CHAPTER 258: CHAPTER ONE HUNDRED EIGHTY-SEVEN

Sun Kui’s mouth twitched slightly as he said, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"What title should I give her?" the Emperor pondered, stroking his chin, "How about the title of Yingpin?"

"Your Majesty, which ’Ying’?"

"Of course, it’s the ’Ying’ from Si Youying," replied the Emperor.

Sun Kui: "... Your Majesty, are you serious?"

The Emperor retorted, "Do I look like I’m joking?"

Sun Kui honestly said, "You do."

The Emperor glared at Sun Kui after hearing this.

"I can’t forget Si Youying, and now that a person who looks exactly like Si Youying has appeared, I naturally want to favor her. I think giving her the title ’Ying’ is most fitting."

Sun Kui muttered internally: The Emperor’s dark humor is surfacing again.

"Doesn’t that make me seem very affectionate?" the Emperor said, assuming an amorously devoted expression, "I can’t forget Si Youying."

Sun Kui was startled by the Emperor’s display of affection, and he couldn’t help but rub his arms.

"I think the title of Yingpin is excellent; it suits my mood perfectly."

Sun Kui silently sympathized with Qin Xiulian, "Your Majesty is wise."

The Emperor set down the cup of tea he was holding and stood up, stretching his back lazily.

"I must go and see my Yingpin now."

Sun Kui hurried to catch up.

The Emperor walked leisurely with his hands clasped behind his back.

"It’s been a long time since there’s been a good show in this palace; it’s time for some excitement."

Sun Kui’s heart sank at these words, and an ominous premonition suddenly enveloped him.

"Your Majesty, you’re not planning on doing something, are you?" The Emperor couldn’t possibly be plotting some scheme, could he?

The Emperor looked innocent, "What would I do?"

"Your Majesty, you wouldn’t be teasing someone, would you?" Actually, what Sun Kui meant was "toying with."

"Am I that kind of person?" the Emperor smirked and said, "Do I have that much free time?"

"Your Majesty, when you’re bored, you enjoy teasing people." It’s just unclear whether the Emperor will toy with Duke Zhen or Marquis Xuanping next. Or perhaps His Majesty will play with both.

"I’m not that kind of person."

Sun Kui thought to himself: Your Majesty, you are indeed that kind of person.

The Emperor crossed his arms behind his head, hummed an off-key tune, and strolled casually.

Sun Kui was very curious about whether the Emperor really liked Si Youying or not. But he dared not ask.

In Zhao Yang Palace, Empress Xie was still sulking when she heard that the Emperor had arrived. Her face immediately broke into a smile. She quickly tidied her appearance to welcome him. Unexpectedly, the Emperor went straight to the side hall.

Empress Xie’s heart filled with resentment, but after taking a deep breath, her expression was calm as she headed to the side hall.

As soon as she entered the side hall, she saw the Emperor sitting by the bed, gazing tenderly at Qin Xiulian and inquiring about her well-being.

Seeing this scene, Empress Xie was filled with jealousy, but she did not show it on her face. She stepped forward and respectfully bowed to the Emperor, "Your Majesty."

The Emperor glanced at Empress Xie and nodded slightly, "You may rise."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." After Empress Xie stood up, she walked to the Emperor’s side. "Don’t worry, Your Majesty, I will take good care of Miss Qin."

"With the Empress looking after her, I would naturally be at ease," the Emperor said warmly to Qin Xiulian, "If you want to eat anything, just tell the Empress."

"Miss Qin, if there’s anything you wish to eat, just let me know." Empress Xie’s attitude was very kind, utterly different from her previous furious demeanor.

"Thank you, Empress."

"Your Majesty, I have already instructed the small kitchen to simmer tonic soup for Miss Qin every day; this will aid in her recovery."

