Chapter 120 - The Ruthless Emperor

Chapter 120: Chapter 115: The Ruthless EmperorLi Wan basked in the envious and resentful glares of everyone around her, feeling a surge of pride within. Ha, these foolish women, how could they possibly compete with her?

Yet on the surface, she continued with a shy demeanor: "The Emperor kept me up late last night, please forgive my tardy arrival, noble concubine."

"How audacious!" Xiao Rou’s face twisted with rage. It was her birthday today, and how dare this wretched girl provoke her in her own presence? The more she thought about how the Emperor had summoned her to serve him for several consecutive days, the more unbearable her jealousy became.

Li Wan observed Xiao Rou’s furious expression and gently furrowed her brows, her eyes innocent: "Noble concubine, I am unaware of any wrongdoing on my part."

At this question, Xiao Rou was truly unable to find a reason to blame her. Seeing this, Li Yanlan spoke up: "Enough, today is a joyful day for you, it’s not appropriate to be upset. Rong Jieyu, please take a seat too, the Emperor will be here shortly."

Upon hearing this, Noble Princess Consort Xiao had no choice but to let it go, although Li Wan felt somewhat disappointed inside; she actually wished these women would pick a quarrel with her!

Speaking of the devil, as soon as Li Yanlan’s voice died down, the announcement from the eunuch arrived from outside: "His Majesty has arrived!"

Li Yanlan stepped forward, with the concubines following behind to pay their respects. Xiao Ke nervously performed her salute, her eyes involuntarily following the bright yellow figure approaching her direction, feeling a moment of joy inside. But in the next moment, that figure stopped right beside the person in front of her.

"You may all rise," Ye Qiu said indifferently to everyone, but he personally helped Rong Jieyu to her feet, his tone filled with pity, "Why did you come so early? Didn’t I instruct you to rest a bit longer?"

This remark was a direct slap to Noble Princess Consort Xiao’s face, who had just questioned why Rong Jieyu was late, and with Ye Qiu’s arrival, he ironically mentioned that Rong Jieyu was early?

Xiao Rou’s face turned ashen with rage, and Li Yanlan’s expression also darkened. As the Mother of the Country, the Emperor had bypassed her to personally assist a lower-ranked concubine, a first in six years that embarrassed her.

The faces of others looked equally displeased, as everyone entered the palace with the same aspirations. But now, it seemed that they didn’t even have a chance to compete?

Especially Xiao Ke, who always considered herself smart and beautiful, never placed the two direct descendants from the Xiao family in her eyes. Yet, unexpectedly Rong Jieyu appeared out of nowhere. Dressed up specially for today, the thought that the Emperor did not even spare her a glance filled her with resentment.

"Your Majesty," Li Wan deliberately snuggled into Ye Qiu’s arms in front of everyone, with a playful lilt to her voice as she giggled, "Today is noble sister’s birthday, I was worried I might be late!"

Ye Qiu smiled affectionately: "Then what birthday gift have you prepared? Show it to me."

Li Wan’s face blushed, shyly saying, "Your Majesty, you mustn’t laugh at me." Her palace maid took the hint and presented the birthday gift, which appeared to be a painting.

Li Wan unfolded it herself, seemingly embarrassed as she spoke, "I come from a humble background and have nothing valuable, this is a painting I made myself, please don’t disdain my humble gift, noble sister."

The painting depicted Guanyin handing out children, her face kind and compassionate, holding two adorable babies in her arms. The painting was exquisite, but it seemed intended to provoke the Noble Princess Consort Xiao. She monopolized the Emperor day after day; when could the Noble Princess Consort Xiao have her chance to bear children? Yet Xiao Rou couldn’t even lash out in anger but had to thank her instead.

"Hmm, I didn’t expect you to have such talents," Ye Qiu expressed his admiration, then leaned over to Li Wan’s ear and said ambiguously, "I do hope you can bear a child for me soon."

His voice was not low, and those who were meant to hear it did hear it. The concubines’ faces were a mix of awkwardness and jealousy, only Li Wan stamped her foot shyly: "Emperor... I’m ignoring you now."

Xiao Rou watched the scene, which glaringly brought back Li Yanlan’s memories. How familiar this scenario was. Years ago, the Emperor did the same, flirting with Noble Princess Consort Xiao without paying any mind to her, only now the object of his affection had changed.

Ever since Li Yanlan assumed the position of Crown Princess Consort, she knew she would share her husband with many women. She felt imbalance in her heart, but once she had a son, she no longer expected the elusive favor. She only needed enough respect from the Emperor as the Empress and stability for her son’s position as the Crown Prince.

Yesterday it was Noble Princess Consort Xiao, today it is Rong Jieyu, who will it be tomorrow? Li Yanlan watched everything with neither sadness nor joy.

Today, according to custom, should be Noble Princess Consort Xiao’s birthday, and Ye Qiu was supposed to stay overnight at Ganquan Palace, but had not the Empress Dowager spoken out, he probably would have gone with Rong Jieyu.

Empress Dowager Xiao felt uneasy during this period. She held a grand selection to provide heirs for the Imperial family, but with Rong Jieyu monopolizing the Emperor’s favor, could she bear ten children at once?

So, despite Ye Qiu’s reluctance, he stayed under the high pressure from the Empress Dowager.

As Li Wan left Ganquan Palace, she gently curved a slight smile. Did Noble Princess Consort Xiao think that keeping His Majesty would make her wish come true? Having tasted her delicacy, how could His Majesty care for lesser substitutes?

Li Wan smiled confidently; she had experienced many worlds, and the skills she possessed were beyond the comprehension of these people.

In Ganquan Palace, Ye Qiu drank tea restlessly, Xiao Rou having just bathed. She had finally managed to keep the Emperor here with great effort, and the palace was infused with scents that stirred desires, herself adorned in a thin red gauze revealing her snowy white skin tantalizingly.

It was an extremely captivating scene, something the previously favored Xiao Rou would not have bothered with, but now it forced her to lower her stance.

"Emperor brother, let me help you change," Xiao Rou said with a blushing cheek, her pale hands reaching for Ye Qiu’s waist.

Ye Qiu remained still, letting Xiao Rou undress him. He frowned slightly; his body was restless, but the scent was off. At this moment, he couldn’t help but recall the subtle yet enticing body fragrance of Rong Jieyu, leading his thoughts astray.

Xiao Rou thought Ye Qiu was satisfied with her and became bolder, leading him by hand to her bed. She lay on her side, the flimsy, smooth gauze sliding off her shoulder, revealing her ample bosom.

With such a beauty enticing him, it was irresistible for any man. Ye Qiu naturally leaned over Xiao Rou, and she could hardly contain her excitement as they began to entangle intensely.

But the moment he entered, something was off for Ye Qiu; he frowned and tried a few times, but it just wasn’t right. Xiao Rou was enjoying herself when suddenly he stopped, her dissatisfaction evident in her grunts: "Your Majesty, what’s wrong?"

"Wanwan..." Ye Qiu muttered, and Xiao Rou’s face darkened instantly.