Chapter 1003

　　Even if You Want to be the Empress, We Will Give it to You

　　The imperial physicians also felt bitter. The Emperor was already at this age. Even if he was usually in good health, his body could not endure this sort of thing; moreover, he was not in good health.

　　Who knew if this old ruler really was deeply in love with Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu, or if Imperial Concubine Yun holding out on him for over 20 years had done some damage to him. Once he regained his taste for women, it could no longer be reined in. Not only did he go at it every night, but he would do it every night until the sun came up. There would even be times when he would not attend morning court, and this incited cries of discontent from the officials.

　　The imperial physicians had advised him countless times, but who could possibly advise the Emperor given his temper? Shooting a glare, who cared what anyone said or did, either way, he would not listen. In addition to this, although he had been copulating with Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu every night, there seemed to be no problems with his health. Aside from occasionally being exhausted and not wanting to attend court, he continued to be in good spirits.

　　The Emperor would not listen to any advice, and there was nothing else the imperial physicians could do. Zhang Yuan was worried and would have two imperial physicians stationed outside Zhao He Hall. If something did end up happening to the Emperor, it would be convenient to take care of it urgently. Thus the imperial physicians stayed up through the night with the palace servants. Hearing the sounds that came from inside the room, they were left feeling flustered.

　　Following Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s reinstatement, the favor that she enjoyed never stopped. Aside from attending court, the Emperor spent all of his remaining time with Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. Even when reading reports, Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu would accompany him and provide him with tea. When she got even a little further away, the Emperor would call her back. It was such that Zhang Yuan was even chased out of the hall. Even he could not get close to the Emperor.

　　The eighth prince, Xuan Tianmo, would enter the palace every day, and the three of them would often be heard chatting or laughing in Zhao He Hall or Heavenly Hall. The sound of this caused the palace servants to feel in a trance. They felt a little dazed. They felt that the people inside were so joyous that they thought that the Emperor had wasted his time with coveting Imperial Concubine Yun for the past 20 years. If they could have enjoyed such joyous days sooner, the old ruler’s health would be a little better.

　　Speaking of, Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s concern for the Emperor was meticulous. The Emperor liked eating meat, and Imperial Concubine Yun would limit his meat consumption. He was never able to eat it, and he would only be able to secretly sneak a few bites, but Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu did not limit him. He could eat anything that he wanted to eat. Not to mention meat, but even wine was present for every meal. The eighth prince would frequently accompany the Emperor and drink with him. Father and son got a little bit closer through drinking together.

　　The Emperor gave Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu gifts every day, and chests filled with nice things were carried into Cun Shan Palace. He also promised Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu: “When the new year comes, you will be promoted to the position of noble imperial concubine, and Zhang Ning Palace will be given to you to live in. How could Imperial Concubine Li be worthy of such a nice palace? In this palace, aside from the central Jing Ci Palace, all of the best things must be given to you, my dear imperial concubine.” After saying this, he drank some wine and continued: “As We see it, even Jing Ci Palace should be given to you. It’s just that moving the empress will disrupt the country itself. This matter must be handled slowly. If dear imperial concubine wants to be the empress, We will definitely think of a way to make it happen for you.”

　　“Your Majesty.” Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu moved to the Emperor’s lap and said with great understanding: “The Empress is the mother of all under heaven. Not only does she support this large inner palace, but she also stabilizes the hearts of the people. This concubine is not that broad-minded. This concubine only has Your Majesty in my heart and am unable to concern myself with the people of the country. That’s why there is no need for Your Majesty to give this concubine such a heavy position! Just let this concubine focus all of my attention on Your Majesty. As for Zhang Ning Palace, this concubine also does not want it. Imperial Concubine Li is my younger sister. This subject cannot go and steal my younger sister’s things just because I have become favored. Cun Shan Palace is very good, and this concubine is fine with it.”

　　These words made the Emperor very happy, as he felt that Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu was too principled and was unlike the other members of the imperial harem, as they would mostly become spoiled upon being favored. They would come and ask for things that he himself did not want to give away! As for his beloved imperial concubine, she would even refuse the position of mother of all under heaven. Just how great was this!

　　The Emperor repeatedly sighed with emotion, as he even pointed to the eighth prince and said: “Only someone with an imperial concubine mother like this could become a good son. It seems that Our plans were not incorrect. This country will definitely need to be given to my Mo’er.”

　　When he said this, Zhang Yuan happened to be bringing in a plate of food, and he felt that these words were very grating to the ear. He felt even more concerned about the Emperor’s mental state. In the past, the Emperor had favored the ninth prince so much, yet he had never said anything about giving the throne to him. Why was it that he now favored the eighth prince to such a degree? Why exactly was this?

　　Zhang Yuan quietly retreated and did not notice the vicious gaze that Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu had when looking at him.

　　In the past few days, Cun Shan Palace had been very lively. The people had already figured that Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu would return to Cun Shan Palace when the Emperor went to handle official matters, thus they all went over to chat with her.

　　Though it was said that they were chatting, but it was mostly just people gathered together to gossip. This situation that would not allow for many people to speak saw many people quickly lose interest, but there was nothing that they could do about it, as Imperial Concubine Li had closed the gates and refused to see guests. They could not just sit in their own residences and watch others come over to speak. With nothing else that they could do, they could only come over and join in.

