Chapter 170: Summon the others
Long after the First Consort had stormed out of Yongle Palace, leaving behind an air of dissatisfaction and simmering rage, the Empress finally allowed a slow, knowing smile to cross her lips. She leaned back against her jade-inlaid seat, her manicured fingers idly tapping against the surface of the lacquered table beside her. The tension in her expression melted away, replaced with an amusement only she could understand.
With a flick of her fingers, a nearby maid bowed and swiftly cleared away the remnants of the First Consort’s tea, ensuring that no trace of her presence lingered longer than necessary. The Empress rose with measured grace, the silk of her gown cascading around her feet like rippling water. She took a slow, deliberate step forward, her embroidered shoes barely making a sound against the polished floors of Yongle Palace.
As she moved deeper into the inner chambers, the warm glow of candlelight barely illuminated the space, casting long shadows against the intricately carved walls. The scent of incense lingered in the air, thick and intoxicating, a sharp contrast to the chilling atmosphere that had now settled within the room.
She had only taken a few more steps when a low chuckle echoed from within. A figure was already seated at the central table, his posture relaxed, his fingers idly tracing the rim of a delicate porcelain teacup. He exuded an air of casual confidence, completely at ease in a place where most would not dare linger uninvited.
"She came to whine again, didn’t she?" the man mused as he lifted the cup to his lips, taking a slow sip. The rich aroma of the imported tea filled the air between them.
The Empress exhaled lightly, settling herself onto the cushioned seat across from him. "Her visits are becoming increasingly annoying. I grow tired of her constant grievances, her endless complaints. She is a woman who does not know when to keep her mouth shut."
The man chuckled, setting his cup down with an audible clink. "Then why not get rid of her?"
The Empress tilted her head slightly, her gaze sharp and calculating. "That would be a waste. She is still useful to us."
"True," the man conceded, leaning back into his seat with an amused smirk. "A pawn should not be discarded before it has served its purpose."