Chapter 69 Professionals at "Whitewashing"

Shou Kang Palace

"This concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

Empress Dowager Shu, who was always stern and cold, showed a rare kindness when she saw the Shu sisters paying their respects, especially Shu Yunya, who had been promoted to Consort Shu.

After Empress Dowager Shu gestured for people to rise and dispense with formalities, she smiled and said, "You are a promising person. I know you well. Your future in this palace is bright."

Thinking that Emperor Xuanpei indeed preferred a more lively temperament, Empress Dowager Shu turned her head and instructed Shu Yunhui to keep the sisters united and not to be hasty, but to help her younger sister as much as possible.

To be honest, when Shu Junya felt deeply humiliated and resentful, she did consider shouting out the truth.

But... looking at the kind-looking Empress Dowager Shu, Shu Junya just couldn't bring herself to say anything about it.

She really didn't want to see Empress Dowager Shu's cold gaze, as if she were looking at some useless piece of trash, and she didn't want to become a living joke in the palace for the rest of her life.

Even when her own sister asked, Shu Junya didn't tell the truth. She just blushed, lowered her eyes, and shyly acquiesced.

After receiving a pile of rewards and returning to Zhongcui Palace, even the usually quiet Consort Zhou Zhaoyi bestowed some gifts upon her as a sign of congratulations.

Just when the whole palace seemed to be buzzing with activity as Guanju Palace's "exclusive favor" ended and new people took over, the Emperor went to Guanju Palace again that night.

To be honest, when she heard that Emperor Xuanpei had come in person, Azhu was a little stunned. Then she immediately realized what was happening, called out to the Emperor, and rushed towards Emperor Xuanpei.

As soon as Emperor Xuanpei entered the hall, he was suddenly embraced by a large group of people—catching them made him feel instantly at ease.

Ah Zhu held the person tightly with both hands.

A moment later, she looked up at Emperor Xuanpei, "Your Majesty..."

A-Zhu, residing in the Guanju Palace, naturally wouldn't be adorned with elaborate jewelry. In fact, as night fell and she prepared to retire for the night, she became even more plain and simple.

Perhaps due to excitement, her fair face flushed pink, and when she looked up, her eyes, brimming with unspoken words, were filled with him.

"I originally intended to go to Qianwen Pavilion... but I stopped by to see you on the way."

The best way to get from Hanyuan Hall to Qianwen Pavilion is to walk along the long street in front of Chengen Palace. Which road leads here?

But A-Zhu lowered her eyes, slowly released her hand, and said softly, "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

Seeing this, Emperor Xuanpei pursed his lips slightly but said nothing more, only saying, "I heard you were still coughing a bit the other day, so I ordered some pear soup to be made for you. Remember to drink some."

"......yes."

Seeing A-Zhu obediently nodding in agreement, Emperor Xuanpei raised his hand and rubbed her head.

"Looking at things in the dim light of candlelight at night is most likely to strain your eyes, so get some rest early."

Ah Zhu nodded slowly.

Emperor Xuanpei glanced one last time at Azhu, who was hanging her head, and as he withdrew his hand and turned to leave, he was suddenly grabbed by the sleeve and embraced from behind.

Clutching his sleeve and clinging tightly to Emperor Xuanpei, Azhu looked as if he had no intention of letting the emperor go.

When she opened her mouth, A-Zhu's voice was still a little choked up.

"Your Majesty... It's still cold at night, and I'm tossing and turning all night, unable to sleep. It's almost dawn when I'm awake."

Emperor Xuanpei looked at the hand around his waist.

Her originally slender and fair fingers were now clenched tightly, so tightly that they were even turned white from being pulled by her sleeves.

Hearing A-Zhu's words, Emperor Xuanpei sighed inwardly once more.

He knew that once he entered Guanju Palace and saw the person, he wouldn't want to leave, but he still couldn't resist coming over.

"I have been telling myself all along that I should be sensible and considerate."

"Be good and don't cause His Majesty any trouble."

"Thinking about all this, I have stayed in Guanju Palace and dare not go anywhere, for fear that if I go out I will not be able to resist making a mistake because of... because of jealousy."

