Chapter 4: Bullying Has to Wait Until Nighttime

Dugu Jin was truly busy. Just dealing with the entire Mei Consort family and the private troops of the Marquis of Bo’an was enough to keep him occupied for a while.

Without exposing the evidence openly, who would have suspected that these people had already harbored rebellion in their hearts, and had even prepared the dragon robe?

During the morning court session, Dugu Jin was furious!

“Heh heh heh, is there anyone else eyeing the throne beneath my backside? Come, state your case openly; we shall have a fair competition.”

Who would dare?

Everyone knelt down, “Long live the Emperor!”

Dugu Jin sat steadily on the dragon throne. “Since no one dares, then gather all the fox tails for me! This matter is not over; continue the investigation. All those connected to the Mei family and the Marquis of Bo’an’s estate shall be dealt with together! At noon tomorrow, one hundred and eighty-two people from the Marquis of Bo’an’s household shall be beheaded and displayed!”

A chill ran through everyone’s hearts.

They hurriedly recalled if they had any ties to the Marquis of Bo’an’s estate, hoping not to be slaughtered along with them.

Yuan Peipei’s way of passing time was either through crafts or painting. One day, before she could finish a landscape painting, the wise nurse Huiyuan from Cining Palace came to summon her.

“The Empress Dowager requests Consort Rou to come over.”

Yuan Peipei, simple-minded, thought the Empress Dowager had matters to discuss and hurried along.

But Cui Zhi and Lan Xin felt a twinge of suspicion.

Even those close to the Empress Dowager would pay respect upon seeing a consort, yet this nurse seemed to issue orders directly. Perhaps they were overthinking.

At Cining Palace, Cui Zhi and Lan Xin were stopped outside; Yuan Peipei went in alone.

“I pay respects to the Empress Dowager.”

Though not very bright, she had learned etiquette impeccably, leaving no room for fault.

The Empress Dowager glanced at her, “I heard your handwriting is good. This scripture has been worn from my daily readings. Copy a fresh one for me.”

The scripture was an inch thick. Yuan Peipei sat by a small desk, copying from morning till afternoon. Her hands ached but she dared not complain; her eyes stung but she held back tears, forcing herself to endure.

After her afternoon nap, the Empress Dowager woke and said, “It’s this hour already. Thank you for your hard work. That will do for today; continue tomorrow.”

“I take my leave,” Yuan Peipei said.

When she came out, her legs were numb, and she needed Cui Zhi and Lan Xin to support her.

“Consort, it seems the Empress Dowager is not very kind to you,” Lan Xin warned.

Yuan Peipei did not see it that way. “No, she just asked me to help copy scriptures. Copying helps calm my mind; perhaps the Empress Dowager is helping me.”

Cui Zhi and Lan Xin sighed. Hopefully, things would be as good as their mistress hoped.

Before they could walk far, Consort Ning blocked their path.

“Stop!”

Consort Ning scrutinized Yuan Peipei’s face, as flawless as the moon’s glow. Thinking of the Emperor holding her, jealousy gnawed at her.

“You must be tired serving both the Emperor and currying favor with the Empress Dowager. I specially had someone prepare a bowl of ginseng soup for you. Take it back and drink.”

Ning’s personal maid, Lianqiao, handed over a food box.

Yuan Peipei thought Ning Consort was kind, smiling and replying, “Thank you, Sister Ning.”

Back in the Palace of the Rainbow Garments, Dugu Jin was surprisingly there.

“I pay respects to the Emperor.”

Dugu Jin helped her up, “Where have you been?”

“To the Empress Dowager’s,” Yuan Peipei said, taking out the soup, about to drink it.

[Don’t drink that! It’s a contraceptive soup!]

[The big villain had a misunderstanding with his white moonlight because of this. Peipei, darling, put it down!]

Yuan Peipei set it aside. It turned out that Consort Ning’s gift was not ginseng soup but contraceptive soup.

“Your Majesty,” she wondered if the Emperor would believe her if she complained?

Just then, a eunuch reported from outside, “Your Majesty, Consort Ning has just fallen.”

[That vile woman uses such methods to seize the Emperor’s attention.]

[Don’t be sad, Peipei darling. The Emperor doesn’t truly favor Ning Consort; it’s just to secure their family’s power.]

“I shall go see,” Dugu Jin said, standing.

Yuan Peipei bowed him out, thinking being the Emperor was tough, with so many things beyond one’s control.

The next day, Yuan Peipei rose early to pay respects at Cining Palace and was again made to copy scriptures.

The other consorts left with smug looks.

What good is favor?

When the Empress Dowager is displeased, life in the harem is difficult.

This went on for three consecutive days.

