Quick Transmigration: The Rise of a Favored Concubine

Chapter 74 The Wife-Killing, Childless Emperor and His Beloved Concubine 9

Chu Yue returned to the Jade Jade Palace in low spirits, lay on the chaise longue, and her eyes were red.

Her slender back swayed slightly, and faint sobs could be heard.

Xiao Tao was startled when she came in. She had just helped Zhaoyi return from the Empress Dowager's place and had only gone out to fetch a pot of tea when she suddenly started crying.

"Consort Zhao, what's wrong? Don't cry." For the past month or so, who dared to let Consort Zhao suffer any injustice?

Even His Majesty dotes on Consort Zhao, giving her whatever she wants. Even without her asking, a constant stream of rewards comes her way.

I'm just going to pay my respects today. The Empress Dowager usually likes Consort Zhao. Could it be that she has been wronged?

"It's my fault. I've served His Majesty for so long, yet I haven't conceived..."

Chu Yue sobbed incessantly, her eyes brimming with tears. It had only been a little over a month; how could it have gone by so quickly?

Xiao Tao then realized why Consort Zhao was feeling wronged. Since Consort Zhao was His Majesty's only woman, the Empress Dowager was naturally keeping a close eye on Consort Zhao's pregnancy.

But who can decide such a thing?

"Consort Zhao, don't cry, His Majesty will be here soon."

His Majesty comes to Yuyao Palace every day. With lunchtime approaching, His Majesty left a message this morning saying that he would come and have lunch with Consort Zhao.

Chu Yue finally stopped crying, choking back sobs, and Xiao Tao helped her to the inner room to tidy up.

"Your eyes are swollen, Consort Zhao. Don't think too much. The Empress Dowager is just worried." Xiao Tao comforted her softly.

His Majesty is of a certain age and did not have a woman before, but now that he does, the Empress Dowager is naturally anxious.

"Hmm..." Chu Yue nodded, her eyes still red, looking extremely pitiful.

Xiao Tao used a handkerchief dampened with cold water to gently wipe Chu Yue's delicate skin. She couldn't use too much force, and even though Xiao Tao's movements were very gentle, the result was that Chu Yue's eyes became even redder.

"That's fine, I'll rest for a bit..." The more she rubbed, the redder it got.

"Alright, Consort Zhao, let me help you out to rest for a while."

"Mmm." Chu Yue nodded, her eyes a little sore.

As soon as the two entered the outer room, they saw the emperor sitting imposingly on the chaise longue.

Chu Yue and Xiao Tao were startled and quickly bowed in greeting: "Greetings to Your Majesty..."

Why didn't anyone report this?

"Get up." The emperor had come to have lunch with her. He felt that he was having a very good time with Consort Chu by his side for the past month or so.

He was in a good mood every day. He had finished dealing with his business today, so he came early without letting anyone report to him. He wanted to see what Consort Chu was doing.

They had been sitting there for quite a while before these two finally came out.

"Thank you, Your Majesty..."

Xiao Tao sensibly turned and left.

"Come here," the emperor beckoned. He had come early so that Consort Chu could spend more time with him. What was she doing standing there with her head down?

Chu Yue stepped forward gently, bowed her head, and whispered, "Your Majesty..."

"Raise your head," the emperor said in a deep voice. What's wrong with you today? You haven't looked at me at all.

Chu Yue trembled slightly, bit her lip, and raised her head. Her eyes were still red, and she looked at the emperor with some trepidation.

Only then did the emperor notice her reddened eyes. His heart skipped a beat, and he asked in a hoarse voice, "Have you been crying?"

"No... I didn't cry..." Chu Yue said in a trembling voice, then lowered her head again.

The emperor's presence was incredibly imposing; just sitting there made people extremely nervous.

The emperor reached out and pinched her chin, applying slight pressure. Chu Yue raised her head, her eyelashes trembling with panic.

"Does Consort Chu intend to deceive the Emperor?" the Emperor asked in a deep voice.

Chu Yue's legs went weak, and she wanted to kneel down to beg for forgiveness, but as soon as she made a move, the emperor pulled her up and placed her on his lap.

He held her waist with one hand and pinched her chin with the other, his deep black eyes looking at her.

With nowhere to hide, Chu Yue whispered fearfully, "This concubine dares not... This concubine has already cried..."

