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As they walked halfway, Mei Shuang spotted a group of people approaching from a distance, with several maidservants and eunuchs flanking a graceful woman in the center. Dressed in light green, her hair styled high, it was clear from her demeanor that she held a significant position.
Consort Chen had initially thought she would be summoned by the Emperor tonight, but unexpectedly encountered an obstacle along the way. Unable to swallow her frustration, she decided to see for herself which audacious person dared to encroach upon her favor. Little did she know, she would run into them in the Imperial Garden.
As dusk approached, the sharp-eyed Consort Chen soon spotted the Emperor and noticed the slender figure beside him. However, the distance was too great for her to clearly identify which bold woman it was.
The eunuch beside her took a moment to recognize the figure and also found it unfamiliar, which only deepened Consort Chen's confusion. With Queen Meiru no longer present, she naturally held the highest rank in the palace; who would dare to cause trouble under her watch?
When they were at just the right distance, Consort Chen respectfully greeted Xiao Luo with her uniquely sweet voice before sizing up the woman next to him.
Upon closer inspection, Consort Chen was taken aback; wasn't this Deposed Empress Mei Shuang? It had only been a few days since she had emerged from the Cold Palace and was now openly accompanying the Emperor.
Although Consort Chen had a fiery temperament, she managed to maintain her composure in front of Mei Shuang. She smiled slightly at Mei Shuang, who stood beside the Emperor with her glossy black eyes assessing her.
To be honest, Consort Chen had looked down on the proud Mei Shuang before. You are the daughter of the Left Chancellor, while I am the daughter of the Right Chancellor; how could you possibly be worthy of being Empress of the Great Qin Empire? Thus, on Mei Shuang's wedding day, when she was cast into the Cold Palace before even settling into Weiyang Palace, Consort Chen found it utterly amusing.
While Consort Chen didn't have much of an impression of Mei Shuang before, seeing her now made recognition instant. During her prayers for the Empress Dowager at Dazhao Temple, among all of Xiao Luo's consorts, this woman alone had carried herself with an air of arrogance as if looking down on everyone.
So this is Consort Chen, Mei Shuang thought to herself while returning a smile to Consort Chen.
After exchanging pleasantries, Xiao Luo nodded and moved on without saying another word to Consort Chen.
Staring blankly at their receding figures—one tall and imposing, the other graceful—Consort Chen felt a pang in her heart and quickly coughed into her silk handkerchief to mask her emotions before hastily returning to the palace.
Along the way, one of Consort Chen's maidservants expressed indignation, "I wondered why Queen Meiru had disappeared recently; it turns out Deposed Empress Mei Shuang has made a comeback. It seems that this sister's meekness is utterly useless."
Upon hearing "comeback," Consort Chen felt even more frustrated.
She really wanted to say which crow's mouth had spoken the words "Deposed Empress Mei Shuang" that turned the tables, but suddenly remembered that she was the one who had said it first, leaving her to stew in her own frustration.
Although she had heard that Mei Shuang had been seen in the palace recently, accompanying the Emperor, and she had even shared this "important" news with Queen Meiru at the time, the current situation was evident. The illegitimate daughter ultimately could not compete with the legitimate daughter, and now even Mei Ru's whereabouts were unknown. It was strange; she hadn't seen Deposed Empress Mei Shuang for some time, so why had she suddenly reappeared?
"Go find out where she is staying. Where has the Emperor taken her?"
When Xiao Luo returned, he showed no intention of leaving and even asked Mei Shuang if there was any Sour Plum Soup left.
After offering up the last bowl of soup, Mei Shuang looked outside and subtly asked the Emperor if he was tired, implying that if he was, he should head back soon.
Xiao Luo deliberately twisted Mei Shuang's words and replied, "Indeed, after a busy day, I am quite tired..."
"Alright then, since Your Majesty is tired, you should return to rest early," Mei Shuang said understandingly.
"Oh, I am not tired..." Xiao Luo glanced at Mei Shuang, a hint of meaning flashing in his dark eyes.
Mei Shuang stared at this Sovereign whose words seemed contradictory and didn't know how to respond next. However, she could still see something unusual in his deep gaze.
In the next moment, she was enveloped by a strong masculine presence, and before this utterly irresistible man, her hand weakly shook a few times before surrendering...
Previously, when Mei Shuang had been in a state of confusion due to poison, her body had acted purely on instinct. But now she was fully awake; the situation was entirely different.
Mei Shuang hadn't expected that this usually icy man could actually show some charm; at least this time he was taking the initiative while she found herself in a passive position.
Of course, regardless of who took the initiative or who was passive, they ended up entangled together...
The actual situation of that night fully validated Xiao Luo's statement of being "trapped" yet not "tired."
When the peak of ecstasy arrived, Mei Shuang gazed at the cold face before her while still thinking to herself that the saying was indeed very philosophical: sex and love can still be separated.
In her black-and-white eyes, a mesmerizing light flickered, exuding charm. Her slim waist was smooth and delicate, her curves distinct, and there was an irresistible moan escaping her throat. The sound was sweet to the ears and intoxicating to the bones. Xiao Luo stared at the rich expressions on her creamy face, suddenly filled with an indescribable sense of happiness.
