Chapter 12, the result.

No one can sleep on Mid-Autumn Festival night.

As Jiang Ling left the Chuigong Hall, the moonlit harem resembled a drop of water falling into a calm lake, creating ripples.

Aruo Fanghe followed closely behind Jiang Ling, exchanging glances every now and then. The two kept quiet the whole way back to Xiefang Pavilion, where Jiang Ling, as usual, sprawled out on the couch.

"This servant has wrung out a handkerchief, please wash yourself, Your Excellency." A'Ruo and Fanghe brought water into the room and diligently served Jiang Ling, helping her wash her hands and drink tea.

Jiang Ling casually took the handkerchief and covered her face, wiping it haphazardly. Fang He took the handkerchief, winked at A'Ruo, and said with a smile, "It is a great honor for a lady to be invited to stay for a meal by the Emperor."

Emperor Yuanming's imperial cuisine was ten or even a hundred times better than that of Xiefang Pavilion. But for Jiang Ling, it certainly wasn't an immense honor.

The matter at Lanyue Palace is still unresolved, and even if Jiang Ling is a bit dim-witted, he can't just focus on the food.

A'Ruo said, "His Majesty has left me a meal, so I should try my best. His Majesty has also left me to serve him in bed..."

Serve him in bed!!!

Jiang Ling was too nervous in the palace to have expected this at all. Hearing A Ruo's words, she jumped up, startling A Ruo so much that her hand trembled and she swallowed back the words she was about to say.

"Talented man... what's wrong with talented man?" A'Ruo looked at Jiang Ling, whose eyes were wide open, and stammered as she spoke.

Fanghe tentatively asked, "Did you offend His Majesty, Lady Cai, that's why he didn't keep you to serve him in bed?"

Jiang Ling stared blankly at a certain spot in front of him without expression. After a long while, he fell back onto the couch without saying a word.

The palace maids all longed to serve the emperor, as it represented his favor. Moreover, if they conceived a child and gave birth to a princess, their lives would be better than those of palace maids who had no children.

Jiang Ling's main concern was what if she didn't get her satisfaction?

The palace women were all innocent and chaste, but there was no guarantee that Emperor Yuanming wouldn't leave the palace to have affairs or be unclean, which could lead to gynecological inflammations among them.

What should I do if I get infected with the disease by Emperor Yuanming?

It was truly one problem after another; Jiang Ling felt utterly hopeless.

Even if I were to return to the future and be a cute little dog, it would be better than being a concubine in a palace intrigue novel.

The next day, the gaze that had been fixed on Jiang Ling was instantly shifted away.

Because Emperor Yuanming summoned his concubines to the Chuigong Hall one after another. From Consort Lin, the highest-ranking concubine, to the lowest-ranking concubine in a remote palace, his favors were bestowed upon the entire harem.

In a short time, some people were favored and rewarded with promotions, while others, like Jiang Ling, left without receiving their titles.

Every day, A'ruo Fanghe would send back various messages, and Jiang Ling gradually became numb from her initial anxiety.

Consort Su Yue and Consort Xu were also summoned to the Chuigong Hall, but neither of them served the emperor. The west courtyard was quiet, as if nothing had happened.

Before we knew it, it was the end of August. Late autumn in Beijing arrived unexpectedly after a night of rain.

The rain fell incessantly. Inside, it was dimly lit. Jiang Ling, wrapped in a thin coat, was sorting through the miscellaneous items among the dried osmanthus blossoms under the eaves.

At that moment, she understood why women in ancient times, confined to their homes, would patiently gather beans to offer as a Buddhist offering. In the monotonous and long days, this was a way for them to pass the time.

"Talented lady, talented lady!" Aruo and Fanghe came running over with a bang, their wooden clogs making a huge noise.

Jiang Ling panicked immediately. The two of them went to collect her monthly salary, but they came up empty-handed. Had her monthly salary been withheld?

"Consort Xu, Consort Xu has been exiled to the Imperial Temple!" Aruo ran up to Jiang Ling, panting, and said impatiently.

Jiang Ling was shocked. "What? Gong Zhengsi's side has found out the results?"

"Previously, Huang Da, the emperor's attendant, led his men and took Consort Xu away from Chun Jin Pavilion," Fang He added.

Jiang Ling couldn't help but look towards the west courtyard, and then asked, "Is anyone from the Bureau of Ceremonial Affairs there?"

Fanghe followed Jiang Ling's gaze and said, "This servant does not know."

