strictlysupreme Chapter 15 The Cold-Hearted Emperor and His Favorite Concubine
Chapter 15 The Cold-Hearted Emperor and His Favorite Concubine
The next day, the emperor was to practice archery at the hunting grounds, and this time, Chu Yue arrived early.
The Imperial Concubine, the Virtuous Concubine, and other concubines also arrived one after another.
Upon seeing the Imperial Concubine arrive, Chu Yue respectfully stepped forward and bowed in greeting: "This concubine greets Your Highness the Imperial Concubine, Your Highness the Consort..."
"Get up..." The imperial concubine looked unwell, with dark circles under her eyes, clearly indicating that she hadn't slept well last night.
Last night, after the Emperor arrived at the Imperial Concubine's residence, he only coldly rebuked her, saying, "If the Imperial Concubine is so bored, she can go back to her palace by herself!"
Without waiting for the imperial concubine to explain, the emperor angrily strode away.
When the imperial concubine saw that the emperor had indeed gone, she was still shyly greeting him a moment ago, but the emperor's words were like a blow to the head, leaving her stunned on the spot.
Liu'er trembled as she stepped forward to support the Imperial Concubine, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is angry..."
The Imperial Concubine tearfully cried out, "Your Majesty is biased..."
His Majesty is willing to accompany Consort Chu, but unwilling to see her.
Now, looking at Chu Yue's radiant beauty, the Imperial Concubine was practically grinding her teeth to dust.
She couldn't just go back to the palace like that. If she went back like that, what face would she, as a Noble Consort, have left?
The Empress, Consort Shu, and even others would secretly mock her.
Therefore, the Imperial Concubine mustered her spirits and came to the hunting grounds today, no matter what.
Chu Yue stood up and stood one step behind them.
At this moment, the emperor arrived. He walked at the front, his posture upright, and his imperial aura spread out imperceptibly.
"Greetings, Your Majesty..."
Everyone said respectfully.
The emperor slightly raised his hand in acknowledgment and walked straight to the archery range.
He picked up the bow and arrow, and with a casual shot, hit the bullseye.
"Your Majesty, it's a success!" Xiao Fuzi exclaimed from the side.
He knew how good His Majesty's skills were, but every time he saw them, he couldn't help but marvel.
Chu Yue secretly sighed in her heart, "As expected of the chosen one of this small world, he is excellent in every aspect."
"Yueyue, I told you I wouldn't treat you badly, right? How about it? Handsome, isn't he?"
001 said with his head held high and chest out.
"If you're not handsome, you can do the task yourself." Chu Yue rolled her eyes at her.
001 was so shocked it almost fell to the ground. Seriously? If it could do missions, why would it need to be bound to a host?
"It still has to be Yueyue, I'm counting on you..." Linglingyi said ingratiatingly.
"Humph……"
The emperor glanced back and saw Consort Chu staring at him intently. A smile played on his lips, captivating Consort Chu once again.
Consort Shu, eager to try, stepped forward and asked, "Your Majesty, may I give it a shot?"
Consort Shu was not skilled in any of the arts, only interested in martial arts such as playing the zither, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
Besides, they were outside the palace, where there was less constraint than inside. In any case, the imperial family was in charge, so she wanted to give it a try.
The emperor did not refuse, and said calmly, "Alright."
Consort Shu happily picked up the bow and arrow and hit the target several times in a row.
"Consort Shu is so amazing..."
"The Consort Shu actually possesses such skill..."
Everyone else was incredibly envious, and Consort Shu's mood improved considerably after hearing the whispers behind her.
The emperor's gaze fell on Chu Yue, and seeing her somewhat envious expression, he asked, "Does Consort Chu know how to shoot arrows?"
Chu Yue felt a moment of embarrassment upon hearing this. She hadn't thought of this at all, and she hadn't bought any props related to martial arts. Did the emperor like women who knew martial arts?
"Your Majesty... this concubine... cannot shoot arrows," Chu Yue said softly, biting her lip.
