Chapter 21 Spring Outing in the Garden Gu Xi was currently covering her chest with her hand...
To establish an empress?
Gu Xi looked up in surprise upon hearing this.
The Emperor has been on the throne for three years, and it is indeed time to establish an Empress. However, she had heard that the matter of establishing an Empress had been repeatedly raised in the court, but the Emperor had rejected it each time for different reasons.
In the harem today, only Consort Xue is worthy of the position of Empress. The Empress Dowager's sudden mention of her is clearly aimed at Consort Xue. If the Emperor agrees, that would be good. If he does not agree, where will Consort Xue's face be?
Although Gu Xi did not know the real reason why Xiao Heng refused to establish an empress, based on his previous attitude towards the matter, she guessed that he would most likely not agree now.
The Empress Dowager, being such a shrewd person, could not possibly be unaware of this.
So what was her purpose in doing this? Was it to put pressure on Xiao Heng so that he would have no choice but to agree?
Considering the Empress Dowager's fondness for Consort Xue, it's not impossible. Moreover, Consort Xue came from a distinguished family; her father was the Right Chancellor of the court, and her mother was Princess Anhe.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Xue and continued, "I think that girl Xue..."
Xiao Heng, unusually, interrupted the Empress Dowager and said calmly, "Mother, the border war is currently intense, and the expenses for the Empress's investiture ceremony are considerable. This matter should be discussed after the war has been quelled." As Xiao Heng spoke, his gaze seemingly casually swept over the audience, but it was unclear who he was looking at.
But Gu Xi was certain that he wasn't looking at her.
The Empress Dowager was incredibly astute; she immediately caught Xiao Heng's gaze. She softened her tone and comforted the Consort, saying, "What the Emperor said makes sense, but I'm afraid you'll have to suffer for now, Xue girl."
Upon hearing Xiao Heng's words, Consort Xue's face stiffened. She then tried to maintain her composure and said, "Your Majesty, I am not wronged." Although she said this, the disappointment in her eyes betrayed her.
As expected, Xiao Heng still refused. This inevitably created a rift between him and the Imperial Concubine.
Upon realizing this, Gu Xi was startled!
Is this the Empress Dowager's true purpose? But why is she doing this?
Before Gu Xi could figure it out, the Empress Dowager's voice rang out again: "Why haven't I seen Consort Wan today?"
Gu Xi's heart skipped a beat. She looked down at the teacup in her hand, her fingertips turning slightly white.
The hall fell silent instantly.
Xiao Heng said coldly, "She has committed a crime recently. I have punished her by making her reflect on her mistakes in Jingyang Palace. She will be allowed to come out when she has figured things out."
The Empress Dowager was taken aback upon hearing this: "Jingyang Palace?!"
Jingyang Palace is a palace hidden deep in a corner of the Forbidden City, in a remote location that ordinary people would never go to. Since ancient times, only concubines who were completely rejected by the emperor would be imprisoned here, so everyone called it the "Cold Palace".
Gu Xineng could clearly see the surprised expressions on the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine's faces when they heard this. It seemed that the people in the palace had not yet had time to report this matter to them.
“Exactly,” Xiao Heng said unhurriedly, as if he were talking about something perfectly ordinary.
Consort Xue, who had been looking dejected because of the failure to establish an empress, gradually relaxed upon hearing the news that Consort Wan had been banished to the Cold Palace. A smile unconsciously appeared on her lips, her eyes full of mockery.
The Empress Dowager rebuked her sternly, "What has Consort Wan done that the Emperor wants to send her to a place like Jingyang Palace?"
Xiao Heng snorted coldly and said with deep disgust, "He is arrogant because of his favor, his words and deeds are improper, and he is insubordinate. All these things... I have already shown him extraordinary mercy by simply sending him to Jingyang Palace."
Xiao Heng was vague about the reason why Consort Wan was banished to the Cold Palace, but his remark about insubordination silenced the Empress Dowager.
The Imperial Concubine chimed in, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. Consort Wan has been a bit presumptuous lately. Several times she has openly challenged me. Isn't that insubordination?"
The imperial concubine hesitated, as if to say something but then stopped, knowing that some things were best left unsaid.
The Imperial Concubine continued, "This time we've taught her a lesson. The Emperor said he'll let her come back once she's thought things through." While that's what she said, everyone knew that once someone went to the Cold Palace, there was no going back.
Gu Xi noticed that when the Consort was speaking, the Empress Dowager glanced at her, seemingly displeased with her words. But she quickly regained her composure, so quickly that Gu Xi thought she had misread it.
The Empress Dowager's expression softened, and she waved her hand helplessly, saying, "Enough, enough, I'm old..."
The palace banquet continued. After the Empress Dowager chatted with the Emperor and the Imperial Concubine for a few moments, she excused herself, saying she was feeling unwell, and returned to Cining Palace. The Emperor and the Imperial Concubine accompanied the Empress Dowager back, and the palace banquet came to an end.
Gu Xi followed the crowd out of the Hall of Preserving Harmony and headed towards the Weiyang Palace.
Throughout the entire day, Xiao Heng and she didn't exchange a single word, not even a glance. This was the ending she had been hoping for, but for some reason, she felt an emptiness in her heart.
*
The day after Consort Xue returned to the palace, she invited a group of concubines to admire the flowers in the Imperial Garden.
The matter of Consort Wan made her feel great. Thinking that she would no longer have to see Consort Wan during her morning and evening greetings, she couldn't help but want to hold a grand banquet to celebrate.
