As the only princess in the Great Hui harem, the Empress Dowager doted on her.
She had developed a spoiled nature but with a streak of toughness, prone to seeing things in black and white extremes. Â
She used to bully A wu, thinking she was punishing evil and promoting justice.
Now that she understood the truth, she felt cheated and began to hate those who had deceived her. Â
At this moment, she even disliked the Crown Princess, thinking she was clearly abusing her power.
Ultimately, if she had accepted A wu earlier, none of this would have happened!
Moreover, the Crown Princess had said many disparaging things about A wu, but after spending time together, they weren’t like that at all!
In short, she would never trust those who had deceived her again.
Consort Kang listened to her daughter’s words and turned pale, nearly fainting.
She desperately thought, this child was raised in vain!
***
Regarding all the disputes between Consort Kang and Princess Dening, A wu was unaware.
Emperor Jingxi was meticulous and would not let her know, so as not to worry her.
Only one day did A wu hear that Princess Dening had moved into her bedchamber to live alone, which surprised her, so she asked about it.
Princess Dening didn’t care: “It’s comfortable living alone, no need to listen to nagging.”
Now that she often quarreled with Consort Kang and their words didn’t match, Consort Kang would cry and whine, and Dening had said everything she wanted to say.
Actually, now that she had calmed down and pondered Father’s intentions, she felt that as long as her mother softened and she made some efforts, her rank could be restored—provided her mother behaved quietly and obediently.
But her mother refused to listen, so what could she do except seek some peace?
Damn it!
A wu said, “That’s true.”
Princess Dening sighed, “I found that I just can’t get along with elders. When Father chooses my husband, I’m definitely going to find one whose father is dead.”
A wu looked at Dening in surprise.
Only she dared say such shocking words. Â
Princess Dening continued, “Or better yet, marry far away. That way it’s even quieter.”
A wu looked at Princess Dening deeply.
If she were married far away, she would be a little reluctant.
After all, she was someone to have fun with. Â
These days, besides the consorts, Princess Dening often came over to play leaf cards with her.
A wu’s life was so comfortable that she grew fond of leaf cards.
Losing didn’t cost her any silver, so she played with abandon. Â
Sometimes when she lost too much, she would complain tearfully to Emperor Jingxi at night.
Naturally, he couldn’t bear to see her upset and generously rewarded her, even opening his private treasury for her to pick some accessories freely. Â
The only thing that worried her was Lady Meng, who had been distracted lately.
It turned out that during the Shangsi Festival, palace maids could send letters home and even meet briefly outside the West Gate.
Lady Meng had received another letter from her childhood sweetheart.
After reading it, she seemed downcast. Â
A wu felt sorry for her and sympathized, recalling her Brother Ye Han.
She knew Lady Meng wasn’t having an easy time. Â
That night, Emperor Jingxi stayed overnight at Langhua Hall, which surprised A wu, as he rarely did so since she became pregnant.
The female physicians were strict and watched over her carefully, more anxious than anyone about any accident or threat to A wu’s life.
Whether the child in A wu’s womb would be born safely and healthily was the greatest stepping stone for their promotions, even their careers.
Emperor Jingxi noticed A wu’s surprise and looked into her eyes.
“I want to hold you as I sleep.” Â
The affection in his eyes was unmistakable.
A wu lowered her head and softly hummed in agreement. Â
That night, after removing her makeup and changing clothes, A wu helped Emperor Jingxi undress.
Her belly was large now, making it inconvenient.
Emperor Jingxi said, “I’ll do it myself.”
A wu smiled, “Okay.”
As they talked, Emperor Jingxi asked what A wu had been doing recently, and naturally, she told him everything.
When she mentioned leaf cards, she tearfully said she had lost silver again.
Emperor Jingxi suddenly raised his brow. Â
He leaned down to look at her closely, suspicious.
A wu felt guilty and glanced around nervously.
“Your Majesty, what are you looking at?” Â
Emperor Jingxi said leisurely, “Lately, A wu keeps losing silver?”
A wu felt wronged, “My card skills aren’t good, what can I do…”
Emperor Jingxi sneered, “Who did you play with today?”
A wu whispered, “Consort Sun, Lady Wang, and Lady Li.”
Emperor Jingxi immediately understood and laughed, half angry, half amused, “What a little traitor, eating from your own side!”
A wu exclaimed, “!!!”
She was startled, “Your Majesty, it’s only a small amount of silver. Besides, they’re all ladies in your harem!” Â
Emperor Jingxi gave her a cold look, ignoring her.
A wu cautiously explained, “Lady Wang is only a ninth-rank attendant. Her monthly allowance isn’t much. She has to reward her subordinates and support her family. Life is not easy for her.”
Emperor Jingxi said, “See how spoiled you are.”
A mere ninth-rank attendant able to support family is already quite generous from the royal family.
Though the treasury is full now, the Great Hui Territory is vast with many emergencies requiring funds.
As Emperor, Jingxi wants to cut unnecessary expenses to save money for the court’s treasury in times of need.
He had considered the expenses of the harem before.
