Chapter 73 Wen Azhu: Hmm, I just don't remember.

Three months have passed in the blink of an eye, and the storm of "rectifying the name of the Jiang family" has gradually subsided.

In this world, the "respectability" of influential people is a very special existence.

Just like Emperor Xuanpei and Empress Dowager Shu, the two of them had clearly fallen to the point where they were somewhat disgusted with each other.

However, in the end, out of consideration for Empress Dowager Shu's reputation, the few "pillars" of the Shu family simply claimed illness, thus retaining only the nominal title of "honor and favor".

As for the others, they didn't have such a good "face".

They were either implicated and convicted, or demoted and demoted... A new wave of power struggles was sweeping through the imperial court.

However, those are still quite far from Ah Zhu.

Closest to her were a series of dazzling "hats" flying in – the woman who was once criticized for "shamelessly climbing into someone's bed" was instantly transformed into a loyal and courageous woman who "sacrificed herself".

Many folk tales about this matter, told in anonymity, have emerged, and there are even newly adapted "dramas" disguised as historical fiction.

The protagonist, who suffers injustice and injustice, finally gets his name cleared after going through countless hardships, and the happy ending is ultimately what many people want to see.

It was at this time that A-Zhu met the original "true" protagonist of the Jiang family once again.

This is a slightly dim, dark room.

The palace gates were locked from the outside. Ah Zhu entered the dark room and met Lu Yin Yue through the bars.

The lights and candles in the dark room were all lit.

Lu Yinyue, who was almost used to the darkness, squinted slightly, and after a long while, she finally saw who was standing there.

The palace servants around A-Zhu also withdrew one by one.

She looked at Lu Yinyue, who was disheveled but had straightened her back again in front of her.

It seems that God enjoys staging such tragedies in the cycle of reincarnation on Earth.

The imprisonment of yesteryear has now returned to the real Jiang Liu Guniang.

But Ah Zhu, who is usually a petty and vindictive person, was not as happy as expected this time.

Humans are not emotionless inanimate objects; they cannot simply "return" things and pretend that everything from the past no longer exists.

The pain from those old, suffocating wounds, so deep that they're connected to the skin and flesh, is unbearable. The wounds keep tearing open, and the trembling pain is excruciating.

If she had a choice, Azhu would rather she had never seen Lu Yinyue again, that they had gone their separate ways and never crossed paths again.

A-Zhu was lost in thought for a long time, so Lu Yin-Yue was the first to speak.

"You're here to laugh at me?"

Lu Yinyue slowly stood up, supporting herself against the wall. She stared straight at Azhu, her voice a little hoarse.

"Or do you want me to disappear completely, so that you, this imposter, can brazenly deceive the world?"

The phantom pain seemed to reappear where the vase had hit his head and caused bleeding.

Ah Zhu gently rubbed her temples.

She blinked, looking at Lu Yinyue with a puzzled and confused expression.

"Is that really true?"

"When Your Majesty mentioned this matter, I found it strange—why would anyone be so foolish as to impersonate me?"

Lu Yinyue looked at the pretentious Azhu, then suddenly laughed with great sarcasm.

She shook her head repeatedly: "Now that it's just the two of us here, why are you still putting on this act?"

Before A-Zhu could answer, Lu Yin-Yue clenched her fists, looking at her with utter confusion.

"With your current level of favor and privilege, you can have whatever you want in the palace. Even if you tell the Emperor your identity, what difference does it make?"

"You have no connection with the Jiang family, and you show no regard for it. So why do you insist on claiming the Jiang family name?!"

Meeting Lu Yinyue's resentful and puzzled gaze, Azhu slowly said, "Back then, my family was unjustly imprisoned. From the moment I entered prison, I lived in constant fear and anxiety."

"Later, I went to the Jiaofangsi (a government-run entertainment institution). The manager there stripped us naked and inspected us like livestock. The tragic scene after everyone in the mansion hanged themselves... I still remember that scene to this day."

"Until ten years later, when I entered the palace as a slave..."

Ah Zhu chuckled softly, a touch of emotion in her voice.

"The names of Jiang, the lowly maidservant, the sinful slave, and the remnant of the Jiang family are all engraved on my body... The whole palace knows this."

"Lady Lu, what are you thinking, that you want me to deny my identity outright?"

"Are you perhaps having a fit of hysteria, or have you lost your mind?"

