Chapter 126 (None)

Jiang Ling believed in fate, and also believed that before accepting destiny, one should do one's best.

Like Consort Liu, she had no way back and could only strive forward.

Even in her final moments, Consort Liu did not forget to retaliate. Despite resorting to useless curses, she never gave up.

Back at Qionghua Pavilion, Consort Lin was still busy at her desk in the study, with an untouched dinner set out on the low table.

Jiang Ling walked into the room. She looked up, paused, and said, "She's dead?"

"Yes." Jiang Ling sat down at the low table and said to Wen Juan, "Take these away and bring out fresh food. Hmm, the water chestnuts are fresh, and bring another serving of lotus root with sesame oil."

Wenjuan brought in dinner from the imperial kitchen, and the two ate together. They then went outside and strolled along the riverbank to digest their food.

A crescent moon hangs in the sky, its light dim. Insects chirp from among the flowers, and a cool night breeze blows by.

"The sweltering summer is almost over," Consort Lin sighed, stroking her arm. She turned to the quiet Jiang Ling and asked, "She's always been clever and ruthless. Her summons to you isn't for a reunion."

Jiang Ling nodded slightly, then suddenly smiled: "She would rather be condemned to eternal damnation in exchange for the Emperor's good health and longevity."

Consort Lin's eyes widened, and a smile gradually appeared on her face. She sighed, "She really is... I admit defeat to her. She truly is the most ruthless person in the world."

Consort Liu offered to be reincarnated as a human in exchange for Emperor Yuanming's longevity.

Because Emperor Yuanming lived a long life, Jiang Ling was unable to wield real power. He might have another son, but emperors typically favor their youngest sons, who pose little threat, as these sons are natural rivals to the grown-up ones. It is highly likely that neither Xiao Yunzan nor Xiao Yunlang will inherit the throne.

Jiang Ling laughed, "It's a pity. If cursing and praying to the gods were effective, the whole world would be full of temples dedicated to Buddha."

“I don’t believe in these things. I’ve never seen a god, and it’s better to rely on yourself than on a god.”

Consort Lin bent down to pick up the fallen hibiscus flowers. By nightfall, the pink hibiscus flowers had turned deep purple, and the petals had begun to rot.

Gazing at the hibiscus in her hand, Consort Lin couldn't help but recall the scene when Consort Liu entered the mansion. "Back then, I entered the mansion at this time of year. There was a hibiscus garden in the Prince's residence, and the hibiscus in the garden were blooming so beautifully. I had never seen such a magnificent sight of hibiscus blooming all over the sky. Unfortunately, later all the hibiscus in the Prince's residence were uprooted and planted in front of Empress Su's tomb."

Jiang Ling was surprised and asked, "Does Empress Su like hibiscus?"

Consort Lin shook her head and smiled, "I don't know if it's true or not. I heard that the hibiscus was planted when the emperor married Empress Su. Later, Empress Su passed away, and the emperor was heartbroken. He ordered the hibiscus in the former residence to be transplanted. Empress Su passed away in the eleventh month of winter, and the transplanted plants were not easy to keep alive. Many officials in the imperial gardens were dismissed. After that, the imperial gardens only reported good news and not bad news. After spring, they secretly transplanted the hibiscus from elsewhere. The emperor never went to the tomb, and those officials lost their official hats for nothing."

Emperor Yuanming's deep affection for Empress Su was both inappropriate and ridiculous. Jiang Ling, already accustomed to it, listened calmly.

Consort Lin tossed aside the hibiscus flower, took out a handkerchief, and gently wiped the crimson juice from her fingertips. "From a young age, I knew my marriage would inevitably fall into the hands of the royal family or princes. I knew exactly which families had men of similar age. When the late Emperor bestowed the marriage upon me, I had already guessed it, and I wasn't surprised at all. After I entered the palace, Empress Su was still alive. She was virtuous and dignified, just like the Buddha on the altar, fair and just, neither pleased nor angry."

Jiang Ling raised his eyebrows upon hearing this; the Buddha on the shrine seemed devoid of human life.

