"Your Highness, the Emperor has arrived!"
Lan Qin returned to the inner chamber and happily informed Princess Consort De.
"Really?" The once listless eyes of Princess Consort De suddenly lit up with a spark. She tightly grasped Lan Qin’s hand, "Quickly, help me up."
Lan Qin was somewhat worried about Princess Consort De’s health but seeing her complexion much improved from before, nodded and helped her off the bed.
"Is my hairstyle messed up?"
Just as Princess Consort De was about to step outside, she suddenly thought of something and hurried to sit before the bronze mirror.
"Quick, help me touch up my makeup."
Without waiting for Lan Qin to come forward, Princess Consort De picked up the lip rouge herself and lightly pressed it against her lips.
In the bronze mirror, the woman’s red lips were as fiery as flames, charming and alluring.
"Your Highness, why do you need to touch up your makeup?" Lan Qin asked, quite puzzled while helping apply powder to Princess Consort De’s cheeks.
With her makeup done, Princess Consort De looked radiant, where was there any sign of frailty?
"You don’t understand." Princess Consort De looked at the mirror and, holding onto Lan Qin’s hand, walked out of the inner chamber.
Yan Xiu had no intention of entering the inner chamber; he sat in the foremost chair, drinking tea as he waited.
Li Yuyu had deliberately left the seat to Yan Xiu’s right vacant and sat on Yan Xiu’s left.
Princess Consort De didn’t expect Li Yuyu to be there. When she saw Li Yuyu also seated, a faint look of surprise crossed her face, which she quickly managed to mask, "This concubine greets the Emperor, wishing the Emperor auspiciousness."
Yan Xiu made a gesture of exemption from ceremony.
"This concubine greets Princess Consort De, wishing her auspiciousness." Li Yuyu respectfully saluted.
Princess Consort De naturally acknowledged it as well, and the two of them took their seats one after the other.
"I heard that Princess Consort De is under the weather but still asked me to come. What matter does the Princess Consort have that she insists on discussing despite her illness?" Yan Xiu asked directly.
Princess Consort De pressed her lips together, a bitterness in her heart.
The Emperor asked so bluntly, does he not care about her health at all?
Li Yuyu took a sip of tea, thinking the Emperor was indeed a double standard, lovable.
"Emperor, this concubine has a request, but..." Princess Consort De looked towards Li Yuyu, her gaze clearly indicating for Li Xiurong to leave.
Yan Xiu frowned, "Speak, Princess Consort De. I do not wish to repeat myself with Li Xiurong afterwards."
Princess Consort De’s eyes trembled slightly.
The Emperor’s words implied that even if Li Xiurong were not present, he would inform her of the request.
Li Yuyu: ...
Though the Emperor’s double standards pleased her heart, such frankness was indeed earning her enmity, wasn’t it?
No wonder Princess Consort De always eyed her unfavorably and picked on her; perhaps it was things Yan Xiu had said in her absence but in front of Princess Consort De.
She thought to herself, while maybe she wasn’t as mesmerizing as beauty and wealth, she should hardly inspire such universal jealousy.
The mystery was solved; it was all Yan Xiu’s doing.
Princess Consort De tightly pressed her lips together, recalling Zhang Mengxiang’s words, took a deep breath to steady her emotions.
Perhaps if Li Xiurong were here, the Emperor might be more inclined to grant her request.
With this in mind, a smile reappeared on Princess Consort De’s face, "Then I shall speak of this disgraceful matter; I hope Li Xiurong won’t laugh at me."
"No, no, speak of whatever you wish, Princess Consort De. Should I hear something I shouldn’t, I assure you, I won’t hear a thing."
Li Yuyu arched her beautiful eyes, smiling like a harmless little white rabbit.
With a gentle voice, Princess Consort De recounted the matter concerning Miao Sian, and by the end, her eyes were red. Clenching her teeth, she directly knelt before Yan Xiu, looking up with a choked voice, "Please, Emperor, show mercy and spare my brother."
Li Yuyu, who had been lounging carelessly, suddenly straightened her back upon hearing this, "Is Princess Consort De’s brother named Miao Sian?"