Chapter 64 The Empress Wang Goes Crazy

After returning to the palace from the hunting grounds, Empress Dowager Shu, citing feeling unwell, insisted on keeping the two sisters from the Shu family by her side to attend to her.

To care for someone who is ill?

With so many concubines and palace servants in the palace, isn't that enough for Empress Dowager Shu to do as she pleases?

It's obvious what she's really planning, but which of the concubines dares to voice any objections to her face?

No.

Everyone knew the unspoken agreement—

It's likely that by the time of the imperial concubine selection next year at the latest, the palace will have a pair of beautiful sisters to keep them company.

Of course, since the official pretext was to have the Shu sisters attend to her during her illness, Empress Dowager Shu did not hesitate and simply allowed herself to rest quietly in Shou Kang Palace for the time being, without sending any concubines to cause trouble.

With Empress Dowager Shu bedridden and unable to leave the palace, Empress Wang naturally held the reins of power there.

The following day, as was customary, the concubines in the palace went to Kunning Palace to pay their respects to Empress Wang.

As usual, A-Zhu arrived at Kunning Palace right on time and greeted Empress Wang in a leisurely manner.

"This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress."

May Your Majesty be blessed with good fortune and happiness forever.

Honestly, Empress Wang originally had countless ways to control A-Zhu.

Let's just talk about the matter of curtsying—

If she is not woken up for a long time, and Ah Zhu can't hold on and starts to sway, then she can be accused of disrespect and punished directly.

They could publicly reprimand her for her lack of manners, or punish her by making her copy palace rules, deducting her salary, or even confining her to her quarters to learn etiquette...

But because of the emperor, these tricks were completely ineffective against A-Zhu.

Seeing that Empress Wang wouldn't wake him, Azhu got up on his own.

After getting up, she didn't sit down. Instead, in front of all the concubines, she pretended to wipe her eyes and looked at Empress Wang while sobbing softly.

"This concubine feels ashamed. I should have paid my respects to Your Majesty the Empress every day during our time at the Kowloon Garden a few days ago..."

The "loyal and devoted" Azhu looked at Empress Wang with deep regret.

But then her face slowly flushed red, and her voice became sweet.

"But His Majesty was worried about my leg injury and couldn't put my mind at ease, so he confined me to Zhengyang Palace and forbade me from moving around freely."

"I never imagined that Your Majesty would personally visit me at Songxiu Pavilion and show such concern for my injuries..."

Overwhelmed with emotion, A-Zhu wiped her eyes, sobbing uncontrollably.

"Your Majesty, you are truly kind and benevolent."

"I truly do not know how to thank Your Majesty... I only regret that I cannot have a living Buddha statue made in your likeness, or have your portrait enshrined in the palace, and burn incense and worship you every day."

Empress Wang did not want to get angry.

She didn't want to have any argument with Ah Zhu in public, which would only tarnish her status.

But Zhao Jieyu couldn't stand it anymore.

She glared at Ah Zhu and scolded, "How dare you!"

"Her Majesty the Empress is right here, perfectly fine. Jiang, what are you up to, making clay statues and hanging portraits for worship?!"

Ah Zhu looked surprised, then glared angrily at Zhao Jieyu.

“Jing Jieyu, no, you had the Emperor strip you of your title, now you are Zhao Jieyu.”

"Consort Zhao, how dare you abuse your status to slander this concubine in such a blatant distortion of the truth?!"

"I am but a lowly palace maid in the Inner Palace. It is only through the Empress's patronage and care that I have achieved what I have today!"

"Of course, I have only unwavering loyalty and devotion to Her Majesty the Empress, and I deeply respect Her Majesty's sincerity. I wish I could be grateful for Her Majesty's devoted heart every day..."

"I must also ask Consort Zhao, what are your true intentions in deliberately sowing discord like this?!"

"alright!"

Empress Wang, who was seated at the head of the table, interrupted the argument between the two.

The current Empress Wang doesn't want anyone to talk to A-Zhu, so she lets A-Zhu "perform a solo act" by herself. As she performs, she naturally becomes a laughing stock.

Moreover, if she can't protect her subordinates, it will also damage Empress Wang's reputation.

"Zhao Jieyu, when will you ever change your impulsive and rash nature?"

"When the King of England came to pay his respects, I thought you had changed your ways."

"Go back today and read some scriptures to calm your mind."

After giving Ah Zhu an angry look, Consort Zhao bowed her head to Empress Wang and replied, "Yes."

