Chapter 53 Your humble questioning only drove you... to push me so far away...

The Empress Dowager's birthday banquet was held in Qingyi Garden.

This was the late emperor's favorite garden in his later years. It is nestled against the mountains and beside the water, with pavilions and towers scattered in a well-organized manner.

Beneath the winding corridor, everyone sat according to their rank, with fine wines and delicacies laid out before them.

As Fangru bowed to the other concubines, she could clearly feel the gazes upon her. The Empress scrutinized her, Consort Xian made no attempt to hide her mockery, Consort De appeared to lower her eyes but was actually glancing around out of the corner of her eye, and Consort Zhi's exquisitely painted phoenix eyes were filled with venomous jealousy.

Although the Empress Dowager was not the current emperor's biological mother, she was a person deeply respected by all the civil and military officials.

This heroine who once fought alongside the late emperor on the battlefield may now have graying temples, but her prestige in the court remains undiminished.

At this moment, she sat upright in her high position, holding the Prince in her arms. Her rough fingers gently stroked the child's soft baby hair, marks left by years of holding the reins, which were completely different from the well-maintained hands of the concubines present.

"Get up, all of you." The Empress Dowager's voice was crisp and clear, with the openness unique to women from the common people. "I'll have a private chat with my grandson for a while first. You may all go and stroll around the garden as you please."

As Fangru rose with the others, she heard Consort Xian whisper to Consort De, "The Empress Dowager comes from a humble background, so she will surely like Consort Zhi, who also comes from the countryside."

These words drew nods from the concubines.

As expected, the Empress Dowager's gaze lingered on Consort Zhi for a moment, revealing a satisfied expression.

At this moment, the prince in her arms was babbling. The two-year-old child was fair-skinned and chubby, with a pair of big, bright eyes. Anyone who saw him would praise him as "so adorable".

The little one wasn't shy at all. His chubby little hands were happily playing with the pearls on the Empress Dowager's clothes, occasionally letting out a giggle that was so sweet it melted everyone's heart.

Although the child's origins remain a mystery, the Empress Dowager had longed for a grandson for so many years, and now that she had seen such a clever and adorable child, all her doubts had long been dispelled by her loving affection.

At this moment, Prince Cheng was playing with the pearl on the Empress Dowager's clothes, and said "Grandmother" in a childish voice, which made the Empress Dowager smile and even smooth out the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes.

The autumn light is perfect, and the chrysanthemums in the Imperial Garden are in full bloom.

As Fangru followed the Emperor and Empress with a group of concubines, her gaze was unconsciously drawn to a rare cluster of black chrysanthemums by the roadside.

The petals were a deep, dark color, shimmering with a subtle, satin-like sheen under the clear autumn sun. She was so captivated by them that she unconsciously took half a step toward the flowerbed.

"Chen Cainu." The Empress's voice was not loud, but it was like a cold whip, suddenly shattering the surrounding tranquility. "Mind your manners."

Fangru snapped back to her senses, her cheeks instantly burning. She hurriedly lowered her head, trying to retreat to the end of the line.

In the midst of this awkward silence, Emperor Zhou Ling, who had remained silent until now, glanced indifferently at the cluster of black chrysanthemums and casually said, "I also wanted to take a walk."

These words were like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, instantly creating ripples.

The Empress immediately stepped forward, gracefully taking the closest position to Zhou Ling, and said gently, "The autumn scenery is indeed beautiful. Your Majesty, I will accompany you to enjoy it."

On the other side, Consort Zhi was not to be outdone. She affectionately took Zhou Ling's other arm and said in a soft voice, "Your Majesty, the hibiscus flowers next to the Diecui Mountain House must be in full bloom. I'll accompany you to take a look."

The Emperor, Empress, and Consort walked side by side, chatting and laughing, as if the little incident just now had never happened.

Fangru kept her head down and silently followed at the very back of the group, deliberately slowing her pace, wanting only to create distance and disappear into the crowd.

However, a very strong gaze fell silently upon her, carrying an indescribable sense of oppression.

