Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Consort Mei understood immediately, her face flushing even more, her eyelashes trembling as she said, "Your Majesty, it is late. Let me help Your Majesty to rest..."

That night, Consort Mei used all her charms, being extremely tender and gentle.

The palace servants standing at the door could occasionally hear a few suppressed yet melodious low moans.

Li Changde kept his head down, his eyes focused on his nose, his nose on his heart, but his ears felt slightly hot.

Even though he could no longer be considered a real man, he couldn't help but click his tongue in amazement at the sounds inside.

Li Changde finally understood. No wonder His Majesty had not been close to women for a long time, and when he first chose a concubine, he did not hesitate to select Xianfu Palace.

The imperial harem was filled with beauties of all shapes and sizes. There were dignified women, aloof women, talented women, charming women... all kinds of beauties were there.

But when it comes to being able to let go of one's inhibitions and abandon one's reserve in bed, and knowing how to please and seduce, probably no one can match Consort Mei.

Even if the noble ladies from those aristocratic families longed for the emperor's favor, they would still be reserved and chaste when serving him in bed, for fear of losing their dignity.

But emperors who wield supreme power and are accustomed to taking whatever they want are, at their core, fond of conquest and pleasure.

Men, even if they don't say it, secretly like this kind of thing.

The women in the harem were most concerned about who the Emperor favored. The news of the Emperor's visit to Xianfu Palace quickly spread throughout the palace.

Some were pleased, while others were disappointed.

Changchun Palace.

Consort Zhuang's feelings were somewhat complicated.

On the one hand, she naturally hoped that Consort Mei would gain favor.

Consort Mei represents another force of the Zhuang family in the harem. The more favored she is, the greater the chance she will give birth to imperial offspring with Zhuang family blood.

This is beneficial to the future planning of the entire Zhuang family.

His Majesty has finally begun to visit the harem, and the first one was Consort Mei. This at least shows that the women of the Zhuang family still have a place in His Majesty's heart.

On the other hand...

A subtle bitterness welled up in Consort Zhuang's heart.

His Majesty usually just sits and chats when he comes to Changchun Palace. Even when he stays overnight, he behaves very properly and rarely asks for water.

Consort Zhuang had long been accustomed to this respectful, even somewhat distant, way of getting along.

But... even without witnessing it firsthand, she could imagine how passionate and affectionate the lovers must have been at Xianfu Palace that night.

Both were daughters of the Zhuang family, but she was a high-ranking imperial concubine.

Consort Mei, though only a concubine, seemed to be better able to grasp the part of His Majesty's mind that was that of a man.

But Consort Zhuang quickly composed herself and suppressed the inappropriate embarrassment.

She did not envy Consort Mei.

Even if she could do it all over again, she would not choose to become a woman like Consort Mei.

The most important qualities for an empress are dignified bearing and moral character befitting her position.

The art of seduction in the bedroom may win temporary favor, but it is ultimately unacceptable and cannot be considered refined.

Even if Consort Mei were highly favored and loved by His Majesty, she could only ever be a favored concubine. She was His Majesty's confidante and a haven of tenderness during his leisure time.

But what Zhuang Yumin wanted was never just this.

Having figured this out, Consort Zhuang's discomfort dissipated considerably.

……

Water Creek Pavilion.

Upon hearing the news, Consort Tang's eyes dimmed instantly: "His Majesty has finally chosen one of my concubines."

"It's Consort Mei..."

She felt a mix of emotions, an indescribable sadness.

Although Consort Tang had not been in the palace for very long, her feelings for His Majesty were pure and passionate.

She truly admired the handsome and majestic emperor.

I like the smiling look in his eyes when he occasionally glances at me.

I like the warmth of his palm.

I especially love the sweet, throbbing feeling of my heart racing and my body burning when I'm close to him.

Unlike other concubines whose entry into the palace might be mixed with family interests, Consort Tang simply loved Nangong Xuanyu and wanted to be his woman.

It is precisely because the love was so pure that the sense of loss at this moment is all the more real.

His Majesty has not entered the inner palace for a long time. Consort Tang waits day and night, praying silently that His Majesty will remember her.

But the first person His Majesty favored was Consort Mei…

Consort Tang knew that Consort Mei was very beautiful, and everyone privately said that she was very good at...serving people, and had the ability to make His Majesty linger.

She couldn't compare to Consort Mei's captivating charm, but she possessed a sincere and unconditional heart...

"Little Master..."

Seeing that Consort Tang's eyes were slightly red, Rui'er comforted her with heartache, "Now that His Majesty has started choosing consorts, it will eventually be your turn, so don't be sad."

Consort Tang sniffed and blinked hard, forcing back the sour feeling: "Yes, I know. I'm not sad."

"Your Majesty is an emperor, and with so many sisters in the harem, it is only right that you bestow your favor equally upon them."

"I...I will wait patiently, His Majesty will eventually remember me..."

Even so, she couldn't sleep all night...

A young girl in love, her heart filled with devotion.

At this time, Consort Tang did not understand that the favor in the palace could never be won by having a sincere heart.

……

Yongshou Palace.

Xiao Mingzi walked in from outside and reported in a low voice: "Your Majesty, His Majesty chose Xianfu Palace tonight..."

Upon hearing the news, Shen Zhinian's face remained largely expressionless: "I understand."

During this time, Nangong Xuanyu did indeed frequently come to Yongshou Palace to keep her company.

Sometimes, when they were tired from reviewing memorials, they would come over to sit, have a cup of tea, and chat.

Sometimes he would come specifically to dine with her and Ah Xu, inquire about fetal movements, and instruct the imperial physician to take good care of them.

Occasionally, when it got late at night, he would stay overnight and simply hold her as they fell asleep.

That kind of careful and considerate treatment, if it were an ordinary concubine, might actually give rise to the illusion of being the emperor's exclusive favorite. She might then become intoxicated by it, believing herself to be special.

But Shen Zhinian never had such a thought.

She was neither an innocent young girl nor a lovelorn woman living in a storybook.

She had witnessed the jealous and vying behavior of the concubines in the Shen family's backyard, and she had seen countless beautiful women in the harem lose favor before they even grew old.

That's the basic foundation for men.

Even men from ordinary noble families would take concubines while their wives were pregnant.

They claim it's for the sake of their offspring and to spare their wives hardship. In reality, it's nothing more than an inability to control their lust, seeking a high-sounding excuse.

Not to mention an emperor who possesses the entire world and is rich in all the land.

The imperial palace and its six courtyards were symbols of imperial power and status.

To expect an emperor to remain chaste for a certain woman and leave his harem empty is unrealistic.

That's not affection, that's a joke.

Seeking pure love in the harem? Shen Zhinian felt that she would be truly insane if she even entertained such a thought!

From the very beginning, there were too many other things mixed up between her and Nangong Xuanyu.

Two intelligent people need each other, test each other, and give each other complex emotions.

She and Nangong Xuanyu may have had some genuine feelings for each other, but that genuine feeling was never unique, nor was it everlasting.