Chapter 576: Chapter 575: 575: All Misshapen Melons and Split Dates

The Emperor lowered his head, staring at the string of pearls, his mind filled with Concubine Jin’s beautiful face, and his heart ached.

…

The eunuch from the Evaluation Office stood in front of the Empress with a bowed head and a helpless expression.

“Did he not flip the tag again?” the Empress asked with a stern face.

The eunuch shook his head, “Your Highness, he only flipped it once since Concubine Jin passed away. But when the person was sent to him, he sent her back without favoring her…”

“Huh.” The Empress chuckled without a change of expression, “Our Emperor was a sentimental man when he was young, but who would have thought he’d become so infatuated now?”

The eunuch didn’t dare to join in the conversation.

The Empress asked, “Are there any in the harem who have not served him at night?”

“Your Highness, there should be. Among those who entered the palace in the last two years, there are still quite a few who have not even met his face,” the eunuch cautiously replied.

“You go and pick two with good looks, most importantly those that resemble Concubine Jin’s appearance, even if only in one aspect, and bring them to me.” The Empress gritted her teeth, “If this goes on, the Emperor won’t forget Concubine Jin, and his health will only get worse. You useless ones, sending those twisted and flawed ones here when I asked you to choose.”

The eunuch agreed repeatedly, “Your servant will do it immediately.”

The Empress closed her eyes, looking exhausted.

The lady-in-waiting served tea but didn’t dare to say more.

The Empress sighed, “His spirit has been getting worse day by day since the weather has turned cold. I’m really worried… Although the Crown Prince is quite capable, after all, he didn’t come from my womb. Oh, right—”

Her eyes opened, “How is Concubine Yu’s health?”

“I just asked the Imperial Physician. Concubine Yu is in good spirits, and the child in her womb is also very healthy. It should be within these few days,” the lady-in-waiting said softly, “I particularly reminded the Imperial Physician to take good care of her, not to let any accidents happen.”

The Empress relaxed a little, leaned back in her chair, and whispered, “I hope Concubine Yu’s womb will not disappoint us, and that she will give birth to a prince.”

The lady-in-waiting shook her head, “I don’t want to boast for others, but even if Concubine Yu gives birth to a young prince, he would still be too young. How could he be compared to the Crown Prince? Your Highness, you cannot put all your hopes on Concubine Yu’s womb. After all… Concubine Jin is gone, and in the future, you will still be the only Empress in the harem. It wouldn’t be worth it if you become estranged from the Crown Prince because of Concubine Yu.”

“I know the reasoning behind this.” The Empress frowned, “I always feel that the Crown Prince’s schemes run too deep. I am not his birth mother, after all, who knows how he will turn out once his power grows stronger?”

“You have a point,” the lady-in-waiting whispered, “Rather, the little ones are easier to control.”

The Empress glanced at her, “Who am I trying to control?”

The lady-in-waiting hurriedly knelt down, “I spoke out of turn, I deserve punishment!”

The Empress withdrew her gaze and said indifferently, “Whether it’s the Crown Prince or the one in Concubine Yu’s womb, they are both of the royal bloodline, and I, as their legal mother, will treat them equally. No matter what the matter is, the capable ones will handle it.”

“Your Highness is wise.”

“Recently, there have been no news from the East Palace,” the Empress suddenly said, “A while ago, the Princess Consort caused quite a stir in the harem. Why has she become quiet now?”

“She has no choice but to be quiet. Both the Emperor and the Crown Prince suspect that she has something to do with Concubine Jin’s death, and they have confined her,” the lady-in-waiting replied.

“Humph.”

The Empress didn’t say anything.

At this moment, the Empress’s trusted nanny entered the room, lifting the curtain. Hearing the words, she said disapprovingly, “Chi’er, you don’t know yet, but I just heard outside that the Emperor has allowed the Princess Consort to return to the Jiang Family.”