Chapter 209: The Royal Consort Favors the Queen
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Lu Chao Chao scratched her head, glancing between Consort Hui and the Queen. She felt like a squirrel caught in a melon patch, not knowing where to look. [Exciting, truly exciting. Consort Hui is here to fish…]
The king sat in the middle, trying to mediate like an unwitting fool. “Look, how much Consort Hui cares for you,” he said to the Queen. “Whenever you glance at a dish, she remembers and values it more than herself.”
The king’s eyes were filled with reproach for the Queen’s indifference. Consort Hui cautiously looked at the Queen, presenting her most beautiful side. She knew which angle made her appear the most pitiful and lovable.
The king held up Consort Hui’s delicate hands. “Look at her hands. She has never done any housework, yet she prepares meals for you. Who knows how many scars she’s gotten.” Her once delicate fingers were now marred with numerous marks.
“It’s nothing, it’s nothing. As long as the Queen enjoys a few more bites, it’s a blessing for Hui’er.”
“I heard the Queen was homesick, so Hui’er learned some dishes from the cooks at the Protectorate Duke’s residence to soothe your homesickness.”
“Life in the palace is full of inconveniences, but if you can taste the food from home, it might ease your feelings. It’s Hui’er’s good fortune.” Consort Hui smiled warmly, looking extremely considerate.
Her words made the king’s heart ache with jealousy. The Queen glanced at her, seeing her teary eyes and the king’s protective stance.
“Alright, you can bring them over when you have time,” the Queen finally relented.
The king smiled, patting the Queen with his left hand and Consort Hui with his right.
[What a battlefield. I feel bad for Father… He might actually be convincing the Queen!] The crown prince sat on pins and needles, sweat forming on his forehead.
“Father, I am hungry,” he quietly reminded the king, unable to bear the tension any longer.
[What did I do in my past life to deserve this torture? Lu Chao Chao’s claim that Consort Hui was cheating on the king… Turns out she likes Mother!]
The crown prince would rather Consort Hui have lovers than face this awkward situation!
The king finally relented. “Bring the food.”
The palace servants brought the dishes one by one, filling the table. The king personally picked up some food and placed it in the Queen’s bowl. “Try this Kung Pao Taro, it’s delicious.”
The Queen frowned slightly, looking for an excuse to refuse when Consort Hui spoke up. “Your Majesty, after all these years, you don’t know the Queen can’t eat taro?” Consort Hui’s eyes turned red.
“I remember a few years ago, the Queen accidentally ate a dish with taro and had to leave early. The next day, she had a rash. She can’t eat it. Hui’er remembers, even if His Majesty doesn’t.” Consort Hui looked at the Queen with genuine concern.
[Say what you want, but why throw shade? Subtle but sharp… I like it! Stir things up! Stir things up!] Lu Chao Chao watched the drama unfold, much to the crown prince’s annoyance.
The king looked embarrassed, surprised at the Queen. “You can’t eat taro?”
The Queen nodded slightly. “I’ve been unable to since I was young.”
She was surprised that Consort Hui noticed such a small detail. The Queen sighed softly. “Thank you for your care,” the Queen said, her tone softening. She looked at Consort Hui with a hint of warmth, less resistant than usual.
Consort Hui smiled. “The king has many concubines and can’t remember everything. But Hui’er only remembers the Queen. Hui’er is sincerely devoted to you.”
The king nodded, pleased. “My queen, as the mother of the nation, if you can get along with each other, I can rest easy.” The king was truly happy to see them reconcile.
“Chao Chao, why aren’t you eating your chicken leg?” the king asked, surprised. Lu Chao Chao’s love for chicken legs was legendary.
Lu Chao Chao nibbled on her chicken leg, unenthusiastically. “I’m full.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
[All this drama has filled me up more than chicken legs ever could. No chicken leg can compare to this show.]
Unintentionally, she dropped her snack and slid under the table to pick it up.
[Wow!! Exciting!!] Lu Chao Chao’s inner voice screamed.
The crown prince almost dropped his chopsticks.
[Haha, so funny! King Daddy, you have to look under the table! Consort Hui is secretly touching the Queen’s leg! She’s making a move on the Queen! I’m witnessing a huge scandal!] Lu Chao Chao’s inner voice yelled, making the crown prince break out in cold sweat.
[That’s my mother! My mother! At least consider my feelings, I don’t want to be an orphan!] The crown prince felt like an ant on a hot pan, panicking but unable to show it.
“Just now you said you were hungry? Why aren’t you eating?” the king asked the crown prince. Although he favored the eldest prince, he never wavered in his decision about the crown prince’s position. The crown prince was an excellent heir, someone he had personally groomed. He was very satisfied with the crown prince. Favoritism was one thing, but he remembered his duty as a king.
The crown prince’s hands shook as he held his silver chopsticks. Lu Chao Chao emerged from under the table, her face flushed with excitement, looking as if she had just discovered a major secret.
The crown prince chewed his food mechanically, casting a resentful glance at Lu Chao Chao. Only the king ate happily during the meal. Everyone else was preoccupied, their thoughts elsewhere.
After lunch, the king hurried back to the royal study to review memorials. “If you two get along, I can rest easy,” the king said, clearly pleased.
The crown prince couldn’t stand the tension any longer. “Chao Chao needs her afternoon nap after lunch. I’ll come to get you afterward.”
Lu Chao Chao nodded. After the king left, Consort Hui’s gaze unabashedly fell on the Queen, making the Queen uncomfortable.
The Queen picked up Lu Chao Chao. “Would you like me to put you to sleep?”
Lu Chao Chao nodded, smiling. Soon, Lu Chao Chao’s breathing became steady, indicating she was asleep. The Queen placed her back in bed, with Consort Hui closely following, even shutting the door softly.
Lu Chao Chao lay in bed, the Queen and Consort Hui standing outside the curtain, whispering. Lu Chao Chao peeked one eye open. She had to hear this! She squinted her eyes, straining to listen.
“Stop avoiding me. It hurts me deeply,” Consort Hui said, her eyes red with unshed tears. The last time the Queen had fallen seriously ill, Consort Hui had left the king’s side to visit her, only to be kicked out shortly after. Rumors had spread that the Queen was jealous of Consort Hui’s favor and wanted to put her in her place. Since then, the Queen had barred Consort Hui from entering her chambers.
Today, Lu Chao Chao overheard the truth. The Queen, holding back her anger, gritted her teeth. “Why do you think I avoid you? You really don’t know? When you visited during my illness, why did you get into my bed and try to unclothe me?”
Aiyaa never thought this consort is lilies XDXDXD