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

Is Chapter 160 generous enough?
Upon hearing that Zhao Xingjin was going to Xie Jiu's place, the Empress's smile faded somewhat.

However, she still spoke gently, "Very well, Xie Jieyu is always very thoughtful."

As he spoke, he still glanced at the Empress Dowager sitting to Zhao Xingjin's left, unwilling to give up.

The Empress Dowager must have heard Zhao Xingjin's words just now. The Empress thought that not long ago, the Empress Dowager herself said that Xie Jiu was not suitable to serve in front of the Emperor. Now she should do something about it.

Unexpectedly, the Empress Dowager received a glance from the Empress and simply said, "It's getting late, and I'm a little tired, so I'll head back now. You should all go back and rest early too."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off." The Empress pursed her lips and lowered her eyes.

In fact, the Empress had also thought of this. At today's banquet, Xie Jiu had fiercely scolded Shangguan Yi of Xichi Kingdom, protecting Zhao Xingjin's face, dampening the other party's arrogance, and boosting our side's prestige. In order to show his appreciation, Zhao Xingjin would definitely promote Xie Jiu.

But she couldn't help feeling unhappy.

So much so that after returning to Weiyang Palace, Princess Zhaoqing hesitated and cautiously asked, "Mother, is it because I didn't perform well tonight that you're angry?"

She really didn't find a chance to interject during the banquet tonight. When Wenxi presented the couplet, Zhaoqing was a little anxious, but she knew there was nothing she could do. Remembering her master's advice that if she rashly showed her face and tried to perform for the sake of performing, she would only make things worse, so she held back and didn't act impulsively.

However, seeing the Empress so upset, Zhaoqing felt a pang of regret.

Thinking that if she could take the initiative to perform well and bring honor to her mother, her mother would not be overshadowed by Xie Jieyu and would not be so upset.

The Empress noticed her daughter's mood and quickly pulled Zhaoqing over, forcing herself to be cheerful as she smiled and touched Zhaoqing's face.

"Silly child, your mother is so proud of you, how could I be angry? As the saying goes, great things come from small beginnings. You have been preparing diligently for so long, there will always be a chance to show your skills. Why rush things? Your mother is just a little tired today, not because of you."

"Besides, how could Mother not see that the first line of the couplet that Wenxi gave was not written by her at all? Compared to her, you are far more outstanding in poetry and literature. However, you are still young and naturally cannot compare with those ministers, but you will definitely be a great talent in the future!"

The Empress genuinely loved her two daughters. Despite her many faults, she was extremely good to her children.

Princess Zhaoqing felt much better after receiving this comfort, and took the initiative to hug the Empress, saying that she would definitely do her best to live up to expectations.

The mother and daughter hugged for a while and chatted for some time before Princess Zhaoqing finally withdrew.

Tingyun was about to say a few words of comfort to the Empress, but the Empress waved her hand.

"Alright, no need to say more. Let's rest. Haven't we had enough of these days? The Emperor rarely stays at Weiyang Palace anymore. Let Xie be smug for a few days. When the new concubines enter the palace, her place will be just as deserted as mine sooner or later."

Upon hearing this, Tingyun felt a pang of heartache, but she truly didn't know what to say, so she could only silently help the Empress lie down.

Meanwhile, inside Ninghua Palace, Xie Jiu had just helped Zhao Xingjin, who had finished bathing, lie down.

"Where to? Lie down with me."

Zhao Xingjin held Xie Jiu's hand, preventing her from leaving, and seemed to be acting out of drunkenness.

Xie Jiu said helplessly, "Your Majesty, I haven't removed my makeup or bathed yet. Please lie down for a while, and I'll be there shortly."

"No need to remove your makeup, it's fine as it is." Zhao Xingjin didn't let go.

Xie Jiu glanced at him and said irritably, "Does Your Majesty mean that I don't look good without makeup?"

"Of course not, you look good no matter what."

Zhao Xingjin half-closed his phoenix eyes, his gaze hazy with a smile. He lay on the couch, half-drunk and half-awake. The collar of his nightgown was slightly loose, revealing the strong lines of his neck down to his chest. Xie Jiu saw a hint of allure in him in this appearance.

