Chapter 62 The City Reconciles

It was ultimately just a palace within the hunting grounds.

The main hall of Zhengyang Palace, along with its side halls and auxiliary halls, was built in a magnificent and splendid manner, while the side rooms in the rear hall were narrow and dark.

Qingliu, Lvfu, and Sancai are all locked up here, crammed into one room, so cramped that there's barely any room to turn around.

The stifling atmosphere of the place is secondary; the main problem is... it's hard to know what situation their empress is in now, and how they will be dealt with is also unknown.

This kind of unknown, neither-too-high nor-low state is the most unsettling.

I can't sleep, I can't eat, and I can't go out; it's really unbearable.

"I wonder how Her Majesty is doing now."

San Cai leaned against the corner of the wall, sighed, and muttered to himself as if asking, "Will I ever have the chance to go back and serve the Empress again?"

San Cai was alright, but Qing Liu and Lü Fu had been serving A Zhu closely all along.

The two of them knew more or less how A-Zhu and Emperor Xuanpei usually got along, so A-Zhu's sudden "madness" was really unexpected.

Seeing that A-Zhu had a big fight with the emperor and even had the will to die, they only wanted to save A-Zhu's life first. They didn't have time to think about anything else.

Only after they calmed down in the lock did the two of them have the mind to try to find out the reason.

Because of her poor relationship with the other concubines in the palace and the lack of interaction with them, and because she had no other relatives, A-Zhu's interpersonal relationships were really simple.

It was so simple that Qingliu and Lvfu could even list out everyone that Azhu had met at the hunting grounds.

Among them, the most conspicuous are naturally the fifth daughter of the Lu family and Bai Zhi, the female physician who had spent quite some time in the same room as A-Zhu.

"Green Lotus".

Qingliu looked towards the door, speaking softly, "Or we could tell Steward Chen about this..."

Green Lotus was momentarily tempted by the suggestion, but in the end she shook her head.

"We should really discuss this with Her Majesty... Who knows if it will be a good thing or a bad thing if we speak out rashly?"

"Remnants of the Jiang family"—these four words, though unpleasant to hear, are the insults many people use to describe A-Zhu.

Qingliu and Lvfu couldn't determine whether the people Azhu had been in contact with were related to this.

"But waiting like this is really not a solution."

The side room was cold and damp because no one was there all year round, and there was no charcoal brazier, so Qingliu hugged her arms and trembled a little.

"I'm afraid I won't have the chance to say it again."

If this gets out, I'm afraid there might be some entanglements they don't know about that could implicate A-Zhu, making things even worse.

But if I don't speak up, I'm afraid we'll lose even the last chance.

"Wait three more days, just three days."

Green Lotus gritted her teeth.

"If we still haven't heard any news from Her Majesty, let's use this as a last resort."

"Okay." Qingliu nodded, then moved closer to Lüfu, and the two huddled together for warmth.

......

Perhaps because of the open view within the hunting grounds, the moon seemed to be closer to people.

When the clear moonlight fell, it cast a white glow inside the palace.

Within this cold, white light, tinged with a chill, there was no one else in the inner hall of Zhengyang Palace.

Inside the brocade tent, A-Zhu was alone at the moment, trying to close her eyes and coax herself to sleep again.

After all, these days, the feeling of being soberly aware that I can't move at all is really hard to bear—I am alive, but my body is like a dead body, as if I am imprisoned by my own body.

Azhu clearly realized that in this situation, she even longed to see Emperor Xuanpei.

After all, when the emperor was around, he would talk to her, hold her, and even play with her...

Anything that distracts you is better than enduring this torment in such a quiet environment.

Unable to bring herself to do it, and even more afraid of the torment of not being able to die, Ah Zhu no longer wanted to seek death in this lifetime.

Ah Zhu, who had been cursing people in her mind over and over again, was so tired that she tried her best to fall asleep.

Go to sleep; you won't feel so bad when you're asleep.

But Ah Zhu just couldn't fall asleep!

I can't sleep, but I make myself feel even worse when I try to sleep!

A-Zhu, feeling angry, upset, and irritable, was about to pound the bed with her fists when she discovered that her fingers could move... she could move them?

? ? ?

!!

For a moment her mind went blank, and A-Zhu subconsciously looked towards the brocade curtain—the curtain hadn't moved...no one saw that she could move.

Ah Zhu held her breath, but her teeth chattered involuntarily.

She clenched her teeth, twitched her fingers, and then tried to lift her arm... She lifted it... She could really move it.