Consort Lin put away her handkerchief and said, "Empress Su and he were young lovers and were quite affectionate. Less than two years after their marriage, three sisters were born in the household. Empress Su fell seriously ill and later became a Buddha. After I entered the household, I lived under Empress Su's care. Because of her bodhisattva-like nature, it wasn't exactly comfortable, but I didn't suffer too much."

Jiang Ling was puzzled, but Consort Lin winked and smiled at her, "People say that husband and wife are like birds in the same forest, and birds in the same forest are generally of the same kind. Empress Su and he are very similar, and can be called a pair of jinxes. At that time, Empress Su could only manage the inner quarters, and she could not cause any trouble."

If Empress Su were like Emperor Yuanming, how could she be a match for Consort Lin? Besides, Empress Su was merely a woman confined to the inner palace. At that time, Emperor Yuanming had not yet ascended the throne, and even he was subject to restrictions, let alone her.

"I've been in the residence for less than a year, and Consort Liu has also entered. The Prince's residence is bustling with celebrations one after another."

Consort Lin stood under the hibiscus tree with a smile on her face, looking up at the full bloom of flowers. "Among the sisters in the inner palace, Consort Liu was not considered to be beautiful. She was gentle and soft-spoken, with a scholarly air and an elegant demeanor. At that time, I felt that she was just like this hibiscus tree, with a flame hidden in her eyes."

Jiang Ling greatly admired Consort Lin's keen insight; Consort Liu was still young then, and her ambition could not be concealed.

"Consort Liu is exceptionally talented and her reputation has spread far and wide, even reaching the late Emperor. He praised her many times, which brought honor to the current Emperor. Empress Su rarely appears in public anymore, so my life has become increasingly comfortable."

Consort Lin couldn't help but chuckle. "Back then, I was rather short-sighted. When the late Emperor passed away and the current Emperor ascended the throne, I thought he would make Consort Liu the Empress. Although Empress Su was the Empress at the time, and the title of Empress of the nation sounds very prestigious, only you and I know that an Empress is just someone who oversees a larger household of women, much like a matriarch of a family. The Su family is dwindling in number and the clan is not thriving. Minister Liu is quite renowned among scholars. If the Emperor had abandoned Empress Su and made Consort Liu the Empress, a few objections from the court officials would have been met with the Emperor's insistence, and that would have been the end of it."

Jiang Ling pondered for a moment, looking puzzled, "Does the Emperor dislike Consort Liu?"

Consort Lin said, "Consort Liu's calligraphy is already on par with Vice Minister Liu's, and her writing is also excellent. She has ghostwritten several articles for the Emperor, which are still regarded as masterpieces by scholars. The Emperor's reputation among scholars owes a part to Consort Liu."

Jiang Ling was unaware of this past experience. She paused for a moment, then sighed, "If Consort Liu had toned down her talent, her fate today would have been hard to predict."

Consort Liu's talent certainly brought Emperor Yuanming honor, but it also made him feel embarrassed. After all, as an emperor, he was not even as good as the concubines in the harem, and given his shrewdness, he was bound to feel a mix of joy and anger.

Unfortunately, Consort Liu was young and impetuous at the time, and was too hasty.

Jiang Ling asked curiously, "Why didn't Your Majesty compete for the position of Empress back then?"

"We argued, but we lost."

When Consort Lin mentioned her past schemes and defeat, she was frank and at ease, without a trace of regret in her eyes.

"In terms of talent, I cannot compare to Consort Liu. In terms of virtue, I cannot compare to Empress Su. In terms of appearance, I am even further behind. I was only able to be made a Noble Consort because I was pregnant first and had the backing of the Lin family. Besides, I couldn't hide my feelings back then, and I often gave the Emperor the cold shoulder. Even a fool could see my disdain. The Emperor must have noticed that he has become increasingly indifferent to me."

Consort Lin remained calm and said to Jiang Ling, "It seems that today's outcome was already predetermined by our past actions, and there was no surprise whatsoever."

Jiang Ling didn't know what to say. She hesitated for a moment and said, "I don't know where it will lead either. It's far from the end, until the moment I pass away."

