PNB Chapter 51 Li Yuanke's harem is probably turning into a monkey park.
Chapter 51 Li Yuanke's harem is probably turning into a monkey park.
Shen Shixi went to the Empress's Qifeng Palace again. The Emperor had bestowed gifts upon the harem, which were, as usual, distributed by the Empress.
There's also a portion for her here.
"I heard that Baekje sent many Silla maids, and the Donghu and Xiqiang also sent princesses as tribute. They are all incredibly beautiful. Sister Shen, what should we do if the Emperor falls in love with them?" Su Fuying asked, seemingly very worried.
"If my sister isn't afraid, why should I be?" Shen Shixi laughed. "At least now, I don't have as much favor with the Emperor as others, but I do have more than my sister, right?"
Shen Shixi walked past her and stepped forward, not seeing her glaring at him from behind.
The Empress said, "These are tributes from foreign lands. The items themselves are secondary; it's just something new to look at. The others are fine, but these snail-shell eyebrow pencils are particularly rare. In previous years, only I and a few high-ranking concubines could get a little bit, and it will be the same this year. However, Consort Zhao will also get some. I'm sure you have no objections?"
"Why does she have it? If the new concubines don't have it, then none of them do!" Lin Guiyou said indignantly.
The Empress smiled and coaxed, "Consort Zhao has always served His Majesty diligently, so it's inevitable that I'll show her some favoritism. If you're dissatisfied, then serve His Majesty even more diligently in the future, and I will certainly reward you handsomely!"
"We wouldn't dare!" Lin Guiyou glared at Shen Shixi angrily.
Shen Shixi didn't care; if she was given the money, she certainly wouldn't say no.
Who doesn't like good things!
After expressing her gratitude, Shen Shixi had her allowance carried back. Since she had received a reward, the entire Zhaoyang Palace naturally rewarded her again.
In the morning, after the emperor received the envoys from various countries, the state banquet began.
This time, Shen Shixi naturally arrived very early. It was a matter of Great Zhou's reputation, and she couldn't afford to hold them back.
After the emperor and his ministers took their seats, the Empress Dowager sat at the head of the table, with the emperor and empress on either side.
There was no one else among the Nine Consorts. Shen Shixi was second only to Consort Song. She didn't want to be too close to Consort Song, but there was nothing she could do. Fortunately, there was still some space between them.
She told Bai Ping to keep a close eye on Song Jieyu to prevent her from getting into trouble.
After nine rounds of drinks, everyone began to toast and exchange pleasantries, creating a harmonious atmosphere between hosts and guests.
Next came the part where they toasted the emperor. The Donghu envoys surrounded the princess as she came over to offer him a toast.
After finishing her ceremony, the Donghu princess turned around and saw Shen Shixi. She exclaimed, "Shixi, is that really you? What are you doing here? Ah, you've become His Majesty the Emperor's woman?"
Shen Shixi had already spotted Princess Jinzhu and smiled as he raised his wine glass to her, "Princess, long time no see! How have you been?"
Jinzhu came over and said, "Shixi, it's so good to see you again! You have no idea how much I missed you after you left. My father said he was going to send me to the Great Zhou to marry His Majesty the Emperor, and the thought of you being in the Great Zhou made me so happy to come!"
She held Shen Shixi's hand as if the two were long-lost sworn brothers.
The emperor was looking in this direction.
Shen Shixi calmly withdrew her hand and said, "Welcome, friends who have come from afar!"
"That's wonderful, Shi Xi. From the first day I saw you, I knew we could be friends for life. I was worried that I wouldn't know anyone in His Majesty's harem, but with you, I feel relieved."
After Jinzhu returned to her seat, Lin Guiyou said, "Consort Zhao, how did you become friends with the princess of the Yi tribe? You're not their spy, are you?"
"Lady Lin, I heard that your brother has taken a Silla maid as his concubine and, disregarding etiquette and social hierarchy, gave birth to a son out of wedlock. Your brother has become the son-in-law of Baekje. Could he be a spy planted in my Great Zhou?"