With a slight movement of his arm, his entire body seemed to come alive in an instant.

She can actually move now.

This unexpected joy was so sudden that it made Azhu excited, nervous, and scared at the same time. She slowly put her trembling arm back down.

She stopped moving and began to stare at the brocade curtains.

Still, no one lifted the curtain.

There was no other sound inside the hall.

Feeling slightly dizzy, A-Zhu stared at the auspicious cloud pattern inside the brocade tent, trying to calm herself down.

Honestly, there has never been a moment when Ah Zhu felt that being alive, able to run, jump, talk, and laugh was something so joyful and luxurious.

Despite trying to calm herself down, A-Zhu really couldn't hold back any longer.

She clenched her fists and then relaxed them, raised her hand to rub her face, then touched her hair, and finally slowly sat up.

During this time, A-Zhu kept a close eye on the brocade tent.

She sat up steadily, but dared not get up and move around. She was even hesitant to lift the brocade curtain.

She was afraid that if she lifted the lid, Emperor Xuanpei would be standing outside, holding a small white porcelain bottle, coming over expressionlessly to feed her medicine again.

The joy of regaining what was lost and the fear of losing it again repeatedly tormented Azhu.

Ah Zhu hugged herself, closed her eyes, and began to mutter to herself incessantly:

'She really is the most petty person in the world, with a heart smaller than a pinhead.'

"It's alright, A-Zhu. You're alive and well now. Try to appease this stingy guy; after all, he can really make you wish you were dead."

'A-Zhu, you are the most loyal.'

'Yes, that's right, utterly loyal...'

"It's just a matter of smoothing out your 'money bag'; this big money bag can provide far more than your monthly allowance."

'If you're not dead, you can get back up. A-Zhu isn't afraid.'

"Just appease the emperor. You're just a slave, nothing special. Even if you stay that way for life, will it stop you from being an empress? No."

'As long as you're alive, you can still cause trouble for those people...'

'Empress Wang had to tolerate it even if she couldn't stand it, and Empress Dowager Shu also learned to turn a blind eye. Who is Miss Jiang the Sixth? It's you, A-Zhu.'

'As long as you live, the emperor will accept this identity; what others struggle for is insignificant.'

"Ah Zhu, as long as you please the Emperor, isn't that simpler than painstakingly currying favor with all the maids in the inner palace? Isn't it simpler than squeezing into a side room in Kunning Palace, watching other people's faces, and kneeling to wash Empress Wang's feet?"

'You can do it, A-Zhu, live well... Even if you die someday, you must make them die with you, and make sure they die a quick and painless death.'

While Ah Zhu, that coward, huddled inside the brocade tent, constantly trying to mentally prepare herself, Eunuch Chen, waiting outside, held his breath, his head covered in sweat, staring intently at the brocade tent.

Logically, now that the medicine has been stopped... the Empress should be awake by now, so why is there still no movement?

Eunuch Chen was extremely anxious, but dared not make a sound for fear of disturbing Ah Zhu, who might not be awake inside. He also dared not go over and lift the curtain to peek inside.

A-Zhu was afraid to move inside because she was afraid to continue taking the medicine.

Fearing he might never have the chance to open his eyes again, Eunuch Chen dared not move.

After much deliberation, Eunuch Chen still dared not act rashly.

After all, given how the Emperor had treated Consort Jiang, Eunuch Chen had always wanted to keep his distance from A-Zhu and had absolutely no desire to get involved with her.

After thinking it over, and seeing that it was already past the appointed time, Eunuch Chen hurriedly left the palace with light and quick steps, instructing Fu Hai to invite Emperor Xuanpei, while he himself went to wait in the inner palace.

......

Liuyue Garden

The candlelight flickered, and Consort Zhang, her face slightly flushed, looked at Emperor Xuanpei and personally placed the teacup in her hand on the table.

Then came a brief silence.

Consort Zhang's eyes were filled with affection and a hint of resentment. She originally wanted to scold her with some girlish sarcasm, but she hesitated when the words came out.

It's no wonder the women in the harem hated her so much, as if they wanted to tear A-Zhu apart and devour her alive—

Ever since she appeared, she has been lively and charming, always saying sweet words, acting coquettishly and putting on a variety of acts. Her soft and warm body is really addictive, and Emperor Xuanpei is obsessed with "nurturing" and accompanying her... in every sense of the word.

In just over half a year, seeing Consort Jiang's rise to power... even Empress Dowager Shu and Empress Wang were left with many troubles, and Consort Zhang went from being close and resentful to being somewhat hesitant.

