"What's there to ask an old woman like me? Hurry and take your precious sweetheart back—no need for her to suffer here," the Empress Dowager said, waving them off.
From the casual warmth in their exchange, Meng Wenyao was certain now: the rumors about the Emperor being a devoted and filial son were probably true.
Sensing the atmosphere, Meng Wenyao quickly played along, her voice soft and sweet. "The Empress Dowager is so kind to me. I truly feel her affection."
The meeting ended on a seemingly pleasant note. As the Emperor took Meng Wenyao's hand and led her out of Changle Palace, they had barely reached the entrance when Granny Gui rushed after them.
"Your Majesty, Your Highness, please forgive me. The Empress Dowager was so happy just now, she forgot to pass along a message for the consort."
"Speak," said the Emperor.
"Consort Chen entered the palace yesterday. Normally, she should have gone to pay respects to the Noble Consort. Since she didn't, she should definitely do so today—and with proper decorum. That way, she'll appear respectful and won't give the Noble Consort cause for displeasure."
Last night's pampering and this morning's show of support had left Meng Wenyao a little dazed—she had nearly forgotten there was already a favored consort at the top.
Suppressing the flicker of annoyance in her heart, she smiled. "Thank you, Empress Dowager, for the reminder. I'll head over to greet the Noble Consort at once."
The Empress Dowager had gone out of her way to send this message—it might seem helpful, but it was clearly meant to stir the pot.
Just moments ago in Changle Palace, Meng Wenyao had been foolish enough to believe the Empress Dowager actually liked her. But no—how could the queen of palace politics say anything without hidden meaning?
With the Empress dethroned, the Noble Consort now held the highest rank in the inner court. It was proper for Wenyao to show her respects.
She glanced at the Emperor beside her. Once the favored and the fresh newcomer were in the same room, who would he side with?
"Get on," the Emperor said from his seat in the imperial carriage, holding out his hand to her.
"Your Majesty, this wouldn't be proper. I'm just a consort—how can I share a carriage with the Son of Heaven?"
The Emperor's expression darkened at her refusal but quickly softened again. He reminded himself—Wenyao wasn't arrogant or demanding. It was her restraint that made her so utterly charming.
Leaning down, he whispered in her ear, "Since you've got the strength to walk, I'll take full advantage of it tonight."
The teasing words made Wenyao's knees nearly give out. Was this really the famously ascetic Emperor? The same man the entire court believed to be a noble, untouchable figure? He was clearly a scoundrel under that ice-cold mask!
She was already dreading whatever "full advantage" meant for the night. Better to stay comfortable for now. The palace was huge, and her legs were aching already.
Seeing her hesitate, the Emperor simply picked her up and placed her in the carriage.
"What? You won't get in unless I carry you?" he joked, hand lingering at her waist.
Wenyao clung to his neck, a playful glint in her eyes. "We're on our way to greet the Noble Consort. Aren't you afraid she'll get jealous if she sees this?"
The Emperor paused, then leaned in and kissed her chin. "Forget it. You're still recovering. No need to go—just rest."
That should've delighted her, but all Meng Wenyao could think was: Is this man trying to get me killed?
"Your Majesty, I've only just entered the palace. Wouldn't skipping formalities make me seem disrespectful?"
Her wide, pleading eyes looked up at him, glimmering with innocence.
The Emperor's breath hitched. He thought of her soft curves, the dazed look in her eyes last night… damn, if only daytime wasn't so long. He couldn't do anything now anyway. Fine. Let her go if she wants to.
So the imperial carriage continued on toward the Jiaofang Hall, where the Noble Consort resided. Along the way, the Emperor kept sneaking kisses like a love-struck fool. Every palace servant they passed looked like they'd seen a ghost. Was this really the famously abstinent Emperor?
When word reached Jiaofang Hall that the Emperor was coming, the Noble Consort nearly rolled off her couch in surprise. She hadn't seen him in ages! She barely had time to touch up her hair before rushing outside to greet him.
"Your Majesty," she greeted with a graceful bow.
"Rise."
When she looked up, her gaze locked onto the stunning woman beside the Emperor. Fair as snow, with willow brows and autumn-tinted eyes—and those rose-petal lips. Even as a woman, she found herself momentarily entranced.
"Greetings to the Noble Consort," Meng Wenyao curtsied with flawless grace.
The Noble Consort blinked hard, then forced a serene smile. "You may rise, sister."
Once seated, the Emperor spoke without preamble. "Wenyao is young, and her family spoiled her since birth. I trust you won't make things difficult for her."
Meng Wenyao froze for a second. Was this a gesture of protection—or a warning aimed at the Noble Consort? Either way, it was bound to stir resentment.
The Noble Consort had come from poverty. Her family sold her into the palace. To now hear the Emperor praise another woman for being pampered from birth—how could it not sting?
And yet, she smiled as if nothing had happened. "Of course not. I liked her the moment I saw her. How could I bear to make things hard for her? She can visit me daily—I'll treat her like my own sister."
As the one overseeing the inner court, it was routine for consorts to pay daily respects. Meng Wenyao was late today—everyone else had already come and gone.
"Very thoughtful of you," the Emperor said approvingly. But his eyes remained on Meng Wenyao, as if worried she'd been bullied already.
"No need for daily visits," he added. "From now on, the other consorts will just greet you on the first and fifteenth of each month."
The Noble Consort was so stunned she nearly fell off her chair. She hadn't done anything cruel recently—why the sudden demotion in protocol?
The only explanation was that the Emperor was making a grand show of favoritism.
Her smile stiffened as she fought to remain composed. You little fox... let's see how long you stay on top.
"You have a problem with that?" the Emperor asked coldly.
"Not at all."
With that, he took Meng Wenyao by the hand and left, while the Noble Consort sat alone, fuming.
Soon after, the sound of porcelain shattering echoed through Jiaofang Hall.
"Find out how that little tramp bewitched the Emperor! Why is he so obsessed with her?" she snapped.
Maidservant Xiang'er cowered on the side, though inwardly, she scoffed: Didn't you say you'd wait until she got pregnant to investigate? Can't even last a day, can you?
A little while later, a spy returned with fresh gossip.
"Yesterday, His Majesty visited the Wei residence. There, he encountered the eldest daughter of the Meng family and issued an imperial decree to bring her into the palace."
"What happened at the Wei residence?" the Noble Consort demanded, pacing furiously.
"The Wei family said the eldest young master of the household was plotting to drug and seduce the new consort. But the drug was accidentally taken by her younger sister, who ended up... with the young master instead. His Majesty arrived just in time to 'rescue' the elder sister and brought her back with him."
The Noble Consort's eyes narrowed dangerously.
The Emperor couldn't perform. Everyone in the palace knew that. He might fawn over a new consort for a while, but he couldn't do anything more than look. That was how it had always been.
This obsession wouldn't last.
She needed to cool down and think. Why the sudden interest in a daughter of the Meng family?
Then it hit her—General Meng commanded 500,000 troops in the North.
Was this all just a ploy for military power?
She couldn't think of any other reason that explained the Emperor's sudden obsession with Meng Wenyao.