My Foolish Empress

Chapter 2

It already next morning when i regain consciousness.

I notice his majesty already woken up and currently dressing himself. I try to serve him but my body completely numbed.

My cheek turn shade red, remembering the deed we did last night. My body bended into various position, i'm even shock i have such flexibility.

His majesty seem to notice my struggle to get up, stopped me.

"You dont need to get up to serve me... " He dismissed.

"Thank you, your majesty... " I replied before drifting back to sleep. I could hear he exited the door and greeted by the maid and guard.

"Consort is resting... when he wake up, prepare some new clothes and warm water.... " The emperor instruct them.

"We understand, your majesty... " The maid replied.

"also prepare some light meal for him... " The emperor added.

"Yes, your majesty... " The maid replied.

Hearing the emperor being thoughtful toward me, i feel blessed. Unconsciously, i swore to alway be faithful wife to him.

It almost noon when i woke up again.

I rushed to get ready. I remembered the eunuch word, after the first night, i should be attend harem gathering with the emperor to greet the empress and emperor other wife.

I skipped meal to avoid being late to the meeting.

Unfortunately i still arrive late. For punishment, they ask me to kneel on the door until the meeting end. I notice their were laughing at my situation.

My stomach gurgle from hunger, luckily no one heard, i was thankful for that. My mind wander toward the meal prepare for me at my room, wish to return early and eat.

Empress POV

The harem meeting proceed as usual. Each seated based on their rank. Since i pronounce pregnant with first heir, his majesty grant me title of empress.

We were barely start discussing when a male entered, claimed himself as one of the emperor consort. I heard last night, emperor married another into his harem, i guess he was the new wife.

He gave his greeting to each of us before proceeding to his suppose seat. He held the lowest rank among the harem member. Seeing, he didnt accompanied by his majesty for the greeting, i realise he wasnt favoured by the emperor. I notice the other lady also thinking the same. They probably wouldnt want a male take their favourability from the emperor.

One high pitched voice already enough to scare him. Weak and easily bully wouldnt last long in the harem. One good thing about him was he was obedient and accept his punishment without lamenting.

Late afternoon, the meeting ended. I left the meeting first.

All the harem lady appear docile but i'm aware their true nature. Each competing each other to obtain the title of empress.

However, the new consort seems different compare to other wife the emperor married to.

I feel no malicious intent from him.

End Empress POV

I was confuse why every imperial i met keep staring at me. Compare to them, i was ordinary and plain, their stare make me feel subconscious.

My first impression toward the empress was she was beautiful and compassion lady. The eunuch told me she the same age the emperor and she was childhood friend with emperor.

The empress first one to leave and followed by imperial honorable consort and honorable consort.

I was the last one leaving the room.

"We come to escort consort... " Two maid greeted me by the main door.

I recognize them,they were the same person serving me last night.

I nodded as reply.

Due being lowest rank, i dont receive special immunity like having own carriage, so we walk the whole road. I was lucky i was use with long walk. The maid also seem to use with life of hard labour.

Arriving at my own room, i first filled my empty stomach. I havent eaten in half a day. I flushed red when the maid witness me stuffing food inside my mouth. The maid acted as if i didnt do anything shameful and earnestly serving me food.

That night, i waited for his majesty but he didnt return.

Nor the night after that, before i realise it already a month since i last visited by the emperor.

I feel bit envious hearing the other emperor wife flaunting about the emperor visit in their quarter. One of the imperial honorable consort state emperor visit her twice in a week to accompany her. While i still havent receive emperor visit since last month.

Due being unfavoured by the emperor, the other emperor wife began ridicule me. I ignore their jeer and live my life as usual.

Month become a year. I heard empress had given birth and emperor spend most of his free time in the empress quarter. I feel happy for the empress but also feel bit envious her being accompany by the emperor.

I try cooking handmade food for the empress as congratulat gift but guard nor the empress maid refuse to accept the gift or granted access myself to visit. I returned empty handed after leaving congrat and wishing her well message for the empress.

The quarter i live in become silence since my maid transferred to somewhere else after incite from the emperor other wife. I was accuse doing improper at her so as punishment my maid got taken from me. I couldnt do anything by the injustice because i have no one on my side nor status to prevent it.

I attended another of the harem meeting. The empress still absence from the meeting. I overhear the emperor other wife talk about something bad had happen to the empress. Royal doctor was in and out of empress quarter. Empress was very ill. Yet, the emperor other wife talk as if it was good thing. I was worried of the empress health. The baby was still young without his mother.

At first the plan want to be promoted as new empress done discreetly but news about empress death, the emperor other wife become more bold. The emperor minister also involve in the selection of new empress. Bribery, seduction and threat spread around the palace.

"Your majesty, my daughter is perfect fit being the next empress, she is beautiful and talented and perfect match with emperor... " The prime minister said as he present a scroll of drawing of his daughter.

"Your majesty, i think my daughter is perfect choice being the next empress, she is charming and great dancer... " The rites minister bowed as he present drawing of his daughter.

The emperor was displease by the minister forcing him to choose an empress with only 3 day since he lose his empress. Addition, his other consort also try any mean to get his attention. More and more injustice usurping within the palace.

The palace was riot with the selection of new empress.

The harem meeting cancelled since the empress death. I mostly stay in my quarter living my life as usual except no longer attending the harem meeting, mostly mourning for the empress death.