novelraw Chapter 494: This Feeling, So Good!
Chapter 494: This Feeling, So Good!
After this incident, it was likely that the harem would be peaceful for a long time.Finally, he could relax and have some peace of mind.
His Qingqing, he could dote on her however he wanted, without worrying about anyone causing trouble anymore.
That feeling was truly good!
After Zhao Junyan finished his grumbling, he saw the Emperor zoning out with a... ’lecherous’ smile.
He was speechless and waved his hand in front of his face.
"Imperial Brother, are you really thinking about the Little Princess?"
That look in your eyes doesn’t seem right!
Zhao Junyao came back to his senses, realized there was something off with his expression, and quickly reined it in.
He sipped his tea and affected a cool demeanor.
"Enough about that!"
"We’re setting off in a few days. Have you packed your things?"
Zhao Junyan answered without thinking.
"Not yet!"
"Hey, I’m by myself; it’ll be quick! I’ll be done in no time."
Zhao Junyao didn’t care what he said and immediately started shooing him out.
"Don’t be in such a rush. You’re not getting any younger. Take this chance while all the noble ladies of the court are here to look around!"
"In a couple of years, we’ll have to start discussing your marriage..."
Zhao Junyan was dumbfounded.
"Imperial Brother, I’m only ten years old! Even Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother haven’t discussed this, and I—"
Zhao Junyao paid him no mind and continued to urge him earnestly.
"Fifth Brother and Sixth Brother have Empress Dowager Zhen to worry about them!"
"You can’t compare. They say the eldest brother is like a father, and I am doing this for your own good..."
As Zhao Junyao spoke, he got into character in a second, his face showing fatherly concern.
Seventh Master felt goosebumps rise all over his skin.
"Imperial Brother, you’re too scheming!"
"This is a matter your younger brother doesn’t need you to trouble yourself with. If there’s nothing else, your subject shall take his leave!"
After saying that, he quickly scurried off, faster than a rabbit!
Zhao Junyao watched his retreating figure and smiled contentedly.
Finally got rid of the little brat!
Only ten years old and already knows so much! Zhao Junyao thought disdainfully.
...
After this incident, the palace was indeed peaceful.
For most people, who was raising the Little Princess didn’t concern them.
What they were truly looking forward to was the chance to have the honor of accompanying the Emperor and leaving the palace with him.
That was the real joyous event in the palace.
Everyone was overjoyed, chattering excitedly, hoping to be chosen to accompany the Emperor.
In order to make a good impression, everyone was extraordinarily courteous when interacting with others.
For a time, those who used to bicker stopped bickering, those who used to argue stopped arguing, and even those who previously couldn’t stand the sight of each other now found one another agreeable.
Everyone got along harmoniously, their faces wreathed in smiles and laughter, closer than biological sisters.
「In Jiaofang Hall.」
The Empress was also in good spirits.
The Little Princess didn’t cry incessantly just because her environment had changed.
On the contrary, she sweetly and quietly drank her milk and slept.
The tiny infant, lying in the small cradle, was so small, she was especially precious and heart-tugging.
Watching her, the Empress felt her heart melt.
It had been two days, and every day, from the moment she woke, she stayed by the Little Princess’s side.
Watching her feed, watching her urinate, watching her sleep, not wanting to leave her for a moment.
Yu Lan entered with the harem roster, smiling as she gently prodded.
"Your Majesty, you mentioned the other day that you wanted to draft the list!"
The Empress, her gaze fixed on the Little Princess, didn’t even lift her head as she asked absently, "What list?"
Yu Lan paused for a moment, then said with a hint of helplessness, "Your Majesty..."
"It’s the list of attendants for the Emperor’s journey! The Emperor asked you to select the individuals, have you forgotten?"
The Empress indeed had forgotten. Yu Lan’s reminder brought it back to her.
"I really did forget!"
"Quickly, quickly!"
"Bring the flower list here!"
