OFFERING CONCUBINES
EPISODE 37 JEALOUS HEARTS

Everyone now turned their eyes to the King.

The defense of His Majesty Yan Yue was like a breath of fresh air to Consort Mei, her eyes twinkling, her smile blooming brightly.

How flattered, when His Majesty Yan Yue mentioned his name and defended herself in front of the crowd. Even the queen mother, who usually loved him more than other concubines did not do that.

And most likely to make concubine Mei feel so extraordinary, Her Majesty defended her policy in front of the woman she hated the most in this palace, which was concubine Yi.

"Your Majesty..." The Empress Dowager stared intently at Her Highness Yan Yue.

"This is a harem palace tradition, a rule that has existed for a long time, should not be changed just like that!" suri's mother's voice was very unhappy.

"I think concubine Mei as the person in charge of the ceremony Chusi has thought about this carefully." Said His Majesty in a firm voice no less sharp.

"Yes Your Majesty..." Concubine Mei felt that she had the upper hand, hearing His Majesty's statement that was so impartial to her.

It's great to be someone who feels like they're winning over everyone else.

"In my view, concubine Mei did this for the sake of the smooth running of this Chushi ceremony.

This event will be chaotic if one of the participants does not understand the rules in its implementation." His Majesty's sentence sounded calm.

"And of course this is for the good of concubine Yi herself, she will learn a lot from today's events!" his Majesty continued with a very sharp and piercing look at Xiao Yi, while the girl who was stared at was silent, confused by the tension caused by him.

"The tradition that all concubines follow, has been a rule for a long time, has never been changed by generations of the Yan family" Suri's mother said.

"But the rules can be adjusted for the common good." said His Majesty and sat back in his chair, as if hinting he would end the discussion.

"I decided, concubine Mei and concubine Yi did not make any mistakes at all" she continued.

Everyone was astonished by the statement of His Highness Yan Yue who seemed to be trying to save the situation to the point of ignoring what was the principle held by the harem palace long ago.

"We should immediately carry out this ceremony before the food made by all my concubines is cold" His Majesty Yan Yue has decided.

The queen mother returned to her seat, with a still dissatisfied look on her face.

The atmosphere was calm again, all the concubines were sitting in their respective places. They breathed with relief. This discussion is not long.

"Please begin with concubine Nuo." - Suri's mother ordered, to the last concubine in front.

"Awhile...!" suddenly His Majesty stopped Concubine Nuo who was already preparing to move out of her place. And the servant fell silent like a statue, holding the tray containing a covered porcelain bowl.

The hall momentarily became silent, waiting for what the king would say next.

Some interesting surprises happened in Qing Ren's hall tonight and it seems that the surprise is not over yet.

"Because concubine Yi, did not participate in this competition as a participant, then I invited concubine Yi to sit in the seat of honorary concubine tonight..." his Majesty's next sentence of course made those present in the room dumbfounded, especially concubine Mei, she felt like she had slapped her face.

She had tried very hard to remove concubine Yi from before His Majesty, but now the woman would instead sit with His Majesty as the concubine of honor for tonight.

"The main concubine's seat will only be occupied by concubines who are declared to win this competition, as long as no one has been selected then the seat remains empty!" The queen mother said as she growled, her face red.

"Isn't it not good to let a concubine sit around watching? while the others were showing filial piety, she did nothing at all, wouldn't make her husband feel blessed?"

"Since concubine Yi is very good at handling dishes, I don't think there's any harm in concubine Yi helping to become a judge in this competition." continued Her Majesty.

"Tonight, I felt less well as a little tired, worried that it was affecting my taste buds.

So that no one feels disadvantaged in judgment, it would be very good if anyone could give an opinion for fair consideration"

Of course, His Majesty's decision was welcomed with a look of disbelief by the concubines who hated Xiao Yi, except for the concubine Yuan who looked so happy to Xiao Yi.

While Xiao Yi himself still looked like a dazed person. He can only listen, for even if he gives an opinion it will be in vain.

His Majesty's attitude tonight is a little different and harsh, like declaring himself not to want what he said about by anyone, even Suri's own mother.

"And the chosen one will still get the prize as arranged by the queen mother, is that not fair?" His Majesty pulled the corner of his lips slightly while glancing at Suri's mother who could not hide her anger.

The Queen Mother no longer denied His Majesty Yan Yue, she let alone the king take the decision as her heart wished, even though she did not completely agree with what His Majesty ordered.

But extending the matter would only delay this ceremony becoming longer and longer.

"Consort Yi, you have clearly listened to what His Majesty ordered. Better, immediately occupy your place" the commanding tone from Suri's mother, immediately made Xiao Yi stand up. He walked forward doubtfully, passing by pairs of eyes that looked at him enviously.

And a pair of jade-black eyes that were also staring at him from a corner, were secretly burning with jealousy without any reason to have that feeling.

After bowing in salute to His Majesty and the Queen Mother, Xiao Yi sat down on the chair that was right next to His Majesty.

He could not guess at all the feelings of the man who now looked so indifferent with a cold gaze straight ahead.

The Queen Mother gestured for concubine Nuo to come forward. The calm-faced concubine walked in followed by her servant carrying the tray of dishes.

The tray was placed in front of the noble, the porcelain bowl was closed and the soup was so tempting with golden yellow sauce.

"I offer bashong soup to your majesty, may your majesty live a long life." said concubine Nuo, His Majesty's first concubine was about 23 years old, she was indeed older than all the king's concubines. He was brought to the king after His Majesty was four years crowned king by the province of Liangsu, the westernmost province of Yanzhi state.

Then concubine Xiang Mei, presented a meat-based dish wrapped in dimsum skin shaped like a golden-brown silver tail that is very appetizing.

Likewise, the other concubines alternately delivered the dishes they had prepared for this event, hoping to be chosen by the king.

Eunuch Chen, tasting each dish first makes sure everything is non-toxic.

When it was His Majesty's turn to taste it, his face did not show any reaction that would indicate he liked any of the dishes.

"Consort Yi, please rate me, which dish is the best, then I will choose her to be the concubine who will accompany me tonight. I entrust your choice to me"

Now, Concubine Yi's face that was met with red, she felt in a dilemma, how could she possibly choose a girl that His Majesty would sleep with, she said, while his heart was in pain imagined His Majesty would hug another girl besides himself.

Concubine Yi realized, she felt very unwilling that His Majesty would do so, secretly her heart harbored jealousy and that was because she might have fallen in love with His Majesty!

...Thank you dear readers who have followed the story of Concubine Performances...

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