Emperor's Cunning Wife

Having been choked by the tea she had been drinking, Consort Han could see the Empress' eyes on her body. She immediately called for her maid to replace the tea, calmness gradually returning to her face as if she had never been frightened in the first place.

Consort De, despite being slightly shock stood up and performed a bow to express her thanks to the Empress.

The other concubines also came to sense and put on a smiling expression, praising the Empress for her virtuous and magnanimous grace.

Only Tang-mama smiled genuinely extremely satisfied with Ning Lou's performance. One of the Consorts saw this and tightened her fist under the table.

Tang-mama picked the time to intervene, "Your Highness, this servant saw a beautiful pair of jade bangles that the Emperor bestow last time and thinks that it was very suitable to Consort De's snowy skin. How about this servant fetches them and bestows them to Consort De?"

Everyone in the room could recognize Tang-mama as the Empress Dowager's closest confidant at first glance, and didn't dare to ignore her. Consort De could see the jubilant smile on Tang-mama's face and quietly sipped the tea.

Ning Lou regained her sense and agreed to Tang-mama's suggestion, "Then I will have to trouble Tang-mama." Tang-mama's smile became even brighter after she heard how Ning Lou addressed herself.

"Empress meimei shouldn't trouble Tang-mama. Having served His majesty is already a reward." The beauty's eyelashes fluttered like butterflies and gave Ning Lou a warm smile appearing very bashful.

Ning Lou observed the beauty once more that managed to gain the Emperor's favour. She may not be the most beautiful in the room but she definitely have some charms to be able to catch that person's attention but as someone on the Empress' Dowager side, she needed to more or less show some slight dissatisfaction but at the same time act as someone virtuous and magnanimous. Well, isn't this the previous 'little flower' loved to do, playing an act.

"It is Bengong's good intention to reward you. Bengong thinks Tang-mama's suggestion is wonderful or do you think it isn't enough. Someone come and sent a list of what in Bengong's stores for this consort to look and let her have a pick." Ning Lou spoke looking at Consort De's expression.

But who knew despite everyone heard the implications in those words; Consort De didn't have a change of expression but only appeared to have an amiable smile on her face. "Empress meimei, This consort didn't have such intention, Jiejie only wants to say that the greatest reward is having to spend time with His Majesty. Forgive this consort if Empress meimei misunderstood jiejie's words." The beauty had a frown in her face appearing very sincere in her apology.

Ning Lou smiled despite she could see the triumph look few of the concubines sent to her. This much hate? What kind of impact does that bunch of words do to her? Within the room, she could see where some of the concubines and consorts stand. The one beside the beauty appeared very smug when see failed to hide her mouth with the teacup. A few pretended that they didn't hear the exchanges and quietly listened at the side as if it happened very often. Those two other consorts had lowered their heads hiding their expressions.

Consort Han knew that the Empress will get irritated once she got reminded of the Emperor's favour for Consort De and was secretly very delighted inside. She gave Consort De a smile and waited for the Empress' next actions.

The people in the room appeared waiting for Ning Lou to throw a tantrum and trashed the place to vent her anger towards Consort De. Tang-mama was also worried that Ning Lou would get provoke. She got closer to Ning Lou hoping she could stop Ning Lou on time if she did anything unsightly. The last time was already a lesson.

But who knew Ning Lou would laugh instead as if she never heard the mocking, "Indeed, Jiejie had always been the most virtuous and magnanimous of us all. Bengong has still much to learn."

Consort Han never expected for the Empress to still laugh despite the provocation, but when she heard the next words she was pleased and agreed to Ning Lou's words.

"Indeed, meimei Consort De has always been magnanimous that's why His majesty favours her."

The neutral and smarter ones chose to be silent and just watched the show.

Ning Lou surprised them once more with her chuckle and nod, "Indeed the greatest reward is to serve His Majesty. Jiejie is so knowledgeable. Since, Bengong is a very good mood; Bengong will bestow rewards for you all. Come can someone get a brush and paper."

The palace maids beside were very attentive and quickly a brush and paper appeared on the Imperial table.

"Can Tang-mama write for Bengong?", Tang-mama who had been surprised was a beat late to nod.

She went forward and dipped the brush into the ink and listened attentively to what Ning Lou orders to write.

Consort De just calmly watched Ning Lou actions from her seat. Consort Han on the other had an ominous feeling inside her heart. She watched as the previous short-tempered girl has somewhat changed and felt confused. Her expression was very visible on her face.

"Bengong decrees that from now on that the Imperial harem will follow a schedule in serving His Majesty. On the first day would be you and you. On the second day would be you and you...…" When she finished with the schedule Tang-mama had a very complicated expression. The ones in the room were the same as her except for Consort De who was given a whole day and Consort Han who was fuming inside.

"Does anyone object?" Ning Lou asked.

It took for a few second for them to react, no matter how overwhelmed they are by emotions; they still gave Ning Lou thanks and praises. A few watched Consort De's reaction but was disappointed when they saw her expressing her agreement on Ning Lou's decree.

"Alright, Bengong is slightly tired already and will excuse myself. Tang-mama should go report to the Emperor's closest aid for Bengong's arrangements."

"Yes." Tang-mama could only utter one word as she was also quite confused.

Ning Lou left the side hall under the gazes of the crowd. Two pairs of eyes gave her back piercing gazes; one pair held danger and the other had malicious thoughts.