roccoschili Chapter 308 Ruthless and Cruel Emperor × Runaway Palace Maid 4
Chapter 308 Ruthless and Cruel Emperor × Runaway Palace Maid 4
Phoenix Palace
"Your Majesty..." Yunxiang came over to help her up: "The Imperial Concubine and the Consort Zhen have arrived."
"Let's go."
Chu Yue and Consort Chen were already waiting inside the palace. Chu Yue met Consort Chen on the way and the two of them came over together.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects..." When the Empress came out, Chu Yue and the Imperial Concubine bowed at the same time.
"Get up."
After the Empress sat down, she carefully examined Chu Yue. Consort Zhen was so beautiful. No wonder His Majesty made an exception and conferred the title of Consort on her.
"Your Majesty the Empress..."
Yunlian respectfully presented two cups of tea and said, "Please, Your Highness the Noble Consort and Your Highness the Consort Zhen, offer tea to Her Majesty the Empress."
He then exchanged a glance with the Empress, who knowingly flicked her eyelashes.
The Imperial Concubine's eyes flickered almost imperceptibly, then she respectfully offered her teacup, saying, "Your Majesty, please have some tea."
The Empress smiled faintly, took the drink, and drank a sip.
After the Imperial Concubine finished offering her tea, Chu Yue carefully picked up the teacup. Her fingertips trembled slightly; it was very hot. Even the Empress was playing these tricks.
"Your Majesty, please have some tea..."
The Empress looked at Consort Zhen's slender, white fingers and said, "I heard that Consort Zhen was originally a palace maid serving His Majesty. I never imagined that Consort Zhen could take such good care of her hands. I like them very much."
"Your Majesty flatters me, I dare not accept such praise..." Chu Yue's fingertips were red from the heat.
"Your hands are so beautiful. I have a bracelet here. You can take it back with you later. Wearing it won't be a waste of such a fine thing." The Empress hesitated to take the bracelet, and slowly chatted with Chu Yue as if they were having a casual conversation.
"Your Majesty, I am unworthy of such an honor..." Chu Yue carefully declined.
"I am at ease knowing you are serving His Majesty." The Empress took the teacup through the brocade handkerchief in her hand and took a sip.
"Sit down." The Empress then instructed Yunxiang, "Bring me the gifts I gave to Consort Gui and Consort Zhen."
Yunxiang nodded and withdrew, then quickly presented the dish, which was promptly accepted by Yulan and Fangcao, who was beside the Imperial Concubine.
"Your Majesty the Empress..."
"Please sit down." The Empress maintained a composed demeanor. "There are only a few people in the harem, but I imagine His Majesty will soon be holding a selection of concubines. Until then, everyone must serve His Majesty diligently."
One empress and two concubines is simply not right. Currently, Consort Zhen has the upper hand, but who knows what will happen when there are more concubines in the future?
"What Your Majesty says is true..."
“Consort Zhen was originally a palace maid who served His Majesty. Now that she has become a concubine, she will surely be able to serve His Majesty even better.”
The emperor doted on Consort Zhen so much, and Consort Zhen was also so beautiful, so the empress had to be careful.
"Your Majesty's teachings are correct..." Chu Yue said softly, her head lowered. Her fingertips ached. The Empress was so intolerant of people.
The Imperial Concubine secretly observed the Empress's expression. Consort Zhen had stolen the Empress's good day last night, and the tea and the words the Empress had just spoken were a warning to Consort Zhen.
"Don't be shy, everyone. Quickly try some of the new sachets from my palace. They're quite fragrant." The Empress said with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Majesty..."
The Imperial Concubine picked up the bowl and took a sip: "The food from the Empress's palace is naturally the best."
Chu Yue found it a bit cloying and only touched her lips: "It tastes very good."
The Empress smiled faintly: "Alright, everyone go back now."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I shall take my leave..."
After leaving Fengqi Palace, the Imperial Concubine and Chu Yue went in different directions.
Fangcao whispered, "Your Majesty..."
"I never expected Consort Zhen to be so beautiful. I doubt His Majesty will tire of her anytime soon. Besides, there's the affection between them. Men are most fond of women who are nostalgic and gentle."