Yu Lan had already prepared everything, and she presented the brush, ink, paper, inkstone, and the roster.
The Empress opened the booklet and began to tick off names.
"Noble Consort is confined for reflection; she will not go!"
"Consort Ning, Consort Xian Pin, Consort Hui Pin, Consort Zheng Pin, Consort Yun Pin, all of them will go!"
"Shih Jieyu will also go. Next, from among the Honored Ladies..."
The Empress scanned the names one by one.
"Honored Lady Cheng and Noble Lady Song are long-serving members of the harem and hold respectable status; naturally, they must go!"
She looked further down.
"Honored Lady Jiang may go as well!"
"Then... Honored Lady Chen, Honored Lady Liang, and Honored Lady Li are all well-behaved, and the Emperor doesn’t dislike them. Include them as well."
"As for the rest, like Honored Lady Du and Honored Lady Wang, there’s no need for them to go!"
The Empress examined the list in her hand, confirmed there were no errors, and then picked it up.
"Send this to Zhaochen Palace for the Emperor to review!"
Although the Emperor usually didn’t concern himself with these matters, it still had to be sent.
Yu Lan took it, acknowledged the order, and departed.
She returned in less than half a Shi Chen.
"Eunuch Li said the Emperor nodded his approval, there are no issues, and he told Your Majesty to proceed with the preparations!"
The Empress smiled as well.
"That is to be expected!"
Yu Lan added, "Eunuch Li also said that the Emperor will be coming for dinner tonight and asked Your Majesty to prepare to receive him!"
"...Yes!"
At these words, the Empress’s expression lit up.
Beaming with joy, the Empress first went to the west wing to check on the Princess, then called for her attendants to busy themselves with preparations.
...
That evening, Zhao Junyao indeed had his dinner at Jiaofang Hall.
Of course, it was only dinner.
After finishing the meal, he left.
The Empress was still somewhat disappointed, but things were already vastly different from before.
She knew that, in the future, the Emperor would visit her often, and she also knew that the Emperor would not depose her!
Women are like that; once given a sense of security, they are not so easily prone to letting their imaginations run wild.
So, in the following days, Zhao Junyao spent his nights at Qingya Residence.
The Empress said nothing at all.
She didn’t even feel any reluctance in her heart.
She was the Empress; she had to be magnanimous. Besides, the Little Princess occupied most of her energy, leaving her no time for idle thoughts.
Consort Xian Pin was thus openly and magnificently favored.
If the Empress herself said nothing, who else had the right to comment?
Li Shengan was almost bursting with admiration.
The Emperor is truly incredible, paving the way for Consort Xian Pin like this!
Consort Xian Pin herself is amazing, to have the Emperor think so highly of her, to cherish her on the very tip of his heart!
This is truly unprecedented and unlikely to be repeated!
It just happened to be the right time; there was nothing else for it!
...
The list of those who would accompany the Emperor was announced the next day.
Those whose names were called rejoiced and expressed their gratitude.
Those not chosen wore dejected expressions.
The Empress quickly consoled them, "It’s alright if you are not going! Behave yourselves in the palace, and no one will bully you! You will not lack for your three daily meals, clothing, or accommodations!"
The unselected Honored Ladies, though feeling aggrieved, could only acquiesce.
They were miserable inwardly, but none voiced any dissatisfaction.
Only Honored Lady Du felt a profound sense of injustice.
She couldn’t believe the Emperor would not take her.
Even Honored Lady Jiang was going, so why was she, of all people, excluded?
She was the only one the Emperor himself had chosen to bring into the harem!
Above, the Empress finished speaking and dismissed everyone.
Happy or not, they all paid their respects and departed.
Only Honored Lady Du stood rooted to the spot, her heart filled with bitter unreconcilement.
Ding Xiang called to her, "My Lady, it’s time to make your obeisance and depart!"
Honored Lady Du glanced around but remained standing still.
Ding Xiang was growing impatient.
"My Lady, let’s go quickly!"