Chapter 384

Chapter 384 The Empress, who had died early in her previous life, was still alive now. Though there were rumors that her health was failing and she might not live long, she was currently alive and well. In her previous life, there had been no Noble Consort Zhao or Consort Jingshu, and even the deceased Consort Li was someone she had never heard of. Lady Wan, who had entered the palace directly as Consort De, had actually died early during the prince's residence days. Noble Consort Fang had dominated the harem for years, but in this life, the highest she ever reached was Lady of Appearance, and because of repeated mistakes, she was demoted to Lady-in-waiting and sent to the Cold Palace, where she was ordered to die. Bai Fu had only been reborn shortly before the imperial beauty selection. After understanding the situation in this life, she attributed the changes to Wan Linlang and Xie Run. In her previous life, this Noble Consort Zhao had died upon entering the prince's residence and had never made any waves. But in this life, she had been favored all the way, borne children, and risen to a high position. Bai Fu suspected that, like herself, this woman also possessed memories of her previous life and had planned ahead to maintain her advantage. The other suspicious one was Lady Wan. After all, the path Lady Wan took to enter the prince's residence had been different from the start compared to her previous life. She had actually suspected the Empress as well, since the Empress should have died too. But after investigating, she felt that the Empress hadn't actually done anything. The one who truly kept the Empress, who should have died, alive—was the current Noble Consort Zhao. After much deliberation, Bai Fu temporarily suspected that Noble Consort Zhao and Lady Wan, like herself, both had memories of their previous lives. Lady Wan had failed to outmaneuver Noble Consort Zhao in the prince's residence and died early. Lady Fang had some ability, managing to hold on until after entering the palace, but unfortunately she still couldn't defeat Noble Consort Zhao and fell early. Now the harem appeared to be a garden of blooming flowers, but in reality, it was merely Noble Consort Zhao standing alone in splendor. The more she pondered, the more Bai Fu felt that this Noble Consort Zhao was unfathomable. She didn't fight or snatch, yet she surpassed Noble Consort Fang and Consort De, Lady Wan, who had fought and snatched in the previous life. The Empress, having received her kindness, took good care of her. Other harem consorts also spoke of her with nothing but praise, saying she had no temper, was gentle yet brisk in nature, and was the easiest to get along with. The more she heard, the more alarmed Bai Fu became. Because this person's temperament and style of conduct were exactly like her own in her previous life. It was precisely what the Emperor liked most. In her previous life, she had served the Emperor for many years before slowly figuring out his preferences. She had originally thought that being reborn, she could rely on her memories from the previous life to live better and longer. But upon truly entering the palace, she realized this path was even harder than the last. In her previous life, the harem was in chaos, and the Emperor needed someone clever and obedient like her to help calm things down. Only then could she seize the opportunity to rise swiftly. But in this life, the Empress sat firmly in her position, and the harem was peaceful and harmonious. First there was Noble Consort Zhao who had taken her place, then the clever and exquisite Consort Jingshu, Consort Hua, sister of the Guardian General... and all of these women had children! Looking at it this way, what advantage did she have in the harem? If she still followed the path of her previous life, with Noble Consort Zhao as the shining example before her, she would only be a poor imitation, and it would be hard to win the Emperor's favor. But if she changed her nature... then what meaning was there in living again? Now she could only hope that this Noble Consort Zhao, like the departed Lady-in-waiting Gong, was also someone who put on a show on the surface but was vicious at heart. If that were the case, she wouldn't be hard to deal with. What she feared was someone who truly didn't compete and was genuinely clever. With the bond she shared with the Emperor from their days in the prince's residence, and with her having borne the Emperor a healthy Fifth Prince— Bai Fu knew deep down she couldn't outmatch her. After all, seizing the initiative wasn't so easy. By now, she had probably already captured half the Emperor's heart, her foundation unshakable. Just as Bai Fu was sighing and agonizing over this, news of the Emperor flipping the tablet came through. Caiyue said with a smile, "Mistress, I have good news to tell you!" Bai Fu wasn't in high spirits. "What good news?" Caiyue: "The Emperor didn't flip anyone's tablet today!" Bai Fu perked up slightly. "Then where is the Emperor staying? The Imperial Study or Zichen Hall?" "Neither. The Emperor went to Zhaohua Palace." Caiyue couldn't help but remark: "Noble Consort Zhao is truly favored. She's pregnant now, and on a day like this, the Emperor went to see no one but her." "Before entering the palace, I only heard that the Emperor's most favored was Noble Consort Zhao. Now that I'm in the palace, I know the words weren't empty." "But this is also a good thing—this way, Mistress doesn't lose to anyone either." If other Selection Candidates had served the Emperor first, that would have meant losing the initiative. With things as they were now, with no one having shared the Emperor's bed, it wasn't bad news either. Caiyue was happily celebrating on her mistress's behalf, but didn't notice Bai Fu's face turning pale inch by inch. "You said... the Emperor went to see Noble Consort Zhao?!" Caiyue nodded. "Mistress, is something wrong?" Bai Fu gave a weak smile. "Nothing's wrong." But her heart was ice cold, and the blazing flame in her chest seemed to be slowly extinguished. In her previous life, she had climbed step by step to the position of Noble Consort, firmly grasping the Emperor's heart. But even so, every year when new beauties entered the palace, she would spend the night alone in her empty room, staring at the candlelight by the window until dawn. Now it seemed, she had been too confident. When had she ever received the Emperor's unique treatment? Noble Consort Zhao... was far more favored than she had imagined. For a single moment, Bai Fu nearly lost all her fighting spirit. Yet deep in her heart, there was always a thread of unwillingness. Heaven had given her a chance to live this life anew—she could not fall at the very start! Caiyue noticed that Bai Fu's mood was off and asked with concern, "Mistress, what's wrong?" "Is it because the Emperor didn't come, and you're feeling upset?" Bai Fu snapped back to reality and said indifferently, "It's nothing." "Put out the lamps." Since there was no need to wait for the Emperor, there was nothing left for them to do. Caiyue hurried to extinguish the lamps. Xie Run hadn't expected that on the very first day a new concubine could serve the Emperor, he would come to her Zhaohua Palace. After finishing the evening meal, Taotao was outside playing to his heart's content. Xie Run watched over him while taking a stroll. But when she looked up, she saw a faint light flickering at the entrance, drawing closer bit by bit. "Who is that?" Xie Run asked curiously. Before anyone could answer, the figure drew near, and Xie Run vaguely made out the silhouette, frozen in place with shock: "Judging by the build, could it be the Emperor?" The lamplight swayed, and the Emperor's face gradually became clear. Xie Run hurriedly bowed in greeting, but the Emperor reached out to support her. Before Xie Run could even ask, the Emperor took her hand and helped her rise. "Don't ask anything today. I don't know what came over me—I suddenly missed you and our son, and wanted to come see you both." Xie Run was alarmed rather than pleased. The Emperor's attitude was truly out of the ordinary.