Chapter 2242: Worried
âConsort Su, instead of worrying about us, why not focus on bearing a son for the Emperor to secure your position? Jiangnan boasts a myriad of beauties, each more enchanting than the last. After being away from Jiangning for so long, arenât you concerned that the Emperor might be tempted by new beauties?â
Consort Suâs heart skipped a beat. She truly felt a twinge of worry.
The Emperorâs harem boasted over a dozen concubines and countless low-ranking palace maids.
The beauties of Jiangnan were renowned for their allure. If she wasnât in the palace, there could be many vying for the Emperorâs favor.
âI donât need your concern! The Emperorâs affection for me surpasses all. Regardless of how many others he surrounds himself with, theyâre mere playthings for his amusement.â
Qiao Xuan smiled knowingly. âAs they say, a motherâs status rises with the birth of a son. It would solidify your position.â
Consort Suâs eyelids twitched violently.
She had been with the Emperor for over a year, yet she hadnât conceived. It was a sore point she avoided acknowledging, and no one dared mention it around her.
Qiao Xuanâs mention of it made Consort Su glare at her, discomfort evident in her expression.
Facing Qiao Xuan, Consort Su could only simmer in discomfort. Had it been anyone else, she might have resorted to violence.
Refusing to concede, Consort Su exclaimed, âWhat benefactor? The child of a wretch is nothing more than a wretch!â
Consort Fu couldnât help but shoot her a sidelong glance, silently thinking, âWhat right does a woman of questionable origin like you have to speak so? Your own child isnât exactly noble eitherâŠâ
Qiao Xuan opted not to engage further, offering a serene smile instead. âLet me know when youâre ready to depart, Your Majesty. If you need more rest, feel free to stay here.â
She ensured they lacked for nothing in terms of comfort and provisions.
Truthfully, Qiao Xuan anticipated their departure and hoped theyâd leave sooner.
Consort Su would undoubtedly spin tales upon her return, but Qiao Xuan wouldnât let her monopolize the gossip. She had already stoked the flames and taken the initiative, spreading carefully crafted rumors far and wide about Consort Suâs arrogance, tyranny, and other alleged misdeeds. Naturally, these stories were embellished, if not entirely fabricated.
What did it matter? After all, this person was not a kind person to begin with. If she did not say it, she would definitely not be polite when she said it.
Then what was there to be polite about?
If they stayed for a few more days, these comments would spread outside for a few more days. She would not lose outâŠ
Qiao Xuanâs words had a profound effect on Consort Su.
That night, Consort Su was so agitated that she couldnât sleep a wink.
The next day, Nanny Ling managed to calm her down.
Consort Su reasoned that Shao Yunduan and Qiao Xuan were ambitious and cared little for the Emperorâs authority. Despite her status as an Imperial Concubine, she felt powerless and trapped in the inn at the intermediate province.
âWhatâs the use of staying here?â she wondered. âIf I scold them, they ignore me. If I try to strike them, they retaliate!â
âWhy are we still here?â
Consort Su instructed Consort Fu to approach Qiao Xuan and convey her desire to return. Reluctantly, they departed with Consort Fu leading the way.
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