After a moment's hesitation, Consort Zhang finally spoke.

She withdrew her complaint against the emperor, only a slight smile on her face, and spoke in a gentle voice.

"It's been a few days. I wonder how Sister Jiang's leg injury is getting?"

Emperor Xuanpei then took over the conversation.

"After resting for a few days, there's nothing seriously wrong with me."

"That's good." Consort Zhang smiled, then casually added, "Mao'er hunted some foxes these past few days, and I had them skinned."

"The weather is getting colder these days. If it snows in the capital, it will be even colder. Sister Jiang is frail, so why don't we use these fox furs to make her a fur coat..."

"It is indeed Mao'er's filial piety." Emperor Xuanpei did not agree. He patted Consort Zhang's slightly clenched hand and said, "Let the Imperial Wardrobe make winter clothes for your palace using these furs."

Consort Zhang smiled and agreed.

"With winter approaching and the New Year approaching, things are busy. Besides, the Empress Dowager is getting old and even a little breeze makes her feel unwell. She often has ailments and needs to be well cared for."

As Emperor Xuanpei spoke, he looked at Consort Zhang.

"The Empress has to manage the palace affairs and serve the Empress Dowager carefully, so she is really overwhelmed. I intend to let you share some of the palace affairs. What do you think?"

Upon hearing this, Consort Zhang's heart skipped a beat.

Consort Zhang's father and brothers were both important officials in the court. With such a family background, she naturally possessed a great deal of courage and strategic thinking.

It is not surprising at all that an emperor needs someone to check and balance him.

If it wasn't them, it would have been someone else.

Back then, Consort Zhang discussed the matter with the Third Prince for a long time, and finally made up her mind that she was unwilling to sit and wait for death, so she took over the banner of competing with the Crown Prince.

The third prince quickly bestowed upon her the title of Prince Qi, and she was promoted from a concubine to a Noble Consort, enjoying great favor.

Even though she was favored during those days, Empress Wang had a firm grip on palace affairs, so Consort Zhang had no choice but to keep quiet.

Unexpectedly, Emperor Xuanpei suddenly brought up this matter tonight.

Since the question was asked in private, Consort Zhang could naturally refuse. After all, there were other concubines in the palace besides Consort Zhang. If she didn't want to do it, there were plenty of others who would.

Would Consort Zhang allow it?

What a joke! Would she give up something that could so thoroughly humiliate Empress Wang?

Fight!

Meeting Emperor Xuanpei's gaze, Consort Zhang smiled with genuine gentleness.

"Your Majesty the Empress works so hard, how can I stand idly by? I will do my best to share your burdens."

Emperor Xuanpei nodded, and the matter was settled.

Consort Zhang originally intended to attend to Emperor Xuanpei until he went to bed, but unexpectedly, Fu Hai, who was serving the emperor, rushed over to deliver a message.

Seeing Emperor Xuanpei frown slightly, indicating his concern, and having just been granted the authority to assist in managing the six palaces, Consort Zhang, in high spirits, said tactfully, "After all, matters concerning the Emperor are of utmost importance... Your Majesty is working hard and worrying, I humbly hope you will take good care of your health."

Emperor Xuanpei's expression softened, and he said to Consort Zhang, "You should also get some rest."

Consort Zhang nodded with a smile, "Yes."

Seeing Emperor Xuanpei leave, Consort Zhang still curtsied.

"Respectfully seeing off His Majesty."

Seeing the imperial carriage depart, Yin Dong, who was feeling quite worried, quickly helped Consort Zhang up.

Seeing that Consort Zhang could still laugh, Yin Dong became even more worried.

"Your Majesty..."

Consort Zhang smiled and patted Yin Dong's hand, "I'm fine."

After entering the hall, Consort Zhang thought for a moment and then summoned all the servants beside her.

"Nowadays, Consort Jiang is quite favored by the Emperor." Consort Zhang instructed the people in front of her, "Even if the people in our palace are not afraid of her, they must not provoke her without cause."

"......yes."

Seeing that Yin Dong and the others responded but still looked somewhat worried, Consort Zhang smiled.

"Since ancient times, the emperor's favor has been like flowing water. I understood this saying when I first entered the palace."

"Now that I am a Noble Consort, who in this palace, apart from that old woman, the Empress, can compare to me?"

"It's the Empress..."

Consort Zhang laughed even more heartily as she thought about it.

"She just keeps making a scene. Does she think she's the only smart person in the world?"

"Look at her, she made such a big scene at Songxi Pavilion, and she still ended up suffering a terrible setback."

