Xiao Muchen looked at Mingxi like that, first stunned, then he understood why his mother insisted that he stay here.
He had overlooked it.
He, as a man of seven feet, didn’t know much about the matters of the harem women. It was his lack of experience that made him overlook these things.
Consort Shu glanced at her son with a huff in her heart. ‘Stinky kid, you’ll learn soon enough.’
Consort Shu didn’t keep the young couple to dine in the palace, instead sending them out with a pile of things. She then carefully packed up, taking a nourishing soup she had prepared with the imperial kitchen, and headed to the Chongzheng Hall.
The Emperor was reading memorials when he heard from Ding Zhao that Consort Shu wanted to see him. He didn’t want to meet her at first, but then thought of the fact that Duan Wang had just married, so he allowed her to enter.
“Your Qie greets His Majesty.”
“Consort Shu, rise.” the Emperor said, leaning back in his chair. He looked at Consort Shu and asked, “What brings you here?”
Consort Shu stepped up the jade steps, opened the lid of the food box, and smiled. “Your Qie brought you a bowl of soup, and also to thank His Majesty for the dish you rewarded to Muchen’s wife. They were supposed to come in person to kowtow, but I feared they would disturb Your Majesty’s rest, so I sent them out of the palace.”
The Emperor smiled, “Aifei, you’re thoughtful.”
Consort Shu placed the soup in front of the Emperor, smiling as she said, “I still remember, when I first entered the palace, His Majesty loved to drink this old duck soup.”
The Emperor hadn’t had it in a long time. Hearing Consort Shu’s words, he really picked up the bowl and took a sip. He couldn’t quite remember what the old duck soup tasted like in his younger days. Over the years, the palace chefs had changed, and the taste had changed too.
Even so, the Emperor still gave Consort Shu face, “It does taste just like before.”
Consort Shu and the Emperor chatted about everyday matters, and she playfully mentioned the situation of the Duan Wang couple at the Kunde Palace. She didn’t mention any conflicts or harsh words but only talked about the interesting things, which made the Emperor smile.
Nowadays, the Emperor loved to see harmonious relationships between the consorts, as well as friendly and respectful relations between wives and sisters-in-law.
As they spoke, Consort Shu’s topic shifted to clothing and adornment, “I noticed, Muchen’s wife, although she grew up in a merchant family and has some money, it can’t compare to the great families of the capital.”
She paused and then continued, “Look at the Crown Princess, and then look at Jin Wangfei and Yu Wangfei—everything they wear has a history behind it. Only Muchen’s wife doesn’t have that.”
Consort Shu continued, “After I returned to Cuiwei Palace, I found some old jewelry I had worn in the past and gave it to her. I couldn’t let her go out in the future without some confidence. But I’m sorry, I haven’t been able to save much.”
The Emperor reached out and tapped Consort Shu, “No wonder you brought me this soup today. Seems like you were waiting for this.”
Consort Shu smiled and said, “There’s nothing to be done. When I was young, I didn’t understand these pins and bracelets, so I couldn’t save much. I’m just coming to ask for some help from His Majesty.”
She sighed, “Your Majesty, I didn’t want to trouble you, but Mingxi’s background is thin. Growing up in a merchant family, compared to others, she really has no foundation. What can I do? I’ve relied on Your Majesty my whole life, and now I’m left with no choice but to come and ask you for help. Your Majesty hasn’t seen it, but today at lunch, when you rewarded Muchen’s wife, her eyes were red. This child will never forget the honor you gave her today.”
The Emperor listened to Consort Shu’s words, laughed, and then slowly said, “The wife of Old Four is capable herself, she doesn’t need to care about these external things.”
Consort Shu’s heart sank slightly when she heard this, but her face showed a helpless smile. “Your Majesty is right, but when everyone is together, they inevitably compare. But Your Majesty is right; we must rely on ourselves first. It was my mistake to worry so much.”
She paused and added, “I just worry that Mingxi might be looked down upon and feel wronged. But with Your Majesty’s words, I no longer have to worry.”
The Emperor looked at Consort Shu, seeing her face relaxing, her eyes smiling, and her expression calm, without any resentment from his words or further insistence.
In this life, Consort Shu was always so understanding.
Fine.
Sighing, the Emperor said, “I can’t let down Aifei’s soup.” He then called for Ding Zhao, “Go open my private treasury and give that set of jade glass hairpins to Consort Shu.”
The Emperor didn’t want to reward his daughter-in-law directly with jewelry, so by giving it to Consort Shu, she could then give it to the wife of Old Four, making it proper.
Consort Shu was stunned. She knew that set of jade glass hairpins. They were given by a foreign country many years ago and had been kept in the treasury. She didn’t expect them to be brought out today.
“Thank you, Your Majesty.” Consort Shu was not shy; what she received was hers. Would she hand it over to someone else?
Moreover, this was for Mingxi, so it couldn’t be refused.
“Are you satisfied now?”
Consort Shu put on an apologetic expression, glanced slightly to the side, and softly said, “You want me to respond, of course I feel embarrassed. At my age, I still come to ask His Majesty for rewards, something I never did when I was young.”
The Emperor realized, and once again called for Ding Zhao. “Take the set of gold and jade hairpins to Consort Shu as well.”
Consort Shu hadn’t expected this, but now, she quickly looked at the Emperor, her face showing a little awkwardness. “Your Majesty, I didn’t ask for rewards.”
The Emperor patted her hand, “Don’t I know your temperament? Over these years, you’re the one who never asks me for anything. It’s rare for you to speak up, so I can’t let you leave empty-handed.”
Consort Shu immediately smiled brightly, her face full of emotion. “With His Majesty’s words, even the most precious jewelry cannot compare. It is your kindness, Your Majesty, that I treasure the most.”
The Emperor felt a bit guilty and patted Consort Shu’s hand but did not say anything further.
Consort Shu carefully served the Emperor his soup, got what she wanted, and then politely took her leave.
Once outside the Chongzheng Hall, Ding Zhao was already waiting and delivered the two boxes.
“Thank you for your trouble, Steward Ding.” Consort Shu gestured for someone to take the boxes and then smiled at Ding Zhao. “Last time, I heard from Muchen that you were suffering from an old ailment. Are you feeling better now?”
Ding Zhao didn’t expect Duan Wang would bring up such matters with Consort Shu. He quickly bowed and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern. Thanks to Wangye’s medicinal balm, I’ve recovered considerably.”
“That’s good to hear.” Consort Shu didn’t want to speak much further to Ding Zhao here. She nodded lightly and left.
Once Consort Shu left, Ding Zhao slowly straightened his back. Among the four consorts, only Consort Shu still held such face in front of the Emperor.
When Consort Shu returned to Cuiwei Palace, she immediately sent Hu Momo to personally deliver gifts to Duan Wang’s residence.
Meanwhile, the stir caused at Chongzheng Hall had already spread to Kunde Palace. The fact that Ding Zhao accessed the Emperor’s private treasury was no small matter—it was bound to draw attention.
Upon learning of it, the Empress laughed coldly in her rage. “What a bold move from Consort Shu!”
Lu Momo, full of worry, said gravely, “Your Majesty, Consort Shu is becoming increasingly brazen. You must be on guard.”
Want to show your support? Go donate at Paypal or Ko-fi to show your appreciation! Want to get early access to at least 15 chapters in advance? Go to my Patreon to join now! :)