Jiang Ling was certain that Su Yue was the mastermind, and that Consort Xu was just a fool who had been instigated to seek her own death.

It seems that Emperor Yuanming was indeed a fool, ultimately punishing only a minor figure.

However, the fact that Consort Xu was punished proved her innocence.

"You might end up like Consort Xu. However, you'll be in an even worse situation than her. Go and collect your monthly stipends."

Jiang Ling chuckled and took the opportunity to intimidate the two. Seeing their faces turn pale, he sat down again and began to select osmanthus blossoms one by one.

Aruo Fanghe looked at each other, not daring to utter another sound, and walked away with their necks hunched.

Jiang Ling stopped, gazing at the water droplets dripping from under the roof tiles. The misty rain cast a shadow over people's hearts and eyes.

A moment later, Aruo Fanghe ran back. Jiang Ling came to his senses and looked at their still empty hands, asking, "What happened this time?"

"Talented Lady, the Imperial Attendant is here! The Imperial Attendant has sent someone!" Aruo Fanghe's voice was shrill with nervousness as she rushed to say it.

Jiang Lingxin's heart jumped up, and she put down the bamboo sieve and ran outside. When she arrived at the main gate of Xiefang Pavilion, Huang Liang, Song Gongzheng of the Palace Administration Office, and several palace servants and eunuchs came in a long procession.

Song Gongzheng was holding an umbrella and walking side by side with Huang Liang. She was about forty years old, with her hair neatly combed, a thin face, and exceptionally sharp eyes.

"Consort Jiang." Song Gongzheng and Huang Liang stopped and curtsied respectfully to Jiang Ling.

Jiang Ling nodded in return and asked, "May I ask what brings you two here?"

Huang Liang said, "I have come to Xiefang Pavilion to find Consort Su on the Emperor's orders."

Jiang Ling immediately perked up; she had misjudged Emperor Yuanming earlier, but he wasn't entirely foolish.

Rarely seeing a good show, Jiang Ling forgot his caution, put on his wooden clogs, and followed along to the west courtyard.

Su Yue came out to greet them, her face pale as she stood under the eaves. Xue Yanmingcui stood solemnly behind her, both of them filled with fear.

Huang Liang, with his hands in his sleeves, read out Emperor Yuanming's edict: "Su is jealous, spreads rumors and slanders, and instigates Xu to harm others. She is demoted to Imperial Attendant and moved to the Imperial Temple to reflect on her actions."

Song Gongzheng immediately followed up, "Take Xueyan and Mingcui down!" As soon as she finished speaking, several eunuchs and strong palace servants stepped forward and took Xueyan and Mingcui away.

Xueyan struggled and cried out in a shrill voice, "Spare me! Palace Master Song, spare me! I have already confessed. It was all the Lady's orders. I dared not disobey!"

Mingcui was also trembling with fear, but she did not plead for mercy. She just silently shed tears and looked at Su Yue with sorrow, saying, "This servant can no longer serve you, my lady. Please take care."

After all, Su Yue was still considered Emperor Yuanming's woman, and the eunuchs merely stood beside her without making a move. She, who had previously tried so hard to remain calm, could no longer hold back; her eyes quickly reddened as she stared blankly at Mingcui.

Mingcui and Xueyan's palace maids covered their mouths and dragged her away. Su Yue chased after them like a madwoman, running into the rain and shouting, "Mingcui, Mingcui, let her go, Mingcui!"

Huang Liang frowned and gestured with his chin toward the eunuch. The eunuch immediately stepped forward to stop him, saying in a sinister tone, "Imperial Attendant Su, His Majesty has decreed that if you continue to run around, don't blame me for being impolite."

Unaware of what was happening, Su Yue was held back by the eunuch and unable to move, frantically shouting Mingcui's name.

The palace servants quickly escorted Xueyan Mingcui away from Xiefang Pavilion. Su Yue suddenly broke free, turned around and glared at Jiang Ling with venomous and sinister eyes, cursing with endless hatred: "You bitch, you think you've won! Hahahaha, I'll just watch and see how long you can laugh with your stupidity!"

Huang Liang became enraged and waved his hand, saying, "Take him away! Take him away!"

Jiang Ling was completely baffled as to why Su Yue hated her so much. She said to Huang Liang, "Huang Daban, I want to ask her a few questions."

Huang Liang paused, then waved to the eunuch. Su Yue's hands were released, and she straightened her back, raising her hand to tidy her damp, disheveled hair. She gave a dismissive snort.

