Chapter 475: An Ornamental Harem? The Former Princess

Her older sister, Ji Qingrong, was also among them. Ji Qingwu made a point of walking down the steps to help her up, and the two sisters smiled and exchanged a few words.

Last were the concubines. As the Emperor’s consorts, they were required by court etiquette to perform a grand salute to the Empress. They had to kowtow respectfully, their foreheads touching the ground, and present meticulously prepared congratulatory gifts.

Ji Qingwu had no intention of making things difficult for them or putting them in their place.

Whether the gift was a precious Golden Ruyi Red Coral, a hand-embroidered handkerchief, or a hand-copied Heart Sutra, Ji Qingwu treated them all equally. She responded with a faint smile before bidding them to rise.

Those who had been hoping to see a struggle, whether overt or covert, between the new Empress and the favored concubine were left disappointed.

This was because the Empress paid no particular attention to Wei Liru. A faint smile remained on her lips, and she possessed the full bearing of a Queen.

After a while of polite conversation, the guests began to file out of the grand hall.

Only one person remained.

Ji Qingwu lifted her gaze to the person seated below and to her left, the curve of her lips unchanged.

"Princess Consort Wei, you’ve lost weight."

The last time the two had met was during the palace coup.

Wei Liru had indeed lost a significant amount of weight. The dark circles under her eyes were impossible to conceal, even beneath heavy makeup.

"I cannot compare to Your Majesty’s radiance," Wei Liru replied. "These past days, I have worried day and night about the Emperor’s safety at the border. I’ve lost my appetite and have been unable to sleep."

Ji Qingwu nodded slightly, replying nonchalantly, "Then you should return to your palace, have some pastries, and get some proper sleep. I am quite tired myself."

However, Wei Liru’s lips curled into a smile as she retorted, "Did the Empress not sleep well last night, either? I heard on my way here that the Emperor left between 3 a.m. and 5 a.m. and did not spend the entire night with you."

This was already common knowledge throughout the palace.

By rights, after the imperial wedding, there was a three-day holiday from court duties. It should have been a time for the newlyweds to be inseparable.

But the Emperor had left Chening Hall before dawn, and now everyone was speculating whether this seemingly favored Empress had somehow angered him.

Ji Qingwu replied calmly, "Oh? And has the Emperor ever spent an entire night in your palace, Princess Consort Wei?"

The corners of Wei Liru’s mouth stiffened slightly before she answered, "Of course he has."

Ji Qingwu chuckled softly and shook her head.

’She knew it as clearly as looking in a mirror. Emperor Wu Su’s harem was mostly for show. Which of the concubines didn’t act as if they were facing a great enemy whenever the Emperor visited? Ji Qingwu had thought that Wei Liru might be the sole exception in the entire palace.’

’But she had already reviewed the Daily Life Record from the Imperial Household this morning. The pages recording the Emperor’s overnight stays in the harem were completely blank, while the records of him sleeping alone in Zhaoyang Hall filled three volumes.’

’Li Yuzong had even deliberately sent over a tray of green cards—the lacquered nameplates were starting to rust from disuse.’

’Ji Qingwu understood perfectly. Li Yuzong had sent these to her before her official audience with the imperial concubines and noble women. She knew exactly who had given the order and what message it was meant to send.’

’Whatever issues existed between her and Emperor Wu Su were their own private matter, having nothing to do with these women.’

Ji Qingwu stood up, smoothing the wrinkles on her phoenix robe.

As she was the Empress, etiquette dictated that Wei Liru, being of lower rank, could not remain seated and had to rise with her.

"Princess Consort Wei, you may leave," Ji Qingwu said.

She turned toward a side door, having no desire to speak with her further.

"Your Majesty!"

That single, resigned glance from Ji Qingwu shattered Wei Liru’s composure.

Wei Liru raised her voice. "Your Majesty, please wait!"

Ji Qingwu didn’t want to embarrass Wei Liru in front of the palace attendants. It would benefit no one if rumors of discord between them started spreading on her very first day as Empress.

