met free Chapter 13 The Cold-Hearted Emperor and His Favorite Concubine
Chapter 13 The Cold-Hearted Emperor and His Favorite Concubine
Soon it was time for the imperial hunting trip, and Chu Yue was on the list of concubines accompanying the emperor.
The Empress was to remain in the palace to oversee palace affairs, while the Virtuous Consort was confined to her quarters, and the Noble Consort, the Gentle Consort, and several other beauties were also included.
Chu Yue sat in the carriage, looking at the scenery outside that was completely different from the palace, and felt a little excited.
"Yueyue, the favorability rating hasn't changed again..." Linglingyi scrolled through the system screen several times a day.
"Haste makes waste, take it slow," Chu Yue comforted it.
They soon arrived at their destination. The tent assigned to Chu Yue was a bit far from where the emperor was staying.
"Your Majesty, all the other concubines are so close to His Majesty..."
Xiao Tao looked at the small and simple tent in front of her and complained in a low voice.
"Don't let anyone else know this, lest it cause trouble."
Chu Yue didn't care; since she was already there, she might as well make the best of it.
Xiao Tao stopped complaining and quickly packed her things.
The emperor was very interested in hunting, and since he was there, he naturally wanted to go hunting himself.
So after arriving, they only rested briefly before preparing to go on stage.
The concubines and others accompanying the emperor naturally cheered him on.
The emperor looked at the group of people in front of him, his gaze sweeping around with a mixture of doubt and inquiry, but he did not see the person who was causing him such anxiety.
After that night, he became somewhat afraid to see Chu Jieyu, so he started avoiding her again.
This time, the Empress originally did not intend to include Consort Chu, but it was the Emperor who spoke up, and that's why Consort Chu was included.
Everyone else is here, so why isn't Consort Chu here? The emperor's expression was rather unpleasant, as if he had lost some of his usual enthusiasm for hunting.
Xiao Fuzi, with his keen eyes, immediately discerned the emperor's intention and quickly ordered his attendants to summon Consort Chu.
Chu Yue was still packing her things when a voice came from outside the tent: "This servant greets Consort Chu. His Majesty is going hunting and is about to depart. Consort Chu, please come quickly..."
Xiao Tao was startled at first, but quickly came to her senses and went out: "Thank you, Eunuch, our Lady Consort will be there right away."
After saying that, he hurriedly came in again: "Master, why didn't anyone notify us?"
"Go quickly, it's really inappropriate for you not to be here at this time."
After Chu Yue finished speaking, she tidied her clothes slightly and hurried over.
It was obvious that someone didn't want to tell her that His Majesty would be going hunting so soon.
The emperor waited for a while with a gloomy expression, but still did not see anyone. He was just about to mount his horse.
Then Consort Chu's voice came over: "This concubine greets Your Majesty. I am late, Your Majesty, please forgive me..."
His voice was slightly breathless, indicating a sense of urgency; he must have rushed over.
Xiao Fuzi breathed a sigh of relief. He glanced at the emperor and, sure enough, his complexion had improved considerably.
The emperor looked at her, and Consort Chu looked at him with a mixture of tenderness and urgency, probably afraid that he would blame her.
"Why is Consort Chu so late?" The Imperial Concubine thought the Emperor was angry when he didn't speak.
"Your Highness, I was packing my things and I'm late. Please forgive me, Your Majesty, please forgive me..."
Chu Yue bowed respectfully.
The emperor frowned. What did she need to pack?
Isn't everything arranged by someone?
"Alright, don't do that again. His Majesty is waiting here." With the Empress absent, the Consort naturally had the final say.
"Yes, Your Highness has remembered..."
"Let's go!" the emperor declared loudly before mounting his horse. The movement was fluid, swift, and dashing, especially considering he was dressed in a black, fitted outfit suitable for hunting.
"Your Majesty, be careful..." The concubines were all captivated and infatuated.
After the emperor mounted his horse, he turned his head slightly and, unsurprisingly, saw the amazement and infatuation in Consort Chu's eyes.
Turning back, the emperor's lips unconsciously curled into a smile. Consort Chu had good judgment; she would be even more surprised when he returned laden with spoils.
When the emperor travels, he is naturally protected by many people.
The hunting grounds were bustling with activity, so the concubines could only wait in place.
Looking at Chu Yue's increasingly stunning appearance, the Imperial Concubine felt a little jealous. Why was Consort Chu becoming more and more beautiful?
"Has Consort Chu finished packing?" the Imperial Concubine asked.
Chu Yue replied respectfully in a low voice, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. Everything is ready."
"Are you settling in well?" the Imperial Concubine asked casually, as if making a casual conversation.
