In Changshou Palace, the luxurious Empress Dowager sat on her phoenix chair, her face etched with worry. Beside her, the Emperor pondered. At this moment, no one in the palace knew that Jun Mohan had found Leng Ruoli.
The Empress Dowager looked at the Emperor and asked, "Your Majesty, do we have any news of the Cold Consort?"
The Emperor sighed.
"Mother, Han'er has sent many people to find the Cold Consort. I believe he will find that girl soon," the Emperor comforted her.
"If that girl is found, how do you plan to deal with her?" the Empress Dowager probed again.
"Mother, the Cold Consort was abducted on her wedding night. This is an insult to the royal family. If the Cold Consort does not return, Han'er will be the target of gossip for life. If she does return, some officials will surely make a big fuss. This matter is rather difficult to handle," the Emperor said, clutching his head.
"I don't care about others' affairs, but you must help me protect the Cold Consort," the Empress Dowager said in a very firm tone.
"Mother, this humble son wishes even more that she would not be harmed," the Emperor revealed his true thoughts.
"That's good! I truly cannot bear to part with that little girl."
The Empress Dowager's voice choked up as she said this, for Leng Ruoli was not only her savior but also her source of joy.
Just then, a charming female voice echoed from Changshou Palace.
Everyone looked up and saw the Empress, dressed in a magnificent red palace gown, her serpentine waist swaying. Behind her, ten beautiful women followed, slowly entering the Empress Dowager's palace.
"Your Imperial Majesty, Empress Dowager, your humble subject pays her respects!"
The Empress bowed respectfully to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager.
The Emperor and the Empress Dowager frowned as they saw the Empress bring in a group of beautiful women.
"Empress, why have you brought so many young women to Changshou Palace?" the Empress Dowager asked, full of confusion.
"Mother, a few days ago, wasn't the Cold Consort abducted on her wedding night? Your daughter-in-law heard that Han'er has been unwell with worry these past few days and is in very poor health. As his nominal mother, I also feel distressed. Therefore, I have carefully selected ten young, beautiful, and considerate women to be sent to the Cold Prince's manor to care for Han'er."
After speaking, the Empress pretended to shed two tears, dabbing her tearful eyes with a silk handkerchief, putting on a dramatic performance that made the Emperor and the Empress Dowager feel utterly disgusted.
"Empress, this is unnecessary! Han'er has no interest in anyone right now, and his temper has become very volatile. If you send these ten women to the Cold Prince's manor, won't you be sending them to their deaths?"
The Empress Dowager directly refused on behalf of Jun Mohan, as she had watched him grow up and knew his temperament well. If the Empress were to send these ten women to the Cold Prince's manor, the consequence would be that they would enter alive and be carried out dead.
"But these ten women were all chosen by your daughter-in-law under the guise of selecting side consorts for the Cold Prince. Moreover, these girls are all daughters of officials in our Tianwu Kingdom. According to our Tianwu Kingdom's customs, women who are sent away or married cannot return to live long-term in their parents' homes unless they are visiting. If they have no one to take them in, their end will be death. As the mother of the nation, your daughter-in-law cannot stand by and watch these beautiful young women perish at such a tender age."
"You... Empress, you have chosen side consorts for the Cold Prince without the consent of the Empress Dowager and the Emperor. This is completely disregarding us!"
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager was enraged. This Empress Lin had become increasingly arrogant, often disregarding her words.
Seeing the Empress Dowager's extreme anger, the Emperor beside her immediately stood up and went to her, helping to calm her.
"Mother, please don't upset yourself. For this matter, just do as the Empress wishes and send these ten women to the Cold Prince's manor," the Emperor said to the Empress Dowager with a meaningful look.
The Empress Dowager was stunned for a moment after hearing the Emperor's words. Then, she glanced at the Emperor's deep, piercing eyes and quickly understood his intention.
"Very well, since these women cannot be sent back, they will be sent to the Cold Prince's manor tomorrow morning."
"Yes, your daughter-in-law thanks you, Mother! Your daughter-in-law takes her leave." The Empress said triumphantly.
A moment later, after the Empress left Changshou Palace, the Empress Dowager looked at him and asked,
"Your Majesty, why did you just let me agree to the Empress's request?"
"Mother, your son has always known that the Empress has been secretly selecting women for the Cold Prince's manor, and these women are all庶女 (concubines' daughters) from families of officials who support the Empress and Prince Qing. Since they wish to enter the Cold Prince's manor to their deaths, let them go. It will also serve as a test of Han'er's feelings for that girl," the Emperor explained.
"Are you sure nothing will go wrong this way?"
"Mother, please don't worry. Han'er and Li'er are both extraordinary. If they truly love each other, they won't be easily separated."
"That is true!"
The Empress Dowager nodded her head in reassurance.
——
The next morning, Leng Ruoli woke up from her rocking chair and opened her eyes to see Jun Mohan staring at her intently.
"Why did you get up? Your injuries are not light, and they are all internal. You need more rest," Leng Ruoli said with a dark expression.
"I also just woke up. Seeing Li'er wasn't by my side, I thought you had been abducted again, so I got up to look for you."
Leng Ruoli: ...
Two blushes instantly rose to her cheeks, making her look exceptionally cute.
Jun Mohan's eyes were filled with her.
Just then, a tactless little maid suddenly knocked on their door.
"Bang bang bang!"
"Your Highness, Consort, are you awake? Someone from the palace has arrived. The butler told me to call you out," Xing'er called out, knocking on the door.
"We're awake. Go and get us some warm water to wash up," Leng Ruoli instructed. After a short while, Xing'er returned, carrying a basin of warm water and hopping excitedly.
After Jun Mohan and Leng Ruoli had quickly washed up, they proceeded to the manor's hall. As soon as they stepped through the hall entrance, they saw a group of beautiful women inside, which left them utterly dumbfounded.
The scent of rouge and powder emanating from them made the two feel very uncomfortable.
What was going on?
Why were so many women in the manor after waking up from a nap?
When these women saw the Cold Prince emerge, they shyly bowed to him.
"Your humble subject pays her respects to Your Highness!"
The ten women exclaimed in unison and bowed respectfully.
"Why have you come to the Cold Prince's manor?"
Jun Mohan directly questioned them without even looking at them.
"Your Highness, we were chosen by the Emperor, Empress Dowager, and Empress from the palace to serve you in the Cold Prince's manor," one of the women said in a coquettish tone.
"I do not require your service. All of you should return to the palace!" Jun Mohan said with a cold voice.
He didn't need to guess to know that this was the Empress's doing.