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

Chapter 228

"Let that vixen stay here with me?!"

In Yanqing Palace, as soon as Zhang Liquan, the chief eunuch beside the Empress, finished speaking, Consort Zhuang exploded.

She stood up abruptly, her eyebrows furrowed, and pointed at Zhang Liquan's nose, cursing him.

"What, Consort Jin, you dare not offend me, so you're trying to force your way in here? Do you think I'm some pushover?"

"This servant wouldn't dare," Zhang Liquan quickly lowered his head.

Then he said in a high-pitched voice.

"Her Majesty the Empress said that the rest of the palace hasn't been cleaned up yet, everything else has been arranged. It would be too much trouble to make things complicated for just Consort Lu. Consort Sun's place is only vacant for a short time, so it can be moved in after a little cleaning. Besides, Consort Zhuang, you are the best at training people. Consort Sun has gained the Emperor's favor by following you and is fortunate enough to give birth to the Fifth Prince. If Consort Lu is handed over to you for training, the palace will have another person who can serve the Emperor, right?"

During the last imperial concubine selection, Consort Zhuang publicly humiliated the Empress because of her attire. The Empress held a grudge, so since she couldn't disgust Xie Jiu, she decided to settle for disgusting Consort Zhuang instead.

Upon hearing these words, Consort Zhuang was immediately furious and was about to explode when Peizhu gently tugged at her sleeve.

"Your Majesty, it would not be a bad thing if we could take Lady Lu into our service. Lady Lu is indeed very beautiful, and His Majesty has been visiting Yanqing Palace less and less these days."

Peizhu lowered her voice, so that only the two of them, master and servant, could hear her.

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhuang frowned deeply, clenched the handkerchief she was holding, and after a long while, she finally sat back down, supported by Peizhu's hand.

She glanced at Zhang Liquan with disgust. "Alright, if Lady Lu wants to come to Yanqing Palace, then let her stay. Go back and tell the Empress that I have given my permission."

After saying that, he ignored them and picked up the teacup beside him.

That's a bit disrespectful. Saying she agreed makes it sound like the Empress sent someone to ask for her consent, not to give an order.

However, Zhang Liquan was too lazy to argue with Consort Zhuang over such trivial matters and quietly took his leave.

Upon returning to Weiyang Palace, he reported that Consort Zhuang had thrown a huge tantrum. At first, she resolutely refused, but after being persuaded by those around her, she agreed.

"Perhaps she was thinking of using Lady Lu to gain favor," Consort Chen chuckled. "Consort Zhuang is still so foolish. How could she have imagined that Her Majesty had already taken Lady Lu under her wing?"

At the imperial palace, the Empress has specially assigned people to take care of Consort Hu and Consort Lu, as they have a good chance of gaining favor.

However, since Hu Baolin and Jiang Ningyu lived together, the Empress Dowager kept an eye on them to some extent, so the Empress was more attentive to Lu's side.

"Consort Zhuang is foolish. Her dowry maid is quite clever, though. It was that maid who advised her many times, preventing her from causing any trouble." The Empress lowered her eyes.

Consort Chen's eyes flickered, and she immediately said, "It's just a maid. If Your Majesty wants to take care of her, it won't be difficult. If Your Majesty is at ease, I can share the burden for you."

"That's not necessary." The Empress sat up straight. "The new concubines are not yet prominent, and you are pregnant and unable to serve. I still need Consort Zhuang to share some of Xie's favor. If Consort Zhuang falls now, then Xie will be all the power. You have seen it yourself, Lady Liu used to be neglected, but now she has climbed up to Xie and is favored."

These words made Chen Meiren feel somewhat uncomfortable.

Because Liu Cairen, whom she used to disregard, is now more glamorous than her, even though she is pregnant.

Zhao Xingjin still disliked Consort Chen somewhat because of the Chen family's bribery scandal. Even though Consort Chen was pregnant, he showed little concern and only asked Qingdong or Yang Zhian to check on her occasionally.

In contrast, Consort Liu could serve the emperor once or twice a month, and occasionally chat and take walks with him, making her a favorite in the palace. This was enough to make Consort Chen feel bad, and when she thought about how her family had fallen to this state because Consort Liu and Xie Jiu had joined forces to denounce them, she became even more furious.

