Chapter 10: The Emperor's Protection

Within the serene confines of Cining Palace, all the concubines had already taken their leave, leaving only Consort Xue to accompany the Empress Dowager in conversation.

Consort Shuyi and Wang Degui had arrived at Cining Palace together.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. It is entirely my fault for being slow-witted, as I failed to promptly convey the Emperor's imperial edict to you…" Wang Degui repeated the Emperor's words, his voice trembling as he added, "The Emperor also said… he said, that Ning Guiren has always been respectful to you and never harbored any disrespect. Her absence on one occasion was solely due to my fault. I hope Your Majesty can understand."

The Empress Dowager's expression darkened.

The Emperor had clearly shown his favor for Ning Wan Yin, blaming himself. Naturally, the Empress Dowager could not continue to punish Ning Wan Yin. She coldly replied, "Since the Emperor has interceded on her behalf, I shall let this matter pass. You may leave now."

Wang Degui wiped the cold sweat from his brow and hurriedly withdrew.

Consort Shuyi, not wishing to remain and witness the Empress Dowager's fury, quickly bowed and left.

Once the others had departed, Chief Eunuch Liu Zhen, unable to suppress his anger, exclaimed, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has humiliated you for the sake of a mere woman! He has completely forgotten that without your support, how could he have ascended to the throne? You cannot let this go so easily!"

When the Empress Dowager had once been Empress, she held absolute power over the harem. Back then, the Emperor, still a prince, could only bow respectfully to her and dared not oppose his biological mother. Thus, the people of Cining Palace always viewed themselves as above others, even when in the presence of the Emperor.

"Enough, leave me to think this over," the Empress Dowager commanded, dismissing the eunuchs in a wave of her hand, her fury not clouding her judgment.

The older generation of harem winners were not so easily swayed.

Liu Zhen and the others withdrew, and the Empress Dowager turned her gaze to Consort Xue with a complex expression. "Yan'er, we, like the Cen family, misjudged him back then, thinking him easily controlled. In these past three years, the Emperor has made great strides in the court and has already established a firm base, making it difficult to change the line of succession. That is why our family arranged for you to enter the palace."

"Yan'er understands. But… Aunt, why are you saying this now?" Consort Xue was deeply troubled. Today's events had been humiliating for her aunt, and as a member of the Xue family, she felt the sting of anger as well.

"The Emperor is no puppet, nor is he willing to remain one. You must look beyond the surface to see the Emperor's true intentions and not allow your anger to cloud your judgment," the Empress Dowager advised, a cold smile flickering on her lips. "The Emperor could not directly break ties with us, so he has chosen to elevate you to the rank of Jieyu. This is his compromise to the Xue family. Now, he seeks to have me step back even further and use this Ning Guiren as a pawn."

Consort Xue was somewhat confused, "Aunt, what do you mean by stepping back?"

"Didn't the Emperor say it himself? Ning Guiren has been offering her respects to me every day…" The Empress Dowager's voice turned cold.

Every day, offering her respects. The Emperor's intentions were clear.

Consort Xue was taken aback, realization dawning on her. "The Emperor wishes for you to follow the example of the former Empress Dowagers..."

No longer offering daily respects, but only on the first and fifteenth of each month.

This would diminish the Empress Dowager's control and influence over the harem.

Currently, all the concubines were required to pay daily respects, leaving them at the mercy of the Empress Dowager's lectures and threats. The Emperor could not tolerate such a power dynamic.

"Do you…?" Consort Xue's voice trailed off with concern. If the Empress Dowager relinquished her authority, the Xue family's influence in the harem would inevitably wane…

"Let's wait and see. I need time to think," the Empress Dowager said, a flicker of anxiety crossing her eyes. If the Emperor continued to neglect Consort Xue, there was little she could do. They needed an imperial heir with Xue blood!

In the bustling Lingsnow Pavilion, the atmosphere was markedly different.

