Chapter 231 - 196: Part 3

He clenched his little fists. "As long as I’m successful, my sister will be able to do whatever she wants in the Princess Mansion!"

A princess’s tranquil life is entirely supported by the burdens her father and brothers carry.

"That’s right. Princess Taihua’s future will depend entirely on you," the Dog Emperor added, as if that wasn’t enough. "If I were to die one day, how well Xian’er lives will depend on your success. If you can’t stand on your own... just think about her maternal family. She’ll be bullied."

Jiang Ke was truly good to his daughter.

But he was also truly unsuccessful.

As expected, Xie Zhao immediately grew tense. He gently tugged on Jiang Xian’s sleeve, his puppy-dog eyes shimmering with tears. "Mother, I will definitely not let you suffer any grievances in the future."

"I appreciate the sentiment,"

Jiang Xian scooped him up and ruffled his hair. "You just need to grow up happy and carefree."

But the little boy wouldn’t listen; he was extremely worried.

He wasn’t afraid of anything else, only that his mother would be wronged. The little rascal, who usually scurried about like a monkey, suddenly became very well-behaved and even insisted on sleeping with her at night. This made things difficult for the Emperor. He used to have a soft, fragrant beauty in his arms, but now a six-year-old child lay between them, drooling all over his arm as he slept.

"If you’re going to blame someone, blame yourself for scaring him during the day."

"You know I was just scaring him," the Emperor said, taking a handkerchief from beside the pillow to wipe his son’s drool. "Don’t worry. I’ve already made arrangements for after my death. Even if I’m not around, no one will be able to wrong you."

’My retirement benefits are all arranged. What more could one ask for in a boss like this?’ "The Empress won’t treat me harshly either."

"...Why bring her up all of a sudden?"

"No matter who inherits the throne, he’ll have to honor her as the Empress Dowager. As an imperial concubine, my life under the Empress Dowager will depend entirely on her."

Jiang Xian was smiling, but the Emperor felt a little sour hearing this.

He grumbled, "The Empress has always been in poor health. I doubt she’ll live as long as I will. You’d be better off relying on me than on her."

A lovestruck man is the hardest to please. He feared she would suffer where he couldn’t see her, yet when he saw she had someone else to rely on, he became deeply displeased. His mood truly changed faster than flipping through a book.

"Yes, yes, my dignity depends entirely on the Emperor."

Jiang Xian’s arm reached over their sleeping son to take his hand.

It was only because they were both young that they could speak of life and death without taboo. In another ten years, things might not be the same.

-----------------

The Pure Consort was pregnant yet again!

In truth, this was only her second time. But who could blame the gossip, when the Emperor had so few heirs and she alone had conceived two? Many secretly gnashed their teeth, tore their handkerchiefs, and smashed their porcelain, unable to figure it out. But actually, there was a simple explanation: the Emperor was a single-threaded creature. When he liked someone, he would only go to her, never thinking to try something new.

Life in the harem was like watching someone carve up a pie with blatant favoritism.

The Noble Consort and the Pure Consort took the lion’s share. The two of them received the most favor, so it wasn’t strange that the Pure Consort’s belly showed signs of life again. But that was also what made the other Concubines in the harem green with envy.

No one dared to cause trouble anymore, but many more came hoping to catch some of her ’pregnancy luck’.

Consort Ji, who had been lying low for some time, followed the crowd to Bihua Palace to pay her respects. She was dressed very plainly; aside from the patterns stipulated for a Noble Lady, her attire was even less respectable than that of the Pure Consort’s Chief Palace Maid. She looked as if she had come to admit her faults, and she brought extravagant gifts to congratulate her on the pregnancy.

Since she came with extravagant gifts and a legitimate reason, Jiang Xian didn’t send her away. She had tea served and let her sit in the main hall.

"I congratulate Your Ladyship on your pregnancy. Your Ladyship is a person of great fortune. Even the silver silk charcoal burned in Bihua Palace is much better than in other palaces. It’s something others could never hope to match, no matter how much they flatter."

"Unlike in my palace, not only is the charcoal poor quality, but the amount is always being skimped on. My throat starts to hurt terribly after burning it for just a short while."

"A life in the palace without anyone to rely on is truly no life for a person."

On account of the truly extravagant gifts, Jiang Xian listened with great patience as Consort Ji lamented her ’History of Hidden Endurance in the Harem’. Then, her tone shifted, and she even started calling her ’sister’. "I am not like you, Sister. You have the Emperor’s love and the Eldest Prince’s support. My days are very difficult. If you, Sister, could look after me for the sake of the friendship between our parents, I would be endlessly grateful."

Hearing this, Jiang Xian paused for a moment.

’Friendship? What friendship?’

Seeing Consort Ji looking at her with expectant eyes next to the small mountain of gifts, Jiang Xian suddenly realized—the so-called ’friendship’ meant that while giving her gifts, she had also sent gifts to her parents. "Friendship? I’m afraid it doesn’t run that deep. How do you want me to look after you? Just say it plainly. You know I’m not from an aristocratic family. I can’t be bothered with overly winding words."

’It’s not that I can’t understand them. I just can’t be bothered to waste the mental energy trying to scheme with her. It’s too much effort.’

Consort Ji was taken aback. "I have no other intentions. I just wish to be a frequent guest at Bihua Palace. To be able to come in for a cup of tea would be more than enough."

Previously, the Pure Consort had closed her doors to visitors, and everyone knew she didn’t care for Consort Ji.

Consort Ji painted a very pitiful picture of herself. Jiang Xian listened quietly for a while before saying, "From what you’ve said, the Imperial Household is to blame for all the skimping and grievances you’ve suffered... To think such a thing could happen! I will certainly stand up for you."

"I thank you for your great kindness, Sister!"

Consort Ji was secretly delighted, surprised that the Pure Consort herself was so easily fooled.

But then she saw Lady Shufei turn to her Chief Palace Maid and say, "The Imperial Household’s affairs are managed by the Noble Consort. Make a trip to Zhaoyang Palace and ask our sister if this is truly happening."

"..."

A chill ran down Consort Ji’s back.