Volume 4, Chapter 17: Tool of Politics (2/2)

At Maomaos words, Consort Riishu trembled. Ah Duo nodded eagerly, Sure thing.

After Ah Duo left, Maomao sighed as she looked at Consort Riishu.

Consort Riishus eyes were glazed over.

The other consorts have given birth. I have to do so too.

Maomao whispered.

It cant be helped with the seat of the empress. I just really have to quickly give birth to a boy now.

Children are weak. You dont know when they might die.

Give birth as soon as possible. Why else did I come into the inner palace?

As if she didnt want to listen to Maomaos speech, Consort Riishu covered her ears. However, she would have heard it.

It wasnt that unusual for virgins to be scared of men. Maomao knew that very well, having always been in the shop that traded where that was an added value. Girls get sold to brothels before their coming of age in order to be brought up there, and in exchange for beautiful clothes and meals, they take up guests. Courtesans who took their first guest are given a first class meat dish to eat the day after. Even the miserly madam had that much kindness.

There was nothing to criticise about Riishus partner. Despite the age difference, her partner is the emperor. A great man with a beautiful beard. There was the point where he was somewhat overenergetic at night, but he shouldnt force her.

However, on the reason where Consort Riishu was afraid of her first night with the emperor, Maomao also grasped that there was more to the fact that the consort was that kind of bothersome virgin.

How many people have noticed?

The emperor had probably also noticed it, she thought. Thats exactly why he had delayed it until now.

And one other important person hadnt noticed that and was currently right in the middle of meddling.

Maomao sat down and sipped the already cold tea.

If Ah Duo-sama is like a mother, then his majesty would have to be someone thats like a father, right?

Her words might be taken as disrespect, but there was only Maomao and Consort Riishu here.

She heard that Consort Riishus mother had already passed away. Her father only thought his daughter as a tool of politics and had put her into the inner palace when she was young. At that time, it was no doubt that the Ah Duo, the crown princes consort, was Consort Riishus mental support.

Consort Riishus lips and brows were twisted. She was about to cry even now. Despite that, she somehow sniffed and looked at Maomao.

I, really. wasnt supposed to return to the inner palace.

Consort Riishu strung her words together.

The father of the daughter who got put in a nunnery after the passing of the previous emperor had tried to use her again. From that start, she was supposed to have been sent away as a wife to the viceroy of the south, but that man was old enough to be her grandfather, and furthermore, it was said that though he lacked a wife, he was a pervert surrounded by ten concubines.

Consort Riishu is from a family lineage that had a name bestowed from the imperial family, the U(, Mao.) Clan. However, it was said that the power of their merit-based name was weakened in the era of the Empress. Therefore, no matter what hand they used to try to promote themselves, it was the common consensus that their clan was beginning to go under.

The people who stopped that was Ah Duo-sama and his majesty.

It was rumoured that Ah Duo, who had heard about Consort Riishus engagement, had requested it to the emperor. Considering it now, she guessed that might have also been the policy. As their betrothal was nearly finalised, they will need a suitable reason to overturn it.

(Its no wonder.)

When compared to the other high ranked consorts, Consort Riishu will lose. Although she would say that she will lose to them, she didnt mean the consorts looks.  She thought that her intelligence and spirit as a high-rank consort was lacking.

Will you have a maiden of tender years become the bride to some damned geezer, or have her attain the tranquil years even if it is just for a few years as a flower of the inner palace? Ah Duos choice would have to be the latter.

A long time ago, the emperor sat me on his knee and cuddled me, you know.

My goodness.

That was fine when she was young, but if he did that now, the owner of the flimsy heart would have ceased breathing just like that.

Hm, in this society, there are many marriages with age differences. It was a different matter if the woman is older, but it wasnt that unusual to have an older man. If they were asked the child on his back, Is that your daughter? there would be cases where they reply with No, shes my wife.

In that kind of meaning, Ah Duo seemed to have thought that Consort Riishu would grow up after a few years. Like how she said it just then, if she became a wife of the gentleman who stood at the summit of the country, her treatment had no way of being bad.

(This is rough.)

Ah Duos plan was off.

Consort Riishu was still a child. And within the reason for her wanting to be a child, there was Ah Duo.

Ah Duo wasnt a high ranked consort now, but she must still be someone who is by the side of his majesty though not in the company of Consort Riishu.

I understand you cant see it apart, but its your job.

Everyone in the inner palace received a salary. Consorts were the same.

.

However, Consort Riishu tugged her dress and her eyes moistened.

If he were to take such a consort as a partner, she would be inclined to think that it would be tough for the emperor. Though not to the point of Consort Riishu, the emperor who had delayed sleeping with her must also have the same sentiments.

At least, it would be better if Ah Duo noticed her feelings

(Aaaahhh.)

What can I do, Maomao clutched her head.