Chapter 1977: Rather Than Dragging Out Such an Ignoble Existence

After figuring this out, Noble Lady Zhou no longer felt so burdened. The system was only an algorithm composed of data. There would inevitably be times when it lacked a script for a particular emergency.

In this inner palace, keeping a low profile didn’t mean one could evade all unwanted incidents.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

Rather than dragging out such an ignoble existence, it would be better to be flamboyant. What could the other women with misgivings do?

The nation and the inner palace were both Zhao Xu’s. Whatever matter was brought up, he had the final say.

Noble Lady Zhou looked at Zhao Xu with a face full of tenderness, her eyes expressing various lingering emotions. It made those who saw it feel especially moved.

“Your Majesty, this concubine made you an embroidered sachet. Inside the sachet are flowers and plants to calm and sharpen the mind.” Noble Lady Zhou stood up and went to the dressing table to take out a pouch from a small box.

“Oh…” Zhao Xu received the pouch which was embroidered with vivid and lifelike bamboo. It looked refreshing and elegant. Beside it, a poem with two lines was embroidered: ‘Deep in the forest no one else knows, until the bright moon looks down’.

Zhao Xu’s brows raised when he saw the two line poem. “Until the bright moon looks down?”

“Beloved concubine, do you feel that I have neglected you?” Zhao Xu asked.

“This concubine didn’t mean this at all. I only wish for Your Majesty to know that this concubine often misses and thinks of Your Majesty.” Noble Lady Zhou looked at Zhao Xu with deep love.

“I accept it.” As Zhao Xu hung the embroidered pouch on his waist, Noble Lady Zhou’s smile became more brilliant.

“I’ll be leaving first. I’ll come over again at night.” Zhao Xu touched Noble Lady Zhou’s face, his smile clear and bright, before taking his leave.

As soon as Zhao Xu was gone, Noble Lady Zhou released a lengthy sigh and told the maid beside her, “Take everything on the table away.”

The maid was astonished. “My lady, you haven’t dined at all.”

“I don’t have the appetite to do so, take it away.” Noble Lady Zhou waved her hand.

The maid’s expression was strange. She covertly glanced at Noble Lady Zhou as packed up. Could that person really be a demon? How could she not eat anything? When she did eat, she ate very little.

After that, it was spread all around the palace that Noble Lady Zhou was a demon. She had no need to eat, and when she did, she ate very little. Since demons could cultivate, they didn’t need to eat at all.

Ning Shu: …

Ning Shu couldn’t help bursting into laughter. It seemed that there were a lot of spies in Noble Lady Zhou’s palace.

Since Zhao Xu only visited her palace, the others couldn’t even have a taste. The women of the inner palace reached a tacit agreement to deal with Noble Lady Zhou first. Afterwards, each would rely on their own abilities.

The reason the rumor that Noble Lady Zhou was not human spread like wildfire was the result of the collaboration of many people.

Ning Shu, as the empress, felt very gratified when she saw the many imperial concubines unite together in harmony, all to deal with a single person.

Whenever the spread of the rumor became excessive, Ning Shu would take action to suppress it.

Zhao Xu visited Noble Lady Zhou’s Jade Court for another two consecutive nights. The other women of the inner palace wrung their handkerchiefs and gnashed their teeth.

Ning Shu acted virtuous and magnanimous, allowing Noble Lady Zhou to not come and pay her respects.

Thus many imperial concubines vented to their families, tearfully complaining that His Majesty was only favoring a single noble lady.

During court, many chancellors tried to make Zhao Xu share his favor evenly.

Zhao Xu’s expression became unsightly. He said that these were his family matters, and that it wasn’t their place to criticize.

Minister Lin, don’t you also dote on your fourth concubine and ignore your first wife’s room?

Assistant Minister Song, there’s a concubine in charge of your inner courtyard. Aren’t you spoiling your concubine and neglecting your wife?

Magistrate Jing, I’ve heard that you’re currently infatuated with a courtesan and stay out all night. You even bring your government official uniform to the brothel and leave from there in the morning.

…

Zhao Xu aired many of the court official’s private affairs. “You can’t even handle yourselves yet still make demands of me.”

Translator: Kiara