"His Majesty said he would not abandon his concubines..."

"Your Majesty would never lie to me, and I have truly kept those words in mind."

"But I just can't help it, I can't help but think, could there be an even more... more intelligent and virtuous beauty lingering by Your Majesty's side?"

This gesture was truly tender and affectionate, and A-Zhu, with great emotion, held Emperor Xuanpei tightly.

"Your Majesty, I have truly grown up and now know how to behave properly. I only beg you to let me hold you like this for a little while longer, okay?"

"Just for a little while."

Alright, without a doubt, the imperial carriage will not be able to leave Guanju Palace tonight.

"I'm not leaving."

Emperor Xuanpei turned around and carried Azhu into the inner palace.

All the unspoken words and the flutter in his heart seemed to melt into the kiss, but even in the act of kissing, Emperor Xuanpei appeared unusually fierce.

He touched A-Zhu's face, lowered his head and kissed A-Zhu's forehead, kissed her tearful eyes, kissed her flushed cheeks... Because he used too much force when expressing his "loyalty", A-Zhu was sobbing and her eyes were dizzy when that elusive thing appeared again.

"Beep—!"

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In this situation, suddenly hearing such a clear voice... is not as good as it just making a muffled, piercing "beep beep beep" noise.

Startled by the unexpected commotion, A-Zhu twitched slightly, causing Emperor Xuanpei to tense up instantly.

Soon, he helped A-Zhu lean on his shoulder, gently patting her back and kissing her temples, while running his hand through her hair that was sticky with fine sweat.

After patiently comforting him for the time it takes to drink half a cup of tea, and seeing that Ah Zhu had calmed down a bit, Emperor Xuanpei said in a low voice, "...I was indeed a bit reckless just now. I'll take it slow, okay?"

Good my ass!

Feeling completely exhausted, Ah Zhu really wanted to curse.

She glanced at Emperor Xuanpei, then her eyes were covered again. Emperor Xuanpei exhaled softly and then smiled.

"A-Zhu, close your eyes obediently, let's take it slowly, okay?"

When Emperor Xuanpei asked the question a second time, Azhu nodded subconsciously.

Then she was kissed on the forehead.

"Good girl."

......

Like a dough ball, Ah Zhu drifted in and out of consciousness, unaware of when she fell asleep.

As dawn broke, the brocade curtains stirred slightly. Still half asleep, she turned her head to avoid the ray of light.

Emperor Xuanpei looked at Azhu nestled in his arms with a smile.

He had barely moved when he woke up in the morning when his Ah Zhu instinctively clung to him, not wanting him to leave.

Therefore, Emperor Xuanpei did not get up.

He half-embraced the person and leaned against the couch, then picked up a book and started reading it.

Ah Zhu slept for quite a while.

When she groggily opened her eyes, she felt a warm sensation all over her body. She looked up at Emperor Xuanpei with a dazed expression.

"woke up?"

Emperor Xuanpei moved the memorial aside, lowered his eyes to meet Azhu's bewildered yet exceptionally clear gaze, and smiled as he touched her face.

"You were sleeping soundly, so I didn't let them disturb you."

Emperor Xuanpei reached out and pulled Azhu's long hair aside, then teased her as if remembering something.

"I have already sent someone to Kunning Palace to ask for your leave."

As he spoke, Emperor Xuanpei reached out and picked up a bowl of bird's nest soup from the side and fed some to Azhu.

A-Zhu instinctively tried to sit up, but just as she felt a chill, she was wrapped in a brocade quilt.

Emperor Xuanpei casually picked up the undergarment that had been tossed aside and put it on.

A-Zhu, her face flushed, was helped to sit up wrapped in a blanket. Her eyes were moist, and she looked at Emperor Xuanpei with some hesitation.

"Your Majesty, my persistent clinging to you... isn't it just causing you a lot of trouble?"

Emperor Xuanpei thought for a moment and then nodded.

"yes."

A-Zhu's eyes dimmed for a moment, but then Emperor Xuanpei said, "With you by my side, I worry that time flies by too quickly, and I also find the affairs of the court too troublesome..."

