无翼乌工口里番无色无摭挡

After having tea, she lazily asked, “Has the Princess Consort of Yu not returned yet?”

“Your Highness, the Princess Consort of Yu has not yet returned.”

As they spoke, laughter from Jiang Ning could be heard outside. Concubine Jin looked up to see her chasing after the two little ones, laughing and chattering, their mouths calling out endearing nicknames like little sweetheart, little darling, and little stinker.

Concubine Jin turned her gaze away and casually picked up a book by her pillow, leaning back to read.

Not long after, footsteps were heard at the entrance.

Jiang Ning asked the palace maids outside, “Her Highness is still asleep, isn’t she? I won’t disturb her rest; I’ll take the children home first and come back to the palace to pay my respects another day.”

She finished speaking in one breath and, without waiting for the palace maids to answer, she slipped away with the two children.

Palace Maid: “???”

They hadn’t said anything!

Concubine Jin casually threw the book in her hand out and said coldly, “That cheeky girl! She didn’t even return my Phoenix Pendant after using it?”

The palace maid laughed and said, “Maybe she’s just a young girl who hasn’t seen the world before and took a liking to the pendant’s appearance. Rest assured, Your Highness; the Princess Consort of Yu knows her priorities and will return it after playing with it for a few days.”

“And if she doesn’t return it, will you exchange your life for it?”

“Your Highness, this servant’s life is not worth that Phoenix Pendant.” The palace maid laughed, “When the Prince of Yu got married, didn’t you say that you would give the Phoenix Pendant to the Princess Consort of Yu as a betrothal gift? It’s a good thing she has it now, considering how filial she is to you. Please don’t be angry.”

“That girl is too cunning.”

“Fortunately, she is your daughter-in-law and not the Empress’s daughter-in- law. Her cleverness does us no harm.”

“You’ve been won overby her, always speaking well of her.”

“Your Highness, the Prince, and the Princess Consort are all family, and all are masters of this servant. Whomever I favor, it makes no difference.” The palace maid laughed as she spoke.

Concubine Jin looked out and snorted, “Trying to run off? Magu, send someone to the Prime Minister’s Mansion and have her send over some new dishes tomorrow. And make more of that Black Jade Tofu.”

The palace maid laughed, “This servant will remember.”

From outside, the sharp voice of a eunuch could be heard, “The Emperor has arrived ”

Concubine Jin thought for a moment and then stood.

As the Emperor walked in with his hands on his back and saw her standing at the door to greet him, he was somewhat flattered, “Is my beloved consort not feeling well somewhere?”

Concubine Jin’s face turned cold, “I’m perfectly fine.”

There was no cursing when they first met.

The Emperor quickly realized his mistake and offended the beauty. He hurriedly followed with a smile, “I have been busy all morning and am quite dizzy. My beloved consort hasn’t had lunch yet, has she? I have specially ordered lunch to be brought here so that we can have it together.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“Zhuzhu, you must eat well. You see, you’ve become so thin from hunger.” The Emperor’s face was full of concern.

Concubine Jin said indifferently, “I can’t even fit into the skirt I wore last month.”

The Emperor: “… Those are old clothes that don’t suit this month’s Zhuzhu.”

“Your Majesty, I’ve gained weight.”

“Have you? Why can’t I see it? Who are those damned servants who said that?”

“With the Princess Consort of Yu sending food every now and then, how could I not gain weight?”

“That Princess Consort of Yu is indeed filial. However, I don’t approve of such behavior. Tomorrow I will send someone to talk to her. She shouldn’t be sending her messy food to the court when she’s idle!”

Concubine Jin said indifferently, “Your Majesty, haven’t you almost given away everything in your study for those messy meals of hers?”