CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266: WHAT KIND OF PERSON AM I?

Wait, what did the Noble Consort An just say?

Tell Emperor Jing that she forgives him?

If she didn’t misunderstand, Noble Consort An means she has forgiven Emperor Jing.

Also, she’s returning to the palace!

What’s all this about!

Frightened, Meng Yao shuddered. Could it be that Emperor Jing is lusting after her, planning to take her for himself?

Although she’s somewhat pretty, she’s far from being so enticing that someone would lust after her.

Zhao Ting claims to like her, asking her to give him a chance, but in reality, is he trying to use her to please Emperor Jing?

After all, such stories have happened in history, where officials gave their women to their superiors.

To Zhao Ting, Emperor Jing is the superior.

Suddenly, Meng Yao stood up, "Your Majesty, I thought you genuinely wanted to be friends with me, but it turns out you——"

"Sister Meng, don’t worry. After you enter the palace, I promise I won’t have any ill intentions toward you," Noble Consort An said sincerely. "I will still consider you a friend, and I will protect you so that no one else has a chance to trouble you."

Does being a consort have to be so pathetic? Helping the darn Emperor find women.

And doing it so righteously.

This is the palace; force won’t work for sure.

Meng Yao’s mind raced, deciding to instigate—or rather, use emotions and reason——

"Your Majesty, as a woman, would you be willing to share your man with others? I certainly wouldn’t!"

Noble Consort An looked troubled, "His Majesty is not like ordinary men, and the complexities of this palace can’t be compared to ordinary families. Sister Meng, if that’s what you think, I’m afraid you’ll be depressed after entering the palace."

His Majesty isn’t particularly lustful, but even so, there are dozens of ’mistresses’ in the palace.

Meng Yao was speechless.

This feudal system has poisoned them way too much.

"Your Majesty, I’m a woman in my thirties from the countryside, an insignificant person; how could I be fit to enter the palace," Meng Yao belittled herself.

"Sister Meng, you mustn’t undervalue yourself. You’re excellent, better than most. If you’re not fit to enter the palace, then few people are," Noble Consort An said.

So, what exactly did Emperor Jing fancy about her?

Could she change it?

And Zhao Ting, if she’s forced into the palace, given a chance, she’d definitely want to kill him.

Noble Consort An thought secretly, having both a son and a daughter is reason enough to gain an advantage.

After all, His Majesty’s offspring are scarce, and now it seems Sister Meng’s son is the most promising.

"Was His Majesty always like this?" Meng Yao asked.

"Like what?" Noble Consort An was puzzled.

"Letting his ministers’ wives enter the palace?" Meng Yao said bluntly, "Doesn’t anyone protest? And the ministers are still loyal to him?"

Noble Consort An quickly covered Meng Yao’s mouth, "Sister Meng, be cautious with your words."

"Why can’t people talk about things once they’re done? I was inexplicably invited to a banquet, then I have to stay in the palace. I’m suffocating with injustice here, and I’m not even allowed to ask?" Meng Yao was plotting how to leave. Once she left the Imperial Palace, she would immediately change her name and immerse herself in the beauty of nature, staying far away from this rotten Capital City.

As for Zhao Dahe, with Zhao Ting around, and if she herself worked hard enough, there was nothing to worry about.

As for Xiaohua, even though Dahe often teased her, he truly cared for her.

If she left, Dahe would certainly take good care of Xiaohua.

As for Dajiang and Xiu’er, being honest people, Zhao Ting should not mistreat them.

"So Sister Meng still isn’t willing to stay in the palace?" Noble Consort An sighed, "If Sister Meng isn’t willing, then it should be up to your wishes. As long as you don’t want to, no one will force you."

"Ah?" Meng Yao was stunned for a moment, "If I didn’t hear wrongly, you’re saying I don’t have to enter the palace?"

Noble Consort An nodded, "Yes."

"You’re not lying?" Meng Yao asked.

"Of course not," Noble Consort An affirmed, "But can Sister Meng often come to talk to me in the palace?"

Enter the palace? No, certainly not.

She didn’t miss this kind of place one bit.

"Well, I can’t just enter the palace at will, can I?" Meng Yao said.

"I can invite Sister Meng to the palace," Noble Consort An said.

Meng Yao decided that once she left the palace, she would first deal with Zhao Ting, then leave immediately.

She would go far away; she wouldn’t play with them anymore.

"I’ll listen to you, Your Majesty," Meng Yao said.

Noble Consort An was very pleased and called her personal palace maid over.

Meng Yao breathed a sigh of relief; this meant the topic was temporarily over.

Afterward, Noble Consort An had her trusted aides bring over a box of pearls and gemstones, "Sister Meng, take these back for your enjoyment."

The consort’s gifts were naturally not ordinary.

Round and smooth pearls of different colors were precious items, even in ancient times and also in later ages.

As for the various gemstones, in Meng Yao’s view, some were precious, while others were ordinary, like garnet, agate, lapis lazuli, and such.

However, in ancient times, they were certainly valuable.

Meng Yao did not decline and accepted them graciously.

When there’s a lack of silver, these could be exchanged for money.

"Does Sister Meng like these? I have many more, and I’ll have them brought out for you," Noble Consort An said.

No matter what, Noble Consort An was sincere to her.

So Meng Yao was embarrassed to think of her as a fool.

Constantly milking a source is easy to overdo.

"No need, no need, these are already more than enough," Meng Yao quickly waved her hand.

"Sister Meng, don’t be polite with me, they’re just trinkets, perfect for playing with," Noble Consort An said.

"Then I’ll talk to you if I run out," Meng Yao said.

"Alright, I’ll keep them for you, and I’ll give them to you then," Noble Consort An said.

Meng Yao managed to force a smile and was dragged into conversation by Noble Consort An for a while before she finally set foot on her way out, personally escorted by Noble Consort An’s trusted chief palace maid.

Zhao Ting was diligently working on carpentry.

Dahe told him that Ayao liked the various tables and chairs made from small trees.

They didn’t have many at home, so Zhao Ting planned to make a few pieces himself to give to Meng Yao.

Although he didn’t have experience, he had found books on the subject, and by copying them, he was doing quite well.

Zhao Ting thought if he worked hard enough, he could satisfy Ayao.

Meng Yao entered, saw Zhao Ting, and without a word, picked up a wooden stick (which Zhao Ting had painstakingly shaved and rounded, intending to saw it into chair legs) and aimed it at Zhao Ting.

Luckily, Zhao Ting reacted quickly and dodged it.

If it had hit, his head might have split open.

She was fine when she left; why was she so angry when she returned?

Did she suffer grievances in the palace?

"Ayaw, calm down first. Who bullied you? Tell me, and I’ll certainly get justice for you," Zhao Ting said. "Anger is bad for your health; we needn’t stoop to their level."

Meng Yao glared coldly at Zhao Ting, "You don’t know who bullied me? I can’t believe you, Zhao Ting, are such a person!"

Zhao Ting was confused: What kind of person am I?