Chapter 140 - Jiang Ying Yue (36)

When a package from the Grand Marshal's residence came to Rui Wang Fei's compound, Jiang Rou Li did not show much enthusiasm for it. She kept a calm face even after her servant announced a list of expensive items that no commoner would be able to afford in their lives.

She had the letter sent to her room, planning to read it only before she goes to sleep. As for the listed items, apart from the incense bought from her favorite shop, nothing else made her expression change. However, even that scented product didn't hold much appeal to her, especially now that her husband was sharing some tribute items to her. 

After thinking about it for a while, she told one of her attendants, "Most of the items will be useless to me. Go bring some of the products from the Heavenly Scent Pavilion to Imperial Concubine Shu."

A  maid bowed and cautiously questioned, "Wang Fei, won't Her Highness the Imperial Concubine think that it's shabby since it's not from a famous temple?"

Jiang Rou Li directed her pair of beautiful obsidian eyes at her. "What does the Imperial family lack in the first place? It's the thought that counts. Also, who said that Heavenly Scent Pavilion, a shop frequented by the Grand Marshal's people, is shabby?" 

Seeing the temperamental princess consort's raised brow, the girl became frightened and started apologizing profusely. Jiang Rou Li icily squinted at her, then motioned for another maid to do as she said. As for the audacious servant, since she annoyed her, she had her transferred to the laundry department. She should stay for the rest of her life. That was, if no miracle occurred.

...

Since Rui Wang's Palatial Residence was not that far from the imperial palace, the goods she ordered to be delivered arrived within the next hour.

Imperial Concubine Shu disdainfully glanced at the items sent, but the Emperor who visited her palace that night became curious since the gifts were from someone from his favorite son's palatial residence. Seeing that the Emperor showed interest to what Rui Wang Fei gifted, the imperial concubine humored him and explained about the three most precious items in the package. 

After praising his beloved consort's wisdom, the Emperor smiling commented, "If it's an incense shop liked by the whole Marshal's household, then it couldn't be that bad. Zhen is more curious about its name, though. What gave the owner of that pavilion the capital to name it Heavenly?"

The laughter Concubine Shu let out was very pleasant to the ears, like the sounds of little ringing bells playfully played by the autumn wind. "Since Your Majesty has shown curiosity, we can try it out and then judge whether the name deserves that word. This concubine will light it up for you."

Barefooted, the beautiful alluring woman whose looks appeared younger by ten years than her real age climbed down the wide luxurious bed and floated down the red-purple wooly carpet. A palace maid came forward and respectfully handed a rectangular box to her.

The moment she opened the case, a faint but pleasant fragrance immediately drifted in the air. The woman's eyes lightened up a bit since she could tell at a glance it was a high-quality product. 

"Seems good enough."

With anticipation in her heart, she lit up and placed it on her lotus-shaped incense burner. Not long after, a mellow scent submerged the place, calming the nerves and bringing peace to one's mind. 

The Emperor seemed pleased with its fragrance so he uttered some words of praise for it. It was good complement to the beautiful blue moonlight spilling over the room from the open window. 

A minute later, the Emperor, together with his concubine, fell asleep in the bed, under the warm and thick covers. 

Ten hours later, the two woke up. Groggily. And lethargically. 

How strange that none of their current appearances suggested that they had a good night of sleep. Red eyes, sunken face, and deathly pale complexion... It was apparent that the ten hours of supposed red did not make them refresh at all. Because they were haunted by neverending nightmares!

'That damn incense!?'

Both the Emperor and Imperial Consort Shu had fires raging in their bellies as they thought of the misleading fragrance that caused them to be like this.

If it was only a nightmare, then they would not be this miserable. Through sheer willpower, there should be no problem waking up. However, the problem was not only the nightmares, they were in a state of sleep paralysis!

Who could imagine the fear of escaping from horrific dreams only to become half-awake and realize you were in inescapable darkness? And for hours, there was no way to move your body because it was paralyzed? In such a condition, who could enjoy their sleep? 

"Concubine Shu, the daughter-in-law you selected certainly gave Zhen a wonderful surprise. The damn gift has given me one of my most memorable nights. Zhen never imagined to experience this in your embrace. Good. Good."

The Emperor's tone held ch.i.p.s of ice in it. The usual gentleness reserved for his most favorite concubine nowhere to be seen, replaced by a harsh coldness that could rival the fierce snowstorm... As the Emperor, when had he tasted this kind of treatment from his wives? 

Rui Wang's mother was feeling angry too, and at the same, she felt so aggrieved. She was also a victim, yet here she was, with no choice but to receive the Emperor's anger! When had she suffered like this? Grudge bloomed within her heart, remembering who caused her to fall into this situation. She would definitely make sure to invite that whore into her palace to give her what she was looking for. How dare she set this up like this?  

The more scolding she heard from the Emperor, the more she wanted to tear her son's wife into pieces and feed her remains to the dogs. 

When the angry Emperor finally left her place, Imperial Concubine Shu weakly slumped down on her bed. All her maids hurriedly surrounded her, wearing worried expression since she was not only looking so listless and soulless, her eyes were red and puffy, both from crying and the lack of sleep. Her complexion was also dark, and her lips were badly trembling. 

Moments later, the woman's eyelids flipped open to reveal two beautiful obs flickering with a vicious glint. Plans on how to teach Jiang Rou Li a lesson swirled in her head. 

"Jiang Rou Li, you lowly bitch!!!"

"You, a mere Wang Fei dared to play with me? Do you think I won't touch you for being my beloved son's wife?!"

Mad laughter escaped out of the consort's lips. She grabbed her maid's arm tightly as she picked herself up from the bed. Her nails were actually already digging into her maid's flesh, but the poor girl could only bite her lower lip. She didn't dare make a sound, since her master was still lost in her own world, looking so scary as hell as she laughed and vowed,

"Since you don't want to cherish your life, this concubine will make sure to help death harvest it!"