She might not be able to touch Xie Jiu, but she could certainly deal with Consort Liu.

Thinking this to himself, his eyes were already gleaming with a cold light.

She immediately looked up and said, “Your Majesty, I think we should find a way to curb Consort Jin’s arrogance. Today, she was able to persuade the Emperor so easily to move Consort Lu to another place and make the Emperor embarrass Your Majesty. In the future, the Emperor will be even more indulgent towards her and will give her whatever she wants.”

After speaking, he sighed.

“Your Majesty, just look at me. I was pregnant and could barely keep my family alive. I could only watch helplessly as they were exiled. But what about Xie Shi? Although she and her brother were righteous enough to kill their own family, Xie Mingshen committed many evils. Did Consort Jin and her brother, as her children, not know anything about it or have any involvement?”

Upon hearing this, the Empress's face darkened, her gaze became deep, and she remained silent.

Chen Meiren glanced at him discreetly out of the corner of her eye, and then added, "Already."

“But His Majesty not only protected the siblings and the Xie family, but now Consort Jin is still favored, and her brother has even been appointed to participate in the preparation of the Autumn Examination. I think His Majesty is being far too biased.”

"It's more than just favoritism." The Empress gritted her teeth. "Consort Jin was already a concubine before she even gave birth, and she's still relatively inexperienced, yet she's raising a princess. The Emperor has been so infatuated with her that he's lost his mind."

Chen Meiren nodded, "Yes, so we need to find a way to gradually weaken her power. Liu is close to her, and perhaps her daily actions are all at her behest."

Upon hearing this, the Empress glanced at her and then smiled.

"You really are able to share my burdens."

In the blink of an eye, a month has passed.

The eighth day of the eighth lunar month is the day when the newlyweds officially enter the palace.

Guo Rongning moved into the Shuofeng Pavilion in the Summer Palace, where she lived with Consort Sun. Jiang Ningyu, on the other hand, did not move into any palace. Instead, she was given a small courtyard called Fuqu Garden, where she lived alone. This was considered the Empress's way of currying favor with the Empress Dowager.

Of course, there was also a secret desire to elevate Jiang Ningyu, since the higher one climbs, the harder one falls.

Hu Baolin arranged for her to live in Xiefang Palace, in the Zhiyu Pavilion, where her cousin Zhou, the Empress's younger sister, used to live. She would be neighbors with Consort Chen. Zhou had already been banished to the Cold Palace. She was only just of marriageable age, yet she had no hope for the future. It was pitiful.

Xu Cainu was the least noticeable among this group, so she was assigned to Ninghua Palace and lived in Fuguang Tower next to Anqing Hall, Xie Jiu's former residence.

Ever since Consort Zhang died, and Xie Jiu moved to Jingming Palace, everyone in the palace felt that Ninghua Palace was unlucky. However, Ninghua Palace had been empty for a short time and did not need to be repaired, so it was easy to clean up. Therefore, the Empress allowed Consort Xu to move in.

Finally, there was Consort Lu, who went to Jurui Pavilion in Yanqing Palace, next to Consort Zhuang.

Inside Jingming Palace, Consort Liu was having tea with Xie Jiu.

"I will be able to see the new bride first thing tomorrow morning. I haven't seen her yet, and I'm curious. I've always heard people say that Lady Lu is quite lovely and that anyone who sees her will feel a little soft-hearted. I wonder if it's true."

"She does have a delicate, frail appearance, and her features are beautiful, but she's too melancholic. I much prefer the lively and adorable Hu Baolin; she's cheerful and like a little sun," Xie Jiu said.

Consort Liu tilted her head and smiled, "That's not important at all. The palace has no shortage of beauties, from plump to slender, each with their own charm. Now I'm more curious about who His Majesty will summon first when the new concubines will be able to serve him in bed tomorrow night."

Is it Consort Guo, who comes from the best family, or her cousin Consort Jiang, or Consort Hu, who was kept by the Emperor, or Consort Lu, who is renowned for her beauty?