No. But who would fish in the pond of the Imperial Garden? That’s unheard of! And what is this attitude from the Empress? In the past, after such a thunderous rage on my part, the Empress would have already been on her knees begging for forgiveness. Now, she doesn’t even bow when she sees me, merely greets me casually and then goes about her business.
Is this truly the Empress?
Can a person’s nature change so drastically?
Or is this the Empress’s true nature, which had been suppressed all along, only to be exposed now?
Perhaps it is? Previously, she might have wanted to satisfy me, so she behaved cautiously to secure her position as Empress. And now, she no longer cares, so she acts so recklessly?
The Emperor, thinking he had figured out the reason, felt somewhat conflicted. Has the Empress already ceased to care about her position, or was I truly too harsh on her before?
Just as the Emperor was about to speak, two voices came from outside the pavilion, one gentle, the other cool, both greeting the Emperor.
The Emperor turned his head and saw Favored Concubine and Plum Concubine.
"Rise." The Emperor, seeing the two elegant women dressed brightly, was pleasantly surprised and felt better, inviting them both in.
After Favored Concubine and Plum Concubine entered, they pretended to notice the Empress and greeted her.
Tianmiao merely glanced at the two of them, nodded, and continued focusing on her fishing pole.
Favored Concubine and Plum Concubine were both taken aback. The Empress’s perfunctory attitude towards them was truly incredible. Although the Empress never smiled at them before, she would not have been so perfunctory. No, to the favored ones like them, the Empress’s attitude was downright audacious. Everyone knew that the Emperor had no affection for this Empress, merely using her as the grand steward of the harem. So the Empress’s usual life was unsatisfactory, taciturn, and almost without a smile.
If the Empress had treated the favored concubines poorly or distributed allowances unsatisfactorily, they would mention it in front of the Emperor, and he would reprimand the Empress. Yet today, despite the Empress’s perfunctory attitude, the Emperor seemed not to notice.
"Favored Concubine, Plum Concubine, are you also here to take a walk in the Imperial Garden?" the Emperor asked with a smile.
"I came to gather inspiration for a painting, intending to present a Hundred Flowers Painting to the Empress on her birthday," Plum Concubine spoke first.
"Oh, how thoughtful of you." The Emperor then recalled that next month was indeed the Empress’s birthday.
"I just came for a stroll to relax," Favored Concubine also smiled, though there seemed to be a hint of forced cheer in her expression.
"What’s the matter? Favored Concubine, are you feeling unwell? Have you summoned the Imperial Physician?" the Emperor asked with some concern.
Plum Concubine glanced coolly at Favored Concubine, secretly scolding her for pretending again, always appearing frail as if someone had bullied her.
"No, it’s just that last night I waited for Your Majesty at the door for a long time, caught some cold air, and my chest feels a bit uncomfortable. It’s nothing serious," Favored Concubine said, wearing a fragile yet strong smile, gazing lovingly at the Emperor.
Only then did the Emperor recall that he had seemingly forgotten to fulfill his promise to visit Favored Concubine last night.
"How could there be a cold breeze in such hot weather? It seems Sister’s living quarters are quite different," Plum Concubine spoke faintly at this moment.
That wretched woman! Favored Concubine clutched the silk handkerchief tightly in her hand.
"Call the Imperial Physician to have a look when you return." The Emperor, no fool, naturally knew that cold breezes were impossible in this weather. It was just this woman’s way of reminding him. Nonetheless, seeing Plum Concubine’s jealousy-stricken demeanor, it inexplicably brought the Emperor comfort.