Upon understanding what trouble it was, A-Zhu couldn't help but laugh, leaning to one side and falling onto Emperor Xuanpei.

Emperor Xuanpei also had a smile in his eyes as he held Azhu in his arms.

"There are so many troubles in this world that can never be completely dealt with... but your troubles never belong to that pile of troubles."

“A-Zhu”.

"I have always disliked changing my mind frequently, but I have changed my mind after all."

"...You won't go anywhere for the next month, you'll just stay with me, okay?"

Although it was still unknown what Emperor Xuanpei was going to do, Azhu obediently nodded.

Looking at Ah Zhu, who is blinking her eyes, with a gentle and sweet expression, and so soft and fluffy, who in this world is being so harsh on her?

We should at least drape her in a few more rays of "glow".

......

Well, the palace, which had been somewhat lively, instantly became a stagnant pool again.

The newly arrived concubines were not only completely useless, but they seemed to be stimulating the "demon concubine" to exert herself recklessly, becoming increasingly adept at bewitching the emperor's heart.

This is really bad; not only does Lady Jiang now brazenly refuse to come to Kunning Palace to pay her respects.

She still serves the emperor every day, and even the Chonghua Palace has been reopened—Consort Jiang now resides directly in the Hanyuan Palace.

This caused a huge uproar.

For this matter, both the imperial court and the harem mobilized their efforts.

However, the emperor did not see the other concubines in the harem.

The court officials who advised Emperor Xuanpei on this matter were also dragged away and punished.

The name "Jiang," who accompanied the emperor, instantly became famous throughout the land, though it was certainly not a good one.

With chaos and turmoil outside, Ah Zhu, returning to his old haunts, felt somewhat flustered.

"Ah Zhu, the current state of things is truly alarming."

Look, it's not just her, even Consort Feng is unusually uneasy.

Ah Zhu nodded repeatedly.

"Your Majesty, no matter what the Emperor says, I just agree and say I believe him... but I always have this feeling that I might not live to see tomorrow and have to drink the wine before I am beheaded."

But no matter how panicked she was, things had come to this point, and since A-Zhu had shown complete trust in Emperor Xuanpei, she couldn't back down halfway.

Even if she has to climb... she has to climb one path all the way to darkness.

May—A-Zhu, trying her best to stay calm, kept counting down the days.

Emperor Xuanpei once said that at this time... whether one lives or dies will be decided at that time.

It wasn't until the eighth day of the fifth month, just two days after the newly opened imperial examination, that Emperor Xuanpei dismissed court early and went to Chonghua Palace.

"Your Majesty."

Emperor Xuanpei reached out and hugged Azhu, who rushed towards him.

He held her tightly, as if he wanted to meld Ah Zhu into his own body.

Emperor Xuanpei's emotions were always rather indifferent; he rarely showed his emotions so openly.

"I have made preparations for matters of state..."

The other "boot" suddenly landed, and A-Zhu's heart pounded wildly.

It has only been a little over a year since she was so eager to climb into Hanyuan Hall and undress to climb onto the "dragon bed";

From the emperor's promise to restore Jiang's name to the actual implementation, not even the time of "ten months of pregnancy" was spent.

A-Zhu didn't care about the Jiang family's reputation.

After all, from the very beginning, she had been burdened with the labels of sinful slave, remnant of the sins, and lowly servant.

She's gotten used to being scolded.

She never benefited from it, so she never considered it a big deal.

But when Emperor Xuanpei started planning so decisively and solemnly... Azhu couldn't help but be affected by these emotions as well.

"Tomorrow morning, I'm going to 'kick' you out of Hanyuan Palace. Are you scared?"

A-Zhu didn't speak, but instead took the initiative to tug at the jade belt around Emperor Xuanpei's waist.

Now that things have come to this, she doesn't want to worry about the messy accounts between herself and Jiang, nor does she want to think about the success or failure of this matter, let alone think about Qian, who has repeatedly wished that she could die for Jiang Liu... She just wants some warmth to comfort her body.

*

Inside the brocade curtain embroidered with auspicious clouds and intertwined branches, a hazy, dizzying heat seemed to emanate from it.

