Chapter 47: The Fury of Consort Wang

In Changle Palace, the atmosphere was so oppressive it felt as if it could drip with water.

“Crack—”

“Smash—”

Consort Wang sat in the main seat of the hall, her hand reaching out.

She shouted, “Bring it here!”

The maid, Qing’er, held a beautifully crafted vase with a troubled expression.

Hurriedly, she tried to dissuade her. “Your Highness, this vase was just delivered by the Young Master yesterday; it’s very precious…”

Before Qing’er could finish her sentence, Consort Wang shot her an angry glare.

Terrified, Qing’er instantly dared not utter another word.

Shaking, she handed the vase to Consort Wang.

Consort Wang took the vase, and with a loud “smash,” the vase shattered instantly, turning into countless fragments that scattered everywhere.

In an instant, the hall was filled with shards of porcelain, leaving a chaotic mess.

The servants in the hall, upon witnessing this scene, were all frightened and dared not breathe a word, worried that their master’s wrath might unintentionally spill over onto them.

Just yesterday, the Emperor’s birthday had concluded, and the entire harem was buzzing about one thing.

It was said that Shen Jieyu had been summoned to Weiyang Palace by the Emperor.

Who was this Shen Jieyu?

Consort Wang had been in the palace for over two years.

Since there was no Empress in the palace, the Emperor had spent his birthdays alone in Weiyang Palace, never summoning any imperial concubine.

Moreover, the Emperor had never summoned anyone to his chambers in Weiyang Palace.

Yet now, this Jieyu, whom none of the concubines had even seen before, had suddenly broken all of the Emperor’s principles.

To date, the Emperor had only spent the night in the Yaohua Palace, where Shen Jieyu resided.

Consort Wang had managed to rise to the rank of consort, relying entirely on the Emperor’s favor, despite not having borne any princes.

She always believed that she held a unique position in the Emperor’s heart.

Her beauty surpassed that of all the other women in the harem; aside from Liu Zhaoyi, who had given birth to two princes, she looked down on everyone else.

She thought only she could act spoiled in front of the Emperor, bullying those of lower rank with impunity.

The Emperor wouldn’t hold it against her.

With a cold expression, Consort Wang sat there, while her close maid, Yin Zhi, anxiously looked at her but didn’t dare speak rashly.

She could only wait quietly.

Finally, after Consort Wang had vented her anger enough, Yin Zhi cautiously spoke up to comfort her.

“Your Highness, please calm down.”

“Shen Jieyu is now being protected so well by the Emperor; she has become the target of everyone in the harem. Liu Zhaoyi will be the first to not let her off.”

“Just bear with it for a while; besides, Shen Jieyu will eventually come out, and then you can deal with her.”

Upon hearing “protected so well by the Emperor,” Consort Wang’s anger, which had barely subsided, flared up again like pouring oil on a fire.

She casually grabbed a nearby teacup and hurled it forward with force.

The action was hasty and fierce, completely lacking her usual grace.

Coincidentally, the teacup landed right at Quan Minghe’s feet as he walked in.

With a loud crash, the teacup shattered on the ground.

Li Ming, who was beside him, was startled.

He hurriedly stepped in front of the Emperor.

“Boldly, protect His Majesty!”

Quan Minghe glanced at the broken teacup, not uttering a word.

Upon seeing that the newcomer was the Emperor, Consort Wang was immediately taken aback.

She quickly stood up, adjusted her clothes, and hurriedly walked forward to pay her respects.

“Your servant greets Your Majesty.”

The other palace maids were so frightened that they trembled and quickly knelt down, their heads lowered, not daring to make a sound.

“What is going on here?”

Quan Minghe scanned the chaotic hall.

Consort Wang rushed to stand in front of the Emperor.

Looking at the mess of porcelain shards on the ground, she discreetly gave a look to the maid behind her.

The maid, quick-witted, immediately understood and began to clean up the mess.

Consort Wang forced herself to remain calm, putting on a delicate façade.

She softly said, “Your Majesty, I was feeling quite bored just now and thought to break a few vases for fun. I didn’t expect to disturb Your Majesty, and I hope for your forgiveness.”

Quan Minghe merely fixed his gaze on her for a moment but said nothing.

He stepped forward toward the inner hall.

Consort Wang followed closely behind, her heart racing.

With the Emperor silent, she couldn’t grasp his mood.

Quan Minghe sat on a soft couch.

His facial features were sharp and defined, and he usually wore a stoic expression.

His ink-black eyes, deep and cold, always carried a chilling indifference that pierced through the hearts of others, yet no one could discern his thoughts.

Consort Wang had just tried to act spoiled, hoping to gloss over the incident.

If the Emperor had played along, it would mean he wasn’t angry.

Then she could continue to act coy and ingratiating in front of him as usual.

But at this moment, the Emperor remained silent, sitting quietly without leaving.

Consort Wang’s heart sank.

She couldn’t decipher the Emperor’s attitude.

She spoke carefully, “Your Majesty, you didn’t send word before your arrival. Dinner is nearing, and I shall send someone to the Imperial Kitchen to prepare the meal.”

Quan Minghe lazily lifted his eyes, glancing at Consort Wang.

