The Country Maiden: Fields and Leisure-Chapter 1554 - 1551: The Clear-headed Imperial Noble Consort
The Imperial Noble Consort spoke in such a manner, yet Wang Yongzhu dared not take it seriously. These people in power, when they need you, their words sound even better than songs.
If you really believe them, then you’re a fool!
When they no longer need you, they’ll turn on you with more ruthlessness than anyone else could.
She had no other requirements, only hoping that the Imperial Noble Consort wouldn’t later claim she was offended by her.
So she merely smiled and said she didn’t dare.
How could the Imperial Noble Consort not understand, she meant to speak frankly, otherwise why would she have sent the attending Palace Attendants away, just to have a few heartfelt words with Wang Yongzhu.
"Sister of the Wang Family, I know that when I speak like this, you don’t believe it in your heart. If I were in your position, I would also believe that when you get involved with the Royal Family, if it succeeds, it is their fortune, if not, it’s your fault, I understand it all!"
Upon hearing the Imperial Noble Consort speak, Wang Yongzhu showed a hint of embarrassment. My lady, is it alright to speak so openly?
Seeing Wang Yongzhu’s reaction, the Imperial Noble Consort laughed, reclining on the pillow behind her to get more comfortable.
Then she said: "In this past month, I may not have seen everything about what kind of person you are, but I understand you six to seven tenths. I know you are capable and straightforward, not one who likes to beat around the bush. So I will speak frankly."
"I am pregnant with this child, His Majesty promised me that if I successfully give birth to a prince, he would make me the Empress. To others, this is an immense favor, those women in the palace secretly call me a Vixen Spirit, saying I bewitched His Majesty to lose his senses, even promising the Empress position."
"But who knows, His Majesty’s promise to make me the Empress, there is favor, yes, but more importantly, he is using me and the newborn child as targets—"
Wang Yongzhu was now truly unable to sit still. She and Song Chongjin could guess this, but they didn’t expect the Imperial Noble Consort to see it clearly and speak so openly.
Knowing too many palace secrets could cost one’s life.
Seeing Wang Yongzhu restless, the Imperial Noble Consort laughed again: "Don’t worry. Currently, His Majesty is busy with the ancestral rites and has no time for me here. Those women in the palace are probably cursing me and the Little Prince right now, those who acted during my labor must now be busy wrapping things up. Only these couple of days is my palace quiet; when His Majesty turns his attention back, it will surely not remain peaceful."
This made matters even deeper.
After being bombarded with the Imperial Noble Consort’s shocking revelations, Wang Yongzhu was numb. Seeing the Imperial Noble Consort’s demeanor, today she must speak her mind; fine then, she would listen attentively.
The Imperial Noble Consort was a very wise woman, this wisdom not only showed in the harem, in competing for favor and guessing the Emperor’s intentions.
It showed more in her clear understanding of her own position.
If it were an ordinary woman, given such favor by the Emperor and promises, she would’ve long been overwhelmed, never considering the meaning behind the Emperor’s actions.
But from the start, the Imperial Noble Consort was very clear-headed, she knew why the Emperor chose her, besides beauty and gentle virtues, she had means and ability, most importantly, her maternal family was not prominent.
The few remarkable ones who entered the palace with her were all scrutinized and tested by the Emperor, she was chosen for her good performance and thus received immense favor.
Therefore, she was always clear-minded; perhaps the Emperor had some feelings for her, but more importantly, he needed her to be obedient and useful.
She was not one to seek deep affection from the Emperor. When she entered the palace, it was due to her brothers being undistinguished and her parents’ fear that once they passed, the family’s wealth would not continue. They let her enter the palace to seek a future and bless her brothers and nephews.
After entering the palace, the Emperor gave her wealth and high status, she gave the Emperor loyalty to be used by him.
Did she truly never feel moved?
Entering the palace at a teenage age, witnessing the world’s most powerful and wealthy man, who showered her with countless affections, what woman wouldn’t feel moved? 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝙬𝙚𝓫𝒏𝓸𝓿𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝙤𝓶
She was merely a common person, naturally, she was moved, and once believed that perhaps the Emperor truly cared for her. Otherwise, why promise her the Empress’s position, as if she were the only one in the harem who could stand beside him?
But these fantasies were shattered when Wang Yongzhu diagnosed the umbilical cord around the child’s neck.
Others might not know, but how could she not? Seemingly, despite the ongoing favor in Changchun Palace, the Emperor still visited her every few days, always comforting her, saying everything would be fine, and that he would protect their safety.
Even her trusted ones, Hong Fei and Lv Cui, wholeheartedly believed the Emperor truly loved their mistress, unwilling to give up despite knowing their mistress and the Little Prince’s situation.
This was rare even in ordinary families, let alone with the Supreme Being of the Emperor?
But the Imperial Noble Consort’s mind was clear like a mirror; the Emperor appeared gentle and considerate during his daily visits, but his eyes grew colder each day. She knew that the Emperor was merely granting her the last dignity for her past obedience and usefulness.
Not to mention the day she was about to give birth, though it was the Eve, if the Emperor had even a modicum of true affection, wouldn’t he spare just a moment to see her, just to take a look?
In this harem, when favored consorts were giving birth, the Emperor was not exempt from visiting, a symbol of favor.
She waited from morning till nightfall, but the Emperor was nowhere to be seen.
The last illusions vanished after Wang Yongzhu slapped her and berated her severely.
Yes, this harem consumes people without leaving bones behind. If it were just her, she might have given up.
But thinking of the child in her womb, she couldn’t bear to. It was her blood, transformed into flesh, connected to her heart after ten months inside her womb.
In this world, her parents seemingly cherished her, yet in reality, they valued her brothers more, sending her to the palace for their future and prosperity.
The Emperor was her husband, seemingly affectionate, but actually cold, kind to her only because she was useful and obedient.
No one truly loved her, no one was genuinely kind to her, no one truly cherished her.
She entered the palace alone, now in high positions, repaying her parents’ kindness long ago.
She also became cold-hearted toward the Emperor.
But only this child in her womb, was the sole thing she could grasp, one connected to her by flesh and bones.
How could she bear to let him leave without even opening his eyes to see this world?
She wanted the child to live! Live well! She would love him dearly, giving him the best in the world!
The Imperial Noble Consort also understood, though she appeared to be favored, not to mention having the Little Prince beside her gave her confidence.
If in the future she were made Empress, she would be the most esteemed woman under the heavens, a life of grandeur and spectacle.
But it all seemed like a castle in the air; everything she had was given by the Emperor, what was given now could be taken back if someday she upset the Emperor.
