The Beloved Concubine of the Eastern Palace (book 2)

Chapter 388 - The Focus Isn't on Fighting Other Women

"Why isn't Your Majesty with the newly appointed beauty? What brings you here?" Fang Yun said bluntly.

"Why are you upset? It's still chilly at night, and you didn't dress warmly after your bath. Be careful not to catch a cold," Pei Yao said with a smile, ignoring her lack of decorum. He lifted her other foot, holding both in his hands.

"Your feet are cold. Let me warm them."

"Your Majesty is always so good at sweet-talking!" Fang Yun glared at him, not buying it, and kicked him lightly.

"Today, I played the villain for Your Majesty. Yan Pin will surely hate me in the future. She's beautiful, and if Your Majesty favors her tomorrow, you'll remember how I bullied her today and be angry with me. With so many people present, they'll all think I'm a spoiled, willful consort. Your Majesty is pleased, but I've become the bad guy."

Fang Yun knew that giving a princess the rank of Lingyi was too low, but she had to play along.

If she didn't lower the rank first, Pei Yao couldn't later raise it to a consort position.

A princess should have a consort rank, but Pei Yao didn't want that.

So Fang Yun, as the favored consort, had to push her down, allowing Pei Yao to lift her up.

The Shangyang envoys, worried about only getting the Lingyi rank, would be satisfied with the consort rank and not ask for more.

Pei Yao, knowing the details, wasn't upset. Instead, he continued to coax her with a smile.

"How could you be the bad guy? My beloved consort is wise, gentle, and kind. Others may be beautiful, but in my eyes, only you are as lovely as a goddess."

"Smooth talker," Fang Yun's eyes twinkled. "Where did you learn all these lines? You're getting better at placating me."

She adjusted her position, propping her face on her hand and looking at him.

As she moved, her loose nightgown slipped, revealing her smooth shoulder and collarbone.

The warm candlelight cast a soft glow, highlighting her delicate curves.

With such a beauty before him, Pei Yao didn't hold back.

He pulled her onto his lap, holding her close.

"My words are sincere. How could they be placating? You and I are in sync, understanding each other. How could I abandon a pearl for a mere stone?"

Pei Yao smiled, gently tucking her damp hair behind her ear.

Fang Yun raised an eyebrow, wrapping her arms around his neck and lifting her chin.

"If Your Majesty thinks so, what about those who say I'm spoiled and arrogant?"

"I spoil you, so it's natural for you to be a bit willful. Why care about others' opinions? Wise people see through rumors. Why bother with the foolish ones who believe them?"

Pei Yao said softly, pressing his forehead to hers with a smile.

"Besides, you're clever and will earn their respect."

Fang Yun, satisfied, didn't say more.

She smiled and kissed him.

Having had some wine at the banquet, Pei Yao, slightly tipsy and with his beloved before him, didn't hold back.

He carried her to the inner chamber.

His passion was exactly what Fang Yun wanted.

A little jealousy can strengthen a relationship.

Fang Yun remained calm inside but showed her emotions outwardly.

She needed to show jealousy, sulk, and act a bit spoiled, letting Pei Yao know she was still unhappy about the new addition.

Her emotions, influenced by him, made him feel valued and needed.

For Fang Yun, the real battle in the harem wasn't with other women but with Pei Yao's heart.

As long as she held his heart and kept her own, no number of women in the harem could threaten her.

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"The books I've read mention that Yanhu has a liberal culture, where both men and women are skilled in music and dance, and relationships between genders are more uninhibited. Yan Pin's appearance suggests Yanhu heritage, likely influenced by her mother. Moreover, she was sent here for a marriage alliance to win the Emperor's favor, so naturally, she puts in more effort. She might be controlled by others due to certain secrets."

Even high-ranking families have many hidden intrigues, let alone a royal family that has just experienced war and political upheaval.

Hearing this, the two maids exchanged a glance and stopped discussing Yan Pin, while Tianmo brought up Fang Yun and Jin Fei.

"Your Highness, today Zhao Fei suppressed Yan Pin and helped Jin Fei get a promotion. It seems the Emperor favors her more and more."

"She's smart and understands the Emperor's intentions, so it's natural for her to be favored."

The Empress recalled the events of the banquet, her eyes showing a hint of admiration.

"Today, the Emperor spoke to me first, but my reserved nature prevented me from understanding his intentions. Zhao Fei, bold and astute, understood the Emperor and played the 'bad cop,' suppressing Yan Pin's rank."

"Your Highness means Zhao Fei's actions were part of a plan with the Emperor?" Min Si asked in surprise, then pondered and nodded, but still frowned with concern.

"But Your Highness, Zhao Fei grows closer to the Emperor. I worry that over time, she may become disrespectful, like Yang Fei."

The Empress smiled at her maid's concern.

"Future matters will be dealt with in due course. For now, Zhao Fei remains respectful."

At the banquet, when requesting Jin Fei's promotion, Fang Yun had lowered her head in respect before the Empress, demonstrating her deference.

Thus, the Empress still trusted Fang Yun.

Of course, she was more excited about what tomorrow would bring.

After all, with a new arrival in the palace, there's bound to be some drama.