Chapter 703: Chapter 702: 702: Greedily Craving

Jiang Ning didn’t expect the Emperor to be so impatient, summoning Princess Zhenming to his bedchamber that very night.

Seeing the pity and lament on Jiang Ning’s face, Concubine Yu laughed softly, “Princess Consort, why do you feel sorry for her? She’s just a foreign woman.”

“Just a pawn being used,” Jiang Ning said, “But, on the other hand, which of the women here isn’t a pawn?”

Concubine Yu laughed, “Indeed, she may be resplendent and lovely like a spring flower today, but in just a few days, her novelty will wear off, and the Emperor will cast her aside as he has done to the rest of us, leaving her to languish here in the palace with the rest of us resentful concubines.”

Jiang Ning looked at her.

Concubine Yu laughed, “What’s with that look, Princess Consort?”

“I didn’t expect you to be so insightful.”

“In your eyes, I’m probably the kind of foolish person who only has beauty but no brains, right?” Concubine Yu laughed, “Princess Consort is very intelligent, but you have to know that most men don’t like women who are too clever. At least, they don’t like their women to be smarter than they are.”

“That’s true. Stupid women are easier to tame.”

“Actually, I can tell that your relationship with the Crown Prince isn’t very good.” Since Concubine Yu had openly allied herself with Jiang Ning, she spoke more candidly, “Now that there’s such a beauty like Jin Liangyuan, you’d better be careful not to lose the Crown Prince’s heart.”

Jiang Ning laughed, “Concubine Yu, you’d better think about how to compete with Concubine Ya for the Emperor’s favor. It’s been a while since you’ve been summoned to his bedchamber since giving birth to the Sixth Imperial Prince, hasn’t it?”

This struck a nerve with Concubine Yu, who scoffed quietly and said, “To tell you the truth, our Emperor doesn’t really like sharing a bed with women who’ve given birth.”

“Really? I’m not so sure about that.”

“I know you’re thinking about Concubine Jin. She’s the exception. Over the years, the concubines who have given birth to princes and princesses in the palace have had their bedchamber summons few and far between.” With a sigh, Concubine Yu shifted her still delicate body.

At the prime of her life, how could she not crave the joys of love after having tasted them?

But the Emperor’s energy was limited, and there were too many women in the harem. A large portion had been taken by Concubine Jin earlier. Now that she was gone, the Emperor was suddenly worn out.

Still, she could not get a share.

Deep palace loneliness – the phrase was truly not just said for show.

However, with the arrival of Princess Zhenming, the Emperor had finally favored a concubine again. No matter what, it was good news, as it at least indicated that the Emperor’s health was still robust.

Once he grew tired of Concubine Ya, it would naturally be the turn of the other concubines.

Having spoken these words herself, Concubine Yu seemed to feel a little sad and fell silent. The smile on her face gradually faded.

Jiang Ning handed her a handful of melon seeds, “It’s the New Year, don’t think about unhappy things.”

Concubine Yu lowered her head and saw a small handful of golden melon seeds in her palm. She pinched one and put it in her mouth.

Her eyes lit up, “So fragrant and crispy. I’ve never had melon seeds like this before. And no need to crack them, which gets your teeth all dirty.”

Jiang Ning laughed, “They’re crab-roe flavored melon seeds, I made them myself, fearing that the kids might damage their teeth while cracking the shells. However, the maids peeled them one by one.”

By ‘them’, she was referring to the young palace maids.

Concubine Yu gobbled them up in one breath and, still unsatisfied, searched through her purse, “Give me another handful.”

Amused, Jiang Ning handed over the rest of them.

“Princess Consort, what are you eating? I want some too.” A rather weak and faint voice reached their ears.