Hustle Queen in the Harem: My Consort Won't Stop Grinding

Chapter 64: Chapter 51: Demoted to Talented Woman (2)

The Emperor was deeply moved when he heard this.

He could tell her words came straight from the heart.

’Xian’er’s love for me is so pure and true, untainted by any desire for status or wealth.’

"How can you say our son would be just a bonus," he said, his tone chiding, though he was secretly delighted. "I hope our son is as beautiful as you, but takes after me in literature, martial arts, riding, and archery."

"Then there’s no time like the present. Emperor, would you stay with me tonight?"

"Aren’t you sick? I’m restraining myself, so don’t be naughty."

"Other concubines ask you to visit when they are ill. Now that I am ill, I want you to stay with me, too. Besides, my sickness is just from the shock. I won’t get you sick."

’That makes sense,’ the Emperor thought. With the warm, soft woman in his arms, and the sweet fragrance that always clung to his beloved concubine—a scent so different from the incense in other palaces that he found it particularly enchanting—his inclination to stay grew. He feigned hesitation, indulging in her pouting and pleading until he was satisfied, then finally said, "Alright, alright. I will stay and keep you company."

Jiang Xian’s face finally lit up. "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."

Just then, Liang Yuyin returned. The Emperor gestured with his chin. "Tell me what happened."

When Chen Daying was being punished, Consort Guo had "graciously" allowed her to kneel in a more secluded, shaded area. But the Imperial Garden was always bustling. Besides the Palace Attendants on duty, quite a few passing concubines saw her. Consort Guo intended to humiliate Chen Daying, but she had no idea that Chen Daying’s only thought was, ’My knees and legs are so numb.’

Liang Yuyin was meticulous. Acting on the Emperor’s command, he had also sent men to Zhongcui Palace to question the palace maids attending Consort Guo.

The results of his inquiry were more or less the same as what Jiang Xian had reported.

The only difference was the part about Jiang Xian being insulted—that was something she had added herself. Consort Guo had no idea the story had been embellished, so she couldn’t possibly defend herself against it. Liang Yuyin saw how the Emperor doted on Noble Lady Gu and felt indifferent toward Consort Guo, so he certainly wasn’t going to point out the discrepancy and do Consort Guo an unnecessary favor.

The Emperor looked away and said coolly, "Relay my decree. Consort Guo has maligned others and her conduct is unbecoming. She is demoted to a Talented Woman. In consideration of her father’s service to the state, she will be fined two months’ allowance. If she causes any more trouble, I will have to ask the Guo Family how they raised their daughter! Zhang Changzai, who stood by and failed to offer counsel, instead abetting this wickedness, is also to be demoted to a Daying."

Hearing this, Jiang Xian tightened her arms around the Emperor’s neck.

’A demotion and a fine. That’s a harsh enough lesson for anyone.’

"All of you may leave."

"Your servant takes his leave."

Once the room was cleared, the Emperor took her cool little hand, brought it to his lips, and warmed it with his breath. "I have stood up for you. How will you reward me?"

Jiang Xian switched from defense to offense, rewarding him with a long kiss.

As it turned out, the Emperor didn’t even make it until nightfall.

Instead, it was Jiang Xian who took the lead, pulling him into one round after another. They were at it from day until dusk, only calling for water as night fell.

While she was lost in pleasure until nightfall, the sky was falling over at Zhongcui Palace, which had just received the imperial decree.

It was still broad daylight outside. Consort Guo—no, she should be addressed as Guo Cairen now—nearly fainted when she heard the decree. She looked as if she’d been struck by lightning. Only when the eunuch reminded her with a stony expression that she had to accept the decree and offer her thanks, lest she be charged with defiance, did she snap out of it. Supported by her palace maids, she accepted the scroll with trembling hands.

The moment the official from the imperial court departed, Guo Cairen burst into tears. "How could the Emperor punish me so severely! I only gave a minor punishment to a Daying. How was my conduct ’unbecoming’ or ’maligning others’? It must have been Noble Lady Gu who embellished the story to the Emperor! I refuse to accept this! I’m going to seek an audience with the Emperor!"

Hearing this, both Si Qin and Si Qi dropped to their knees. "Your Ladyship, the Emperor is at Yizhu Pavilion! He must be furious to have handed down such a heavy punishment. If you go argue with him now, won’t that just be adding fuel to the fire? He’s only acting out of anger because he was misled by lies. Once he calms down, he will surely restore your rank."

The Emperor’s will was difficult to fathom, but there was one thing about him that everyone in the harem knew.

Never oppose him directly.

In the imperial court, the Emperor couldn’t always have the final say; he had to constantly weigh different interests and concerns when conducting state affairs. The harem, however, was his personal sanctuary. His every whim, be it fury or favor, was a form of imperial grace. If Guo Cairen dared to go and raise a fuss before him, knowing the Emperor’s temperament, he would likely just nod and say, ’So you don’t want to be a Talented Woman? Fine. You can be an official woman and serve on duty in the Imperial Garden instead.’