Chapter 216 - 187: Drawing a Cake

Even Jiang Xian was rendered speechless.

’On second thought, Consort Ji is like a new hire at a company. Even if her father is a senior executive, the busy CEO can’t be expected to remember every time she has a headache or a fever. Throughout the harem, the only ones who could summon the Emperor by claiming to be unwell were the Empress, Noble Princess Consort Rong, and herself.’

’Anyone else would only be met with the rebuke, "I am not an Imperial Physician."’

"Zhao’er fainted?"

When she didn’t answer, Xie Che could only guess.

Seeing Liang Yuyin beside him looking like he wanted to speak but was hesitating, Xie Che shot him a glance, telling him to speak his mind. Liang Yuyin then explained how Consort Ji had fainted from fasting to pray for the Empress’s well-being. "The Empress Dowager praised Consort Ji for her commendable filial piety and sent over some herbs to replenish her blood."

Liang Yuyin didn’t dare to mention that the Emperor had sent gifts as well.

He didn’t have to; Xie Che remembered it himself.

’In recent years, he had only given rewards to the Concubines of the harem during festivals or on their birthdays. More often, when the Empress or Empress Dowager wanted to reward a certain concubine, he would add a little something of his own as a sign of favor. The Empress Dowager sent herbs, so he sent something along as well. It was such a trivial matter that Xie Che hadn’t given it a second thought.’

"If she wants to pray for the Empress, then let her. It shouldn’t affect you, Xian’er. Surely no one is forcing you to go on a vegetarian diet as well?"

"Not exactly, I’m just afraid the Emperor might think I’m not as devoted as she is."

Xie Che was thoroughly pleased by her display of jealousy. He reached out and pinched her cheek, a smile reaching deep into his eyes. "Nonsense. You are my proper Lady Zhaoyi. How could she possibly compare to you? Remember the title I bestowed upon you. To me, you are a Moon Palace Fairy from the heavens. Other women are but the glow of a firefly."

’Heh.’

’I knew it. Xian’er really does have me in her heart.’

From his few words, Jiang Xian could tell that the Emperor didn’t buy into the whole prayer-for-blessings routine at all.

’If the Emperor were born in modern times, he’d probably be an atheist. The Mandate of Heaven was for the common people to see; the Emperor himself knew exactly what was what. He only picked and chose the parts of feudal superstition that were useful to him. He felt that praying for the Empress was utterly useless. The harem’s Concubines liked to worship Buddha in their spare time, so if they wanted to pray, they could pray. But if Xian’er were to grow thin and suffer because of it, he would put a stop to it.’

’It wasn’t that he was heartless toward the Empress. On the contrary, he had been extremely lenient and tolerant with the Chu Family recently. He had ordered the best Imperial Physicians from the Imperial Hospital to work day and night to develop methods to alleviate the Empress’s pregnancy symptoms. These were the things the Emperor felt were of actual use to a pregnant woman—improving her mood and advancing medical techniques.’

’In short, that did not include praying.’

"The Emperor is always picking up sweet words to coax me."

"Insolent! My words are golden and precious, yet you say they’re merely ’picked up’."

Far from being intimidated by his "insolent," Jiang Xian grew even bolder. "No matter how ’proper’ I am, I’m still *just* a Lady Zhaoyi. I can’t compare to Sister Xianfei, and I certainly can’t measure up to Sister-in-law."

’Her position in the Emperor’s heart had long passed the stage where she had to be grateful for small favors and play pitiful. She had his favor, had rendered meritorious service, and had borne him sons. She could well afford to be proud and presumptuous, to stir up some waves for him, lest their days become too dull and uninteresting.’

’Anyone who heard this would think she was far too ambitious,’ Liang Yuyin thought.

’The rank of Zhaoyi was by no means something one should preface with the word *just*.’

Xie Che said, "Once the Empress gives birth safely, a Consort’s position will be saved for you. There’s no need to rush."

Liang Yuyin understood perfectly.

’No matter how great her ambitions, they were all nurtured by the Emperor himself.’

’Thunderous rage and gentle dew are both expressions of imperial grace.’ Liang Yuyin felt that the Emperor’s promise was more than generous.

However, a promotion that wasn’t yet official was no different from being fed an empty promise.

Jiang Xian turned away from him, looking utterly unimpressed.

"The way you put it, Your Majesty, there’s no point in me being anxious."

Her tone was a mix of annoyance and grievance.

Xie Che looked down at her and saw the corners of the Beauty’s eyes were tinged with red. His heart softened. He thought about how hard she worked, constantly wearying herself to share his and the Empress’s burdens, while also remembering to care for the two Princes. ’Just rewarding her with a Consort’s rank would be an injustice.’ He immediately gave the order to first raise Gu Zhaoyi’s stipend and treatment to be equivalent to that of a Consort, with a formal promotion to follow soon.

’A raise before the promotion works too,’ Jiang Xian thought.

Knowing when to quit while she was ahead, she turned back to the Emperor with a smile.

The Emperor stayed with her at Bihua Palace for a while longer before returning to Qiankun Palace to handle the day’s political affairs. Zhenqiu brewed a pot of calming hot tea for her mistress. Seeing her Chief Palace Maid looking like she had something to say, Jiang Xian said, "Just ask whatever you want to ask. We’ve been mistress and servant for many years. It’s not as if I’d punish you for a slip of the tongue, is it?"