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

Chapter 41 I will choose a day to bestow upon her the title of Consort.

Consort Wu had never met Consort Liang, but upon hearing Lou Suyi describe her as a beauty of unparalleled grace, she suddenly laughed: "Which of the concubines in this harem isn't beautiful? Consort Liang is now the widow of the late emperor; surely she doesn't still want to become His Majesty's woman."

It is said that Consort Liang did not give birth to an imperial heir for the late emperor, so was she infertile?

Lou Suyi was stunned for a moment: "Is this even possible?"

Then she thought that Murong was a man who didn't discriminate between meat and fish, and he didn't even spare a nun like herself. If he were to become interested in Consort Liang and take her into his harem, it would seem reasonable.

However, this new emperor has rather unique tastes.

Seeing Lou Suying's thunderstruck expression, Consort Wu couldn't help but smile: "All the sisters in the harem are saying that Consort Liang has been favored by His Majesty and will soon enter His Majesty's harem."

Lou Suyi thought about Murong's peculiar hobby and said "Amitabha": "This humble nun has already left the mortal world and should not gossip about His Majesty behind his back. Besides, His Majesty's love life is none of His Majesty's business, and no one else has the right to interfere."

She had almost forgotten that the three servants attending her in Xianfu Palace were all former servants of Murong. On the surface, they treated her as their mistress, but behind her back, they might be relaying her every word and action to the Emperor.

She used to think there was no need to be so cautious, but after seeing Consort Ma's tragic end, she still felt that she should do as the Romans do.

She might have to survive in this deep palace for two years. If she's not careful, she might die mysteriously and without even knowing why.

She now has several hundred taels of silver in hand, so she should stop making donations to the temple and setting up wishing trees, lest someone seize the opportunity to stuff inexplicable and filthy things into the temple.

From now on, she should just lie down and drift through life, study Buddhist scriptures more, and try not to get involved in court intrigues. Only by protecting herself can she live a peaceful life.

Wu Meiren was surprised that Lou Suyi had suddenly become so serious, and she was somewhat unaccustomed to this change in the nun.

That morning, Murong brought Consort Liang into the palace.

Empress Dowager Chen was planning to give Consort Liang a warning once she moved into Shou'an Palace. However, after waiting and waiting, Consort Liang did not move into Shou'an Palace. Upon inquiring, she learned that the Emperor had moved Consort Liang into Quanfu Palace.

"Where is the Emperor right now?" Empress Dowager Chen asked, suppressing her anger.

Fangruo dared not hide anything: "Today His Majesty accompanied the Dowager Consort to have lunch at Quanfu Palace."

Empress Dowager Chen's expression was grim. After a moment's hesitation, she decided to go to Quanfu Palace. This time, she not only wanted to reprimand Consort Liang, but also the Emperor.

Inside Quanfu Palace, Murong was having lunch with Consort Liang. The two remained silent during the meal when Empress Dowager Chen arrived.

When Consort Liang saw Empress Dowager Chen, she rose and paid her respects.

Looking at the pale-faced Consort Liang, Empress Dowager Chen felt that it was this alluring face that had lured the late emperor to spend every night in this vixen's palace.

Her husband has been seduced by this woman; she can't let her son be seduced by her too.

"Would you like to have lunch with me, Mother?" Murong asked respectfully.

Empress Dowager Chen sat down with a stern face: "I heard that Sister Liang has entered the palace, but she is staying in Quanfu Palace, which is not in accordance with the rules. In my opinion, Sister Liang should stay in Shou'an Palace. They are all sisters from the previous dynasty, and it would be good for them to keep each other company. What does the Emperor think?"

Upon hearing this, Murong looked at Consort Liang and asked, "Wanying, what do you think?"

When Empress Dowager Chen saw Murong address Consort Liang by her maiden name in front of her, she was so angry that her throat was parched: "The emperor should know the proper etiquette. Consort Liang is your elder. How can you call her by her maiden name?"

"Wan Ying is the same age as me; her entry into the palace was purely accidental—"

"Your Majesty, do you know what you're saying?!" Empress Dowager Chen slammed her hand on the table in a fit of rage. Consort Liang, fearing things would escalate, quickly tried to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, please don't argue with the Empress Dowager over my sake. It's not worth it."

Empress Dowager Chen's face changed upon hearing Consort Liang's self-reference: "Do you know your place? How dare you stand before the Emperor..."

"Mother, Wanying will be entering my harem." Before Empress Dowager Chen could finish speaking, Murong suddenly dropped a bombshell.

Empress Dowager Chen felt dizzy and was quite frightened by the news.

She looked at Murong in disbelief: "What did the Emperor just say?!"

"Wanying will enter my harem, and I will choose a day to bestow upon her the title of Consort," Murong said, enunciating each word clearly.

Empress Dowager Chen laughed in anger: "Do you know what you're saying? She's your father's concubine. Your father has only recently passed away, yet you're so eager to bring her into your harem?!"

Murong said calmly, "I know what I'm doing. No matter how much the Empress Dowager tries to stop me, she can't change the outcome."

At this moment, Empress Dowager Chen could no longer withstand this tremendous shock, her vision went black, and she fainted.

Murong immediately ordered someone to summon the imperial physician to examine Empress Chen. The physician's diagnosis was that she had fainted due to excessive stimulation and that it was nothing serious.

He was relieved and was about to personally escort Empress Dowager Chen back to Shou'an Palace when Consort Liang asked him, "Your Majesty, would you still be able to dine with me tonight?"

Murong glanced at her, his eyes revealing no emotion: "I will come. You must be tired from your journey, so please rest well."

Consort Liang smiled and said, "Very well, Your Majesty, I will be waiting for you."

Murong escorted Empress Dowager Chen back to Shou'an Palace. After confirming that his mother was unharmed, he was about to leave when Empress Dowager Chen asked, "Emperor, are you determined to take Lady Liang as your concubine?"

Murong pondered for a moment before replying, "My mind is made up. I hope Your Majesty will grant my request."

When Empress Dowager Chen saw his resolute attitude, she knew there was no room for negotiation.

The child has grown up and become independent; he no longer listens to his mother. What can she do? She watched helplessly as her rival stole her husband, and now she can only watch helplessly as Liang steals her son.

She couldn't let Liang Shi get too cocky; she had to find Liang Shi an evenly matched opponent!

That afternoon, Consort De received a reward from Shou'an Palace.

Consort De was shrewd and probably guessed that it was Empress Dowager Chen who took the initiative to show her goodwill.

This is strange. Empress Dowager Chen has always looked down on her, otherwise she wouldn't have been punished by Empress Dowager Chen as soon as she was conferred the title of Consort De.

Why is he acting so strangely today? Is he trying to win her over?

"I heard that Her Majesty the Empress Dowager fainted from anger at Quanfu Palace. This servant suspects that Consort Liang may pose a threat to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager, otherwise Her Majesty's attitude would not have changed so quickly," Yunmei said, expressing her conjecture.

Consort De's smile vanished instantly: "This is not a good thing. It means that the Empress Dowager sees Consort Liang as someone she must eliminate. Consort Liang wouldn't be planning to..."

As evening approached, all the concubines were observing Murong's movements. When they learned that she hadn't gone to any of the concubines' palaces but instead had gone to Quanfu Palace, everyone instantly hated Consort Liang.

Fortunately, the new emperor did not stay overnight at Quanfu Palace, but the next day, rumors spread like wildfire that the new emperor intended to take Consort Liang as a concubine...

(End of this chapter)