Chapter 11 Suspicion Arises

After Emperor Yuanming returned to the Chuigong Hall, he wanted to rest for a while. He closed his eyes, but all he could hear in his mind was Jiang Ling's voice.

The Palace Attendant Song, acting on imperial orders, investigated the matter and came to report back to him. He was irritated and about to interrupt when Song mentioned Jiang Ling, so he restrained himself and listened.

After Song Gongzheng took his leave, Emperor Yuanming impatiently sent Huang Liang to summon Jiang Ling to an audience. He sat on the couch, staring intently at the person who followed Huang Liang in, and couldn't help but strain his ears, waiting for her "heart's desire".

Unfortunately, Emperor Yuanming heard nothing. He was somewhat disappointed and doubted whether what he had heard her say earlier was all his imagination.

Jiang Ling stepped forward to pay her respects, and Emperor Yuanming gestured for her to sit. After a while, seeing her standing there with her head down, he couldn't help but chuckle.

How stupid!

His smile froze on his face as he heard Jiang Ling say again, "Niu Fen hasn't said a word for so long. Doesn't standing up without permission count as disrespecting the Emperor's authority? Oh no, oh no, Niu Fen is giving me a hard time right from the start. This can't be good. I told you Niu Fen is muddle-headed, how could he possibly find out anything?"

Emperor Yuanming's face was extremely grim, while Jiang Ling remained silent, looking tense and stunned. He then glanced at Huang Liang, who was serving tea, but Huang Liang had his eyes lowered and seemed oblivious to anything amiss.

"Rise!" Emperor Yuanming shouted through gritted teeth, startling Huang Liang, who was usually calm and composed, so much so that he almost spilled his tea.

Huang Liang put down his teacup and hurriedly tried to apologize, but Emperor Yuanming waved him away. Then, pointing to the brocade stool, fearing that Jiang Ling might not be able to read the room, he reminded her, "Sit!"

Jiang Ling sat down stiffly, holding his breath and waiting for Emperor Yuanming to announce the result.

"If the outcome is bad, will they be confined to their quarters or sent to the Cold Palace? Confinement doesn't matter, since they can't leave anyway. The Cold Palace—Xiefang Pavilion is the Cold Palace to begin with. Will they be demoted? A fifth-rank minor talent is already the lowest rank; the next lowest would be an unranked concubine. The empty title is secondary; the main problem is the poor treatment. Their food and clothing are already so shabby; if they're demoted again, they won't survive!"

Emperor Yuanming's mind was buzzing, as if a thousand flies were buzzing around him, so annoying that he wanted to drag her out and beat her with a board!

"The Palace Administration has already investigated." Emperor Yuanming spoke up, unable to contain himself any longer. Jiang Ling immediately looked up, and the buzzing in his ears disappeared.

"You had a dispute with the Su family, each sticking to their own version of events. The Su family claimed to have treated you with utmost sincerity, but you did not appreciate it and thought that the Su family was trying to harm you again."

Jiang Ling wanted to roll his eyes. Su Yue was a master of acting; her words were flawless and easily manipulated people. In this respect, Jiang Ling was no match for her.

"Su said that you humiliated her in public. When you were in Lanyue Palace, you bluntly said that Xu was ugly."

At this point, Emperor Yuanming couldn't help but look at Jiang Ling. Before him, she had washed away her makeup, and her snow-white face was as beautiful as a peach blossom.

Although she had a blank face and appeared reserved and docile, Emperor Yuanming could hear her inner thoughts. Far from being docile, she was vulgar, noisy, and incredibly audacious.

"Your Majesty is wise. I am not good with words. When Consort Xu slandered me, I spoke in the heat of the moment and was forced to defend myself."

Jiang Ling later pondered Zhao Defei's words repeatedly. Chen Shanggong must be someone affiliated with Consort Lin or Consort Liu; Zhao Defei was not offering well-intentioned advice, but rather using her to attack her rivals.

Su Yue and Consort Xu were both too much for her to handle. If she made more enemies, even if she got through this hurdle, the next one would be even harder.

With his life hanging in the balance, Jiang Ling ignored the seating arrangement and instinctively defended himself.

Regardless of witness testimonies or evidence, the situation was unfavorable to her, so she could only insist, "If Consort Su wants to move to the main room of Xiefang Pavilion, I will give it to her. I never make enemies and am honest and kind. It is Consort Su and Noble Lady Xu who are in cahoots to harm people and are lying through their teeth. They are deceiving the Emperor!"

Emperor Yuanming laughed upon hearing this. He believed Jiang Ling was innocent, but she was truly the first person to lie through her teeth!

