Chapter 71 Disappoints Me
Consort Li really didn't dare to try.
Putting aside Lan Wu's status as a favored concubine, just consider that when Lan Wu slapped her, she was still wearing the thumb ring given to her by His Majesty; how could she dare to retaliate?
I dare not retaliate, but I can reveal Lan Wu's true colors to His Majesty. She says one thing to His Majesty's face and another behind his back. Once His Majesty knows her true colors, he will definitely no longer like her!
Thinking of this, Consort Li covered her face, turned back to Lan Wu and sneered: "Even if you have something given to you by His Majesty, I will definitely report this act of insubordination to His Majesty in detail."
She gritted her teeth and uttered the sentence, only to see Lan Wu turn around as if she didn't care, instructing the palace servants behind her to escort her back to Yilan Palace.
Consort Li could not hide her anger. Seeing Lan Wu leave so nonchalantly, she had nowhere to vent her frustration. Just then, a palace maid beside her stepped forward to remind her, "Your Highness, Consort Shu is inside urging you to come."
As soon as Consort Li turned around, she was about to slap the palace maid across the face. Seeing the palace maid close her eyes in panic, Consort Li's hand suddenly stopped in mid-air and slowly withdrew. A hint of inquiry flickered in her eyes as she looked at the palace maid.
This palace maid is really pretty; she looks delicate and charming, and her fearful little face makes one feel a little sorry for her.
"I understand." She scrutinized the person carefully and asked, "Are you a palace servant of Zhaoyun Palace?"
Panxi lowered her body, not daring to look at Consort Li's face, and timidly replied, "Your Majesty, my name is Panxi, and I am a palace maid who just entered Zhaoyun Palace a few days ago."
A few days ago?
Consort Li silently recited a phrase in her heart, said nothing, and walked past her directly into the palace.
The inner hall of Zhaoyun Palace was sheltered from the wind everywhere. The imperial physician said that Consort Rou's illness could not be exposed to the wind, so it was sheltered. But it was summer, and it was so stuffy and hot without any ventilation. Even if there was ice in the hall, it would be difficult to relieve the heat.
When Consort Li went inside, she saw His Majesty sitting to one side, with the curtains on the bed obscuring Consort Rou's face.
But when she thought of the face she had seen in the hall that was almost scratched, she couldn't help but shudder.
"What happened to Consort Li's face?" Consort Shu noticed the red mark on her face at first glance and asked in a low voice.
Although she spoke softly, the hall was quiet now, and everyone present could hear her. If Consort Shu really didn't want others to hear, she could have asked later, but she insisted on asking in front of His Majesty, showing that she was eager to stir up trouble.
Consort Li looked expectantly at the Emperor's expression, but saw that he remained seated in the chair, showing no reaction whatsoever.
"I spoke a few words with Sister Zhen outside the palace just now, and Sister Zhen seemed to get angry, so... she started a fight."
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu was filled with disbelief, her expression almost identical to that of Consort Li when she received that slap.
Has Lan Wu gone mad? She's just a concubine, yet she dares to slap Consort Li in the face in front of everyone?
After the initial shock, Consort Shu looked at the Emperor.
Chu Mingheng leaned back in his chair, his half-supported hand gently resting on his forehead. He was looking at the medical records of the Imperial Medical Academy. It said that the Anluo fruit had been sent to the Imperial Medical Academy half a month ago, but in principle, the Imperial Medical Academy would need to try it for a month to determine whether such a new thing could be consumed by the masters in the palace.
Now, only half a month later, the Imperial Kitchen couldn't resist bypassing the Imperial Hospital and trying to curry favor in this way.
Was it just wishful thinking, or... did someone suggest such a "good thing"?
Chu Mingheng rubbed his temples with a hint of helplessness, closed the book in his hand, and calmly ordered, "Guards, take the head of the Imperial Kitchen to the Department of Criminal Investigation and interrogate him severely."
“Anyone found to be suspicious shall be beaten to death.”
Chen Kang'an responded with a "yes" from the side, and then quietly withdrew, leaving only Luo Yun waiting by the emperor's side.
Suddenly, Chu Mingheng's gaze shifted to Consort Shu and Consort Li on the side. His indifferent gaze swept over them as if they were nothing, and then he asked casually, "What are you talking about?"
After a moment of silence, Consort Shu replied, "Your Majesty, I was just curious because I noticed the red mark on Consort Li's face."
Consort Li dared not speak, her lips trembling slightly: "The marks on my face will fade in a moment, it's nothing serious."
The previous rumors from Zhaoyun Palace were that Consort Rou was dying, but when we arrived at this palace, she was lying peacefully on her bed, and the imperial physician said that her condition had improved.
Consort Rou woke up and just then heard His Majesty's command. She was anxious to say something, but half of her face was swollen, itchy and painful, and she couldn't speak at all.
She had finally managed to get someone into the Imperial Kitchen after years of secretly supporting them, and they had become the head of the Imperial Kitchen, so that they could do more for her in the future. She never expected it to end like this.
No, no, then wouldn't all her efforts have been in vain?
Consort Rou reached out and grabbed the curtain, but she really didn't dare let His Majesty see her in her current state. While she hesitated, a palace maid brought in the medicine from outside the hall.
The young palace maid lowered her head, the medicine bowl she was holding was clearly too hot to handle. She placed the medicine outside the curtain and said softly, "Your Highness should take your medicine."
Consort Li's eyes narrowed as she noticed that this palace maid was the same one named Panxi from before.
Consort Rou is quite interesting. She keeps such a beautiful palace maid by her side without making a sound. What is she planning to do?
The curtain wasn't drawn, and Panxi leaned close to Consort Rou to listen to what she was saying.
Then he turned around and reported in detail: "Your Majesty, the Empress said that the people in the Imperial Kitchen only wanted to claim credit. I hope Your Majesty can be lenient in dealing with them, considering that today is Consort Zhen's birthday."
Chu Mingheng looked at the person behind the curtain and suddenly smiled: "Consort Rou is kind, but in this palace, the rules are the most important. You have been managing the harem for so long, don't you know this principle?"
"I need to consider your temperament and whether I should entrust you with the power to assist in managing the six palaces."
"You truly disappoint me."
After saying this, Chu Mingheng stood up from his seat, his smile vanished, and his expression turned cold. He instructed the imperial physician to take good care of Consort Rou's body.
He strode out of the hall.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully see you off."
Consort Shu and Consort Li bowed to the person in the hall, and only stood up after seeing that His Majesty had indeed walked away.
Looking again at Consort Rou on the bed, I couldn't see her clearly through the curtain, but I could imagine how ugly her face must look at that moment.
Consort Li stepped forward and comforted Consort Rou, saying, "Sister Rou, don't worry. His Majesty has already issued an edict, instructing me to assist Consort Shu in handling palace affairs. Although I am not as skilled as you, I am willing to learn. Please rest assured, sister."
As she spoke, she couldn't hide her smile. She gently pulled back the curtain to peek at Consort Rou, then immediately closed it again, startled and patting her chest: "Sister, you should take good care of yourself. I'll take my leave now."
Consort Shu watched Consort Li's actions from the side without intervening.
Consort Li is a fool, and there's nothing to fear about a fool.
Consort Rou has lost power in one move, but who knows if she won't rise again someday? She's a woman who holds grudges very much.
When that time comes, we can think about how to make them fight like dogs...
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