Jiang Ling paused for a moment, then asked, "I have no grudge against you, and I believe I have never offended you. Why do you hate me so much?"

"Why do I hate you? Do I need a reason to hate you? You and I both come from humble backgrounds, yet you put on an innocent and aloof act, it's disgusting! I've had enough of you, what gives you the right to be superior to me, what gives you the audacity to call me 'sister'!"

Su Yue's eyes were bloodshot, and she ran towards Jiang Ling almost frantically, as if she wanted to tear her to pieces. The eunuch quickly restrained her and led her outside.

Jiang Ling still didn't understand why Su Yue hated her.

Perhaps she didn't want to pick beans to worship Buddha, perhaps she didn't want to face the long, lonely years, perhaps she had lofty ambitions that were hard to fulfill.

Jiang Ling was unwilling to delve into any of this further.

All suffering stems from unfulfilled desires. And unfulfilled desires often manifest as impotent rage.

You will get what you seek.

After Huang Liang and Song Gongzheng left, the west courtyard was quiet except for the sound of rain. The wind blew against them, carrying a chilling cold.

Jiang Ling unconsciously wrapped her thin coat tighter around herself and slowly returned to the main house. The sound of her wooden clogs echoed, but she felt no joy of victory; she was listless and dispirited.

Aruo Fanghe was terrified, shrinking back like a quail, and presented the monthly allowance she had received to Jiang Ling: "Please take a little, Lady."

Jiang Ling put away the silver. Fang He, observing her expression, cautiously said, "Eunuchs and maids came to the west wing to tidy up earlier."

Jiang Ling had some idea of ​​what the two were thinking. Witnessing the fate of Su Yuexue and Yan Mingcui firsthand had terrified them.

Xueyan was clever, and usually, when Su Yue needed help, she would handle things on her behalf, so Mingcui was rarely seen. Unexpectedly, in the end, the most honest and reliable person was the simple and honest Mingcui.

It would be ideal if they could be as loyal as Mingcui, but Jiang Ling knew she couldn't be, and she wouldn't force them. However, Jiang Ling had one condition: they couldn't intentionally harm anyone.

Although A'ruo Fanghe did not harm her, it was because they were not clever enough, not because they did not want to.

Jiang Ling didn't want to talk or pay attention to the two of them. She locked the box and returned to her bed to continue staring blankly.

In the afternoon, Jiang Ling got up and someone moved into the west courtyard. It was Gao Cairen, a new concubine appointed by Emperor Yuanming, who came to the main house to pay his respects to Jiang Ling.

Looking at Gao Cairen's young and beautiful face, Jiang Ling quickly curtsied and said, "Sister Gao, please sit down. I'll have someone pack up right away, and we'll move to the west courtyard tomorrow morning."

Consort Gao, formerly a palace attendant, had regained favor and been granted the title of Consort, her joy lingering. Upon hearing Jiang Ling's words, she couldn't hide her smugness.

The main house is spacious, and living in the main house indicates a different status.

Su Yue had just moved out of the west wing when Gao Cairen moved in, making her feel uncomfortable from the bottom of her heart.

Since Jiang Ling was being sensible and wanted to move out, Gao Cairen bit her lip and feigned reluctance, saying, "This... isn't quite appropriate?"

"Suitable, suitable." Jiang Ling was not good at dealing with people, so he said it dryly and instructed A'Ruo Fanghe to pack his clothes and valuables.

She claimed to be the younger sister, offered to give up the main house, and only asked that no more Su Yue appear.

Aruo Fanghe dared not utter a sound and followed Jiang Ling's instructions to pack the trunks.

Gao Cairen covered her face and laughed, looking quite embarrassed: "Since my sister wants to stay in the west wing, I'll go back and tell them not to unpack their luggage, so it will be easier to move."

Jiang Ling said, "Okay, go and fetch the box she keeps for her silver jewelry." Consort Gao walked out of the room happily and met two eunuchs.

She had seen one of them, named Zhang Shan, in front of the emperor in the Chuigong Hall. She couldn't help but smile and said, "Eunuch Zhang is here. I've come to say hello to Consort Jiang. I'll go back now."

Zhang Shan raised his hand in greeting and went straight into the house, leaving Gao Cairen's smile frozen in place.

Seeing the chests and boxes scattered throughout the room, Zhang Shan paused for a moment and said, "Consort Jiang, the Emperor summons you to an audience."

Jiang Ling, clutching the box, couldn't help but feel anxious.

Is Emperor Yuanming about to start by showering favors upon her again, spreading them throughout the harem?