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

Chapter 244

"Look at you, rushing around like this. Sit down." Zhao Xingjin gestured for him to sit. "How is Madam Lu?"

Consort Zhuang pursed her lips, clearly disliking Zhao Xingjin's concern for Consort Lu, but she still answered.

"She's already awake. The imperial physician said it's because she hasn't rested well and hasn't eaten properly. Your Majesty, although I asked her to copy the palace rules, I didn't make her copy them all day long. Besides, I never skimped on her food!"

At this point, Consort Zhuang seemed to remember something and immediately said...

"Could it be that the kitchen is skimping on the money?"

This is an attempt to shift the blame onto Xie Jiu.

Zhao Xingjin saw through her shallow thoughts but didn't care much. "The kitchen is now under the management of Consort Jin, so it's very proper. It seems that Lady Lu herself is not eating properly."

"That's possible. Lady Lu looks very thin; perhaps she doesn't have a big appetite." Consort Zhuang wasn't too stupid, and promptly followed suit.

I didn't mean to bite Xie Jiu.

After all, the purpose of my visit today is to leave the palace and accompany the emperor, not anything else.

Consort Zhuang didn't care about Consort Lu's affairs at all. Even if she died of illness, it wouldn't concern her. Now Consort Zhuang was completely disgusted with Consort Lu. She had originally thought of bringing her under her wing, but now she thought, forget it!

He's always crying and whining, he's good for nothing, he's got a pretty face but no brains, and he's always causing trouble for others.

This is Consort Zhuang's current opinion of Consort Lu.

Zhao Xingjin took a sip of tea. "You too, why bother arguing with her? She's just a lowly concubine."

"Your Majesty, I don't like hearing that," Consort Zhuang snorted, her face showing displeasure. "Your Majesty's words show favoritism towards Consort Lu. Why did I punish her by making her copy palace rules? It was because she broke the teacup that Your Majesty specially bestowed upon me, which was a one-of-a-kind item!"

Zhao Xingjin was unaware that the teacup had been broken.

Her eyes flickered, and she immediately asked, "When did this happen?"

Thinking that Zhao Xingjin was concerned about her, Consort Zhuang immediately said, "It was when the new concubine first entered the palace. She came to the main hall to see me, and I asked her to serve tea. She was so clumsy that she stepped on her own skirt while walking and broke my teacup."

Speaking of which, Consort Zhuang still looked pained.

"Your Majesty, I really feel sorry for her. I couldn't help but scold her a few times, telling her to learn proper manners. She just cried and cried. The next day, when she went to pay her respects at Weiyang Palace, the Empress scolded me for this. Your Majesty, tell me how wronged I am!"

“That’s truly a miscarriage of justice,” Zhao Xingjin added.

Indeed, Consort Zhuang didn't care much about what others thought of her, but Zhao Xingjin heard it all.

Now everyone in the palace is talking about how Consort Zhuang is domineering and mean-spirited. She is jealous of Consort Lu's good looks and fears that Consort Lu will gain favor, so she deliberately makes things difficult for her, keeping Consort Lu confined to Yanqing Palace every day and not allowing her to come out. She has worn Consort Lu down to a terrible state.

Consort Zhuang did have a bad temper and bullied people, but as for tormenting someone every day, Zhao Xingjin knew that Consort Zhuang didn't have the time or patience.

Someone is plotting this behind the scenes.

"Right, Your Majesty? Why don't you let Consort Lu move out? Ninghua Palace is still empty, isn't it? I don't want her in Yanqing Palace either. You agreed to Consort Jin's request, so you can't be biased!" Consort Zhuang said coquettishly.

Zhao Xingjin's heart stirred slightly, and he immediately said, "Let me discuss this matter with the Empress."

This wasn't the answer Consort Zhuang wanted, but it was acceptable; at least she wasn't outright rejected. Then, Consort Zhuang's eyes flickered, and she whispered, "Your Majesty, will you still take me to the autumn hunt?"