"You are thoughtful, Empress," the Emperor said, "If the tonic at your place is insufficient, you can have some delivered from the Imperial Hospital."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

The Emperor looked warmly at Qin Xiulian, who was lying in bed, and said, "I have already ordered to tidy up Changle Palace. Once you recover from your injuries, I will bring you into the palace."

Upon hearing this, Empress Xie displayed an incredulous expression on her dignified face. Although she had long known that the Emperor would bring Qin Xiulian into the palace, hearing it from the Emperor’s own mouth made Empress Xie feel an uncontrollable surge of jealousy.

Lying in bed, Qin Xiulian blushed slightly, her expression both shy and sweet.

"Your humble servant... obeys the decree..."

The Emperor took Qin Xiulian’s left hand and smiled, saying, "You need to recover soon."

Qin Xiulian’s face grew even redder. She said bashfully, "Yes."

Standing behind the Emperor, Empress Xie’s hands involuntarily clenched into fists, her nails embedding deep into her palms. Nevertheless, she put on a facade of joy, "Congratulations, Your Majesty, congratulations, Miss Qin."

"Miss Qin, Changle Palace is a lovely place; it’s not far from Chengguang Hall." Empress Xie spoke as if genuinely happy for Qin Xiulian, "Changle Palace has a pomegranate tree, which bears many fruits every year. Pomegranates symbolize fertility and prosperity."

Qin Xiulian’s face turned even redder, her expression embarrassed and at a loss.

"Focus on getting well," the Emperor said gently.

"Yes, Your Majesty."

After saying a few more words of concern, the Emperor left to visit Empress Xie’s main hall.

Seeing that it was almost time for dinner, Empress Xie invited the Emperor to stay for the meal. The Emperor did not refuse and stayed to dine with Empress Xie and the seventh Prince.

Soon, the news that the Emperor had ordered the renovation and furnishing of Changle Palace spread throughout the harem.

Upon hearing this, Noble Princess Consort Rong dropped her teacup in shock, scalding her hand with the hot tea.

Jin Mei quickly went to fetch some ointment.

"Jin Mei, the Emperor is letting Qin Xiulian live in Changle Palace!" Noble Princess Consort Rong was unsettled and could not believe that the Emperor would arrange for Qin Xiulian to reside in Changle Palace.

Although Changle Palace is neither large nor luxurious compared to Empress Xie’s Zhao Yang Palace and Noble Princess Consort Rong’s Yongxin Palace, its location is excellent, not far from Chengguang Hall. Most importantly, there is a pomegranate tree in Changle Palace. It is said that this pomegranate tree has been there since the previous dynasty, for two or three hundred years.

This pomegranate tree was personally planted by the founding Empress of the previous dynasty, meaning Changle Palace was her residence. After she passed away, Changle Palace was left vacant. No subsequent Empress lived there.

Until the establishment of Great Zhou, the previous Empress resided there.

Changle Palace is not the residence of the Empress; Zhao Yang Palace is.

The previous Empress moved into Changle Palace at the behest of the previous Empress Dowager, who hoped the previous Empress would bear more children for the Emperor. Additionally, the previous Empress liked to eat pomegranates. After the previous Empress passed away, Changle Palace was once again vacated.

Now that the Emperor has arranged for Qin Xiulian to move into Changle Palace, it signifies extreme favor, making it intolerable for the concubines in the harem.

Qin Xiulian has not even entered the palace yet and is already receiving such favor from the Emperor. Once she enters the palace, who knows how favored she will become? It could be akin to the favor once bestowed upon Noble Princess Consort Rong.

Zhao Yao, upon hearing this news, immediately thought he wouldn’t be able to freely pick pomegranates from Changle Palace anymore.

The pomegranates from Changle Palace are always very large, plentiful, and sweet each year.

Every year, when the pomegranates ripen, he would go to Changle Palace to pick them.

"Mother Consort, will I still be able to pick pomegranates from Changle Palace in the future?"

There are so many palaces in this compound; why did that detestable father of his have to give Changle Palace to that Qin Xiulian?

His pomegranates...