Chapter 209: Consort Hui Likes Her Majesty
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Lu Chao Chao scratched her head, glancing from Consort Hui to the Empress.
Like a startled beast caught in a melon field, she could hardly keep up.
[This is thrilling. Absolutely thrilling.]
[Consort Hui is out here fishing…]
The Emperor sat in the middle like a helpless fool, trying to mediate between the two.
“Just look at how much Consort Hui cares for you,” he sighed.
“Every dish you so much as glance at, she remembers. She values you more than herself…”
The Emperor’s gaze carried frustration, as if he resented the Empress for her coldness.
Consort Hui cast a careful glance at the Empress, her side profile stunningly delicate.
She knew which angle made her appear the most enchanting, the most pitiable.
Emperor Xuan Ping took her hands in his own. “Look at Consort Hui’s hands. She has never done a day of labor in her life, yet she has scalded them making soup for you.”
The once delicate fingers bore faint scars.
“It’s nothing, truly nothing,” Consort Hui said tenderly. “If Her Majesty eats just a little more, then that is my greatest fortune.”
“I heard that Her Majesty misses home,” she continued, lowering her lashes. “So I sought out the chefs from the Stabilizing Duke’s Manor to learn a few dishes personally, hoping they might ease your longing.”
“Life in the palace is full of restrictions, but if you can taste the flavors of home, then that is enough to put my heart at ease.”
Her voice carried the perfect trace of sorrow, her expression full of warmth.
Even the Emperor felt a pang of jealousy in his heart.
The Empress cast her a sidelong glance, taking in the glistening eyes, the pitiful demeanor, and the Emperor’s unwavering support.
After a pause, she nodded. “Very well. If you have the time, send them over.”
The Emperor smiled, patting the Empress’s hand with his left while his right landed on Consort Hui’s.
His expression was full of satisfaction, but Consort Hui’s gaze remained fixed on the Empress. The Empress…
She wished she could be blind.
Sigh…
[This is a true battlefield. I feel sorry for Emperor Dad…]
[He’s actually persuading Mother Empress to accept her!!]
The Crown Prince sat stiffly, cold sweat forming on his forehead.
“Father Emperor, your son is hungry,” he muttered, unable to endure the tension any longer.
What had he done in his past life to deserve such torment in this one?
He had originally thought Lu Chao Chao’s claim that Consort Hui was “greening” the Emperor meant she was keeping lovers in secret.
But no!!
She had fallen for Mother Empress!!
At this point, he would rather she kept secret lovers than this.
The Emperor released both their hands. “Serve the meal.”
The palace attendants moved swiftly, bringing dish after dish until the table was filled.
Servants stood behind them, serving the meal.
The Emperor personally picked up a piece of food and placed it into the Empress’s bowl.
“This Kung Pao Taro tastes good. Try it,” he said, ensuring she received her due honor.
The Empress glanced at the taro in her bowl, her brows slightly furrowed.
Just as she was about to find an excuse, Consort Hui spoke up.
“Your Majesty, you and Her Majesty have been married for decades, yet you do not know she cannot eat taro?” Her eyes shimmered with unspoken grievance.
“I still remember, a few years ago, Her Majesty mistakenly ate a dish containing taro. She left the banquet early that night, and the next day, rashes appeared on her face. She must not eat it! Your Majesty may be careless, but I always remember.”
Her expression was one of tender concern.
[You could have just said it outright—why did you have to throw shade at Emperor Dad for being inattentive?]
[A true master of veiled insults…]
[But I love it! More drama, more chaos!!] Lu Chao Chao was thoroughly entertained, while the Crown Prince ground his teeth in frustration.
The Emperor looked slightly embarrassed, turning to the Empress in surprise. “Wan’er, you truly cannot eat taro?”
The Empress gave a small nod. “I never have been able to.”
She was merely surprised—back then, she had left the banquet early without drawing any attention, yet Consort Hui had noticed.
The Empress sighed softly.
“I appreciate your concern, Consort Hui.” The Empress’s expression softened a little, and her gaze toward Consort Hui carried a trace of warmth.
It was not the usual resistance.
Consort Hui smiled. “His Majesty has so many consorts in the harem—how could he possibly remember them all? Not like Hui’er, who only remembers Your Majesty. Hui’er is truly devoted to you.”
