Chapter 203: Will There Be Joy?

What does it mean to have a Charismatic Physique?

It means appealing to both men and women.

People are easily drawn to her, willingly submitting and doing anything for her. Compared to others, she achieves twice the result with half the effort.

As the female lead, she should have the traits and luck of a heroine.

【However, I must remind the host that forging a physique is extremely special. One must ensure that no royal devotee shows disdain for the statue of you, as attributes can change. Even a Charismatic Physique can become disliked by many.】

Di Hongluan was unconcerned. The task was complete, and there was no more to worry about.

“Finally, the control of the plot is in my hands. From now on, watch me make my name rise and conquer the world.”

Di Hongluan remembered that in a few days, it would be the second day of the second lunar month.

Her birthday.

Every year, her birthday brought unusual phenomena, and she was often praised as a precious child of destiny.

Only last year had there been no such phenomena for some unknown reason.

This year, it shouldn’t be missing, right?

“Let’s see if I can shine on my birthday.” Di Jiaoyang shares the same birthday as her. If she outshines on this day, her fame would surpass that of Di Jiaoyang. Even as a princess, she could still rival a princess.

Di Jiaoyang may have the title of princess, but she doesn’t have the fortune of one!

—

The next morning, Concubine Rou woke up early, feeling the palace filled with floral fragrance that refreshed her spirit.

Her mind felt clearer than usual.

She was in a particularly good mood. “Protective talisman, protective talisman, I even dreamed of you last night.”

Concubine Rou put both talismans in a small pouch at her waist, planning to keep them with her at all times.

She saw the red-cloth doll by the chamber pot in the courtyard. After a night of wind and frost, the doll had fallen, looking like a tattered rag doll.

Upon closer inspection, it was reeking.

“Ugh—” Even Concubine Rou found it unbearable and nearly vomited. She waved her hand to disperse the stench. “So dirty and smelly, it’s disgusting.”

She wondered what kind of madness had possessed her to take this red-cloth doll from Concubine Hui.

The doll looked different from others; it was made of cloth, and though it was called a doll, it was covered with a layer of red cloth.

She didn’t know who designed it, but it seemed quite bizarre.

The doll had thick eyebrows and big eyes, resembling a girl, but it didn’t evoke any likability.

Concubine Rou decided to call a palace maid. “Throw this doll away, it’s too smelly!”

She preferred the protective talismans, clean and bright like the sun, radiating light and hope.

“Concubine Rou.” Early in the morning, Concubine Hui arrived at Concubine Rou’s palace to visit her.

Concubine Hui had entered the palace before Concubine Rou, and while their ranks were the same, they usually had little interaction.

—

Concubine Hui, with her serene demeanor, appeared dignified and composed, rarely smiling or laughing. Her actions were more steady and refined, reflecting her status as a true high-born daughter with a demeanor fitting of her station.

In contrast, Concubine Rou, being a daughter from a branch family, had a more boisterous and transparent personality. Her emotions were easily visible, and while she seemed sharp, she was not particularly clever.

Concubine Rou’s only advantage was that she had given birth to the Fifth Prince, and since the Emperor noticed she did not compete with others, she was once favored as a Concubine in the early years after entering the palace.

“How come you’re here?” Concubine Rou spoke directly, “Come in and sit. I’ve been worried lately about not having anyone to chat with.”

Concubine Hui: …

Concubine Rou, though straightforward and genuine, was not very sophisticated. In the palace, simple-minded people rarely lasted long.

Concubine Rou should be thankful that she had a son; otherwise, with her nature, she might have been cast aside into the cold palace many times by now.

“I heard that you haven’t been feeling well lately, so I came to see you. My mother recently brought some supplements, including ginseng, and I brought some for you. Concubine Rou, with the Fifth Prince not around, you should take good care of yourself.”

“Thank you, Concubine Hui. I don’t have anything good to give you in return right now. When I get out of the palace next time, I’ll get you a protective talisman.” Concubine Rou spoke honestly.

Palace friendships were rarely genuine.

Today’s adversary might become tomorrow’s ally. The truth and falsehood were fleeting and ephemeral.

Concubine Hui blinked, “A protective talisman?”

“Yes, the protective talismans from the Baihua Mountain Taoist Temple are very effective. You see, I feel so refreshed today, thanks to the protection of the talisman.” Concubine Rou firmly believed that deities were secretly protecting her, “Concubine Hui, you should believe in Buddhism, right?”

“I do believe, but as for talismans, my mother used to get them for me before I entered the palace, and they didn’t seem to do much.” The implication was that she didn’t care for talismans and preferred something else.

“Uh…” Concubine Rou was at a loss, “Perhaps the talismans you got before were fake, but the talismans from the Baihua Mountain Taoist Temple are hard to come by.”

“Haha, I’ve heard that too. It might just be rumors spread by people outside the palace. You know how some people exaggerate the rarity of things. Whether something is truly effective or not is known only to oneself.”

Concubine Rou acknowledged that Concubine Hui clearly did not want the talisman, so she didn’t press the issue.

“Speaking of protective talismans, I think there is something even more effective.”

Concubine Rou: “What is it?”

She currently only believed in talismans, especially those from the Taoist Baiyun Temple.

“Chun’er, show Concubine Rou the item.” Concubine Hui instructed.

Chun’er had been carrying a rather large pouch at her waist, which she opened for Concubine Rou to see.

Inside the pouch was a red-cloth doll.

Isn’t this the same doll she had just thrown away?

“Concubine Rou, I heard that you’ve been restless lately because you want to have another child?”

Concubine Rou: A daughter would be ideal, especially if she were as cute as Ah Bao.

“This doll is very effective. To be honest, I have been offering it for a long time. I thought you’ve been anxious lately, so I brought one for you. Keeping it will be much better than your talisman.”

“For me?” Concubine Rou was stunned. Concubine Hui was giving her a doll, and now Concubine Hui was offering one too.

“Yes, it’s a token of my goodwill. I hope your wishes come true.” Concubine Hui signaled Chun’er to take out the doll.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh—” Concubine Rou’s face changed instantly. She covered the table and started to vomit.

Concubine Hui sat up abruptly, her face shocked. “You… Concubine Rou, could you be pregnant?”

She panicked.

When Concubine De had a daughter, she emerged from the cold palace and became a favored Concubine.

If Concubine Rou had a daughter as well, then…

—