The Daily Life of a Concubine

Chapter 90 - I'm Your Mother

"You, I am your mother, how can you speak to me like this?" her mother said, looking as if she had been bullied, acting like a delicate flower.

Bai Jingxian loved to play the part, but she truly disliked this demeanor. "Heh, mother? I am now He Liangdi. Are you sure you want to discuss status with me?"

Once in the emperor's harem, relatives must behave like subjects when they meet. She didn't believe that her father hadn't taught her mother that when she entered the palace.

She merely thought that since she was her biological daughter and had been manipulated for years, she wanted to regain control and assert the role of a loving mother. Did she really think others couldn't see through her little schemes?

"If you don't even know this basic etiquette, then please leave. This palace does not accommodate those who commit offenses against their superiors."

"You, how can you say this? I am your mother!"

"Hmph, Madam Bai, don't let me say it a third time. If you continue like this, then you may leave the palace. Given my current status, I still have the power to escort you out."

At this, Madam Bai was truly frightened. If she was sent out of the palace, she would certainly lose her position as madam. She could sit in the madam's position only because her daughter was favored in the harem.

"Yes, I understand, He Liangdi." she had no choice but to abide by the rules.

"See, isn't this better? Just behave like this." Bai Jingxian glanced at her, "You're really asking for it. Don't try to be affectionate with me. You know very well how I was treated; to please the legitimate mother, you often used me as a tool. Now you're trying to play the motherly love card? It's too late."

Because of the original owner's face, she had never received affection from her legitimate mother or sister since childhood. Whenever they were unhappy, they would take it out on her. Although her father valued her beauty, it was only after she had grown up.

But before that? She was ignored.

"Wuwu, I didn't want this either, but at that time, I had to live under the madam's command. I had no choice; you shouldn't blame me!"

For some reason, upon hearing this, resentment surged within Bai Jingxian.

"Not blame you? Then who should I blame?" Bai Jingxian lost her usual calmness and composure. The maid, Chunfeng, who was attending to her, was startled by Liangdi's sudden outburst. Just as she wanted to step forward to persuade her, Bai Jingxian waved her hand to push her away.

"I don't blame you for your grievances with the former madam or that you failed to gain favor. I don't blame you for paving the way for my brother at my expense, for sending me into the palace just to bear children for my legitimate sister, all because of the former madam's promises that you think I don't know?"

That last sentence Bai Jingxian shouted out loud.

This shout also released the pent-up resentment inside her.

She felt lighter in her body and clearer in her mind.

Upon seeing her daughter's resentful eyes, Madam Bai was also frightened. But how could she blame everything on her daughter?

Clearly, it was the former madam's fault. If the madam hadn't forced her, how could she have treated her own daughter like that?

And the master also said that no matter where her daughter went, she wouldn't get a good life with that face; it was better to send her into the palace, where she could have a better future.

But how could she blame herself? She was clearly doing everything for her child's sake.

"Heh, if I don't blame you, then I blame myself, right? Blame myself for being too beautiful, blame myself for not being favored by my parents since childhood, blame myself for being a concubine's daughter, blame myself for even being born in this world, is that it?"

Bai Jingxian's previously calmed emotions were ignited again by her words. "You, get out! I am now the emperor's person. From now on, we have no relationship. When you sent me into the palace to serve as a breeding tool for my older sister, that severed our mother-daughter bond."

I have seen shamelessness, but I have never seen such shameless parents.

What is "for her good"? What is "for her future"? It's merely their excuse to use her.

"Get out!"

Madam Bai was frightened by Bai Jingxian's demeanor. She had wanted to explain, but upon seeing the blood flowing beneath her daughter, she pointed at the ground and screamed, but she couldn't complete a single sentence.

Fortunately, the observant Wang Momo followed her gaze and was horrified.

"Quick, quickly summon the physician; the consort is bleeding." As soon as this was said, the entire Lanyue Pavilion became frantic.

Meanwhile, Madam Bai was escorted out by Xiao Li and the others, accused of harming the royal fetus.

In the Baohe Hall.

As more people arrived, the other concubines also began to bring their families one by one.

The civil and military officials looked at the pregnant palace ladies, each displaying joyful smiles. They were naturally delighted by the emperor's abundant offspring.

"The emperor has arrived; the empress has arrived."

With this announcement, the entire banquet reached its peak.

"We pay our respects to the emperor; we pay our respects to the empress."

The emperor held the empress's hand and slowly walked toward the high platform.

After taking their seats, the emperor finally spoke: "All officials, be at ease."

The eunuch stood beside them and shouted, "Rise!"

"Thank you, emperor; thank you, empress."

"Everyone, please sit. Today is a family banquet; there's no need to be formal. Come, I propose a toast to you all, thanking everyone for your efforts for Da Yue Dynasty this past year."

With this expression of gratitude, the relationship between ruler and subjects was harmonious.

Since the emperor took the lead, it was naturally time for the toasting session. Now that there was no Chancellor Tan, they started with the grand scholar, with civil and military officials mixing together. For a moment, the entire hall was lively.

While the emperor drank, he kept an eye on the people below. When he saw an empty space, his emotions shifted.

He beckoned to Defu, who leaned in close, and then pointed to the empty spot, asking, "Whose seat is that?"

Although the banquet was arranged by the empress, Defu was also clear about these matters. Upon seeing where the emperor pointed, he immediately understood whose spot it was.

"Replying to the emperor, that is the virtuous consort's position. The servant heard that Madam Bai had gone to Lanyue Pavilion to meet He Liangdi. I don't know why Liangdi hasn't come yet?"

In such occasions, palace ladies usually arrive early; no one would be late, and certainly, no one would fail to come without sending a message.

Thus, he was puzzled.

Upon hearing that it was Bai Jingxian, for some reason, her beautiful face instantly appeared in Zhao Jinrui's mind.

Zhao Jinrui turned to look at the empress, puzzled. "Empress, has He Liangdi taken leave?" Given her large belly, it would be normal if she had.

But he was feeling anxious.

Upon hearing the emperor's question, the empress immediately looked toward Bai Jingxian's spot, frowning slightly. Afraid of drawing attention, she smiled at the emperor and replied, "Replying to the emperor, she has not."