Emperor's Cunning Wife

"De'jiejie, thank you for defending me earlier. I will tell my father of your good deeds." The one who spoke was Consort Han. One of her hands had grabbed the sleeve of Consort De's silk clothes.

The maids of Consort De widened their eyes and furrowed their brows at Consort Han's actions. One of them alarmingly went forward and bowed to Consort De, "Niang Niang this one remembers that His Majesty had assign you some important matters."

Consort Han let go of her sleeve and fiddled with the handkerchief instead. Her eyes didn't notice any changes in Consort De's expression.

After a while, Consort De answered, "I remember. Let's go." Her voice was light but the two maids visibly stiffened and timidly followed her back towards the exit. Consort Han also went with them. The pair of eyes that watched Consort De's two maids raised her eyebrows in confusion.

"Consort Bai, the people are gone, why are still staring for?" The one that spoke was Consort Yuan, a merchant's daughter. She had entered the harem to earn a noble title for his father. Sadly, it seemed that the Emperor wasn't that easy to please. She only got a glimpse of him on the way to the morning greetings, so one could help but slightly envied Consort De and Consort Ou's luck.

"Mind your own business." Consort Bai's looks surpassed the ladies except for the empress by large margin, so she also had some qualms with the Empress, often the two would call each other names. Consort Yuan preferred those times where she could witness the two fighting compared to the dull Consort De and annoying Consort Han.

"Alright. Sorry for disturbing you, but what do you think about Consort De's insinuations?" Consort Yuan lowered her voice so only the two could hear. The baby fats of her cheeks had not yet fade making her features a little childish, but one should not take her lightly since she got a talent for calculations.

"What are you asking for? This one only knows about fashion, rouges, and powder." Consort Bai choose to dodge it so Consort Yuan didn't say anything further.

The concubine who had answered on Concubine Ou's behalf was surrounded was the other concubines. She was forced to answer questions about Concubine Ou's situation.

"What time did the Concubine Ou came back last night?" A concubine wearing a pink silk clothes embroidered by butterflies on the hem asked, her face was filled with jealousy.

"Ah…This one saw her be brought to her room around 4 a.m." The concubine gulped her saliva in the midst of answering.

"4 a.m.? You must have been dreaming at that time! The Emperor never spent a night with someone except for Consort De. I can't see what made Concubine Ou so special."

Consort Yuan had stopped on her tracks when she heard the woman exclaimed. Woah! The Emperor actually managed to keep up until 4 a.m., as expected he cannot be underestimated. Somehow this thought brought pain on her back, and she consciously rubbed it.

Several seconds later she heard a cough from her back, "What are you dazing for? This one is late for my morning walk, step aside."

Concubine Yuan's cheeks had become shades of pink but nevertheless she gave the way to Consort Bai's entourage. Her two servants worriedly asked her if she was feeling hot. When she heard their questions, the pink cheeks even became redder. Her married sister had already briefed her of the things she needed to know when serving His Majesty, but still she had no experience and considered a v.i.r.g.i.n, so when it comes to intimate topics, she was naturally embarrassed and awkward.

Consort Bai after entering her sedan had whispered something to her servant's ear before leaving for her Pavilion.

An hour passed, inside Concubine Ou's bedchambers, the Empress Dowager's gifts had already arrived and were piled up by her smiling servants.

"Niang Niang, the Empress Dowager had instructed me to take good care of you. This one is called Xiang'er." An unfamiliar face greeted Concubine Ou.

"The Empress Dowager's care, Qie will remember. Help me relay my thanks to Taihou Niang Niang." Concubine Ou's voice was a little hoarse and she was still lying by the bed side. Her face was a little tired and clearly still drowsy but upon receiving the news that the Empress Dowager had send her rewards, she was elated and forced herself to stay awake.

"Yes, this servant will relay Niang Niang's good words. Niang Niang, this servant knew some medicinal recipe to increase your chances of pregnancy. Would Niang Niang want to try?" The new servant smiled with flattery trying to be on the Concubine's good side.

Concubine Ou's interest was piqued, and naturally she agreed. One night with Majesty was not enough guarantees for her to get pregnant, so tonics were a must. "Really, then Qie thanks your good heart. Tell me if need anything, this one will arrange a place for you."

"Thanking Niang Niang for the generosity. This one will get busy." The new servant turned around and unbeknownst to Concubine Ou, her smile was replaced with disgusts and contempt. A fool-

Inside the Peony Pavilion, the cauldron inside the bedchambers was lit by a small fire, some black smokes was coming from it. There was two maids kneeling beside the figure who was staring at the tattered fabrics being devoured by the fire. Soon, the flamed died down and what remained were ashes.

"Go inside and reflect." The graceful figure said, her eyes contain unspeakable emotions.

"Yes." The two servants replied and tremblingly opened a hidden room behind the neatly arranged bookshelves.

When they were gone, a shadow emerged from the white parting screen and bowed towards the figure.

"Get your hands on the leftovers of the tea and incense." The figure spoke and stood up without waiting for the shadow's reply. Her destination was the hidden room the previous two maids had entered. The pathway in front of her was dark but her eyes were much darker.