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Noble Consort had an oval face, her cheeks neither too full nor too scant.

The Emperor felt somewhat disappointed; the Noble Consort’s face lacked baby fat, and although it looked just right, he always felt something was missing, unlike with Little Concubine whose baby fat on both cheeks could be pinched, feeling very nice.

With a hum, the Emperor walked towards the bed first.

Just then, a handkerchief fell from his embrace, fluttering a few steps before landing in front of the Noble Consort.

The Noble Consort took a careful look and saw the handkerchief was embroidered with orchids. The embroidery was neither poor nor exceptional but passable, and a pang of suspicion arose in her heart; this was not crafted by the Bureau of Palace Attendants.

Just as the Noble Consort was about to pick it up, the Emperor noticed and quickly stepped forward, picking up the handkerchief first and stuffing it into his robe.

"Your Majesty, this is..." the Noble Consort hesitated to ask.

A flash of coldness crossed the Emperor’s eyes as he looked at the Noble Consort, his presence growing colder.

The Noble Consort quickly lowered her head, daring not to inquire further, feeling a storm brewing inside her heart.

His Majesty’s sharp gaze, though not the first time she had seen it, had never been directed at her like this before.

In the harem, such a gaze from His Majesty had only been seen when the Late Empress was alive; the Noble Consort had glimpsed it in the Emperor’s eyes when he looked at the Late Empress...

Now that His Majesty looked at her with that gaze, albeit briefly, it frightened her so much that she hardly dared to breathe, finally understanding what the Late Empress had felt.

"Go to sleep," said the Emperor and, without paying further attention to her, climbed into the bed, closed his eyes, and began to sleep.

"Yes," the Noble Consort replied obediently, her heart filled with mixed emotions.

She let down the curtain, climbed onto the other side of the bed from the foot, and lay down, turning her head to look at His Majesty.

His Majesty was truly handsome; every time she looked at him, she felt it was never enough. Beneath his brows that were like drawn swords were his eyes shut tight, his nose prominent, his face like jade, and his thin lips, which were exceedingly beautiful.

Sensing the Noble Consort’s gaze, the Emperor softened his tone and said, "Go to sleep."

The Noble Consort tasted bitterness in her mouth; His Majesty had no such intentions toward her.

Sometimes she doubted whether there was something unattractive about her appearance since her charm seemed to fail in front of His Majesty as if it lost its effect altogether.

She was not willing to accept this; after such a long time without summoning her to his bedchamber, he had finally called her to serve him, and she did not want to just go back; she did not believe His Majesty had no such needs.

She decided to take a gamble.

The Noble Consort slowly moved closer to the Emperor, her hand reaching down towards his waist. Just as she touched him, the Emperor opened his eyes, grabbed her hand forcefully, and turned his head to look at her.

"Your Majesty, it hurts~" Tears came out of the Noble Consort’s eyes from the pain.

The Emperor released her. His mood was really not good at the moment; since picking up the handkerchief, his mind had been filled with the image of Little Concubine, making him feel sour and numb.

The handkerchief had been transferred directly into his robe from Little Concubine’s hands the previous night, and he had carried it with him since leaving Canglan Court.

He had thought about leaving it behind while bathing, but, somewhat unwilling, he fiercely thought that it was now his possession, to do with as he pleased. Carrying it on his person, then, did not matter, and so he brought it along even now.

Thinking that the devious Little Concubine might be sleeping soundly at this moment, perhaps not even thinking of him, a fire kindled in his heart, making him wish he could punish her severely at that instant to teach her a lesson.

He was too lazy to indulge the Noble Consort’s advances. He had already shown her enough face on usual days. At this quiet midnight hour, he was unwilling to expend more energy on this matter.

The Emperor coldly looked at her and said, "Noble Consort, it’s time to sleep. Do not make me speak further." After saying this, he turned his head and closed his eyes again.

"Yes," the Noble Consort’s voice trembled as tears welled up in her eyes, feeling exceedingly embarrassed.

Aside from His Majesty, when had she ever lowered herself before anyone else? Tonight, rejected in her request for affection, she lost both dignity and face.

Could it be that His Majesty treated others the same? If so, she would feel somewhat better, at least everyone was treated equally.

But whose handkerchief was that?

It was evident that His Majesty cherished that handkerchief dearly — could it be that some Seductive Vixen from the harem had given it to him behind her back?

She hoped that wasn’t the case, for if she found out who it was, she would ensure that Seductive Vixen suffered!

The Noble Consort spent a sleepless night.

As for Lian Hua, the Emperor thought correctly; since she had come to terms with her feelings, her mood had greatly lightened. After having lunch that day, she even indulgently took a nap. When she awoke, she felt much more relaxed.

She understood clearly that the distance between her and His Majesty was too great, not something she could bridge by simply jumping; so if it was unreachable, then let it be. She was never one to dwell on things or overstep her abilities.

Having realized this, she felt relaxed and her mood improved. Although occasionally images flashed through her mind, they no longer brought the initial heartache; sometimes these flashing images even made her feel warm inside.

She knew she might never forget His Majesty in this lifetime, but she could live without him.

Thus, when the Emperor was furious and thought of punishing her, she really did sleep soundly, although it took her slightly longer than usual to get used to the emptiness before falling asleep.

The next morning, before the court session, the Emperor instructed the Noble Consort to return on her own and proceeded to court.

The Noble Consort, left alone, despondently gathered herself and, summoning her attendants, rode the carriage back towards Huaqing Palace.

The Noble Consort had had a poor night’s sleep; her eyes were slightly swollen and her head throbbed faintly. She leaned on the armrest of the carriage, her palm resting against her forehead as she slightly closed her eyes.

Upon reaching the grand gate of Huaqing Palace, a crowd was already waiting there, all beaming. Seeing the carriage, everyone bowed and said in unison, "Congratulations, Consort, congratulations."

The Noble Consort lifted her eyelids and a mocking smile appeared at the corners of her mouth, her tone cold, "What is there to celebrate?"

With that, she stepped down from the carriage and walked past the crowd toward the Inner Palace.

The crowd was puzzled by what had happened. Wasn’t she returning in favor? The Consort seemed not too pleased.

Everyone looked towards Cai Xia, who shook her head. The Consort had been like this since leaving the Star Palace; Cai Xia couldn’t enter to serve last night, so she didn’t know what had happened. She had barely dared to breathe on the journey just now, and was still confused.

With bowed heads, they quickly followed the Consort into the Inner Palace.

Once in the Inner Palace, the Noble Consort fiercely looked back and called out, "Nanny Chen, have her come to see me." With that, she walked towards the throne and sat down, her gaze dark and stormy.

Having heard the order, Cai Xia answered affirmatively and hurried out of the palace.

When Nanny Chen arrived, the Noble Consort was seated at the place of honor, lost in thought.

The palace was as silent as if filled with ravens, the attending palace maids all as quiet as chilled cicadas.

Nanny Chen felt a chill run down her spine, weighed the situation, and sensed it was quite dire; she wondered what the Consort needed her for.

Feeling anxious, she approached the Noble Consort, knelt, and bowed deeply saying, "I greet the Consort, may the Consort be forever blessed."

The Noble Consort lifted her eyelids to watch her but said nothing, letting her kneel.

The chamber was deadly silent.