Chapter 239: Chapter 214: Someone Has to be the Emperor_2
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Some people fight tooth and nail, while others wake up one day adorned in an imperial robe, as if by destiny’s will.
Soon, a palace maid from Wenrui Palace received Consort Li’s order to invite Jiang Cheng and his companion inside.
Consort Li was indeed a rare beauty, fair-skinned and lovely, with a svelte figure. Her only flaw seemed to be a lack of spirit, as she appeared unwell and languid.
“Please, take a seat. What would you like to ask?”
Consort Li greeted the two juniors.
Jiang Cheng went straight for the jugular, “Noble Consort, when was the last time you shared a bed with His Majesty?”
Liang Hong’s forehead vein throbbed violently, and he crazily jabbed Jiang Cheng’s arm with his elbow, signaling him to stop talking, stop talking. Was that a question one could ask?
Consort Li’s eyes widened slightly in surprise, and she exchanged a look with her personal maid.
“Why do you ask that?” Consort Li said.
Liang Hong tugged at Jiang Cheng’s sleeve, hinting that he should be more cautious.
But as if he didn’t notice, Jiang Cheng bluntly stated, “I have seen records from the Hehuan Sect, and it seems that about a year ago, the Emperor of Liang became keen on practicing the Joyous Union Skill.”
“Cough cough cough.”
Consort Li coughed for a while and waved her hands to dismiss the attendants.
She looked at Jiang Cheng, “About a year and a half ago, my health started to deteriorate. Afterwards, His Majesty, out of pity, allowed me to rest and from then on, we have not shared a bed.”
Jiang Cheng nodded, “That’s close to what I suspected.”
Consort Li gave a tired smile, “Such speculation about the concubines, if spread outside, is a capital offense.”
Liang Hong quickly tried to clear himself, “This matter has nothing to do with me.”
“I was merely joking. His Majesty is now not seeing anyone, alive or dead, the harem is but a mere display piece.”
“Consort, do you wish to see His Majesty?” Jiang Cheng asked again.
“No.”
Consort Li’s answer was crisp, as if she lacked any emotional attachment to the Emperor of Liang.
Jiang Cheng was not surprised at this; through his inquiries, he found that most of the concubines in the harem had little affection for the Emperor of Liang.
The attitude of many was almost like punching in for a job.
However, not liking the Emperor did not mean the concubines did not compete and struggle with one another.
The most intense struggle in the harem at present was between the mother of Prince Liang Chu, Consort Shu, and the mother of Prince Qi, the Empress.
With Prince Liang Chu dead, Consort Shu would not let things rest. But Prince Qi was alive, and the Empress would certainly use her connections to alleviate some of his burdens.
Back and forth, the conflict between the Empress and Consort Shu was almost beyond resolution.
The harem seemed stable only because the arbitrator, the Emperor of Liang, made no appearance; had he done so, Consort Shu and the Empress might have stopped exerting themselves altogether.
Some concubines speculated that the reason the Emperor did not show himself was precisely because he did not wish to deal with the Empress and Consort Shu.
But after Jiang Cheng’s analysis, this speculation did not hold up.
Since the era of Plant Autonomy Talismans, the Emperor had been out of sight. His lack of appearance had nothing at all to do with the demise of Prince Liang Chu due to the Willpower Empowerment Talisman; one could say there was no relation whatsoever.
“Liang Hong?”
A pleasant voice rang out from behind Jiang Cheng.
Consort Li’s face lit up with joy, and Liang Hong turned around abruptly.
“Liang Lu?”
“Lu’er! Why have you returned?”
Liang Lu strode over to Consort Li with a cold expression.
“I’m on winter break.”
Liang Lu was pulled into a warm embrace by Consort Li, her guard still apparent on her face.
“Liang Hong, who told you to come see my mother?”
“No one, I was just…”
Liang Lu’s expression turned sour, “Liar. You blink too much when telling lies, haven’t you broken that bad habit yet?”
Facing Liang Lu, all Liang Hong could do was offer an awkward smile.
Although Liang Lu was his sister, he was no match for her commanding presence.
It was Consort Li who stepped in to speak for Liang Hong, “Liang Hong just came to see me.”
Liang Lu didn’t believe it, hitting the nail on the head, “Mother, you know what kind of person Liang Hong is. If he had no business, he wouldn’t even help ants move house, let alone inquire about your wellbeing. If he came to see you today, it’s either because he was directed by someone, or he needs you to do something for him.”
“Cough cough.”
With an awkward cough, Liang Hong could only admit to himself that Liang Lu was right, without Jiang Cheng, he would never visit Consort Li.
“It was I who asked the Third Prince to come.” Jiang Cheng said.
Liang Lu’s gaze settled on Jiang Cheng.
This was a young man with a peaceful and confident demeanor, handsome and sunny in appearance.
Based solely on looks, he was quite likable and disarming.
However, Liang Lu was never one to judge by appearances.
Having lived in the harem with her mother for years, Liang Lu trusted no one but her own cultivation level and strength!
Getting admitted to Qingxuan University and joining Taixu Sect was the fastest and most straightforward path for female cultivators of Liang Kingdom to pursue strength.
At Qingxuan, Liang Lu respected only one person, Lin Yao ─ because Lin Yao was the only one who had ever defeated her in the Chaotic Heart Mountain assessment.
Later, once the semester officially started, Liang Lu proactively sought out Lin Yao and privately challenged her many times.
Not your average female cultivator looking for simple social outings with Lin Yao, she sought to compete and spar.
Liang Lu and Lin Yao had fought many times.
At least at the same level of cultivation, she had never won once.
Though not reconciled to this, Liang Lu genuinely respected Lin Yao, whose determination to win was far beyond her own. As for the young man seated next to Liang Hong, named Jiang Cheng, he simply couldn’t arouse in her the slightest bit of interest, not even a flicker.
Liang Lu’s standards for a mate were straightforward.
She made no demands regarding appearance, background, family wealth, or money.
The person must be kind-hearted, good-natured, law-abiding, and have the right set of morals.
Most importantly, they must be powerful. Preferably stronger than Lin Yao, able to completely best her through repeated battles.
Liang Lu wouldn’t take an interest in a weak male cultivator.
And Jiang Cheng, with his clean and polite demeanor, a Level Seven Qi Cultivator, was exactly that kind of man.
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