Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The Crown Princess entered the Eastern Palace three days before I did. I had met Jiang Qingyue before. Her complexion had always been pale, but as a newlywed, her face still held a rosy hint of festive joy. “Younger sister, please rise.”

“Though you are a Side Consort, you have still been properly entered into the jade register. From now on, let us address each other as sisters.” Jiang Qingyue spoke a little haltingly, with faint embarrassment on her face.

No matter. I would handle this. I had no shame to speak of.

“Elder sister is above me. Please accept this younger sister’s bow. I have long heard that elder sister possesses both talent and beauty. Now that I have met you, I truly feel I cannot compare.”

Li Sheng was very pleased. “Yutang comes from a noble family and knows propriety best.”

I lowered my eyes shyly. “My husband praises me too much. I must ask my husband to guide me in the future.”

Perhaps Jiang Qingyue was too moved, because she could not hold back a few coughs.

I looked concerned. “This younger sister has heard that Your Highness has been frail since your maiden days. If there is anything you need in the future, please feel free to instruct me-”

“Her Highness merely caught a slight chill. Side Consort, Your Highness is worrying too much.” The momo beside Jiang Qingyue suddenly spoke, her eyes full of wariness.

I understood.

She really was in poor health.

People make a great show of whatever they lack. That momo was trying a little too hard to cover it up.

I turned a gentle gaze toward the Crown Prince. “Yes. This concubine was overthinking it.”

I had dressed up especially for today. Even with Jiang Qingyue present, my beauty was still one of a kind.

Li Sheng’s eyes were glued to me, unable to move away.

The two of us exchanged glances right in front of the Crown Princess. In the end, the momo likely could not bear to watch any longer and signaled the Crown Princess to dismiss me quickly.

I left the Crown Prince one lingering, reluctant look and withdrew.

Sure enough, he came early that night.

I was very happy. Without favor, how could there be any future to speak of? The fact that he liked me proved this was a good beginning.

Besides, the Crown Prince was very pleasing to the eye. After the two of us worked up a sweat, we lay peacefully in bed.

“My beloved consort, is there anything you particularly like?”

This Crown Prince knew what he was doing, but I only answered modestly, “This concubine wants nothing. I only wish to remain with my husband for a long, long time.”

As long as you last, I can last too.

I was still counting on becoming the Crown Princess, then the Empress, and eventually the Empress Dowager.

Of course, I did not say that aloud, and Li Sheng did not ask further.

He was a clever man.

I did not say it only because he could not give it to me right now.

Some men look down on women for always asking them for jewelry and silver, but in truth, that is because in those women’s hearts, those men can only give them such things. Anything else is beyond them.

If she asked for a First-Rank Honorary Title, could the man give it to her? Would that not simply be asking to humiliate himself?

As long as Li Sheng could ascend the throne steadily, I would have my own ways of reaching the position of Empress.

With affection on the surface and private schemes in our hearts, the two of us fell asleep in each other’s arms.

The next day, the Talents and Beauties of the Eastern Palace also came to pay their respects to me.

They were all concubines the Crown Prince had favored before. Among them, one Beauty Yao was particularly outstanding.

She was exceptionally skilled at dancing, especially the Huxuan Dance. When she spun, it was enough to dazzle and bewitch the eyes, and the Crown Prince also liked watching her twirl.

But spin too much, and the brain stops working properly.

So she actually dared to lift her head and provoke me. “Though Your Highness bears the title of Side Consort, if one looks closely, you are not so different from us. Strictly speaking, the Crown Princess is the true mistress here.”

I smiled and had Xiao Tao distribute the gifts.

For Beauty Yao, I gave a bolt of exquisite Cuijin Silk. It was perfect for making dance clothes. Worn on the body, it would shimmer with flowing light, making one look like an immortal.

It was also extremely thin and fragile.

Especially during rapid spinning dance movements.

No matter how much Li Sheng liked Beauty Yao, he would not be happy to see his concubine barely clothed.

Alas. If I had known that Beauty Yao would one day become my most loyal supporter, I certainly would have shown mercy here.

What a pity.