flstandardbreds Chapter 331 A Pure and Ascetic Emperor × A Charming and Beloved Concubine 5
Chapter 331 A Pure and Ascetic Emperor × A Charming and Beloved Concubine 5
The emperor stood behind Chu Yue, easily plucked a flower, and personally placed one in her hair: "It's acceptable."
“Your Majesty…” Chu Yue looked back at him, her eyes only seeing the emperor: “Your Majesty, this is enough, let’s go back.”
The two walked past Consort Li and left. Consort Li's eyes almost popped out of her head. Why was His Majesty so special to Consort Chu?
Just because of this crabapple blossom?
"Your Majesty..." Lingyu helped her up, "Slow down..."
Consort Li's knees ached. Looking at the fallen crabapple blossoms, she stomped on them a few times angrily: "What's so great about them?"
"Your Highness, please go back. If Consort Chu finds out you stepped on her precious flower petals, she will punish you," Lingyu advised.
"I don't know what methods she used to seduce His Majesty."
"..."
Consort Li went back in a huff.
Ningxiang Palace
"Your Majesty, please try this..." Chu Yue gently picked up a piece of pastry and fed it to the emperor's lips: "I made this myself."
The emperor looked at her hand; her once fair and delicate fingertips were now somewhat red and swollen. He leaned over slightly and bit her hand: "Why did you go to all that trouble? You even hurt your hand."
"Your Majesty, I want you to know my feelings. Only by taking action yourself can I show my sincerity."
Chu Yue put down the pastries and prepared to take a handkerchief to wipe her hands. The emperor held her hand and gently wiped her fingertips: "I understand Consort Chu's intentions."
Being with Consort Chu was so comfortable; the emperor didn't know why Consort Chu was so attractive to him.
Chu Yue smiled sweetly and spoke to the emperor in a coquettish voice. The emperor would occasionally reply, and the two seemed quite affectionate.
……
For the past few days, it has been Chu Yue who has been serving the emperor. He thought that the emperor was only occasionally interested, but unexpectedly, more than half a month has passed and Chu Yue has not fallen out of favor.
"Consort Yun and Consort Chu are of the same rank, and they are currently the sole favorites of His Majesty."
In the Imperial Garden, Consort Li spoke in a sarcastic tone, as if she thought His Majesty would bestow his favors equally upon all.
"This... I... I can't do anything about it." Consort Yun frowned slightly. What could she do when His Majesty favored Consort Chu?
Consort Li looked unwell. They were all useless; what were they doing in the palace?
Consort Yun was being disrespectful, so Consort Li turned to Consort Liu and asked, "Consort Liu, what do you think?"
Consort Liu's face remained expressionless as she gazed into the distance, her eyes landing on the vibrant, beautiful flowers: "It seems Consort Chu is favored by His Majesty."
Consort Li: "..."
“Your Highness Consort Yun, if things continue like this, your position will be in jeopardy, and the harem will probably be dominated by Consort Chu.” Consort Li paused for a moment, “There are only a few people now, but if His Majesty holds a selection of consorts soon, there will be even more people in the harem, and we don’t know where we will be left.”
Consort Yun, who was about to put a pastry in her mouth, suddenly lost her appetite after hearing what Consort Li said. She looked at Consort Li in confusion and asked, "Really?"
Is he an idiot?!
Consort Li twitched the corner of her mouth: "Your Majesty, don't you want to be favored by His Majesty?"
"This... doesn't that depend on His Majesty's decision?" Consort Yun asked again.
Consort Li couldn't reason with her, so she looked at Consort Liu and said, "With His Majesty's favor, you can do whatever you want in the palace."
Consort Liu frowned slightly, as if pondering Consort Li's words.
She knew how favored Consort Chu was; whenever she went out, she was followed by a large entourage, and wherever she went, she could ride in a sedan chair.
His Majesty also frequently bestowed gifts upon Ningxiang Palace, and the Empress Dowager would also occasionally send gifts to Consort Chu.
"It's because Consort Chu is capable," Consort Liu said calmly, not wanting to say any more. She gave Consort Yun a slight bow and then left.
Consort Yun was also in a bad mood. "Let's go back."
