Chapter 14 A-Zhu is like a brick; he can be moved wherever he's needed. The Imperial Concubine: ...

Nianfu Palace

"Qingshuang, where is the Imperial Concubine?"

Qing Shuang, who was preparing rose dew, casually replied upon hearing this, "Her Majesty is still in Lanxiang Palace."

Consort Zhang was naturally fond of cleanliness. After entering the palace, seeing countless beautiful concubines, she paid extra attention to her appearance in order to retain the emperor's favor. Therefore, she specially set up the Lanxiang Hall as a place for bathing, purifying, and fumigating her skin.

Upon hearing that Consort Zhang was in Lanxiang Palace, Qingwen did not dare to disturb her. She washed her hands and helped Qingshuang prepare the Qinglu that Consort Zhang would need when she came out later.

Seeing Qingwen's furrowed brows, Qingshuang nudged her with her shoulder.

"Hey, why do you look so gloomy after going out for a while?"

Seeing Qing Shuang's concerned eyes, Qing Wen said in a low voice, "I went to the Yeting Palace to see Mingxia and asked the head of the Yeting Palace to find her a job."

Qing Shuang was clearly aware of the relationship between Qing Wen and Ming Xia. In fact, Qing Shuang, who was envious of Qing Wen's wholehearted protection of his sister, became especially close to Qing Wen.

Seeing Qingwen's displeasure, Qingshuang put down the porcelain bottle, rolled up her sleeves, and said, "Is it because that manager is ungrateful and gave you a hard time?!"

Qingwen shook his head, "No, but I did see Kunning Palace personally requesting someone from the Yeting Court..."

"Whom does Kunning Palace want?"

Suddenly hearing the voice behind them, Qing Shuang and Qing Wen quickly turned around and bowed.

"Your Highness, Imperial Concubine."

Having just come from the Lanxiang Palace, the Imperial Concubine had her long black hair piled up, with pearls like dragon eyes embedded in her hairpins. She wore only a half-sleeved garment embroidered with auspicious lotus and cloud patterns, along with a silver-red silk skirt, while her bodice was embroidered with peonies and intertwined branches.

Consort Zhang was tall and slender, and occasionally water droplets would spread down her neck, revealing a snow-white complexion.

Helped to sit on the chaise longue, Consort Zhang stretched out her left hand, letting Yin Dong apply nail polish to her fingers, while she waved her right hand at Qing Shuang, her eyes fixed on Qing Wen.

"Qingwen, what did you just say Kunning Palace wanted?"

Qing Shuang, carrying a cup of rose dew, knelt on the footstool to moisten Consort Zhang's hands. Qing Wen, remaining where she was, replied, "Your Majesty, tomorrow is the selection of palace ladies. This servant went to the Inner Palace, hoping to ask for a good position for my sister..."

Consort Zhang was domineering and jealous, but she was always generous to her subordinates. Qingwen's matter was nothing to her, but she would become impatient whenever there was news about Kunning Palace.

"Let's not dwell on those trivial matters. Just tell me what happened at Kunning Palace?"

"With the palace selection imminent, I heard that Kunning Palace had directly requested a young palace maid from the Yeting Court. Out of curiosity, I went to see her, but all I saw was..."

In just a few words, Pian Qingwen's hesitation annoyed Consort Zhang.

"Why are you stammering? Explain yourself."

Qingwen lowered her eyes, gritted her teeth, and still forced herself to say, "When I saw that little palace maid, I was stunned for a long time. I felt as if I was seeing Your Highness, seeing Your Highness's charm when you first entered the palace."

Consort Zhang was stunned for a moment, then flew into a rage after realizing what was happening.

"presumptuous!"

Yin Dong and Qing Shuang shuddered and immediately knelt down to the side, not daring to utter a sound.

Qingwen knelt down with a thud.

She slapped herself in the face as she apologized.

"It's all my fault, I was too presumptuous."

"This servant was confused for a moment and spoke nonsense that offended Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. It is all my fault, no matter what..."

Having served her for many years, Consort Zhang took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and said with a gloomy expression, "You really saw what she looked like?"

Honestly, doesn't A-Zhu resemble Consort Zhang?

They weren't born to the same parents, so how can they be exactly the same?

But Qingwen, gritting his teeth, did not give in easily.

Anyway, all she knew was that they all had the same fair, snow-white skin, no, and because Ah Zhu was younger, her skin was even brighter, like white silk.

And to say that Ah Zhu, with her appearance, has some of the charm of Consort Zhang in her youth... that a beautiful girl like herself in her youth, is something that even Consort Zhang herself might not deny.

Moreover, Kunning Palace and Nianfu Palace have never gotten along.

Whatever Kunning Palace needs to do, Nianfu Palace can just mess around with it.

The hand that was slapping her stopped, and Qingwen lowered her head: "Your Majesty, this servant really saw her face clearly."

"It was precisely because I saw it clearly that I couldn't help but keep asking Steward Sun questions..."

"I was thinking that perhaps she should come to Nianfu Palace tomorrow to pay her respects to Your Highness before you make a decision. But I didn't expect that the steward would say that this is the person Kunning Palace wants, and that the list of names has already been sent to the eunuchs for final approval."

Consort Zhang narrowed her eyes slightly and tapped her finger on the table.

"It was actually the old woman Empress who specifically requested that person go?"

Thinking of Fangling who drowned in Taiye Pond, Consort Zhang gave a cold laugh.

"It's not enough that one palace maid was abused; now we have to add another one to commit this evil."

Given Empress Wang's usual arrogant temperament and demeanor, Consort Zhang never even considered the possibility that Empress Wang would send someone to serve Emperor Xuanpei.

With the Nianfu Palace keeping a close eye on the Kunning Palace, and Prince Qi working hard in court, Consort Zhang and her son are also putting in a lot of effort—

The Crown Prince was slippery and impossible to catch, but Prince Rui was different; he was like a sieve, and it was easy for him to find fault with him.

But could a mere few palace maids possibly cost the noble Prince Rui his life?

Empress Wang suppressed Fangling's death, and Consort Zhang didn't cause any trouble or make a fuss. After all, such a trivial matter only bothered the Emperor and didn't cause much real harm to Prince Rui.

To be effective, it needs to be done at the crucial moment, in large enough quantities and with enough impact.

Unexpectedly, that vile and despicable Empress Wang found a palace maid who looked just like her!

Just thinking about this awful affair made Consort Zhang tremble with rage.

Concerned about Prince Qi's future, Consort Zhang paused, suppressing her breath.

She forced back her nausea and managed to squeeze out the words through clenched teeth.

“Since someone is going to Kunning Palace, we in the palace should pretend we don’t know, but you all need to keep a close eye on Kunning Palace!”

Consort Zhang said bitterly, "As long as someone dies this time... I will deal with that rebellious little brat Yin Mingzhen (Prince Rui) sooner or later!"

So these were people prepared for Prince Rui... Qingwen, who was kneeling, immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

"By the way, what's this palace maid's name?"

Upon hearing Consort Zhang's question, Qingwen quickly replied, "Your Majesty, everyone in the inner palace calls her Azhu."

“A-Zhu”.

Consort Zhang nodded after muttering something under her breath, making a mental note of this unfortunate fellow who was destined to die a horrible death.

But the mere thought of it made Consort Zhang feel extremely disgusted and nauseous. She quickly got up and went to Lanxiang Palace to wash herself thoroughly.

A note from the author:

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