The cold emperor reigns supreme, the arrogant empress begs for a truce.

Chapter Twenty: The Imperial Concubine

Logically speaking, the women who sit in the positions of Empress or Imperial Concubine are either those whom the Emperor insisted on marrying or loved deeply, or those who have a very strong backing.

Leng Yuling didn't know exactly how she became Empress, but she could guess why Consort Ma was able to become a Consort. One of the two reasons mentioned above must be true, and there was absolutely no third option.

Not hearing Ziyan's reply, she looked at Rong Mama and asked with a smile, "Rong Mama, if you don't tell me, I might accidentally offend her later, and I can't take responsibility for that."

Knowing that Leng Yuling was doing it on purpose, he still had to explain.

Rong Momo sighed helplessly: "Consort Ma and the Emperor grew up together, and General Ma holds military power over the major military camps of the Southern Chu Kingdom. Therefore, the Emperor respects both Consort Ma and General Ma very much."

Once Rong Momo explained, Leng Yuling understood completely. However, it's possible that besides General Ma's military power, Mo Zhen also had childhood feelings for Consort Ma.

Therefore, Consort Ma may have possessed both qualities.

Thinking of this, Leng Yuling became even more eager to meet Consort Ma, to find out just what kind of person she was.

After settling down, Ziyan walked to the entrance of the palace and called in the ladies-in-waiting.

There weren't many concubines who entered, but there were still quite a few—seven or eight, each more beautiful than the last. Leng Yuling couldn't help but think that Mo Zhen was truly too fortunate, or rather, being the emperor was truly too fortunate.

As she watched the concubines walk in one by one, she couldn't help but click her tongue, which aroused the curiosity of those who heard her. However, since they didn't know Leng Yuling's temperament, no one dared to look up at her.

"This humble servant greets the Empress." They all bowed to Leng Yuling, who was seated on the throne, as if they were in a line. This display of manners truly startled Leng Yuling.

She stammered, "Please, please get up. We're all sisters, please sit down. There's no need to be so polite."

She genuinely felt that way, but it's uncertain how many people who heard her actually took her words seriously, since human nature is unpredictable.

After the concubines had all taken their seats, Leng Yuling looked at Consort Ma's seat, but... it was empty.

At this moment, someone spoke up: "The Imperial Concubine is not feeling well today, so she didn't come. She asked me to pass on a message to the Empress, saying that she will come to apologize to the Empress in person when she is feeling better."

Perhaps sensing Leng Yuling's curiosity, the man began to explain.

Leng Yuling nodded, but she became increasingly curious about what kind of person Consort Ma was. Was she really unwell, or was she deliberately trying to give Leng Yuling, the nominal empress, a hard time?

After all, she had no powerful backing in the Southern Chu Kingdom, and in the harem, Consort Ma had arrived earlier, so her connections were naturally much wider than Leng Yuling's.

Moreover, given Consort Ma's powerful backing, she must be very favored in the harem, so no matter what excessive actions she takes, perhaps no one thinks Leng Yuling can do anything to her.

This is the tragedy of this era. Thinking of this, Leng Yuling felt that marrying Mo Zhen was a huge loss. Not only was she an empty queen, but she might also be bullied. Although she didn't think she was the kind of person who would be bullied.

"Your health is the most important thing, Ziyan. Go and check on her for me later." Leng Yuling had watched plenty of dramas about palace intrigue, so she knew how to respond in this situation.