Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 151: Nothing but Defense
"Your Majesty's words are naturally beyond my ability to disobey. The Emperor came to Ninghua Palace that day and stayed for a while before leaving. It was because I happened to be talking to the Emperor about the dishes for the state banquet, which caused the delay. It was not a casual conversation."

Xie Jiu immediately offered an explanation, and then resumed his bowing posture, showing great respect.

She added, “If Your Majesty does not believe me, you may send someone to investigate. Today, the kitchen is sending some newly developed dishes to Ninghua Palace. I am absolutely not lying.”

Seeing that she had no pretense on her face and her attitude was very obedient, the Empress Dowager's expression softened.

He waved his hand. "Alright, since it's important business, I can't blame you. Get up."

Xie Jiu looked relieved before taking Chun Rong's hand and slowly getting up.

The Empress Dowager turned and went into the room, and she followed quietly behind.

After the Empress Dowager sat down in the main seat and a cup of fresh tea was served to her, she spoke in a deep voice.

"It's not that I want to reprimand you, but the events that happened in the court today have caused a great deal of discussion in both the court and the harem. Many people are saying behind your back that the Emperor has been too fond of you and has been biased in his opinion about the affairs of the court."

Upon hearing the Empress Dowager mention the events of this morning's court session, Xie Jiu had a clear understanding of the situation.

It's likely someone with a long mouth whispered something in the Empress Dowager's ear.

Therefore, he immediately got up, knelt on the ground, and looked terrified.

"Your Majesty, I know the principle that the inner palace should not interfere in politics. I would never speak ill of the emperor. Although the affairs of the court are indeed a topic of discussion, I have never interfered in the slightest. The emperor trusts my father because the person investigating the case is Jiang Weihe, the Minister of the Court of Judicial Review. Minister Jiang has served the emperor since he was a prince and has earned the emperor's deep trust."

"You seem to know quite a bit about who's around the Emperor," the Empress Dowager said, raising her eyes with a scrutinizing gaze.

Xie Jiu explained, "Your Majesty, I dare not. Last time, Consort Liu's elder brother had some grudges with the youngest son of Liang Yu, the Minister of Rites. It was I who brought it up to Your Majesty on behalf of Consort Liu. The case was also handled by the Court of Judicial Review. I only learned about Lord Jiang of the Court of Judicial Review when Your Majesty mentioned it."

After hearing these words, the Empress Dowager withdrew her sharp gaze.

"Alright, get up. I called you here to remind you that you are now the Emperor's concubine, his bedmate. Only when the Emperor is well can you have a good life. When the nest is overturned, no egg remains intact. You should understand this principle."

"It is a blessing I have accumulated over many lifetimes to be able to enter the palace and serve Your Majesty. I am already extremely grateful that Your Majesty does not mind that I am a second wife. I only wish to stay by Your Majesty's side and have no other intentions!"

Xie Jiu looked up at the Empress Dowager, her eyes full of sincerity, and when she mentioned Zhao Xingjin, there was a hint of gratitude and admiration in her eyes.

Although the Empress Dowager remained unmoved on the surface, her tone was softer than before.

"It's good that you think that way. I agreed to let you enter the palace because I saw that you were dignified and steady. You must not disappoint me and do anything to bewitch the emperor. Otherwise, no matter what the emperor thinks, I will not tolerate you here."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I will certainly fulfill my duties as a concubine!" Xie Jiu replied respectfully.

The Empress Dowager glanced at her and said, “Speaking of the duties of a concubine, it is also your duty to advise the Emperor to bestow his favor equally. Now that you are no longer suitable to serve him, the Emperor cannot be without someone by his side. The Emperor values ​​you and often goes to Ninghua Palace. You should also advise the Emperor to go out to other places more often.”

After speaking, he paused, then quietly observed Xie Jiu's expression, and said in a deep voice.

