The Reborn Princess Has Turned Evil

Chapter 111 Emperor Jing's Rewards

Rong'en Palace.

Before she knew it, Consort Li had been pregnant for some time. Looking at her slightly protruding belly, Consort Li's eyes were full of anticipation and satisfaction.

"Your Majesty, Consort Lin has arrived," Qingyu announced as she entered.

Since the incident involving Consort Rong, Consort Li has neither liked nor disliked Consort Lin.

"Let her in," Consort Li said calmly.

"Yes."

Before long, Consort Lin entered with her maid, Dongqing.

"Greetings, sister!" Consort Lin greeted with a bow. She was dressed simply and elegantly today, with a serene demeanor. Her words were not as obsequious as those of the other concubines, which made Consort Li feel much more comfortable.

Consort Li smiled and nodded, saying, "Sister, you've come at just the right time. The fruit His Majesty sent was quite appetizing. Please sit down and have some too." As she spoke, she had Qingyu bring the plate beside her to Consort Lin.

"Thank you, sister." Consort Lin did not refuse and sat down directly. The fruit was green and clear, and looked delicious. Consort Lin gently picked one with her fingers and put it in her mouth. After a while, she frowned slightly.

Seeing her like this, Consort Li was puzzled and asked, "Is the fruit not tasty?" Consort Li was somewhat displeased; wasn't this a blatant insult to her?

After a moment, Lin Fei's voice was heard. Her tone was gentle and there was no sign of anything amiss. She asked, "Sister, have you been craving sour things lately?"

"Your Majesty has been suffering from some ailments lately," Qingyu chimed in from the side.

“That’s right,” Consort Lin said.

Consort Li then realized what was happening and said, "After I became pregnant, my tastes changed a bit. I just liked the fruit, but my sister found it sour."

Consort Lin smiled and nodded, saying, "Sour for a boy, spicy for a girl, sister, this is a good omen."

The concubines in the harem all longed for a son or daughter, and Emperor Jing had few offspring. Although both sons and daughters were good, if it were a prince, the mother would rise in status through her son, and the position of harem would be hers for the taking. Although it was auspicious talk, Consort Li was very happy to hear it, but she only smiled faintly on her face, "Sons and daughters, I like them equally."

"Sister is right. Oh, by the way, I brought something for you." Lin Fei said, turning to Dong Xue and waving her hand. Dong Xue then came up with a box.

"What is this?" Consort Li asked, looking at the box in front of her, puzzled.

Consort Lin smiled gently, opened the box, and saw some medicinal herbs inside: dried plum, dried tangerine peel, hawthorn, osmanthus, and licorice.

“Since you are pregnant, you must feel tired and have a dry mouth. This is a plum juice I specially prepared for you. It can help you quench your thirst, stimulate your appetite, relieve your irritability, and calm your mind.” As she spoke, Consort Lin took out a piece of paper from the box and continued, “This is the recipe. If you feel better after drinking it, you can have more made.”

Although Consort Li was cautious, she did not think that Consort Lin would personally send something to harm her, so she smiled and said, "Sister, you are so thoughtful. The gift you sent is just what I wanted."

What would you like to do?

Everyone was stunned and before they could react, Emperor Jing walked in. He had some free time from official duties today and finally managed to visit Consort Li. He heard their conversation even before he entered the room.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!" Everyone quickly bowed.

"Everyone, get up."

Emperor Jing walked in and immediately saw Consort Lin standing to the side. She was still as elegant as an orchid, with her eyes slightly lowered. She only raised her head when she heard Emperor Jing speak, and their eyes met.

"Your Majesty, you've arrived! Why didn't you have a palace servant announce your arrival? I could have made preparations!" Consort Li didn't pay much attention to such details. She went straight to Emperor Jing and said coquettishly. Now that she was pregnant, she could naturally be a little more delicate.

In fact, Emperor Jing did not like this. He preferred elegant and quiet women. Seeing Consort Li like this, he instinctively disliked her. But for some reason, he glanced at Consort Lin out of the corner of his eye, so Emperor Jing deliberately said to Consort Li affectionately, "I just wanted to come and see you. What have you been doing while I was away?" As he spoke, he even took Consort Li's hand.

"Your Majesty..." Consort Li was also a little excited. This was the first time Emperor Jing had ever acted like this, so her voice was a little shy as she said, "Your Majesty, Consort Lin is still here!"

"Oh?" Emperor Jing then pretended to notice Consort Lin's expression, abruptly releasing Consort Li's hand and turning his head to ask, "What are you doing here?"

Perhaps noticing that Emperor Jing's tone was colder than before, Consort Li quickly spoke up, "Consort Lin came to bring me plum juice."

Emperor Jing glanced at the box on the table, and his voice softened, "In that case, your pharmacy does have some use."

"It is my honor to be able to do my part for my elder sister," Consort Lin said respectfully.

Seeing the situation, Consort Li quickly tried to smooth things over, "Your Majesty is right. The sachet that Consort Lin made for me last time had a delicate and pleasant scent!"

"Is that so?" Emperor Jing replied, but his eyes were fixed on Consort Lin.

Consort Lin smiled, glanced at Emperor Jing, then turned to Consort Li and said, "I hope you like it, sister."

Huh? She didn't even look at me. Consort Lin's behavior displeased Emperor Jing, so he turned to Consort Li and said, "In that case, we should reward her with something."

"What does Consort Li think?"

"Your Majesty is right, my sister deserves a reward." Consort Li thought this showed that Emperor Jing valued her, and she was delighted and very satisfied with Emperor Jing's actions.

"Then let us reward him with one hundred taels of gold and ten bolts of silk!" Emperor Jing said.

The reward wasn't much, but it relieved Consort Lin's immediate crisis. Emperor Jing looked at Consort Lin, waiting for her reply.

Consort Lin smiled and thanked the Emperor, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty!"

In the past, Consort Lin would have refused, but now she readily accepted, which puzzled Emperor Jing.