Chapter 148 Centrifugal Forces (Part 1)
At Xianfu Palace, Caiyue led Yu Ying'er back to Cunju Hall.
"You're back. How is Huan'er?"
"Your Highness, Consort Wan has caught a cold and is resting in bed. I saw that when I brought her some things, she asked me to tell you that she is fine and you don't need to worry."
Caiyue gave a detailed report with a solemn and serious expression. However, Yu Ying'er, who was following behind her, was inexperienced and not very good at hiding her feelings. Shen Meizhuang saw the indignation on her face.
Seeing that Caiyue didn't intend to say anything more, Shen Meizhuang held back and didn't ask any further questions.
"It's good that you're alright. There are so many rumors in the palace, it's best for Huan'er to relax." Shen Meizhuang touched her belly and sighed softly. To be honest, she didn't really believe these rumors. Rather than the Emperor using Huan'er as a substitute, she felt that Consort Wan was deliberately spreading these rumors to hurt Huan'er.
As an outsider, she had a clearer perspective and only hoped that Huan'er wouldn't be blinded by her own involvement.
"Your Highness, Consort Wan is wise and will understand. Right now, the most important thing is the imperial heir in your womb. Please don't overthink it and take good care of yourself."
Caiyue genuinely cared for Shen Meizhuang. Everything in the palace was fake; only the child in her womb was her mistress's strongest guarantee. Moreover, in her heart, Consort Wan was not someone her mistress was so worried about.
"You're right. My priority now is to take good care of the baby." Touching her belly, Shen Meizhuang smiled gently, radiating a tender maternal aura as she looked forward to the day her child would be born.
"It's good that you've come to your senses. The medicine to help with the pregnancy will be ready soon. I'll go and bring it to you."
After Caixing finished speaking, she left with Yu Ying'er, leaving Caiyue in the palace to accompany Shen Meizhuang.
Because Shen Meizhuang was pregnant, Yinzhen granted special permission to open a small kitchen in Xianfu Palace. Her daily medicine for preventing miscarriage was also prepared in the small kitchen, which was convenient and safe.
With a stern face, Caixing led Yu Ying'er to the small kitchen. Seeing that the medicine for preventing miscarriage would take a while to prepare, they decided to wait there. At first, Yu Ying'er didn't think anything was wrong. It wasn't until she noticed Caixing's serious expression that she became somewhat uneasy, wondering what she had done wrong.
"Sister Caixing..."
Seeing that Yu Ying'er had finally noticed her displeasure, and seeing her pitiful and coquettish appearance, Caixing couldn't bring herself to scold her. Instead, she asked with a hint of disappointment, "Ying'er, what was your expression like in the palace just now? What if you offended the mistress?"
“Sister Caixing, I didn’t mean to, I just…” Upon hearing this, Yu Ying’er grabbed Caixing’s hand with a somewhat frightened expression.
"Just what?"
"Sister Caiyue told me not to tell you, Master..." At this moment, Yu Ying'er stammered, her eyes darting around.
Cai Xing frowned and patted Yu Ying'er's shoulder reassuringly, "Cai Yue didn't want you to tell me because she was afraid you would worry. It's just the two of us here. Tell me what happened that made you so disobedient."
Yu Ying'er looked up at Cai Xing's determined eyes and no longer hesitated, "Sister Cai Xing, it's not that I'm not convinced, I'm just feeling sorry for the young master..."
Yu Ying'er became increasingly angry as she spoke, gesturing wildly at Cai Xing.
"You have no idea how arrogant Huanbi is. She looked down on everything the young lady sent. I heard it clearly before she left. She even instructed the eunuch to have the imperial physician examine it before giving it to Consort Wan. Isn't this just framing the young lady and ruining her good intentions?"
After hearing Yu Ying'er's account, Cai Xing's face darkened instantly. She couldn't believe that Huan Bi had such audacity. "Is what you said true?"
“Of course it’s true, Sister Caiyue heard it too. Huanbi spoke so loudly, not only us, but Consort Wan in the palace must have heard it clearly as well, but she didn’t reprimand her at all. If you ask me, without Consort Wan’s instructions, how could a palace maid like Huanbi have such audacity?”
"Alright, is it someone you can say such things about Consort Wan?" Caixing gave Yu Ying'er a reproachful look, not because she was angry with her, but because she was worried that Yu Ying'er might say something that would cause trouble.
Knowing Cai Xing's good intentions, Yu Ying'er pursed her lips and remained silent for a while, but she couldn't help but lean closer to Cai Xing and whisper, "I also discovered something else. Last time, when Consort Wan and Consort An came to see you, Your Highness, you specially gave them the Floating Light Brocade, and Consort Wan wore it on Huan Bi."
"really?!"
Seeing Cai Xing's shocked expression, Yu Ying'er nodded affirmatively, "It's true, sister. You know, I've never seen such a beautiful material as Floating Light Brocade before. When the young mistress took it out, I examined it very carefully. Sister Cai Yue even laughed at me then. I certainly wouldn't mistake it."
Upon hearing Yu Ying'er's words, Cai Xing instantly recalled what had happened. Yu Ying'er was right, which meant she definitely hadn't misjudged. Thinking this, Cai Xing's expression turned even more unpleasant.
What does Wan Chang mean by this? We can assume that Huan Bi acted on her own initiative before, but if Wan Chang hadn't given her the brocade, how could Huan Bi have dared to wear it so openly?
Seeing a glimpse of a dark blue dress peeking out from behind the door behind Caixing, Yu Ying'er's eyes darted around, and she continued angrily, "If you ask me, Your Highness is truly devoted to Consort Wan, but Consort Wan may not be so devoted to Your Highness. Otherwise, why would she give a dress symbolizing sisterly affection to a palace maid? Moreover, this Huanbi not only treats us badly, but she's also arrogant towards Consort An. Without Consort Wan's backing, how could a mere palace maid dare to do such a thing..."
Listening to Yu Ying'er's rambling, Shen Meizhuang behind the door was somewhat stunned. She had only come to the courtyard for a stroll on a whim, but who knew she would overhear so much.
Of the three garments made of shimmering brocade, she kept one for herself, one for Huan'er, and one for Lingrong. They were meant to be a testament to the friendship between the three of them, so why did Huan'er give them to a palace maid?
Judging from Ying'er's words, Huanbi often bullies Lingrong. Huan'er initially showed the most pity and tenderness for Lingrong, so why did she condone the palace maid's bullying of her?
What exactly was the reason? Was it because she misjudged people, or did Huan'er have some hidden difficulties?
"Alright, Your Highness is pregnant, so this matter should not be mentioned in front of you." After hearing Yu Ying'er's complaints, Cai Xing's impression of Consort Wan plummeted. However, considering her mistress's situation, she had no choice but to cover it up, and she now understood Cai Yue's meaning.
"I know, Sister Caiyue said that everything is for your sake, so I'll just say it to you." Yu Ying'er nodded obediently. Seeing that Shen Meizhuang outside the house didn't seem to be showing up, she decided to drop some more bombshells.
So, biting her lip, looking both frightened and reckless, she mustered her courage and said, "Your Highness is a good person. Coming to Xianfu Palace has been the happiest time of my life. So for Your Highness's sake, I must say this. Sister Caixing, Your Highness is pregnant. Let's find a way to separate Your Highness from Consort Wan. Consort Wan is too scheming; I'm scared..."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
