Chapter 172: Chapter 171: Traitorous Concubine or Worthy Empress? (Part 6)
Prince Jin Palace is very large, much larger than the Royal Palace of Lu Country.
Prince Jin Palace is also very beautiful.
Aside from the towering palace buildings, there are also particularly extensive and beautiful gardens.
Anning spent some time in Qinwang Hall, and a Palace Attendant came back reporting that Beauty Lin did not know where she was to move.
Anning was sitting in a chair in Qinwang Hall, holding a book and reading.
She looked up at Prince Jin when she heard the report.
Prince Jin’s brows were tightly furrowed: "Does she even need to ask me where to move? Have her moved out of the palace, this Beauty Lin sent by the Southern Country is so ungrateful, just send her back."
There has never been a case where a beauty sent as a tribute was sent back, Prince Jin is truly an exception.
But the palace attendants did not dare to say anything, they acknowledged the orders and came out of Qingzheng Hall and then threw Beauty Lin and all her belongings out of the Royal Palace.
Meanwhile, other Palace Attendants swiftly cleaned up Qifang Palace.
By evening, Qifang Palace had been tidied up and completely cleared of any signs of Beauty Lin’s residence.
The Palace Attendant came to report to Prince Jin, and Anning stood up wanting to take a look.
Just as Prince Jin had some memorials to review, he let Anning go by herself.
Qifang Palace was not far from Qingzheng Hall, Anning walked there and it didn’t take long to arrive.
Qifang Palace was truly beautiful, surrounded by water on three sides, with a huge artificial lake in front, where many lotuses were planted. It was the season when the lotuses were in full bloom, and under the sunset, the pink and white lotuses appeared exceedingly beautiful.
Anning stood at the pavilion near the water enjoying the lotus flowers for a while, then had the Palace Attendants pick a few to bring into Qifang Palace.
When she entered, the furniture in Qifang Palace had been changed, under the high pressure from Prince Jin, showing how fast the Palace Attendants were.
Anning looked at the new bed and the light cyan mosquito net hung over it, as well as the table, chairs, and dressing table arranged in the room, she looked around and was quite satisfied.
She then instructed the Palace Attendants to arrange the treasures she had selected from Prince Jin’s private collection, and wrote down a list of what was missing for the attendants to fetch from the treasurer.
During dinner time, Anning had already directed the Palace Attendants to arrange the entire Qifang Palace properly.
And Prince Jin strode into Qifang Palace with his entourage.
Looking at the newly arranged Qifang Palace, Prince Jin nodded in satisfaction: "Not bad."
He seemed to think of something, pointed to a corner of the palace: "Place a coral tree there, and over there, set up a screen."
Prince Jin turned back, and commanded his personal Attendant: "Find a lacquered carved screen and get a coral tree, also, it seems that Southern Country has contributed a set of colored glaze cups, bring it for... Noble Princess Consort Xie to use."
Uh?
Anning was arranging some books, and looked up at Prince Jin upon hearing the three words, Noble Princess Consort Xie.
Prince Jin said nothing and casually sat down: "Move my bedding here, I will rest in Qifang Palace from now on."
Anning paused while arranging the books, rearranged a few books, and then went over to Prince Jin: "Your Majesty, I am somewhat indisposed today."
Prince Jin waved his hand: "It’s fine."
He pulled Anning over: "Are you hungry?"
Anning smiled and nodded.
Prince Jin then loudly ordered: "I remember that Beauty Song cooks quite well, have her prepare a few dishes to bring over."
Uh?
Anning didn’t even know how to respond.
After a while, she finally asked, "Did Your Majesty ask Beauty Song to cook for me?"
Prince Jin laughed, "I have eaten the dishes she prepared several times, and they were not bad."
Anning really did not understand what Prince Jin was thinking. Did he not realize that these women in the palace were all adversaries? Yet he had Beauty Song especially cook for her. Was he not afraid that Beauty Song would poison the food to murder her?
Prince Jin thought of something else, he squeezed Anning’s hand and said, "After we finish dinner, come with me to Changle Palace. I will have all the beauties wait there. Now that you are my Noble Consort, they should all come to pay respect to you. Also, my beauties are not only pleasing to the eyes but also have special talents. The beauties from Yue Country given as tributes are quite good at playing the zither and singing, and those given by Prime Minister Liu are decent at dancing. Whenever you feel bored, you can summon them to entertain, which might amuse you."
Anning was dumbfounded upon hearing this.
She really did not know how to react.
Anning felt that this Prince Jin was really a bit too bizarre.
"Okay." Anning foolishly nodded in agreement.
Seeing that she agreed, Prince Jin also laughed.
He pulled Anning to sit down and asked her with a smile, "Are you happy?"
Anning was not really happy, but still pretended to be very delighted.
"As long as you are happy." At this moment, Prince Jin seemed very amiable and was extremely gentle towards Anning, "If you feel happy, then always stay by my side."
At this point, Anning wanted to roll her eyes but restrained herself.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before Beauty Song finished preparing the dishes, and the Palace Attendant came carrying the food tray, setting up the dishes one by one.
Smelling the aroma, Anning ignored Prince Jin and hurriedly sat down at the table to eat.
Prince Jin walked over slowly; seeing how deliciously Anning was eating, he also joined in and ate some.
After eating, Anning went to wash up.
She was a bit worried because Prince Jin obviously did not seem to want to leave. As for tonight...
After washing up and changing into new clothes, Anning came out to find that Prince Jin had also changed into a new set of clothes.
He was wearing a black robe embroidered with golden lotus patterns, his hair tied up high, secured with a golden crown, his elegant brows and eyes, and his majestic demeanor more apparent than ever.
Prince Jin was indeed very handsome, but his temperament was somewhat unpredictable.
Seeing Anning coming over, he went to take her hand, "Let’s go to Changle Palace."
Anning did not object and followed Prince Jin as they took the sedan chair to Changle Palace.
It was already night, but Changle Palace was brightly lit, visible from a distance with its dazzling lights.
Anning had thought that with many people in Changle Palace, it would be quite lively. However, following Prince Jin there, she found it to be too quiet.
Upon entering the palace, she saw an unknown number of beauties sitting on both sides of Changle Palace. These beauties, plump and slim, each outstanding in their own way, and each exceptionally beautiful.
However, these beauties all had expressionless faces, with no smiles and only a look of confusion in their eyes.
When they heard footsteps and saw Prince Jin entering, all the beauties were frightened, their faces turning pale.
Prince Jin walked into the palace, and all the beauties knelt down and bowed on the ground.
Prince Jin, with a stern face, pulled Anning to the main seat and slightly raised his hand, "You may all rise."
These beauties, not daring to even breathe loudly, quietly stood up and returned to their places.
Prince Jin pointed at Anning, "This is Noble Princess Consort Xie, whom I have recently appointed. From now on, you all should serve her well. If she is displeased, I will not keep you."
"Yes," the beauties responded in unison softly, then carefully greeted Anning.
Anning did not make it difficult for them. After glancing around, she smiled and said to Prince Jin, "Your Majesty, I am a bit tired."