The current ladies had palace status and were maintained accordingly, but no new women were brought in to avoid wasting money. Â
If any talented women wanted to enter, they would be appointed as palace maids to help manage harem affairs, making full use of their skills.
He even thought about making the current consorts serve as palace maids to help manage harem matters, but the Empress Dowager’s crying and pleading stopped him.
Thinking of all this, he gave A wu a sidelong glance.
“After you give birth and recover, learn to manage the household.” Â
A wu retorted, “With the Empress here, what household am I managing?”
Emperor Jingxi said nothing.
A wu felt that in his silence, there might be something more.
She tilted her head to look at him, but his expression was normal.
Maybe she was imagining things. Â
Emperor Jingxi noticed her curious look and raised his brow.
“The Empress is ill and won’t get better anytime soon. If you don’t learn, who will?” Â
A wu asked, “If I manage the household, does that mean I can do whatever I want?”
Emperor Jingxi looked at her ambitious face, suspicious, “What do you want to do?”
A wu mentioned Lady Meng, complaining, “You don’t favor her either way, so why cling to her?”
Emperor Jingxi was somewhat surprised, then looked at her with interest.
“What’s gotten into you today? Why this sudden jealousy?” Â
A wu was startled.
He smiled patiently, “Have I not seen countless beauties before?”
Emperor Jingxi smiled gently and explained, “Lady Meng is indeed beautiful, and I find her very lovely. But don’t overthink it. I…”
A wu grew more surprised, realizing what he meant.
She said disinterestedly, “Why would I be jealous? She’s one of your harem beauties. If you want to favor her, then favor her. What does it have to do with me?”
Emperor Jingxi frowned, “What do you mean by that?”
A wu was confused, “What meaning could it have?”
Emperor Jingxi said seriously, “If I really favored someone else, how would you feel?”
A wu replied, “The palace rules say we must not be jealous. We are all sisters and should support each other.”
Emperor Jingxi looked at her coldly.
Seeing that she wasn’t lying, his gaze grew colder. Â
He said with a hint of amusement, “Consort Ning, you’re very generous.”
A wu looked at him in confusion but finally understood.
She coaxed softly, “If Your Majesty favors another sister, I would be sad inside, but wouldn’t say anything. After all, all the beauties in the harem are your consorts, and it’s only fair.”
Emperor Jingxi scrutinized her charming smile and said, “Shut up.”
A wu looked puzzled.
Emperor Jingxi said, “If you can’t even be properly jealous, fake jealousy is obvious.”
A wu had not expected him to be so difficult and became annoyed and said, “Then what exactly do you want from me?” Â
Emperor Jingxi pursed his sharp lips.
Actually, even he didn’t know how to answer that. Â
Born a prince, he married early before understanding love and became emperor without much thought, with an Empress and many consorts.
He was busy with state affairs and regarded the harem as troublesome and burdensome, detesting jealousy and quarrels.
He even thought the Crown Princess lacked generosity and the grace of a household mistress.
But now, he knew all that was wrong.
His eyes darkened, “What a heartless fool.” Â
A wu was slightly stunned, suddenly recognizing the words.
Didn’t Lu Yunjian say the same thing? Â
Was she really heartless, that two men said the same to her?
She couldn’t understand.
Emperor Jingxi tilted his head to look at her and asked, “What’s wrong? The heartless one can’t even speak?” Â
A wu was helpless and she replied, “I don’t know what you want me to say!” Â
Emperor Jingxi silently stared at her for a long time, then beckoned her over.
A wu knew he was angry and didn’t want to provoke him, so she obediently walked up, looking innocent.
Emperor Jingxi said expressionlessly, “So why did you bring up Lady Meng?”
A wu hesitated.
He commanded, “Speak.”
A wu stammered, “Don’t blame anyone after I say it.”
She bit her lip, “If others get hurt because of me, I’d rather die.”
Emperor Jingxi’s tone turned cold and harsh.
“From now on, don’t mention that name in front of me.” Â
Only then did A wu say, “I think Lady Meng is truly beautiful. Such a flower-like girl. Since you don’t favor her, it’s meaningless to keep her in the palace. Can you let her leave?”
Emperor Jingxi raised his brow and sighed lightly.
“Consort Ning, do you know what you’re saying? Throughout history, who has ever been allowed to leave the palace after entering?” Â
He sneered, “You want her to marry again?”
A wu saw his mocking expression and gave up.
“I was just casually saying it. If you don’t want to, fine.” Â
She had spoken politely but was met with a cold response.
A wu felt utterly disappointed. Â
She glared at him sadly and muttered quietly.
Emperor Jingxi noticed the complaining look in her eyes and raised his brow, “What did you say?”
A wu shook her head, “Nothing.”
Her muttered words could not be heard, or else she would probably be thrown into the cold palace.
Not being thrown into the cold palace would at least mean a hundred copies of the Book of Reflection and solitary confinement.
But to her surprise, a few days later, Lady Meng suddenly appeared.
Upon entering, she knelt before A wu with a thud, her face full of gratitude.