frightfiction Chapter 76 The Wife-Killing, Childless Emperor and His Beloved Concubine 11
Chapter 76 The Wife-Killing, Childless Emperor and His Beloved Concubine 11
Jade Palace
"Consort Zhao, the Empress Dowager has sent someone to ask you to come over."
Xiao Tao came in and reported softly.
Chu Yue was fiddling with the bracelet the emperor had given him when he heard this, and he frowned slightly: "Did they say what it was about?"
Xiao Tao shook her head.
"Let's go." Chu Yue knew it was all about the child anyway. Although she planned to have the baby, it wasn't now.
"Consort Zhao..." Xiao Tao was a little worried.
Chu Yue gently shook her head: "It's alright, don't worry..."
Inside Anning Palace, the Empress Dowager was talking to a woman. The woman's sweet voice rang out: "Aunt, what are you saying? Yu'er is still young."
"Silly girl, you've grown into a young lady. Spend more time with me this time. My heart aches whenever I think of your father."
The Empress Dowager's brother, Liu Chenghai, passed away early, leaving Liu Yu'er and her mother to depend on each other for survival.
That's why the Empress Dowager was so eager to bring Liu Yu'er into the harem.
Firstly, it was to make amends to the Liu family, and secondly, it was to have a child with Liu family blood.
"I'll listen to whatever you say, Auntie," Liu Yu'er replied softly. She was already eighteen, and her appearance and temperament were both excellent.
The Empress Dowager held her hand affectionately, her tone doting: "When the time comes, call your cousin over, and we'll all get together."
When Liu Yu'er heard the Empress Dowager mention the Emperor, she felt a little shy. She had long known that the Empress Dowager and her family intended for her to enter the palace.
It's just that we've been delayed by the emperor's rumors all these years.
She would naturally be willing to serve someone like the emperor.
"Aunt..." Liu Yu'er blushed and lowered her head, coaxing the Empress Dowager.
"You……"
"Your Majesty, Consort Chu has arrived," Jinxiu interjected as she entered.
"Let her in."
The Empress Dowager slightly suppressed her smile, and Liu Yu'er stood respectfully beside her.
Chu Yue entered and bowed respectfully: "This concubine greets the Empress Dowager..."
"Get up."
"Thank you, Empress Dowager..."
"Jinxiu, get a stool for Consort Chu." The Empress Dowager looked at Chu Yue, noticing her flat stomach and slender waist, and felt somewhat displeased. It seemed there was still no good news.
Regardless of her family background, as long as she conceives the emperor's child, it's all that matters. But she's so uncooperative; two or three months have passed and there's still no sign of pregnancy.
"Thank you, Empress Dowager," Chu Yue said respectfully as she sat down.
The Empress Dowager looked at Liu Yu'er: "Yu'er, come and meet Consort Chu. She is one of your cousin's concubines. You will be spending time together in the future, so get to know her first."
Liu Yu'er stepped forward two steps and said in a soft voice, "Yu'er greets her elder sister."
Chu Yue's heart skipped a beat. Only then did she realize why the Empress Dowager had summoned her today. Cousin?
The emperor's cousin?
So you're calling her "older sister" now?
"This concubine dares not..." Chu Yue rose and returned the bow slightly.
"Consort Chu, now that you are the only concubine in the harem, it is too lonely. I thought I would let Yu'er come into the palace to keep me company."
"I called you here today so that you could speak to the Emperor and I will not treat you unfairly."
The Empress Dowager naturally wanted to directly place the person into the harem, but the Emperor had been in a high position for many years and was no longer the person who needed to hide in her arms and seek her protection.
That day, I only mentioned it once, but the emperor refused with a cold and hard attitude.
He was only thinking of Consort Chu's best interests; if Consort Chu herself had asked, the Emperor would have agreed without hesitation.
Chu Yue's face stiffened slightly, and she was stunned for a moment. The Empress Dowager had asked her to play the villain.
"Empress Dowager... I am but a humble concubine with little influence, His Majesty..."
Chu Yue was somewhat uneasy. If she agreed to the Empress Dowager's request, she would offend the Emperor. If she didn't agree, she would anger the Empress Dowager.
Furthermore, it is unknown whether the emperor is willing to allow Liu Yu'er to enter the palace.
"Consort Chu, I know the Emperor likes you. If you ask, he will agree," the Empress Dowager continued.
It's impossible for the emperor not to take in any women into his harem. Does he really want to be a romantic?
