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

Chapter 268

"Your Majesty, please don't be impatient. We've already waited for so many days, there's no need to rush. Otherwise, all our previous efforts will be in vain. What's important is that the Emperor sees your thoughtfulness and understanding. If you act childish now, the Emperor will inevitably think you're not steady."

Peizhu gently persuaded her while offering suggestions to Consort Zhuang.

"Consort Jin just returned to the palace yesterday. Thinking that she needed to rest, no one in the palace dared to disturb her. No one went to visit her or bring gifts. Today is the right time."

"Then quickly prepare some gifts for me. I will personally go to Jingming Palace. Since Consort Jin is injured and unable to serve me, the Emperor might come to my Yanqing Palace instead." Consort Zhuang perked up.

Peizhu quickly stopped her, "Your Majesty, don't be in a hurry. Right now, His Majesty is feeling sorry for Consort Jin. It's been many days since we last met, so he must want to spend more time with her. If you go now, you'll be disturbing her. Just send some things over, that's enough. When His Majesty sees them, he'll know that Your Majesty is sensible, and he'll remember Your Majesty's hard work and kindness. He'll naturally come to see you. It's much better than you rushing over there. It'll make you look good."

These words managed to persuade Consort Zhuang to stay calm.

There were no further objections, so Peizhu prepared some things and sent them to Jingming Palace.

And indeed, as Peizhu said, when she came to deliver the items, Zhao Xingjin and Xie Jiu were playing chess and were in high spirits.

With my arm injured, it's perfect for doing things that don't require much physical exertion.

"Your Majesty, Your Highness, Peizhu, Consort Zhuang's attendant, has arrived. She says that Consort Zhuang was concerned about Consort Jin's injury and has brought some tonics and medicine for her wounds."

Qingfang came into the room to announce the arrival of the guests.

Xie Jiu paused in her chess piece, looked up at Zhao Xingjin, and seeing that he didn't say anything, said, "Then let her in."

"Yes." Qingfang responded.

"This servant greets Your Majesty and Consort Jin." Peizhu bowed respectfully. "Consort Jin just returned to the palace yesterday. Our Lady originally wanted to send someone to check on her, but then thought it would be inappropriate to disturb her rest. So today she sent this servant to deliver some things. They are all from our Lady's heart. We wish Consort Jin a speedy recovery."

Xie Jiu maintained a polite smile, "It's rare that Consort Zhuang, who has to take care of the Fourth Prince every day, still remembers me. Please go back and thank Consort Zhuang for me."

She didn't believe that Consort Zhuang had genuinely come to see her or wanted to ease tensions.

Unless Zhao Xingjin is not in Jingming Palace, and Consort Zhuang also sent someone, then it is possible. Judging from the current situation, Consort Zhuang's real intention is not what it seems.

However, Peizhu was smarter and more cautious than Consort Zhuang. She only said a few words, wishing Xie Jiu a speedy recovery, and then withdrew without speaking to Zhao Xingjin.

This made Xie Jiu take a good look at the maid, thinking to himself that the maid was probably instrumental in Consort Zhuang's ability to remain in her position for so many years without causing any major trouble.

After Peizhu left, Xie Jiu smiled and said to Zhao Xingjin.

"The maidservant beside Consort Zhuang is quite clever and pretty."

"It's rare to see you praise a palace maid like that." Zhao Xingjin's gaze remained fixed on the chessboard. "What, do you want me to ask Consort Zhuang to get her to serve you, or do you want me to take her as a concubine?"

These words elicited a soft snort from Xie Jiu, who then placed a piece down hard, blocking Zhao Xingjin's path of attack.

"If Your Majesty has taken a fancy to someone and wants to add a beauty to serve you, just say so. Why do you need to ask me to speak? My Qingfang and Chunrong are both very good, so I don't need anyone else to serve me."

"Jealous?" Zhao Xingjin teased, returning the favor with a witty retort.

