Quick Transmigration: The Rise of a Favored Concubine

Chapter 320 Ruthless and Cruel Emperor × Runaway Palace Maid 16

Half a month later

The Hall of Tranquil Longevity was the venue for the emperor's first birthday celebration after his ascension to the throne, a grand banquet for the entire palace.

The emperor sat on a high platform, with Chu Yue and the empress on his left and right sides. After the ministers offered toasts, singing and dancing began in the hall, and graceful beauties danced.

"Your Majesty, I would like to offer you a toast." The Empress stood up with a dignified smile and raised her cup to the Emperor.

The emperor picked up his wine cup, tilted his head back, and drank it down. The empress, her smile unchanged, drank her wine as well. As she sat down, she glanced at Chu Yue's stomach.

Consort Zhen is seven months pregnant. It seems that being pregnant with the emperor's child has no effect on her. Her appearance has not changed at all. On the contrary, she has become more beautiful. Her bulging belly only makes people feel more sorry for her.

"Your Majesty, I would also like to offer you a toast..." Chu Yue raised her wine cup, somewhat shyly saying, "I haven't prepared a gift for Your Majesty..."

"The fact that my beloved concubine is carrying the Emperor's child is the best gift." The Emperor took the wine cup from her hand: "You cannot drink now."

Consort Zhen was pregnant and going through a lot of hardship, so the Emperor couldn't bear to let her worry about anything else. Giving birth to a healthy son was the best gift he could give her.

"Fine... I won't drink..."

"That's more like it."

His Majesty dotes on the Empress, and Yulan and Yumei are also very happy to be by her side, carefully serving Chu Yue some pastries.

"Yulan, who is that next to the Empress?" Chu Yue had noticed the extra person beside the Empress long ago. Although she was dressed as a palace maid, her demeanor was somewhat different.

While the emperor was talking to his ministers, he quietly asked Yulan.

"I only saw her recently; she's probably one of the new servants who comes to serve Her Majesty the Empress."

Chu Yue didn't want to scrutinize the others too much, but they seemed somewhat familiar.

"My beloved concubine, are you feeling stuffy? If you are not feeling well, I will take you back."

The emperor noticed Chu Yue's expression and assumed she was bored.

"Your Majesty, Consort Zhen rarely comes out, and today is quite lively, so why go back so early?"

The Empress watched the two of them behaving as if no one else was around. Although she knew that the Emperor doted on Consort Zhen, seeing it in person still made her feel choked up. If it weren't for the presence of so many people, she probably wouldn't have been able to maintain her dignified demeanor.

The emperor frowned, ignoring the empress, and looked at Chu Yue instead: "What do you think, my beloved consort?"

"Your Majesty, I am a little tired and would like to go back." Although it was lively, it was also too noisy, so it would be better to go back.

"Alright, I'll take you back."

As the Emperor helped Chu Yue to her feet, the Empress spoke up: "Your Majesty, I have prepared fine wine in my palace. I await Your Majesty's arrival."

The emperor wouldn't dare to offend her by saying it in front of so many people, especially since it's such an important day as His Majesty's birthday; he should be visiting Fengqi Palace.

Chu Yue's expression changed slightly as she looked at the emperor, who had also stopped in his tracks.

"I will escort Consort Zhen back," the Emperor said, and then left with Chu Yue.

The Empress was left to deal with the people in the palace. Her expression remained unchanged, and she maintained the dignified and graceful demeanor befitting an Empress.

"Your Majesty, will His Majesty go?" Linlang asked softly. She was the woman Chu Yue had just recognized.

"His Majesty will go. On such a day, His Majesty will not break the rules." The Empress lowered her voice: "I brought you out so that you could see how His Majesty treats Consort Zhen, and how Consort Zhen interacts with His Majesty."

"This servant saw it all clearly." His Majesty and Consort Zhen were completely intolerant of anyone else when they were together.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that His Majesty dotes on Consort Zhen so much that he practically holds her in the palm of his hand. Linlang's heart fluttered with excitement. If she could be loved by His Majesty like that, she would do anything for him.