She subconsciously looked up and was met with a pair of deep eyes. Zhou Ling had turned his head slightly at some point, his gaze passing over the smiling concubines and palace maids in front of him, and landing on her.

Fangru's heart skipped a beat. She hurriedly looked away, pretending to be attracted by a stone carving on the artificial rockery. She bent down and pretended to examine it closely, using this to cover up her suddenly disordered heartbeat.

As the group continued onward, Fangru, distracted by her predicament, slipped and lost her balance while walking along a narrow stone path with damp moss growing along its edges.

A sharp, piercing pain shot through her ankle, and she couldn't help but let out a soft cry of pain: "Ah!"

The soft call sounded particularly clear in the quiet garden.

Almost at the same instant the sound rang out, the tall, dark-clad figure in front of them suddenly stopped and turned around abruptly.

Zhou Ling didn't even let go of the two concubines' hands, but his turning movement was so fast that he didn't hesitate at all, and the hem of his black dragon robe fluttered sharply in the autumn wind.

His gaze instantly locked onto her slightly curled-up figure due to the pain, and his brows furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"What happened?"

He asked in a deep voice, his voice carrying a tension he himself was unaware of.

Fangru endured the pain and tried to stand up straight, her forehead already beaded with cold sweat: "Your Majesty, I...I'm alright, it was just an accident..."

Before she could finish speaking, Consort Zhi, who was holding his arm, interrupted in a sweet voice, her strength just enough to stop him from moving forward: "Your Majesty, the hibiscus trees ahead are said to have blossomed with twin flowers, a rare and auspicious sign. Let's go and take a look."

She spoke urgently, trying to draw the emperor's attention back.

Zhou Ling paused slightly, not immediately responding to Consort Zhi. His deep gaze lingered for a moment on Fang Ru's pale face and her right foot, which she clearly dared not put any weight on. His eyes were complex and difficult to decipher, containing concern and scrutiny, but ultimately turning into a bottomless pool.

He ultimately did not step forward himself, but instead withdrew his gaze and solemnly instructed the head eunuch attending him:

"What are you standing there for? Didn't you see that Consort Shen has twisted her ankle? Hurry up and help her back, then summon the imperial physician to take a look."

His tone returned to its usual calm and detached manner, as if the momentary loss of composure had never occurred.

After saying this, he let the Empress and the Imperial Concubine surround him and continued walking forward without looking back.

Only Fangru, who had been secretly watching him, caught that fleeting glance he gave her just before he turned away, a fleeting look that brushed past her ankle.

That one glance was like a sudden gust of cold wind blowing into her collar on a winter's day, sending a shiver down her spine.

The head eunuch had already stepped forward to help her up. With the help of the palace servants, Fangru struggled to stand up straight. Watching the black figure gradually disappear into the distance, waves of pain came from her ankles, but her heart was filled with a blank and cold feeling.

...

The midday break was held in Hanxu Hall, which is located by the water. The windows on all four sides were open, and a gentle breeze carrying moisture passed through the hall, slightly dispelling the heat of autumn.

The music has temporarily ceased, with only the subtle clinking of cups and saucers adding a touch of quiet to this deliberately maintained tranquility.

The Empress Dowager sat in the main seat, always holding the Prince Cheng in her arms. The child played with the pearl on her clothes, looking innocent and naive.

Her gaze slowly swept over everyone in the hall, finally landing on the calm and composed Emperor Zhou Ling. Her voice was not loud, but it clearly reached everyone's ears:

"Your Majesty, I heard that you recently favored a concubine named Shen in the Phoenix Palace?"

The moment the words fell, it seemed as if even the breeze in Hanxu Hall had frozen.

Fangru, who was standing in the corner, was holding a Yue kiln celadon teacup. Upon hearing this, her fingertips trembled, and the warm tea almost spilled.

Everyone in the court knew that back then, Zhou Ling was just a prince who had fallen into obscurity and was neglected. If it weren't for the Empress Dowager, who had made her name through military achievements and was decisive in killing, who overruled all objections and supported him, this son, who was "born of a palace maid," would never have been able to ascend to the throne.