Xie Jiu was even more aggressive, placing another piece that nearly cornered him. "What does Your Majesty think?"

As she spoke, her eyebrows were slightly raised, her eyes were also lifted, and her chin was slightly raised, giving her an arrogant and angry appearance.

Zhao Xingjin couldn't help but laugh out loud, "Alright, alright, I won't tease you anymore. Peizhu is Consort Zhuang's dowry maid, how could I casually touch her? This round, you win." "Your Majesty, I was going to win anyway!" Xie Jiu tilted her head, looking at him with bright eyes.

Although she still looked a little unhappy, the corners of her lips had relaxed, and a faint smile could be seen.

Zhao Xingjin nodded helplessly, agreeing readily, "Alright, it was originally because I was less skilled than others. Now that Consort Jin has won against me, what prize does she want?"

This was a pleasant surprise; Xie Jiu hadn't expected to receive this benefit.

After thinking for a moment, she spoke without hesitation, "Since Your Majesty has asked, it would seem as if Your Majesty has nothing of value if I didn't accept anything."

Her self-righteous words and adorable manner made Zhao Xingjin's smile deepen, and he nodded in agreement with a mixture of helplessness and indulgence.

"Then, Your Majesty, I would like to have a pair of jade pendants, one for Your Majesty and one for me, is that alright?" Xie Jiu's eyes showed anticipation, but also a hint of nervousness at being rejected.

To have something to match the emperor was an immense honor, and most of the time, only the empress had this privilege, though favored concubines did not lack it as well.

Xie Jiu wanted to try and see if she could reach that position in Zhao Xingjin's heart.

Regardless of true feelings or love, it all comes down to whether Zhao Xingjin has enough interest and affection for her.

Zhao Xingjin was also surprised that Xie Jiu would make such a request.

However, such a thing was not a big deal to him; it was just a matter of whether or not he was willing to give face. At this time, he was of course willing.

Therefore, after regaining his senses, he smiled and agreed, "Then let the craftsmen make a pair. It just so happens that I have some fine jade in my storeroom."

"Your Majesty treats me so well," Xie Jiu said with a smile. "I don't even know how to reciprocate."

Zhao Xingjin smiled and said, "Since you don't know, then think about it carefully. I will come to collect it when the time comes."

After chatting and laughing for a while, Zhao Xingjin played a game of chess with her before leaving.

"Pass down the message that I will dine at Yanqing Palace tonight," Zhao Xingjin said in a deep voice.

Consort Zhuang has come out to make her presence known today, and in such a peaceful and obedient way, so he can't very well refuse her.

Yang Zhian responded and immediately sent Qingdong to deliver the message.

Upon receiving the news, Consort Zhuang was overjoyed and immediately ordered Peizhu to bring out all the newly made clothes from her wardrobe and start choosing and dressing up.

At dinner time, in the Lotus Garden, Consort Jiang frowned slightly upon hearing that the Emperor had gone to Yanqing Palace.

“My aunt said that once the Emperor returned to the palace, he would make amends to me. But now it’s been two days since the Emperor returned to the palace, and he has already met with my aunt. Why hasn’t he summoned me yet?”

Of course she was anxious. Seeing that Guo Cai Ren and Xin Bao Lin had been accompanying her for many days, and they were both newcomers, it would be strange if she wasn't worried.

I never want to fall behind others.

Lan Xin gently comforted her, "Don't worry, Consort. The Emperor will definitely come. I heard that Consort Zhuang sent someone to Jingming Palace today to deliver something and visit Consort Jin. It just so happens that the Emperor was in Jingming Palace. It seems that Consort Zhuang took the initiative to curry favor, and the Emperor couldn't refuse her, so he went."

“That is one way, but my aunt doesn’t like Consort Jin, and I really don’t dare to get close to her.” Consort Jiang looked helpless. “Fine, I’ll listen to my aunt and wait a little longer. Tomorrow, come with me to see Consort Xin. I want to ask her about the hunting grounds.”

"Yes," Lan Xin replied.