Until nearly the fourth watch, when Li Gonggong outside urged for the morning court session, Xiao Luo finally turned to look at Mei Shuang, who had just fallen asleep.
Mei Shuang rested her head on his arm, her long hair spread across the pillow. Her rosy face bore a beautiful frown, and she was only lightly covered by a sheer cloth. Her back curved softly and perfectly, curled up like a lazy cat.
Xiao Luo gazed at Mei Shuang for a while in a daze before carefully trying to withdraw his arm. However, in her sleep, Mei Shuang moved and tightly hugged his arm again, finding a comfortable position before settling down with a satisfied "smack" sound.
Xiao Luo was momentarily stunned and smiled bitterly. He thought for a moment and then whispered through the beaded curtain to Li Gonggong outside, "Today I feel somewhat fatigued; I will attend the morning court later."
The usually diligent emperor surprisingly arrived late for the morning court, coming from the back garden.
Consort Chen felt an overwhelming sense of frustration upon hearing this shocking news. Even several concubines chatting in Consort Chen Palace were taken aback.
Everyone had different expressions; one concubine looked dejected and sighed softly, "Alas, the Empress Dowager always teaches us not to seduce the emperor; I wonder if this counts..."
Her words jolted Consort Chen awake from her reverie. Jealousy was evident on her face as she snorted through her nose, "Well then, Consort Su, you go report this to the Empress Dowager..."
Consort Su knew that speaking too much could lead to trouble; she looked sullen but did not dare to say "no."
However, deep down, she disagreed. What right did she have to seek trouble in front of the Empress Dowager? That seductress had not been abandoned even after such disgraceful incidents; she had been preserved with great effort and prevented from being gossiped about within the palace. Wasn't that to allow her a chance to rise again? Who said that now Deposed Empress Mei Shuang's rise wasn't at the Empress Dowager's behest or tacit approval? The key factor was the emperor's attitude.
With Consort Su's insightful explanation, everyone suddenly understood.
"What about the Emperor's attitude?" Consort Chen recalled the Emperor's indifference towards her during their last meeting, feeling furious. "Isn't the Emperor's attitude obvious?"
With that, the concubines fell silent once again.
Consort Chen pointed at the concubines in front of her with a handkerchief, disdainfully saying, "In the past, I thought you were all quite capable outside the palace, but now that I've come inside, it truly makes me angry. Tell me, who has received the Emperor's favor? You, you, and you—I'm afraid the Emperor can't even remember your names! Originally, his grace was scarce, and now with that seductress being favored so much, you all have no hope of rising again..."
Several concubines were scolded sharply by Consort Chen, sweating profusely and not daring to speak.
"But everyone knows that the Emperor only has eyes for Chu Xiruo... Has the Emperor changed his mind?" Consort Su said pitifully.
Mentioning Chu Xiruo, Consort Chen snorted, "I fear that even if Chu Xiruo is here now, it won't make a difference..."
Meanwhile, still lost in her dreams, Mei Shuang was unaware that she had already fallen into the whirlpool of gossip among the palace concubines. When she finally woke up, she heard someone outside waiting to see her.
Lin Tian'er looked at the drowsy Mei Shuang, her eyes filled with playful mischief. "Hey, Lin Shoutong, were you exhausted last night?"
Mei Shuang scoffed, "When did you learn to be so slick with your words? Be careful or you won't get married."
Lin Tian'er chuckled heartily. "Birds of a feather flock together; why is it that those close to you become so smooth-tongued? Anyway, on to business—there's an old friend waiting to see you outside."
"An old friend?" Could there really be someone from her past in this vast palace?
After finishing her morning routine, Mei Shuang finally saw this so-called old friend in the hall.
With her hair elegantly styled and dressed in a vibrant green outfit cinched at the waist with a jade belt, she exuded a striking aura despite being a woman.
“Kuranami Miyako?” Mei Shuang asked in surprise.
Having been accustomed to seeing Kuranami Miyako dressed in black, the sudden change was a bit jarring.
Kuranami Miyako had been waiting outside for nearly an hour. Although it was clear that this visitor was anxious, no one dared to disturb the sleeping Mei Shuang, as the Emperor had instructed that her rest must be ensured.
Upon seeing Mei Shuang, Kuranami Miyako quickly wiped away her worries and stepped forward to bow respectfully, her demeanor humble, a stark contrast to the arrogance she had displayed when she had previously taken her hostage.
Mei Shuang hurriedly stepped forward to support her. “What brings you here?”
Kuranami Miyako's gaze flickered as she bit her lip. Mei Shuang immediately understood and, after everyone else had withdrawn, reassured her, “It's alright. If you feel uncomfortable, we can converse in your Eastern Language.”
Kuranami Miyako nodded. “That would be best.”
She briefly outlined the current situation in the Eastern Kingdom. Although following Mei Shuang's advice to return early had quelled the internal strife, the current state of affairs was grim, with troubles both at home and abroad. The Jiu Rang Family was indeed in dire straits.
The secret of the curse plaguing the Eastern Kingdom had already been uncovered, and she had come here to ask Mei Shuang if there were any solutions left to explore.
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