The Darling of Heaven Owns a Rip-off Shop

The Emperor said this and then swiftly walked off, quickly boarding the palanquin to hurry to the Empress’s Zhaoyang Palace. Obviously, he wasn’t taking the Virtuous Concubine with him. Why would he? To watch him argue with the Empress, only to lose?

The Virtuous Concubine watched with some annoyance as the Emperor’s palanquin disappeared into the distance. Oh well, she’d just find out more later. She calmly boarded her soft sedan chair and left the Exotic Beast Garden.

The Emperor stormed to the entrance of Zhaoyang Palace. He got off the palanquin, but then hesitated, recalling the last time he’d gotten his butt whipped. Suddenly, he heard gasps and cheers from inside, and he steeled himself. He was the Emperor, after all; how could he fear a woman?

With this thought, the Emperor scowled and had the Chief Eunuch announce his arrival.

The Palace Attendants in the garden knelt to welcome the Emperor.

The Emperor strode into the garden, encountering a scene that left him dumbfounded.

The Empress sat under the grapevine trellis, with the white peacock strutting back and forth in front of her, occasionally shaking its tail feathers. It seemed to be seeking praise, its intent to curry favor evident even to the Emperor.

What the hell!

This peacock spreads its feathers so easily?

Was he imagining things? Was the white peacock trying to ingratiate itself with his Empress?

The Emperor walked up to the Empress with a dark expression, looking down at her. The Empress, far from saluting, didn’t even show any intention of getting up.

Tianmiao glanced up at the Emperor and said casually, ”You’re here. Want some grapes?”

The Emperor sat down with a sullen face, feeling an air of frustration in his chest. He wanted to vent but didn’t dare do so. After all, to clash publicly with the Empress and risk another fight, especially one he might lose, would be too humiliating.

Tianmiao didn’t pay the Emperor any more attention and instead turned to the white peacock, clapping and praising it with a smile, ”Bai Ming, you’re amazing, the most beautiful peacock after spreading your feathers.”

Bai Ming? They even gave the peacock a name? Did they really think the peacock understood human speech? Were they actually treating it like a pet? The Emperor looked at the Empress with a strange expression.

And then, the next moment, the white peacock trotted over, lowering its head towards Tianmiao, clearly wanting to be petted.

Tianmiao didn’t disappoint the white peacock. She reached out, patted its head, then took out a small bean cake and fed it to the peacock.

The white peacock happily took the bean cake, making cheerful noises.

What the hell!

The word popped up in the Emperor’s mind again.

”You keep the white peacock in your courtyard?” The Emperor finally couldn’t help but speak.

”Is there a rule against it? Aren’t all the animals in the Exotic Beast Garden available for adoption?” Tianmiao replied nonchalantly.

The Emperor thought about it seriously; indeed, there wasn’t. Even if someone wanted to adopt a tiger, it was allowed. But the problem was, who dared to keep such a fierce bird? The white peacock was rare and bad-tempered; no one would dare keep it for fear of not taking good care of it, leading to problems.

”But this white peacock, it’s...” The Emperor pondered how to express it. Such a beautiful animal was admired by everyone. It shouldn’t be monopolized by one person.

”How many times does it spread its feathers in a month at the Exotic Beast Garden? It does it every day here with me. If anyone wants to see it, they can just come here.” Tianmiao saw what the Emperor wanted to say and gently interjected.

”Hmm?” The Emperor was puzzled. Is that even a thing? Didn’t you dislike the Concubines coming to pay respects? So you limited them to once a month, claiming you like peace and quiet. Now you’re inviting them over to see the peacock? Aren’t you afraid of the noise?

”Charge an entrance fee,” Tianmiao added lightly.

The Emperor: ????