Traveling back to ancient times to get rich

Chapter 73 The Suppressed Concubine

As night fell and the lanterns were lit, the palace was brightly illuminated. The emperor, empress, crown prince, and the seventh prince's family sat around the dining table, preparing to enjoy a sumptuous dinner. However, this seemingly ordinary family feast was filled with an unusual atmosphere.

The Emperor observed everything with a cold eye, feeling no sense of harmony within this family. The Empress, beaming with smiles, showered the Crown Prince and Crown Princess with concern and care, her enthusiasm bordering on that of a mother and son. However, she completely ignored the two Crown Prince's concubines, the Seventh Prince, and his wife, sparing them even a word of greeting.

The seventh prince and his wife, on the other hand, were leisurely enjoying their delicious food, completely unaffected by being neglected. In stark contrast, the concubine beside the crown prince had a glint of anger in her eyes, her gaze practically venomous. She was undoubtedly resentful of the empress's preferential treatment.

The emperor grew increasingly angry, thinking to himself, "This meal was utterly tasteless!" He pointed the finger at the empress, believing that all the disharmony was her doing. Over the years, the empress's family had grown increasingly powerful, and her position in the palace had become more and more secure, to the point that she had become somewhat arrogant and ignorant of her place.

Looking at the Crown Prince, he was almost thirty years old. As a subject, he lacked the humility and self-discipline expected of one; as a son, he lacked basic filial piety towards his parents; and towards his brothers, he showed no tolerance or kindness befitting an elder brother. All of this made him seem unlike his own son! The Emperor grew increasingly angry, finding it impossible to like this incompetent Crown Prince.

After dinner, the Emperor dismissed the seventh prince and his wife, telling the wife that he would arrange her coming-of-age ceremony and that the prince and she should settle down comfortably in the capital. The Emperor then addressed the Crown Prince, saying, "Your Highness is no longer young, and you already have many wives and concubines. Since you've already renovated your residence outside, don't stay in the Eastern Palace all the time. Spend more time learning about governance from the Grand Tutor, and less time wasting time on trivial matters with women." With that, the Emperor departed.

As night fell and the lanterns were lit, the entire palace was illuminated as brightly as day. However, the emperor, nestled within this magnificent palace, was pondering where to spend the evening. Just then, the chief eunuch Zhao Quan, who had been attending him, hurried over with small, quick steps, bowed, and said softly, "Your Majesty, Consort Li has sent word that she requests your presence at her palace. I wonder if Your Majesty intends to choose another beauty to accompany you?" The emperor was slightly taken aback, and the image of Consort Li's charming face instantly flashed through his mind. He realized that it had been some time since he had last set foot in Consort Li's palace. After a moment's thought, he decided to proceed directly to the Lilan Palace.

Speaking of Consort Li, she was the youngest and most beautiful among the emperor's many concubines. Her promotion to the rank of consort was not only due to her outstanding looks and talent, but more importantly, it was her cool yet innocent personality that deeply captivated the emperor's heart. Consort Li was only twenty years old, in the prime of her youth; in contrast, the emperor was over fifty, making a difference of more than thirty years between them. Moreover, even the Empress, the head of the harem, was a year older than the emperor. As for the other three concubines, they were in their thirties and forties, a mature and stable age. Therefore, in this vast harem, Consort Li was like a newly blossoming flower, delicate and charming, utterly endearing.

Of course, the Emperor's favor towards Consort Li wasn't simply due to his attraction to her beauty. More often, it stemmed from the fact that the Empress and the other concubines were constantly preoccupied with securing better futures and positions for their sons. They seized every opportunity to incessantly nag the Emperor, driving him to distraction and frustration. Consort Li, however, was different. She had yet to bear children, and thus didn't pester the Emperor with these troubling matters like the jealous women. Therefore, whenever the Emperor sought a quiet place to relax, his first thought was of the gentle, considerate, and understanding Consort Li—the Lilan Palace.

Now, let's talk about Consort Li's father. Although he wasn't a high-ranking official in the court, he was certainly no ordinary person. He was merely the top scholar in the imperial examinations, possessing exceptional literary talent, but he wasn't adept at officialdom. After being granted a third-rank official position, he was responsible for compiling the court's official records. This man was always law-abiding and conscientious in his duties, never making enemies or causing trouble.

Looking at Consort Li herself, she possessed a stunningly beautiful, aloof face, like the pristine snow atop a high mountain, inspiring awe and reverence. She disliked getting involved in the power struggles and intrigues of the palace. This Consort Li was not only exceptionally beautiful but also exceptionally talented, particularly in literature, where she could effortlessly compose poems and songs. Her dance was graceful, like a butterfly fluttering in a secluded valley, leaving everyone in awe. Furthermore, every gesture she made exuded an elegant air, as pure and refined as a secluded orchid in a deep valley.

However, unexpectedly, this woman, who had always been serene and unassuming, like a secluded orchid in a deep valley, surprisingly sent someone to summon "him" to meet her. This sudden action was truly baffling, and the reason behind it was completely incomprehensible. But driven by intense curiosity, despite his many doubts, "he" ultimately decided to go and find out.

When "he" arrived at the magnificent Lilan Palace, the scene before him astonished him. Consort Li was kneeling on the ground, her delicate body trembling slightly. Her beautiful eyes were brimming with tears, flowing like a clear spring. Her gaze was both deeply affectionate and wilted, like a flower battered by rain, evoking pity and sorrow.

Seeing this, the Emperor quickly stepped forward and gently helped Consort Li up, asking with concern, "My beloved consort, what has happened? Why are you so heartbroken?" Consort Li raised her head, her eyes blurry with tears, and looked at the Emperor, her voice slightly choked with sobs, "If Her Majesty the Empress harbors any resentment towards my position as a consort, she can simply come and find fault with me. But now, she has actually sent people to make things difficult for my father. My poor father has devoted his life to literary research, burying himself in compiling various classics, and has never had any improper thoughts. I have never had the slightest intention of competing with Her Majesty the Empress for favor. Yet, now they are falsely accusing my father, insisting that he deliberately revealed matters of the previous dynasty in the classics. Your Majesty, this is clearly a terrible literary inquisition!" At this point, Consort Li broke down in tears, her delicate body swaying as if about to collapse, as fragile as a candle in the wind.