Turning her head, Empress Wang maintained a dignified and serious expression as she faced A-Zhu, who was climbing up the pole like a "wild dog" and biting anyone she could get her hands on.

"As the Empress, it is my duty to instruct the six palaces."

“You, Lady Jiang, are the youngest, and unlike the other concubines in the palace, you were selected through a beauty pageant. Your temperament is fickle, and you have suddenly risen to a high position. Therefore, I should naturally take extra care of you.”

"His Majesty is so fond of you now, you should also make some progress so as not to disappoint His Majesty and me."

Come on, let's disgust each other.

Seeing that Empress Wang's skin was getting thicker and thicker, Ah Zhu, who said "Thank you for your teachings, Your Majesty" aloud, sighed inwardly.

She truly missed the Empress Wang who was "easily angered" in the past.

Seeing Ah Zhu obediently sit back down, Empress Wang couldn't help but feel a little pleased. After all, she was the Empress; could she not even subdue a foot-washing maid?

Before Empress Wang could relax for long, she was dealt a "blow" by Eunuch Chen, who arrived with an imperial decree—the Emperor had appointed Consort Zhang to assist in managing the six palaces.

Consort Zhang rose with unbridled joy to receive the imperial decree, while Empress Wang, though her face was grim, couldn't help but publicly criticize her.

After Eunuch Chen left, the hall remained quiet.

Consort Zhang, who was thinking it was more important to delegate power and manage palace affairs first, naturally did not want to cause Empress Wang to become so angry that both sides would suffer losses. The others dared not speak.

In this quiet moment, a melodious and cheerful laugh, like the tinkling of silver bells, could be heard.

In an instant, everyone looked in surprise towards the source of the laughter, only to see Ah Zhu covering her mouth, but the laughter continued.

? ? ?

Has Lady Jiang gone mad?

Ah Zhu is definitely not crazy.

She knew perfectly well what she was doing—

To prevent Empress Wang from sitting comfortably on the sidelines, they devised ways to provoke her into taking action.

Emperor Xuanpei was a suspicious and stingy man.

She had nothing and could only rely on the emperor. When the emperor was willing to protect her, all of Empress Wang's secret actions against her would unconsciously turn into a confrontation with the emperor.

The more Empress Wang did, or rather, the more she could do by relying on the Wang clan, the more dissatisfied the emperor would become.

The seeds sown along with suspicion and discontent will take root and grow with each move the Empress makes, until they finally grow into a towering tree.

They either wait to be drained of nutrients, or they are uprooted, leaving no room for maneuver.

"Congratulations, Your Majesty the Empress."

Amidst the astonished gazes of the concubines in the hall, Ah Zhu, enduring the Empress Wang's murderous stare, happily congratulated the Empress Wang.

Empress Wang was truly furious.

"Consort Jiang!"

Ah Zhu, whose name was called, hurriedly got up.

He smiled at Empress Wang, who wished she could tear him to pieces, and said, "His Majesty is so considerate of Your Majesty, fearing that Your Majesty may be overworked."

"They are truly a devoted couple, the envy of all."

Even Consort Zhang, who had been sitting and watching the tigers fight, couldn't help but look at A-Zhu with a look of admiration, saying, "He really isn't afraid of death." A-Zhu was "relentlessly pursuing and attacking" Empress Wang, and was truly "brave and invincible."

Unable to bear it any longer, Empress Wang was so angry that she felt dizzy and her heart was pounding with anger. She could no longer hold back.

"Someone come here!"

"Your Majesty the Empress."

To everyone's surprise, it was Consort Sheng who stepped forward to stop Empress Wang from acting impulsively.

"Your Majesty, Consort Jiang is still young, and her words and actions are inevitably sometimes inappropriate..."

"It is indeed somewhat improper for her to laugh in public like that, but I suppose Consort Jiang would not dare to be disrespectful to Your Majesty."

"Your Majesty, His Majesty has just issued a decree, which must be out of consideration for your hard work."

The imperial edict had just been issued... Empress Wang, who kept repeating this sentence, barely managed to suppress the urge to drag A-Zhu away and beat him to a pulp.

Seeing Empress Wang regain her composure, Ah Zhu, who had "escaped a calamity," couldn't help but sigh again.

The emperor hasn't taken back the little gold plaque that read "As if I were personally present" that he gave her.

This gold medal won't last long; the emperor might remember it one day and take it back.

Ah-Zhu originally intended to make the most of it before taking it back.

Empress Wang, so furious she was about to suffer internal injuries from holding it in, had no time to waste words with them and simply told them to get out.