The Empress Dowager's public mention of the incident at Fengyi Palace, which had been deliberately downplayed, was not out of malice. Rather, it was because this Empress Dowager, who had fought her way out of a bloodbath, was always insightful, outspoken, and extremely impatient with the intricate and convoluted thoughts of the harem.

Zhou Ling held the white jade teacup with a steady hand. He slowly sipped the tea, his eyes and brows not raised, his tone calm and even, as if he were talking about a trivial matter that had nothing to do with him: "These are all things of the past. Mother Empress is sharp-witted and discerning, why bring up such trivial matters again?"

With a few words, he deftly defused a potential storm.

The Empress Dowager gave him a deep look, but did not press the matter further. Instead, she turned her loving gaze to the Prince Cheng in her arms, but her words remained sharp: "Now that you have a child, you should focus your attention on the child's mother. Emperor, you must understand what is important and what is not."

Her tone softened slightly, but carried an undeniable authority: "It's fine to give some face to unrelated people, but it's unwise to go too far. Right now, the person you should promote and favor the most is Consort Zhi. Don't let those who have made contributions get the cold shoulder."

Upon hearing this, Zhou Ling's lips slowly curved into a faint smile.

He finally raised his eyes, his gaze passing over the crowd and landing precisely on Fangru, who was trying to remain calm with her eyelashes lowered.

His gaze was deep and unfathomable, seemingly tangible, lingering for a moment on her slightly tense profile, carrying a condescending scrutiny, yet also seemingly concealing a barely perceptible hint of amusement.

He then turned to the Empress Dowager, his voice clear and steady, carrying a declarative certainty: "Your Majesty's teachings are correct. I know this in my heart."

He turned slightly to look at Consort Zhi, whose face lit up with pride and whose eyes held anticipation because of the Empress Dowager's words. He deliberately softened his tone, adding a touch of tenderness that was visible to outsiders. "The one I care about most and favor the most right now is naturally Consort Zhi. Everyone in the six palaces knows this, so there is no need to say more."

His words were clear and resonated deeply with everyone.

Fangru lowered her head and told herself: This is for the best, this is exactly what she wanted—to stay out of it.

But another voice in her heart sharply refuted: Was the urgency with which he turned around when he heard her cry out in pain in the Imperial Garden, the subconscious urge to rush over, the tension and concern that locked onto her in that instant... all of that fake?

That subconscious reaction was far more real and made her more flustered than the deliberately proclaimed "pampering" at this moment.

After the tea ceremony, the group strolled around the garden in twos and threes.

Fangru deliberately avoided the crowds and walked alone along a secluded bluestone path into the depths of the bamboo forest by Taiye Pond.

The bamboo leaves rustled in the autumn wind, acting as a natural barrier that perfectly masked the faint laughter and chatter of the concubines in the distance, and temporarily isolated them from the suffocating atmosphere of the palace.

She sat down on a cool stone bench by the pond, watching a few red carp swaying leisurely in the water, just as she was seeking a moment of peace when a familiar and clear tinkling sound of jade pendants came from afar, breaking the tranquility.

The voice was neither hurried nor slow, carrying its owner's usual arrogance, and came precisely in her direction.

"Chen Cainu certainly knows how to find peace and quiet." Consort Zhi, supported by her personal maid, gracefully walked out from among the bamboo shadows.

She stopped in front of Fangru, looking down at her with an undisguised, triumphant smile on her lips: "I advise you to always be aware of your place. His Majesty's words to the Empress Dowager were clear and distinct; I presume... you understood them all?"

Fangru's gaze remained fixed on the most lively red carp in the pond. Her voice was soft and calm, without the slightest hint of emotion: "Your Majesty's words are golden and precious, and I naturally understand them and dare not forget them."

"It's good that you understand." Consort Zhi's tone became increasingly smug, carrying a sense of declaration. "His Majesty and I share a deep and extraordinary bond, and now we have an eldest son to inherit the throne. Some people are just fleeting novelties, destined to fade away. Only by being law-abiding can one find a glimmer of hope within these palace walls."

She deliberately emphasized the word "vitality," the warning in which was self-evident.