"What is it about?" As his only woman, Consort Chu held a position of great importance in the harem, second only to the Empress Dowager.

What else is there to cry about?

Did she feel wronged by serving him? So she secretly hid and cried.

The emperor was almost blinded by the bliss of these days, and now he suddenly remembered that Consort Chu was much younger than him. He was already over thirty, while Consort Chu was only in the prime of her youth.

Seeing the emperor's face grow darker and darker, Chu Yue was terrified and didn't know what to do. Was he angry because she wasn't pregnant yet?

"Your Majesty... Your concubine... Your concubine is incompetent, please forgive me."

Chu Yue was so frightened that she burst into tears.

The emperor frowned. Why was she apologizing? Serving him was her greatest skill.

"Speak! What exactly happened!" The authority of the superior was revealed once again.

He couldn't figure it out no matter how much he guessed.

"Your Majesty... The Empress Dowager has ordered Imperial Physician Wang to examine my pulse... to see if I am pregnant."

"This concubine is incompetent..." Chu Yue bit her lip, tears streaming down her face.

What's the point of urging her alone?

The Empress Dowager...

The emperor was helpless. His mother was so anxious. How long had Consort Chu been serving him?

This little girl must be terrified. Her mother is putting so much pressure on her; no wonder she's hiding and crying.

"Alright, this isn't urgent, stop crying." Although the emperor was also a little anxious, what was the point of making things difficult for Consort Chu?

Chu Yue sobbed incessantly, her body trembling, looking pitiful and helpless.

The emperor naturally felt sorry for Consort Chu, who had served him for so long. She had never made a mistake, was considerate and sensible, and never caused any trouble.

"I'll try my best, okay?" The emperor patted her on the back.

Chu Yue didn't react to his words for a moment. After a moment of stunned silence, she stopped crying out of embarrassment.

"Your Majesty...you..."

"Stop crying?" The emperor held her and comforted her for a while before letting her go.

Chu Yue stopped crying, but her eyes were still red, making her look like a little rabbit.

The emperor felt like he was raising a pet, and affectionately pinched her cheek.

After lunch, the emperor coaxed Chu Yue to sleep before leaving.

He arrived at Anning Palace.

The Empress Dowager was preparing for her afternoon nap when she saw the Emperor arrive, and her spirits immediately lifted.

"Your subject greets Your Majesty."

"Chen'er, what brings you here? Have you eaten?" The Empress Dowager looked very well; as long as her son was well, she was well too.

"This is what your son uses in the Jade Jade Palace. I'm coming from there to pay my respects to Your Majesty."

The emperor spoke frankly.

"Consort Chu serves you well; with her attending to you, Mother can rest assured."

The Empress Dowager said softly.

"Mother, Consort Chu is still young, there is no rush to have children."

The emperor stated the purpose of his visit that day.

The Empress Dowager was taken aback: "What did Consort Chu say?"

"Mother, it's only been a little over a month, and Consort Chu is terrified."

Wasn't Consort Chu personally chosen by the Empress Dowager? Why is she being pressured so urgently now?

"Chen'er, your mother doesn't mean anything by it. Consort Chu has been serving you for over a month now. If she is pregnant, it would be good to find out early so that she can take good care of you."

“You’re not a child anymore. When your mother says she’s not in a hurry, she’s lying to you, Chen’er. Your mother is only doing this for your own good.”

The Empress Dowager almost pleaded with him, saying that the Emperor had forgotten his mother after getting a wife. She had only asked the imperial physician to take Consort Chu's pulse, and now she was standing up for Consort Chu.

Previously, she worried that the emperor wouldn't interact with women. Now, she worries that he's spending too much time on one woman. The Empress Dowager truly has endless worries.

"Mother, this matter cannot be rushed," Consort Chu said, hiding and crying in fear.

The Emperor felt a pang of sadness at the sight of Consort Chu's pitiful, red-rimmed eyes.

"It seems Consort Chu is of great concern to you. Fine, I won't interfere anymore. You can handle it yourself. I need to rest. You may go back now."

They're an eyesore here, and nothing they say is something she wants to hear.

"Your Majesty... Your son takes his leave." The emperor hesitated for a moment, but finally left Anning Palace.

"That heartless brat," the Empress Dowager muttered.

Jinxiu smiled helplessly and helped her into the inner hall.