After leaving Kunning Palace, seeing Consort Sheng about to leave in a distant carriage, A-Zhu thought for a moment and then went over to thank her.

After all, like Consort Xian, Consort Sheng only had princesses by her side and never participated in court politics or the struggles among the princes for the right of succession.

Even the Empress Wang would show closeness to concubines like these, who had status and dignity but lacked imperial favor, and would not intentionally criticize them.

Seeing A-Zhu approaching, Hongyu, who was serving Consort Sheng, quickly whispered a reminder.

Consort Sheng had just stepped onto the sedan chair when she pulled her foot back and waited for A-Zhu.

Given A-Zhu's current momentum and the Emperor's favor she enjoys, even if Consort Sheng doesn't need to rush to curry favor with her, she is unwilling to offend her easily.

Seeing that Guanju Palace and Jinghe Palace were on the same route, they decided not to take the sedan chairs and walked back slowly together.

On the way, Consort Sheng couldn't help but glance at A-Zhu a few times.

From a distance, one could only perceive that Jiang's waist was slender and graceful, her figure captivating and alluring.

Seeing it up close like this makes it even more dazzling; its beauty is like jade, and its red silk is exquisite.

When Ah Zhu, who is not being dramatic, sharp-tongued, or crazy, sits quietly by your side with her eyelashes fluttering and eyes lowered, it is truly hard to bear letting her leave your sight.

Consort Sheng blinked slowly, sighing inwardly, no wonder His Majesty loved it so much.

A-Zhu thanked Consort Sheng.

"I haven't yet thanked Your Majesty for pleading for me in the palace just now."

Consort Sheng shook her head and said only, "It's just a small favor."

"Now that I think about it, judging from Consort Jiang's confident demeanor, I'm afraid you were prepared all along... It seems I was being nosy."

Ah Zhu also shook his head.

"What backup plan did this concubine have? It was all thanks to Your Majesty's words of help."

Seeing that A-Zhu wasn't a crazy person who would bite anyone she could get her hands on, Consort Sheng, who hadn't had much direct conflict with A-Zhu before, smiled.

After the two had walked for a while, Consort Sheng couldn't help but speak up.

“Consort Jiang, in this palace nowadays… well, I entered the palace early, so I’ll take the liberty of saying a few more words to you.”

"Your Majesty, please speak freely. I am all ears."

Consort Sheng sighed softly.

"This palace may seem like a place of luxury and extravagance, but how could outsiders know the hardships within?"

“I’m sure you, Sister Jiang, understand this deeply now…” Consort Sheng said, looking at A-Zhu.

"But it's inevitable that women in the palace will suffer some grievances."

"It is wonderful that you, Sister Jiang, have the Emperor's favor and protection. However... the next year will be the imperial concubine selection, and many fresh and beautiful girls will enter the palace."

Consort Sheng said softly, "No matter how many concubines there are in the palace, the one in the inner palace will always be the Empress."

Ah Zhu blinked and took over the conversation effortlessly.

"Your Majesty is absolutely right."

"I am grateful for the Empress's guidance and kindness, and I feel deeply indebted to her. I have nothing but endless admiration for her. It is a pity that I am stupid and useless and cannot share her burdens."

Consort Sheng was both amused and exasperated by A-Zhu's words. She shook her head and said, "Very well, it's good that Sister Jiang has her own ideas."

......

Hanyuan Hall

The small court assembly ended just before lunchtime. While the other ministers took their leave, Grand Secretary Wen remained in the hall.

Emperor Xuanpei was naturally generous in showing more respect to such a loyal and devoted old minister.

He closed the memorial in his hand and asked, "Does my dear minister have any other important matters to report?"

"Your Majesty, this old minister is ashamed."

Grand Secretary Wen lowered his head and replied, "This time, it's for the selection of a concubine for my good-for-nothing granddaughter..."

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuanpei shook his head and smiled.

He even comforted Grand Secretary Wen, saying, "It's only natural for an elder to have a kind heart towards his children and grandchildren; there's no need to feel guilty."

As Emperor Xuanpei spoke, he was still quickly thinking about which members of the royal family were of marriageable age, and whether Grand Secretary Wen wanted to request an imperial decree to grant a marriage.

After much thought, I never expected that the Grand Secretary Wen, who was standing below me, would say, "It is my granddaughter. Ever since she had the honor of meeting the Emperor at the hunting grounds, she has... she has lost her appetite."

"After repeated questioning by the old minister, she finally said that her only wish in this life was to enter the palace and accompany the emperor."

