The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 13 - Schemes

Defei cast a glance at the maid by her side. "Wen Jieyu, I am still present. Has the palace momo taught you such disrespectful manners?"

Wen Jieyu's steps were halted, forced to watch as the person she had been targeting disappeared before her eyes.

"Defei, you protect her so fiercely—what are you after?" Wen Jieyu withdrew her gaze, her expression provocative as she glared at Defei as if to say she knew all about Defei's schemes.

Defei smiled, amused by the accusation. In truth, she had no particular demands from Li Liangdi (Honorable Consort Bai). Wen Jieyu's guess was entirely off the mark.

"Oh? Then why don't you tell me what it is I seek?" Defei retorted, her tone light.

Wen Jieyu's attendants were filled with dread. Who was Defei? How could their mistress dare to challenge her? They would surely pay the price for this audacity.

"What else could it be?" Wen Jieyu sneered. "You want to use her womb, of course. Don't think I don't know. Ever since the birth of the Second Prince, you've been desperate for another child. But it's a pity, isn't it? After all the sins you've committed, how could Heaven turn a blind eye?"

Slap!

Before Wen Jieyu could finish speaking, Defei slapped her hard across the face. The impact was clear from Wen Jieyu's swollen cheek.

"You dare hit me!"

Both women had been in the palace for years. Wen Jieyu had her reasons for daring to confront Defei so boldly.

"Let me tell you, Wen Susu," Defei said, her voice cold, "what happened back then had nothing to do with me. If you dare mention my son again, I'll make sure you suffer a fate worse than death."

Having struck a nerve, Wen Jieyu saw Defei's calm facade crumble.

"If you have no brain, stop acting rashly. This is the first and last time. If I hear you bring up the Second Prince again, I'll see you die a miserable death—and your Wen family will join you in the grave."

Defei had lost all interest in continuing the conversation and left with her entourage.

Wen Jieyu stood frozen, her hand on her face, disbelief in her eyes. How could Defei dare?

Back then, if it wasn't her, who else could it have been?

Meanwhile, Bai Jingxian knew nothing of the confrontation. She returned to the Qingliang Palace, smiling. The Empress's olive branch had proven quite useful.

She had avoided stepping out of her palace for fear of running into troublesome people like Wen Jieyu. Today was a rare exception, as Defei had accompanied her. Yet, they had still encountered Wen Jieyu.

Bai Jingxian had no idea why Wen Jieyu seemed so intent on making trouble for her. Despite being favored by the Emperor, she hadn't surpassed many others in the palace. What could Wen Jieyu be holding a grudge about?

Thankfully, Defei had been by her side, shielding her from the chaos.

Bai Jingxian couldn't help but admit, having an ally in the palace was invaluable. Though she didn't fully understand why the Empress was drawing her in, it was clear that favor and heirs were at the heart of it.

Whatever the Empress wanted, Bai Jingxian couldn't provide it.

She hadn't risen to her position in the harem based solely on her beauty, though it helped. For now, it was enough, but she wouldn't settle for that forever.

For now, her life was safe, but the next step was to truly secure the Emperor's heart.

The key to that would be having a child. The Emperor valued heirs, after all. Otherwise, with her beauty, there would be no need for him to visit so many other consorts each month.