Free Web NovelChapter 195: Chapter 195: Emperor Wu Su’s Concubines
Ji Qingwu had overslept, so she was now making up for her empty stomach.
As she nibbled on the exquisite and delicious little pastries, her gaze drifted to the other Concubines.
She found it strange.
Aside from Princess Consort Wei, the others had only said a word or two when greeting the Empress Dowager upon entering the hall. Since then, they hadn’t spoken again, sitting quietly to the side.
’Are they too intimidated to speak after watching the Empress Dowager and Princess Consort Wei trade barbs?’
There was something else that surprised her even more.
Ji Qingwu had once assumed that the Emperor’s Phoenix Palace was filled with peerless beauties like Princess Consort Wei.
The harem of King Liang from the previous dynasty had been filled with women of all types, from slender to curvaceous, each beautiful in her own right. As for Emperor Wu Su’s concubines...
...they could only be described as a motley crew of tall, short, plump, and thin.
Judging by their appearances, they all seemed to be the earnest, proper type who conducted themselves with decorum. There were, however, a few with elegant features.
Throughout history, the criteria for selecting concubines had always been a combination of inner grace and stunning beauty.
Clearly, Emperor Wu Su only valued the former.
’To have collected such an assortment... he’s really not picky at all.’
Moreover, these concubines’ postures were so prim and proper that it didn’t look like they were visiting the Empress Dowager for tea. They seemed more solemn than the ministers attending a morning court session.
By contrast, Ji Qingwu, who was eating pastries and drinking tea, seemed rather casual and out of place.
She quickly finished the crab roe pastry in her hand. The pastry was so flaky that crumbs scattered onto her dress, and she lowered her head to pick them off with her handkerchief.
A eunuch’s announcement came from the entrance.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
The Empress Dowager’s heart leaped with joy, the displeasure from her spat with Princess Consort Wei vanishing completely. She rose from the Queen’s throne.
The concubines below rose as well, preparing to welcome the Emperor.
As Ji Qingwu stood, the silk handkerchief embroidered with an eight-treasure lotus slipped and fell, and a gust of wind from the entrance blew it into the aisle.
But all she could do was bow along with everyone else.
The sound of brisk footsteps echoed.
When a pair of black court boots stopped in front of her, Ji Qingwu felt her face flush.
The Empress Dowager also spotted the handkerchief and looked at Ji Qingwu with a frown.
’Intentional or not, dropping a personal handkerchief in front of the Emperor is an act of blatant seduction... How could she do it in front of all the other concubines? If you’re going to pull a stunt like that, you do it in private! Foolish girl!’
Li Yuzong, standing behind the Emperor, tactfully picked it up and returned it to Ji Qingwu.
He smiled respectfully and said, "Miss Ji, please keep this safe."
Ji Qingwu took it and thanked him in a low voice.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager felt something was off, though she couldn’t quite put her finger on it.
Emperor Wu Su was standing right in front of Ji Qingwu. "You may all rise," he said.
Everyone rose at his command, but the Emperor didn’t move.
His voice held a teasing note. "You should eat a bigger breakfast. Then you might not have trouble holding onto a handkerchief."
Ji Qingwu’s hand tightened around the silk handkerchief. When she looked up at him, she saw he had already walked on.
Seeing that Emperor Wu Su didn’t look displeased, the Empress Dowager spoke up. "Your Majesty is so busy with state affairs. I went by yesterday and saw you were still in discussion with your ministers. Diligence in your duties is a good thing, but you must take care of your health."
Under the guise of concern, she brought up the fact that she had gone to see him the day before.
Emperor Wu Su replied coolly, "The Empress Dowager should also take care of her health. Perhaps taking more walks in the Imperial Garden or by Taiye Lake would be relaxing."
The smile on the Empress Dowager’s lips stiffened. ’He’s telling me to stay away from the Diligent Governance Hall.’
Yet she maintained a pleasant smile. "With Your Majesty’s concern, my health is sure to be excellent. But Your Majesty should also visit the harem more often."