A cool autumn breeze suddenly blew by, swirling a few bamboo leaves into the pond and scattering the ripples left by the red carp. The surface of the pond was covered with layers of chaotic waves.

As Fangru gazed at the water ripples that spread and eventually disappeared, a feeling of utter absurdity suddenly welled up in her heart. All this scrambling, showing off, and warnings seemed so ridiculous in this landscape.

All she cared about were the Buddhist prayer beads.

She slowly stood up and gave Consort Zhi a proper bow.

Her tone was as calm as the lake in front of her, which had been rippled by the autumn wind and would eventually return to stillness, revealing no resentment or bitterness: "Your Majesty, I wish Your Majesty eternal grace and lasting blessings."

This extraordinary composure and calmness stunned Consort Zhi, who was prepared for the other party to lose her composure or endure humiliation.

Her meticulously drawn eyebrows furrowed slightly, and her gaze probed Fangru's face, trying to find a crack in her beautiful and pure features, even if it was a fleeting jealousy, suppressed anger, or resentment.

However, she only met a pair of eyes as clear as an autumn pool, calm and undisturbed, even carrying a knowing detachment. The calmness was unsettling, as if her earlier display of power was nothing more than a clown's one-man show.

"You..." The Imperial Concubine's lips parted slightly, as if she wanted to say something more, but Fangru no longer gave her the chance. She turned around and walked slowly away along the bluestone path she had come from.

Passing through the vine-entwined moon gate, separating herself from the troubled place behind her, Fangru was about to quicken her pace when, in an unexpected moment of looking up, she was suddenly met with a pair of unfathomable eyes.

Zhou Ling stood alone under the old plum tree in the corner of the courtyard wall.

He wasn't wearing court robes, only a dark-colored casual robe with subtle patterns. His figure was upright, yet he inexplicably exuded a sense of aloofness, almost blending into the jagged shadows of the artificial rock behind him.

The autumn wind was bleak, swirling up the withered yellow leaves that covered the ground, making them dance restlessly at his feet. A few early-fallen plum petals quietly settled on his shoulder, adding a touch of indescribable loneliness.

Fangru felt a sudden tightness in her chest. She immediately followed the palace rules, bowed deeply, and hid all her emotions behind her lowered eyelashes. Her voice was calm and even: "May Your Majesty be well."

He neither called out nor left directly.

After a brief silence, his deep voice came from above, asking abruptly and directly: "Does your ankle still hurt?"

There seemed to be a hint of concern in that voice, a concern that was deliberately suppressed yet difficult to completely conceal.

Fangru's long eyelashes trembled slightly as her gaze fell on the long shadows of the two people on the bluestone floor, stretched out by the setting sun. His shadow and hers were blurred at the edges, seemingly close yet distant, as if they were within reach, yet unattainable.

She maintained her bowing posture, her voice as soft as a whisper, as if afraid of disturbing the strange and delicate atmosphere: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. Everything is fine now."

Another slightly stronger autumn wind howled past, stirring up more withered leaves, and the gnarled branches of the plum tree made a faint, mournful sound in the wind.

He remained standing still, motionless, as if waiting for something, or perhaps simply lost in his own thoughts.

She, too, maintained her demure posture, and could not rise without his permission.

Time flowed slowly in silence.

In the end, he took the first step.

The dark robe swept past her crouching side, carrying a familiar and refreshing scent of ambergris. The scent forcefully invaded her breath, briefly enveloping her before quickly dissipating in the wind as he left.

She kept her head down the whole time, and all she could see was the tip of his black boots slowly moving across the ground and finally disappearing from sight.

Only when the steady footsteps faded completely into the distance, disappearing into the direction of Hanxu Hall, did Fangru, as if all her strength had been drained, slowly and with an indescribable stiffness, straighten up.

...

As night deepened, palace lanterns lit up one after another, casting a warm yellow glow on the white marble steps.

Inside Hanxu Hall, wine cups were clinked and toasts were exchanged. Imperial relatives, nobles, and officials from various departments took their seats in order, creating a scene of peace and prosperity.

The Empress Dowager was still in the chief seat, teasing the prince in her arms with a loving expression.