"Where is Consort Li?" Consort Xue asked, scanning the crowd.
Only then did everyone realize that Consort Li had not appeared today.
"Your Highness, a palace servant from Jiaofang Palace just reported that Consort Li was summoned away by the Emperor early this morning, saying that she would come to apologize to Your Highness later," Granny Chang replied.
Consort Xue frowned upon hearing this, thinking that Consort Wan had finally stopped causing trouble in front of her, but the Emperor's attention had already turned to someone else. Oh well, Consort Li was still easy to get along with. Since Xue Huixin was going to be the mistress of the harem, there would be many more such incidents in the future, so she had to put her mind at ease.
The Imperial Concubine smiled, her voice louder than usual, and said generously, "Since it is His Majesty's will, what crime is there? Go and tell her that she doesn't need to come today, and let her keep His Majesty company."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After the Imperial Concubine finished speaking, she began to lead a group of concubines on a tour of the garden.
Spring is in full bloom, and the Imperial Garden is bursting with flowers, a sight that brings joy to all who behold it.
Gu Xi hadn't been to the Imperial Garden for quite some time, and every time she came, it was a bad experience. It was a rare opportunity to properly appreciate the beautiful scenery today, and she was very happy.
"Hey, look, isn't that the Emperor and Consort Li?" someone in the crowd exclaimed.
Following the sound, everyone looked and saw the Emperor and Consort Li standing close together by the pavilion in the middle of the lake.
Gu Xi stood rooted to the spot, her steps seemingly frozen, her smile frozen on her face.
Too far away, she couldn't see Xiao Heng's expression clearly. She only saw Lu Mengli nestled against Xiao Heng, their behavior intimate, while Xiao Heng lowered his head and said something that made Consort Li smile shyly.
As if sensing everyone's gaze, Xiao Heng glanced in their direction, but only for a moment before looking away.
Then, it seemed that Consort Li wanted to feed the fish in the lake. Xiao Heng was afraid that she would fall into the lake, so he carefully protected her from the side.
As everyone says, Xiao Heng dotes on Consort Li.
Xiao Heng no longer goes to Weiyang Palace to find her. He seems to get along well with Sister Lu, who is a very kind person and had helped her before. She should be happy for them, but why can't she be happy? She just feels suffocated.
"Miss, what's wrong?" Zhu Yin asked worriedly from the side.
Gu Xi was clutching her chest with her hand. She didn't know what was wrong with her; she just felt a dull ache in her heart.
"Zhuyin, did you bring any medicine?" Gu Xi asked Zhuyin softly. She felt very upset and wondered if her heart condition had flared up.
"I brought it, I brought it." Zhu Yin quickly took out a pill and put it to Gu Xi's lips.
Gu Xi swallowed it dry, and after a while, the pain slowly disappeared.
In the afternoon, Gu Xi and Zhu Yin returned to Weiyang Palace.
Thinking of Gu Xi's distressed appearance in the Imperial Garden, Zhu Yin asked anxiously, "Miss, should we ask Physician Mu to come and take a look?"
Gu Xi shook her head. She had just checked her pulse and found nothing serious.
Zhu Yin was still worried and started to walk towards the Imperial Hospital. "Zhu Yin," Gu Xi stopped Zhu Yin and said, "I'm fine. I'm probably just tired from working out lately. I'll be fine after a rest."
"Miss, you should rest early today."
Gu Xi nodded.
After washing up, Gu Xi sat down at her dressing table, the scene she had witnessed in the Imperial Garden earlier that day flashing through her mind, along with Xiao Heng's indifferent gaze. Suddenly, that uncomfortable feeling returned, and she quickly pressed her chest, trying to suppress the indescribable dull pain and aching sensation.
She stared intently at herself in the bronze mirror, her brow furrowed and her lips pressed into a thin line, looking far from pleased.
What's wrong with her?
*
Early this morning, a group of imperial concubines arrived at the Empress Dowager's Cining Palace to pay their respects.
After the Empress Dowager and the Imperial Concubine exchanged pleasantries for a while, Xiao Heng finally arrived late.
Not long after Xiao Heng arrived at Cining Palace, Consort Li followed closely behind.
Consort Li wore a peach-colored dress today, which made her complexion even more radiant and charming. Her eyes and brows held a hint of sweetness, like a rose just beginning to bloom on a branch, making people unable to help but take a second look.
The Empress Dowager glanced at Consort Li with displeasure and said slowly, "In the days since I left, the palace has become increasingly unruly."
Lu Mengli knew that the Empress Dowager was referring to her, so she quickly apologized, saying, "Your Majesty, I am late."
Xiao Heng sat down in the main seat next to the Empress Dowager and explained, "Mother, please don't blame Li'er. I just woke up late today."
Upon hearing this, everyone knew that the Emperor had spent the night in Consort Li's palace again. The concubines present couldn't help but feel a little jealous, as the Emperor had already chosen Consort Li's nameplate countless times this month.
It was no secret in the palace that the Emperor favored Consort Li. Now, the topic of conversation in the palace was no longer Consort Wan, who had been banished to the Cold Palace, but Consort Li, who was deeply loved.
The Empress Dowager frowned and said, "I have never interfered in who the Emperor favors, but the Emperor should understand the principle of distributing his favor equally, lest he disappoint anyone..."
A note from the author:
----------------------
In the next chapter, the male lead will go to find the female lead; he can't stand it at all! [winking emoji]
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com