"Come here." The emperor had expected this outcome; Consort Chu was so delicate, she didn't seem like she knew anything like this.
Chu Yue walked up to him and looked at him with a puzzled expression.
"I will teach you." Consort Chu loved him so much, and now she envied others who could shoot arrows. The emperor intended to teach her this small skill himself.
"Really? Your Majesty is willing to teach me archery?" Chu Yue couldn't hide her excitement and joy.
The emperor didn't speak, but led her to the archery range.
"Your Majesty, may I have a contest with Consort Chu?"
Seeing how much the Emperor cared for Consort Chu, Consort Shu wanted to discourage Consort Chu from pursuing her.
"Your Highness, I am not good at archery and dare not compete with you..." Chu Yue was flustered and waved her hands repeatedly.
"Didn't His Majesty intend to teach you? You've seen His Majesty's skills; what else are you afraid of?"
Consort Chu is so delicate and frail that she probably can't even lift a bow and arrow. If His Majesty wants to teach her, Consort Shu will reluctantly let her have it.
"Your Majesty..." Chu Yue looked at the emperor in a soft, pleading voice.
"Don't worry. I'm here." After last night, the emperor had become more patient with Chu Yue and naturally didn't want to see her being bullied by Consort Shu.
They were discussing the competition in front, while the Imperial Concubine watched from behind with eyes practically spitting fire. The Consort Shu, who knew a little martial arts, couldn't wait to show off in front of His Majesty.
Consort Chu, relying on her beautiful face, captivated His Majesty, making him only have eyes for her.
But the Imperial Concubine herself couldn't shoot arrows, so she couldn't step forward to interrupt. She could only watch helplessly as the two of them showed their affection for each other.
"Your Majesty, let's decide the outcome with one arrow." Consort Shu seemed determined to succeed.
"can."
The emperor stood behind Chu Yue and taught her step by step: "First, pick up the bow, then aim at the red dot in front of you, and then shoot."
Chu Yue couldn't possibly lift a bow, so the emperor smiled helplessly, took her small hand, and lifted it up with her.
The emperor's broad, strong chest pressed tightly against Chu Yue's back, and she could clearly feel his heart pounding. Chu Yue turned her head slightly, looked up at the emperor shyly, and said, "Your Majesty..."
"Focus." The emperor naturally appreciated Chu Jieyu's adoring and loving gaze, but there were too many people around to do anything at this moment.
“Yes…” Chu Yue said softly, her face flushed.
"Your Majesty, let's begin." Consort Shu's arms were tired from holding the table. It was really too much for His Majesty and Consort Chu to be so affectionate at this time.
"The competition begins!" Xiao Fuzi, with his eyes scanning the surroundings, knew what to do with just a glance from the emperor. As soon as he finished speaking, two arrows flew out at the same time.
Consort Shu and Chu Yue were equally matched, both passing the test. Consort Shu's skill stemmed from her own abilities, while Chu Yue benefited from the Emperor's personal instruction and physical support.
"Wow, Your Majesty is so amazing, so amazing..." Chu Yue excitedly and admiringly threw herself into the emperor's arms, her eyes filled with deep love.
Consort Shu curled her lip in disdain. Consort Chu was truly ignorant and had never seen anything like it. It was just archery, yet she was so excited about it.
"Ahem." Chu Jieyu's straightforward and bold praise made the emperor blush slightly.
In Chu Jieyu's eyes, he was the most amazing. How could there be such a lovely and pitiful woman who loved him so much? For a moment, the emperor forgot that there were so many people around and just let Chu Jieyu rush into his arms.
"Your Majesty, please rest for a while..."
When Consort Gui saw that Consort Chu had thrown herself into His Majesty's arms in front of so many people, and that His Majesty had not pushed her away, she suppressed her jealousy and stepped forward gently.
"Consort Chu, come back with me. Everyone else may leave." After saying this, the emperor put his arm around Chu Yue and returned to his tent.
Consort Shu threw down her bow and arrows and left without looking back. Consort Gui's face became even more frightening, and she remained stunned for a long while before leaving.