen, her smile not showing.
Consort Chen twitched the corners of her mouth and didn't say anything more. No matter what she said, she couldn't win the argument.
Consort Xian chuckled inwardly, watching everything unfold with indifference. Let them fight it out, let them fight to the death, that way, her Ze'er will have a chance.
The Crown Princess thought about her health and wondered if she would have any chance of having children, as they had mentioned.
The imperial physician gave a vague answer, saying that with proper care, she would be fine, but she clearly felt that her body had become much weaker.
For a moment, she felt a sense of panic. What a tragedy it was for a woman to be unable to bear children.
If someone else were to give birth to the Crown Prince's child, wouldn't her position be threatened?