The Female Psychology PhD Who Time Traveled to the Royal Harem - Chapter 193

Standing behind the Dowager Empress as an invisible person, Pei Wu was somewhat surprised as she looked at her. She hadn’t expected her to be so direct.

She had thought that someone who could climb to the top of the four imperial consorts in just two years would be a flawless woman with deep scheming abilities.

But as she observed, Concubine Zhenxian had an amiable countenance. Even when facing the Dowager Empress who had come uninvited and deliberately occupied her seat, she still maintained a righteous gaze. When she pointed out that this was her own seat, it seemed as if she was using the most ordinary tone to indicate that the Dowager Empress had made a mistake, hoping she would correct it immediately.

While you might feel she was being very polite, you could also hear another meaning in her words – that is, get up quickly.

When facing the smiling Jiang Xinyue, the Dowager Empress instinctively wanted to take two steps back, to distance herself from her. But she realized she was sitting in a chair, and with all eyes on her, she couldn’t possibly start hitting herself as if she had gone mad!

The court officials weren’t blind after all.

She frowned, “Although you are now Concubine Zhenxian, don’t forget that I am the Dowager Empress.”

“This humble consort knows you are the Dowager Empress, but this seat belongs to me.”

No matter who you are, this seat is mine.

The Dowager Empress’s fury was about to erupt from the top of her head again, her fingers pinching her handkerchief, “I am the Dowager Empress, I should rightfully sit in the seat of honor.”

She didn’t want to fight for the Empress’s seat, that sickly woman, and besides, it would be strange for the Dowager Empress to sit next to the Emperor, pushing the Empress away.

But she was the Dowager Empress, she should rightfully sit with the Empress, one on each side of the Emperor. Why should Jiang Xinyue, the daughter of a lowly slave, sit next to the Emperor?

“Seat of honor?” Jiang Xinyue’s eyes flickered, and she smiled, “Thank you for reminding me, Dowager Empress.”

She turned to smile at the Emperor, taking the little bundle from his arms, “Your Majesty, everyone has taken their seats, we should quickly sit down and start the banquet. The Dowager Empress has had a tiring journey, coming straight here without even returning to Cining Palace. She must be starving, we must be careful not to incur her wrath again.”

The beautiful imperial consort held the Emperor’s wrist with one hand and cradled the infant with the other, looking as beautiful as a painting.

She quickly walked behind the Emperor’s dragon throne, letting the Xuanwu Emperor sit down, then placed the little bundle in his arms, and stood beside the throne, behind the Xuanwu Emperor.

Wasn’t a seat of honor wanted?

Is this honorable enough?

Pei Wu’s jaw nearly dropped. Could there be such a move?

“Concubine Zhenxian is being ridiculous, Emperor, are you allowing her to do this?” The Dowager Empress shouted at the Xuanwu Emperor in fury, “What kind of propriety is this?”

The Emperor nodded thoughtfully, “Indeed, it is improper.”

He beckoned to Wang Dequan, “Add another seat beside me for Concubine Zhenxian.”

How could he let his dear Yue stand? She was one of the main characters of tonight.

Jiang Yankun smiled with satisfaction. It seemed that everything Qingniang said was true, the Emperor indeed treated Sister Yue differently.

The positions of the Empress and Jiang Xinyue were originally at the same distance, but with the Dowager Empress’s fuss, the table and chair added by the Emperor successfully became the closest position to him.

It was she who, in order to show respect to the Empress, voluntarily moved her seat forward a bit, creating the visual effect that only the Empress and the Dowager Empress were side by side.

In fact, the Emperor had the palace servants place Jiang Xinyue’s table and chair right next to him, a bit forward, making Jiang Xinyue entirely shrouded in the Emperor’s shadow, as if this woman was completely under his wing, appearing gentle and obedient even though she had already ascended to a high position.

