The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 16 - The Legitimate Son

She was self-aware enough to know that the powerful Emperor Rui, who managed the Great Yue Dynasty with such skill, was unlikely to fall genuinely in love with her merely for her appearance. It was simply a matter of novelty.

At most, he was indulging in something new, just as she was merely playing along. The previous mention of thunder and rain as imperial favor was just a show of his kindness, allowing him to appear gracious before the Zhang family. In return, he would compensate her.

To him, compensation meant affection. Bai Jingxian, with a satisfied smile, leaned against Emperor Rui, her eyes shining with intelligence.

Emperor Rui, resting his chin on her head, was deep in thought, though his thoughts remained unknown.

The lunch was lavish, possibly the best Bai Jingxian had had since entering the palace. With the Emperor present, the imperial kitchen did not dare slack off.

The service was exceptionally attentive.

Bai Jingxian usually took a nap after lunch, as there weren't as many entertainment options to pass the time here compared to her previous world.

Emperor Rui did not stay with her for the nap but whispered a few words in her ear before returning to his study to handle state affairs.

After the Emperor left, Chun Feng and Chun Yu entered the inner chamber.

Seeing that the previously sleeping mistress had woken up, they immediately began talking about what had happened at the palace gates.

"What happened?"

"Do you know who the Emperor encountered when he went out earlier?"

Bai Jingxian got up from the soft couch and slowly approached a small table where she had placed some skincare products she had prepared herself.

"Who?"

"It was Li Liangyuan," Chunyu interjected. "You wouldn't believe it, but Li Liangyuan was crying so dramatically that she fainted at the Emperor's feet." Her eyes were full of disdain.

They were all too aware of Li Liangyuan's character.

"She was indeed quite distressed over the title the Emperor granted her. It seems someone is beginning to resent me," Bai Jingxian said, lightly stirring a facial mask on the table with her jade hand.

"The Emperor said that Li Liangyuan is frail and sickly. From today onward, her selection card is revoked, and she is to be confined to recovery. When she is well, she can come out, to prevent spreading illness to the other concubines in the palace." Chun Feng smiled as she poured more tea for Bai Jingxian.

"It seems our Emperor also has quite a few enemies. I wonder if he can withstand them all."

The Zhang family was the Emperor's maternal clan. Ideally, he shouldn't treat the women of his maternal family so harshly. From what she had heard before, it seemed the relationship between the Emperor and his maternal family was truly strained.

What Bai Jingxian didn't know was that Emperor Rui had only one legitimate son, the Third Prince, a result of the Empress Dowager and the Zhang family's maneuvering. Although he had ascended the throne, not exactly as the Empress Dowager had hoped, he couldn't just abdicate now.

She could only maneuver around the Emperor regarding his heirs to align with her own wishes.

"Are you referring to the Zhang family?" Chun Feng asked, puzzled.

"Don't speak out of turn. Let's not make baseless guesses; it does us no good. Quickly, help me apply the mask."

The Emperor wasn't exactly cruel. If he were a bit harsher and dealt decisively with the Zhang family, his rule would be more secure. Unfortunately, he still valued familial ties.