Emperor Wu Su raised his eyes, looking at the Empress Dowager with an unreadable smile.
"Just a moment ago, Princess Consort Wei was complaining to me." The Empress Dowager then acted as if she had misspoken and quickly corrected herself. "Ah, not complaining, it was a slip of the tongue. It’s just that Your Majesty hasn’t visited her palace since her brother returned last time."
Princess Consort Wei was about to protest, but the Empress Dowager had spoken her true feelings. She also wanted to know when His Majesty would visit her palace again.
"Empress Dowager, please don’t tease me. Is there any sister in the harem who doesn’t hope for His Majesty to pay a visit?"
With that, she looked around at the others.
But not only did none of the assembled Concubines respond, they all sat even more ramrod straight than before, their expressions growing more solemn as they avoided any eye contact with the Emperor and Empress Dowager at the front of the hall.
Ji Qingwu’s eyes darted back and forth. ’The concubines’ reactions,’ she thought, ’are just like Jiu Jiu in the Upper Study Room when the Grand Tutor calls on him to answer a question.’
Wei Liru, however, seemed accustomed to this and didn’t find it awkward at all, simply continuing the one-sided conversation.
"The wine I brewed a while ago is ready to be unsealed and served. When Your Majesty has a moment, perhaps you could come and have a taste."
Emperor Wu Su said, "I recall your brother enjoys a drink. Give my share to him."
Wei Liru agreed, her disappointment showing. But then the Emperor spoke again, "I was discussing matters with your brother just last night."
"It is the Wei Family’s great fortune that my brother can help ease Your Majesty’s burdens," Wei Liru said, her expression full of pride.
Emperor Wu Su’s gaze shifted to the back of the hall. "But I hear Wei Ting lingered in the palace for an hour last night."
Ji Qingwu’s head snapped up, and her posture became ramrod straight.
Even though she was sitting far from the Emperor, she felt a chilling gaze on her back.
Princess Consort Wei’s expression flickered. She explained, "My brother came to see me. We discussed some family matters. Our grandmother hasn’t been well recently."
A corner of Emperor Wu Su’s mouth lifted into a cold smile. "Then pass on a message to your brother for me. If the old madam of his house is unwell, he should be by her side attending to her, not running about."
Princess Consort Wei lowered her head and agreed, though her heart was reeling with shock. ’Why would Wei Ting defy the palace curfew? Where on earth did he go? The Emperor always speaks in riddles, saying one thing and meaning another. He probably knows exactly where my brother went. He’s just using this to send a warning to the Wei Family.’
Many people in the hall understood why Madam Wei was "unwell."
It was because a few days ago, Wei Ting had publicly asked for the hand of the Ji Family’s Fifth Missy in court.
Wei Ting wasn’t present, but the other party involved, Ji Qingwu, was.
No matter how primly these concubines sat, they couldn’t suppress their gossipy hearts.
Suddenly, many probing gazes fell upon Ji Qingwu.
With an imposing air, she met their gazes one by one, her own stare so firm that she made them look away in embarrassment.
It was rare for Mrs. Qiao to see Xiao Wu looking so defiant. Since Old Madam Ji and Madam Wei were already on bad terms, seeing Ji Qingwu’s composed and fearless demeanor made her nod slightly in approval. freёweɓnovel.com
Ji Qingwu continued her sweep of the room until her eyes met a pair of cool, upward-slanting black eyes. Her imposing aura instantly vanished.
She lowered her head, her mind racing. ’Does the Emperor know Wei Ting visited last night? Was the person who came late last night really him? If he knew I was the one Wei Ting came to find, given his personality, he would have grabbed me by the neck and shaken me awake by now.’
Lost in thought, she suddenly realized that the other concubines were already starting to rise from their seats.
"We take our leave," they said respectfully.
As the highest-ranking concubine, Princess Consort Wei walked at the head of the group. As she passed Ji Qingwu, she gave her a deep, meaningful look.
A voice came from the front of the hall...
