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

Chapter 251

Looking at Xie Jiu's gentle demeanor, Xin Baolin felt as if she had misunderstood her before.

He doesn't seem like a mean and dangerous person at all; he's clearly so considerate and caring towards others.

So she immediately smiled and agreed, "Your Majesty, I have also been hoping to have a few words with you. There has never been a chance in the palace. Now that we have come to the hunting grounds, I never thought I would be able to dine with you. I just hope Your Majesty will not mind that I eat too much!"

"Look how thin you are, you should eat more." Xie Jiu said, putting a meatball into Xin Baolin's bowl. "Try this. I usually like to have the kitchen prepare it, and they made it today."

Xin Baolin was starving, so she immediately took a bite and nodded quickly, her almond-shaped eyes sparkling, just like a little child.

Guo Cairen observed the interaction between the two and wondered what Xie Jiu was planning to do by inviting them over for a meal today.

If the goal was to win them over, this lunch might have been effective for Xin Baolin, but for Guo Cairen, it meant nothing.

Could it be that they want to figure out their personalities?

Just as she was wondering, Xie Jiu's voice rang in her ear, "Consort Guo, you should try it too. These meatballs are made with fish, and only the freshest live fish can make them taste like this. Although it takes a lot of effort, they are indeed delicious. His Majesty often enjoys them when he dines at Jingming Palace."

"Thank you for your hospitality, Your Majesty. Since His Majesty thinks it's good, it must be a delicious dish." Consort Guo put aside her thoughts and took a bite herself. "Hmm, the fish is fresh and sweet, indeed very good."

Xie Jiu looked at her with a faint smile on her lips, "Yes, but the Emperor doesn't really like fish. Yet, he likes these fish balls. It shows that the quality of the ingredients themselves doesn't matter. It's all about how the chef cooks them. A skilled imperial chef can make a meal that the Emperor likes, even if the ingredients don't like. On the other hand, if the imperial chef's skills are not good, then no matter how delicious the food is, it won't catch the Emperor's eye."

“Yes, when I was still in my boudoir, I loved to eat roast goose. There are two roast goose shops in the city, serving the same food, but the taste is quite different. The one in the west of the city is not as good as the one in the north!” Xin Baolin replied.

They genuinely treated the conversation here as a discussion about food.

However, Guo Cairen understood the hidden meaning in Xie Jiu's words.

This is where she is chosen. If she chooses the wrong side, no matter how outstanding she is, she will hardly catch the emperor's eye. On the contrary, even if she is less talented, as long as she is trained by Xie Jiu, she can gain the emperor's favor.

Guo Cai Ren had previously tried to get close to Xie Jiu, but Xie Jiu stopped her with the words, "Just consider it a good relationship." Why is she now willing to accept her?

This puzzled Guo Cai Ren, but there must be a reason she didn't know.

However, in any case, being able to get close to Xie Jiu now is beneficial to her.

So Consort Guo smiled and said, "It's one thing that the imperial chef's skills are good, but another thing is that Your Highness is good at arranging things. Today, I tasted the dishes here, Your Highness, and they were all delicious. When we return to the palace, I would like to go to Jingming Palace for a meal. Your Highness, please don't look down on me."

Xie Jiu's beautiful eyes curved slightly, her tone remaining gentle.

"It would be good if you came often; I love lively atmospheres the most."

Seeing this, Xin Baolin also stepped forward, "Then may I go as well?"

"Of course," Xie Jiu smiled.

After lunch, the three chatted happily.

At least that's how it looks on the surface.

After leaving Xie Jiu's tent, Xin Baolin couldn't help but say to the maid beside her, "Sister Chen used to say that Consort Jin was not good, but I think there must have been some misunderstanding. Today, I saw that Consort Jin was clearly approachable and kind. She was even more comfortable to be around than the Empress. When I talk to the Empress, I always feel that the Empress's smile is a bit fake."

Living in the Xiefang Palace with Consort Chen, Consort Chen naturally took her to pay her respects to the Empress in private.

Dongzao hurriedly tugged at her sleeve, "Please don't say such things anymore, Baolin. Even if you think Consort Jin is good, please don't mention the Empress's faults. Have you forgotten the saying that trouble comes from the mouth?"

These words reminded Xin Baolin, and she immediately straightened her back, nervously clenched her handkerchief, and said no more.

At that time, the empress she mentioned had just finished her lunch.

Upon hearing that Consort Guo and Consort Xin had dined with Xie Jiu, the Empress's anger flared up.

"This Xie woman dares to try and win over other concubines right under my nose."

Tingyun gently comforted her, "Your Majesty, don't be angry. This Consort Guo comes from a noble family and seems rather arrogant. She may not be willing to be won over by Consort Jin. On the other hand, Consort Hu is easily trusting of others. If Your Majesty wants to keep her under control, you should hurry."

The Empress raised her hand to her forehead, her eyes filled with annoyance.

"I had previously asked Chen to train Xin Baolin to be more obedient, but I don't know how she did it. Xin Baolin is so stupid that she can't do anything."

Hearing this, Yun didn't know how to respond, so she remained silent.

What else can be said? Now that Consort Chen has been demoted to the lowest rank of Lady Cai, she can barely take care of herself, so don't expect her to still be able to do things for the Empress.

"Alright, there's no point in saying more. There are bound to be plenty of mosquitoes, snakes, and ants in this camp. Take some of the incense I brought to drive away the insects and give it to Consort Guo and Consort Xin. If they need anything, just let me know and I'll get it for them."

Tingyun nodded in agreement and left immediately.

Upon hearing this, Xie Jiu burst out laughing, "This is really something. Three concubines came in total, but they deliberately bypassed me. This is clearly a sign that they dislike me."

"Anyway, we're not short of those things, so we don't care!" Qingfang snorted.

Xie Jiu didn't actually want the Empress's things; he just felt that the Empress was becoming increasingly lazy about putting on a show. Could it be that she had become arrogant just because she had won over a beautiful woman who had brought the Fifth Prince to her side?
Do you think you can help the Fifth Prince succeed in the future?

Or was it simply a way to give her a warning, to let Xie Jiu know that she was being openly targeted?

Xie Jiu pondered for a moment, but had no clue, so she simply said, "Just pretend you don't know. It's only the first day at the hunting grounds. Given how much the Empress dislikes me, there will probably be a lot of trouble later. Today, I was just missed out on the reward, which is a small matter."

She appeared completely unconcerned, and seeing this, Qingfang didn't say anything more.

Xie Jiu stayed in his tent all afternoon.

The real hunt will begin tomorrow; today Zhao Xingjin is just busy meeting with his ministers.

It's pitiful, really. This hunting ground is like a mobile imperial study. It looks like a place to relax outside the palace, but in reality, it's not like that at all. Moreover, many officials who are not on duty in the capital also take this opportunity to try to meet the emperor, such as Consort Guo's father and brothers.

Zhao Xingjin felt even busier.

As evening approached, without a second thought, he finished his work and headed towards Xie Jiu's place.