The thought of her being completely exposed and in complete control of him filled Emperor Yuanming with secret delight, and he forgave her outrageous behavior for the time being.

"Hmm." Emperor Yuanming lowered his eyes and said noncommittally, "The Palace Justice Department is still investigating. The truth will eventually be revealed. I will not let those who cause trouble get away with it."

Jiang Ling chuckled inwardly, but respectfully agreed aloud.

Emperor Yuanming glanced at her and called Huang Liang in: "Serve the meal."

Upon seeing this, Jiang Ling rose and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, I shall take my leave."

Emperor Yuanming was taken aback and speechless at her slowness, so he simply said, "It is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunion. Why don't you stay and have a meal with us?"

Jiang Ling had heard from A Ruofanghe that many prefectures suffered from drought during the spring planting season this year, resulting in poor harvests. Therefore, the Mid-Autumn Festival celebrations, including the emperor, empress, and officials boating to admire the moon, were to be simplified.

Jiang Ling was a little confused, not understanding what Emperor Yuanming's Mid-Autumn Festival reunion had to do with her.

At the midday banquet, Jiang Ling only ate a few kinds of fruit and was already starving. Even so, being kept in her palace for a meal made her so anxious she was almost going crazy.

Although Emperor Yuanming did not hear Jiang Ling's inner thoughts, he could guess what she was thinking just by looking at her reaction.

"What, you're still not willing?" Emperor Yuanming was furious. How dare this mere concubine look down on him!

"Your Majesty, I dare not," Jiang Ling hurriedly apologized and sat down awkwardly.

"Hmph!" Emperor Yuanming snorted coldly. He wanted to get angry, but he couldn't resist his curiosity and listened carefully to her true thoughts.

"What will we eat for the imperial meal? If it's not good, it'll be a huge loss. Even if it's good, it's still a loss. We can't have peace during the festival, it's unbearable!" Jiang Ling kept wailing.

Emperor Yuanming was so angry he could hardly understand why she felt she had been cheated.

"Now I'm going to become the target of everyone's criticism... Wait, there's wine. 'Fine wine in a luminous cup,' what's the next line? 'A swaying wine glass...'"

Emperor Yuanming looked at the palace maids who brought in the meal; they held glass cups filled with wine, and he was speechless with emotion.

Her mind is such a mess, it switches so fast it catches you off guard.

Imperial meals were served separately, with each of them having their own table in front of Emperor Yuanming. Jiang Ling managed to relax a little.

Dining in a separate meal also has its drawbacks. Dining in front of the emperor involves complicated rules and etiquette. If she finishes her food completely, the empty bowl and plate will be very conspicuous, revealing her only real ability to eat and drink a lot.

After Emperor Yuanming took a bite of his food, Jiang Ling couldn't wait to try a sip of wine. Instantly, her facial features scrunched up in a frown.

The wine was sour and astringent that Jiang Ling almost vomited and quickly put down the glass.

Besides the wine, there were mooncakes that Jiang Ling never ate, and mutton that she was tired of eating. Fortunately, there were a few other dishes that suited her taste, and she ate them all up.

Emperor Yuanming, holding his wine cup, observed Jiang Ling's every move. At this moment, he was absolutely certain that Su Yue's claim that she looked down on the tribute grapes was true.

After the meal, Emperor Yuanming, as was his custom, took a walk to digest his food. With his hands behind his back, he glanced at Jiang Ling and said, "The moonlight outside is just right; you may come with me for a stroll."

Jiang Ling silently got up and went out. The autumn night was cool and breezy, and the moonlight shone in the courtyard, accompanied by the lamps, creating a dreamlike scene.

"Eliminate, eliminate, eliminate! In the name of the moon, I'll punish you!"

Emperor Yuanming paused, closed his eyes briefly, and continued walking forward.

"I'm so sorry, Mingyue, I've made you laugh at me. Look how ridiculous ordinary people are, always talking about digesting their food. I haven't even eaten my fill yet, what are they talking about digesting!"

Emperor Yuanming could no longer contain himself and cursed under his breath what a good-for-nothing!

She had previously eaten a whole fish, a plate of fresh lotus root, a bowl of sour duck soup, a plate of pickled goose tongue, and a bowl of rice, yet she was still not full!

Unable to bear her endless rambling, Emperor Yuanming stopped and said unhappily, "Step back!"

Jiang Ling breathed a sigh of relief and quickly excused himself.

Emperor Yuanming stared at her fleeing figure, his face ashen, and doubt gradually surfaced in his eyes. He summoned Huang Liang and ordered, "Go and thoroughly investigate the Jiang family's background!"