"Your Majesty."

Ah Zhu clung to Emperor Xuanpei, tears falling uncontrollably as she called out his name repeatedly.

Emperor Xuanpei held her hand and responded to her repeatedly.

*

Shou Kang Palace

Now, Empress Wang has started leading the concubines to pay their respects to Empress Dowager Shu again.

The place was already quite dull with Empress Dowager Shu, this "Buddha," in charge.

For the past half month, there has been no smile in the palace, and the atmosphere has become increasingly heavy. It feels like even taking a breath in the hall is a lump in one's throat.

Looking at all the useless things in the hall, Empress Dowager Shu felt a fire burning inside her.

She gets angry at everyone now and finds everyone particularly disagreeable.

The Emperor, ha, if it weren't for her protection, would the Emperor be where he is today?

This ungrateful wretch is something else; back then, he was so focused on going to the border that he never thought of coming back.

Later... Heaven smiled upon her, and as she ascended to the position of Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager Shu's ambitions swelled.

After all, Emperor Xuanpei was not her child, and their relationship as mother and son was not close. Empress Dowager Shu actually preferred an obedient and easy-to-control emperor.

Unfortunately, the Shu family simply couldn't sustain their power, and Emperor Xuanpei himself was no innocent child. He held military power and had married a noblewoman from the Langya Wang clan... until Empress Dowager Shu humiliatingly left the palace to retreat.

Now she feels she has lowered her head, and Emperor Xuanpei has accepted the people of the Shu family. Everything is clearly moving in the direction she hoped for, but there are always "sneaky people" interfering!

Empress Dowager Shu's face turned extremely ugly when she thought about this.

Since she couldn't find a way to criticize Emperor Xuanpei, and didn't really want to fall out with the emperor and be expelled from the palace, Empress Dowager Shu went straight for Empress Wang.

"The Wang family!"

"I originally thought you were a noble lady from the Langya Wang clan, and you were known for your virtue."

"Yet you so readily disregard your own reputation for virtue, intentionally indulging the emperor's selfish desires?!"

Empress Wang, who was full of resentment and was now being vented on, looked quite unhappy.

When she got up and knelt down to apologize to Empress Dowager Shu, the other concubines also knelt down.

"Please calm your anger, Your Majesty. This matter is indeed my fault."

"It is indeed my incompetence that Lady Jiang is able to serve the Emperor."

Empress Wang, kneeling and admitting her mistake, was both angry and aggrieved.

This time, she didn't just admit her mistake and leave it at that. Instead, her eyes reddened as she said, "Your Majesty, I have no reason to turn a blind eye to His Majesty's actions just because I care about my own safety!"

"Your Majesty has repeatedly offered his advice, but in a fit of rage, he stormed off."

"Because of this matter, His Majesty did not set foot in Kunning Palace for more than a month."

Empress Dowager Shu wanted an explanation from Empress Wang, while Empress Wang also wanted an explanation from the "cowardly" Empress Dowager Shu.

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager."

Empress Wang, filled with grief and indignation, looked at Empress Dowager Shu.

"Now that things have come to this, I truly do not know how to advise His Majesty. I beg Your Majesty the Empress Dowager to make a wise decision!"

Empress Dowager Shu was effectively silenced by Empress Wang.

"Your Majesty... If it were anyone else, it would be fine, since they were all legitimate concubines selected through the imperial concubine selection process. But what is Jiang's status?!"

“The remnants of the rebels who should have been dealt with long ago have now been recommended to serve in front of the emperor, and are only stirring up trouble in the palace.”

"Empress, is it right for me to punish you for negligence and oversight?!"

To be fair, Empress Wang truly learned from A-Zhu what it means to "make a grave mistake from a single wrong thought."

When Empress Dowager Shu brought this up, Empress Wang had no choice but to prostrate herself and admit her mistake.

However, Empress Dowager Shu, having vented her anger, had no reason to only push Empress Wang to turn against her, so the problem returned to Azhu.

There's nothing more to say now that things have come to this point.

Empress Dowager Shu did not want to see that "remnant" continue to run rampant.

