Volume 2, Chapter 13: Inner Palace Again (2/2)

That kind of robes depends on the person who wears it. Its not that she didnt suit it.

Airan was the one with the tall and slender figure. She was just sipping tea, not picking up the sweet things.

Infa looked as though she was betrayed by her two friends, and eyed Maomao who was left.

What a pain. While Maomao thought that, she nodded, Yes, okay. However, her sociability ended here. Infa, who had anticipated reinforcements, puffed out her cheeks.

Mmm, for that sort of thing, Consort Ah Dou was cooler.

Infa sipped her tea as she sulked.

Seeing that appearance, Guien and Airan exchanged glances and grinned.

Oh my, Infa. Were you actually in Ah Duo-samas faction?

T-thats not true!

Infa got flustered at Guiens words. Airen instantly flashed an evil grin.

No need to hide it. Our master may be Gyokuyou-sama, but I think that sort of feeling is good to have.

Like I said, thats not true

Listening to the three girls who were chatting up a storm as usual, Maomao drank up her tea with a sigh. The cotton candy was slightly on the sweet side for Maomao who was fond of alcohol. I feel like some salty rice crackers to get rid of the bad taste, she thought.

The subject of what Infa and the others were talking about was this. The Consort Rouran who had newly entered. As this consort was slightly eccentric, there seemed to be a lot to talk about her. As for what, it was her outfits.

The atmosphere of her outfits changes completely with every little thing. There was one time where she wore a western dress, and there was another time where she was clad in an outfit that looked like the horseman of a foreign tribe.

(What can I say about that?)

Perhaps she was rolling in money. Just to change outfits every time, the palace will become just a wardrobe. Because of that, the Pomegranate Palace that was once pure bearing was already replaced to the point of having no traces of it left. It was a force that tried to wipe away Ah Duo who once lived there.

In a sense, true, in a sense, wrong. The inner palace was a world that stands out in the crowd. At the same time, it is also a world that hammers down the nails that stick out. Originally, Consort Rouran was supposed to be hammered in, but as her father was a senior statesman who stood high in favour and trust since the era of the previous emperor, the present situation was that there wasnt a hammer to nail her down.

(I see how it is huh)

With that being the case, there was more than enough reason to drive Ah Duo out. Rather, it might have been better to wait if you take Consort Rourans age into consideration.

Maomao suddenly thought.

Honestly, even for the emperor, wouldnt it be more convenient for him in various ways to allow Ah Dou to stay in the inner palace? Since she wont become the empress dowager, her eyes can anticipate directly ahead. Her wisdom was as if she was a court official.

The reassuring Ah Duo has gone even as an advisor, and having a girl who is likely to influence not just the inner palace but even the imperial court enter court in exchange even if she is a heavenly person would be a talk of concern. He cannot flat out refuse her. And it would also be troubling if they become over affectionate and make a child nevertheless. The time a consorts backing shield is reliable is only in the unreliable era of the crown prince. She could become useless as soon as he becomes emperor and a child is made after all.

Well well, what would be done?

As that sort of wild idea came to mind, Maomao poured herself some tea from a small teapot.