Chapter 26

“My humble servant greets the Empress Dowager.” Kang Yu Yi performed a formal bow.

She was dressed in a silver-red palace gown with floral patterns, her hair styled in a cloud-like bun with several red gold and ruby hairpins. Though she wore only light makeup, her inherent beauty was still apparent.

Pei Yuqian recalling her previous frustration in Zhaoming Palace found Kang Yu Yi’s overly charming appearance rather irritating.

However, she did not show her feelings Instead she bowed gracefully and said, “Your Highness.”

The Empress Dowager smiled warmly and said, “No need for formalities. Please have a seat, Noble Consort.”

Kang Yu Yi took a seat on the east side of the Empress Dowager’s main seat while Pei Yuqian sat on the west side.

The Empress Dowager casually remarked, “You young people will soon be departing for the Jehol Palace. I must say I miss the pleasant scenery of the summer retreat but I am too old and feeble to travel!”

Pei Yuqian quickly responded with a smile, “Empress Dowager, you are in great health and it is only the capital palace that needs your presence.”

The Empress Dowager was delighted by her granddaughter’s flattery and smiled broadly, revealing the lines on her face.

Kang Yu Yi who had only seen the Empress Dowager at official banquets did not know how to interact with her, so she quietly listened to their conversation.

“Noble Consort, I have summoned you here because I have something to discuss with you,” the Empress Dowager finally said, noticing Kang Yu Yi’s silence.

Kang Yu Yi was slightly surprised and responded respectfully, “Empress Dowager, please speak.”

The Empress Dowager sighed slightly and continued, “As you know, my granddaughter Yuqian is now over twenty years old. I am most concerned about her future.”

Pei Yuqian lowered her head and pretended to be shy.

However, she felt quite aggrieved believing that as the daughter of the Grand Princess and having been predicted to have a phoenix’s fate, she should not be bowing down before a concubine.

The Empress Dowager added, “No matter which family Yuqian marries into, I am not at ease. It would be better if she could remain in the palace.”

Kang Yu Yi was puzzled not understanding why the Empress Dowager was discussing this with her.

Pei Yuqian, pretending to be pitiful, said, “I beg Your Highness to grant my wish. I only wish to stay in the palace to accompany the Empress Dowager and will never compete with you for favor.”

“The Emperor favors you greatly,” the Empress Dowager said, “If you could persuade him, he would surely agree.”

Kang Yu Yi stubbornly, replied, “I really cannot make decisions on such matters, and the Emperor is unlikely to listen to me.”

Seeing her resistance, the Empress Dowager and Pei Yuqian exchanged looks.

“If you can persuade the Emperor to grant Yuqian a title, in future matters of succession, I and First Counselor Pei will definitely support the Crown Prince,” the Empress Dowager said using incentives to persuade her.

“Flowers do not bloom forever. Rather than waiting for the Emperor to select consorts in the future and possibly losing favor, wouldn’t it be better to gain strong support from the Empress Dowager and the Pei Family now?”

Kang Yu Yi remained silent and appeared deep in thought for a long time.

She thought of herself as still sixteen, but when she suddenly heard about these crucial matters concerning the establishment of the heir, she couldn’t process it at all.

The little chubby kid is still so small yet he is already entangled in such intricate and serious issues.

From the moment she woke up and found herself inexplicably elevated to the status of a consort to gradually getting used to the presence of the little chubby prince, she never imagined that this adorable and youthful child might one day become the ruler of the world.

The Empress Dowager and Pei Yuqian had initially expected Consort Kang to either immediately agree or react with some dramatic sarcastic response. They were not prepared for her to sit there in stunned silence.

The main hall of Cishou Palace fell into an extended silence.

The Empress Dowager was about to say something more when she noticed Kang Yu Yi, sitting on the east side suddenly clutching her head, her face contorted in visible pain.

The Empress Dowager and Pei Yuqian were alarmed

They had not poisoned her?!

Could this manipulative Consort Kang be plotting against them?

Meanwhile, on the other side of the capital, in Chun Li House.

Cui Mu Lin, the son of the Marquis of Boling, was surrounded by a group of heavily made-up courtesans.

His slender delicate appearance which matched the current ideal for men combined with his status as a close cousin to the emperor made Cui Mu Lin a highly desirable figure in these establishments.

“Cui gongzi, have another drink! Ying Niang is toasting you!”

“Don’t forget us when you return from the Jehol Palace, Cui gongzi!”

“You’re all so captivating, of course I won’t forget you.” Cui Mu Lin wrapped his arms around two scantily dressed courtesans and lewdly joked with them.

Cui Mu Lin looked at the vulgar women around him. Despite their advances, he found them nowhere near as enticing as Consort Kang. However if he couldn’t indulge in the finest pleasures, he was content to make do with these ordinary women.

“Cui gongzi, I’ve heard that you’re a cousin of the Emperor. Is that true?” One of the women pressed her ample bosom against him.

“Of course it’s true. The Emperor respects me as his cousin and the Empress Dowager favors me even more,” Cui Mu Lin boasted, shamelessly continuing to grope the women.

“Since Cui gongzi is the Emperor’s cousin, could you take us with you to the Jehol Palace? Please take us along!” the courtesans begged eagerly.

With many nobles and officials traveling to accompany the Emperor, the capital was nearly deserted. During this time, business at the brothels and entertainment houses also slowed down considerably.

Cui Mu Lin smirked and said, “If you want to go to Jehol, you’ll need to please me thoroughly and ensure I’m completely satisfied.”

The courtesans were ecstatic, laughing and eagerly taking turns flirting and seducing Cui Mu Lin.

Some of them, with grander aspirations, thought that if they went to Jehol, they might even catch the Emperor’s eye and be promoted to a consort.

While Cui Mu Lin pretended to entertain their requests, he privately scorned these gullible women for being so easily deceived.

There was no way he would actually take these lowly courtesans to the Jehol Palace.

As he engaged with the courtesans, Cui Mu Lin fantasized about the chance to savor the pleasures he truly desired at Jehol.

Little did he know, a group of Imperial Guards Jin Yiwei were waiting nearby, ready to capture the boastful Cui Mu Lin and take him back to the Northern Zhenfu Si for imprisonment.

【月醺阅读提示】本章内容仅供站内阅读，禁止批量抓取、搬运或未授权转载。