Chapter 108 (None)

During the changing seasons, Consort Liu would always fall ill. In previous years, she would recover in just three to five days, but this year the illness lingered for many days, and she remained listless.

Xiao Jiatong was filial and stayed by her side day and night to care for her when she was ill. Consort Liu preferred quiet, and the two would often read, write, and occasionally exchange a few words in the study.

Sunlight filtered through the gauze curtains, casting dappled shadows on the desk. Xiao Jiatong held the book, staring blankly at Consort Liu, not turning a single page for a long time.

Consort Liu leaned back in her chair, her hands resting on the armrests, her chin propped up, gazing motionlessly out the window. A gentle breeze stirred the paper with half-written characters; the ink in the inkstone had long since dried.

After an unknown amount of time, Xiao Jiatang's eyes grew dry, and she clutched the book tightly in distress. Lately, everything had gone wrong, and Consort Liu was struggling to cope, while she was useless and unable to offer any help.

Light footsteps came from outside. Xiao Jiatang looked up and saw Consort Liu turn her head. Her pale face was backlit, making the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes particularly clear.

Granny Shang lifted the curtain and entered the room, kneeling nervously to greet her, "Your Highness, the Eldest Princess, Consort Hui Shu has arrived."

Xiao Jiatang immediately stood up nervously and asked, "What is she here for?"

Granny Shang looked troubled. Consort Liu paused for a moment, then said, "She's really quick. Please invite her in."

Xiao Jiatang said anxiously, "Last time, Consort Hui made things very difficult for Your Highness in front of the mourning hall. She has become even more arrogant and has even come to your door. Your Highness must not see her."

Consort Liu waved to Granny Shang, glancing at the anxious Xiao Jiatang. She sighed inwardly. Though intelligent, Xiao Jiatang was still too young and impatient.

"Ah Tang, don't panic when you encounter a problem. Think it over and over again."

Consort Liu patiently instructed Xiao Jiatang. She smiled bitterly and said, "Consort Hui can do whatever she wants in the palace. Who can stop her? We might as well invite her in politely."

Xiao Jiatang was far from at ease. Consort Liu's words were absolutely right, and she always kept her word. She dared not disobey, so she could only avoid causing trouble, quickly tidy up her books, curtsied, and left the room.

Consort Liu rubbed her temples, trying to cheer herself up. Then, she couldn't help but give a self-deprecating laugh.

Who would have thought that the dull and slow-witted young talent of yesteryear would become her greatest rival!

Granny Shang led Jiang Ling into the study. Consort Liu greeted her politely, as if the two had never argued in front of Xiao Yunrui's mourning hall, saying, "Consort Huishu is a rare guest. Please come and sit down."

The study has bookshelves on two walls that are almost as high as the ceiling beams, filled with books and calligraphy and paintings. On the desk by the window, plantain is placed in an antique ceramic vase, its coin-like leaves scattered down, creating an elegant and leisurely atmosphere.

"This study is really nice," Jiang Ling praised, sitting down in the chair with his hands on the armrests, looking relaxed and at ease.

Granny Shang brought tea into the room. Consort Liu dismissed her and personally poured the tea. Her gaze lingered briefly on Jiang Ling as she said, "Consort Hui Shu has an extraordinary demeanor. She truly feels at home in the study."

Jiang Ling bowed slightly to the cup of tea placed before her, seemingly oblivious to the implied meaning behind Consort Liu's comments about her posture and demeanor, and said, "No matter how much you read, it doesn't necessarily make you a good person."

Consort Liu paused, her gaze fixed intently on Jiang Ling, and said, "Consort Hui's words make me feel quite ashamed. I have indeed read many books, but I wonder if Consort Hui considers me good or bad?"

"The Second Prince offended the Emperor and was sent to the Imperial Estate for confinement. At the same time, someone delivered a message to Vice Minister Zhao. Vice Minister Zhao first went to the Zheng family residence to inquire, and then went to my maternal family, the Jiang family residence. My maternal family was a small and humble household, and my father was timid and did not dare to open the door. Vice Minister Zhao's wife knelt outside the door, causing an uproar throughout the capital."

Jiang Ling did not answer Consort Liu's question, but briefly described what had happened in front of the Jiang family mansion. She paused for a moment, raised her eyebrows, and said, "The Jiang family has an iron-clad certificate."

Consort Liu was taken aback, her expression one of astonishment. "His Majesty truly cherishes Consort Hui, a love that no one can match."

"There's nothing I can do. I've always been law-abiding and genuinely kind-hearted, so it's no wonder the Emperor dotes on me."

Jiang Ling laughed, readily acknowledging Consort Liu's words and praising herself in the process. Seeing the complex expression on Consort Liu's face, she changed the subject, her smile fading as she coldly said, "No matter how much trouble Minister Zhao and Madam Gao cause, they won't be able to harm a hair on Jiang's head. I'm afraid the person behind this will be disappointed."