Consort Zhang's smile seemed to be both mocking and self-deprecating.

"When have you ever seen His Majesty repeatedly interfere in the affairs of the inner palace?"

"Our Emperor is quite fond of this new favorite."

"She's of lowly status, has nothing, and can't rely on anyone. Doesn't she have to count on the Emperor to stand up for her?"

Everyone was waiting to see the lonely Jiang woman meet her tragic end, and Consort Zhang was no exception.

But having enjoyed the emperor's favor for so many years, Consort Zhang only realized this after seeing Empress Wang's misfortune and setbacks.

Jiang Shi could not rely on anyone, and she had offended the Empress and the Empress Dowager. Whenever something happened, she could only rely on the Emperor to step in.

Who knows if the emperor might make protecting her a habit?

Whether Lady Jiang would meet a tragic end was unknown to Consort Zhang. All she knew was that Empress Wang and Lady Jiang harbored deep resentment, and that it was enough for her to bring down Empress Wang.

"Let's keep our distance from the people at Guanju Palace."

Consort Zhang even abandoned the idea of ​​forming an alliance with Lady Jiang to jointly resist and overpower Empress Wang.

"Since she is only able to compete with Empress Wang on equal footing because of the Emperor's favor, let's continue to let our Emperor worry about her."

However, relying solely on the emperor's favor will make dealing with Lady Jiang much easier once that favor is gone.

......

Zhengyang Palace

A-Zhu had no idea how long she had been sitting alone on the tatami mat.

Until they watched helplessly as the brocade curtain was slowly lifted and then opened.

At this moment, A-Zhu wanted to lie back down and continue pretending.

But while she was thinking a lot, she couldn't move her body; her limbs were stiff and unresponsive.

She just stared blankly at Emperor Xuanpei standing in front of the bed.

Looking at the dazed A-Zhu, Emperor Xuanpei frowned and reached out to touch A-Zhu's head, but A-Zhu was so frightened that he grabbed his hand in a panic, and tears fell silently as he trembled.

Seeing A-Zhu in this state, Emperor Xuanpei felt as if his heart had been squeezed, and for a moment he felt as if he could not breathe.

"Your Majesty, I was wrong, I was really wrong. I won't take the medicine, I won't take the medicine anymore, sob sob sob, I'll never dare to do it again, please, Your Majesty, I really won't dare to do it again."

Seeing Ah Zhu trembling and crying with fear in her eyes, Emperor Xuanpei clenched his fists but couldn't utter a single word.

"Your Majesty, I was wrong, truly wrong, I refuse to take the medicine..."

It's unclear when it started, but the emperor could no longer bear to see Ah Zhu crying with such sadness and fear.

Even the hardest heart can't help but soften if she begs.

Catching Ah Zhu, who was staggering and crying as she rushed towards him, all of Emperor Xuanpei's previous cruel thoughts turned to ashes at that moment.

Hearing A-Zhu's cries, Emperor Xuanpei raised his head slightly.

He reached out and touched A-Zhu's head, "I won't eat anymore, I promise you, I will never give you any more."

Ah Zhu, who had been sobbing and begging for mercy, burst into loud sobs.

No one could remain unmoved by Azhu's cries.

Eunuch Chen, who was waiting outside the hall, wiped his eyes, sighed softly, and moved a little further away.

Inside the hall, Ah Zhu didn't think about anything and cried her heart out as if venting her emotions.

She cried until she was covered in a fine sweat, and both she and Emperor Xuanpei were soaked.

Honestly, with tears streaming down her face, Ah Zhu didn't care what she looked like anymore.

Her eyes were swollen, and she looked terribly disheveled. Emperor Xuanpei held her tightly, patted her gently, and wiped away her tears and snot.

A-Zhu, who was exhausted from crying, slowly stopped.

She sobbed as she lifted her face from Emperor Xuanpei's embrace.

"They...they's...clothes are all dirty."

"Hmm," Emperor Xuanpei replied softly, "We can change it then."

Seeing that A-Zhu had recovered, Emperor Xuanpei gave a summons, and Eunuch Chen, with his head bowed, came in carrying bird's nest soup, then withdrew with his head bowed again.

Emperor Xuanpei fed soup to Azhu.

"Have some first."

A-Zhu would sob for a moment, then take a sip, sob again, then take another sip. Emperor Xuanpei fed her slowly, only putting down the soup bowl after feeding her about half a bowl.

Gently massaging A-Zhu's belly, and waiting until her complexion improved, Emperor Xuanpei said, "Shall I take you to wash up?"