Lu Yinyue gripped the fence tightly and remained silent for a moment.

These days, Lu Yinyue often recalls the past in her mind, and she always has a vague feeling that everything has been out of place since the moment she let Azhu take her place in prison.

Aside from the calamity at the Jiang family mansion, Lu Yinyue had always had a smooth and successful life, with all her wishes coming true.

Only with Ah Zhu did he repeatedly encounter setbacks, and his previously effortless and carefree attitude vanished completely...

The plan spiraled out of control, and the unexpected setbacks made her extremely uneasy and impulsive. Before she could even react, she did something incomprehensible.

As the "winner," everything A-Zhu says now sounds like a condescending mockery.

But she didn't feel any enjoyment at all.

Those unpleasant old stories and memories are like "bones" buried in a grave.

It's creepy to be exposed to light, so it's better to keep it buried forever.

Ah Zhu, true to her word, finished this last bit of "play" and turned to leave the dark room.

"Don't you want to know what's going on with Qian Mama?!"

Ah Zhu paused in her steps.

She turned to look at Lu Yinyue and laughed: "Just a wet nurse."

"When the Jiang family fell into trouble, she immediately protected her 'child' and left the Jiang family."

"When disaster strikes, everyone flees for their lives; it's only human nature."

"But... I don't blame her, so why do you insist that I remember some great kindness she did for me?"

“Da Ya, those who are heartless and ruthless in this world never have a good ending.”

Ah Zhu nodded and smiled repeatedly.

"Yes, heartless and ruthless people never have a good ending."

After saying that, A-Zhu turned around and left the dark room, ignoring whatever Lu Yinyue said.

Having just emerged from the dark room and seeing the daylight outside, A-Zhu subconsciously closed her eyes. When she opened them, she saw Emperor Xuanpei standing in front of her.

It was midday, and the bright sunlight poured onto his long, wide-sleeved, misty gray robe, revealing faint silver cloud patterns.

When Emperor Xuanpei stood with his hands behind his back, he still maintained that aloof and cold demeanor.

But when he looked over, his eyebrows relaxed, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly. His aloofness and coldness transformed in an instant into a warm intimacy, as warm as the afternoon sun.

"Come."

Looking at the hand extended in front of her, A-Zhu smiled and placed her hand on it.

Emperor Xuanpei's palms were burning hot.

It dispelled the chill that had permeated the dark room almost instantly.

He then led A-Zhu along, and the two of them slowly walked together to Hanyuan Hall.

"I had them stew some sweet and sour vegetarian soup. Try it in a bit and see if you like it."

Ah Zhu smiled and nodded, her eyes crinkling, "Okay."

"The Yunzhegao Prefecture has recently presented an ivory mat as tribute, and I have already ordered it to be laid out in your palace."

If they were inside the palace, A-Zhu would have nestled in Emperor Xuanpei's arms and uttered some mushy words of thanks. But since they were still on the road, she simply said softly, "Thank you, Your Majesty."

The group's shadows on the ground were short.

The shadows of Emperor Xuanpei and Azhu, who were at the very front, seemed to overlap.

......

Outside, the weather was fine and sunny, but inside Shou Kang Palace, it was cold and rainy, no, it should be said that it was a violent storm.

Empress Dowager Shu, who looked down on the behavior of those "resentful shrewish women," herself smashed Shou Kang Palace into a mess.

Consort Xian, along with the three "useless things" from the Shu family, knelt in the hall, listening to Empress Dowager Shu's repeated rebukes without raising their heads.

Consort Xian is still Consort Xian.

Just like the Marquis of Chengen's family back then, she decisively "sold out" and promptly surrendered, thus avoiding the misfortune of being stripped of her title by the Marquis of Chengen's family.

But now... what's the difference between living like this and being unlucky?

The kneeling Consort Xian had already begun to reminisce about the days when Empress Dowager Shu "went out of the palace to worship Buddha".

After all, while the other concubines in the palace could escape, Consort Xian, as a relative of Empress Dowager Shu, could not escape no matter what.

"None of them are easy to deal with."

Empress Dowager Shu glared at Consort Xian.

"You're not infertile, so why have you only had one princess all these years?"

"What good is it to just hold onto a princess?!"

"Something happened at the Shu family's residence, and she couldn't help at all!"

"Consort Xian, if you are not feeling well, send the Sixth Princess to me."

After reprimanding Consort Xian and issuing an ultimatum, Empress Dowager Shu turned and headed towards the two sisters from the Shu family.

