The Emperor's Hidden Love

Changxin Palace

"What did you say? The Emperor has summoned Consort Zhao again tonight?" Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng's palm slammed onto the small table, and the long, slender nails of her hand were broken off with a sharp crack.

"Your Majesty, ever since His Majesty ascended the throne, he has been fair in distributing his affection. Each consort has been given their turn, even the one who was favored before, and never once did she go beyond the set boundaries," the elderly maid, dressed in a dark green palace robe, stood with her head bowed in front of the Empress Dowager.

"Are you implying..." Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng glanced at the maid, Li Mama, who had taken care of her since childhood.

"Your Majesty, Consort Zhao is not someone simple. In just one year, she has risen from a lowly seventh-rank beauty to the second-rank Consort Zhao. Though she is not as favored as the former consort, she is certainly the most capable one in these years," Li Mama continued with a cautious tone.

Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng furrowed her brows but remained silent. Li Mama didn't stop, adding, "Today, His Majesty summoned her for a second consecutive night. This is a clear sign of favoritism, and we must be cautious."

Normally, such matters would seem trivial in other courts. But in the Tianzheng Dynasty, where Emperor Tianzheng had ruled for years, there had never been a precedent for summoning a consort two nights in a row. This was why Li Mama was concerned.

"The Emperor would never treat me like this." Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng's words were defiant, but her tone lacked conviction.

"Your Majesty, these seductive women each have their own ways of seducing. Remember how the previous one rose to favor? You cannot afford to be naive, Your Majesty. I've heard that Consort Zhao is quite adept at catering to His Majesty's tastes in bed," Li Mama whispered into the Empress Dowager's ear.

"Then... what should we do?" Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng began to feel uneasy.

"Your Majesty, you could issue an edict claiming that Consort Zhao's beauty has caused harm to His Majesty's health. Seize the opportunity to eliminate her," Li Mama made a gesture of slitting her throat with her fingers.

"Li Mama, how could I kill a second-rank consort over such a small matter? How would His Majesty view me if I did?" Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng hesitated.

"Your Majesty, if you don't act now, when she becomes too powerful, it will be too late. If she bears the Emperor's son and wins his heart, what will you do then? At that point, even the heavens won't be able to help you," Li Mama's voice grew more urgent.

"Li Mama, don't you understand? He has always said that he loves my purity. Look at these hands—they have never been stained with blood. If I eliminate Consort Zhao now, everything will be ruined," Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng said calmly, but her eyes were sharp. She may not be as clever as Li Mama in some respects, but when it came to the big picture, she never hesitated. She knew exactly what attracted the Emperor to her.

"So, Your Majesty's decision is to do nothing?" Li Mama was almost frantic.

"Not exactly. Li Mama, do you think there is a better way to deal with a woman in the palace than using someone else's hand?" Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng smiled sweetly, like the purest snow on a mountain, untainted by any dust.

"I don't understand, Your Majesty."

"The Empress has been away for three years. With her skills, dealing with Consort Zhao should be a piece of cake," Empress Dowager Dugu Yuanfeng said, her voice playful.