TSWPF -Chapter 299 Fool

Seventh Princess keenly sensed the Emperor’s disappointment. If she just left like this, the consequences…

Her face flushed red as she continued to plead with the Emperor. Little did she know, the more she begged, the more dissatisfied he became.

“Don’t make me say it a third time—leave…”

This daughter was really getting more and more foolish. Even when he was this angry, she still dared to plead with him here. Truly…

Perhaps it was the aura of authority radiating from the Emperor that made Seventh Princess shiver all over. She no longer dared to continue pleading. With a swift movement, she got up from the floor, bowed, and hurriedly exited the Imperial Study.

This time, her father had really frightened her. She needed to speak with her mother to see if there was a way to salvage the situation.

Seventh Princess hurried toward Consort Hui’s chamber, her awkward, flustered figure seeming as if she were being chased.

When she arrived, Consort Hui saw her and asked anxiously, “What happened?”

She had never seen her daughter in such a state. What could have made her so panicked?

Seventh Princess took two deep breaths and sat beside Consort Hui. “Mother, what should I do if I’ve caused trouble?” She was terrified that her father might reject her and stop favoring her.

In the palace, if one did not have the Emperor’s favor, even the servants would bully them.

Thinking of such a miserable scenario, a cold sweat broke out across Seventh Princess’s back. She gripped Consort Hui’s hand more tightly, urging her to come up with a solution.

“Seventh, tell me what happened. If you don’t say anything, how can I help?” Consort Hui said sharply. She wasn’t a mind reader; how could she know what her daughter was thinking?

Seventh Princess took a deep breath and quickly recounted the events to Consort Hui. Once she finished, Consort Hui’s expression darkened.

“You… you…” She had once thought her daughter clever—how had she become like this now?

She really didn’t want to admit that the fool before her was her own daughter.

All for one Liu Zhimou, she had ruined her own future—was it worth it?

“Mother, I know I was wrong. What should I do now? Will Father… will Father ignore me?”

Normally, she had already offended many people. If they found out the Emperor no longer favored her, they would certainly seize the chance to attack her.

No… she didn’t want to live like that.

She was the high-ranking Seventh Princess—how could she allow herself to be ridiculed?

Imagining the miserable life that awaited her, Seventh Princess couldn’t help but bury her face in Consort Hui’s lap and cry.

After all, she had carried this daughter for ten months. Seeing her cry so bitterly, how could it not hurt her mother’s heart as well?

Moreover, her daughter’s misfortune would affect her own status. The Emperor had favored her for so many years, largely because she had borne a clever and talented daughter. If her daughter lost favor, then…

Thinking this, Consort Hui’s expression darkened slightly. She gently patted Seventh Princess’s back. “Stop crying. The real task is to find a way to regain your father’s favor.”

In the treacherous palace, tears were worthless. Crying accomplished nothing.

The way to survive in the palace was to face problems and resolve them.

Seventh Princess sniffled, lifted her head, wiped away her tears, and choked out, “Mother, what should I do?”

Her mind was a complete mess, unable to think of any good solution.

Consort Hui, frustrated at her daughter’s lack of sense, poked her forehead. “How did I end up with such an unambitious daughter? Liu Zhimou is just a subject—was it worth this?” Saying it aloud made her feel embarrassed. How could her daughter be so undignified? “Haven’t I told you before? Liu Zhimou is already married. What good is it to pine for him?” Could it be that Liu Zhimou was deliberately luring her daughter?

If that were the case, she would make him understand her power.

A sharp resolve flashed in Consort Hui’s eyes. Without cunning and strategy, how could she have climbed to her current position?

“Mother… I… I just like him. What can I do?” The words she hadn’t dared to say before the Emperor, she now boldly voiced to her mother. “Mother, is there any way to make Liu Zhimou divorce his wife?” She truly liked Liu Zhimou and had set her mind on him.

If only her mother supported her…

Consort Hui’s brows furrowed involuntarily. She asked Seventh Princess, “Did Liu Zhimou put some kind of spell on you? Make you think you can’t live without him?”

Seventh Princess, embarrassed, said he was handsome and knowledgeable, and she… just liked him very much. She wanted him to become her husband.

“Tell me the truth. Did Liu Zhimou give you some kind of hint?” Otherwise, how could her daughter like him so much and even plead with the Emperor? “Don’t try to lie to me. I want the truth.”

After a moment, Seventh Princess forcibly reined in a fleeting thought. She bit her lower lip lightly and shook her head. “No.”

