tkworld Chapter 184 Emperor and Empress
Chapter 184 Emperor and Empress
The two were still quite clear-headed. Since they were chosen by Consort Chen, they were naturally there to serve her, and they did not have any intention of taking the opportunity to curry favor.
Of course, there was still a glimmer of hope in my heart.
If she could serve the emperor and become pregnant, given the current situation in the palace, the child should be able to be saved. Even if she were to be raised by someone else, there would still be hope.
Moreover, once you accompany the emperor, it will be considered a merit, making it easier to be promoted in the future.
After discussing it for a while, the two decided to go anyway.
Since Consort Chen asked, he dared not refuse.
If it weren't for Consort Chen, none of them would have been included in this grand conferment of titles upon the harem; the Empress has never taken them seriously.
This matter certainly couldn't be kept from the Empress. When she learned that Shen Shixi was the one making the arrangements for accompanying the Emperor, she was so angry she almost vomited blood. "Did the Emperor order her to make these arrangements, or did she make them herself?"
Granny Qu thought to herself, "How could such a big matter be arranged by Consort Chen herself?"
Consort Chen isn't exactly a diligent person either!
"Regardless of whether it is the Emperor's decree or not, Consort Chen has overstepped her bounds. She should consult with the Empress and then let the Emperor decide."
"Summon Consort Chen to see me!" The Empress was truly enraged.
Tingqin was quite arrogant when she came to Zhaoyang Palace. "Her Majesty the Empress requests that Consort Chen go to Fengyi Palace immediately!"
Shen Shixi was watching Bai Ping and the others make playing cards. They were going on a long journey to Beisha, so how could they not have some essential items for home and travel? Playing cards would be just right.
"Oh, you go ahead, I'll be there in a bit!"
"Your Highness, the Empress has decreed that you must go to Fengyi Palace immediately. Do you intend to disobey this decree?"
Shen Shixi then took a good look at Tingqin. Of course, she knew that this girl was fiercely protective of her master and had long wished she could devour her. She smiled and said, "Then consider it disobeying the imperial decree. Go and have the Empress behead me!"
After saying that, she ignored Tingqin completely.
Chao En thought to himself that Tingqin was probably stupid. Now that the Empress had been put on hold, should he behead her or not?
Tingqin was furious, but seeing Consort Chen's stubborn and unyielding demeanor, she was helpless.
After returning home, he embellished the story.
"Consort Ming was just sitting there playing around, nothing much to do. When I told her that Her Majesty the Empress had invited her, she refused to come, insisting on saying she'd come later. She was clearly just trying to appease me. When I asked her if she was trying to disobey the imperial decree, she said, 'So what? Let Her Majesty the Empress chop off my head!'"
Tingqin was genuinely angry and protective of her mistress. "Your Majesty, Consort Chen is far too arrogant. She clearly doesn't respect the Empress."
Granny Qu knew at a glance that something bad was about to happen.
But the Empress was trembling with rage. "Does Your Majesty intend to favor a concubine over your wife?"
Her chest heaving violently for a long time, the Empress could no longer contain her anger. "I'm going to ask the Emperor what Consort Chen is trying to do!"
Granny Qu said, "Your Majesty, please calm down. Consort Chen has always been like this. She has no regard for rules. If you try to argue with her, you will never succeed."
"If we let her continue like this, will anyone in the palace listen to the Empress in the future?"
The Empress was clearly furious, so Granny Qu couldn't say anything.
The Empress stormed off to Qian Yuan Palace, where the Emperor was discussing matters with his ministers. He was to take a large number of people with him on this northern tour, including the Prime Minister, but his five Imperial Scholars would remain in the capital.
Cen Yin also stayed in the capital.
Prince Jin and other princes were all brought along, in case they didn't, they might rebel.
The Shen family was also among those accompanying the emperor. It was pitiful that Shen's father, a leisurely vice minister who did not hold office in the court, had to travel thousands of miles with the emperor. The staff left in the capital consisted of several ministers, each handling the affairs of the Six Ministries.
After the personnel were finalized, Li Yuanke received the Empress, and only then did he have time to have a cup of tea.