Chu Yue rolled her eyes inwardly. They'd only just arrived and hadn't even settled in yet. How would she know if they were used to it?
But anyone with a discerning eye could see that the tent assigned to her was both far away and simple.
Why would the Imperial Concubine ask such a question? Is she trying to embarrass her?
"It's a habit..."
"That's good. If you need anything or want to add anything, just tell me and I'll make arrangements."
"Yes, Your Highness has remembered..."
Chu Yue dared not mention it. If she did, she would be blamed again, and others would think that she disapproved of the Consort's arrangements, which would be a serious offense.
The other concubines naturally dared not interrupt the Noble Consort, while the Consort Shu did not listen to what they were saying at all; her mind was entirely on the hunting grounds.
If it weren't for the fact that it was His Majesty's home turf today, she would have loved to go and have a good fight.
As a result, things quieted down, and the Imperial Concubine no longer lowered herself to speak with the other concubines.
No one else dared to speak up, and the scene remained harmonious for a time.
"Yueyue, the Emperor was waiting for you before you arrived."
Linglingyi perched on her shoulder, looking a little bored.
"wait for me?"
With a heart as hard as stone, how could he wait for her?
“His complexion improved after you came.”
"She really only has a tiny bit of conscience..." Chu Yue thought to herself, but her eyes were fixed on the distance.
“A tiny bit…” 001 repeated.
As the sun rose higher, Chu Yue thought that the emperor would be returning soon, when a commotion came from afar.
Everyone stood up and eagerly awaited.
Sure enough, before long, the clattering of hooves grew closer and closer.
The emperor was at the very front, so he naturally reaped a great harvest.
Chu Yue stood behind the Imperial Concubine and the Noble Concubine, craning her neck slightly to look at the Emperor.
The emperor's gaze remained fixed on Chu Yue, and he was indeed surprised and adoring to see her.
The emperor was in an even better mood, and his lips curled into a wide grin.
"Your Majesty has worked hard..." The Imperial Concubine stepped forward and was also somewhat excited when she saw the game that the Emperor had brought back.
The emperor dismounted swiftly and simply nodded.
Chu Jieyu's ardent and adoring gaze made the emperor's heart skip a beat.
"That's all for today, we'll continue tomorrow." After saying this, the emperor returned to his residence.
He's gone, so naturally everyone else has to leave and go back to rest.
As soon as Chu Yue returned to the tent, Xiao Fuzi came over with a big smile on his face.
"This servant greets Consort Chu..."
"Why is the young master here?" Ever since Xiao Fuzi helped her fetch the imperial physician for her master last time, Xiao Tao has become more enthusiastic towards Xiao Fuzi.
Xiao Fuzi's father-in-law is a good person.
Xiao Fuzi: "..."
"Your Highness, His Majesty has sent me to deliver some things to you..."
Xiao Fuzi's face lit up with a smile. When His Majesty returned, he instructed him to deliver the little white rabbit he had just hunted to Consort Chu.
The moment the emperor saw the rabbit, he knew that Consort Chu would like it. Consort Chu was just as innocent as the rabbit, her eyes filled with him.
Despite being extremely careful, the little rabbit still injured one of its legs. After bringing it back, the emperor first summoned a royal physician for the rabbit.
When the imperial physician arrived and learned that he was treating a rabbit, he was somewhat dumbfounded.
Imperial Physician: "..."
But His Majesty's orders could not be disobeyed, so I had no choice but to obediently act as a veterinarian...
Xiao Fuzi's face was practically beaming with surprise. When did His Majesty become so attentive to Consort Chu?
But seeing how much effort His Majesty put in, Xiao Fuzi could only sigh at how fortunate Consort Chu was...
"His Majesty sent me something? What is it?" Chu Yue was also a little surprised. Would the emperor, who was always cold and indifferent, send her something?
"It was a little rabbit that His Majesty hunted. It was slightly injured, but His Majesty has already arranged for the imperial physician to treat it."
"Your Highness, please take a look. Do you like it?"
Xiao Fuzi stepped back slightly, and behind her, a little eunuch carried a cage containing a small rabbit.
The little rabbit was pure white, except for a few strands of gray fur on its four short legs.
Chu Yue's eyes lit up immediately; there was such an adorable rabbit!
"I love it, it's so cute." Chu Yue immediately hugged the little rabbit to her chest.
"If Consort Jieyu is pleased, then His Majesty's good intentions have not been in vain."
"Your Majesty, is His Majesty busy right now? I..."
“His Majesty is currently free.” Before Chu Yue could finish speaking, Xiao Fuzi understood.
Lady Jieyu wanted to go and express her gratitude in person.
"Your Highness, please come with me..." Xiao Fuzi said with a smile.
Chu Yue nodded and went over with the little rabbit in her arms.