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

Chapter 234

That night, some were happy while others were sad.

After Guo Cairen served the emperor, she was also granted the privilege of staying overnight in a side hall, which made Jiang Cairen of Fuqu Garden feel slightly disappointed.

She thought she would be special, but she never expected that Guo Cairen would be just like her.

That means that the Emperor's kindness towards her was merely out of respect for the Empress Dowager.

Thinking of this, Jiang Cairen felt a tightness in her chest.

Actually, she had never thought of marrying her cousin Zhao Xingjin before. After all, she was the legitimate daughter of a wealthy family and naturally wanted to be the principal wife. But things changed when Zhao Xingjin later became emperor.

The emperor's concubines were ultimately more precious.

If one were to marry, who wouldn't want to marry the most noble man in the world? That was what Consort Jiang thought.

This is also what many girls think these days.

At first, when the Empress Dowager did not intend to select someone from her maternal family to enter the palace, Consort Jiang was somewhat disappointed. However, she did not expect that her wish would come true. The Empress Dowager changed her mind, and she stood out among the eligible girls of the Jiang family because of her talent, beauty and closer relationship with the Empress Dowager, and was able to enter the palace.

Now that we've come, we naturally hope to receive your favor and sincerity.

But her joy lasted only a few days before reality poured cold water on her. She did receive favor, but true love was probably just wishful thinking.

"You should go to bed early, Your Excellency. You still have to pay your respects tomorrow," Dan Gui gently reminded her.

Jiang Cairen's eyes were dim. She nodded and lay down silently.

The next day.

Inside Weiyang Palace, almost all the concubines had arrived before Consort Guo arrived.

It wasn't that she wanted to put on airs; she wouldn't do something so foolish. It was just bad luck. The palace maid serving her washing up in Chengming Palace accidentally knocked over the basin of water, wetting her clothes. So she had to send someone back to the Summer Palace to get clean clothes to change into, which caused the delay.

She had just served the emperor yesterday, and she was late in paying her respects today. Surely someone was unhappy about that.

Consort Zhuang was quick-witted and straightforward, so naturally she was the first to dislike her.

"Oh, I thought Consort Guo wasn't coming to pay her respects today. She's certainly putting on airs, making the whole harem wait for her."

Knowing she was in the wrong, Consort Guo didn't confront her directly. Instead, she calmly bowed slightly and explained the reason.

Consort Zhuang, of course, was not buying it and immediately rolled her eyes, "You really know how to make excuses. Who can go and inquire about or verify things that happened in Chengming Palace?"

Seeing that the other party was still being persistent, Guo Cairen's patience ran out, and her expression immediately turned cold.

"Although I am a little late, I am not late. There is still about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea before the greetings are to begin. Her Majesty the Empress has not yet arrived, but Consort Zhuang is already lecturing me. I don't know whether this greeting is for Her Majesty the Empress or for Consort Zhuang."

Consort Zhuang told her to stop choking, and her face turned slightly red.

She immediately retorted angrily, "You're late in paying your respects, and you still have the nerve to complain? You sharp-tongued brat! Today, I'm going to teach you a lesson on behalf of the Empress so you'll know you can't act so recklessly in Weiyang Palace!"

No sooner had these words been spoken than a commotion came from the gates of Weiyang Palace.

"Oh, I'm late?"

It's Xie Jiu.

That's right, almost all the concubines have arrived, except for Consort Guo and Xie Jiu. In fact, Xie Jiu is the last to arrive.

Ever since she and the Empress fell out, Xie Jiu stopped pretending to be diligent. She usually didn't come early to pay her respects, but today she got up exceptionally late and almost missed it. Unexpectedly, she witnessed this good show as soon as she arrived.

“Consort Jin has arrived just in time, she is not late.” Consort Liu chimed in from the side. Xie Jiu glanced at Consort Zhuang, gave a slight bow in greeting, then her gaze swept over Consort Guo before she took Qingfang’s hand and slowly walked in, taking her seat.

After being interrupted like this, Consort Zhuang was at a loss for where to vent her anger. Should she ignore her and continue to make things difficult for Consort Guo, or should she also confront Xie Jiu?
To be honest, Consort Zhuang doesn't dare to provoke Xie Jiu easily these days, but she feels that letting Consort Guo go like this would be a loss of face.

They were actually held in place.

Fortunately, the Empress finally emerged from the inner palace, bringing the turmoil to a timely end.

The process was the same as when Consort Jiang had served the emperor; the empress treated everyone equally and gave the same amount of rewards.

Guo Cairen's composure in the face of honor and disgrace truly reflects the elegance of a lady from a prominent family.

Xie Jiu sat to the side drinking tea and leisurely watching the play, but unexpectedly, the Empress asked him a couple of questions.

They all concern the food arrangements for the Mid-Autumn Festival palace banquet.

It's just a routine matter. Anyway, Xie Jiu now has complete control over the kitchen, and the Empress can't get involved. She can only ask questions as a formality.

After the greetings were finished, everyone dispersed.

Not long after leaving Weiyang Palace, Xie Jiu heard Guo Cairen's voice behind him.

"Consort Jin," Consort Guo called out, quickly catching up with Xie Jiu and bowing respectfully. "Thank you so much for helping me out of this predicament today, Your Highness."

Xie Jiu's gaze swept over her from head to toe, her voice carrying a hint of aloofness, "To help you out of that predicament? Consort Guo is overthinking it. I have no such intention."

She simply said that she was almost late, and just as she reached the door, she heard Consort Zhuang making a fuss, so she said that as a reminder to Consort Zhuang to be careful and not to accidentally hurt her.

"Although Your Majesty's action was unintentional, it truly relieved my predicament, so I still want to thank Your Majesty," Consort Guo insisted.

Xie Jiu suddenly became somewhat interested in what she said.

"If you're going to thank me, are you just going to say it verbally?"

Guo Cairen was slightly taken aback by the question.

I never expected Xie Jiu to say something like that.

However, he quickly realized what was happening and put on a serious face.

"When I entered the palace, I brought with me a string of white jade bodhi beads that had been blessed by the abbot of Baiyun Temple in Chuzhou. It is an item for praying for blessings and warding off misfortune. If Your Majesty does not mind, I would like to give it to you."

Xie Jiu raised an eyebrow. "Baiyun Temple in Chuzhou is one of the four most famous temples in Dajing. This bracelet blessed by the abbot is quite a rare item."

However, he chuckled lightly and waved his hand.

"Fine, you are very generous. I have no interest in taking what others love. Consider today's matter as me forming a good relationship with you."

After saying that, he turned and left, not saying another word to Guo Cairen.

Unexpectedly, their conversation ended like this. Guo Cairen was a little uneasy. She pursed her lips, pondered for a moment, and then left with her entourage.

At that moment, beside Xie Jiu, Qingfang whispered, "Your Highness, do you think Consort Guo is taking the initiative to show goodwill towards us?"

"I suppose so." Xie Jiu recalled the scene just now, "but it wasn't a simple matter. When I asked her for a thank-you gift, she actually gave me one. She seemed genuine, but in reality, she didn't want to promise me anything else and was being cautious."

Qingfang listened and belatedly realized this, and immediately felt a chill of fear.

She had genuinely thought that Guo Cairen was true to herself, and that girls from military families were straightforward and less complicated.

Xie Jiu saw through Qingfang's thoughts and curled the corners of her lips, "In the palace, don't underestimate anyone."