Entering the palace means entering a high position; I'm His Majesty's cousin, who am I afr

Empress Luo's chest heaved violently, her eyes filled with resentment. "Does your lowly concubine even deserve to be mentioned?"

Consort Hui enjoyed her exasperated appearance and said slowly, "Whether she is worthy or not is not important. I only know that my mother will be attending the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet in a few days, and as for the First Madam, she is ill."

Having spent many years in the palace, the two sisters knew perfectly well what this "illness" meant.

Empress Luo stiffened, her long, nail-painted nails digging fiercely into her flesh. She forced herself to say, "You're talking nonsense. Father wouldn't be so heartless."

Consort Hui raised an eyebrow slightly: "Sister, you know Father's character best, don't you?"

Their father was selfish, hypocritical, and profit-driven.

They all knew this.

Empress Luo gritted her teeth, her chest aching so badly that she could hardly breathe.

However, she still refused to show weakness in front of Consort Hui.

She forced back her pain and said resentfully, "You think that just because you're the legitimate daughter and have your father's support, you can easily ascend to the position of Empress? Consort Li and Consort Chen are no pushovers, and even Consort Lan is no pushover. You think that by dragging me down, you can rise step by step and become the Empress? Let me tell you, dream on!"

Consort Hui sneered, "My future is none of your concern, sister. It's you who should be worried about your own situation!"

She came today to tell Empress Luo that the news of her abandonment had been conveyed, then scoffed and turned to leave.

But a sharp, piercing roar rang out from behind her, "You'll regret this! I'll be waiting!"

Consort Hui stopped abruptly, as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world. She slowly turned around and said, "I would regret it? Regret not conspiring with my sister?"

Empress Luo slumped onto her throne, staring intently at Consort Hui, and sneered, "I said back then that as long as Qi Rui was adopted into my family, I would support you to become a Noble Consort. From then on, if you had any more children, I would never take them away; you could raise them yourself. We sisters would only wait for Qi Rui to come of age and ascend the throne, at which time we would both become Empress Dowagers and enjoy boundless glory. It's a pity you missed such a good opportunity. For the rest of your life, you can only endlessly fight with those women in the harem to gain a little respite. It was truly an extremely foolish choice!"

After she finished speaking, the hall was quiet for a long time, with only Empress Luo's heavy breathing being heard.

"Sister, your words sound nice, 'sharing the same honored position'? I'm afraid you'll want to get rid of me as soon as possible." Consort Hui suddenly laughed, but the laughter didn't reach her eyes, which were filled with an unyielding chill. "Also, sister, you really haven't given birth before, so you don't understand one thing. A mother would never abandon any of her children."

Empress Luo, struck where it hurt most, was furious and speechless: "You!"

Consort Hui said softly, "Moreover, with your intelligence, sister, I'm afraid you wouldn't be able to help Qirui ascend to that position. After all, even now, you probably still think that you've been outmaneuvered by Consort Lan, isn't that right?"

Empress Luo's pupils contracted slightly: "What do you mean?"

Consort Hui smiled and said, "Sister, ever since I saw His Majesty in a delirious state five years ago on that winter night, I knew that this would be your fate."

Empress Luo's body stiffened: "What did you say, Your Majesty? What does this have to do with Your Majesty?"

Consort Hui sighed softly, "Sister, do you think that no one knows what you're doing in secret? You're too naive."

Empress Luo was now completely flustered and abruptly stood up: "Explain things clearly."

Consort Hui said casually, "Sister, you have truly wronged Consort Lan by causing this calamity."

Upon hearing this, Empress Luo seemed to understand something. She was struck dumb, all her strength drained away, and she collapsed heavily onto her throne, muttering, "Impossible, impossible..."

Consort Hui coldly observed her disheveled appearance: "Sister, do you understand why His Majesty has given me such a high position and made me raise the child myself?"

Empress Luo stared at her blankly.

Consort Hui spoke indifferently: "Sister, do you understand that the imperial couple are essentially ruler and subject? You dared to scheme against the emperor back then, committing insubordination, so you should have foreseen that you would end up like this today."

Having said that, Consort Hui rose and left leisurely.

Empress Luo was left in a daze, muttering to herself, "I don't believe it..."

But now that Consort Hui has brought the matter to light, she has no choice but to believe it.

After a long while, a mournful cry came from inside the hall.

Consort Hui paused as she stepped out of the palace gate, her thoughts somewhat dazed.

Years ago, when she entered the palace with Empress Luo, she was still innocent and naive. She believed Empress Luo's words—that she would be chosen a suitable husband for her to marry.

Unexpectedly, Empress Luo plotted to send her to the emperor's bedchamber. From then on, the high palace walls imprisoned her for the rest of her life.

People say that the imperial concubines have no worries about food and clothing and enjoy endless wealth and honor.

But she didn't want it!

What she had longed for since childhood was to spend her life with the one she loved, living an ordinary life together.

This deep palace is too cold, trapping her soul in pain and sorrow.

Consort Hui did consider escaping.

She was contemplating suicide by cutting her wrists when she suddenly learned that she was pregnant.

After a night of weeping, the world lost a woman named Luo Zhiyi and gained an ordinary mother.

From then on, she lived only for the child in her womb.

Five years have passed since then, and she has finally gotten her revenge by personally sending the person who started her to this prison.

Consort Hui let out a long sigh of relief, took a step forward, and her figure gradually disappeared into the deep night.

*

After Consort Hui awoke, the Emperor visited her twice.

Later, he visited Consort Li's palace and Consort Lan's palace, so he didn't neglect anyone.

The weather was unusually cool that evening.

Shen Jiayu strolled around the Imperial Garden, cut some fresh flower branches, and planned to arrange them in a vase for enjoyment.

As soon as I entered Yihua Palace, I saw Qing'an standing under the corridor.

She asked, "Why is the steward here?"

Qing'an smiled and said, "His Majesty has summoned the Empress to his bedchamber tonight. This servant has come to inform you that the Empress should come to Xuanzheng Hall as soon as she has finished washing and dressing."

"So that's how it is." Shen Jiayu smiled slightly, ordered someone to give him a reward, and then saw him off.

The master and his servants then entered the hall.

Hongling placed the flower branch on the table, then said excitedly, "Shall I help Your Highness change your clothes?"

Shen Jiayu remained unmoved.

She sat on a soft couch, picked up a pair of golden scissors, and began to trim the messy and delicate flower branches.

Summon her to his bedchamber?

Is it her turn?

Her cousin really does treat everyone equally.

Shen Jiayu sneered inwardly.

Let him wait, she's not going!