Today, Empress Dowager Shu wants Empress Wang to publicly express her stance and lead the concubines in the palace to offer their advice before the emperor.

Empress Wang was willing to do this, but she didn't want Empress Dowager Shu to remain uninvolved. It was only right for her to offer her advice, but Empress Dowager Shu also needed to give an explanation... It would be best if they went together.

Lu Yinyue, kneeling behind, felt her heart pounding wildly and felt quite dizzy.

There are rules in this world, but Ah Zhu is the kind of person who breaks those rules and flips the table.

Everything, all the plans, all the preparations... were all turned into a rotten mess.

Ultimately, he was a despicable person. Like Ah Zhu, who never thought about the future, his arrogant and superficial nature, and his lack of restraint, offended far too many people.

Not only has Jiang's reputation been tarnished by her own will, but now she will be nailed to the pillar of shame.

Lu Yinyue was already somewhat at a loss, her mind blank—

What will happen to A-Zhu if she is punished now? What will happen to Madam Jiang?

If she were to acknowledge Jiang's identity now... but she has absolutely no connection with the Emperor.

Adding to the trouble caused by that scoundrel A-Zhu, the emperor will surely be furious, compounding his crimes and making things even worse. In the end, it will only be pointless and he will only bring trouble upon himself.

But if she doesn't admit it now, and A-Zhu really uses Jiang's name to seal the blame, then it would mean that the emperors of both dynasties have condemned Jiang, and Jiang's sins can never be washed away in this lifetime.

Caught between a rock and a hard place, Lu Yinyue knelt there, feeling utterly lost and cold all over.

Empress Wang and Empress Dowager Shu, who had been arguing about this matter for several days, were still at it when a palace servant rushed into the hall, anxiously reporting—

"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager!"

"Something's happened! The previous dynasty! Something's happened to the previous dynasty!"

Empress Dowager Shu looked at the palace servants who had practically crawled in with a gloomy expression.

"What kind of behavior is this, all flustered and in such a state?"

Seeing the palace servants who were trembling with fear and kowtowing in apology, Empress Dowager Shu said impatiently, "Alright, what exactly happened?"

The palace servant stammered, "Your Majesty, His Majesty has dismissed court today!!!"

"What?!"

Not only was Empress Dowager Shu startled, but Empress Wang also jumped up.

She said sternly to the palace servants, "What kind of nonsense are you spouting?"

"This servant dares not speak falsely, Your Majesty. This matter has already spread throughout the palace, and it is indeed absolutely true."

Empress Dowager Shu closed her eyes and laughed coldly.

"Very good, very good, truly impressive."

At this point, Empress Dowager Shu no longer wanted to waste time chatting with Empress Wang about trivial matters, so she got up and headed to Hanyuan Palace.

"I want to see if the Emperor is still so determined to protect that remnant!"

Lu Yinyue, whose legs felt weak and who could hardly get up, closed her eyes.

Her heart was ashen, and she was about to follow along to offer her "advice" with a somewhat numb expression when she heard Empress Wang ask if A-Zhu was still before the Emperor.

Unexpectedly, they were shocked to learn that "Consort Jiang angered His Majesty by requesting a thorough investigation into the Jiang family's past offenses and has been expelled from Hanyuan Palace."

The entire hall fell silent.

Lu Yinyue suddenly opened her eyes, and even the Empress Dowager, who was about to "purge the court of corrupt officials," stopped in her tracks.

"What, what did you say?"

The palace servants then recounted how Consort Jiang, dressed in plain clothes and without her hairpins, knelt outside Hanyuan Palace. However, Consort Jiang was not kneeling for long before she was driven out of Hanyuan Palace and escorted back to Guanju Palace by the emperor's men, where she was confined to her quarters.

The "femme fatale" who should have been eliminated was dealt with temporarily by the emperor himself.

Empress Dowager Shu now wanted to know more about the cause and effect of the matter before making any further plans, so she sent the other concubines away.

Lu Yinyue listened to these things as if they were a dream.

Is Azhu that kind of person?

Given her character, how could she possibly risk her life to abandon the wealth and honor she had already gained for the sake of the Jiang family?

......

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Author's note: Let's get clean.