Court Intrigue? No, Conspiracy!

The day Consort Rong smashed the jade ruyi bestowed by the emperor, I was in the imperial garden, pretending to run into His Majesty.

Just as the furious emperor was about to punish her, I dropped to my knees. “Your Majesty! I observed the heavens last night, and this is an auspicious sign!”

The emperor raised an eyebrow. “Oh? Breaking my gift is an auspicious sign?”

I solemnly made something up. “The jade’s shattering sounded like a phoenix’s cry, foretelling a blessing for the imperial harem!” Three days later, I was diagnosed as pregnant.

That night, the emperor secretly climbed in through my window, clutching a little notebook as he asked eagerly, “My beloved consort, how should I play along with your performance tomorrow?”