Chapter 21: Such a Unique Temperament
The mid-spring weather was beginning to warm. A gentle breeze lifted the hem of her robe, and the sash tied around her waist fluttered along with it.
In the morning, Zhao Yiyi saw that the spring bamboo shoots were fresh, so she personally made a dish called Shan Hai Dou (山海兜 – a dish), and had it sent to Zi Chen Palace.
She accidentally made a little too much, so she shared it with the palace servants in Jiao Fang Palace.
When it arrived at Zi Chen Palace, Gu Zhen had just finished the morning court. Wu Mao took the food box from Yunzhu’s hand and smiled, “What good luck! Your Majesty is in a bad mood today, and seeing this breakfast from Your Majesty, his heart should be soothed.”
Saying this, he turned and went back to the main hall excitedly.
Gu Zhen leaned slightly against the couch, his brows slightly furrowed as he looked at the memorial in his hand. After a while, he suddenly sneered, threw the memorial onto the desk, and a fierce light appeared in his eyes.
“Empress specially got up early today and made Shan Hai Dou for Your Majesty,” Wu Mao lifted the lid, regardless of whether it was true or not, exaggerating it first, “Look, it’s still warm.”
The bamboo shoots and fish fillets floated on top, steaming. Wu Mao noticed that after he said this, the Emperor’s expression clearly softened.
He also breathed a sigh of relief.
Serving as the superintendent of the imperial eunuchs was an enviable position in the palace. He could occasionally speak to the Emperor, and he was also very imposing in the palace. But once the Emperor was displeased, the first to suffer would be him.
“Bring it here.” The momentary pleasure in his heart vanished, his expression instantly returning to normal, Gu Zhen glanced at it lightly and coldly ordered.
Watching the Emperor eat, Wu Mao secretly thought that the edict he had retrieved from Menxia Province this morning probably wouldn’t be needed anymore.
He waited nervously, until the Emperor finished his breakfast and ordered him to fetch the writing materials for the edict, before he slightly regained his senses.
“Should I summon a few scholars?”
Gu Zhen directly picked up his pen, “No need. I will draft it myself.”
Recently, due to the Emperor’s ambiguous attitude, the court officials began to consciously exert pressure. In the morning court, many officials opposed the rectification of Buddhism and Daoism, which angered the Emperor, and they retracted their probing.
In the past, the Emperor had given the impression of being gentle and humble, but since his ascension to the throne, as the officials gradually probed, they discovered that the heart beneath the Emperor’s gentle exterior was incredibly cold and hard.
Among these people, some still harbored illusions about the Emperor and refused to give up. Some wanted to pull him back to his original path, and even more wanted to probe the Emperor’s bottom line.
The edict just retrieved lay on the desk. Gu Zhen’s imperial brush didn’t stop, and in just a stick of incense, several edicts were drafted.
After looking at the edict for a moment, he personally stamped the imperial seal and ordered, “Have these sent for review this afternoon.”
Wu Mao slowly stepped forward to clean up, nervously looking at the content of the several edicts, seeing clearly that the Emperor, having endured for so long, was about to take action against people.
The aristocratic families had controlled the court for many years, and now they dared to use their seniority to force the Emperor to compromise, but they underestimated the Emperor’s determination and skill. This time, even Zhao Yuan, the Empress’s maternal uncle, was implicated by the Marquis of Huai’an and could not escape.
Gu Zhen sat with his eyes closed for a long time, then suddenly said, “It’s hard for the Empress to get up early. Go to the treasury, fetch some jewelry, and send it to the Empress.”
Wu Mao respectfully agreed, fetched the jewelry and was about to send it when she was stopped by Gu Zhen.
The scene of her tilting her head, her almond eyes filled with tears, and her sad expression as she looked at him flashed before his eyes: “I don’t want to have the same things as others.”
A mere bracelet could make her so angry. He didn’t know where she learned it from. With such a unique temperament, if he didn’t figure it out, she would probably make a fuss again.
After a moment of silence, he said, “Bring the things here for me to look at, so she won’t complain later.”
The Princess of Runan entered the palace this morning and went to Wan Chun Palace to see the Empress Dowager. Coincidentally, it was also the day Zhao Yiyi went to greet the Empress Dowager.
Therefore, Wan Chun Palace was several times more lively than usual.
