Chapter 121 - The Unemotional Emperor

Chapter 121: Chapter 116: The Unemotional EmperorThe next day, the entire harem was abuzz with rumors that the Emperor had left Noble Princess Consort Xiao on her birthday night and went to Lady Rong Jieyu’s quarters instead.

There were those who reveled in the misfortune, but even more were wary of Lady Rong Jieyu, thinking that if even the highly favored Noble Princess Consort Xiao couldn’t keep the Emperor, could they?

"Is this all the jewelry?" The following morning, as morning court was not held, he had conveniently stayed overnight in Lady Rong Jieyu’s palace. Getting up late today, he awoke to find Li Wan dressing up, and Ye Qiu naturally saw her jewelry box.

Due to her recent favor, the Internal Affairs Office had also sent some jewelry, but since her time in the palace was short and her rank was not high, her jewelry naturally could not compare to that of people like Noble Princess Consort Xiao or Princess Consort Liu. Ye Qiu felt uncomfortable; how could his beloved woman not have a few decent pieces of jewelry?

Ye Qiu spoke apologetically, "It is my oversight, I will go to the private treasury later and pick some more for you."

Li Wan’s smile curled up satisfactorily. Which woman doesn’t love jewelry? Even after conquering several emperors, aside from her time in bed, admiring those sparkling jewels was what made her happiest.

"I thank Your Majesty," Li Wan took Ye Qiu’s hand, her smile extremely joyful, "In this capital, only Your Majesty treats me the best."

Ye Qiu was in an excellent mood, his other hand wrapping around her: "Who else should I treat well if not you, hm?" He then pondered, "I actually forgot, Wanwan’s family is far away in Jiangsu, I should bring your father to the capital."

"Really?" Li Wan’s eyes lit up, filled with anticipation.

"Of course it’s true, when have I ever lied to you?"

Listening, Li Wan smiled thoughtfully. Although she was not close to her family in this world, their presence would be beneficial. Without her own power, how could she overthrow the court and bring this nation to ruin?

"The weather is nice today, after I attend to my duties, we can go for a walk in the imperial garden. I’ll have Little Shunzi accompany you." Ye Qiu enjoyed the comfort of her tenderness, not wanting to move, but thinking of the pile of official business in the Imperial Study Room, he finally steeled his heart and left, yet he still remembered to leave his chief eunuch beside Lady Rong Jieyu.

"Go ahead, Your Majesty, I’ll join you tonight," Li Wan said understandingly, but Ye Qiu felt even more reluctant. Ultimately, he sighed, lingered in her warmth a little longer before leaving.

Eunuch Shun watched in amazement; Lady Rong Jieyu was merely using common tactics, but the Emperor was particularly taken by her approach. The harem had just enjoyed a few days of peace, and now it seemed the winds of change were blowing again!

He also believed that he understood the Emperor well enough, thinking the Emperor always prioritized official duties. However, today was an exception with the Emperor arranging for Lady Rong Jieyu’s family to come to the capital; the Emperor had made exceptions for her more than once already, what would be the next reason?

Later, after reviewing petitions for half the day in the Imperial Study Room, Ye Qiu suddenly remembered the jewelry he promised Lady Rong Jieyu and used the break to visit his private treasury.

Due to the Hong Dynasty emperors historically having few heirs, there wasn’t much expenditure, and the private treasury had been passed down from generation to generation, reaching a considerably impressive state. The least valuable but most plentiful were the jewelry: thumb-sized pearls, translucent jade, dazzling gemstones, and valuable gold. It didn’t take long before he had selected quite a few.

Just as he was about to leave the private treasury, Ye Qiu suddenly felt his Dantian heating up while his head also started spinning dizzily, with numerous images flashing through his mind in an instant.

"Your Majesty, what’s wrong?"

"Your Majesty, are you alright?"

"Imperial Physician, quick, call the Imperial Physician!"

The palace attendants were in panic as they supported Ye Qiu, who was in utter disarray.

"Silence," Ye Qiu barked, "I’m fine, everyone get out."

At this moment, Ye Qiu’s face was stern, his presence commanding, causing the attendants to freeze like cicadas in winter. They glanced at each other and seeing that Ye Qiu was only supporting his head and was not seriously impaired, they orderly retreated outside the palace gate.

He had finally regained his composure and also understood why he had been acting abnormally for a while.

It turned out, he was not the only transmigrator in this world, nor the only one with a System. Originally, he wouldn’t have been so easily afflicted, but given that his original body was someone extremely fond of beauty, he had inadvertently been influenced.

He took out the Golden Egg from the System Space, which radiated an intense heat, and affectionately nuzzled into him before it flew slowly to the innermost part of the palace, quickly finding its target.

It was a black stone that appeared unremarkable. Ye Qiu looked at the documents beside it and learned that it was a meteorite that had fallen during the previous dynasty, once considered an ominous symbol by the people. He didn’t know why it had ended up in his private treasury, but since it could awaken the dormant Golden Egg, it should be no ordinary item.

After the Golden Egg absorbed the stone’s energy, it still didn’t want to leave Ye Qiu’s side, unwilling to return to the space. Ye Qiu gently said, "Go back, there is no Spiritual Energy here suitable for you. Don’t worry, I won’t be fooled again."

After hearing Ye Qiu’s promise, the Golden Egg reluctantly went back, and at that moment, Ye Qiu had already figured out how he should deal with Rong Jieyu in the future.

He was fairly certain that her system’s task was to seduce him, but whether she had any dangerous methods, he was still unsure and needed to carefully probe.

And he, before fully uncovering her cards, could use the opportunity to promote her, even if it meant giving the courtiers the impression that he was a foolish ruler for a while. He should create a powerful rival for Prime Minister Xiao, so, he decided to grant Rong Jieyu even more favors.

That afternoon, the imperial decree to move Rong Jieyu to Ganlu Palace was issued, causing upheaval in the harem.

According to ancestral rules, concubines below the rank of Lady were not eligible to reside alone in a palace. But today, not only had Rong Jieyu broken this rule, but she had also moved into the legendary Ganlu Palace.

Ganlu Palace was a palace specially built by the Emperor Wenzong for his favored concubine, Mrs. Bai, rumored to be extravagant, filled with countless jewels and porcelain. After Mrs. Bai’s death, Ganlu Palace was sealed until now, and nobody expected it to be granted to Rong Jieyu!

Li Wan received the decree, her smile satisfied. It seemed her charm was increasing, making this world even easier to conquer than the last one she was in.

Ganlu Palace, other than her, who else was more deserving to reside within?

Since it had been long unoccupied, Li Wan was still summoned to reside temporarily in Yangxin Hall that day.

Ye Qiu watched the woman slowly entering with graceful steps, and internally he had to admit she indeed had the capability to dazzle one’s heart. But he was now clear-headed, no longer muddled, though the play must still go on.

Li Wan felt something was off, but seeing Ye Qiu’s fascinated gaze, she dismissed the faint thought from her mind. What could be wrong? Wasn’t everything proceeding according to her plan?

With her assets, which man could possibly escape from the palm of her hand?