The Dowager Empress was very displeased, but the other party had already given up the position to her. She thought she had humiliated Jiang Xinyue, but didn’t expect to make everyone present more deeply aware that Concubine Zhenxian was unbeatable.

Because she had won the heart of the Xuanwu Emperor.

How could there be such a contradictory and meaningful person?

Pei Wu curiously looked at Jiang Xinyue… How could someone’s eyes show not a trace of affection, yet their actions constantly demonstrate deep love for the Emperor?

How could Jiang Xinyue not be a person of extreme sensitivity?

Those eyes held no malice, only pure curiosity. She turned her head, looking precisely behind the Dowager Empress.

The young woman looked a few years younger than her, with first-class beauty, wearing a plain light green banner gown, as if not wanting to attract attention. Her hair was adorned with only a single cyan white jade magnolia flower, making her appear fresh, elegant, quiet, and graceful.

When those bright eyes saw Jiang Xinyue looking over, they didn’t show any panic. Instead, they blinked gently, revealing a slightly shy smile.

Jiang Xinyue returned the smile before looking away, but in her heart she was screaming frantically: This little sister completely fits my aesthetic preferences, but she’s the Dowager Empress’s person, surely brought in from outside to compete with me. Ah, ah, ah… Why? Why does that dog emperor deserve this?

Pei Wu’s beauty was also recognized as the number one beauty in the capital, although after today, the title of the most beautiful might quietly shift to Concubine Zhenxian. But Pei Wu’s beauty, which had topped the rankings, was undeniable.

So far, Pei Wu was the only potential rival in the harem that Jiang Xinyue couldn’t bear to oppose in the future.

Jiang Xinyue had already automatically considered Pei Wu as part of the harem, because based on her understanding of the Emperor’s nature, no matter how much he resisted initially, he would eventually “fall in love” with Pei Wu.

Amidst everyone’s varying thoughts, officials from the Imperial Astronomical Bureau came out to announce the birth of the Sixth Prince to the world.

However, too many royal children had died young, so generally, newborn princes who were less than six months old were not recorded in the royal family genealogy.

The Xuanwu Emperor’s feelings for the Sixth Prince were different, and he couldn’t tolerate anyone saying anything bad about him.

How could a child he had personally cared for since in the womb possibly die young?

Thus, Sixth Prince Shen Mingye became the first prince in the history of the Great Yan Dynasty to be recorded in the royal jade genealogy book just after completing his first month.

The imperial consorts presented various gold and jade ornaments symbolizing good fortune, as well as personally prepared gifts. The head of the Internal Affairs Department then read out the imperial edict conferring the title of Concubine Zhenxian upon Jiang Xinyue.

The consorts present all showed looks of envy.

The Sixth Prince, suddenly seeing so many people, felt a bit uncomfortable and began to cry in the Emperor’s arms.

His pouting appearance made the Xuanwu Emperor’s heart ache terribly, and he quickly called for Nanny Xiang, “Why is the little bundle crying?”

Nanny Xiang took the Sixth Prince, “Your Majesty, it’s too noisy here. This old servant will take the Sixth Prince downstairs. He must be wanting to sleep.”

The great hall was filled with the sounds of songs, dances, and instruments, as well as the chatter of so many people. It was too rowdy, and the Sixth Prince was still too young, his ears couldn’t handle it.

“Your Majesty, this humble consort wishes to accompany the Sixth Prince.”

With so many people around tonight, Jiang Xinyue wanted to accompany the child herself for safety’s sake.

The Xuanwu Emperor thought for a moment. The necessary procedures had all been completed, and he was also concerned about the Sixth Prince’s health. Thinking of his own childhood, whenever he felt unwell, he always hoped his imperial consort mother would be by his side, only to have his hopes dashed every time.

His Ye’er couldn’t have a childhood like his.

“Alright, beloved consort, you go ahead. When the banquet is over, I will come to Hexi Palace to join you.”

Jiang Xinyue raised her eyes to glance at the Empress and Pei Wu, somewhat disbelieving.