Chapter 210: Competing for Favor
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
[Wow! Consort Hui is really bold!]
[No wonder the queen fears her. Who wouldn’t?]
[The queen treated her like a sister, yet she wanted to sleep with her!]
Lu Chao Chao’s eyes twinkled with mischief and curiosity as she peered through the slight gap in the curtain, careful not to make a sound or sudden move that might reveal her presence to the two women outside.
Consort Hui, with tears shimmering in her eyes, gently bit her lower lip as she sobbed softly. “When you were ill with a severe cold and high fever, the royal physician couldn’t reduce your fever, and you shivered uncontrollably in your sleep,” she explained, her voice quivering with emotion. “In my distress, I climbed into bed with you!” Another pause, heavier this time, before she added, “Yes, I did get naked.”
The queen’s eyes widened in shock, but Consort Hui continued, her tone growing more intense. “What’s so good about men anyway? They snore when they sleep, and even if they bathe a hundred times a day, they still smell.”
“He has countless Consorts in the harem, unlike me, who only has eyes for you,” she said, her voice softening. “Yes, he has given you supreme glory, but does he truly care about you? Does he even know what you like to eat, what you think about, or what foods upset your stomach? He has never paid attention.”
“He gives you status but not affection. Are you truly satisfied with that?”
“The palace is lonely, the nights are long. He has countless Consorts, but what about you? He never considers your feelings. I’m different.”
“I always pay attention to you. You were only fifteen when you entered the palace, still a naive child.”
“So small, wearing luxurious clothes, facing the backstabbing of the harem. How scared you must have been. He didn’t even protect you, leaving you to face wolves and tigers alone at such a young age.”
“At that time, you secretly cried under the covers. I knew.” Seizing a rare moment alone with the queen, Consort Hui poured out her heart. “I feel sorry for you, I really do.”
The queen was visibly stunned, her eyes wide with a mix of confusion and vulnerability. Consort Hui gently took her hand.
[Wow, Consort Hui is holding the queen’s hand!]
The queen trembled slightly, and a single tear escaped Consort Hui’s eye. She whispered earnestly, “Entering the palace wasn’t your choice. Your whole life isn’t your own. I dare not ask for too much, just to talk to you and see you. That’s all I wish for.”
The queen hesitated, her expression softening. Consort Hui’s eyes flickered with a glimmer of hope.
Just as Consort Hui was about to embrace her, a small voice from behind the curtain chirped, “Fishy, don’t run away…”
Startled, Consort Hui quickly released the queen’s hand.
The queen’s heart raced, her brow creased with a mix of fear and relief. “No more nonsense!” she exclaimed, her voice tinged with panic.
“Chao Chao, are you having a nightmare?”
She turned to see Lu Chao Chao rubbing her eyes and sitting up, looking disoriented but endearing.
[That was scary.]
Every time Consort Hui touched her, the queen felt a chill run down her spine.
“I had a bad dream,” Chao Chao murmured in her baby-like voice, clinging to the queen’s neck.
“I dreamed someone was fishing in the sea, and all the fish were almost caught…” she continued, her eyes wide with the vivid imagery of her dream.
“Silly child, how could all the fish in the sea be caught…” The queen, who had no daughters, held Chao Chao close, her affection evident. She needed to win some favor, especially since Rong Che had taken an interest in Chao Chao’s mother.
Wrapping Chao Chao warmly, she carried her to the royal study.
As they approached, old ministers exiting the study bowed respectfully to Chao Chao and the queen.
Inside, King Xuan Ping looked up from his documents, a question already forming on his lips. “Have you made peace with Consort Hui?”
The queen hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”
King Xuan Ping smiled, relieved. “Consort Hui is gentle and considerate. I knew you two would get along.”
This novel is translated and hosted on bcatranslation
He recalled her entry into the palace, how other Consorts had made her life difficult, particularly the fiery-tempered Consort Jiang who had once openly called her a vixen.
“And now? They think highly of each other and share a great relationship,” he remarked, his voice filled with satisfaction.
[Your whole harem is like her fish farm…] Chao Chao silently commented with a shake of her disapproving head.
Suddenly, a commotion disrupted the quiet of the study.
“Silence outside the royal study!” Chief Eunuch Wang’s voice commanded authority outside.
But the cries and shouts continued, prompting him to rush in. “Your Majesty, Consort Jiang and Consort Qin are fighting!”
Before he could finish, both women burst into the room, hair disheveled, faces scratched, and instantly fell to their knees.
“Please, Your Majesty, Your Highness, give us justice.”
“Consort Jiang is too overbearing!”
“Consort Qin is unreasonable!”
Their accusations flew as they continued to tug at each other’s hair, the tension palpable.
The king massaged his temples, his headache worsening. “What’s going on? Fighting like this, what a disgrace!” His tone was stern, his face darkening with displeasure.
Consort Qin burst into tears. “I woke up early to make ginseng soup. Even if there’s no credit, there’s hard work. But she wants to throw it away!”
Consort Jiang retorted fiercely, “Bitch, I was here first. If anyone is going to drink a soup, it should be my soup first!”
Behind them, maids held up food boxes, each claiming their mistress’s soup should be favored.
“Drink mine first!”
“Mine first, I have a higher rank!”
As they resumed their squabble, King Xuan Ping ordered, “Wang, open the boxes.”
Once the boxes were opened and the contents revealed, he declared, “Alright, alright, I’ll drink both! Is that fair?” His words seemed to quell the immediate dispute, but only temporarily.
Consort Qin, suddenly nervous, let go of Consort Jiang’s hair. “Wait… wait…”
The king reassured them, “I’ll treat everyone fairly. I won’t favor anyone over the other.” He then picked up Consort Jiang’s bowl, causing the woman’s expression to shift from anger to shock.
“Your Majesty, actually…” Consort Qin began, pulling at a silent, pale-faced Consort Jiang.
He took a sip from each bowl, then pronounced, “Fair, right?”
Both women nodded, their spirits deflated, their eyes empty. “F-fair,” they echoed, their voices hollow.
“No more fighting over me,” the king declared, dismissing them. “Go find Consort Hui to relieve your boredom.”
As they left, dejected, Lu Chao Chao’s mind raced with thoughts.
[It looks like they weren’t fighting for King Daddy’s favor…]
[Could it be they were fighting for Consort Hui’s favor?]
[Oh no!!]
[Has it escalated to the point of fighting?]
[With so many fish, won’t the boat capsize?]
Bruh lmao harem inside harem. Aiyaaa