Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 342 So Despicable
Empress Dowager Chen had just asked about Consort Ning when Consort Ning appeared in everyone's sight.

Empress Dowager Chen's expression darkened when she saw that Ning Fei had arrived late: "Today is Consort De's birthday, Consort Ning, why are you so late?"

Even if she and Consort De were not on good terms, she shouldn't have made it so obvious.

Linglong quickly explained on behalf of her mistress, "No, Consort Ning..."

Consort Ning interrupted her: "Linglong, you must not overstep your bounds!"

Linglong dared not disobey Consort Ning and dared not utter another word.

Consort Ning then apologized to Empress Dowager Chen, saying, "I know I was wrong."

Then she apologized to Consort De: "I hope that Consort De will be magnanimous and not hold it against me."

Consort De was already in a bad mood, and Consort Ning had walked right into her trap. She said calmly, "Consort Ning, you flatter me. Your rank is higher than mine, and I am already grateful for your presence. Your coming is an honor for me."

Every word she uttered flattered Consort Ning, yet every word was barbed; she was utterly cunning and obnoxious.

Consort Ning naturally understood, but it was true that she had arrived too late, so she immediately lowered her stance: "Sister, please don't hold it against me. I was indeed too late this time, and I apologize to you."

Seeing that the two were still arguing, Empress Dowager Chen said impatiently, "Alright, sit down."

Consort Ning noticed Empress Dowager Chen's displeasure and dared not utter another word.

Linglong felt sad to see her master being disliked by everyone.

She wanted to ask if anyone present truly cared about Consort Ning. Even Consort Tao, who had recently become close to the Consort, hadn't uttered a single word of concern for her, let alone known that the Consort's cough had worsened in recent nights, and she had barely slept at night.

Even His Majesty never cared about Consort Ning. She wanted to explain, but the Consort wouldn't let her. How could she not feel frustrated?

With Empress Dowager Chen present, the atmosphere at the scene was quite pleasant.

After her initial unhappiness, Consort De quickly convinced herself that Murong was just like that; he wasn't just cold to her, he treated everyone the same.

Although Lou Suyi is different, Lou Suyi is the Empress and his first wife, so it's not unusual for him to treat Lou Suyi better.

If she compares herself to Lou Suyi, how can she be so angry?

After comforting herself in this way, Consort De quickly returned to normal. While chatting and laughing with Empress Dowager Chen, she did not forget to flirt with Murong, but Murong was dull and did not give her any response.

After the banquet ended, everyone dispersed.

Before leaving, Empress Dowager Chen whispered to Murong, "Today is Consort De's birthday. No matter how busy the Emperor is, he should spend time with her."

When it was Lady Liang's birthday, he took her out of the palace and spent the night outside. Why couldn't he have been more patient with Consort De?

"I understand, son," Murong replied calmly.

As they left Changqiu Palace, Empress Dowager Chen said to Fangruo, "I think only plain clothes can make the emperor seem a little more normal."

When faced with someone dressed in plain clothes, the emperor showed no impatience whatsoever. Consort De merely asked the emperor to accompany her for a stroll in the garden, yet he was unwilling. Such an obvious difference could only be missed by someone blind.

Fangruo smiled and agreed, "Her Majesty the Empress is naturally different from other noble ladies."

Fortunately, there was an Empress who could keep His Majesty in check, though she dared not say it directly. The two, mistress and servant, walked away chatting and laughing.

After seeing off Empress Dowager Chen, Murong returned to Consort De and said, "I will accompany my beloved consort for a walk in the Imperial Garden to help with digestion."

Consort De happily agreed.

Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, Consort De said plaintively, "This is the first time Your Majesty has accompanied me to stroll through the garden since Your Majesty ascended the throne."

She hoped that Murong would reply with "spend more time with her in the future," but unfortunately, things didn't go as planned. Murong only said, "It is I who have wronged my beloved concubine."

Consort De thought to herself, "Does he still know that he has wronged her?"
Before he became emperor, he treated her quite well. But after Lou Suyi appeared, he would go to Lou Suyi every time he entered the harem. What kind of bewitching potion did that woman give him?

"Your Majesty is a man destined for great things, it's normal that you're not bound by romantic feelings. But I do hope that Your Majesty can think of me occasionally, and spend some time with me..."

Consort De looked at Murong with a mixture of reproach and resentment. She was conveying her feelings through her eyes, hoping he would see her affection for him.

Murong, however, was blind and ignored her flirtatious glances: "My beloved consort is truly wise and righteous, which is rare indeed."

Consort De's expression was blank.

Was she focusing on the first half of the sentence? The focus was clearly on the second half; she hoped he would spend time with her and not forget that she was still a figure in the harem.

She's not some righteous woman at all; she's just a love-struck woman who craves her man's affection.

Consort De was internally ranting and raving. She really wished she could crack open Murong's head to see what was inside. How could there be such an unromantic man?
Murong had no idea what Consort De was thinking; he simply felt that strolling through the garden was a pointless activity.

But seeing that Consort De was as happy as a butterfly, they couldn't bear to dampen her spirits.

In truth, Consort De also found strolling through the garden with Murong pointless. This man never uttered a kind word; it was all just her talking to herself. She talked until her throat was dry, and he only offered a perfunctory reply, as if being with her was utterly boring.

There is probably no more boring man in the world than Murong.
But she found Murong particularly charming, and the more she looked at her, the more she liked her.

Consort De made no attempt to hide her admiration for Murong, but Murong was uncomfortable being looked at with such intense gaze by a woman; it was too unreserved.

Although the Empress would sometimes look at him very directly, she never made him feel uncomfortable in the slightest. The Empress's gaze was pure, unlike Consort De's lewd look.

However, given that it was her birthday today, he didn't want to say anything too harsh.

He remembered that Consort De was not like this before. When he first met her, she was very enthusiastic, and her vigorous vitality made him take a second look.

Now she has become like other women.
Consort De was unaware that Murong had already categorized her as "despicable" in his mind; she was only focused on how to get Murong into bed.

She felt today was the best opportunity to serve him in bed, but winning this man's heart was extremely difficult.

After thinking it over, she still felt that there were more opportunities outside the palace, so she said softly, "Since I entered the palace, I have never been outside to play. May Your Majesty take me out of the palace for a trip?"

Before Murong could reply, she continued, "Both the Empress and Consort Kang have gone out of the palace for fun, and I also wish to go out. Since the day I became Your Majesty's concubine, I have never asked Your Majesty for anything. My birthday wish this time is for Your Majesty to accompany me out of the palace for a trip. Would Your Majesty grant me this small request?"

Murong remained unmoved and said calmly, "My beloved consort has no need to compare herself with anyone else. It is not possible to leave the palace today. The previous arrangements for leaving the palace were made in advance, and it is too late to make arrangements at this time."

Roar