"This humble servant respectfully sees Your Highness off..."
Consort Li stayed behind last, her chest tight with worry: "Why aren't they in a hurry at all?"
"Consort Zhao, it's best if they don't compete, then you'll have a chance," Lingyu advised her.
Consort Li felt anxious when she thought about how much favor Consort Chu was currently receiving.
"What's so good about Consort Chu?" Consort Li couldn't understand. She just had a beautiful face, but she wasn't bad either.
"Consort Zhao, please return."
"Walk……"
As she passed the crabapple tree, Consort Li's expression darkened further. Glancing around and seeing no one, she plucked a few of the best blossoms and threw them on the ground.
"Your Highness, Consort Zhao..."
"Let her be dramatic."
"..."
On Consort Liu's side, Linglong looked at her, seemingly wanting to say something but holding back.
"Say what you want to say."
Looking at Consort Liu with fear, she said cautiously, "This servant thinks Consort Li is right. Think about it, if His Majesty holds another selection of consorts, there will be even more people in the harem, and His Majesty will be even less likely to remember you."
Consort Liu slowed her pace: "Let me think about it."
"Yes……"
Wanxiang was also trying to persuade Consort Yun: "Your Highness..."
"I'm annoyed, don't talk." They were perfectly fine before, why are they vying for attention now?
Wanxiang sighed helplessly. There was nothing she could do about the Empress's lack of virtue.
Zean Palace
The emperor kept Chu Yue behind and did not let her return to Ningxiang Palace. After the palace servants helped Chu Yue bathe, she came out wearing a gauze dress.
The beauty wore a thin gauze dress, her slender, fair legs faintly visible, and her face, flushed by the steam, was as delicate and beautiful as a lotus emerging from the water.
"My beloved concubine, come here." The emperor found her increasingly alluring.
Chu Yue walked over and sat directly in the emperor's lap, her hands clinging to his shoulders, looking at him charmingly without saying a word.
"What's wrong?" the emperor asked softly when he saw that she didn't speak.
"Your Majesty... I've been wondering why Your Majesty ignores me after I've been in the palace for so long." As she spoke of this, Chu Yue's eyes turned aggrieved as she looked at the Emperor.
The emperor paused, naturally because he found women troublesome and didn't want to deal with them.
Unexpectedly, they compromised with Consort Chu.
"I'm troubled by state affairs... Alright, let's not talk about those things anymore." The emperor didn't want to bring it up again and wanted to change the subject.
Chu Yue, annoyed, stopped talking and leaned sullenly on the emperor's shoulder.
"Your temper is getting worse and worse," the emperor said lightly, but still tightened his grip on her arm.
Chu Yue shifted her body slightly, but still didn't speak.
"Consort Chu".
The emperor's nonchalant tone made Chu Yue stiffen, and she nervously raised her head to look at him.
The emperor was looking down at her, and Chu Yue timidly began, "Your Majesty..."
Every move Consort Chu made captivated the Emperor's heart. He had long known that women were trouble, and now this was a perfect example. Whenever Consort Chu was wronged, he felt sorry for her. He truly didn't know how he could control himself from being influenced by Consort Chu.
"Alright, tell me how else I want to deal with you." The emperor planned to send her some more things tomorrow.
"I'm scared," Chu Yue muttered.
The emperor tightened his grip on his arm: "What are you afraid of?"
"Your Majesty, I feel terrified. I'm so afraid that all of this is just a dream, and that when I wake up, Your Majesty will no longer love me."
Chu Yue became more and more frightened as she spoke, and kept burrowing into the emperor's arms.
"What nonsense are you thinking? When have I not spent time with you?" Even the emperor himself found it unbelievable. Ever since he met Consort Chu, he couldn't tolerate anyone else in his eyes.
"I'm still scared. I'm so afraid that Your Majesty might go to another sister's place sometime soon. I'll go crazy." Chu Yue's eyes revealed fear as she looked at the emperor.
"They dare to say anything, what's wrong with them?"
Only then did the Emperor realize that Consort Chu was so sensitive. It was no wonder, as he had ignored them after they entered the palace, but after seeing Consort Chu that day, he began to favor her. It was no wonder that Consort Chu was overthinking things.