The maid of Ximen Xinyue turned pale with fright and knelt down with a thud. "I beg Your Majesty the Empress to spare my life. My lady is carrying the imperial dragon seed. I beg Your Majesty not to harm my lady."
As her words fell, Qingyao's pupils deepened.
This little maid was quite astute, informing them of the matter first. If they were to truly harm Ximen Xinyue, they would be committing a grave sin.
Although she was not afraid, there was no need for it. She spoke to Xiao Yu'er beside her, "Go bring Xiaobai back."
Xiao Yu'er was unwilling, but her mother had given the order, so she dared not disobey. She immediately commanded those below, "Xiaobai, come back."
Upon receiving the order, Xiaobai the wolf immediately retracted its claws and obediently walked to the upper position, lying at Xiao Yu'er's feet.
Below, Ximen Xinyue's face was ashen. Because she had just used martial arts, her once impeccably styled hair was slightly disheveled. The little maid Lianyan had already rushed over, anxiously asking,
"Your Majesty, are you alright? Are you alright?"
Ximen Xinyue's breathing was a little rapid. After her breath stabilized, she slowly said, "I'm fine."
She raised her head to look at the woman in the upper seat. She saw that the empress was not reprimanding the princess, but calmly observing everything before her.
Ximen Xinyue was filled with resentment, her expression turning ugly. Her cold voice rang out:
"Your Majesty, this concubine is carrying the dragon seed. For the princess to joke like this is a bit too much. If the dragon seed is harmed, I fear these words will be difficult to say."
"Does Consort Shu's dragon seed have a problem?"
Qingyao's cold voice sounded. Ximen Xinyue froze, her pupils flashing with cold light. She glared helplessly at the woman in the upper seat. What did this woman mean? Was she implying that her dragon seed was still unharmed?
Qingyao coldly gazed at Ximen Xinyue. This woman had come here not to pay her respects, but clearly to show off. With the dragon seed mentioned repeatedly, she seemed as arrogant as a peacock. Was it simply because she was pregnant? Was she so happy about carrying that man's child?
Her body was covered in a chilling aura, and she glared menacingly at Ximen Xinyue.
Ximen Xinyue looked at the beautiful woman in the upper seat. Thinking about this woman leaving the palace was precisely because the Emperor had taken her as Consort Shu. What if she persuaded the Emperor to take many consorts? Wouldn't this woman be even more enraged?
Thinking about being able to strike a blow to the woman above, Ximen Xinyue felt an inexplicable excitement.
Since ancient times, emperors had countless beauties in their harems. This was a perfectly normal occurrence. She didn't see anything wrong with it; on the contrary, she thought this woman was too abnormal, wanting to monopolize the Emperor as the sole woman. How was that possible?
Ximen Xinyue's face wore a graceful smile, and she slowly spoke word by word.
"This concubine has something to discuss with Your Majesty today. The princess is, after all, a child, and this concubine will not bicker with a child."
Qingyao raised an eyebrow in surprise. She didn't believe Ximen Xinyue would be so easy to talk to. The reason she changed the subject was likely because she had other intentions. Qingyao calmly observed the woman below and spoke word by word.
"Speak, what is it?"
"Reporting to Your Majesty, with the unification of the seven kingdoms, the vast harem is extremely desolate. This concubine has obtained the Emperor's consent to take consorts for the Emperor. May I ask if Your Majesty has any objections?"
After Ximen Xinyue finished speaking, her eyes bloomed like a flower. She didn't believe she couldn't infuriate this woman. Let's see how arrogant she could be.
When Ximen Xinyue finished speaking, Qingyao didn't say anything. Although her expression became colder, her demeanor was indifferent and unchanged. Only Xiao Yu'er, who stood beside her, immediately cried out in anger, and her whole body jumped up:
"Take consorts?"
Even Mo Chou and Bing Xiao were stunned. Having Ximen Xinyue was enough to deal with, but now she wanted to take more consorts.
With three thousand beauties in the harem, if the Emperor truly agreed to Ximen Xinyue's actions, the Empress might not be able to stay.
Ximen Xinyue saw that the Empress didn't react, but the princess's expression was very displeased. Even if she angered this little child, she felt a sense of satisfaction. She nodded in agreement:
"Yes, Princess. This is with the Emperor's consent, because the harem is too desolate and there are too few royal children. Therefore, this concubine plans to take consorts for the Emperor. This way, with more people in the harem, the princess will soon not be lonely, as the Emperor will have many, many princes and princesses."
As Ximen Xinyue's voice fell, Xiao Yu'er put her hands on her hips and shouted sharply, "No, I don't agree to Father Emperor taking consorts."
Ximen Xinyue was stunned. She hadn't expected that the one who disagreed would be the princess, not the empress. However, at least one person was causing a fuss, and this matter was no longer her solo performance.
This was becoming interesting. Moreover, just a moment ago, she suddenly thought of something. If concubines entered the palace, wouldn't she gain more helpers to deal with that woman?
This was simply wonderful. What was originally intended to scare this woman now seemed imperative. She had to do this.
In fact, the Emperor didn't know about taking consorts yet, but she knew he would definitely agree. Which man wasn't lustful and didn't like having three thousand beauties in his harem? Except for that man, perhaps?
Thinking of this, Ximen Xinyue's pupils deepened, her expression becoming somber. After a long while, she finally relaxed.
Since he cherished this woman so much, she would not let this woman have an easy time. The corners of her lips curled into a sinister smile.
"Princess, this is the Emperor's affair. Others have no right to interfere."
"You?" xxs壹贰
Xiao Yu'er's expression changed several times, and she was clearly about to get angry. Qingyao feared that in her anger, she would blurt out things she shouldn't, saying words that would shock the world. Therefore, she spoke first, "Consort Shu, since this is something the Emperor has decided, Consort Shu should proceed with it. Select some beauties to enter the palace."
Ximen Xinyue's smile froze on her face. She had thought this woman would at least show some anger, but she never expected her to calmly issue such an order.
Annoyance arose in her heart. However, the words had already been spoken, and she had no reason not to comply. Moreover, those women entering the palace would help her deal with this woman. It was a plan to kill two birds with one stone. It was too perfect. Her smile returned, and she spoke gently and tenderly.
"This concubine understands. This matter will be handled by this concubine. When the time comes for taking consorts, I request Your Majesty the Empress to personally preside."
Ximen Xinyue smiled with smug satisfaction. She didn't believe this woman wouldn't get angry. As long as she thought of her being angry, she would be happy. She had finally won a round.
Ximen Xinyue led her maid Lianyan out of Fengluan Palace and headed towards her own Jianyang Palace. A group of eunuchs and palace maids followed far behind. Lianyan couldn't help but speak softly, "Your Majesty, are you really going to take consorts for the Emperor?"
Her voice was filled with surprise. She was currently favored by His Majesty, so why did she need to bring other women into the palace to compete for favor? Now that she was pregnant, if the Emperor favored other consorts during this time, wouldn't she lose favor?
How could Ximen Xinyue not understand Lianyan's thoughts? She turned around and looked at Lianyan, smiling triumphantly.
"By doing this, firstly, the Emperor will know my intentions and appreciate me, and treat me even better.
Men dislike jealous women. Secondly, those women will only gravitate towards me once they enter the palace, and they can help me deal with that woman.
If she is gone, who do you think has the best chance of becoming Empress? Remember, an Empress must have a broad mind and be able to tolerate things that ordinary people cannot."
"So that's how it is."
Lianyan breathed a sigh of relief. Her lady's mind had always been smarter than others. It seemed there was some truth to it. She quickly nodded, "This servant understands."
The group returned to Jianyang Palace.