Emperor Xuanpei frowned slightly, and his previously smiling expression faded somewhat.

"Minister Wen."

"I originally thought that someone of your granddaughter's age would be a perfect match for my son, and there are also quite a few young men in the royal family who would be a suitable match."

"Your Majesty."

"This old minister knows that my granddaughter is of average appearance and looks, and cannot compare to the outstanding beauty of other young ladies..."

"But this old minister only has this one granddaughter."

“Her mother passed away early, and now she loses her appetite and longs for the Emperor. She only asks this old minister for one thing.”

"This old minister truly..."

As he spoke, Grand Secretary Wen wiped the corner of his eye, and then knelt down directly before Emperor Xuanpei.

"Now this old minister has no other choice but to shamelessly beg Your Majesty for mercy."

Emperor Xuanpei remained unmoved by these words.

After all, in this world, who could speak sweet words more beautifully than Ah Zhu, blushing as she leaned against Emperor Xuanpei? Who could be more moving than her tears?

Moreover, Emperor Xuanpei knew that he had been tainted with bloodshed on the frontier in his youth and was full of murderous aura, which was why he was not as popular as he was in the capital.

Now he is even more aloof and unapproachable, and his personality is particularly dull. Apart from his A-Zhu, most people in the palace are afraid of and flatter him. So where did this love at first sight come from?

Emperor Xuanpei looked at Grand Secretary Wen, whose temples were gray and who was kneeling on the ground pleading with him. This old man had done his best to help the palace when it was in chaos, and he had also made a contribution to the emperor's rise to power. When the powerful families competed for power in the court in the future, the Wen family would still be of use.

"Minister Wen."

Emperor Xuanpei ultimately gave Grand Secretary Wen a chance.

"Nowadays, there are many concubines in the palace, and I also have many imperial offspring. According to the rules, the newly selected ladies-in-waiting cannot be promoted to a rank higher than the fifth grade... If you are interested, I will gladly grant you a marriage decree."

"This old minister is ashamed."

However, Grand Secretary Wen did not budge.

“This old minister has indeed repeatedly reprimanded that good-for-nothing granddaughter, forbidding her from having any delusions, but she really, really… since returning to the mansion, she has been kneeling in the ancestral hall, asking for only this one thing.”

Having said that, Emperor Xuanpei nodded in agreement.

Wen Ge Lao knelt on the ground and kowtowed repeatedly in gratitude.

When Grand Secretary Wen came out of the hall, Emperor Xuanpei's face was cold and devoid of any smile.

Emperor Xuanpei witnessed and enjoyed unimaginable wealth and extravagance.

With three thousand beauties in the palace, from plump to slender, all kinds of beautiful women, how could Emperor Xuanpei possibly lack a few women to serve him?

Now, however, Empress Dowager Shu is determined to bring the two Shu sisters into the palace. The Wang family has also arranged for people to wait for the imperial concubine selection, and even his trusted old minister is sending his granddaughter to the palace...

Emperor Xuanpei, who had been preoccupied with state affairs due to the hunting expedition and had told Azhu in advance to have his own meal, threw down the memorials in his hand and got up to walk towards Guanju Palace.

......

Guanju Palace

Upon hearing that Eunuch Chen had sent a young eunuch to deliver a message that the Emperor was approaching, the entire palace instantly sprang into action.

The imperial kitchen's meals were quickly diverted and delivered to Guanju Palace.

Something was amiss, so A-Zhu paid extra attention. Even when Emperor Xuanpei fed her bitter lettuce, which she didn't like, she obediently ate it all.

After the bowls and chopsticks were cleared away, and seeing the incense brought in by A-Zhu, Emperor Xuanpei's face showed a faint smile.

He reached out and patted A-Zhu's head. "So well-behaved?"

Ah Zhu, looking hesitant and timid, rushed towards Emperor Xuanpei.

He looks like he's done something wrong.

She said softly, "Your Majesty."

Emperor Xuanpei, supporting Azhu's waist, chuckled as he gently stroked her back. "Hmm?"

"When I went to Kunning Palace to pay my respects today, I angered Her Majesty the Empress."

Ah Zhu carefully chose her words, speaking in a way that avoided the important points.

Upon hearing this, Emperor Xuanpei pinched Azhu's bottom, shook his head and smiled, but didn't utter a single word of criticism.

Well, it seems that Emperor Xuanpei's displeasure at that time had nothing to do with her.