As evening approached, the Empress returned to Phoenix Palace. "Yunxiang, go and invite His Majesty."

"Yes, Your Majesty..."

The Empress looked at Linlang, staring at her features that resembled Consort Zhen's: "Do you know why I brought you into the palace?"

"To win His Majesty's heart for Your Highness." Linlang knelt respectfully on the ground.

"If you offend His Majesty, I cannot help you."

"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant understands." As long as I can serve His Majesty, everything is worthwhile.

"Go and prepare."

"Yes……"

Yaohua Palace

"My beloved concubine, don't hurt your hand." Chu Yue held the emperor's arm tightly, and the emperor comforted her with heartache.

"Your Majesty...don't go."

Chu Yue pleaded, her face pale, her heart filled with fear and unease.

"I won't leave..."

"Your Majesty, the Empress has sent someone to invite you." Before the Emperor could finish speaking, Xiao Xuanzi's trembling voice rang out.

Chu Yue's body trembled, her face turned even paler, and her lips lost all color.

"My beloved consort, don't be agitated, I won't leave." On the way back, Consort Zhen's face was already pale, and now she was even more afraid that he would leave, so she held him tightly.

"Go and tell the Empress that Consort Zhen is unwell, and that I will visit her when I have time."

With Consort Zhen in such a state, how could the Emperor dare to leave?

Xiao Xuanzi left.

"Alright, alright, I won't leave, I'll stay with you." The emperor's voice was barely audible: "So frightened, you little jealous pot."

Chu Yue pouted, looking aggrieved: "I shouldn't have done this... but I couldn't help it..."

"I'm not blaming you. Listen to me, don't overthink it."

"Your Majesty...I am very bad..."

"Have you forgotten what I said again? What nonsense are you spouting?" It must be because he hasn't spent enough time with Consort Zhen that she's so uneasy.

"I will stop talking..."

The emperor coaxed Chu Yue for a long time before she finally fell asleep. Seeing Consort Zhen's anxious and uneasy appearance, the emperor frowned. He would have to have the imperial physician examine her again tomorrow, as Consort Zhen would not be able to endure this.

Yunxiang returned to Fengqi Palace with trepidation. After learning the reason, the Empress could no longer control her emotions and smashed the precious vase in a fit of rage.

On such an important day, His Majesty actually embarrassed her, all her preparations over the years were in vain.

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger..."

Yunxiang, Yunlian, and Linlang were all kneeling on the ground. Linlang's face was also very pale, which meant that she was one step further away from getting closer to His Majesty.

"Consort Zhen is quite capable; even while pregnant, she managed to keep His Majesty in Yaohua Palace."

The emperor never came to Fengqi Palace, and the empress never received his favor. She was so humiliated that she almost wanted to hang herself.

"Your Majesty..." Yunxiang didn't know how to comfort her.

"Since Consort Zhen doesn't respect me, I don't need to care about her anymore."

No wonder Consort Chen was driven to the brink of madness; Consort Zhen was simply too much of a bully.

"Your Majesty... what do you mean..." Yunlian asked in a panic.

"Consort Zhen is pregnant and unable to serve His Majesty. I must share His Majesty's burdens." The Empress's face darkened; she felt that Consort Zhen was already threatening her position.

His Majesty doesn't like her, so surely he won't keep selecting concubines or letting anyone else serve him just because of Consort Zhen?

That doesn't make sense.

"Linlang, whether we can repay the kindness of the Prime Minister's family depends on you."

Linlang trembled: "This servant knows."

Linlang was taken in by the Prime Minister's wife. Seeing that she had some beauty, she was trained and nurtured so that she could help the Empress in the future.

If the Empress can gain His Majesty's favor, then Linlang will not need to enter the palace; she can simply serve in the Prime Minister's residence.

The Empress is not favored by His Majesty, so she came here to help.

"Go down."

"Yes, this servant takes her leave..."