Chapter 362: Chapter 357: Imperial Concubine
Qiao Qingyue’s heart was filled with jealousy, but she quickly sobered up. The tone in the letters the Emperor wrote to her did not seem deceitful, how could the mutual affection they once shared be fake? The Emperor had just reassured her!
Thinking of this, Qiao Qingyue’s gaze at Ye Qiu turned sympathetic. What did it matter if the Imperial Concubine was beautiful? What did it matter if her family was powerful? The Ye Family, who now held much influence over the Emperor was unlikely to truly win his favor. Does she not know she’s unable to bear a child? Everyone thought it was the Empress Dowager’s doing, but she guessed from the Emperor’s letters that it was Ji Fei’s doing.
Unwilling to even give her a child, how could the Emperor truly love her? She was merely a chess piece used by the Emperor to appease the Ye Family and to restrain the Empress Dowager.
Once Qiao Qingyue figured this out, her jealousy subsided. She stood behind the group of concubines, keeping a low profile without completely blending into the crowd.
"Your Majesty, I was inspired by the beautiful chrysanthemums today and wrote a poem; may I recite it for Your Majesty?" Seeing that Ji Fei’s attention was firmly held by Ye Qiu, a bold concubine stepped forward to speak, confident in her good looks, though not comparable to Ye Qiu, she still stood out amongst the concubines.
Qiao Qingyue glanced at her with disdain, not taking her seriously at all.
"How daring!" Displeased that his lovely thoughts about Ye Qiu were interrupted, Ji Fei snapped, "Who gave you the audacity to speak out of turn? Does the Imperial Concubine not have a higher status here?"
The concubine was shocked and immediately lost her composure: "Your Majesty, I have erred."
"Bring someone."
"Your Majesty." Seeing that Ji Fei was about to order someone to deal with this concubine, Ye Qiu quickly intervened; if she were to be punished, people might think that she, the Imperial Concubine, cannot tolerate others! It was unexpected that even while Ji Fei was momentarily distracted, he subconsciously tried to please her.
"Today, I invited all sisters to enjoy the flower garden together, and I had previously said that everyone could freely play and speak their minds. This sister was merely moved by her feelings; if you punish her, wouldn’t you be putting me in an unjust position?" Ye Qiu said coquettishly, her voice carrying a hint of flirtation, not just affecting Ji Fei, but also making the hearts of the present concubines skip a beat.
Ji Fei smiled following her words, "Then let’s listen to the Imperial Concubine." After saying this, he glanced at the concubine, "Aren’t you going to thank the Imperial Concubine for her grace?"
The concubine knew she had escaped a disaster today and hurried to express her gratitude: "I thank the Lady for her grace."
"Rise, no need for formalities," Ye Qiu said, smiling lightly at her.
This concubine was the legitimate daughter of the Hebei Governor, born with a beauty likened to the moon, entering the palace with great ambitions, and had nearly faced punishment, but was forgiven by the Imperial Concubine. She originally thought the Imperial Concubine was a petty woman hoarding the Emperor’s favor, but turns out to be so magnanimous, indeed rumors had misled her.
After being forgiven by Ye Qiu, the concubine found an unnoticeable corner to stand, even facing the mocking expressions of others without losing temper. She was prideful, but that didn’t mean she was foolish; what did a bit of pride matter in comparison?
"The Empress Dowager has arrived!" Just as Ji Fei was about to speak to Ye Qiu, the sedan chair of the Empress Dowager appeared from afar.
"Why has Empress Mother come? Didn’t she say she’s been feeling unwell recently?" Ji Fei completed the formalities and personally helped Empress Dowager Wang sit down, always showing filial respect in front of others.
"I heard the Imperial Concubine summoned all the Concubines to enjoy the flowers, so I came to see the excitement. Maybe this illness will be cured on seeing these lively and spirited young ladies!" Empress Dowager Wang said affectionately, with a gentle expression on her face.
"The weather is nice today; it’s good for Aunt to come out and walk." Lady Wang Yaning, standing on the other side of Empress Dowager Wang, glanced down at Wang Yajing, with a hint of triumph in her eyes.
Ye Qiu has always had a poor relationship with Empress Dowager Wang, and she’s too lazy to put on a superficial act. Not only is it exhausting, but it also leads people to doubt her intentions. It’s more comfortable to do as one pleases, especially since Empress Dowager Wang and Ji Fei can’t do anything to her anyway.
The Concubines, seeing that neither Empress Dowager Wang nor the Imperial Concubine spoke a word, confirmed their discord. However, seeing Lady Wang Yaning, they felt somewhat jealous, as this Lady is the blood niece of the Empress Dowager who has also borne the Second Prince for the Emperor!
Then, their attention turned to Wang Yajing, the legitimate daughter paying respect to the concubine daughter, certainly distressing Miss Wang.
Indeed, Wang Yajing was feeling stifled, especially upon seeing Wang Yaning’s complacent demeanor. She was furious, considering her just a mere concubine daughter who used to rely on flattering her for a piece of jewelry or a nice outfit. Unbelievably, such luck allowed her, a mere concubine, to bear a prince and be titled as Lady. Wasn’t she merely riding on the glory of the Wang family?
She herself is the legitimate daughter of the Wang family, and once she enters the palace and bears a prince, she would see how Wang Yaning could still flaunt. Wang Yaning would never become the Empress. Eventually, all the family’s resources would lean towards her, even the son of Wang Yaning would merely serve as an aide to her own future children.
"Jing’er, come over here to your Aunt," summoned Empress Dowager Wang with a smile while Wang Yajing was lost in thought; Wang Yajing straightened her back and walked over amidst the envious gazes of others.
In Lady’s envious glance, Empress Dowager Wang affectionately held Wang Yajing’s hand and chuckled to Ji Fei, "This is my brother’s legitimate daughter, simple-minded since childhood. Your Majesty must take good care of her in the future!"
Being selected as a Concubine requires three rounds, and this statement by Empress Dowager Wang essentially confirmed that Wang Yajing would definitely enter the palace; and under her care, could Wang Yajing’s position be low? This thought soured the hearts of the other Concubines even more.
"Since she is my cousin, I naturally will not disappoint Mother’s intentions," Ji Fei smiled and agreed. In fact, his original intention was to not have too many of the Wang daughters enter the palace, fully aware of the Wang family’s designs on the Queen’s seat. However, he couldn’t allow the Wang family to have two Queens, but ultimately, he reasoned that though the Wang family had Empress Dowager Wang, they held no real power and stood no chance against the Ye Family; perhaps giving the Wang family hope would render them more committed in dealing with the Ye Family.
Empress Dowager Wang’s smile deepened upon receiving Ji Fei’s affirmative response: "Then I am relieved."
Empress Dowager Wang’s health hadn’t been very good recently. She mustered her energy to come here just to secure Ji Fei’s promise. Now that her objective was achieved, she no longer had the heart to stay any longer and made an excuse to leave.
Ye Qiu’s mind wasn’t really on this today, but seeing Qiao Qingyue behaving gracefully and standing proud like a solitary orchid, she couldn’t help but want to provoke her a bit.
"Your Majesty, I feel a bit tired. Would you escort me back to rest? This is the first time Ye Qiu has formally used the ’Voice Like a Pearl’ skill since arriving in this world, making Ji Fei’s heart melt."