The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 77 - Wishing All Scholars Success in the Imperial Examinations

"Yes, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

After Xiao Li left, Zhao Jinrui instructed Eunuch He to go to the Changchun Palace to deliver an imperial decree: since the Empress is not present in the palace, all matters will be decided once she returns.

Heh, this slap is stinging.

But still, Zhao Jinrui did send some rewards to Changchun Palace, despite the reprimand. Even though nothing substantial happened between him and Xian Fei last night, he still held some affection for her.

Only Xiao Xiazi was by his side in the inner palace, and with him stationed in the palace during this recent palace visit, he was well-informed about many things.

"Tell me about He Liangdi's situation during these days."

Xiao Xiazi understood the emperor's intent and began to recount the events surrounding the Lan Yue Pavilion and Changchun Palace without bias.

"He Liangdi has been struggling with the summer heat and her pregnancy symptoms. She's been having a tough time eating, and if not for the capable servants around her and her maternal instincts, she wouldn't have made it through that difficult period."

"Changchun Palace remains as usual. I personally delivered the items needed for the summer, and Dongmei, as always, doesn't let anyone approach Xian Fei. However, I did hear that Xian Fei has confined Lady Zhang from the back courtyard."

As Zhao Jinrui listened, his emotions started to stir.

"Has there been any contact with people outside the palace?"

Since the death of the main daughter of the Bai family, they've been trying to connect with He Liangdi, but she has been cautious. Zhao Jinrui wondered how He Liangdi would behave without him in the palace.

"Your Majesty, aside from the normal correspondence from Changchun Palace, Lan Yue Pavilion has had no outside contact," Xiao Xiazi respectfully reported.

Zhao Jinrui pondered. "And has anyone from outside sent her a letter?" He thought of He Liangdi's timid nature and figured she wouldn't dare to initiate contact, but what about those outside?

After all, it's much easier for outsiders to send a message into the palace than the other way around.

Zhao Jinrui wasn't necessarily suspicious of He Liangdi, but he was concerned that she might be soft-hearted and let her family manipulate her.

"Your Majesty, there has been no correspondence from outside."

Indeed, the Bai family hadn't reached out to Bai Jingxian either.

At Changchun Palace, after receiving the emperor's decree, Xian Fei, Zhang Wenke, collapsed onto the floor. "Is the emperor implying that I'm unworthy?" She never imagined that after requesting He Liangdi to pay her respects in the morning, she would be reprimanded by the emperor in the afternoon. Was the emperor so concerned about her hurting He Liangdi?

Then, what about their relationship?

Dongmei rushed forward in concern to help her up. "I'm sure the emperor didn't mean it that way. That woman is pregnant, and the emperor must value the child in her womb."

But who was she trying to fool?

Zhang Wenke, with all her experience, wasn't going to believe that the emperor only cared about the child. If that were true, then why had the legitimate son of the empire been treated so poorly years ago?

The thought made Zhang Wenke's heart clench—she couldn't let the emperor find out about that.

"The Empress... the Empress is still here. I am just a concubine with no true standing. How can I pretend to wield power in the palace? Emperor, are you truly going to distance yourself from Ke'er?" Zhang Wenke wasn't listening to Dongmei's words of comfort. Her thoughts were consumed by her own fears and speculations.

She was in a rush, making decisions without careful thought. She had failed to handle the situation tactfully, leading the emperor to misunderstand her.

She couldn't afford to let her many years of careful planning go to waste over a minor issue.

She took a deep breath, calming her panicked emotions.

"Dongmei," she called out firmly.

Dongmei, startled by the sudden change in tone, replied immediately, "Yes, my lady?"

"Help me to the temple," Zhang Wenke said. Her mind was in turmoil, and she needed the solace of the temple.

"Yes, my lady."

Because of the emperor's words, Xian Fei, who had been so confident that morning, now retreated into the temple where she had not set foot in for awhile. The entire Changchun Palace fell into silence as everyone reined in their arrogance.

When Bai Jingxian heard the news, she was confused. "What's Xian Fei doing?" She hadn't yet learned about the emperor's actions on her behalf.

"Lady, Xiao Li knows the details. Let him explain," Chunyu, usually eager to speak, deferred to Xiao Li, knowing he had a clearer understanding of the situation in Changchun Palace.

Xiao Li gladly stepped forward and recounted the events, explaining how the emperor had ordered Eunuch He to deliver the decree to Changchun Palace.

As Bai Jingxian listened, she was left speechless.

Did Xian Fei really think that pretending to be a pious, meditative woman was the emperor's favorite type? Was she delusional?

"So Xian Fei locked herself in the temple because she feared the emperor's wrath?" Bai Jingxian asked, incredulous.

"Yes, my lady, Xian Fei has secluded herself in the temple again," Wang Momo said with a smile. "You see, my lady, sometimes being too clever can lead to one outsmarting themselves."

It was clear that Wang Momo was quite pleased with the turn of events.

Bai Jingxian had heard that overly calculating individuals often faced their own undoing, but she never expected to see it in action until now.

"Well, I didn't see that coming," Bai Jingxian shook her head. "Why does she bother?" From her perspective, Xian Fei had lost herself, always revolving around the emperor. A single word from him could throw her off balance. How had she survived so many years in Changchun Palace?

And then there was the emperor—his decree had puzzled Bai Jingxian.

She never believed she held that much significance in the emperor's heart. When she sent Xiao Li to relay her message, it was only to annoy Xian Fei, never expecting the emperor to defend her like this.

Looking at the situation now, it seemed the emperor valued her more than Xian Fei.

That didn't quite make sense.

Judging by typical palace drama scenarios, it seemed likely that the emperor had ulterior motives.

She decided it was best not to get involved.

"Wang Momo, starting tomorrow, make sure everyone in our palace is well-disciplined. It seems the palace is about to enter a period of unrest." The emperor had humiliated Xian Fei and elevated her in the process. That was enough to make Bai Jingxian feel uneasy.

Human beings are complicated creatures, and Bai Jingxian didn't trust anyone completely—especially not an emperor.

Who knows what the emperor planned to use her for this time?

Would he exploit her to deal with court officials?

Bai Jingxian pondered over countless possibilities but couldn't figure out what the emperor was scheming. In the end, all she could do was ensure the safety of those around her, giving her at least some room to breathe.

Wang Momo, confused, asked, "My Lady, is something wrong?" She, too, began to worry.