"You... Consort Zhao, I think you are the one who has no manners at all! A mere concubine is not qualified to let my brother be the son-in-law of Baekje!" Lin Guiyou was furious.
"Shut up!" Li Yuanke said, displeased.
No one dared to speak.
Lin Guiyou only dared to glare at Shen Shixi secretly.
[Lin Guiyou must be seriously ill, always provoking me. Do you think I'm your punching bag? What an idiot! I'll teach her a lesson she won't forget!]
Li Yuanke glanced at Shen Shixi.
[The envoys from the Western Qiang have arrived. I knew it was this brother and sister. They couldn't win the throne from the eldest, so they've come to the Great Zhou to seek sponsorship? Good, that eldest prince is much stronger than that idiot Yan Jun, and he's more ambitious. Using Yan Jun to check and balance the eldest prince, letting them fight amongst themselves, is a good idea.]
After the toast, Princess Yulong of the Western Qiang Kingdom greeted Shen Shixi, saying, "Shen Shixi, you haven't forgotten that you stole a sheep from my Western Qiang Kingdom that day, have you?"
Upon hearing this, everyone was shocked. Shen Shixi's status was no longer what it used to be. The emperor's woman was actually a thief. It was too shocking!
Shen Shixi said slowly, "Back then, your brother, Prince Yanjun, was hanging on a tree branch on the cliff, looking disheveled and pitiful. He promised me that if I rescued him, he would repay me with a sheep, but he broke his promise."
I'm a person who clearly distinguishes between gratitude and resentment; if someone owes me something, I'll always make sure I get it back.
Consort Rong laughed and said, "So that's how it is. Although the Western Qiang are a small tribe, he is still a prince. How can his life be worth less than a sheep?"
"Your Highness Consort Rong is absolutely right, that's what I think too! The Western Qiang have always been a vassal state of our Great Zhou. Although I am not talented, I did not want Prince Yan Jun to lose face, so I took a sheep with me when I left. It's kind of Princess Yulong to remember this to this day!"
The emperor asked, "This is Consort Zhao of my Great Zhou. In the past, when she was with the Donghu and Xiqiang, she was treated with great hospitality by your tribe, for which I am extremely grateful!"
Prince Yan Jun was greatly alarmed and hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, I was deeply grateful to Consort Zhao for saving my life that day, and it is only right that I treat her with the utmost hospitality. My younger sister is young and spoke inappropriately; I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"
Princess Yulong was infatuated with Li Yuanke. When Li Yuanke glanced at her, she felt that he had fallen in love with her and that none of the women in Li Yuanke's harem could compare to her.
He was so excited, he looked just like a peacock spreading its tail feathers.
"Your Majesty, when Shen Shixi first came to my tribe, I treated her to the finest songs and dances. She said then that if I were to visit in the future, she would also treat me to songs and dances. I wonder if her words still stand today?"
Shen Shixi said, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Music Bureau has been rehearsing for a long time for today's state banquet. Since the princess wants to see it, why don't we bring it up?"
"Granted!" the emperor said.
The princess of Western Qiang retorted, "Shen Shixi, are you afraid you can't compare to me?"
"Hmm, I can't compare to you. I can't do anything, all I can do is eat. I can't compare to you!" Shen Shixi rested her chin on her hand, quietly watching her get angry.
[I'll make you furious! Hey, when someone's just giving up, they're truly unstoppable! What can you do to me? Come and bite me!]
Li Yuanke lowered his eyes, picked up his teacup, and covered his upturned lips.
Li Fude didn't know why the emperor was suddenly so happy. "Your Majesty, this Bai Longyao is freshly served and still warm. Please have a sip. You've only been drinking wine today."
Li Yuanke took a bite and found it quite delicious. "Bring it to her, along with this plate of locust leaf cold noodles; she loves it."
[To begin with Consort Lin, she was already a second-rate ape; now, with this giant white ape from Yulong, Li Yuanke's harem is practically turning into a monkey park. Who knows how lively it will be every day from now on!]
The princess of the Western Qiang Kingdom angrily retorted, "How can you be so shameless? I personally welcomed you that day, and this is how you treat me today?"