Something's Off About Concubine Rou - Chapter 4

The good news: court affairs had kept Li Yuanxiu so busy lately that he had no time to visit the inner palace, much less favor Concubine Rou.

The bad news: ever since that night in the Hall of Phoenix Grace, she had attached herself to me.

The worse news: Concubine Rou and Consort De had become sworn enemies.

“My, Sister De, why are you rushing to the Hall of Phoenix Grace so early in the morning? At your age, you really should get more beauty sleep.”

Her voice arrived before she did.

One moment, Consort De was holding her cup, chatting and laughing with me. The next, at the sound of that voice, she slammed it onto the table in fury.

My heart hurt. My lovely patterned glass cup…

Seeing my expression only made Consort De angrier.

She snorted. “Still fretting over that wretched cup? Your darling little sister is practically walking all over me, and you won’t do a thing about it!”

I pursed my lips and finally looked up.

A graceful figure passed through the hanging curtain of pearls and came before me.

“Greetings, Your Majesty.”

Before I could speak, Consort De folded her arms and sneered. “Have you just come back from the imperial garden, little sister? Why does it sound as though you’ve still got a bird caught in your throat?”

Concubine Rou’s smile stiffened. She narrowed her eyes at Consort De.

Their gazes met as though they might fight on the spot.

With the tension drawn so tight, I hastily tried to smooth things over.

“Don’t say that. Concubine Rou merely has a softer voice. That description is rather—”

Consort De turned and glared at me before I could finish.

Fine, fine. I wouldn’t say another word.

I turned back to Concubine Rou. “Consort De is only two years older than you. Don’t say anything so rude again.”

Concubine Rou didn’t argue. She lowered her head with delicate meekness, revealing a stretch of flawless white neck.

“I was wrong. I’ll do whatever Your Majesty says.”

Crack.

That was the sound of a patterned glass cup being crushed in a bare hand.

I turned my head shakily. Consort De’s eyes looked ready to spit fire.

Grinding her back teeth, she forced the words out one by one.

“Little. Fake. Innocent.”

At last, I’d sent those two formidable presences, Consort De and Concubine Rou, away. Then a maid came to announce that Li Yuanxiu had arrived.

My vision went dark.

Not a moment’s peace.

He looked somewhat haggard and came into the Hall of Phoenix Grace with a sigh.

Unwelcome though I found him, I still had duties as empress. I feigned ignorance and asked,

“Is something troubling Your Majesty?”

Li Yuanxiu shook his head. “Ah, reports have come from the frontier. The Xiongnu have repeatedly violated our borders and clashed with our subjects there. They seem to be looking for a chance to invade the Central Plains. It troubles me greatly.”

He’d never discussed such things with me before. I wasn’t like the other consorts, who would try to help ease his concerns.

I was wooden-headed. He knew that.

So he must have come because he wanted something else from me.

I followed his lead. “Then what can I do?”

He answered at once. “The civil officials are divided into three factions. One believes we should attack the Xiongnu first. Another believes we should hold our position and wait for the right moment. The third, led by the chancellor, remains neutral and offers no opinion.”

“And what does Your Majesty believe we should do?” I asked.

Li Yuanxiu made a show of considering it, then frowned. “War brings chaos and leaves the people homeless. I cannot bear it.”

So he didn’t want to fight.

“If the empress could persuade the chancellor… with his prestige at court, I would no longer be caught so awkwardly in the middle.”

I nodded, smiling without warmth. “I shall certainly do my utmost.”

After years in the palace, the one thing I’d learned was to agree to everything first.

Whether I could actually do it was another matter.

The emperor looked very pleased. Taking my hand, he said,

“My empress understands me best after all. I haven’t visited you lately; you don’t resent me, do you? Very well. I won’t leave today. I’ll stay in the Hall of Phoenix Grace and keep you company.”

I fought the urge to pull my hand away.

At those words, my smile stiffened further.

I’d already agreed to help you. Why were you repaying kindness with cruelty?