Chapter 65 Pretending to cry
Consort Rou's expression remained unchanged, and she added, "Is that so? It was my oversight. But today's birthday celebration for my sister is an honor bestowed by His Majesty. Kongshan Garden is built on the water; where is it not a place close to the water?"
"Sister, tell me, is it yes or no?"
Lan Wu's reaction was a bit slow, clearly not noticing what she was saying. She turned her gaze back from the pool and tilted her head slightly apologetically, saying, "What did you say, Consort Rou? I was thinking about the butterfly forest you mentioned and didn't pay attention. It's getting dark, and I was thinking of going to take a look. So I won't say any more to you. I'll take my leave now."
She was in a good mood and said something inexplicable that could be misunderstood before she vanished without a trace, leaving Consort Rou and Consort Rong standing there in silence.
Consort Rou glanced in the direction Lan Wu had left, her expression gradually turning cold. She said with a half-smile, "His Majesty's favoritism has truly made her lawless."
“However, as Your Majesty said, Sister Zhen is young and a bit playful.” Consort Rou’s tone shifted again, sounding somewhat helpless. “I can only be more tolerant of her.”
Rong Shuyi looked up at her, then lowered her eyes and echoed, "Your Majesty is truly magnanimous."
"Let's not talk about her anymore, Sister Rong, let's go to the left."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
-
Lan Wu walked towards the Butterfly Grove and heard the slightly chaotic laughter of the concubines from afar. She paused, really not wanting to go over, but then she thought again, why should she back down? What was there for her to back down from?
So I went inside.
It was about half an hour before dusk. Although the daylight was still good, it was already clear that it was late.
The butterfly forest was somewhat humid and hot, with dense bushes and flowers of all colors in full bloom. There were indeed many butterflies; Lan Wu alone saw several orange-yellow butterflies on the ground as soon as she walked in.
"Sister, look, there are some blue butterflies over there."
Lan Wu couldn't recognize whose voice it was, but the other person slowly walked over and stood in front of her.
The newcomer was dressed in a light blue dress, and next to her was a woman in a pale yellow dress.
Oh, I ran into someone I know again.
But we can't really be considered very familiar with each other.
Across from her, the woman in the pale yellow dress frowned slightly when she saw Lan Wu. Seeing that Lan Wu did not bow, she hesitated to speak, but because of the ring on Lan Wu's hand, she could only mutter something under her breath.
"It is Consort Zhen Shuyi." Yue Zhaorong pursed her lips slightly and smiled at Lan Wu.
Lan Wu had no particular opinion about Yue Zhaorong, but she didn't have a good impression of Mu Xiurong, who was beside her.
She nodded, hummed in agreement, and said, "I just heard Consort Rou mention a butterfly grove here, so I came to take a look before nightfall. Both of you are here too."
Mu Xiurong spoke first: "Why can't we do it here? Although His Majesty ordered a birthday banquet for you, Kongshan Garden is not your territory. Don't get your hopes up."
Lan Wu scoffed inwardly; she could tell that this guy surnamed Mu wouldn't be able to come up with anything nice.
"Sister Mu is so fierce! I only wanted to say that it was such a coincidence to meet you two sisters, why, why does Sister Mu have to treat me like this? I..."
Lan Wu picked up a handkerchief and covered her face, her voice trembling with grievance and tears. She glanced at Mu Xiurong and continued, "Where have I offended Sister Mu? If Sister Mu tells me, I will definitely change."
You're kidding me, she's a master of pretense.
Seeing Mu Xiurong's angry yet flustered appearance, Lan Wu couldn't help but laugh.
"You! You're faking crying!?" Mu Xiurong clearly heard her laugh and instantly turned red with anger, standing in front to question Lan Wu harshly.
Lan Wu simply took off her handkerchief, looked directly at her without any fear, and said calmly, "If I really cry, Consort Mu will be in big trouble."
Although Chu Mingheng loved to make her cry on the bed, he didn't like her crying in front of others.
This is true.
"You think—" Mu Xiurong was about to question her loudly when she saw Lan Wu cover her ears, looking annoyed.
"Why are you making such a loud noise? You're disturbing me."
Mu Xiurong was so angry at Lan Wu's indifferent yet disdainful look that she felt dizzy. She stared at Lan Wu and said "you" for a long time but couldn't say another word.
Yue Zhaorong watched helplessly, shaking her head and chuckling. She didn't stop her, but pulled Mu Xiurong behind her and said to Lan Wu, "Consort Zhen, don't take it to heart. Mu Xiurong is just quick-tempered; she doesn't mean any harm."
Lan Wu glanced at Mu Xiurong and snorted softly. Of course, she knew that Mu Xiurong had no bad intentions, but Mu Xiurong's mouth was too fast and too direct, which was annoying to listen to.
"This concubine is going to stroll around the Butterfly Grove, so I won't chat with you two any longer."
Lan Wu walked past them and heard Mu Xiurong behind her calling out to Yue Zhaorong, her voice sounding somewhat annoyed, though she couldn't hear clearly from a distance.
My older sister...
In their previous life, they had a good relationship, but Mu Xiurong offended Consort Shu because of her sharp tongue. Consort Shu found a pretext to imprison her. After all, Consort Shu had the power to manage the six palaces, so it was very easy for her to deal with a mere Xiurong.
Lan Wu remembered that Mu Xiurong was not released until she was strangled to death.
As for Yue Zhaorong...
Did she plead with Consort Shu for mercy?
After thinking about it all the way back, Lan Wu was served a cup of tea when she returned to the main hall and sat down in her seat.
She looked up, her brows furrowed, and finally came to a conclusion—she had forgotten.
Yue Zhaorong and Mu Xiurong seem to have such a good relationship, like sisters, but in this palace, the most important thing is the emperor's favor, and the second most important thing is to be wary of those around you.
No one knows you inside and out, so you can't easily trust strangers.
Lan Wu took a sip of tea and reached for the grapes on the plate.
There are all kinds of fruits available at this time of year. In addition to the grapes, pears, plums and lychees that are currently on the plate, the imperial kitchen has also prepared some other fruits.
However, the banquet had not yet begun, and it was not yet time to serve all the fruits.
Lan Wu peeled a grape, tasted its slightly sweet and sour flavor, squinted her eyes slightly, and looked towards the entrance of the main hall.
The concubines who had just gone out for a stroll in the garden all returned to the palace one after another.
Seeing Consort Rou and Consort Rong return one after the other, Lan Wu peeled another grape, gently lowered her eyes, and watched as the shadows cast by the sun slanted inch by inch on the brocade carpet in the palace.
As dusk approached, the glow of the setting sun cast a golden curtain, covering the entire garden. All around, a murmur fell, then gradually faded away. In the stillness, everything seemed like a dreamlike illusion.
Lan Wu touched her teacup. Unlike the others who were excitedly watching the sunset, she simply looked down at the shadows on the ground, her hands folded on her knees, her fingers fidgeting with her other hand with a hint of impatience.
Suddenly, everyone around him stood up, and at the same time, the eunuch outside the hall announced loudly:
"His Majesty has arrived!"
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