Consort Liu's heart sank. She lowered her eyelids to hide the turbulent emotions in her eyes and said, "Consort Hui is truly formidable."

Jiang Ling chuckled, "Since she's favored by the Emperor and possesses the Iron Seal and Imperial Certificate, it's a disgrace to the Great Yin Dynasty to have her stolen! This letter was sent far too quickly, almost immediately after it left the palace. News from the Emperor's presence leaked so fast that Imperial Envoy Ding has been ordered to investigate thoroughly. Unless that person has the ability to fly or disappear, passing through the palace gates will inevitably leave traces. Anyone spying on the Emperor's presence will not escape. Stupidity and wickedness are twins, and Zhao is a perfect example. I went to see Consort Zhao before and warned her not to provoke me again, or I would make her wish she were dead."

Consort Liu's hand unconsciously tightened, her eyes turning icy cold. She said, "Oh, so that's how it is. With Consort Hui being so powerful, Consort Zhao certainly wouldn't dare to offend her."

Jiang Ling smiled and slowly approached the desk, staring intently at Consort Liu. She lowered her voice and said, "I have a few things to tell you. Back then, the deaths of Fang Si Deng, Consort Gao, Consort Li, Consort Gao's childhood sweetheart Zhang Erlang, Consort Zhuang, and others should all have been committed by the same person."

Consort Liu held her breath, her pupils involuntarily contracting sharply. She clenched her fists tightly, struggling to control her emotions, and said, "If that's the case, I really can't figure out who's behind this. I beg Consort Hui Shu for guidance."

Jiang Ling observed Consort Liu's reaction closely. She leaned back in her chair and laughed, "It must have been the work of a bad person. This bad person is quite capable, stirring up trouble in the harem, setting up schemes, watching everyone fight each other with a cold eye, and manipulating everyone at will."

Consort Liu said coldly, "Consort Hui's words are incoherent and truly confusing. Since Consort Hui knows, why doesn't she tell the Emperor so that he can punish the bad guys?"

"His Majesty is already investigating. Once he finds solid evidence, he will surely exterminate this person's entire family." Jiang Ling replied casually, and Consort Liu was shocked again, her face turning ashen.

"The so-called flawless plan and perfect strategy are the most ridiculous and laughable things. In fact, everyone is about the same, and no one is much smarter than anyone else. Defeat is due to being outmatched by others. Look at me, that's how it is. In the past, I was at the mercy of others, and I dared not utter a single word of dissent. Now that I have become Consort Huishu, with a noble status, high rank, and power, I can suppress them at will. For example, Yuan Changsheng, he made a scene in front of the Chuigong Hall and tried to break in."

Jiang Ling shook her head and clicked her tongue twice. "A man as clever as Yuan Changsheng wouldn't become reckless for no reason. Even if it was a test, it's not something he would do. I think, either Yuan Changsheng has lost his mind, or he did it intentionally. Consort Liu is clever, what do you think is the situation with Yuan Changsheng?"

Consort Liu's mind went blank, her breathing quickened, and she said with difficulty, "How could I possibly know what Yuan Changsheng's condition is? I dare not claim to be clever in front of Consort Hui, after all, Consort Hui holds power and can find out anything she wants with a simple investigation."

Jiang Ling didn't press further, instead returning to the question she hadn't answered earlier, "Consort Liu asked me before whether you were good or bad. I'd like to hear what Consort Liu herself thinks."

Consort Liu stared intently at Jiang Ling and asked, "How does Consort Hui judge what is good and bad?"

"I can't be sure what I consider good or bad; very few people in the world can do that."

Jiang Ling looked melancholy. The civilization she desired was nothing short of a pipe dream in the dog-eat-dog world of the Great Yin Dynasty.

She didn't want to change Consort Liu's mind. She had deliberately made a show of force to alert the enemy, so she didn't say anything more and got up to leave. "Excuse me, Consort Liu, please rest."

Consort Liu remained seated, watching Jiang Ling's departing figure, her body trembling.

After seeing Jiang Ling off, Granny Shang came into the room to clear away the teacups. She saw Consort Liu, who was sweating profusely, and was greatly alarmed. She rushed forward and said urgently, "Your Highness, what's wrong? Your Highness, I'll go fetch the imperial physician right away!"

Upon learning of Jiang Ling's departure, Xiao Jiatang was worried and rushed to the study. Hearing Granny Shang's panicked cries at the door, her expression changed drastically, and she darted inside.

Consort Liu's gaze was fixed, as if all her energy had been drained away, turning her into a lifeless stone statue.

Xiao Jiatang's voice trembled with fright as she snatched the teacup from Granny Shang's hand. "Go quickly and fetch the imperial physician. I'll stay and watch over Her Highness!"

