"Is this the reason why the Emperor doesn’t like the Empress?" Sun Kui thought this was just one of the reasons. The real reason the Emperor didn’t like the Empress was that she was never content.
"It must be." Sun Doudou became more enthusiastic as he spoke, though his voice was low, "The Empress is quite arrogant at heart, nowhere near as gentle and virtuous as the late Empress."
Sun Kui nodded in agreement and said, "Indeed, the Empress is not as good as the late Empress."
"The Empress is inferior to the late Empress in every way, yet she still tries to emulate her." Sun Doudou joked, "Isn’t that like ugly East Shi imitating the beauty Xi Shi?"
Sun Kui gently tapped Sun Doudou’s head with the horsetail whisk, playfully scolding, "You cheeky lad, your courage is growing, daring to mock the Empress."
"Master, I’m just saying it to you, not to anyone else." Sun Doudou smiled ingratiatingly at Sun Kui, "Master, do you think what I said makes sense?"
"What you said does have some truth." Sun Kui admitted, though he hadn’t noticed it before.
Sun Doudou shook his head and curled his lips, saying, "Someone like the Empress can never win the Emperor’s favor."
"That’s not something for us to worry about." Sun Kui stood up, flicked the horsetail whisk in his hand, and said seriously to Sun Doudou, "You must not speak your words to a third person, or you’ll lose your head."
"Master, I’m not a fool to talk about this with others." Sun Doudou said, standing up and brushing off his backside.
"You’ve observed quite well."
"Master, didn’t you tell me to watch and learn more daily?" Sun Doudou leaned close to Sun Kui and whispered, "Master, I’ve noticed among all the consorts, only Lady Liang treats the Emperor like a normal woman treats her husband."
Sun Kui gave Sun Doudou a sidelong glance, "How do you know what a normal woman is like with her husband?"
"Master, your words, I may not marry, but I can still observe." Sun Doudou continued, "Actually, Noble Princess Consort Rong truly loves the Emperor."
"Noble Princess Consort Rong grew up with the Emperor, and naturally, she loves him the most." Sun Kui looked at Sun Doudou and asked, "And the other consorts?"
"Consort De, Consort Liang, and Lady Shu do like the Emperor, but nothing like Noble Princess Consort Rong does." Sun Doudou said, "Princess Li seems not to like the Emperor much."
"And what about Noble Princess Consort Ying?"
"Master, I can’t figure out Noble Princess Consort Ying." Mentioning Noble Princess Consort Ying, Sun Doudou furrowed his brow with a touch of apprehension, "Noble Princess Consort Ying is unfathomable."
"In this palace, only two consorts truly love the Emperor, one is Noble Princess Consort Rong, and the other is Lady Liang." Sun Kui said, "They love the man that the Emperor is, not his imperial status. Other consorts love the Emperor because he’s the Emperor."
Sun Doudou asked, "Master, what about Noble Princess Consort Ying?"
With profound meaning, Sun Kui said, "Noble Princess Consort Ying is very clever and very self-aware."
Sun Doudou understood Sun Kui’s implication, obediently nodded, and then flattered him, saying, "Master, you’re truly wise and insightful."
"You still have much to learn." Sun Kui lifted his foot and gave Sun Doudou’s backside a light kick, "Go back and stand guard."
With a bright smile after being kicked, Sun Doudou said, "Yes, Master." Finishing this, he cheerfully followed behind Sun Kui.
Sun Kui quietly returned to the Imperial Study, while Sun Doudou obediently stood at the entrance.
A moment later, Sun Kui brought over a cup of tea, presenting it with both hands to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, please have some tea and rest for a bit."
Upon hearing this, the Emperor set down the vermillion pen in his hand and took the teacup from Sun Kui.
"How was the soup sent by the Empress?"
"Of course, it was delicious." Sun Kui said with a smiling face, "I truly thank Your Majesty for bestowing it upon me; otherwise, where could I possibly taste such wonderful soup?"
Hearing Sun Kui say this, the Emperor flicked the tea lid towards his face twice. Thıs content belongs to 𝓷𝓸𝓿𝓮𝓵•𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮•𝓷𝓮𝓽
The water from the tea lid splashed onto Sun Kui’s face, but it wasn’t hot.
"Your Majesty, you said it wrong; I’m not flattering but dragon flattering."
The Emperor gave a light snort, "You sly old fox getting more and more greasy with your words."
"Your Majesty, every word I say is from the heart." Sun Kui’s expression looked sincerely earnest.
"Alright, do you think I don’t know if you’re sincere?" the Emperor finished drinking the tea but didn’t set down the cup, instead toyed with the tea lid.
Seeing the Emperor suddenly silent with a thoughtful look, Sun Kui cautiously asked, "Your Majesty, what’s on your mind?"