"Empress Dowager...this..." Chu Yue was truly troubled and heartbroken. It had only been a short time, and the Empress Dowager had already done this.
"Jinxiu, give the white jade hairpin that I have treasured to Consort Chu. This white jade hairpin is pure and flawless, and it is most suitable for Consort Chu."
The Empress Dowager's attitude was warm, and Liu Yu'er stood beside her with a slight smile on her face, subtly observing Chu Yue.
When she first saw her, she was stunned. Consort Chu was so beautiful; no wonder her cousin liked her.
A surge of resentment welled up in her heart again. If her cousin hadn't been troubled by rumors all these years, she would have been the one to enter the palace and be favored by her cousin.
Under the gazes of the two people, Chu Yue was somewhat at a loss: "Empress Dowager, His Majesty... it's not up to me to decide."
"Consort Chu, you're rejecting me without even trying. Do you want to monopolize the Emperor for yourself?"
The Empress Dowager was somewhat angry. She had been trying to reason with him for so long, but he wouldn't listen. If he were more determined, it would be fine, but there had been no progress so far.
Who will be responsible for the dynasty for generations to come?
Chu Yue knelt on the ground, her face pale: "This concubine dares not..."
"Alright, you can go back now. Tell the Emperor what I said as soon as possible."
If it weren't for the fact that she had helped the emperor out of his predicament, the Empress Dowager would not have tolerated her until now.
"Yes... This concubine takes her leave."
Chu Yue turned and left, her face deathly pale.
Watching the person leave, Liu Yu'er said softly, "Auntie, don't be angry, it's not good for your health."
"Only Yu'er cares about me." The Empress Dowager was deeply moved.
"Of course Yu'er feels sorry for her aunt," Liu Yu'er said coquettishly, snuggling close to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager patted her back affectionately.
……
Looking at Chu Yue, who hadn't spoken a word the whole way, Xiao Tao asked worriedly, "Consort Zhao... what should we do?"
The Empress Dowager is truly unreasonable, making things so difficult for Consort Zhao.
"It's alright, I'll just... mention it to His Majesty," Chu Yue said softly.
"Consort Zhao, how could you be so foolish? If someone enters the harem, His Majesty..."
"Then I won't favor you anymore." Xiao Tao dared not say the rest. Looking at the white jade hairpin in the brocade box, Xiao Tao wanted to throw it away but didn't have the courage.
Chu Yue frowned, said nothing, and headed towards the Jade Jade Palace.
As soon as the two arrived at the Jade Jade Palace, they saw Xiao Xizi guarding outside.
"Consort Chu, you're finally back. His Majesty has been waiting for quite some time."
Chu Yue was somewhat surprised that they had arrived so early today, and quickened her pace to go inside.
The emperor, lounging lazily on the chaise longue, glanced over at the sound, his thin lips pressed tightly together.
His handsome face showed displeasure. He had been waiting for so long, and Consort Chu was only now returning.
"Your Majesty... what brings you here?" Chu Yue stepped forward gently, then quickly corrected herself, realizing her words might be inappropriate: "Your Majesty, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. I had something to attend to and was delayed. Please forgive me."
After speaking, the person gently knelt before him, looking obediently at the emperor.
The emperor straightened up, helped her up, and placed her on his lap: "Where have you been?"
"This concubine is going to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager..." Chu Yue looked at him tenderly.
The emperor was slightly taken aback. After the last time, he had been avoiding the Anning Palace and had not gone there again.
He didn't tell Consort Chu about the Empress Dowager's suggestion. What was the purpose of summoning her over today?
Did you make things difficult for her?
"Has the Empress Dowager made things difficult for you?" The Emperor asked gently, holding the delicate and beautiful woman in his arms.
Chu Yue shook her head: "No, the Empress Dowager also rewarded the concubines with a white jade hairpin."
"These were gifts from His Majesty and the Empress Dowager; I can't possibly fit them all here," Chu Yue said softly and coquettishly.
The emperor felt it wasn't enough; she had been in the palace for some time now, and in every way she suited his needs perfectly.
There seem to be some left in the warehouse; we'll let her choose them herself later.
The emperor smiled, almost feeling like he was raising a daughter, but he quickly snapped out of his reverie, realizing it wasn't a daughter, but his concubine.
"I can put it down. Alright, have your meal with me."
Chu Yue accompanied the emperor to his meal and then served him his afternoon nap, still unsure how to begin the conversation.
She didn't want to anger the emperor, but if she didn't speak up, the empress dowager would make things difficult for her.
Chu Yue felt that her situation was too difficult.