Although A-Zhu was still heartbroken after her heart-wrenching cry, her mind was incredibly clear—she couldn't afford to have any estrangement from Emperor Xuanpei.

She couldn't quite gauge the degree of guilt she felt, and the emperor probably didn't have the patience to keep coaxing her.

The so-called guilt will soon turn into avoidance, and slowly into ignoring it.

Since the emperor is trying to control her, let him have complete control—then, wouldn't the person threatening her be the same person threatening the emperor?

With tears still welling in her eyes, Ah Zhu looked pitifully at Emperor Xuanpei, sobbing, "Your Majesty promised...you promised...you would take me to soak in the hot spring..."

Who wouldn't feel soft-hearted in this situation?

"Alright, I'll take you there." Emperor Xuanpei readily agreed, "Let's go now."

Having gotten used to being held these past few days, Emperor Xuanpei still personally carried Azhu, who was wrapped in a cloak, to Changhe Garden.

In the warm hot spring, A-Zhu clung to Emperor Xuanpei like a frightened cat.

Emperor Xuanpei naturally reached out and held her close for a moment, gently stroking Azhu's back to soothe her.

Taking advantage of the current favorable atmosphere, and the fact that Emperor Xuanpei still seemed to have a soft spot for her... After much deliberation, Azhu decided to risk uncovering the truth about the Chengen Marquis's residence and asking him questions.

After all, there always needs to be a reason for "going crazy".

Moreover, this matter has always been a thorn in my side, and I feel uneasy if I don't pick it out and rub it in.

"Your Majesty."

After a while, Ah Zhu, who was pressed tightly against him and leaning against his chest, spoke.

Emperor Xuanpei responded softly, "Hmm?"

"That day, I was afraid."

Emperor Xuanpei paused, "Afraid?"

Ah Zhu closed her eyes and whispered, "The one who applied medicine to my leg injury that day was... a maid who used to serve me in the Jiang family. She showed me a letter."

Emperor Xuanpei began to encourage her again, slowly stroking Azhu's back and following her words, saying, "A letter?"

"Yes." A-Zhu didn't dare look up at Emperor Xuanpei's expression, but insisted on finishing her sentence: "The letter was written by my father himself, saying... that the Jiang family's rebellion was orchestrated by the Marquis of Cheng'en's family..."

Emperor Xuanpei stopped, and he lifted Azhu's face.

"So you think I instigated this?"

Ah Zhu bit her lip, her eyes were red, and her body was trembling, but she didn't say anything.

Who could bear to blame Ah Zhu, who was both afraid and pitiful, and who had told him the truth?

Emperor Xuanpei sighed softly.

"The Marquis of Chengen's residence is the Marquis of Chengen's residence, but it is not the Empress Dowager's residence. Could it be that they have suddenly gained the favor of giving birth to and raising me?"

"Back then, I was far away at the border. After the late emperor dealt with the crown prince, I rushed to the capital."

“A-Zhu”.

"Too many people died because of this back then. I also killed many people when I led a large army into the capital to suppress the unrest."

"I am not some kind of vegetarian or Buddhist monk. If the Jiang family's affairs were truly at my behest, I will absolutely not spare you. I will eliminate you completely. Do you understand?"

Hearing Emperor Xuanpei's seemingly casual yet menacing words, "cut the weeds and eliminate the roots," Azhu couldn't help but tremble. Instead of flinching, she hugged Emperor Xuanpei even tighter.

She even looked up at Emperor Xuanpei and sincerely admitted her mistake: "It was because I was too stupid."

"But Your Majesty is my only one, and I only trust one person in this world..."

"I thought Your Majesty was deceiving me... I was overwhelmed with grief and despair, and in my utter hopelessness, I thought it best to just leave like this."

Look how pitiful Ah Zhu is! Without the emperor's trust and support, she can't even survive.

Feeling both touched and helpless, Emperor Xuanpei kissed Azhu's forehead.

"Since you know you're a fool, at least tell me first if anything happens in the future."

"When have I ever failed to fulfill a promise I made to you?"

With a flushed face, A-Zhu kissed Emperor Xuanpei and said somewhat shyly, "From now on, I will tell Your Majesty everything. Your Majesty must not find me troublesome."

"I have remembered your words."

"If you break your promise, I will not let you off easily."

Ah Zhu nodded repeatedly.

......

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Author's Note: Here I come, here I come, let's give each one a kiss. [Dog head carrying a rose][Dog head carrying a rose][Dog head carrying a rose]