After Wang Degui had gone to Cining Palace to apologize, he quickly returned, this time bringing silk, jewelry, and other treasures from the Imperial Treasury.

Additionally, there were various golden and silver items, as per the customary rewards for Ning Guiren.

The palace maids and eunuchs carried large trays, filling the courtyard of Lingsnow Pavilion with gifts.

"Guiren, this set of red-gold embroidered butterfly jewelry is a rare treasure, containing twenty-eight pieces in total. And this Shu silk is a tribute, soft as clouds, with exquisite embroidery, absolutely stunning," Wang Degui enthusiastically explained.

With the Emperor's favor towards Ning Guiren, he would naturally spare no effort in presenting her with gifts.

Ning Wan Yin surveyed the dazzling display of treasures and silks, a small smile tugging at her lips.

The Emperor certainly knew how to send the right gifts.

She had always preferred luxurious items.

"Many thanks for the Emperor's gracious reward," Ning Wan Yin said softly, bowing slightly to express her gratitude.

Wang Degui then pointed towards a row of eunuchs from the Imperial Chamber, "The Emperor heard that Guiren is fond of lotuses, and has commanded that a pond be constructed for you, with lotus flowers planted. May I inquire if you have any particular preferences for the design of the lotus pond?"

A lotus pond?

Ning Wan Yin was indeed fond of lotuses, and her family home had a lotus pond as well. The ideal depth for such a pond was not even as high as a person's waist, so if it were to be specially dug for the flowers, it would not be too deep—just deep enough that one could fall in and rise again without danger.

A soft smile graced her lips. "Thank you for the Emperor's generous favor. I have no particular preference. Please proceed as you see fit. Once the lotuses bloom in summer, I will personally pick some to present to the Emperor."

"Guiren truly holds deep affection for the Emperor," Wang Degui complimented, a smile of admiration crossing his face.

In Zhongcui Palace, Mo Zhu Hall.

"My lady, news has just come in. The Emperor intervened personally to protect Ning Guiren, even bestowing upon her a large amount of rewards!" her personal maid, Shier, huffed angrily. "Why did the Emperor remain silent when our mistress was made to suffer at the hands of the Empress Dowager?"

Song Qingzhi paused, furrowing her brow. "Do not speak ill of the Emperor."

Reluctantly, Shier fell silent.

Song Qingzhi lowered her gaze, her thoughts far from settled as she returned to her reading. She had been secretly reassuring herself that the Emperor was a man of great ambition and would not concern himself with the harem. A mere moment of discomfort caused by the Empress Dowager would not warrant his direct interference.

But now it was clear that the Emperor's favoritism towards one woman was far too obvious.

She was not the Emperor's favored one.

Song Qingzhi tightened her grip on her book, her knuckles turning white.

The entire palace had been waiting to see the spectacle at Lingsnow Pavilion, only to be shocked when Ning Wan Yin was not sent to the Cold Palace, but instead received a pile of rewards from the Emperor.

The courtiers were dumbfounded, with only Tang Miaoling remaining composed.

She had already been shocked once in her previous life.

Relaxing in her chambers, she cheerfully munched on candied melon seeds, thoroughly enjoying herself.

After removing the Emperor from her life, she spent her days indulging in fine food and drink. How wonderful!

"Miss, news from the palace: Tonight, Ning Guiren will still serve the Emperor!" the head palace maid, Qiuxia, reminded her.

Qiuxia, an old hand in the palace and someone with connections to the Tang family, had been positioned by them to help Tang Miaoling secure the Emperor's favor.

"Mm." Tang Miaoling was unconcerned, continuing to enjoy her snack.

"This Ning Guiren is your cousin. If you seize her favor, you may offend others, but as your cousin, she would not mind," Qiuxia suggested, plotting.

"Snap—"

Tang Miaoling's snack broke in half as she froze.

Seize her cousin's favor?

You need not hold me in such high regard!