TCCRMMAICSTA Chapter 13

The junior eunuch recorded the Emperor’s favoured consorts, regular consorts, and esteemed consorts, while the senior eunuch recorded the ranks of Concubines, Consorts, Imperial Concubines, and the Empress.

 

It was still the same job of listening to the bedchamber, but now it was the bedchamber of higher-ranked consorts.

 

Xiao Qing, holding the heavy gold, had red eyes. “Brother Yu, do you trust me this much?”

 

Yu Wanwan pinched Xiao Qing’s cheeks and wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes.

 

“I just love spending money on pretty sisters. From now on, I’ll cover your expenses.”

 

【With so much gold, Xiao Qing will definitely become plump and rosy.】

 

【Give Xiao Qing the best treatment so she won’t be easily deceived by those young eunuchs.】

 

【If such a sister is mistreated by a young eunuch, I’d have to jump up and kill someone.】

 

After speaking, Yu Wanwan took her record book to Jingren Palace. Today was the first day of August, and on the first and fifteenth of every month, the Emperor had to visit the Empress’s palace.

 

So tonight, it was the Emperor and Empress’s bedchamber, and before it even started, Yu Wanwan was already yawning.

 

After all… they were an old married couple, how much passion could there be? Moreover… after the failed assassination attempt tonight, the Emperor was in a very bad mood and wasn’t in the mood for such things.

 

It was just a pity… the Empress had waited for this rare opportunity, and it was destined to be a disappointment.

 

As expected, when Yu Wanwan arrived at Jingren Palace, the Empress was meticulously dressing up, while the Emperor was still absent.

 

The palace maid serving the Empress was delighted as she applied makeup: “Your Highness looks truly beautiful today. This powdery outfit highlights your complexion splendidly.”

 

“The Emperor will definitely be moved and will favor you every night.”

 

The Empress blushed shyly: “Qiu Yue, stop saying such things…”

 

Qiu Yue giggled while covering her face: “Your Highness is shy. Let me apply a bit of lip gloss to make you even more radiant, ensuring the Emperor will be unable to resist.”

 

The Empress pinched Qiu Yue’s waist: “Naughty girl…”

 

At this moment, a palace servant announced outside: “The Emperor has arrived.”

 

Qiu Yue wisely stepped out of the hall. The Empress immediately moved forward, gracefully bowing: “This servant pays respects to Your Majesty.”

 

The Emperor, exuding an aura of coldness, waved his hand: “No need for formalities. Just go to bed.”

 

The Emperor didn’t even glance at the Empress. After many years of marriage, if it weren’t for palace rules, he wouldn’t want to visit Jingren Palace at all.

 

The first and fifteenth of each month were just routine duties.

 

The Empress’s eyes darkened as she followed the Emperor to the bedside: “This servant will assist you in undressing.”

 

She began to untie the Emperor’s belt and remove his outer robe, hanging it aside, then reached to undo his pure white inner garment.

 

But the Emperor grabbed her hand: “That’s enough. Just go to bed.” He then lay down on the bed and even closed his eyes, ignoring the Empress.

 

The Empress smiled bitterly. Although the Emperor visited her on the first and fifteenth, it was only a visit. She didn’t receive the same favour as other consorts.

 

Feeling somewhat dissatisfied, she tugged at the Emperor’s sleeve: “Your Majesty…”

Her voice was indescribably charming and alluring.

 

The Emperor opened his eyes displeased: “What is it?”

 

The Empress lowered her head shyly: “Your Majesty, you once praised me for looking most beautiful in pink. I specially…”

 

Before the Empress could finish, the Emperor interrupted angrily: “Pink is delicate. How old are you now?”

 

“If you don’t want me to stay in Jingren Palace, I’ll go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to deal with documents!”

 

The Empress panicked upon hearing this and hurriedly knelt, admitting her mistake: “It’s all my fault. I shouldn’t have disturbed Your Majesty’s rest…”

 

The Emperor didn’t say much and simply turned his back to sleep, while the Empress knelt on the floor, silently crying.

 

She could only comfort herself that it was better for the Emperor to stay in Jingren Palace rather than go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation; at least she preserved a bit of face.

 

Yu Wanwan shook his head and wrote in the record book: On the first day of August, the Emperor stayed in Jingren Palace, and the Emperor and Empress’s relationship was harmonious…

 

Although it didn’t align with the facts, this was the instruction the Empress had given to the record-keeping eunuchs before, so it couldn’t reveal that the Emperor was just here for casual conversation.

 

After completing the record, Yu Wanwan looked up at the Empress, who was now wiping a tear from the corner of her eye. Her expression was calm, as if nothing had happened.

 

The Empress had a dignified appearance and gentle demeanour, truly fitting of a mother of the nation, but… compared to the other consorts in the palace, her looks were rather plain.

Yu Wanwan sighed deeply.

 

【Ah, the Empress is really strong; even wiping away her tears is done with composure. However, her outfit today was a mistake.】

 

The Empress, kneeling on the floor, fearfully glanced around the hall, but the only sounds were the Emperor’s even breathing and the presence of the eunuchs from the record-keeping room squatting in the corner. She stared at Yu Wanwan without showing any emotion.

 

Yu Wanwan was used to such scrutiny and quietly lowered his head, indicating that he would record as usual.

 

【Look at those bright red lips and thick makeup; they cover up the Empress’s original beauty.】

 

【The Emperor doesn’t like pink; he always prefers women who are eighteen years old. The more you care about what he likes and try to cater to him, the more counterproductive it becomes.】

 

The Empress, initially shocked, found the voice’s words increasingly accurate.

Over the years, she had always maintained the image of a mother of the nation and tried to please the Emperor, but he had become increasingly impatient with her and more affectionate toward new consorts.

 

She wondered what she should do next.

 

The voice seemed to know her thoughts and continued: 【Stupid man, let him go to hell. Forget what he likes; just like yourself.】

 

【Live as you like, and if the man isn’t used to it, he’ll come crawling back.】

 

【If you’ve put on too much makeup, then go for a natural look, though not a greasy one. This will also improve your mood.】

 

【Empress, listen to me: put yourself first. If you blossom, butterflies will come naturally.】

 

【By the way, you used to have sleepless nights. Staying up late makes you age. Look at the Emperor, sleeping like a pig. Go wash up and get some beauty sleep.】

 

The Empress, having heard this, stood up and walked to the vanity mirror, and indeed… the makeup was too heavy for her liking.

 

Also, every time the Emperor came to Jingren Palace, she was troubled and sleepless, adding more fine lines at the corners of her eyes.

 

Seeing the Emperor snoring in the inner chamber, she walked decisively out of the inner hall.

The serving maid Qiu Yue, seeing her exit, asked in surprise: “Your Highness, where are you going?”

 

The Empress replied calmly: “Prepare water for me to wash my face. I will sleep in the side hall tonight.”

 

“Ah? But the Emperor…”

 

“I don’t care if he goes to hell!” She said and strode into the side hall.

 

Yu Wanwan was delighted to see this scene.

 

【Great! The sister who listens to advice is hard not to love. Hehe, and the best part is I can finish work early.】

 

Yu Wanwan closed the record book and prepared to leave Jingren Palace. But suddenly… the Empress’s voice came from the side hall.

 

“Yu Wanfu, come to my side.”

 

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