This Was an Emperor's Simple, Unpretentious Life! (Please Subscribe and Vote with Monthly Tickets)

The two spoke quietly for a little longer, then, seeing that the sun was just right, agreed to take a relaxing stroll through the Imperial Garden.

Dai's Mother changed into a pale purple gauze dress with a silver-thread sash at her waist, setting off her snow-white skin. Tang Shan's Mother wore an apricot-colored embroidered skirt and jacket, a gold dangling hairpin swaying gently with every step.

The two beautiful women walked side by side, their voluptuous figures tracing alluring curves in the sunlight, drawing second glances from the palace maids passing by.

In the Imperial Garden's pavilion, the palace maids had already prepared tea and refreshments.

Dai's Mother had just lifted her teacup when she suddenly caught sight of a graceful figure approaching from afar.

"It's Consort Chu!" Dai's Mother's expression shifted slightly, and she hurriedly set down her teacup and rose.

Seeing this, Tang Shan's Mother quickly stood as well, her heart involuntarily beating faster.

This was one of the first consorts His Majesty had taken, personally chosen by the Empress Dowager herself, and her position in the Imperial Harem stood above the rest.

Today, Chu Ruoyan wore a moon-white Palace Dress, with only a single white jade hairpin in her hair, yet this only accentuated her noble elegance.

Her steps were unhurried, her dignified bearing carrying an inviolable authority.

"Greetings, Consort Chu." Dai's Mother and Tang Shan's Mother bowed together, their voices trembling slightly.

They privately suspected that this principal consort had come to put the newcomers in their place.

But Chu Ruoyan merely smiled faintly, her gentle gaze turning toward the flower beds. "No need for such ceremony, my younger sisters. I only came to see the newly planted peonies."

As she spoke, she even helped them up herself. "The weather has been turning cooler lately. Remember