She commanded, "Aunt Fanghua, take the others and stand guard at the doors."

Once they were the only two left in the hall, Wei Liru began, "Does Your Majesty believe that by defeating me, you’ve secured the Emperor’s exclusive favor?"

Ji Qingwu looked at her, confused.

Wei Liru continued, "I know the Emperor’s heart isn’t in Guanju Palace."

’She had always been aware of this. In fact, every single concubine who entered the palace was aware of it.’

’On the night before she entered the palace, the Emperor’s own Eunuch Li had told them that within the palace walls, there was no room for love or affection—only the fate of their families.’

’To the Emperor, they were decorations. To their families, they were tools in the struggle for power and prestige.’

’Wei Liru had accepted all of this.’

’But sitting beside an emperor of such exceptional talent and looks, who could truly keep their heart from stirring? How Wei Liru had longed to be the exception.’

’But now, all her bitterness was for naught.’

Wei Liru stated firmly, "Perhaps a piece of the Emperor’s heart belongs to you, Your Majesty, but it is certainly not the whole thing."

Ji Qingwu said, "What are you trying to say?"

Wei Liru took a deep breath. "The one in Anhua Palace is the woman the Emperor loves but can never have. He has always held a place for her in his heart."

’Anhua Palace?’

A flicker of confusion crossed Ji Qingwu’s eyes. ’The name sounded vaguely familiar.’

Seeing her furrow her brow in thought, Wei Liru asked, "Does Your Majesty know which woman resides in Anhua Palace?"

’She remembered now. She and Yuan Heng had gotten lost near the entrance to Anhua Palace once, and a maid from there had to guide them out. But as for who actually lived there, she truly had no idea.’

Ji Qingwu shook her head. "I do not."

Wei Liru crumpled the handkerchief in her hand. Glancing cautiously toward the door, she lowered her voice. "It’s Liang Muhui."

’Apparently, this was a name not to be spoken of in public.’

Ji Qingwu had never heard the name before. "Who is she?" she asked.

Wei Liru’s voice dropped even lower. "She’s the former princess from the previous dynasty... the one who was once betrothed to the Emperor."

’There was something like that? The Emperor has an old flame?’

’Ji Qingwu was inwardly surprised but let none of it show on her face. It was obvious what Wei Liru’s intentions were in telling her this.’

She looked at the other woman and said, "And so?"

Seeing that a smile still lingered on Ji Qingwu’s lips and that her expression held not a trace of displeasure, Wei Liru pressed on. "The entire Imperial Family of the previous dynasty was executed, yet her life alone was spared. She’s even being kept hidden here in the palace. That’s enough to show her importance in the Emperor’s heart."

"Furthermore, it is Liang Muhui who refuses to be close to the Emperor. If she were to ever have a change of heart and decide to rekindle their old relationship, Your Majesty had better be prepared."

The implication in Wei Liru’s last words was heavy.

Ji Qingwu’s gaze shifted.

’Emperor Wu Su was a decisive man who never left loose ends.’

’A remnant of the previous dynasty was a definite threat to the reigning Emperor. For the woman in Anhua Palace to still be alive, she must be incredibly important to him.’

Ji Qingwu nodded. "Very well, I understand."

Seeing how calm Ji Qingwu remained, Wei Liru grew anxious, her goal clearly not achieved. "Do... do you truly understand what I’m saying?"

Ji Qingwu said, "I understand."

Then, her expression hardened into a stern admonishment. "But what of it? Do not speak of these past matters again, Princess Consort Wei, lest you bring disaster upon yourself."

Wei Liru was speechless for a long moment.

’When Wei Liru herself had first discovered this secret, she had been so depressed that she’d fallen ill for a month. How could Ji Qingwu hear it and act as if it were some trivial piece of gossip, completely unconcerned?’

Wei Liru said, "The truth is, you have no real feelings for the Emperor, Your Majesty. That’s why you can be so magnanimous."