When she asked this question, Zhao Xingjin sighed and patted her hand gently.

"The hunting grounds are harsh, with wild animals roaming around, not to mention insects, ants, snakes, and rats. It's not like the palace. The children are still young and it's not appropriate to take them out. The Empress is the mother of the nation, and she has to attend such an important event. If she leaves, and Consort Jin goes too, then someone in the palace still needs to take charge and look after them for me, right?"

"What does Your Majesty mean?" Consort Zhuang's eyes suddenly lit up, but she quickly pouted. "I want to go, isn't the Empress Dowager still in the palace?"

Consort Zhuang was naturally pleased that they could manage affairs. She had long been dissatisfied with Xie Jiu and Consort Wei for overstepping her rank to manage the affairs of the six palaces, but compared to this, she still wanted to gain favor.

Zhao Xingjin was not in a hurry, but said gently, "The Empress Dowager is getting old, how can she manage such a large palace? Previously, she let Consort Jin and Consort Wei assist in managing the six palaces because she thought they were steady. But I know that you are just a little impatient, but you don't make mistakes in important matters. This is a good opportunity to change the Empress Dowager's opinion of you, so that I can speak up for you. Besides, the Fourth Prince is still young. Are you willing to leave him alone in the palace?"

These words gradually confused and bewildered Consort Zhuang.

She glanced at Zhao Xingjin with a shy smile, "I knew it, Your Majesty still has me in your heart."

"Of course." Zhao Xingjin pushed a plate of grapes in front of her. "This year, I plan to stay at the imperial palace for the New Year, so I will naturally take you there for some fresh air."

Another promise.

Consort Zhuang was completely flattered and obediently agreed, "Alright then, Your Majesty, you can go on the autumn hunt. I will keep an eye on things in the palace for Your Majesty and also take good care of my filial duties to the Empress Dowager."

"Well, it's good that you're so sensible. These grapes taste good, try some. If you like them, I'll have some sent to Yanqing Palace. I still have official business to attend to, I'll visit you and the child when I have time." Zhao Xingjin said with a faint smile.

Consort Zhuang was pleased and naturally stopped pestering him. Having received the grapes, a bunch of compliments, and a freshly drawn pie, she happily returned to Yanqing Palace.

Yang Zhian watched from the side and thought to himself that this was the only good thing about Consort Zhuang. If she were also domineering and difficult to please, she would have lost favor long ago.

Zhao Xingjin was willing to patiently coax Consort Zhuang today because he knew in his heart that Consort Zhuang had been plotted against. As for who was behind it, Zhao Xingjin was too lazy to say, but he still wanted to give them a warning.

Lu Cainu was not honest either.

By the time I finished handling official business, it was already afternoon.

While serving tea, Yang Zhian subtly inquired about the matter of serving the emperor, since there were still three new concubines in the palace who had not yet met him.

To everyone's surprise, Zhao Xingjin hesitated for a moment, then said, "Let's go to Jingming Palace."

"Yes," Yang Zhian replied, and immediately went to arrange for a sedan chair.

Inside the Xiefang Palace, Hu Baolin was sitting in Consort Chen's courtyard, chatting with her.

Naturally, the conversation revolved around the fact that it was time for Consort Hu to serve the Emperor in bed. However, at this moment, a servant from Consort Chen's side came in to report that the Emperor had gone to Jingming Palace.

Hu Baolin's smile froze on his face, and he lowered his head in disappointment.

"It seems the Emperor will not see me today."

Consort Chen's eyes changed, and then she immediately comforted him softly, "Good things take time, so don't be too anxious. Consort Jin has always been favored. She has even called the Emperor away from other concubines before. You are new to the palace and have not yet gained favor, so naturally she doesn't take you seriously."

"Is Consort Jin so domineering?" Hu Baolin was somewhat surprised, and at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a little resentful. "As fellow concubines, this is a bit too much of a bullying."