Quick Wear: The Concubine is Seductive and Seduces the Mistress

"She didn't come again?"

Everyone knows who "she" refers to. There are only three newcomers, and Lin Meiren and the others haven't even met her yet.

The harem had been peaceful for a long time.

Previously, only Consort Ling was favored, so the others didn't have the energy to compete. Now, a new concubine has suddenly appeared and is favored, while the Emperor is protecting her so much that they haven't even seen her. Naturally, they feel resentful.

The older generation had been suppressed by Consort Ling for so long that their spirits had been completely broken, but the newcomers were different.

They were young, beautiful, and from respectable families. Like flower buds basking in the sunlight, once they entered the palace, who wouldn't want to be favored?

"Even someone as favored as the Imperial Concubine shows great respect and deference to the Empress Dowager. How could a newly arrived beauty like her be absent from even paying her respects to the Empress Dowager?"

The one who said this was Xue Baolin, who had just entered the palace. She was the best-born in her family and was not inferior to Consort Ling. She thought she would definitely be favored. Who knew that she would not only not be favored, but she could not even see the Emperor. A little-known Lin Shi got a high position and rode on his head.

Thinking of all this, she spoke up angrily again: "Your Highness, you are the highest-ranking person in the harem and the head of the six palaces. It is only right that His Majesty should be informed of Consort Lin's lack of manners!"

These words were meant to flatter Consort Ling, but Consort Ling didn't react, so she just smiled awkwardly and remained silent.

Just then, a woman dressed in plain palace attire gracefully walked in.

It was an extremely beautiful face, with fair and radiant skin, clear and bright eyes, and a delicate and alluring charm. If she hadn't been a little plump, she would have outshone all of them.

The two concubines who had been complaining the most were stunned until the newcomer bowed to Consort Ling:

"This concubine, Lin, greets Your Highness, the Noble Consort."

Lin, the Lin family?

This is Consort Lin, whom His Majesty protects.

In an instant, all the concubines looked over. Consort Ling was the first to react. She looked Consort Ling up and down and said with disdain, "You must be His Majesty's new favorite."

Liu Fuyin remained kneeling, her body trembling slightly as she was supported by the palace maid, as if she couldn't stand steadily.

She remained silent, appearing obedient and submissive, while the concubines of Consort Ling's faction chimed in, "Isn't she the new favorite? Look at her, she can't even stand up properly when she tries to curtsy, she needs someone to help her!"

"Sisters, you must be understanding. After all, His Majesty said on the first day Consort Lin entered the palace that she was frail, and now it seems that's true. I'm afraid even the Emperor's favor can't withstand it!"

"She's so fat, I don't know what His Majesty likes about her. If you ask me, he should choose some better ones." Consort Li was always outspoken, and her family background was the best in the harem. Since none of them were particularly favored, no one dared to oppose her.

These words drew laughter from many concubines, who all looked over to examine her. Consort Ling's gaze swept over Liu Fuyin's face and finally landed on her stomach. She said with a forced smile, "I forgot something. Why is Consort Lin still bowing? Hurry up and help her up."

As she spoke, her gaze remained fixed on Liu Fuyin's lower abdomen, where a barely noticeable bulge could be seen...

Is it really just because I'm fat?

There hasn't been a talent show for five years, so with the addition of Liu Fuyin and the other two, there are only nine people in the harem.

Before they entered the palace, there were only two imperial concubines: Consort Ling and Consort Shu. Consort Ling was favored, and Consort Shu had a daughter. Those in her faction had no interest in vying for favor. As for those who attached themselves to Consort Ling, they were just hoping to get some benefits. Unfortunately, Consort Ling herself felt that she didn't have enough days of being favored, so she wouldn't share them. However, following her would make life a little better.

As for the only two princes, their birth mothers died early. In the early years, when they fought fiercely, one of them was even secretly harmed and his health was ruined. In a fit of anger, the emperor sent them both to the Empress Dowager's palace for education, so that the concubines would not fight and harm each other.

