Consort Rui knelt before the Emperor, gently clutching the hem of his robe. She looked up at him, her expression tinged with sorrow. "Your Majesty, I did what I did for the sake of Jin'er, but was I truly in the wrong?"
"Jin'er is a Prince of this realm; how could his inner chambers hold but one woman? Yet Ali refuses to see reason, demanding his exclusive affection. As a man, Jin'er is quite helpless regarding the affairs of his household, much like you, Your Majesty..."
She paused for a moment before continuing. "Your Majesty, you too are often helpless regarding the matters of the imperial harem. You see everything clearly, and you have never failed to reciprocate the Empress’s devotion. But you are the sovereign first, and our husband second. To balance the powers of the realm, you have never been the master of your own choices."
Chapter 40