Chapter 49 – Ancient Era: A Dance to Enchant the City—The Emperor’s Celestial Fairy (19)
A few days later, the Empress Dowager summoned several ministers’ daughters into the palace.
The Emperor and Empress had only just been married, yet the Empress Dowager was already calling other young women into the palace. It was obvious that she had reservations about the Empress.
Throughout history, emperors had always been known for favoring the new and neglecting the old. If the Empress Dowager disapproved of the current Empress, then it was only a matter of time before he fell out of favor. And when that happened, these ministers’ daughters would have their chance.
Those officials whose daughters had been chosen secretly rejoiced at the opportunity.
But what exactly was the Empress Dowager planning?
At first, she had assumed Bai Tang would be the typical “demonic consort” who would manipulate the Emperor into making foolish mistakes. So, in a fit of anger, when the imperial couple failed to visit her after their wedding, she had issued a secret decree.
Luckily, it had been a secret decree. The Empress Dowager now felt relieved—otherwise, who knew how heartbroken Bai Tang would have been?
After spending a few days with him, she had come to genuinely like the child.
The air in Cishou Palace was thick with the fragrance of incense and perfume, as a group of young noblewomen surrounded the Empress Dowager.
The moment Bai Tang stepped inside, the overwhelming mix of scents nearly made him sneeze.
“Your son greets the Empress Dowager.” Bai Tang greeted her respectfully, bowing with proper etiquette.
The noble ladies quickly stepped aside. They had yet to officially enter the palace, and even if they did, unless they secured the position of Empress, they would be unworthy of receiving a bow from the Emperor’s consort.
“Tang Tang, come here.” The Empress Dowager beckoned warmly. “I have a century-old ginseng root for you. Take it back and use it to nourish yourself properly.”
The poor child—she had heard that he had fallen into the water a few days ago and had been sick ever since. Just look at him, his little face had grown thinner.
“Thank you, Mother.” Bai Tang tilted his head slightly and smiled, his eyes curving into crescent moons.
The Empress Dowager truly treated him well—there was always something to eat, something to take, and even something to play with.
If only she didn’t have the habit of pinching his cheeks from time to time, it would have been perfect.
“Do you have enough servants? Later, I’ll arrange for a few more meticulous ones for you. There’s no need to keep those careless and inattentive ones.”
So…adorable.
If it weren’t for the number of people present and her need to maintain her image, the Empress Dowager would have loved to pinch this little cutie’s cheeks.
“N-no need, they’re all fine.”
Bai Tang had been in the palace for several days and was no longer completely ignorant of its workings. He understood that when the Empress Dowager spoke of “changing servants,” it wasn’t as simple as just swapping people. Those dismissed would face palace caning—a brutal punishment. If they survived, they would be expelled from the palace. If they didn’t… their bodies would simply be dragged away.
“The Empress is truly kind-hearted. We sisters will be sure to get along well with him once we enter the palace.”
A tactless young woman stepped forward and spoke with false sweetness, though the malice in her eyes was unmistakable.
“Enter the palace?”
Bai Tang’s face darkened instantly.
His heart twisted with conflicting emotions. Liar.
He said he only wanted me… but it was all a lie.
Sweeping his gaze over the assembled women, he took in their varying figures—slender, curvy, delicate, elegant. Jiang Liangwu sure has good fortune, doesn’t he? So many beauties, all different types.
“Ahem.”
Sensing Bai Tang’s displeasure, the Empress Dowager felt a little guilty. Anyone would be upset if they had just been newly married and already heard their husband was taking concubines.
“It was I who summoned them to the palace.”
Taking Bai Tang’s hand, the Empress Dowager spoke earnestly. “Tang Tang, a dwindling imperial bloodline is not a good thing. Only by expanding our lineage can the empire flourish and prosper.”
Bai Tang understood the logic, but that didn’t mean he could accept it.
Suppressing the bitterness in his chest, he lowered his head and said quietly, “I understand, Mother.”
The noble ladies below listened to the exchange between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor’s consort, joy lighting up their faces. If even the Empress consort had accepted this, then their entrance into the palace was as good as sealed.
“Why is it that I seem to have acquired a group of concubines without my knowledge?”
Jiang Liangwu’s voice rang out as he stepped into Cishou Palace.
He had come straight here after court, only to see Bai Tang looking visibly upset.
As soon as he entered, the noblewomen subtly adjusted their postures and smoothed their gowns, eager to present their most perfect selves to the Emperor.
“Your Majesty, we humbly greet you.”
A chorus of sweet, delicate voices rang out, honeyed to the point of excess.
The young woman who had spoken earlier stood boldly at the front, taking the most prominent position.
She stepped forward and said confidently, “The Empress Dowager issued an imperial decree eight days ago, summoning us to the palace to accompany both Your Majesty and the Empress Dowager.”
Jiang Liangwu’s gaze swept over to the Empress Dowager, who nearly choked on air.
Yes, she had issued a decree.
But she had merely invited these noblewomen to keep her company—not to interfere with the Emperor and Empress’s relationship. The imperial couple had just been married—she would never be so reckless as to openly stir trouble between them at this time. If any of these young women ended up as concubines, it would be because the Emperor himself took notice of them, not because she was pushing them into his arms.
And yet, this foolish girl had the audacity to imply that she had personally arranged it all…
She would never select a troublemaker like this to become the Emperor’s consort!
Author’s Note:
A mix of drama and sweetness—today is still a sugar-filled day~