Consorts Shu and De, bored, gathered in the imperial garden, talking mostly about Consort Rou.

“She seemed so innocent, but turns out to be a sly vixen, only good at seducing men.”

“What use is the Emperor’s favor? You’ve seen the Empress Dowager’s recent actions. She clearly dislikes Consort Rou.”

“Hmph! So what if she spent a few nights with the Emperor? Look at her arrogance. If I had the chance, I could do the same!”

This was why Consorts Shu and the others held no pride in the harem.

Because they had never been favored.

In principle, they were not yet true mistresses.

They glanced at each other, but no solution came to mind, their jealousy toward Yuan Peipei only deepening.

At that moment, Yuan Peipei happened to pass by.

Her mother had told her to get along well with the other consorts.

“Hello, sisters,” Yuan Peipei greeted, stepping forward. “I have fresh grapes here. Would you like some?”

She gestured to Cui Zhi holding the grapes, “Quick, share with the sisters.”

Grapes at this season surely meant gifts from the Emperor.

Consorts Shu and the others grew increasingly sullen.

“We know they’re from the Emperor. No need to flaunt it.”

“Exactly. Everyone knows the Palace of the Rainbow Garments is favored. The best all go to you first; we get the leftovers.”

“Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west. The Emperor’s favor is only temporary. When you fall out of favor, see where you’ll find grapes then!”

Though not the brightest, Yuan Peipei understood their hostility.

The Emperor had said if they said anything, she should just retort.

She had always been obedient.

“Thirty years east of the river, huh? Then, in thirty years, sisters, won’t you be old and faded?”

The consorts glared, surprised this seemingly dull Consort Rou could shoot barbs so cleverly.

Yuan Peipei didn’t want to share the grapes with her enemies, so she turned and left with Cui Zhi and Lan Xin, not giving them a single grape.

Once they were some distance away, Yuan Peipei looked back and finally relaxed, patting her chest.

“That scared me. Was I too fierce just now?”

“Oh no, I cursed! What if they complain to their families, and their families trouble Father?”

This was her greatest worry.

Lan Xin comforted her, “Don’t be afraid, Consort. The Prime Minister is not someone anyone can trouble at will. Besides, your retorts were justified. You can’t just let them mock you without responding.”

Yuan Peipei kept patting her chest. “I’m so scared. Let’s hurry back and eat some grapes to calm down.”

Cui Zhi and Lan Xin couldn’t help but laugh, knowing their mistress just wanted the grapes.

Returning to the Palace of the Rainbow Garments, they found Dugu Jin sitting with a somber face, his cold eyes fixed on the three entering.

“What nonsense are you running around for?”

[Peipei darling, don’t be scared. He’s just putting on a tough act but was worried sick and pacing around.]

[Noticed someone looking around anxiously, repeatedly asking the little eunuch if they found you.]

[Big villain, be fierce all you want, but if you’ve got guts, be fierce in bed!]

Yuan Peipei walked over and asked, “Did the Emperor worry about me?”

A flash of embarrassment crossed Dugu Jin’s face.

Yuan Peipei picked a grape, tiptoed, and fed it to him.

“Try it, Your Majesty. It’s so sweet.”

Dugu Jin usually had little appetite and was indifferent, just enough to eat.

But now, he found grapes genuinely delicious.

Yuan Peipei smiled, her dimples showing. “Isn’t it sweet?”

“Better if my beloved consort tastes it herself,” he said.

He took a grape, held it between his lips, leaned down, and fed it into Yuan Peipei’s mouth.

Cui Zhi and Lan Xin wisely turned away.

After one grape, Yuan Peipei’s clothes were disheveled.

She grew flustered and bashful, raising her hand to pat Dugu Jin’s hand, “Stop teasing me.”

Only then did she realize what she had done.

She had just hit the Emperor!

Pouting, tears brimmed in her eyes.

“Waaah… I didn’t mean to…”

[Peipei darling, don’t cry. He’s never been happier!]

[Hit him! Be fierce! Let him know you’re not someone to be bullied easily!]

[Right! But only at night.]

Yuan Peipei was stunned by the comments when Dugu Jin gently cupped her hand and blew on it.

“Does it hurt?”

But he saw multiple red marks on her fingers.

His expression darkened at once. “How did this happen?”

Yuan Peipei recalled her father’s words: answer truthfully.

“The Empress Dowager said I should help copy scriptures.”

“How long have you been copying?”

“Three days. Almost done,” Yuan Peipei’s eyes sparkled, as if seeking praise.

Dugu Jin summoned medicine and personally applied ointment on Yuan Peipei, warning her, “If the Empress Dowager requests you to go again, tell her you’re unwell or send someone to inform me. Understand?”