The princess regretted it.

Chapter 168 Concubine Cen

Changsun Hongze nodded slightly, knowing full well what was going on. Needless to say, this medicinal tea must have come from Concubine Chun. Thinking of Concubine Chun, Changsun Hongze recalled her elegant, orchid-like demeanor, and his mood seemed to calm down a bit. Suddenly, Jin An's words, "Besides the Imperial Concubine, there are many other ready-made ladies in the harem," came to mind. He quickly collected his thoughts, picked up the teacup, and took another sip.

He thought for a moment, then said calmly, "Fuquan, go inform Concubine Cen that I will have lunch with her at noon."

Eunuch Fuquan was stunned for a moment, then immediately left the Imperial Study. He went to the Imperial Kitchen to inform the Emperor that he would be dining at Concubine Cen's palace at noon, then hurried back to the palace. He could have sent his apprentice to inform the Imperial Kitchen, but he was worried they wouldn't believe him, might pretend to obey, and might not make the arrangements properly. After all, the Emperor had only dined at Concubine Zhang's for many years. So it was better for him to go there himself.

Even after returning from Concubine Cen's palace, Eunuch Fuquan still couldn't figure out one thing. He thought that even if the emperor wanted to favor the harem again, he would first consider Concubine Chun, and never imagined that it would be Concubine Cen, who was in poor health. It wasn't just him who was confused; Concubine Cen also never expected such a thing to happen.

When Concubine Cen received the oral instruction from Eunuch Fuquan, she was surprised and delighted. Although she was a little confused and didn't understand why the emperor came to her palace, she knew that the emperor's visit would bring more benefits than disadvantages to her. So after Eunuch Fuquan left, she hurriedly directed everyone to make arrangements, sometimes asking people to carefully prepare tea and snacks, and sometimes instructing the palace maids to carefully clean and decorate the palace. It had been many years since the emperor came to her palace for the first time, and she had thought that she would never be able to receive the emperor's favor again in her life. Everyone in the courtyard was excited. At this moment, Concubine Cen was full of anticipation and uneasiness. She dressed herself up carefully, hoping to show her best side in front of the emperor.

Concubine Cen looked in the mirror at her long-standing sickly face, and a complex wave of emotions welled up within her. There was helplessness, sadness, and even a hint of resignation. She gently stroked her cheek, her pale complexion and slightly sunken eye sockets, all of which spoke of the loneliness and solitude she had endured in the harem over the years. Her body was completely ruined, and she would never be able to be a mother again in this life. Thinking of this, she could not hide the hatred in her eyes, hating Zhang Xinrou's viciousness and her own uselessness. At the beginning, she knew it was that woman's doing, but she had no evidence, and her mother's family was not powerful enough to compete with her.

The reason she had been holding on for so many years was her firm belief that good and evil would be rewarded, and she wanted to see that woman get her comeuppance. But now, she felt close to despair. The Emperor had been showing favor to that woman constantly, and even made her a noble concubine because of her son's status. Sometimes she really wondered if the heavens were blind, that the Empress, who was kind and benevolent, had died young, while this scourge had been at large, enjoying favor. The resentment and unwillingness in her heart surged like a tide, and a bitter smile appeared on her long-sick face. She tightly grasped the handkerchief in her hand, secretly resolving to seize this opportunity. Thinking of this, she asked the palace maid to apply more rouge and lipstick on her. The person in the mirror looked much better all of a sudden, but the fatigue in her eyes could not be concealed.

Concubine Cen sighed, and that was all. She called over her personal maid, Mingyue, and said, "Help me walk around the courtyard." Mingyue immediately took a cloak and draped it over Concubine Cen, tying it securely. She placed a hand warmer in her hand and helped her out of the room. Although it was chilly outside, the weather was beautiful today, with sunshine. Concubine Cen raised her head slightly to glance at the sky. The sunlight was a bit blinding, so she raised a hand to shield her eyes, feeling the warmth.

Threads of golden light filtered through her fingers, casting a gentle glow on Concubine Cen's face. She narrowed her eyes slightly, savoring this moment of warmth and tranquility. The sunlight seemed to dispel the gloom in her heart, giving her a glimmer of long-lost hope.

"That's great!" Concubine Cen said softly. Mingyue quickly said, "Your Majesty will get better and better."

A gentle smile graced Concubine Cen's tranquil face. "I hope so." In this sunny moment, she refused to allow negativity to overwhelm her. She straightened her body slightly, as if to tell herself to bravely face whatever lay ahead. With Mingyue's support, Concubine Cen walked around the yard for a while. She felt tired. "Mingyue, let's go back. I'm feeling a bit exhausted," she whispered. Mingyue responded sweetly, supporting Concubine Cen as they slowly walked back into the house.

At noon, the Emperor finished his official duties and went to Concubine Cen's palace. Concubine Cen, supported by Mingyue, had already been waiting at the palace gate. Seeing the Emperor's procession from afar, her heart began to beat nervously, and she couldn't help but use a little force to hold Mingyue's hand.

As the Emperor approached, Concubine Cen bowed gracefully, her voice gentle and respectful: "Your Majesty, I respectfully welcome you." The Emperor stepped down from the sedan chair and raised his hand slightly: "Get up." Concubine Cen stood up and looked at the Emperor, her eyes full of joy and anticipation. The Emperor looked at Concubine Cen, seeing that even her elaborate makeup couldn't hide her sickly appearance, and he lowered his eyes. "Come in. You are not feeling well, so you don't need to come out to greet me next time."

"Thank you, Your Majesty!" Concubine Cen bowed and thanked the Emperor. Changsun Hongze nodded and, led by Concubine Cen, entered the palace. The palace was decorated in a warm and elegant manner, and lunch had already been prepared. The Emperor sat down. Concubine Cen wanted to serve the food herself, but the Emperor refused, taking her hand and asking her to sit down and eat. Eunuch Fuquan stepped forward and served the food to the Emperor. Concubine Cen followed suit and began to eat, taking small bites at a time. Her every move was full of gentleness and grace.

The two of them ate quietly, a warm atmosphere in the air. Concubine Cen would occasionally look up cautiously at the emperor, her eyes filled with tenderness and affection. The emperor, on the other hand, looked calm, occasionally responding with a faint smile.

Angry shouts and curses rang out from Wuqiu Palace. Concubine Zhang's face flushed with rage, and she slammed the cutlery on the table to the ground. "That bitch, how dare she seduce the Emperor!" she roared in fury.

The maids beside her were trembling with fear and dared not speak. Qiu Wen kept trying to comfort Concubine Zhang, but Concubine Zhang sat on the couch in anger, clutching the corner of the small table tightly with one hand, her heart filled with jealousy and anger. She thought her position in the harem was stable and that the emperor's favor was unmatched, but she didn't expect that Concubine Cen, a sickly girl, could also get the emperor's attention. She would never allow anyone to threaten her position, even if Concubine Cen was infertile, she would not let her have an easy time. A glint of ruthlessness flashed in Concubine Zhang's eyes.