Granny Shang hurriedly ran outside. Xiao Jiatang picked up the teapot, but her hand slipped, and the tea spilled out. Fortunately, the tea wasn't hot, and Xiao Jiatang didn't care. She carried the tea to Consort Liu and said, "Your Highness, please have some tea. The imperial physician will be here soon."

Consort Liu finally reacted, turning her head away and saying in a hoarse voice, "Put it down."

Xiao Jiatang hurriedly put down her teacup, tears welling in her eyes, and choked out, "Your Highness, has Consort Hui Shu bullied Your Highness?"

Consort Liu took a deep breath and said, "Go and tell them that I am fine and do not need to see the imperial physician."

Xiao Jiatang tried to persuade her, but Consort Liu's gaze was sharp. She quickly went outside and summoned a palace maid to give her instructions. Turning back to the study, Consort Liu said, "Atang, sit down. I have something to say to you."

The early summer sun was bright and the weather was clearly hot, but Xiao Jiatang inexplicably felt a chill run down her spine. She sat down, her heart pounding in her chest, her mind uneasy.

Consort Liu spoke quietly, "A-Tang, I asked you before, are you terrified of death?"

Xiao Jiatang burst into tears and said sadly, "My mother died early, and my father... he never cared about me. I was raised and educated by the Empress. The Empress cared for me, made arrangements for me, and was even closer to me than my own mother. If anything happens to the Empress, I will not live on alone."

"Ah Tang, don't talk nonsense."

Consort Liu's nose tingled, her eyes reddened, and she said lovingly, "A-Tang, you are still young, born into the royal family, you are a princess of noble birth..."

"Mother, I don't want to be a princess! What's so good about being a princess!"

Xiao Jiatang raised her voice, interrupting Consort Liu, "Mother, I don't want to be a princess. What's the point of being rich and noble? At most, you'll just eat and drink your whole life. Like you said, a princess is just a piece of gold and jade, a precious ornament that can be broken if you're not careful. She's not very useful. I study hard and I'm better than my brothers in every way. Mother, I don't want to be a princess."

“I used to think like you.” Tears welled up in Consort Liu’s eyes, her expression desolate. She pointed to the dust dancing in the sunlight. “Look, we are just this dust. People only see the sun, no one cares about us. No matter how much we struggle, a gentle blow will make us disappear.”

Xiao Jiatang had never seen Consort Liu so sorrowful and helpless. The Consort Liu of the past had always been confident and composed. Xiao Jiatang's heart was breaking, her throat tightening, and she asked with difficulty, "Your Majesty, what has happened?"

Consort Liu smiled bitterly and said, "A-Tang, I was wrong. Over the years, I have made huge mistakes, but I was unaware of them."

Her heart ached terribly, filled with remorse. She needed to close her eyes and catch her breath before she had the strength to continue speaking.

"I pride myself on my intelligence, but in reality, I haven't even recognized my rivals. In this harem, our rival isn't Funing Palace or Chonghua Palace, but Chuigong Hall. Some enter the court and become prime ministers, while others can only remain minor officials. Jiang rose from a lowly concubine to Consort Hui, while I've only ever been a Virtuous Consort. It's the same in both the court and the harem; it's all about the favor of Chuigong Hall. I'm so foolish! What's the use of being aloof when you haven't even touched power!"

Xiao Jiatang stood there, stunned. Consort Liu laughed self-deprecatingly, "After fighting all your life, you've even chosen the wrong enemy. Ah Tang, it's too late for regrets now. I raised you and truly treated you like my own daughter. How could I bear to see you suffer because of me? Ah Tang, go to the Emperor and tell him that you're getting old and should move out of Rouyi Palace to live in the Princess's palace. You are the Emperor's own flesh and blood; he will see you."

"Your Majesty..." Xiao Jiatang burst into tears, but before she could utter two words, she was interrupted by Consort Liu.

"Ah Tang, you must listen to me. I'm doing this for your own good. Go and tell the Emperor that you will listen to Consort Hui from now on, and respect her. I hope that since you are young, he won't blame you."

Consort Liu turned her head away and wiped away her tears, which made Xiao Jiatang even more heartbroken.

"Ah Tang, go back to your room and tidy up. You can go after your afternoon rest. Don't delay. From now on, you can focus on choosing a good husband and raising children."

Tears streamed down Xiao Jiatang's face as she abruptly stood up and rushed outside.

Over the years, she has studied how to govern the country and bring peace to the people. She is not content with this, she is not content with this!

Consort Liu's eyes were icy as she silently stared at the door for a moment before pouring water into the inkstone. She dipped her brush in ink and began writing rapidly on the paper. After sealing it tightly with wax, she summoned Granny Shang to deliver the letter.