She wanted to say yes, but under her mother’s warning, she dared not deceive her.

Consort Hui nodded and told Seventh Princess to return to her chamber and not come out unless necessary.

“Mother… are you restricting my movement?”

“I want you to reflect on your actions. Don’t act impulsively and give others a handle to exploit.”

In the palace, there were hardly any secrets. If word got out, countless people would laugh at them.

Not to mention the other consorts—they would seize the opportunity to strike at her.

Consort Hui, having thought this through, suddenly stood. “Go back to your chamber to reflect. I’ll go speak with your father.” She couldn’t let the Emperor neglect them; if he did, the consequences…

She instructed the maid nearby to bring bird’s nest soup and follow her to the Emperor.

Seeing her mother take action, Seventh Princess finally smiled through her tears, her tense heart slightly eased.

Consort Hui quickly approached the Imperial Study. She smiled politely at Gao Song and asked him to notify the Emperor of her arrival.

Gao Song was a favored attendant close to the Emperor—someone it was dangerous to offend.

Understanding Consort Hui’s intent, Gao Song asked her to wait and then went in to report to the Emperor.

“Thank you, Sir Gao,” the maid whispered, slipping him a pouch.

Gao Song smiled, took the pouch, and entered the Imperial Study. He saw the Emperor reviewing memorials and informed him that Consort Hui was waiting at the door.

Originally, the Emperor didn’t wish to see her. But as he started speaking, he twisted the words, allowing Gao Song to admit her.

Gao Song nodded and went to the door. “Consort Hui, the Emperor invites you in.”

“Thank you, Sir Gao.”

Consort Hui gracefully carried the bird’s nest soup inside.

“Your Majesty, knowing how hard you’ve been working, I personally prepared this bird’s nest for you.” Her face was charming, and she softened her voice, making anyone’s heart melt.

The Emperor looked at her, his expression softening, and gestured for her to serve it.

Consort Hui, being clever, drank a small sip herself, smiling, “The temperature is perfect, Your Majesty. Please drink.”

Seeing her drink first, the Emperor was reassured there was no poison. He reached for the bowl, but Consort Hui lightly pulled it away and, with a coquettish glance, said she wanted to feed him herself.

Startled, the Emperor laughed heartily. He gestured to her, “You… fine, today I shall enjoy the care of my beloved consort.”

Consort Hui swung her waist and sat on the Emperor’s lap. “I am willing to serve Your Majesty for a lifetime.” She looked at him with alluring eyes, stirring his heart. “Here, Your Majesty, drink.” She scooped a spoonful, held it delicately, and brought it to his mouth.

The Emperor, his heart burning, opened his mouth and swallowed the bird’s nest from her hand.

One feeding the other, the bowl soon emptied. Consort Hui then used her handkerchief to gently wipe the Emperor’s lips.

“Do you like the bird’s nest I prepared, Your Majesty?”

The Emperor pinched her waist, smiling. “I like it.”

“Your Majesty…” Consort Hui shyly pouted and stood. “I shall not disturb you further. I take my leave.”

The Emperor raised an eyebrow. Did she have nothing else to report? He knew Seventh Princess had come to see her. With her personality, she would not fail to inform Consort Hui.

Otherwise, Consort Hui wouldn’t have arrived so promptly.

Consort Hui looked innocent, saying she had nothing to report. She only worried about the Emperor’s health and brought the bird’s nest to help him.

The Emperor didn’t expose her lie. Changing the topic, he said, “Since you have nothing to report, my beloved consort, I have something to ask you.”

Consort Hui’s heart skipped a beat. Smiling, she asked, “Your Majesty, what is it?”

Was he going to mention the daughter’s matter directly?

She hadn’t come to the Emperor to discuss it. She wasn’t foolish—how could she provoke his anger?

“Previously, didn’t I tell you to find a husband for the Seventh Princess? I want to ask if you have anyone in mind?”

Consort Hui’s vigilance rose. Smiling, she said, “I’ve looked and looked, but can’t decide. Why don’t… Your Majesty, you kindly help us select one for the Seventh Princess?”

The Emperor smiled and handed her portraits, asking her to choose one.

Consort Hui took the portraits and asked, “Should I tell you if I’ve already chosen one?”

“Take a look first, and let the little Seventh choose as well. Make sure she selects one.”

Consort Hui understood his meaning. She nodded deeply, said, “Yes,” bowed to him, and left the Imperial Study with the portraits.