“Look at Jiang Shi…”

Empress Dowager Shu, seemingly confused by anger, even used Azhu as an example.

"She would do anything for the Jiang family, even go through fire and water, and risk her reputation."

"Now not only has the Jiang family regained its former glory, but she is even pregnant."

"But what about you?"

"You are provided with fine clothes and sumptuous food in this mansion, and servants are at your beck and call. Is this how you repay the Shu family and me?!"

Shu Yunya, who had already "served the emperor" and received a promotion, was fine, but Empress Dowager Shu's firepower was directly directed at Shu Yunhui.

"He seemed like a smart person, so how come he's as stupid as a pig?"

"You can't even see the emperor now, what use are you in this palace?"

As Empress Dowager Shu berated her, she seemed to want to poke Shu Yunhui's face with her finger.

"How could you hide in Zhongcui Palace with such a clear conscience?"

"Are you just waiting for a windfall to fall from the sky?"

"You think you can have a royal heir by hiding?"

"Who do you think you are, to think you deserve this respectability?"

How could Empress Dowager Shu possibly care about the feelings of these useless juniors?

The scolding brought tears to Shu Yunhui's eyes, which kept welling up.

Shu Yunhui is gentle and mild-mannered; it is usually Shu Yunya who is more assertive and decisive.

The two sisters ate, lived, and shared joys and sorrows, so protecting her older sister became a habit for her.

Fearing that Shu Yunhui would worry, Shu Yunya did not mention a word about the almost humiliating "bedtime service" night in Hanyuan Palace to her.

Hearing Empress Dowager Shu's rebuke, she naturally wanted to plead for her, but instead, she was met with even more blatant humiliation from Empress Dowager Shu—

"What face do you still have to be so proud of?"

"You've all become the laughingstock of this palace, what dignity do you have left?"

"No matter how many faults that lowly servant Jiang has, she is still far more useful than you incompetent and stupid people!"

"She can do it all by herself, and you two—no, the three of you—can't do it?"

While Emperor Xuanpei was still alive, no one from the Shu family would enter the palace anymore. Empress Dowager Shu was acutely aware of this—if she didn't take a gamble now, the Shu family would be completely finished.

Therefore, Empress Dowager Shu chose to transfer this pressure many times over to the Shu sisters.

"I don't want to hear any more excuses, and I don't care what methods you use."

"Even if the whole palace is condemned, I will bear it for you."

"I only care about the result—"

"If any of you fail to gain the Emperor's favor and produce a prince with the Shu family bloodline, not one of you will be able to laugh!"

Although the Shu sisters knew perfectly well what they were there to do in the palace, they at least had some respectable excuses and face to cover it up in the past.

Now, Empress Dowager Shu is shamelessly tearing off her mask and trampling on others.

To harshly compare them to prostitutes seeking patrons is truly an insult.

After leaving Shou Kang Palace, the people standing at the entrance all had a feeling of having survived a calamity, as if they had been reborn.

The three of them walked out together.

Overwhelmed by the humiliation, Shu Yunhui, her eyes red from crying, lowered her head and remained silent, while Consort Xian and Shu Yunya continued their conversation.

Empress Dowager Shu has gone mad.

The blatant and unscrupulous accusations were hurled at them.

"I have no other choice."

In front of the Shu sisters, Consort Xian, unafraid that they would report her, said directly, "Didn't Her Majesty the Empress Dowager say... that she only cares about the result? I now plan to go to Guanju Palace to 'learn from their experience'."

"Would you two sisters like to come along?"

Shu Yunhui didn't speak, but subconsciously looked at Shu Yunya.

After a moment's consideration, Shu Junya politely declined the Consort Xian's invitation, saying that she was in a terrible state and should go back to freshen up first.

As soon as Shu Junya spoke, Shu Junhui naturally nodded in agreement.

Upon returning to Zhongcui Palace, Shu Yunhui wiped the tear stains from her face with a damp handkerchief. After hesitating for a long time, she still had to bring up the matter of serving the emperor.

Now that Empress Dowager Shu has said this much,

If she continues to make no progress as she is now, she may fall into a truly dire situation.

Even if Empress Dowager Shu loses power, it would be easy for her to deal with the two sisters.

"Now that things have come to this, I can't hide it from you anymore..."

Shu Junya lowered her eyes and slowly recounted what happened that night at Hanyuan Palace.