She wore a gown of smoky silk, adorned with embroidered peonies that highlighted her fair complexion, complemented by exquisite makeup, making her alluring and captivating.

Shen Yuling also favored vibrant colors.

Every time he saw her, she wore dresses of different hues.

Red, as bright as the most brilliant flowers in spring, dazzling and striking.

Green, exuding a lively spirit.

Pink, delicate and charming, evoking affection.

Blue, clear and ethereal.

Purple, carrying a sense of allure.

Each color was worn by Shen Yuling in a way that showcased her unique charm and characteristics, making her unforgettable after just one glance.

From the first time he met her at Fanyin Temple, Quan Minghe was determined to bring her into the palace.

Even though he knew then that she was married to Feng Moheng, he suppressed the murderous intent within him.

Reflecting on this, Quan Minghe’s gaze darkened further.

Perhaps because of his favor for Consort Wang, people in the palace assumed he preferred bold, alluring women.

But in truth, Quan Minghe believed that no one could truly embody the cold and ethereal quality of white.

Until he invited Shen Yuling into the palace for the second time.

When she wore a white dress, he finally understood what “stunning” truly meant.

It was then that his desire to have her in the harem intensified.

He even felt that the previously set three-month waiting period for her entry into the palace was too long.

However, at that time, Quan Minghe thought his feelings toward women had never changed, even after experiencing many firsts with Shen Yuling.

He didn’t find Shen Yuling particularly special.

She was merely a pet more beautiful than all the others.

But after last night, when he couldn’t hold back and kissed Shen Yuling, it seemed that moment made him realize that this woman was indeed different in his heart.

Yet, Quan Minghe disliked this feeling.

To like someone meant losing control.

It meant having vulnerabilities.

It also meant many unknowns.

Each of these was enough to make Quan Minghe feel a deep-seated resistance.

Thus, today, feeling irritable after reviewing memorials, he came to Consort Wang.

Equally beautiful and headstrong, she loved vibrant colors.

If one person could replace another, then the so-called liking would mean nothing.

“Hmm, I will have dinner in Changle Palace tonight.”

Quan Minghe spoke indifferently.

“I brought you a dress; go try it on.”

After speaking, Quan Minghe signaled to Li Ming.

Li Ming immediately instructed a maid to respectfully present the dress.

Consort Wang’s face lit up immediately; the Emperor had personally brought her a dress.

Such a sweet gesture was something the Emperor had never done before.

Consort Wang glanced at the neatly stacked dress on the maid’s tray.

Alongside it were matching accessories and adornments, all meticulously prepared.

However, when Consort Wang saw the dress, her expression stiffened slightly.

Li Ming introduced it, “Your Highness, this is a recent tribute from a foreign country, called the Snow Lotus Feather Dress.”

“The fabric is extremely rare, and currently, there is none in the Qian Dynasty.”

Li Ming, having served the Emperor, was well-informed.

This type of fabric would only be introduced to the Qian Dynasty after trade routes reopened later in the year.

It was indeed a unique piece at this moment.

It seemed the Emperor still favored Consort Wang greatly.

Previously, when he saw this dress, he thought the Emperor might send it to Yaohua Palace.

After all, the last time Shen Jieyu wore the pearl snow gossamer robe, she had stunned the Emperor.

But unexpectedly, the Emperor personally brought the dress to Changle Palace.

Though Consort Wang felt that this white color didn’t quite suit her, she was still delighted upon hearing Li Ming’s explanation.

“Thank you, Your Majesty. I will change into the dress now; please wait a moment.”

Consort Wang smiled and hurriedly took the dress into the inner chamber to change.

Not long after, Consort Wang changed into the dress, looking at her reflection in the mirror.

She felt a mix of nervousness and worry.

“Yin Zhi, does this dress not match my makeup today?”

Consort Wang frowned.

“Your makeup is indeed a bit too vibrant. This palace gown gifted by the Emperor exudes a sense of cool elegance and nobility.”

Yin Zhi carefully examined her mistress’s makeup.

She suggested, “Why not redo your makeup?”

Consort Wang pursed her lips.

“Does the Emperor have the time to wait for me to change my makeup?”

Let alone the time it would take to wash off all her makeup, if the Emperor decided to leave before she finished, that would truly be a loss.

Moreover, when the Emperor left, she would have to pay her respects; would she really go to see him with half-finished makeup?

After pondering for a moment, Consort Wang decided to stick with her current makeup.

Though it didn’t quite match the dress, her face was still beautiful.

Didn’t the Emperor like her vibrant and captivating face?

Taking a deep breath, Consort Wang steadied her heart.

She stepped out gracefully.

“Your Majesty, I’m ready. This dress fits perfectly and feels soft and comfortable.”

Her voice was sweet.

Quan Minghe, sitting there, lifted his head upon hearing her voice.

His expression showed no change, still maintaining his usual cold and indifferent demeanor.

He rose from the soft couch and said blandly, “Let’s dine.”

Consort Wang was already accustomed to the Emperor’s lack of frivolous conversation and thus said nothing more.

Obediently, she followed the Emperor to the dining table.

Tonight, she was determined to have the Emperor stay in Changle Palace!