“My sister thinks that Linchuan is becoming more and more beautiful,” The Princess of Runan had always been a tactful person, pulling Linchuan to her and examining her up and down, covering her lips and praising her to the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager only had one daughter, and she doted on her extremely. Even though it was her sworn enemy speaking, she couldn’t help but smile slightly. Imperial Concubine He was still immersed in the sadness of losing her wealth yesterday and rarely spoke.
“She’s just a child, how can you say that about her?” The Empress Dowager laughed twice, then said, “While you’ve been away from the capital, the Empress has been very concerned about you. Now that you’re back, you two must have a good chat.”
The Princess of Runan was Zhao Yiyi’s maternal aunt. Two years ago, she went abroad with her husband. Last year, she rushed back to the capital to observe mourning for the late Emperor, and then returned to her post. Now, she was finally back in the capital for good.
“Of course,” The Princess of Runan smiled and nodded, her gaze sweeping over the Empress Dowager, a hint of contempt in her eyes. She’s still not giving up, is she?
After all these years, she’s still as stupid as before. Doesn’t she think about how the Emperor would never let the He family produce another Empress? She even brought her into the palace and let her live there without an official title.
If the Emperor had any intention, he should have given her a title long ago, instead of ignoring her.
Thinking of this, the Princess of Runan looked at the Empress again, her eyes slightly dark. She had spent so much effort persuading the Emperor, but unexpectedly, her niece was so useless and could not hold the Emperor’s heart at all.
After leaving Wan Chun Palace, the Princess of Runan couldn’t help but sigh, “Your Majesty, as you can see, the harem is so empty, and so many people are eyeing it. If you don’t become more alert, how will you manage in the future?”
Zhao Yiyi pursed her lips, not wanting to discuss this matter. “Aunt, if His Majesty favors someone as a concubine, although I’m reluctant, I can’t object.”
“Concubine?” The Princess of Runan sneered, “Who among those who have children and favor would be willing to be a concubine?”
Zhao Yiyi suddenly felt choked, thousands of words swirling in her heart, but she couldn’t utter a single one.
The Princess of Runan looked at her sideways and couldn’t help but say, “Your Majesty’s face is unparalleled in the entire city of Luoyang. Who else could His Majesty favor? As long as Your Majesty takes the initiative and is more obedient, why worry about not being able to win over His Majesty?”
Zhao Yiyi’s heart suddenly felt heavy, and she lowered her brows. “His Majesty is diligent in his political affairs and doesn’t come to the harem much, and I have no other way.”
The Princess of Runan suddenly sighed heavily, “Even so, Your Majesty should get pregnant as soon as possible.”
A simple sentence instantly made Zhao Yiyi feel breathless. For the past few years of marriage, too many people had urged her. Hearing more, she only felt irritated.
After seeing the Princess of Runan off, Zhao Yiyi sat alone in the study, lost in thought.
She sat until dusk.
For some reason, the Emperor arrived at Jiao Fang Palace again that night. This had never happened before in the past few days.
Zhao Yiyi entered with him, helping Gu Zhen change into his casual robes. As she held the waist sash and tied it around his waist, she softly said, “I didn’t know Your Majesty would be coming tonight, and this concubine didn’t prepare any food.”
Gu Zhen smiled slightly, suddenly reaching out to gently pull her closer, forcing her to maintain her previous action, as if she were holding his waist.
“It’s alright. The Empress worked hard this morning to make breakfast for me,” Gu Zhen held her chin, softly asking, “Did the Empress like the jewelry I had sent over today?”
Did she like them? She hadn’t seen them, so how would she know?
Zhao Yiyi lowered her eyelashes and softly said, “I like them. This concubine naturally likes the things Your Majesty sends.”
Thinking of the full box of jewelry he sent over that afternoon, Zhao Yiyi’s heart trembled suddenly.
Every time they had a conflict or disagreement, or when she felt wronged, Gu Zhen would have someone send her some jewelry to soothe her. Every time, without exception.
Was this time the same?
The more she worried, the tighter her heart became, and Zhao Yiyi’s breathing quickened. Did her husband think she was wronged, so he sent all these jewelry? What kind of grievance was it that made him send so much…?
📖 Advance Access: Complete Novel
- Option 1: Note your email on PayPal/Ko-fi.
- Option 2: Email proof to beezzzreads@gmail.com.
- Option 3: Comment below.
Recommended Reads
![[Esports] I Started an Online Romance with a Big Shot After Retiring](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/esports.jpg)
![Does A Broken Mirror Reunion Exist in Esports? [Esports]](https://beereads.space/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/esports-225x300.png)