Surprised, Shu Yunhui held Shu Yunya's hand, and before she could say a few words of comfort, tears began to fall.

Shu Junya wiped away Shu Junhui's tears.

"How can you and my sister possibly control the Emperor's will?"

To put it bluntly, if the emperor truly didn't want them—even if the two sisters offered themselves up naked, they would only be accused of offending the emperor and dragged away to be punished.

"Everyone in the palace says that Consort Jiang is the most favored concubine in the palace and is highly favored by the emperor, but no one has heard that the emperor would actually go to such lengths for her."

"Our emperor... seems to be 'possessed' by an evil spirit."

"Sister, to be honest, I really don't want to offer myself up again for the sake of so-called 'competing for favor' and suffer humiliation, or even lose my life for it one day."

"The Empress Dowager is truly not someone to be trifled with; I can't possibly explain this matter to her..."

Looking at Shu Yunhui's red and swollen eyes from crying, Shu Yunya said softly, "If a person doesn't look out for themselves, they'll be punished by heaven and earth."

"Sister, we sisters need to find another backer."

Seeing Shu Junya's determined gaze, Shu Junhui slowly nodded.

"Okay, whatever you say."

Shu Junya smiled and smoothed the strands of hair that were stuck to Shu Junhui's face: "We sisters walk together, we're not afraid of any road."

When interests align and people band together to survive in adversity, anyone can be a reliable support, let alone blood relatives who have been together for so many years.

Shu Yunhui grasped Shu Yunya's hand.

"We advance and retreat together, we walk together."

......

The Guanju Palace welcomed an unexpected and rare guest.

Upon hearing the news that Consort Xian had brought the Sixth Princess, A-Zhu was stunned for a moment. Then she quickly stood up and said, "Please come in quickly."

Upon entering the hall, Consort Xian hurriedly stepped forward to support A-Zhu, refusing to let her pay her respects, and turned to greet Jing-Yi with a smile.

"Why aren't you coming to pay your respects?"

With her hair tied in a small bun, wearing a string of tourmaline beads, and dressed in a pinkish-green outfit, Princess Jingyi looked just like an adorable little pearl.

She blinked her round, bright eyes and obediently bowed to Azhu.

"Jingyi greets Lady Jiang. May Lady Jiang be blessed."

Who in this world could be so heartless towards such a cute little thing?

Ah Zhu didn't even bother with the polite formalities with Consort Xian.

She didn't dare to squat down directly, but instead bent down slightly and smiled at Princess Jingyi, saying, "Good fortune, good fortune, good fortune to the Sixth Princess."

Sure enough, Princess Jingyi smiled and pursed her lips, uttering a series of auspicious sounds.

Only the beautiful Lady Jiang in the palace would speak to her like that, and Princess Jingyi had been thinking about it.

Consort Xian watched this scene with a smile.

Ever since Ah Zhu confronted the truth and forced Consort Xian to switch sides, Consort Xian was the first to breathe a sigh of relief upon learning that Ah Zhu was pregnant.

After all, Consort Jiang already had her own child, so why would she still be thinking about someone else's child?

Consort Jiang's title of "favored concubine" is truly weighty and astonishing.

There's no harm in Jingyi getting close to her.

"Please sit down, please sit down."

Ah Zhu quickly invited Consort Xian and her daughter to sit down.

"Does the princess have any taboos or dietary restrictions?"

Seeing that Consort Xian shook her head, A-Zhu immediately ordered that some snacks and treats be brought over.

The table was laden with a variety of pastries, mostly easy to digest, soft, and sweet.

Princess Jingyi's favorite among these is the small, bite-sized almond shortbread.

After eating a few, Granny Sun carried Princess Jingyi to pick out more snacks, while Consort Xian talked to Azhu about the events in Shou Kang Lane.

"Now the Shu family is useless... Empress Dowager Shu had previously intended to raise Jingyi, and was angry that I was useless, so she scolded me severely. Afterwards, she repeatedly threatened the two sisters in the Shu family, making them seek the emperor's favor by any means necessary."

Consort Xian looked at Azhu.

"Now that you are pregnant, please be careful in everything you do."

The fact that Consort Xian brought along Princess Jingyi, whom she regarded as her own eyes, demonstrates the sincerity of her "surrender."

Using weaknesses to threaten people is the worst possible strategy.

In human interactions, the principle is reciprocity.