"Now that you are assisting Consort Wei in managing the six palaces, you must know how arduous and trivial this task is. A few days ago, Consort Wei suffered some grievances and setbacks because of this matter. She is also stubborn and strong-willed, so she is bound to get stuck on things. She needs someone to comfort her."

The meaning was quite clear, and Xie Jiu naturally couldn't pretend not to understand, so he obediently nodded.

"Your Majesty will certainly advise you to spend more time with Consort Wei and comfort her."

Seeing that she was on the right track, the Empress Dowager showed a satisfied expression.

Just as he was about to say something more, he heard Zhao Xingjin's voice coming from the courtyard.

"What are Mother and Consort Xie whispering about? Let your son hear it too."

Before he finished speaking, the man had already entered the room. The Empress Dowager glanced at him, somewhat displeased, "I only summoned him to Fukang Palace, and you actually followed me here."

Zhao Xingjin's behavior did not please the Empress Dowager at all, and he seemed to be too nervous about Xie Jiu.

As the saying goes, the Empress Dowager feared that Zhao Xingjin would be unable to resist the charms of a beautiful woman, and that the charade would eventually lead to him falling for her and making it real.

“Last time, Consort Xie mentioned wanting to try the dishes, and Yang Zhian said that today was the perfect day. I thought we could try them together, so I went to Ninghua Palace. I never expected that Consort Xie would come here and come over to see you,” Zhao Xingjin said.

The Empress Dowager said indifferently, "The dishes served at state banquets are always the same few. What's there to try? Is it worth the trip?"

Xie Jiu, who was standing nearby, spoke up at the opportune moment.

"Your Majesty, it is precisely because the dishes at the banquets in the past were almost the same and lacked any novelty that I specially prepared a lot of new dishes this time. I just don't know how they taste or whether they are suitable, so I specifically ordered that they be made first to see."

"Can new dishes be introduced at state banquets?" The Empress Dowager seemed somewhat interested.

Zhao Xingjin then suggested, "Why don't we have lunch here with Mother? Mother can try it all and see how Xie Jieyu's arrangements are."

Since he had said so, the Empress Dowager naturally did not refuse.

So they quickly sent a message to the Imperial Kitchen, asking them to transfer the lunch that was being delivered to Ninghua Palace to Fukang Palace instead.

However, while the Empress Dowager and Zhao Xingjin were at ease, Xie Jiu was very annoyed.

I could have eaten by myself, but now there are two more ancestors at the table, especially the Empress Dowager, so there are bound to be many more rules to follow.

No one felt comfortable.

But there's nothing we can do about it.

Meanwhile, throughout the palace, various people had different thoughts upon hearing that Xie Jiu and Zhao Xingjin were having lunch with the Empress Dowager at Fukang Palace.

It was nothing more than a little jealousy in her heart. Who wouldn't want to be favored by the Emperor and valued by the Empress Dowager?

Only Xie Jiu herself knew that the Empress Dowager was wary of her. The reason she summoned her today and gave her such a warning was that if she didn't still care about Zhao Xingjin, she probably wouldn't have let her off so easily.

It's understandable, considering her father is Xie Mingshen. The Empress Dowager must know more than the Empress and others.

After lunch, we left Fukang Palace.

Zhao Xingjin then asked softly, "Did Mother make things difficult for you?"

"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is kind and would naturally not make things difficult for me. She merely inquired about the events of this morning's court session," Xie Jiu replied.

Zhao Xingjin knew all too well what had happened at the morning court session. His eyes flickered, but he remained silent.

The two walked forward for a while before they heard him speak in a deep voice.

"Your elder brother did not speak up for your father in court, but he also knows about your mother's affairs?"

Xie Jiu lowered her eyes.

She did not tell Zhao Xingjin that she had already brought Xie Wei into her camp, because Zhao Xingjin had no trust in Xie Wei and regarded him and Xie Mingshen as one.

Now, faced with Zhao Xingjin's sudden question, Xie Jiu did not intend to tell him about it immediately.