Chapter 79: Chapter 79 Second Update The Emperor, due to his excessive favoritism towards Noble Princess Consort Rong, was often criticized by the Imperial Censors. However, he did not take it to heart and continued to dote on her. Noble Princess Consort Rong was well aware of this. Relying on the Emperor’s favor, she didn’t overstep her bounds excessively. The only exception was her lack of respect towards Empress Xie. When the late Empress was alive, Noble Princess Consort Rong was also highly favored, but she dared not disrespect the late Empress relying on the Emperor’s affection. The Emperor held great respect for the late Empress; none of the concubines, including Princess Consort Rong, dared to be disrespectful towards the late Empress. The Emperor did not hold as much respect for Empress Xie, at least not as much as he did for the late Empress. Nonetheless, the proper courtesies were maintained. The disrespect towards Empress Xie was not because she was the subsequent empress but because of the Duke Mansion. Noble Princess Consort Rong understood the Emperor’s stance towards Empress Xie and the Duke Mansion, which emboldened her to openly confront Empress Xie. As long as she didn’t overdo it, the Emperor would turn a blind eye. "I have already bestowed several Beauties upon the Prince Dai Mansion, hoping they can bear offspring for Prince Dai, which would reassure His Majesty and myself," Empress Xie always believed that the reason Noble Princess Consort Rong dared to act wantonly before her was due to the Emperor’s doting. She always thought of Noble Princess Consort Rong as a vixen, bewitching the Emperor to favor her consistently for twenty years. "Noble Princess Consort Rong, it’s not for me to say, but as Prince Dai’s biological mother, you seem awfully indifferent regarding his offspring," Empress Xie looked at Noble Princess Consort Rong with reproach in her eyes, "Back then, the Crown Prince and Crown Princess Consort were married for three months, and the Crown Princess Consort was already pregnant. However, Prince Dai has been married to Princess Consort Dai for two years, yet there is still no good news." Noble Princess Consort Rong looked coldly at Empress Xie: "Has the Empress finished conveying the Emperor’s decree?" She rudely issued an order for her to leave, "If you’re done, you may leave." When dismissed by Noble Princess Consort Rong, Empress Xie did not get angry and maintained a gentle and dignified smile: "If Prince Dai still cannot provide an heir for His Majesty, Noble Princess Consort Rong can come to me for help, and I can share the exclusive Xie family fertility secrets with you." Noble Princess Consort Rong pointed toward the main entrance of Yongxin Palace, her face sinisterly turning to Empress Xie: "Get out!" "Noble Princess Consort Rong, you are too presumptuous..." Before Jiang Chuan could finish speaking, her face was slapped forcefully by Noble Princess Consort Rong. "Noble Princess Consort Rong!" Empress Xie reprimanded. Noble Princess Consort Rong took the handkerchief handed by Jin Mei and carefully wiped her hands, then turned and returned to the main hall. She couldn’t be bothered to spare Empress Xie another glance. Jin Mei politely said to Empress Xie, "Your Majesty, please." Empress Xie gave a sinister glare at Noble Princess Consort Rong, then raised her hand to sharply slap Jin Mei twice. Then, she supported Jiang Chuan’s hand as they left Yongxin Palace. Before leaving, Empress Xie stopped and deliberately said aloud: "Next month is the anniversary of my sister’s death, Noble Princess Consort Rong, don’t forget to transcribe Buddhist scriptures in her memory." Upon hearing this just as she returned to the main hall, Noble Princess Consort Rong’s expression instantly changed. Her previous hostility towards Empress Xie was immediately replaced by jealousy. Regarding the late Empress, Noble Princess Consort Rong was jealous. However, she didn’t dare to hate. She knew well the late Empress’s place in the Emperor’s heart, and never dared to show her jealousy or resentment towards the late Empress in front of the Emperor. In truth, Noble Princess Consort Rong held a degree of admiration for the late Empress. Everything the late Empress did for the Emperor, she had witnessed. To be honest, she couldn’t achieve what the late Empress did. When the late Empress was alive, not only did the late Emperor and Empress Dowager favor her, but even the ministers of civil and military authorities universally respected her. Even the common people hailed her as the "virtuous empress." Moreover, when the late Empress passed away, the Emperor halted court for three days. This was unprecedented in the previous dynasty and even the one before that. Noble Princess Consort Rong clearly knew, if she were to pass away one day, the Emperor would never halt court for her. 𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚 "Ma’am, Empress Xie she..." Jin Mei’s face was swollen from the slap, attesting to Empress Xie’s strength. Seeing Jin Mei’s swollen face, Noble Princess Consort Rong comforted her: "Sorry for your trouble, quickly apply some medicine." Whether in terms of characteristics or means, Empress Xie paled in comparison to the late Empress. Although an eldest daughter from a Noble Family, Empress Xie entirely lacked the