What a male demon!

Unfortunately, she didn't fall for it.

She reached out and pulled Zhao Xingjin's collar tighter, then stood up. "Your Majesty, please go to sleep. I'll come after I've finished bathing." Although Zhao Xingjin was somewhat reluctant, he let her go.

When Xie Jiu returned after tidying up, Zhao Xingjin was indeed already asleep.

After a long day of work and then getting drunk at night, it's no wonder I'm sleepy, especially now in December when the house is warm and cozy with a brazier burning inside, making me even more prone to falling asleep.

Xie Jiu was also tired, so she quickly lay down as well.

When she woke up the next morning, it was because someone next to her was idly playing with her hand.

"It's still early, Your Majesty. If you don't sleep, I still need to sleep." Xie Jiu was a little annoyed and turned her back to him.

Zhao Xingjin wasn't annoyed. Instead, he pulled the person into his arms from behind and asked, "I haven't rewarded you yet from last night's banquet. Is there anything you want?"

Xie Jiu perked up considerably when this topic came up.

She immediately turned around to face Zhao Xingjin, her beautiful eyes wide open.

"Does Your Majesty truly wish to bestow a reward upon me?"

“If I speak, how could it be false?” Zhao Xingjin pinched the tip of her nose. “Yesterday, Wenxi’s first line of the couplet, you were helping her behind the scenes, weren’t you?”

If even the Empress could realize it, Zhao Xingjin could certainly guess it as well.

Xie Jiu smiled, "As expected, nothing can be hidden from the Emperor."

She then reached out and wrapped her arms around Zhao Xingjin's neck, her face full of resentment.

"That old scoundrel Shangguan Yi is so impolite. I really can't stand his arrogant attitude. I have to teach him a lesson. Princess Wenxi is young, so it would be most satisfying for her to step in and make things difficult for them."

"I love your sharp tongue, so quick and unforgiving." Zhao Xingjin embraced her, a slight smile playing on his lips. "Yesterday, those people from Xichi Kingdom were quite angered by your words. They should behave themselves. It's all because Emperor Hui was incompetent in the past, spoiling these people so much that they all became arrogant."

In the past, when Emperor Hui was in power, he was the weaker party in the relations with the Western Chi Kingdom. Therefore, whenever someone from the Western Chi Kingdom came, Emperor Hui was afraid of offending them and would go to great lengths to please and entertain them. This made people like Shangguan Yi, who had served as envoys, look down on Zhao Xingjin from the beginning and still handle the relations between the two countries according to the old methods.

But this wouldn't work with Zhao Xingjin.

It would be best if they could have a proper talk, but if they couldn't reach an agreement, Zhao Xingjin wouldn't mind beating them into submission.

The current king of Xichi Kingdom is the fifth ruler, but he is not as powerful as the previous kings.

"Times have changed, and people still use old-fashioned ways of judging others and doing things. He should be taught a lesson." Xie Jiu snorted.

Zhao Xingjin curled his lips into a smile. "So, what do you want me to reward you with?"

"I can't think of anything good right now." Xie Jiu pursed her lips, hooked a strand of Zhao Xingjin's hair that fell in front of her chest with her fingers, and wrapped it around her hand. "The Emperor has already given the princess that piece of pine soot ink. Why not give me that rhinoceros horn purple hair brush instead?"

Upon hearing this, Zhao Xingjin raised an eyebrow, feigning reluctance.

"Tsk, you really know how to pick. Among all the writing brushes in the world, Huzhou brushes are the best. They are made of rhinoceros horn and purple hair. My brush was made by a famous craftsman and was presented to me when I ascended the throne."

Upon hearing this, Xie Jiu slightly pursed her lips, "Your Majesty asked, and I told you, but Your Majesty couldn't bear to part with it. It's pointless."

As he spoke, he rolled his eyes.

This amused Zhao Xingjin so much that his smile deepened. He then raised his hand and gently patted her lower back, saying...

"You still dare to say I'm stingy? It would be unreasonable not to reward you with something good today. Fine, here's the pen, and I'll also promote you to the rank of Consort and bestow upon you the title of Jin. Isn't that generous enough?"