The Female Psychology PHD Got Time Travelled To The Royal Harem

Chapter 47

"Concubine Li is just joking with you, don't be afraid."

In the past, those words "don't be afraid" would have soothed all the pain in Concubine Li's heart, but today, the Emperor had said them to another woman instead.

She felt a twinge of pain in her heart, but her smile became even more sincere: "Your humble servant was indeed joking, but I didn't know Consort Zhen was so timid. Back when Concubine Chu pretended to be a ghost to scare you, you were so bold! I thought you were fearless!"

She deliberately brought that up to let Vice Minister Jiang and Lady Zhou hear it, trying to instigate trouble since her provocation had failed.

The Emperor took a deep breath and sighed heavily through his nose. He stopped holding Jiang Xinyue's hand, a sign of his impatience.

There were tears flickering in Jiang Xinyue's eyes, but due to the solemn occasion with countless eyes watching her, she forced the tears back and smiled charmingly: "It turns out Her Ladyship Concubine Li cares so much about your humble servant, I'm truly terrified. But you're wrong, Your Ladyship! I'm not afraid, it's just that with His Majesty here, what ghost or demon could get close to him?"

Empress Zhu had ordered the incident at Xihuo Palace, where there was rumored to be a ghost, to be covered up. From Concubine Li's words, it seemed she knew every detail of Jiang Xinyue's reaction.

Concubine Li was so provoked by the Emperor's favoritism towards Jiang Xinyue that she let something slip without realizing it. The Emperor pondered whether Concubine Li had planted spies around Consort Zhen so early on.

The once charming, bold, and radiant woman had been dyed too long in the palace's vat, becoming almost unrecognizable to him.

Concubine Li wanted to say more, but Xia He, who was by her side, suddenly exclaimed and spilled wine on her dress.

She quickly knelt down: "Please forgive me, Your Ladyship. Your servant was distracted by the music in the hall. It was unintentional."

It wouldn't do any good to get angry since Xia He was one of her own people.

Ever since Layue, Xia He had successfully become the head palace maid of Xinyuan Palace, now acting as Concubine Li's new right-hand woman.

She wasn't normally so careless and reckless.

"Your Majesty, your humble servant's dress is wet. Please allow me to go change."

The Xuanwu Emperor nodded and frowned at Xia He: "This palace maid of yours has repeatedly shown a lack of discipline, not even as good as the previous one."

Xia He's face instantly turned pale!

What did the Emperor mean by that?

Was he angry because Concubine Li had just tried to embarrass Consort Zhen, and was venting his anger on Concubine Li's palace maid? Or was he simply displeased that the maid had spilled wine on Concubine Li's dress?

His words had a double meaning, allowing different people to interpret them differently based on their own understanding.

Only Jiang Xinyue knew that the Xuanwu Emperor was not dissatisfied with Concubine Li, but simply disliked Xia He.

Because the last time Concubine Li was injured and unconscious, Xia He had said in front of all the consorts and concubines that the Emperor treated Jiang Xinyue as Concubine Li's replacement.

The looks the other consorts and concubines gave her now had an added hint of fear and apprehension.

That wasn't a bad thing. They knew to be afraid, so next time they tried to harm her, they would hesitate and consider whether they could bear the consequences if their plot was exposed.