Reborn with a Space: Building a Fortune Amidst Famine

Chapter 1674: Chapter 1674: Life in the Palace

Tan Shaoting frowned, unable to complete the Energy Introduction here. Forget it, let nature take its course.

Three days later, Cui Shanggong suggested that Su Yuanyuan go to pay respects to the Empress.

The group reached the Empress’s Kunning Palace, and she had already instructed Cui Shanggong not to deliberately inquire about matters in the harem. So, they didn’t know that the other two concubines had already come to pay respects yesterday.

They were soon invited in, and Su Yuanyuan performed the ceremonial salute properly.

”Sister, there’s no need to be so formal; we’re all sisters of one family.”

Su Yuanyuan detested such people the most, too hypocritical. If they were sincere, they wouldn’t say such repulsive things after the ceremony.

She sat down properly, keeping her head lowered. Her principle is that if you don’t speak, neither will I.

”How are you adjusting, Su?”

”Empress, everything is quite well. I have a small kitchen to myself, and I can prepare whatever I like to eat.”

The Empress chuckled to herself, still a child, after all, not much older than her eldest son.

”If you find anything unsuitable, just speak up. You are a Noble Consort and deserve proper treatment.”

”Thank you, Empress.”

That was all she said, nothing more followed.

In truth, this was very impolite. However, the Empress liked it; it was better if people around the Emperor were like this.

So they sat there dryly for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea. Su Yuanyuan continued to keep her head down.

”Sister, you’re still young. I assume you need plenty of rest. Go back and rest; there’s no need to come so early in the future.”

Su Yuanyuan smiled, gratefully looking at the Empress, ”Thank you, Empress.”

”No problem, go back and rest.”

Su Yuanyuan left Kunning Palace smiling.

It wasn’t until she reached Jiaoyang Palace that Su Yuanyuan finally relaxed.

The palace maid went to prepare breakfast.

”Consort Su, are you really not going?”

”Of course, the Empress has already given her approval. It’s fine.”

As long as she didn’t compete for favor, staying quietly should be no problem.

Upon hearing the news, Consort Xian also went to visit the Empress.

The Empress knew she had arranged someone there and was already aware of the earlier situation. Therefore, she was very cold toward Consort Xian and did not grant her any privileges; she still had to come every day to pay respects.

After returning, Consort Xian had a big tantrum. Why?

The information relayed from Jiaoyang Palace was that she didn’t come out at all and just read every day.

Indeed, she was someone who could endure solitude. Was it because she hadn’t been favored yet?

At this thought, Consort Xian frowned, considering that the Emperor hadn’t set foot there for over two years. Even to see their child, he had only sent an Imperial Physician over.

No, she must think of a way. The Emperor not coming didn’t mean he was elsewhere either.

If she could have the Emperor stay with her, that would be a true success.

With that thought, Consort Xian frowned, pondering how to get the Emperor to come over.

Using the child as an excuse was definitely not an option; she’d tried that.

Consort Xian thought for a long time and decided to make a trip herself.

She had already bribed many servants, so there was no problem getting to the Yangxin Hall upfront.

The Empress knew of Consort Xian’s movements, and her smile remained unchanged, though her hands clenched tightly into fists.

However, half an hour later, she received word that Consort Xian was thrown out by the Emperor and demoted to Zhaoyi.

Aside from Su Yuanyuan, who was unaware, the other two women in the harem were all smiles. This was best, as it reduced competition for them now and for their sons in the future.

Consort De’s Meng Shanggong served her alone, ”Madam, it seems our decision to remain inactive and not visit the Emperor was the wisest.”

”Yes, it was indeed wise. Now that I have Xiao Xuan, as Consort Xian, even without favor, what does it matter?

You see, she just came in and became a Noble Consort. But so what? Has the Emperor ever seen her personally?

To speak frankly, even if she becomes the highest-ranked, what’s the use without a son to rely on and without favor?”

”Madam, it’s good that you’ve come to this realization.”

”Let’s wait and see. Shanggong, don’t you find the Emperor seems to have changed?”

”Madam, you mustn’t speak of this.”

”I know, I won’t tell anyone.”

”Madam, for now, we should focus on nurturing the Third Prince.”

”Understood.”

Su Yuanyuan truly didn’t know; she heard about it in the afternoon from a little palace maid when the Imperial Kitchen delivered dishes the next day.

Su Yuanyuan heard in the afternoon. ”Cui Shanggong, this is none of our concern. Don’t deliberately inquire about such matters in the future.”

”Yes, I understand.”

Su Yuanyuan’s days were quite pleasant. She truly didn’t pay morning respects to the Empress, doing so only on afternoons a month later.

”Sister, you’ve been taking good care of yourself this past month.”

Su Yuanyuan shyly smiled, ”Thank you, Empress. The palace’s ingredients and cooks are very much to my liking.”

The Empress nodded happily, ”That’s how it should be. As you’re still young, you should take good care of yourself.”

Indeed just a child, it’s nice to have such people around.

”Sister, accompany me for a walk in the garden.”

When the superior requests, of course, one must agree.

The Imperial Garden was very beautiful. The former Emperor was someone who enjoyed life, so the harem was exquisitely decorated.

”Sister, do you find the flowers beautiful?”

”Empress, I like beautiful flowers; I don’t understand much else.”

”Sister is still young.”

Su Yuanyuan thought to herself, if I weren’t like this, I’d be without favor, and you all wouldn’t sleep well.

Accompanying the Empress for an entire afternoon, Su Yuanyuan thought afterward that she should’ve received an outstanding employee award.

The days passed unchangingly, and before she knew it, winter arrived.

During the past half a year, Su Yuanyuan had lived very comfortably.

The Emperor had still not come to the harem. During a meal, Cui Shanggong whispered.

”They’ve canceled the selection, and there won’t be any in the future either.”

This surprised Su Yuanyuan.

”Yes, many ministers opposed it, but the Emperor issued a decree directly.”

Su Yuanyuan wondered what the situation was about.

Just after lunch, she heard that Su Wanshan had come to request an audience.

This was the harem. Men were not allowed, so Su Yuanyuan had a chance to go front.

Her time with the Su Family father and son was not long, but she had affection for them, experiencing a father’s love.

She appeared in the front hall half an hour later.

Su Wanshan sighed, seeing his daughter, who had changed greatly and grown slightly chubby, indicating she was well-cared for.

”This humble servant pays respects to the Noble Consort.” Etiquette exceeds familial ties, even to a father, one must bow.

Su Yuanyuan couldn’t move, but Cui Shanggong could. Before Su Wanshan could kneel, she stepped over to support him; it was a mere formality.

The father and daughter sat facing each other.

”Today is the noble consort’s birthday.”