When Belia entered Hwangbi’s residence, Elin and Hwangbi were joyfully engaged in conversation. Glancing around the table with a side-eye, she noticed that half of the cake was already eaten, and the tea in the cups had significantly decreased.
‘I’m not late.’
She had even arrived much earlier than necessary, contemplating whether to find Hwangbi engrossed in a book.
‘Hmm…….’
Belia concealed a subtle feeling of irritation.
What was the point from the beginning?
It was an overt and visible restraint.
“You’re late.”
Hwangbi scolded Belia in a loud voice without even looking in her direction.
“…I apologize, Your Highness.”
Rather than offering excuses reluctantly, Belia simply apologized and took her seat. She observed their actions for a while.
“Since the Second Prince’s consort didn’t come, I spent time with the lady.”
“Oh my, Your Highness the Empress! If you say that, the Second Prince’s consort might misunderstand.”
Elin hurriedly explained, looking bewildered.
“I arrived a bit earlier than the agreed-upon time, so please don’t be too concerned.”
However, as Belia observed the unfolding situation, she quickly realized. Everything was orchestrated.
“Without the Second Prince in the palace, the consort should be more careful in her actions.”
“…I will keep that in mind.”
Hwangbi, seeming like the most carefree person in the palace, had an air of composure. She started to say something but then burst into laughter, shaking her head with a smirk.
“Well, it’s not that important.”
Hwangbi gestured to the maid to bring more tea.
Belia discreetly surveyed the reception room. Ironically, it was much more luxurious than Hwangbi’s reception room. From exquisite decorations and paintings to the chandelier hanging from the ceiling and the carpet laid on the floor—nothing was ordinary.
‘The emperor’s favoritism is so blatantly evident…’
Even though the empire’s empress was openly disregarded, she couldn’t utter a word. This abnormal sight, solely created by the emperor’s whims, was inexplicable.
“The consort must feel even more lonely with the Second Prince away.”
“I’ve been busy with charity work, enduring it. And…”
Belia casually spoke, playing with the fork in front of her.
“He will return soon, won’t he?”
A new letter had arrived from Khalid this morning. It contained information about the negotiation team reaching the Yakum Kingdom. Even though it might take some time for the letter to travel from the empire, negotiations were likely already underway.
‘Negotiations shouldn’t take too long.’
At most, a week. After appropriately paying the agreed-upon price for the viscount’s services and receiving his recruits, the negotiation team would return to the empire promptly. Calculating the period for a safe return without any unforeseen circumstances, it might take about a month. Knowing he would come back, there was no need to feel sad or lonely.
‘He said he would return safely.’
Belia’s expression showed no signs of shadow as she thought about it. Perhaps disliking her calm demeanor, Hwangbi lowered her eyes while sipping her tea.
“…Is the consort at ease?”
“Yes, His Excellency Khalid promised me that he would return soon.”
As Belia responded with a smile, Hwangbi muttered as if speaking to herself, slightly wrinkling her forehead.
“…The consort seems at ease.”
“Of course. His Excellency Khalid assured me he would return safely.”
Thinking about it that way, Belia’s expression remained unaffected. It seemed that Hwangbi wasn’t pleased with that.
“…You pretend to get along well, but it seems not so.”
Yet, it was inevitable that Belia heard it.
“…What do you mean?”
It was uncommon in high society for someone to express such discomfort in front of another. Moreover, it wasn’t an inexperienced young lady who had just entered high society, but the empress herself. No matter how much she disliked her, such an attitude was unusual. What was the hidden agenda?
“Oh my. I had no ill intentions.”
But it seemed quite the opposite.
It seemed that Hwangbi didn’t like that at all, as she took a sip of black tea and narrowed her eyes.
“…It seems the Second Prince’s consort is at ease.”
“Yes, indeed. His Excellency Khalid promised me that he would return soon.”
As Belia answered with a smile, Hwangbi muttered with a slight frown, almost like talking to herself.
“You seem to get along well, but perhaps not so much.”
However, it was inevitable that Belia heard it.
“…What do you mean?”
Expressing discomfort like this in front of someone was uncommon in high society. And it wasn’t just any young lady entering high society, but Hwangbi herself. Even if she didn’t like herself, this attitude was strange. What could be the hidden agenda?
“Oh my. I had no ill intentions.”
But it seemed quite the opposite.
Hwangbi lightly covered her mouth with her hand.
“If Her Majesty were to leave her seat, I might feel a bit lonely…”
Despite being a mother of a grown son, Hwangbi still maintained her timeless beauty, and even her gesture was incredibly elegant and beautiful.
When scheming men desperately battle for her favor in the male harem
This one’s also on my reread list! The rivalry, scheming between the men in the imperial harem are just as intense and thrilling as in classic palace drama novels, where concubines fight to the death. Give it a read, girls! I promise you won’t be disappointed.
Synopsis:
“I am not worthy of her… but I still want to be by her side, even if only as a loyal dog…”
Those were the painful whispers of Yue Guanyi – the proud Crown Prince of the Great Qi, who was torn between deep love and a guilty conscience. Despite holding the supreme power of the Imperial Guard, he still could not forget the dark past when he was sold into a brothel.
Fate played a cruel twist when Qiu Shuzhi – a young female official who had just passed the imperial examinations with top honors – stepped into his life. She did not know that she was the one who had saved him from a tragic fate many years ago. And now, her heart was the target of pursuit for both Yue Guanyi and the powerful Empress Dowager Qin Qing.
While Yue Guanyi only dared to silently care for and protect the one he loved from afar, the Empress Dowager Qin Qing openly expressed his feelings and did not hesitate to take advantage of his power to approach Qiu Shuzhi. The covert struggle between the two most powerful forces in the imperial court began…
Trigger warning: All men in this novel are yandere style.
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