The virtuous concubine, who had gone to great lengths to prepare for this banquet, specially led several lower-ranking concubines to present a dance featuring exotic creatures from the Western Regions.

Their graceful figures and elegant dance steps drew cheers from the audience.

However, the Empress, seated on her throne, keenly noticed that Emperor Zhou Ling's gaze had bypassed the dazzling dance moves and landed precisely on Consort Shen, who sat quietly with her head bowed.

He gazed so intently, his deep eyes seemingly absorbing all the surrounding noise and splendor, as if all things in heaven and earth had turned into nothingness, leaving only that solitary figure.

That gaze was so intense that Fang felt like she was sitting on pins and needles.

She quietly summoned her trusted eunuch and whispered a few words to him.

A moment later, Zhou Ling excused himself and left the room, disappearing into the corridor leading to the side hall.

The candlelight in the side hall was dim.

Fangru, with her back to the palace gate, heard familiar footsteps approaching but did not turn around. Her voice carried a hint of barely perceptible resentment: "Didn't Your Majesty solemnly promise before the Empress Dowager today that you would stay away from me, an 'unrelated' person? Why did you stare at me so intently at the banquet just now? Could it be that Your Majesty's golden words can be changed so easily?"

Zhou Ling walked slowly closer and stopped just a step away from her.

He didn't answer directly, but instead chuckled softly, the sound particularly magnetic and dangerous in the silent palace: "Before, in Fengyi Palace, you resisted to the death, saying it was 'improper'," he deliberately slowed his pace, each word striking her heart, "and now, you won't even let me see you? Consort Shen, aren't your rules... a little too many?"

Fangru suddenly turned around and met his eyes, which grew even deeper in the shadows. Her cheeks flushed slightly: "Your Majesty is being unreasonable!"

"Oh?" Zhou Ling raised an eyebrow, taking half a step closer. The cool, ambergris scent emanating from him instantly enveloped her. "Then tell me, my beloved consort, what should I do? Looking at you is wrong; not looking at you..."

He paused slightly, his gaze seemingly fleetingly sweeping over her slightly pursed lips, "...It seems I can't do it either."

"you!"

Fangru was forced to retreat by the roguishness in his words and the burning gaze, but her back pressed against the cold palace pillar, leaving her with nowhere to go.

She forced herself to remain calm, "Isn't Your Majesty afraid of the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine finding out?"

Zhou Ling reached out, but did not touch her. He simply rested his hand lightly on the pillar beside her ear, trapping her in a small space. His tone was lazy and domineering: "If I were afraid, I wouldn't be here right now."

He leaned down, his warm breath brushing against her ear, his deep voice carrying a captivating magnetism: "Besides, more than those high-sounding words, I want to know if you really lured me here just to question that one glance?"

Fangru's breath caught in her throat. Trapped in the invisible web of love he had woven, her heart pounded so hard it hurt, and all the words she had prepared vanished from her lips.

Zhou Ling's gaze was fixed on her, as if searching for any sign of wavering beneath her calm facade. He deliberately slowed his speech, his voice carrying a persuasive, probing tone:

"Besides this glance, is there anything else you... want to ask me? For example, Prince Cheng?"

He deliberately emphasized the last three words, his gaze fixed intently on her, almost peering into the depths of her soul.

Fangru raised her eyes, her clear, bright eyes looking directly at him, her gaze as pure as fresh snow, without a trace of the jealousy and grievance he had expected.

She simply shook her head gently, her voice calm and undisturbed: "The matter of Your Majesty's offspring concerns the very foundation of the nation; how could it be of my authority to inquire about it?"

These words were like a bucket of ice water, completely extinguishing the faint expectation in Zhou Ling's eyes.

His chest heaved violently, a surge of anger mixed with disappointment rising in his heart. He would rather she question him, he would rather she cry and make a scene, than have this indifferent and detached attitude!

“What a fine ‘no comment’ statement!” He abruptly withdrew his hand from beside her ear, took two steps back, and his black sleeves drew sharp arcs in the air.

When she spoke again, her voice was chillingly cold: "Shen Fangru, do you really have to... push me so far away?"