As for Consort Xian's weakness... it's really no surprise.

But it was precisely because it was too obvious that it couldn't fall into the hands of Empress Dowager Shu.

After thanking Consort Xian for the reminder, Azhu frowned and said, "Your Majesty has been taking good care of Princess Jingyi. Why does Empress Dowager Shu still intend to bring Princess Jingyi into Shou Kang Palace?"

The Empress Dowager, who had come specifically for this matter, had slightly red eyes.

"It's my fault, I've made my sister feel upset just listening to this."

"But I... but I really have no other choice."

"Empress Dowager Shu complained that I didn't serve His Majesty with enough care, and said that she would take Jingyi to Shou Kang Palace and not allow me to be distracted... She has said this more than once or twice."

Consort Xian quickly wiped her eyes.

"I'm not afraid to tell you, Sister Jiang, but at my age, why would I still be thinking about competing with those young and beautiful concubines for your favor?"

"I just want to stay with Jingyi, watch her grow up, and see her find a good man to entrust her life to. I really don't ask for anything else."

Ah Zhu covered her lower abdomen and nodded: "Your Majesty is right. Princess Jingyi is young. How can she be separated from her mother and raised by others?"

"Moreover, since returning to the palace, the Empress Dowager has often been unwell, so how could she have time to take care of the children?"

As Consort Xian thanked him repeatedly, she stood up to bow to A-Zhu, but A-Zhu stopped her from kneeling.

“Princess Jingyi is as well-behaved and adorable as a pearl, which shows how much care Your Majesty has put in… Moreover, by helping Your Majesty in this way, I am also helping myself. Your Majesty need not do so.”

After agreeing to visit Princess Jingyi's pet parrot, which is named Jixiang (meaning auspiciousness) and whose own name is also Jixiang, Consort Xian led Princess Jingyi away.

*

Emperor Xuanpei dined with Azhu in the Guanju Palace for dinner.

Because Emperor Xuanpei had made it a habit to keep an eye on whether Azhu ate properly, Azhu, fearing that he might do something foolish, did not dare to cause any trouble during the meal and ate his meal in a well-behaved manner.

The sky gradually darkened.

Emperor Xuanpei closed the memorial in his hand, and then listened to Azhu, who was reading with him, suddenly let out a sigh.

Following the sound, I saw Ah Zhu, who was looking at me suspiciously with shifty eyes. I quickly shrank back and hid behind my book.

Emperor Xuanpei pursed his lips, suppressing a smile, and reopened the memorial in his hand.

After a few breaths, Emperor Xuanpei closed the memorial in his hand, and then heard a series of groans and sighs.

Emperor Xuanpei changed the memorial in his hand, and the sighing stopped.

By the third time, the poor little thing that had been pretending to sigh all this time had pounced on them with its claws outstretched.

Emperor Xuanpei laughed and caught Azhu as she pounced on him, affectionately nuzzling her nose and saying, "Hmm, this is what you call walking into a trap."

A-Zhu smiled and clung to Emperor Xuanpei, leaning over to give him a kiss: "Then Your Majesty's 'net' must be sturdy, for I now have a family to support."

"Very well, I will certainly remember, and always receive it securely."

Emperor Xuanpei stroked Azhu's hair.

"Did Consort Xian come this afternoon?"

"Yes." A-Zhu nodded and smiled, "And Princess Jingyi too. Consort Xian has taken such good care of Princess Jingyi; she's so lovable."

Nowadays, most children in the palace are raised by their own mothers, and even those of lower rank are only raised by the title of the main concubine in the palace.

As unreliable as Consort Zhao... the King of England always followed her and was taken care of by her.

Looking up at Emperor Xuanpei, Azhu softly called out, "Your Majesty..."

Emperor Xuanpei patted Azhu's back gently and said slowly, "The Empress Dowager is still the Empress Dowager."

"If the Empress Dowager summons me, not only the Consort Xian, but even I would have to go and pay my respects to her."

"Given her noble status, she naturally deserves the dignity to enjoy her remaining years in the palace."

"Understood," A-Zhu nodded repeatedly—"Besides maintaining appearances, Empress Dowager Shu can forget about getting anything done."

Looking at A-Zhu, who was blinking her eyes and looking "clever," Emperor Xuanpei smiled, kissed A-Zhu's forehead, and said in a low voice, "You just need to focus on your pregnancy. I know what to do with the rest."

......