CHAPTER 310: CHAPTER 310: I’D LIKE TO LIVE A FEW MORE YEARS

The Princess was very annoyed by the Noble Consort An’s retort and directly looked at Emperor Jing, "Brother Emperor, are you just going to let her sow discord?"

"What the Imperial Sister said was clearly the truth, how did it become sowing discord? I just sympathize with His Majesty and feel that the Imperial Sister is forcing His Majesty now." Noble Consort An slightly raised her chin, speaking confidently.

"What are you that you dare to call me Imperial Sister? Do you think just because you’re a Noble Consort, you can be rude to me? Remember, you’re only a concubine!" the Princess gritted her teeth and said.

"Your Majesty!" Noble Consort An immediately looked toward Emperor Jing with teary eyes, her expression of grievance expertly presented.

"Imperial Sister, A Le has a straightforward nature, always speaking her mind. Why must you argue with her?" Emperor Jing was also very cooperative, portraying himself as unable to see his beloved woman being wronged.

Just now, the Princess was aggressive, but his emotions did not fluctuate much.

At this moment, due to Noble Consort An’s ’grievance,’ his tone grew more agitated.

He appeared completely like someone who loves beauty over the kingdom.

With Noble Consort An’s interference, the issue turned from ’pressuring Emperor Jing to lightly handle the guests’ to ’the Princess bullying Noble Consort An, and His Majesty standing up for Noble Consort An.’

Moreover, Noble Consort An was indeed adept at fueling flames.

Burning away all the Princess’s remaining rationality, ultimately transforming the issue into the Princess forcing Emperor Jing to banish Noble Consort An to the cold palace.

Emperor Jing disagreed and directly broke off relations with the Princess.

He stated that he was the emperor; affairs of the harem were his to decide, not requiring the Princess’s interference.

He nearly pointed out that the Princess was overstepping her bounds.

The Princess waved her sleeve, leaving with a heart full of anger.

"Your Majesty, how did I perform?"

Once the Princess left, Noble Consort An put away her tearful expression, blinking at Emperor Jing, looking a bit mischievous.

"Thanks to A Le, I wouldn’t have known how to deal with the Imperial Sister otherwise." Emperor Jing sighed.

"Such chaos is only a temporary measure. To fundamentally solve the problem, I cannot be of much help." Noble Consort An said.

"The Imperial Sister has always been relentless. Now that she wants to have you banished to the cold palace, she will surely come up with all sorts of ways to deal with you next."

After all these years, Emperor Jing was not without understanding of the Princess.

"I don’t mind staying in the cold palace for a while." Noble Consort An said indifferently, "I believe in His Majesty not letting me down."

Emperor Jing did not respond, only gently embraced Noble Consort An.

He buried his head in her neck nook, and after a while, he spoke muffled, "A Le, how about I make you Empress?"

Noble Consort An was momentarily stunned, then she spoke with a charming smile, "Your Majesty, this joke is not funny at all."

"I’m not joking, I’m serious." Emperor Jing said earnestly.

"Why pretend to not know my nature, Your Majesty? I’ve never been an exemplary role model for the sisters in the harem. If I were to become Empress, wouldn’t the harem be in chaos?" Noble Consort An said, "You’ve said it yourself, my nature is straightforward. So, someone like me is only suited to enjoying life."

Initially, the agreement between her and Emperor Jing was to simply be a content Noble Consort, to be arrogant and domineering when needed.

In return, she gained the power and wealth of the An Family.

Fortunately, her family members were quite capable, not ostentatious due to her favored status, but rather remained low-key.

Thanks to the An Family’s discretion, she as a Noble Consort remained unharmed.

If she were to become Empress, could the An Family remain obedient? Noble Consort An had no confidence in that.

Throughout history, the outcome for the Empress’s family has never been good.

"A Le has always been clever, I know that." Emperor Jing said.

The most perceptive woman in the harem was probably A Le.

"I’ve never borne a child all these years." Noble Consort An spoke lightly, "For the sake of the nation’s affairs, the stability of the kingdom, the ministers would not allow His Majesty to act willfully."

"Are the affairs of my household not up to me anymore?"

"Your Majesty’s household affairs are inseparable from state politics." Noble Consort An replied.

Moreover, even if she bore a child, Noble Consort An had no interest in the position of Empress.

In His Majesty’s heart, there was already a candidate for Empress.

Noble Consort An had always understood that living people cannot compete with deceased ones.

Especially those deceased who continue to live in the hearts of others.

The one for whom His Majesty keeps the Empress position vacant, Noble Consort An knew, no one in the entire harem could match her status in His Majesty’s heart.

So why not just contently remain a Noble Consort?

If His Majesty acted rashly, anyone who eventually took the Empress role might have a poor outcome.

"Imperial Sister humiliated you today—"

"Your Majesty, the Princess did not humiliate me; what she said was true. Although I am a Noble Consort, I am indeed a concubine. I do not feel embarrassed or lowering my head because of being a concubine." Noble Consort An stated earnestly.

"A Le, you truly don’t care at all?" Emperor Jing asked.

"Why should I care? If I must give a reason, it’s because I have faith in His Majesty. As long as His Majesty cares about me, I am satisfied." Noble Consort An said.

Although the words had a hint of falsehood, they were exactly what Emperor Jing wanted to hear right now.

"A Le, in my heart, you are very important."

Importance and irreplaceability, uniqueness, are entirely different matters.

"Therefore, no matter how unpleasant the words, I won’t take them to heart." Noble Consort An said, "Your Majesty, are you hungry? I suddenly feel like cooking, making your favorite treats."

"Good." Emperor Jing didn’t dwell further on the matter of appointing an Empress.

"Then I shall take my leave."

Emperor Jing sat alone for a while, beginning to review memorials, he quickly approved the matter concerning the misdeeds of the guests at the Princess Mansion.

This situation was best handled swiftly.

Later, he instructed Shuangxi to select six clever young eunuchs and send them to the Princess Mansion.

These young eunuchs were all personally trained by Shuangxi.

Not only were they efficient in their tasks, but they also had a good grasp of understanding and were proficient in calculations.

He was always someone who kept his word; if he said he would give people, he would give people.

Likewise, if he said he wouldn’t release them, he definitely wouldn’t.

The Prefect of Jingzhao: You mustn’t speak; I don’t want to hear! Can I listen to these things? I still want to live a few more years!

```