Consort Lin paused, then, remembering that Emperor Yuanming was still alive and the court officials of the previous dynasty, she said, "We are all still alive. It's too early to draw conclusions before the coffin is closed; there's no need to be sentimental. By the way, shall we hold a funeral?"

Jiang Ling said with a headache, "The weather is still hot during the day, so I plan to pack up the body and bury it as soon as possible. Funerals are the most exhausting thing, and the Emperor has no time to deal with it, so I have even less energy to deal with these things."

Consort Lin considered for a moment and said, "Although the royal family's image is like a mirage, it's still better to put on a show to deceive ourselves. Let's have the funeral; I'll handle it. I've done these things many times, so I'm quite adept at it."

The royal family had countless taboos and placed great emphasis on auspiciousness. The palace was also the place where the most people died, and every palace and every room could be considered a haunted house.

Consort Lin's claim that she was skilled in handling funeral arrangements was utterly absurd and laughable.

Jiang Ling laughed upon hearing this, and Consort Lin couldn't help but laugh as well. The two returned to the study together, arranged the funeral, and began processing the memorials.

Aruo entered the room and reported, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has sent someone to inquire where Your Majesty has gone and why you haven't returned yet."

Jiang Ling looked at the water clock and said, "It's getting late, Your Highness, please go back and rest."

Consort Lin said "Okay," and walked out of the room with Jiang Ling. She looked towards the main hall, where it was brightly lit, and Huang Liang was brewing medicine under the eaves.

"He still needs to take medicine at night?" Consort Lin paused, her eyes brightening slightly.

“It’s a calming soup.” Jiang Ling couldn’t help but laugh at Consort Lin’s reaction.

Consort Lin made no attempt to hide her disappointment. She said nothing more and curtsied to take her leave.

Jiang Ling entered the bedroom. Emperor Yuanming, having finished washing up, was slowly walking, leaning on the table. He felt dizzy, and upon seeing Jiang Ling enter, he couldn't help but grumble unhappily, "I heard you went to Rouyi Palace. What happened to Lady Liu this time?"

"Consort Liu is gone," Jiang Ling said after a moment's thought.

Emperor Yuanming's reaction surprised Jiang Ling. She thought he would be indifferent, but he didn't come back to his senses for a long time, standing there motionless with a stiff gaze.

"I request that the Imperial Concubine initiate the funeral arrangements." Jiang Ling stepped forward, carefully examining Emperor Yuanming, and helped him sit down in a chair. "Is Your Majesty feeling dizzy or unwell?"

"Hmm." Emperor Yuanming's throat gurgled, and his eyes finally moved as he looked at Jiang Ling. "She was younger than me, how could she be gone?"

It seems Emperor Yuanming has forgotten to issue the decree to execute Consort Liu. Jiang Ling suppressed his laughter and patiently said, "Consort Liu was clever and knew she had committed a crime, and the Emperor would not let her off easily. She was proud and swallowed gold to end her own life."

"Swallowing gold." Emperor Yuanming paused, then murmured, "I've heard that committing suicide by swallowing gold is extremely painful, causing blood to flow from all seven orifices and the internal organs to burn to death. Why would she do that? Enjoying unparalleled wealth and glory, why wasn't she satisfied and kept causing trouble?"

Jiang Ling remained silent; she couldn't explain, and she had no interest in wasting her breath.

Emperor Yuanming's swollen eyes gradually moistened, and the face of Consort Liu appeared before him. When she first entered the palace, she was young and lively. He tucked a rose into her hair, and her face and ears flushed red, as beautiful and radiant as the rose.

A sharp pain surged in his heart, and an immense fear overwhelmed him. Emperor Yuanming frantically grabbed Jiang Ling's wrist and cried out in tears, "They have all left me! They have all left me!"

Jiang Ling was shocked. She saw that Emperor Yuanming's cheeks were twitching and his expression seemed to be off. She tried to pull her wrist back without making a sound.

Emperor Yuanming held Jiang Ling's wrist tightly, tears streaming down his face, and said, "You are still the most loyal. I am so lucky to have you. You must serve me by my side. I command you, you shall never leave my side again!"

Jiang Ling paused for a moment, took a deep breath, and decisively called out, "Huang Liang, bring in the calming soup!"