The Emperor chuckled and nodded.
“Wan’er is the mother of the nation, and Consort Hui is my beloved. If you two can get along well, only then can I be at ease.” The Emperor was truly pleased that the two seemed to have set aside past grievances. The Empress’s change in attitude toward Consort Hui filled his heart with joy.
“Chao Chao, why aren’t you eating your chicken leg today?” The Emperor was extremely surprised. Lu Chao Chao’s obsession with chicken legs was akin to heroes of the realm fighting for the throne.
Lu Chao Chao listlessly nibbled at the chicken leg.
“Too full.”
[Ai, I’ve eaten too much gossip today. I’m stuffed. Even chicken legs taste dull now.]
[How can chicken legs compare to this grand drama unfolding before my eyes?]
Unintentionally, the snacks in her arms fell to the ground. Lu Chao Chao slid down from her seat to pick them up.
[Wow! Exciting!]
Her inner voice rang out so loudly that the Crown Prince’s chopsticks nearly slipped from his grasp.
[Hahahaha…]
Lu Chao Chao cackled internally.
[Father Emperor, do you dare crouch down and take a look?]
[Consort Hui is secretly hooking Her Majesty the Empress’s leg!]
[Oh my! She’s seducing Her Majesty!]
[This is the juiciest gossip ever!]
Lu Chao Chao howled in her heart.
The Crown Prince was sweating bullets.
[That’s my mother! That’s my mother! Could you at least be a little considerate? I don’t want to be orphaned!]
The Crown Prince was like an ant on a hot pan, anxious to the point of spitting blood but not daring to reveal a thing.
“You just said you were hungry. Why aren’t you eating now?” The Emperor turned to the Crown Prince.
Though he emotionally favored the Eldest Prince, he had never wavered in his decision regarding the Crown Prince’s position as heir.
The Crown Prince was an outstanding heir.
He was the successor the Emperor had personally cultivated.
The Emperor was very pleased with the Crown Prince.
Favoritism was favoritism, but reason was reason—he still remembered he was an emperor.
The Crown Prince’s hands trembled as he picked up his silver chopsticks.
Lu Chao Chao crawled out from under the table, her little face flushed with excitement, looking completely satisfied from consuming the juiciest gossip.
The Crown Prince chewed his food like it was wax, casting a mournful look at Lu Chao Chao.
During the meal, only the Emperor ate with joy.
Everyone else was absent-minded, their thoughts wandering in all directions.
As soon as the meal ended, the Emperor hurried off to the Imperial Study to review memorials.
“As long as you two get along, I can be at ease.” The Emperor was delighted.
The Crown Prince could not bear the sight of this battlefield any longer and quickly said, “Chao Chao always takes a nap after lunch. I will come pick you up after she wakes.”
Lu Chao Chao nodded in agreement.
Once the Emperor left, Consort Hui’s gaze lingered openly on the Empress, making her feel extremely uncomfortable.
The Empress picked up Lu Chao Chao. “Shall Mother coax you to sleep?”
Lu Chao Chao beamed and agreed.
Not long after, steady breathing sounds filled the room.
The Empress carried her back to the sleeping chambers, and Consort Hui followed closely, even considerately shutting the door behind them.
Lu Chao Chao lay on the bed, while the Empress and Consort Hui stood outside the curtain, speaking in hushed tones.
Lu Chao Chao slyly opened one eye.
[Heh heh, I must hear this juicy gossip today!]
She half-squinted her eyes, ears perked high.
“Wan Wan, stop avoiding me. It makes my heart ache…” Consort Hui’s eyes reddened, glistening with unshed tears.
Last time, when the Empress had fallen severely ill with a cold, it had been Consort Hui’s turn to serve the Emperor.
But she had abandoned the Emperor without hesitation and braved the storm to visit the Empress.
Yet, moments after stepping inside, she had been thrown out.
The entire palace gossiped that the Empress was displeased with Consort Hui’s growing favor and was putting her in her place. Ever since then, the Empress had forbidden Consort Hui from entering her chambers.
And now, Lu Chao Chao had accidentally stumbled upon the real story.
Suppressing her anger, the Empress gritted her teeth. “You don’t know why I’m avoiding you?”
“When you visited while I was ill, why did you strip and climb into my bed?!”
Aiyaa never thought this consort is lilies XDXDXD