"Your Majesty... these days, the palace is filled with rumors about next year's imperial concubine selection and the entry of young ladies into the palace."

Seizing every opportunity to show her loyalty, A-Zhu reached out and clung to Emperor Xuanpei's neck, looking up at him with trembling eyelashes, saying pitifully, "The sound of this wind is making this concubine extremely uneasy."

Emperor Xuanpei placed his hand on Azhu's chest, where a rapid, throbbing pulse felt like a bird fluttering its wings in his palm, tickling the heart.

The afternoon sun carried a lazy, warm feeling.

Emperor Xuanpei's expression also took on a lazy and contented air as he listened with a smile to Azhu's sweet and witty remarks.

"Your Majesty, the newly entered ladies-in-waiting are all from noble families and high-ranking noble clans. I know that in terms of music, chess, calligraphy and painting, as well as talent and aptitude... I am not even slightly inferior."

As she spoke, A-Zhu dabbed her eyes with a handkerchief.

"All I have is my admiration for Your Majesty's sincere devotion."

"Now I can only shamelessly beg Your Majesty not to forget me. If you can come to see me eleven, twelve... no, eighteen or nineteen times a month, I will be completely satisfied."

Emperor Xuanpei couldn't help but burst into laughter upon hearing this.

He reached out and pinched A-Zhu's cheek.

Why don't you just say it twenty-five or twenty-six times?

A-Zhu covered the hand that Emperor Xuanpei was using to pinch her face, and just smiled shyly and embarrassedly with her face red.

Seeing Ah Zhu's shy, downcast expression, Emperor Xuanpei's demeanor softened.

He smiled, hugged A-Zhu, and kissed the spot on her face where she had just been pinched.

How could I bear to abandon you now?

"If I don't see you for a few days, you heartless little fool, I'm afraid you won't remember a single good thing I did for you."

Ah Zhu quickly silenced Emperor Xuan Pei's scolding with a soft kiss. She didn't want to provoke Emperor Xuan Pei to punish her again.

“A-Zhu”.

Emperor Xuanpei reached out and took the small gold token hidden on Azhu's body, who was dizzy from being kissed, and then slowly placed it in her hand.

"From now on, it's yours."

"For a concubine?"

Emperor Xuanpei smiled as he looked at Azhu, whose eyes were watery and whose expression was dazed.

"I can't always be by your side, so you can only use it as a talisman."

Who could have such a prestigious amulet?

Hey, just like how you can get anything by pleasing the Emperor.

......

Having rested well in the Guanju Palace while embracing a beautiful woman, Emperor Xuanpei returned to Hanyuan Hall in high spirits with a smile on his face.

Emperor Xuanpei's faint sense of pleasure vanished without a trace the moment Empress Wang invited him to Kunning Palace.

Looking at the group of "tea-serving maids" in front of her, all with the same hairstyle and dresses as when Ah Zhu served tea.

Emperor Xuanpei's head throbbed with a pulsating sensation.

Empress Wang rarely bothered Emperor Xuanpei in front of the emperor.

Over time, the emperor and empress reached a tacit understanding—whenever they were invited, it was always for serious business to be discussed.

Therefore, whenever Empress Wang sent someone to invite him to the palace, no matter how busy Emperor Xuanpei was, he would always make time to visit Kunning Palace.

But this time, Emperor Xuanpei never expected that such an absurd scene would await him.

Thinking about how Ah Zhu apologized for upsetting Empress Wang today, Emperor Xuanpei tried his best to calm down.

"Your Majesty, let them all leave."

Empress Wang now hates Azhu to death, but in the end, she has no resentment towards Emperor Xuanpei.

Empress Wang never had the idea that taking a step back would lead to a brighter future; instead, she only felt angrier the more she thought about it.

Empress Wang was truly furious.

At this moment, instead of ordering anyone to leave, she smiled and looked at Emperor Xuanpei.

"Your Majesty."

"Looking back now, I realize that my recommendation of Lady Jiang was truly inappropriate."

"After much thought, I feel I have failed His Majesty's trust... After all, Lady Jiang's status is rather low."

"She was of lowly status and of questionable character."

“Not only was she a slave, but she was also a foot-washing maid who knelt before the bed every day to serve me by washing my feet. Her lowly status is a disgrace to His Majesty’s wisdom.”

Empress Wang then pointed to the seven or eight palace maids standing in front of her.

"Your Majesty, these palace maids were all carefully selected by me. Even if they are not the most beautiful, they are all of good character and have clean backgrounds."

......

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Author's note: Another one has gone mad.