An Ningxiang felt uneasy. Initially, she truly believed Xuanyuan Mo would reprimand and punish the Imperial Concubine, but unexpectedly, he only brought Chunxue back.
He merely said to her, “The Imperial Concubine does not need to bow to anyone.”
Furthermore, he instructed her to warn the palace servants not to provoke the Imperial Concubine.
An Ningxiang didn’t care about the Imperial Concubine’s elevated status. What she cared about was Xuanyuan Mo’s strange attitude toward the Imperial Concubine. If he truly regarded her as a shield, now that An Ningxiang was already the Empress, there should no longer be a need for the Imperial Concubine.
Her father was a general, and her elder brother’s position in the court was not insignificant either.
There was absolutely no need for a shield anymore. She was the Empress, after all. Would she still have to defer to a concubine in the future?
It was frustrating, utterly frustrating.
Soon, it was time for the ceremony to officially establish her as Empress. Despite her discomfort, An Ningxiang dared not make any mistakes. For the time being, she decided to avoid the Imperial Concubine altogether.
The entire harem was watching closely. It was the first direct confrontation between the Empress and the Imperial Concubine. Who would come out on top?
Unexpectedly, the one who won was still the Imperial Concubine.
Even Concubine Meng De and Concubine Yin Shu were surprised. No longer confining themselves to their chambers, they came to Tang Guo’s palace to see what was going on.
Upon arrival, they discovered their Imperial Concubine happily brewing scented tea. The two exchanged glances, their faces lighting up with joy. It seemed they were in for a treat today.
The Imperial Concubine’s various skills were unparalleled, and her tea-making ability was no exception. It was something few could rival.
The more outstanding the Imperial Concubine was, the more they felt their Emperor was blind.
An Ningxiang wasn’t bad, but no matter how you compared them, she was no match for the Imperial Concubine.
They still didn’t know that the person visiting the palace at night wasn’t Xuanyuan Mo. If they knew the truth, who knows how shocked they would be?
“Imperial Concubine Sister, you’re in quite the good mood today,” Concubine Meng De said eagerly, her eyes fixed on the teapot. Noticing this, Tang Guo poured each of them a cup. The two said nothing more, sipping their tea first.
Upon drinking it, they felt a refreshing clarity, utterly invigorating.
[How could it not be? This tea is extraordinary—something you requested from Ziyun Zhenren. By the way, Host, are you particularly fond of these few people? You’re actually using spirit tea to entertain them.]
“They are rather pleasing to the eye. Since they cooperate so well in weaving my narrative, I should give them a little reward. Right now, they’re entirely on my side, feeling sorry for me every day. Naturally, I should treat them a little better.”
[I just feel like it’s not that simple. Host, you often do harmful things under the guise of “it’s for your own good,”] the system couldn’t help but mutter. That nature of the host would never change. She might appear to be kind to them, but there was definitely an ulterior motive.
Having followed the host for so many years, he deeply understood that there was no such thing as kindness without a reason. No matter who she was kind to, there was always some purpose behind it, nothing ever happened without a reason.
“There is a purpose, albeit a small one.” Tang Guo smiled slyly. “These pleasing concubines, I want to ensure they remain youthful and beautiful, retaining their charm for a long time. Let them enjoy themselves in the palace for their entire lives, living more fulfilling lives than anyone else.”
The words sounded good, but the system shuddered slightly. [And then what?]
“And then?” Tang Guo smiled. “And then An Ningxiang will watch, wide-eyed, as a group of older sisters remains youthful and beautiful their entire lives. Even without Xuanyuan Mo’s favor, why is it that they can live so carefree and happy?”
“Tongzi, don’t you think my repayment plan is brilliant?”
Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant. Utterly brilliant.
The system silently lit a candle for An Ningxiang. Clearly, the Host hadn’t taken any direct action against her, yet An Ningxiang would still end up in unbearable torment. Truly remarkable.
Such a vengeful and petty host.
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