Look, this man is still clear-headed. In the harem, the competition is fierce only when there are sons. He has always seen this clearly, and it all depends on whether he wants to get involved or not.

These were all things Liu Fuyin had inquired about in the past few days. She pulled herself out of her thoughts and stood up, still looking frightened. "I am of humble status, and my appearance is natural. I am fortunate to have Your Majesty's favor."

The more capable you are, the more excited Li Zhaoyi becomes; if you are weak and submissive, she will find it boring and shut up.

The noisy commotion abruptly stopped when the nanny attending to the Empress Dowager arrived.

The Empress Dowager looked at these concubines with exasperation, "Why are you all arguing here with me! Instead of wasting your energy, you should think about how to please His Majesty and give me a few more grandchildren to liven up the harem!"

She glanced disapprovingly at the concubines present, and only smiled when a child called out in a weak voice for the Empress Dowager to come out.

The second prince was in poor health, so he was not forced to study. The only requirement for him was that he could read. As a result, he spent more time with the Empress Dowager and was even more favored than the healthy first prince.

Although the Empress Dowager scolded the palace servants for not watching the child properly, she still sat in the high seat while holding the child.

"Rise, all of you..." She paused, suppressing the joy in her voice and making herself appear stern. "Which one of you is Lady Lin?"

Liu Fuyin slowly stepped forward, bowed, and appeared weak and powerless.

The Empress Dowager's brows furrowed. The Emperor said that Consort Lin was pregnant. Looking at her slender figure, could she really give birth to a grandson safely?

"Lady Lin, I have heard that the Emperor often stays at your residence?"

To outsiders, the Empress Dowager's words were an accusation, and those below couldn't help but gloat.

Especially Consort Ling, as the head of the six palaces, she was usually the most respectful to the Empress Dowager, but the old woman found fault with her in every way, disliked her, and even blamed her for not being able to give birth and for clinging to His Majesty.

This Lady Lin, I'm afraid even without her lifting a finger, the Empress Dowager will have a hard time dealing with her.

When asked this question suddenly, Liu Fuyin was a little confused and timidly replied, "Yes."

Normally, the Empress Dowager would have reprimanded her for her petty attitude, but now, she didn't care about such things and simply waved her hand, "Consort Lin, please stay. Everyone else, please leave."

The Empress Dowager remained as dignified as ever. The concubines in her palace didn't dare to breathe loudly, and only after leaving the palace did anyone dare to speak.

"The Empress Dowager is really scary." Xue Baolin patted her chest exaggeratedly, then affectionately took the arm of the person next to her. "Sister Wang, what do you think the Empress Dowager is keeping Consort Lin with her?"

Wang Cairen said with a hint of schadenfreude, "What else could it be? The Empress Dowager hates the concubines who cling to His Majesty's favor. You've been in the palace for so many days, and Consort Lin has been monopolizing His Majesty's attention. Especially since she's in poor health, she certainly won't be able to have a child. The Empress Dowager will definitely punish her."

Consort Wang came from the worst family background in the harem. Her appearance was considered good in the common people, but it was inconspicuous in the harem. She could only be described as pretty. She was selected to enter the palace because His Majesty had few children. The Empress Dowager heard that her mother had given birth to five children, so she entered the palace. Unfortunately, she had not been able to conceive.

When she first entered the palace, she was the lowest-ranking concubine, and could only rely on Consort Ling to slowly rise to the rank of talented woman. But this Lin family member, whose family background was ordinary, became a beauty as soon as she entered the palace and was also favored. Of course, she was jealous.

No, to be precise, she was jealous of anyone better than her, including Xue Baolin, who was talking to her.

Xue Baolin, unaware of the situation, revealed a shy expression, "I have never served the emperor before. I wonder if His Majesty will come to see me after the Empress Dowager's reprimand."

-

I'll probably write some palace intrigue.