Chapter 36: The Concubine De Hears the Heartfelt Words

Concubine Rou continued speaking, occasionally touching Ah Bao’s little face with her fingers. Her touch was light and gentle, but her expression seemed a bit frenzied.

Concubine De said, “Perhaps the Tenth Princess is just very charming, which is why the Emperor pays her special attention.”

“Hehe, other concubines wish they could have sons to secure their positions and win the Emperor’s favor. Concubine De is so fortunate to have a little princess, and she has managed to win the Emperor’s heart.”

Concubine De found this remark a bit strange and frowned, “The Emperor is the ruler of the nation. How could he be so easily influenced by a child?”

[Concubine Rou must be missing her own son.]

[Concubine Rou is indeed a woman with a difficult fate. Despite her family’s help, she was a less favored concubine. If she hadn’t seized the opportunity and performed a captivating dance in front of her father to win his favor, she might never have entered the palace and changed her fate.]

[It’s such a pity that her Fifth Prince turned out to be disappointing.]

[Since her son’s exile, Concubine Rou has been causing trouble and eventually became quite unstable.]

Concubine De was taken aback. Was Concubine Rou really in such a miserable state?

“Concubine De, do you think the Emperor would still like you if the Tenth Princess were no longer around?”

Concubine De had a bad feeling.

Suddenly, Concubine Hui shouted, “Concubine Rou, stop!”

Concubine De glanced over and saw that Concubine Rou’s hand was at Ah Bao’s neck, about to strangle her!

Concubine De’s heart nearly skipped a beat. Almost instinctively, she rushed to snatch Ah Bao from Concubine Rou’s embrace, “Concubine Rou, you…”

Concubine De quickly lowered her head to check if Ah Bao was injured.

Ah Bao’s little face was puffed up as she waved her tiny hands and grinned at Concubine De.

[Mother, I’m fine. Concubine Rou didn’t hurt me.]

[It was Concubine Hui’s shout that startled me.]

[It’s thanks to you, Mother, for reacting so quickly.]

Concubine De breathed a sigh of relief.

Ah Bao was okay, which was the most important thing.

Concubine Rou was momentarily stunned, her gaze frozen, but she quickly came back to her senses. Seeing Concubine De glaring at her, she was a bit confused, “What happened just now?”

She had only been holding the Tenth Princess, and then she heard Concubine Hui shout, leaving her dazed.

Concubine De clearly noticed that Concubine Rou was acting differently from usual.

She recalled Ah Bao’s earlier comment about Concubine Rou potentially becoming unstable.

Could it be that Concubine Rou was showing early signs of that instability now?

“Concubine De, you’re being too protective of the Tenth Princess. I just held her for a moment. Look how nervous you are.” Concubine Rou sighed.

Concubine De was now certain that something was off with Concubine Rou.

In no time at all, Concubine Rou seemed to have regained her composure.

[Strange]

Ah Bao looked at Concubine Rou, idly nibbling on her little hands.

Concubine De was taken aback.

[What’s so strange?]

[Why does Concubine Rou seem to exude an aura of malevolence?]

[In the palace, surrounded by imperial energy, where could this malevolent aura come from?]

The malevolent aura was faintly visible above Concubine Rou’s head.

After Concubine Rou’s mood improved, the aura disappeared.

“Concubine De, what gift did you prepare for the Queen Mother’s birthday?” Concubine Rou asked curiously.

‘Clap!’

A crisp sound came from behind the group.

“I’m sorry, Concubine Hui, I didn’t mean to.” Zhilan quickly apologized, as she had accidentally bumped into Concubine Hui while standing still.

The small wooden box Zhilan was carrying fell to the ground, spilling its contents of prayer beads.

Concubine Hui repeatedly assured that it was fine.

Concubine Rou glanced at the beads and was surprised, “Oh, are these the prayer beads you prepared for the Concubine De? They’re quite unique, but they look somewhat familiar.”

Concubine Rou picked up the beads.

The prayer beads were a bracelet made of 108 small sandalwood beads, with one blood-red bead at one end, which was very striking.

“Could this be the same string of prayer beads from the Abbot of the National Protection Temple?”

She recalled that the Abbot had once used such a string during a grand ritual in the palace.

“This is a string I obtained by chance over a year ago. Since I didn’t have any other gifts, and the Concubine De is a devout Buddhist with a compassionate heart, I thought it would be fitting to present these beads to her.” Concubine De explained calmly.

In fact, Concubine De had had these beads for a long time, but she hadn’t had the chance to use them because she had been out of favor for over a year.

Now, giving them to the Queen Mother as a protective charm seemed quite appropriate.

Concubine Rou’s eyes lit up with interest, “Concubine De, you really are thoughtful.”

The group continued their way, and soon they arrived at the Cining Palace.

The Concubine De had been in poor health recently. She preferred quiet and disliked extravagance.

She hadn’t intended to hold a birthday celebration, but the Emperor’s filial piety was insistent.

Thus, the celebration was as low-key as possible.

Only the Concubines from the palace were invited.

No officials from outside the palace were included.

It was more of a small family gathering.

The Queen Mother sat in the main seat, looking somewhat pale.

Seeing that the room was full, she said, “Everyone, don’t be so formal. Just relax.”

Her words eased the stiff atmosphere in the hall.

“Grandmother,” as soon as Di Zian entered, he greeted her respectfully and then eagerly approached.

The Queen Mother  glanced at Di Zian, “Are you the Seventh Prince?”

Di Zian nodded obediently, “Yes, that’s right.”

The Queen Mother’s already pale face seemed to droop further, “I remember now, on one occasion when I had a birthday banquet, all the princes were present, except for you. Now, you’re here?”

Di Zian lowered his head in embarrassment.

The Concubines and the Third and Fourth Princes in the hall looked at Di Zian with a mix of amusement and schadenfreude.

Serves him right!

After all, the Seventh Prince was always the most unlucky, haha.

[Grandmother, you can’t blame my brother. His bad luck seems to follow him everywhere, good things never come to him, and bad things always do.]

[Speaking of which, my brother is really quite unfortunate.]

“Cough, cough.”

The Queen Mother coughed into her handkerchief. If not for her legs being weak, she might have stood up from her chair.

“Mother, are you alright?” Concubine Rou asked.

Concubine Hui also expressed concern, “Mother, the weather is getting cooler. You need to take care of yourself.”

Other Concubines joined in with their well-wishes and concerns.

Queen Mother found it hard to interject.

The Queen Mother’s mind was still buzzing, and she was too stunned to listen to the Concubines.

She was still in shock.

Had she just heard… the sound of a baby?

A baby…

The Queen Mother’s gaze quickly sought out Concubine De among the Concubines, “Concubine De, is the child you’re holding the Tenth Princess?”

Concubine De bowed, “Yes, Mother.”

“Bring the Tenth Princess here so I can have a look. Since the Tenth Princess was born, I haven’t seen her after returning to the palace. She should be three months old now, right?”