　　The people had their plans for currying favor with Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. If they were not praising the eighth prince, they were praising Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu for taking good care of herself and appearing quite young. Everything that was said was something that Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu liked to hear. As a favored imperial concubine, Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu was very skilled in this position. She also understood the concept of winning people over in the inner palace. She said to these members of the imperial harem: “Recently, His Majesty’s health has not been very good. This One has also just been reinstated not too long ago. Right now, I fear that His Majesty will think too much if too much is said. Wait a little while and let His Majesty recover a little. Once spring comes next year, this One will definitely advise His Majesty to spread the love and ensure that nobody is left empty-handed.”

　　Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s words caused everyone to become happy. Regardless of whether or not they would get a chance when the Emperor began favoring the inner palace once more, at the very least, they had some hope. At worst, it will be like in the past, and they would compete with their abilities. In short, things were going to be far more spectacular than they had been in the past 20 years. Thus everyone thanked Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. At this moment, their hearts were filled with gratitude.

　　Of course, there was a portion of the group that thought a little more, and they even had some complaints about Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. She said that the Emperor’s health was not very good? If his health was not very good, could he possibly copulate with you every night? Don’t think that nobody knew about what was happening in Zhao He Hall. These days, information about that had spread all around the inner palace. The cries of joy that had come from Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu at that time were so loud that the eunuchs were almost unable to endure it. Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu was hogging the favor and had pushed them off until spring came. What sort of situation was this?

　　But even if they had such thoughts in mind, they could not let it show on their faces. After all, they now had a bit of hope. They were just thinking that they would wait until spring came around, as Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu had said! Since she gave them hope, they needed to curry favor and try to get closer. Thus someone said: “If it had been sister Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu who had gained favor back then, our days would not have been so difficult. Sister Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu is a benevolent person, unlike Imperial Concubine Yun who was stingy. She herself did not meet with His Majesty, but she also did not let us meet with him. As this concubine sees it, it was His Majesty who did not even want to visit the inner palace. It must be that Imperial Concubine Yun incited discord; otherwise, how could His Majesty possibly hold it in for over 20 years, during the prime of his life?”

　　Between women, all manners of topics could be brought up. Once this discussion kicked off, the others immediately agreed and began to mock Imperial Concubine Yun. Even the matter of Noble Imperial Concubine Bu being killed had been dug back up. Of course, while mocking Imperial Concubine Yun, they also the most important thing was to elevate Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu. These people praised Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu to the heavens, saying that someone like Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu should only exist in the heavens, and that one appeared in this world was the Emperor being fortunate.

　　There was even one who said: “Right now, the inner palace is sister Imperial Concubine Shu’s world. We need to give the Empress some face, and we just need to avoid offending her, but what is the meaning behind Imperial Concubine Yun remaining holed up inside Winter Moon Palace? The ninth prince is no longer favored, so shouldn’t she vacate Winter Moon Palace?”

　　“That’s right, that’s right. She should give it up to sister Imperial Concubine Shu. Although none of us have ever been inside that place, after so many years, who in the Imperial Palace doesn’t know that it’s the most unique existence? Especially after that time it caught fire. The Emperor sent in so much gold, silver, and crystal just to see her again! Sister Imperial Concubine Shu, you should chase Imperial Concubine Yun out of Winter Moon Palace. Such a dignified place should belong to sister. How could you possibly allow Imperial Concubine Yun to act wildly?”

　　“Of course! Now, the inner palace no longer views Imperial Concubine Yun as anything!”

　　The people laughed even more cheerfully, as someone recalled something: “With Imperial Concubine Yun and the ninth prince losing favor, the ninth prince will no longer be as arrogant as he was in the past, right? He must not be allowed to wave his whip around as he pleases.”

　　Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu finally spoke up upon hearing this, as she simply sighed: “Hah! The ninth prince is His Majesty’s youngest son. It’s inevitable that he will be a bit pampered. But he is now older and has a family. It’s natural that he can no longer be like he was in the past. His Majesty said that all of his sons will be treated the same. From this day forward, he will no longer pamper anyone. Regardless of which child, they will be handled by the rules of Da Shun.”

　　The liveliness in Cun Shan Palace continued until dinner time when the Emperor sent someone to invite her. Under everyone’s envious gazes, Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu climbed into the soft sedan and was carried over to Zhao He Hall.

　　At this time, Zhang Yuan was standing there and repeatedly looking around. Upon seeing Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s sedan arrive, he quickly went over and respectfully saluted: “This servant pays respects to Your Highness Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu.”

　　The sedan was stopped by Zhang Yuan, and Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu furrowed her brow inside the sedan. With a great deal of discontent, she asked: “Who is it that stopped this One’s sedan?” In truth, she had already recognized Zhang Yuan’s voice. It was just that she had lost her good disposition upon hearing the person who was close to the Emperor yet remained in favor of the ninth prince.

　　Zhang Yuan had paid attention to his words in the Imperial Palace for many years. It was natural that he knew that he was disliked by Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu, but there was nothing that he could do. He could only grit his teeth and say: “This servant is Zhang Yuan and impudently stopped Your Highness Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu’s sedan. I beg Your Highness to forgive me.” Zhang Yuan said this and dropped to his knees, continuing: “There was nothing else that this servant could do. There is something that I must request of Your Highness Imperial Concubine Yuan Shu, thus I personally took the risk to stop the sedan. Would Your Highness be willing to listen to this servant’s request?”