grace expected of such a lineage, whereas the late Empress, though born of a concubine, displayed the demeanor of a mother of the nation. Jin Mei hurriedly complied and withdrew. She returned to Noble Princess Consort Rong’s side momentarily later. Noticing Noble Princess Consort Rong’s distracted look, she asked with concern: "Ma’am, what’s troubling you?" "Do you think the Cousin loves Xie Wan?" This had always been a thorn in Noble Princess Consort Rong’s heart. She dared not ask the Emperor. She feared hearing from his mouth the answer she least wanted. "Ma’am, His Majesty only held respect for the late Empress, not love," Jin Mei said emphatically, "His Majesty loves you." "Really? If Cousin didn’t love her, why would he halt court for three days for her?" A woman like the late Empress, not only attracted men but also charmed other women. "When she was ill, Cousin stayed by her bedside, personally feeding her medicine..." "Cousin did many things for her, things he never did for me. In Cousin’s heart, she still holds great importance." "Ma’am, no one is more important than you," Jin Mei consoled, "Why compete with a deceased?" "I just..." She felt jealous, resentful. Though the late Empress was gone, the Emperor would no longer do such things for her, but the Emperor surely wouldn’t forget the late Empress in his heart. "Ma’am, you are now His Majesty’s most favored concubine." Jin Mei saw the vulnerability in Noble Princess Consort Rong’s eyes and held her hands, comforting her, "Soon, you will become His Majesty’s consort. To him, no one else matters as much as you." Jin Mei’s words comforted Noble Princess Consort Rong greatly. She smiled slightly: "Every year when her death anniversary approaches, my heart..." "Ma’am, His Majesty dotes on you so much, don’t overthink it," Jin Mei urged, "If His Majesty knew you were having such thoughts and doubting his affection for you, he’d surely be angry." "You’re right." Noble Princess Consort Rong took a deep breath to steady herself, "Starting tomorrow, I’ll bathe and observe a vegetarian diet for three days." Despite her overwhelming jealousy towards the late Empress, every year on her memorial day, Noble Princess Consort Rong sincerely transcribed Buddhist scriptures herself, not letting anyone else assist. She understood that if she didn’t wholeheartedly transcribe the scriptures for the late Empress, it would undoubtedly displease the Emperor. Princess Consort De and others would also transcribe by hand, not daring to have someone else do it for them. Even though they loathed doing it, they had no choice, lest they spurn the Emperor’s favor. Empress Xie returned to Zhao Yang Palace and instructed Jiang Chuan to handle certain matters. She was now impatiently awaiting her dear sister’s memorial day to arrive. In Wende Hall, Zhao Yao was anxiously waiting for lessons to end. His eyes were fixed on the hourglass in front, waiting for it to empty, signaling midday. When the sand in the hourglass finished pouring, Zhao Yao’s eyes suddenly brightened, and a wide smile spread across his small face. Mr. Xiao closed the book in his hand and left the classroom. Seeing Mr. Xiao had left, Zhao Yao jumped up, grabbed his bookbag, and quickly said to the Eighth Prince and the Fourth Prince: "Fourth Brother, Eighth Brother, I’m leaving first." With that, he disappeared in a gust of wind from their sight. The Eighth Prince and Fourth Prince didn’t have time to speak to him before Zhao Yao’s figure was gone. Tong Xi saw Zhao Yao running out and hurried after him: "Your Highness, slow down, be careful not to fall." Zhao Yao ran for a while and then stopped, looked at Tong Xi, and asked: "How is Tong An?" "He’s quite obedient, showing no curiosity even toward the cats and dogs in the Cold Palace," Tong Xi had gone to visit Tong An in the Cold Palace while Zhao Yao was studying in Wende Hall, "His body bore many injuries, with many places beaten until the skin was broken, yet he endured them without a word." "Your Highness, you wouldn’t believe the state his body is in, covered with whip marks, not a single unscathed area..." Tong Xi spoke with red eyes, saying in indignation, "The Third Prince is truly heartless..." "Let him rest well for a few days, until his wounds heal, then we’ll make arrangements." "Your Highness, fortunately, you anticipated that Tong An’s injuries would cause a fever. Otherwise, he might have concealed it all along." Tong Xi mentioned, "The servant applied medicine and gave him medication. He’s quite fortunate, soon recovering from the fever after the medicine." "Because he wants to live." "Your Highness, Tong An told the servant that the Third Prince had always liked to abuse those attending him since childhood, killing many eunuchs and palace maids serving him." In the palace, the death of eunuchs and palace maids was of no concern to anyone. To most masters, if they died, they died, nothing regrettable. "The Third Prince particularly likes whipping good-looking eunuchs and palace maids." Zhao Yao listened, frowning deeply and said: "A beast in human guise, that’s the Third Brother." "Your Highness..." Tong Xi was about to say something when Lai Yi, together with its siblings, flew over. Lai Yi landed on Zhao Yao’s shoulder, chirping and saying: [Yao Yao, Lai Qian and the others are coming back.]