The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 23 - Offspring

First, she revealed that there was someone in the emperor's heart who held a very important position, important enough to pardon Zhang Liangyuan's severe crime of plotting against the consorts. And that person was not Consort Shu.

It seemed that the Buddhist hall of Consort Shu was quite suspicious, but she didn't know what kind of surprises awaited her there.

Additionally, the empress mentioned offspring. The only surviving prince in the palace seemed to be the Third Prince born to Consort Shu. Although his health was poor, he was still a prince. Moreover, being the child of the emperor's favored consort, the Third Prince's status must be exceptional.

Furthermore, the empress suggesting that she bear children could indicate a desire to adopt a child.

It was a headache, but based on the plot in Empress Zhen's novel, it seemed there might be someone else behind Consort Shu.

"Well, forget it. It's getting late, I'll go rest."

A few days later, Bai Jingxian suddenly heard that Zhang Liangyuan had died in the criminal's prison, which made her realize how low her position in the emperor's heart was.

However, on the day this news was announced, the emperor came to visit her.

After a few days' absences, her weakened appearance made Emperor Rui's heartache.

Perhaps due to not visiting the harem for a long time, that night Emperor Rui was very intense, completely disregarding her health and exhausting her.

After their night together, De Fu personally brought in the tea.

Bai Jingxian drank it without hesitation. Seeing her appearance, Emperor Rui felt a pang of sympathy.

He tenderly kissed her cheek and said, "My beloved consort, is there anything you wish for?" As soon as these words left his mouth, Emperor Rui regretted them.

What if she made some difficult demands?

Should he agree or not?

"The consort wishes for..." Bai Jingxian knew he wasn't sincere but was happy to tease him a little. She turned around, embraced the emperor's waist, and looked up at him, her eyes filled with affection.

"The consort wishes for the emperor's heart." Her fingers lightly traced over, slowly moving to his chest.

This response took Emperor Rui by surprise. It was unexpected and dispelled his earlier reservations and regret. "I've long given my heart to you." His hand covered her delicate fingers, rubbing her chest with her soft touch.

Emperor Rui was young and strong, his well-built body made her lips parched. To avoid showing her excitement, she could only feign shyness.

She pressed her face against his chest.

Words from men could not always be trusted; even pigs could climb trees, let alone an emperor's sweet words.

But even so, it didn't affect her playful chatter. Emperor Rui was still quite vigorous in that regard, capable of a vigorous night, but she didn't have a golden finger and feared that being too proactive would leave her bedridden the next day.

So it was better for her to be more restrained.

When Emperor Rui left in the morning, Bai Jingxian was unable to get up. 

She truly couldn't get up; her legs were very sore and weak. 

"Let your master sleep well. There's no need to greet the empress today." As he dressed and left, Emperor Rui addressed the attending maidservants.

"Yes."

Greet?

Heh, Bai Jingxian, who was pretending to sleep in bed, rolled her eyes. Today was not a day for greetings, and she didn't know what happened to the empress after she left from her place.

The next day, an imperial decree was issued that from now on, greetings would be required only on the first and fifteenth days of each month.

Such an empress made Bai Jingxian uneasy, but it was also a relief. At least she wouldn't have to wake up early for greetings every day.

Although she had been ill before, she had served the emperor last night, so not going for greetings was against etiquette.

After the emperor left, Bai Jingxian went back to sleep, waking up only close to noon.

This showed how exhausting the previous night had been.

After having a meal, Bai Jingxian took a walk in the garden. In the front courtyard, several rough palace servants were turning the soil. She looked at Wang Momo in confusion.

"What are they doing?"

"Replying to the master, flowers, and plants were transplanted from the flower room to here. Lan Yue Pavilion has not been properly maintained for a long time. Since the master has moved in, it must be tidied up."

After all, the master moved in too abruptly, and many things couldn't be arranged in time.

Upon hearing this, Bai Jingxian became interested. "I see." Lan Yue Pavilion was different from the two palaces she had lived in before. It had several large trees, which were cool under in the summer.

"Xiao Li, come here."

Xiao Li, who was supervising the work, ran over immediately upon hearing his master's call.

"Greetings, my lady. Why are you here when there is so much mud around?"

Xiao Li was smiling and concerned in his words.

"I see this place is nice. Help me add a swing, and also plant some melons and vegetables in the empty spaces over there. Is that possible?" She pointed to several plots of turned soil.

Xiao Li, hearing this, immediately agreed. "That's a good idea, my lady. I'll arrange it right away."

Seeing his enthusiasm, Bai Jingxian rarely showed a smile. "Chun Feng, after Xiao Li finishes, don't forget to reward him."

Chun Feng, always attentive to the master's needs, replied, "Rest assured, my lady. He will be rewarded."

According to palace rules, matters should be managed by the senior maid, but Bai Jingxian, with her shallow foundation, had everything handled by Chun Feng and Chun Yu.

This was where family background became apparent.

After strolling a bit, Bai Jingxian returned to her place.

Those in the harem, seeing that the emperor had favored He Liangdi last night, thought that the emperor would surely visit Lan Yue Pavilion again tonight.

But unexpectedly, the emperor favored the newly entered Li Changzai that night.

Chun Feng and Chun Yu, fearing their master would be unhappy, specially brought back many delicious foods.

Previously, when she was ill, the imperial physician advised her to avoid certain foods. Now that she was well, she could naturally enjoy a variety of delicacies.

Looking at the table full of food, Bai Jingxian was happy but was not used to the stewed dishes.

Feeling adventurous, she suddenly wanted to eat roasted meat. "Have Xiao Li go to the Inner Court to get some silver charcoal and iron mesh. Set up a stove and bring it over."

In the deep palace, loneliness was palpable. She couldn't rely solely on a man for everything; she had to find some joy for herself.

In this dynasty, everything was good, and her needs were attended to, but happiness had to be built by oneself.

"By the way, Chun Feng, go to Imperial Hospital and get some ingredients for me." Bai Jingxian thought about the spices that hadn't been popularized yet and were considered as fragrances and medicinal materials. If she wanted roasted meat, she needed to ask the imperial physician for those ingredients.

After all, in her previous life, she was a genuine spice lover, and her taste buds had gone bland in these few months.