Shen Shixi had someone make honey grapefruit tea, and it tasted pretty good.
After taking a sip, Li Yuanke asked, "The Empress is furious. Who has angered you?"
These words instantly pleased the Empress, who smiled and said, "I heard today that Consort Chen is making arrangements for the concubines accompanying His Majesty on his border tour, so I wanted to summon her to ask, but I didn't expect that she didn't have time."
This is a euphemism for Consort Chen defying the imperial decree.
How could the emperor not tell?
But isn't it quite common for Consort Chen to disobey the imperial decree?
She even defied the imperial edict; now that she's completely broken ties with the Empress, how can she not defy it?
"Consort Chen is preparing for the border inspection; she's been very busy lately. Sometimes I want to talk to her, but she's always busy." The Emperor finally raised his eyelids. "How is the Empress's health?"
This sounds like an invitation!
The Empress's face flushed instantly, and she felt somewhat embarrassed. She was inevitably disappointed in herself and said, "The imperial physician said that I need to rest for a while longer, and I have been taking my medicine on time every day."
"That's good!" the Emperor said. "There will be four people accompanying the Emperor in the harem, led by Consort Chen. The Empress need not trouble herself with this matter!"
The Empress was taken aback and dared not mention it again. Consequently, the Emperor also seemed to have no intention of pursuing the matter of Shen's disobedience. Moreover, given the Emperor's expression, he would never accept her relentless pursuit.
"Since the Lunar New Year, His Majesty has not visited any of the concubines. It is my fault. There are not many women in the harem who are fit to serve him now. However, Consort Pan has recovered her health after half a year since her miscarriage."
"The Pan family is foolish and lacks the fortune to protect the imperial heir."
The Empress was speechless. What difference was there between these words and being directed at her?
It was extremely embarrassing.
It took the Empress a while to come to her senses. "And there's Consort Xu and Consort Wang, they're all eager to serve His Majesty. You can't possibly neglect them all, can you?"
The emperor was very displeased. "The Marquis of Changning has just died, and the empress is already ordering me to summon Lady Xu to sleep with me. How does the empress intend for the world to criticize me?"
The Empress suddenly remembered that the Marquis of Changning was dead.
Fortunately, at that moment, someone from Bao Ci Palace reported that Consort De had started her illness. The two of them didn't have time to say anything else and hurriedly rushed to Bao Ci Palace.
Consort De has been moved to a side hall. The midwife was arranged long ago. As the delivery approaches, the Imperial Hospital has arranged for people to keep an eye on her for twelve hours a day. Now everyone has arrived.
This was Consort De's third pregnancy, but the delivery didn't seem easy; she was calling out from inside, "Your Majesty, has Your Majesty arrived?"
Li Yuanke naturally wouldn't go inside. Hearing this, he said from outside the window, "I'm here, you can give birth in peace!"
Consort De was in excruciating pain, crying out, "With Your Majesty here, I... I can finally rest easy!"
She was indeed afraid.
The Empress Dowager also arrived, glanced at the people waiting outside, and asked, "Where is Consort Chen? Why didn't she come?"
The Emperor said, "Consort Chen is busy with some matters and cannot come for the time being. Since Your Majesty has come, I will take my leave now. I hope Your Majesty will keep an eye on things for me."
The Empress Dowager was truly...furious. Thank goodness he was her own son. "What business do you have?"
"There are still many affairs to attend to in the previous dynasty. The border inspection is about to begin, and we need to settle people both inside and outside the capital. With the Empress Dowager and the Empress here, and Consort De having experience in childbirth, how can I be of any help?"
Can he help with the physical labor or assist with the delivery?
The Empress Dowager nearly choked on her breath and asked again, "Whom will you take with you on your border patrol?"
Upon hearing this, all the concubines pricked up their ears to listen; who wouldn't want to accompany the emperor?
(Come on, let's check my update progress and your reading progress. As of 12:00 AM on December 23, 2025, I updated to Chapter 184. My darlings, are there still people urging me to update the chapter I posted the day before yesterday? I update daily, every single day, without taking any leave.)