Disguised as a man, she became the biggest villain in the book.

Why is she a Noble Consort in Chapter 138?

Zheng Luoqi watched as Pei Wenyu lay on the ground, clutching his chest in pain, blood continuously spilling from his mouth.

"Ye Churan, was it you who leaked the information to him? Right?" Zheng Luoqi looked expressionlessly at Pei Wenyu, who was in pain due to the effects of the poison.

Zheng Luoqi played with the antidote in her hand, and Pei Wenyu tried to reach for it, but couldn't reach it no matter what he did.

Just as Pei Wenyu was about to die from the poison, Zheng Luoqi kindly fed him the antidote.

At first, Pei Wenyu resisted, keeping his mouth closed and not wanting to eat. Zheng Luoqi slapped him twice, then pried open his mouth and forced him to eat.

"I heard you have a younger brother and sister?" Zheng Luoqi asked Pei Wenyu with a mischievous smile.

"What do you want to do?" Pei Wenyu snapped out of his daze when he heard Zheng Luoqi's words.

"That depends on how Young Master Pei behaves! I have been too lenient with you, Young Master Pei. You'd better think carefully about whether your younger siblings will be the ones to see you off in your final moments, or whether you will be the ones to see them off!"

"Listen carefully, I don't have many chances for you. This is the second time you've made a mistake. If there's a third time, I'll make you understand the consequences!"

"This is just a small lesson. I will make sure you get it back with interest." Zheng Luoqi said these words and continued on his way.

.................

Inside the palace

After Chen Xianlin was brought back to the palace, Xue Huaiyu couldn't help but feel guilty when he saw her battered and bruised state.

When Xue Huaiyu heard the imperial physician's diagnosis that Chen Xianlin could no longer have children, he was overwhelmed with emotions, unable to describe them.

Xue Huaiyu had initially thought that the Empress Dowager might execute Chen Xianlin. He had even begun to consider posthumously honoring her as Empress after her death.

After all, Xue Huaiyu had promised Chen Xianlin that he would bestow upon her the title of Empress if she returned.

However, if Chen Xianlin controls the harem and has the support of the Pei and Chen families, how is her power any different from that of Empress Dowager Wen back then? Isn't this just nurturing another wolf? And we've only just gotten rid of one!

Xue Huaiyu would certainly not allow such a thing to happen again. Xue Huaiyu admitted that he really liked Chen Xianlin, but he cared more about his throne and could not tolerate anyone overstepping his bounds.

Xue Huaiyu was still struggling to find a suitable excuse to refuse to crown Chen Xianlin as empress.

But now, this reason has come to him of its own accord, and Xue Huaiyu feels that the Empress Dowager did a good thing before she died.

Moreover, it would be even better if Chen Xianlin hadn't died, as this would allow them to maintain a good relationship between the Pei and Chen families without having to grant her the title of Empress.

After all, how can someone who cannot bear children be qualified to be an empress?

However, given the great sacrifice Chen Xianlin made this time, Xue Huaiyu couldn't possibly remain silent, so he bestowed upon Chen Xianlin the title of Imperial Concubine.

After resting for several more days, Chen Xianlin slowly woke up.

The palace maid who was taking care of Chen Xianlin excitedly shouted after seeing Chen Xianlin wake up: "The Imperial Concubine is awake! The Imperial Concubine is awake! Imperial Physician, quickly call the Imperial Physician!"

"Imperial Consort?" Chen Xianlin muttered in confusion, then suddenly called out to the palace maid who had just spoken.

"come here!"

The palace maid approached Chen Xianlin with a smile, bowed, and said, "What does Your Highness wish to do for me?"

"Imperial Consort? Are you calling me?" Chen Xianlin asked in confusion.

"Yes, Your Highness, congratulations! Congratulations! During the time you were unconscious, His Majesty bestowed upon you the title of Noble Consort. Moreover, during this period, His Majesty visited you almost every day after finishing his official duties!" the palace maid said happily.

Chen Xianlin wasn't particularly happy. A concubine? A concubine? Ha!

"The Emperor has arrived!" A eunuch's announcement suddenly came from outside, interrupting Chen Xianlin's thoughts.

Xue Huaiyu slowly walked in from outside the door.

Upon seeing Xue Huaiyu, Chen Xianlin instinctively wanted to rise and bow, but Xue Huaiyu, quick-witted and agile, stopped her. He said with a doting expression, "Didn't I tell you that you don't need to bow to me in private?"

Xue Huaiyu gently helped Chen Xianlin up, then carefully embraced her, asking with concern, "You're awake. Do you still feel unwell anywhere?"

Chen Xianlin's mind was in chaos, with countless thoughts surging through her mind.

At this moment, faced with Xue Huaiyu's question, she could only answer softly, "No."

Xue Huaiyu did not notice Chen Xianlin's unusual emotions, simply assuming that she had just woken up and might not be fully conscious yet.

The imperial physician rushed over and carefully examined Chen Xianlin's pulse. He then reported to the emperor, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is well and only needs a few days of quiet recuperation to fully recover."

After the imperial physician left, Chen Xianlin hesitated for a moment before finally asking, "Is it the title of Imperial Concubine? Why is it the title of Imperial Concubine?" Her tone was filled with doubt and confusion.

Xue Huaiyu's arms, which were holding Chen Xianlin, suddenly froze. He smiled to hide his embarrassment and said, "Xianlin, it's not the right time yet. You know, the Prime Minister hasn't been removed yet. If we put you in the position of Empress now, you will definitely become their target."

"I don't want to see you get hurt again. Do you know how terrible your injury was this time? It terrified me. I don't even want to think about what I would do without you!" Xue Huaiyu said, looking at Chen Xianlin with deep affection.

"Really?" Chen Xianlin asked, looking into Xue Huaiyu's eyes, as if trying to discern something else from them.

"Are you doubting my love for you? Besides you, who else do you think is worthy of the Empress's position?" Xue Huaiyu asked Chen Xianlin with deep affection.

Chen Xianlin saw nothing else in Xue Huaiyu's eyes. Suddenly, she wondered if she had wronged him, actually believing the Empress Dowager's words...

"Alright, don't overthink it. You just woke up, don't overwork yourself!" Xue Huaiyu said with a smile to Chen Xianlin.

"Someone, prepare the meal!" Xue Huaiyu ordered his men to prepare a large table of dishes that Chen Xianlin loved.

During the meal, Xue Huaiyu thoughtfully fed Chen Xianlin dish by dish.

To outsiders, they were a model of a loving couple.

Seeing Xue Huaiyu's actions, Chen Xianlin felt that since Xue Huaiyu loved her so much, he wouldn't lie to her; perhaps she was just overthinking things.

..............

Prime Minister's Mansion

Zheng Luoqi was not surprised to receive the news that Chen Xianlin had been promoted to Imperial Concubine.

Given the current situation, it's impossible for Xue Huaiyu to bestow the title of Empress upon Chen Xianlin. After all, Xue Huaiyu is most power-hungry. On the other hand, Chen Xianlin has suffered so much but still hasn't been able to obtain the Empress's position.

The Wen family has been eliminated, but there's still Wen Nanwan... Next up is the Imperial Power Party... Zheng Luoqi is pondering her next target.