Help! The Frosty Noble's Son Is in Love With Me!-Chapter 382: A Unique Candlelight Dinner

To the Emperor, all his devotion was given to that one woman, and he never concealed it.

How should I say it, just being outright selfish clearly, which woman in the harem doesn’t know?

Since they know, yet still expect to fight for something not theirs, isn’t it self-inflicted trouble?

Don’t mention that the daughter born from Biyue was already good. Even if she wasn’t, the Emperor could "point to a deer and call it a horse," turning truth and lies upside down, simply because of blatant favoritism.

Not satisfied?

Endure it!

After all, he’s the Emperor, he does as he pleases, and no one can control him.

Ten fingers cannot be of the same length, and with so many consorts and children, the Emperor cannot possibly balance everything perfectly, nor has he ever proclaimed fairness.

Fairness, what an illusion, being in the royal family, who hasn’t come through like this?

Having a noble status yet wanting the unique kind of parental love and romantic affection, wanting everything, greedy beyond measure.

The Emperor looked at Noble Princess Consort Xu and Princess Qiuxi, speaking calmly, "I have given you both enough honor and love. One must learn to be content. If you continue to make trouble, I will take all these favors back. Leave now, and do not come to Biyue Palace again. It’s not a place for you."

Noble Princess Consort Xu and Princess Qiuxi were escorted out by palace attendants, their faces pale.

Just after stepping out of the palace gate, Noble Princess Consort Xu stumbled on the threshold and fell hard.

Before today, Noble Princess Consort Xu was still arrogantly thinking she and her daughter could compete, but the result—

This slap in the face hurt immensely.

She could almost foresee that having walked out of Biyue Palace today, for a long time she and her daughter would become the laughingstock of the entire harem.

In this matter, Qu Fulan was the favored one. To say she wasn’t happy would be a lie, but as for those ignored children, their feelings were not for Qu Fulan to care about.

Everyone has their fate, and now this good fortune landed on her, she was grateful.

Perhaps Heaven is fair. In that world, she was ignored; here, she is favored.

But actually, she thinks the Emperor has done quite well, just being selfish openly, something many people can’t achieve.

Others Qu Fulan didn’t know well, but her parents in the modern era were typical of favoring sons over daughters, yet always claimed they were fair and did not favor any child.

Qu Fulan disliked such hypocrisy; better to be openly selfish so one sees it clearly even in death.

Pei Ji’an heard of this matter and raised his eyebrow, "The Emperor is establishing your authority; from now on, no one in this palace dares to speak to you in offense."

"I know, he may be cruel and heartless to others, but his feelings for his first consort are as clear as heaven and earth."

Today, if not for Noble Princess Consort Xu and her daughter coincidentally showing up, the Emperor would have established her authority elsewhere.

Because the Emperor genuinely liked Biyue, he was extremely partial to their daughter.

In other cases, it’s mothers who gain status through their children, but Qu Fulan’s situation seems like a daughter benefiting from her mother’s favor.

"What do you plan to do with those shops the Emperor gave you?" Pei Ji’an asked.

"I haven’t had the chance to look at them yet; I’ll know once I do."

Actually, Qu Fulan has a plan in mind but doesn’t know whether it can be realized.

According to the plan, Qu Fulan needs to stay two more days to complete her "visit home" task.

That day, Pei Ji’an came to find Qu Fulan again but was stopped by her father-in-law, and the two went to the Imperial Study Room.

Pei Ji’an thought the Emperor was going to create trouble and prevent him from seeing Fulan, saying things like coming home for just a few days, what kind of endless running around is this?

But today, the Emperor didn’t create trouble; instead, he sighed and asked Pei Ji’an to take her back earlier.

Pei Ji’an was both surprised and delighted, wondering if the Emperor suddenly being so agreeable was some kind of conspiracy. Then he heard the Emperor say, "You know what happened two days ago; after all, the palace isn’t home. Everyone isn’t like me who loves her. Rather than leaving her here to be harmed and envied, you might as well take her back, where at least your home is warmer."

Pei Ji’an inwardly acknowledged this truth: the palace is treacherous, living there can’t be easy; how does it compare to Pei Mansion, which is the true home without so much intrigue?

No matter how much he agreed with the Emperor’s words, he only said, "Actually, the Emperor has always taken great care of her. With such a father like the Emperor, even staying longer gives me peace of mind."

The Emperor scoffed, "Don’t try to trick me with those court tactics. If you go back and dare to let her down or let her be wronged, I certainly won’t spare you."

"I wouldn’t dare," Pei Ji’an replied humbly.

Only then did the Emperor nod reluctantly, "Take her away later, and tomorrow show her those shops; whatever she wants to do, let her follow her heart."

Pei Ji’an nodded in agreement.

Qu Fulan packed large bags and returned to Pei Mansion, carried off the carriage by Pei Ji’an and into the mansion.

Though it wasn’t the first time this happened, Qu Fulan still felt embarrassed, saying she could walk.

Pei Ji’an refused to let go, carrying her all the way to Lixiang Courtyard.

Qu Fulan could only bury her face in his chest to avoid the gazes of the servants around.

Back in Lixiang Courtyard, Qu Fulan actually felt a sense of returning home. Indeed, no matter how luxurious the palace is, it’s not home.

The Emperor has always lived in a place like that, destined to live in loneliness, never feeling the warmth of home.

If you desire to wear the crown, you must bear its weight, there’s nothing to criticize.

That evening, the Pei Family’s third household dined together again. After visiting the imperial palace once, now even dining with the third household at Pei Mansion, Qu Fulan felt the atmosphere was warmer than the imperial palace. Truly, without comparison, there’s no harm.

The methods of those in the third household placed in the palace would be insignificant, easily ignored.

Moreover, now the third household dare not behave improperly; Pei Lian could never achieve fame, becoming increasingly dejected, and the third household gradually declined, without Pei Mansion as support, the third household is nothing.

Nowadays, the Third Madam deeply understands this; the second household has Pei Yuan’s outstanding abilities, the first household’s Princely Heir isn’t enough, now there’s Princess Mingzhu too... only the third household has no one to rely on, if not humble, for future favors there’s no chance.

In this society, those with wealth and power do increasingly well, those without wealth and power, increasingly poorly.

Society is unjust indeed.

Qu Fulan had sighed over the injustice of society in the modern era too, because life was too exhausting then, later she received support from her boss, and her life started to improve.

Thus, one’s encounters are crucial, but one also needs personal value, otherwise no one will even glance your way.

In the modern era, her encounter was her boss, in the ancient era, her encounter is Pei Ji’an.

At night, the two returned to Pear Fragrance Courtyard, Qu Fulan suddenly thought of suits and gowns.

"Since we’ve been apart, let’s have a unique candlelight dinner," she said.

The suits and gowns were made a long time; no chance to wear them, so it’s time to try them.

Pei Ji’an was naturally eager to accompany her.