Consort Zhen happened to have both.
The Imperial Concubine believed herself to be quite beautiful and had a good family background, but the suddenly appearing Consort Zhen was not only more beautiful, but also enjoyed the fruits of their hard work without any effort. No matter how she thought about it, she could not accept it.
"Your Majesty, the Empress has clearly targeted Consort Zhen. Why don't you take this opportunity... to win His Majesty's favor?" Fangcao lowered her voice. "Besides, His Majesty will be holding another selection of consorts soon."
"Fangcao, go and keep an eye out where His Majesty will go tonight," the Consort whispered. "Be careful, don't let anyone know."
"Your Majesty, please rest assured..."
Having just parted ways with the Imperial Concubine, Yulan tenderly examined Chu Yue's fingers. After the Empress finished serving tea, Yulan noticed something was wrong: "Your Majesty, your hands..."
The fingertips were bright red, with faint blisters.
"It's okay, it doesn't hurt." It just looks scary, but Lingling had already blocked out the pain from her.
Yulan was heartbroken. As soon as she returned to Yaohua Palace, she carefully applied medicine to her and bandaged up the scalded fingertips.
Chu Yue: "..."
"Magnolia...isn't that a bit too much?" Chu Yue looked at her fingers, which were so wrapped up that she couldn't do anything.
“Your Highness, please don’t be careless. Your hands are so beautiful. What if you hurt them? What if they leave scars?” Yu Mei interjected at the right moment.
Chu Yue was speechless for a moment, then asked, "This way His Majesty will see it."
"We want His Majesty to know," Yulan and Yumei replied in unison, "so that His Majesty will feel sorry for the Empress."
Chu Yue: "..."
His Majesty will probably go to Phoenix Palace tonight, right? After all, she is the Empress.
Changqiu Palace
The emperor, newly enthroned, was extremely busy, and even as evening approached, he had not stopped for a moment.
Xiao Xuanzi changed the tea to hot tea and silently stood by her side.
The emperor paused and pinched the bridge of his nose. Xiao Xuanzi said at the right moment, "Your Majesty, please have some tea and rest for a while."
The emperor paused, no longer hearing Consort Zhen's sweet voice beside him, and this change had only been two days ago.
Consort Zhen used to be able to serve him at all times, but now that she has become a concubine, she can hardly see him for long each day.
"Go to Yaohua Palace."
The emperor had no intention of humiliating himself; he had already suffered enough grievances in the past, and now that he was the most powerful, only others should suffer.
He could stay with Consort Zhen for as long as he wanted, and he would take her with him tomorrow so as not to be distracted by thinking about her.
"Yes, Your Majesty..."
Xiao Xuanzi followed behind. Has Your Majesty forgotten the existence of the Empress and the Imperial Concubine?
"His Majesty has arrived..."
The people of Yaohua Palace immediately knelt down to greet her, and Chu Yue also came to the palace gate: "Your Majesty, I, your concubine, pay my respects..."
"stand up."
The emperor helped her up and led her into the palace. The palace servants served her snacks and hot tea in an orderly manner, while Xiao Xuanzi, Yulan, and Yumei stepped aside to stand guard.
The emperor had only parted from Consort Zhen that morning, and less than a day had passed, yet he was already somewhat impatient.
"My beloved concubine, are you feeling any better?" He was always infinitely tender when facing Chu Yue.
The angry look from yesterday was gone. Now that he sat in this position, with his beloved woman by his side, the emperor was much gentler.
Chu Yue shook her head: "Your Majesty... I'm alright."
Last night, the emperor was very active, and Chu Yue couldn't bear it and kept crying out in pain. The emperor took it seriously, which is why he asked this question now.
"My beloved consort, come with me tomorrow. I feel very uncomfortable without you by my side."
Chu Yue could still detect a childlike quality in his words: "Your Majesty, I'm afraid I might be disturbing you."
"Who dares to object?" the emperor commanded domineeringly. "My beloved concubine, just listen to me."
"Alright... Your Majesty, I will obey." Chu Yue had no choice but to agree. If she angered the emperor, she would be the one to suffer the consequences.