Translator: 549690339
After having tea, she lazily asked, âHas the Princess Consort of Yu not returned yet?â
âYour Highness, the Princess Consort of Yu has not yet returned.â
As they spoke, laughter from Jiang Ning could be heard outside. Concubine Jin looked up to see her chasing after the two little ones, laughing and chattering, their mouths calling out endearing nicknames like little sweetheart, little darling, and little stinker.
Concubine Jin turned her gaze away and casually picked up a book by her pillow, leaning back to read.
Not long after, footsteps were heard at the entrance.
Jiang Ning asked the palace maids outside, âHer Highness is still asleep, isnât she? I wonât disturb her rest; Iâll take the children home first and come back to the palace to pay my respects another day.â
She finished speaking in one breath and, without waiting for the palace maids to answer, she slipped away with the two children.
Palace Maid: â???â
They hadnât said anything!
Concubine Jin casually threw the book in her hand out and said coldly, âThat cheeky girl! She didnât even return my Phoenix Pendant after using it?â
The palace maid laughed and said, âMaybe sheâs just a young girl who hasnât seen the world before and took a liking to the pendantâs appearance. Rest assured, Your Highness; the Princess Consort of Yu knows her priorities and will return it after playing with it for a few days.â
âAnd if she doesnât return it, will you exchange your life for it?â
âYour Highness, this servantâs life is not worth that Phoenix Pendant.â The palace maid laughed, âWhen the Prince of Yu got married, didnât you say that you would give the Phoenix Pendant to the Princess Consort of Yu as a betrothal gift? Itâs a good thing she has it now, considering how filial she is to you. Please donât be angry.â
âThat girl is too cunning.â
âFortunately, she is your daughter-in-law and not the Empressâs daughter-in- law. Her cleverness does us no harm.â
âYouâve been won overby her, always speaking well of her.â
âYour Highness, the Prince, and the Princess Consort are all family, and all are masters of this servant. Whomever I favor, it makes no difference.â The palace maid laughed as she spoke.
Concubine Jin looked out and snorted, âTrying to run off? Magu, send someone to the Prime Ministerâs Mansion and have her send over some new dishes tomorrow. And make more of that Black Jade Tofu.â
The palace maid laughed, âThis servant will remember.â
From outside, the sharp voice of a eunuch could be heard, âThe Emperor has arrived â
Concubine Jin thought for a moment and then stood.
As the Emperor walked in with his hands on his back and saw her standing at the door to greet him, he was somewhat flattered, âIs my beloved consort not feeling well somewhere?â
Concubine Jinâs face turned cold, âIâm perfectly fine.â
There was no cursing when they first met.
The Emperor quickly realized his mistake and offended the beauty. He hurriedly followed with a smile, âI have been busy all morning and am quite dizzy. My beloved consort hasnât had lunch yet, has she? I have specially ordered lunch to be brought here so that we can have it together.â
âIâm not hungry.â
âZhuzhu, you must eat well. You see, youâve become so thin from hunger.â The Emperorâs face was full of concern.
Concubine Jin said indifferently, âI canât even fit into the skirt I wore last month.â
The Emperor: â⦠Those are old clothes that donât suit this monthâs Zhuzhu.â
âYour Majesty, Iâve gained weight.â
âHave you? Why canât I see it? Who are those damned servants who said that?â
âWith the Princess Consort of Yu sending food every now and then, how could I not gain weight?â
âThat Princess Consort of Yu is indeed filial. However, I donât approve of such behavior. Tomorrow I will send someone to talk to her. She shouldnât be sending her messy food to the court when sheâs idle!â
Concubine Jin said indifferently, âYour Majesty, havenât you almost given away everything in your study for those messy meals of hers?â