Chapter 42 042 A Storm is Imminent
For several days, the weather remained calm.
Qingli and the others were getting restless. After accepting Ling Shuyao's invitations for two consecutive days, they really lost the mood to travel on the third day. Just then, Ling Shuyao recovered from her illness and was tested on her knowledge by the emperor. She answered terribly and was ordered by the emperor to go to Chongwen Palace.
Chongwen Palace was a school specifically set up for princes and princesses. Hanlin scholars taught the Four Books and Five Classics as well as etiquette. After the princes received their initial education at Chongwen Palace, they would go to the Imperial Academy or receive specialized instruction.
These days, Chongwen Palace is bustling with activity, with princes and princesses gathering together, along with the princesses' playmates and the princes' study companions. Chongwen Palace is packed to capacity.
Another lively event in the palace was that Yingcui Palace became the focus of attention. For several days in a row, Emperor Mingkang stayed in Yingcui Palace and was overjoyed, showering the palace with gifts. Everyone in the palace was focused on matters concerning Yingcui Palace.
Although Consort Mu still did not leave Yingcui Palace, the head maid of Yingcui Palace, Yujue, would always distribute reward silver to any servant who did a good job, which made all the servants willing to work in Yingcui Palace.
Inside Chang Le Palace, servants knelt on the ground, all shouting that they deserved to die.
"bite!"
The bowl and spoon clashed with a jarring sound. The maid, Hongsu, swiftly took the bird's nest from Consort Liu's hands. It was pure white and without any impurities, but it was still not as good as the blood bird's nest from before.
Hongsu stood to one side and scolded, "What kind of rubbish is this, daring to send it into Chang Le Palace! The servants below are ignorant and arrogant. We have received many years of teachings from Her Majesty, do we not understand the principle that the height of clouds and mist is fleeting! Get out of here now!"
The servants said they understood and bowed as they withdrew.
Consort Liu kept her eyes down, but the anger in her heart subsided somewhat.
Hongsu served a cup of hot tea, glanced at the Empress's face, and took the blame upon herself, "Your Majesty, it is because I have been negligent these days that the people below have become confused and made such foolish mistakes."
"It's not that you've been negligent, it's that I've been negligent."
"This servant is terrified."
Consort Liu raised her bright red fingers, casting a red glow in the bright winter sunlight. She narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression enigmatic, and said indifferently, "I didn't expect an old clam like her to speak up. She's usually so proud and arrogant, but I wonder what she's after!"
Hongsu knew that the Empress did not want to hear her boastful words at this moment, so she dared not say anything more and just listened quietly. In her heart, she thought that what Consort Mu could want was nothing more than the future of the Fourth Prince and the marriage of the Second Princess. With the matter imminent, if she did not come out, could she really be so detached from worldly desires?
In such a vast palace, who can truly be free from worldly desires?
Outside, an announcement was made that Consort De had led Consort Cheng into Chang Le Palace.
Consort De walked quickly ahead with an angry expression, while Consort Cheng followed with difficulty. Finally, before entering the hall, the two were level and greeted each other.
Consort De was tactful and spoke kindly, managing to get along well with everyone in the palace without offending anyone. But at this moment, she said with a hint of frustration, "Your Majesty, I came here to get some fresh air!"
Seeing that no one responded, Consort De glanced down at Consort Cheng, cursing her inwardly as a blockhead, and continued, "You should really manage the atmosphere in the palace. This sycophantic behavior is truly disgusting. They make excuses for everything, and even when they agree, it takes several days!"
After venting her frustrations, Consort De finally let out a tirade. Looking at Consort Cheng's submissive demeanor beside her, she felt a sudden headache coming on. She raised a finger and poked Consort Cheng's head, scolding, "How can you be so useless? You're young and beautiful, how come you can't compare to that old..."
"Enough!" Consort Liu scolded, glancing at Consort De to indicate that she had gone too far!
Consort De shrank her neck slightly, sighed, and said slowly, "Your Majesty, I'm just angry!"
"They are all the Emperor's concubines. As long as the Emperor is happy, we are content wherever we are."
Consort De remained silent, but in her heart she strongly disagreed. How could things be the same no matter who was in charge?
Cheng Shuyuan was encountered by the Emperor five years ago during his incognito visit to the south. Her family only had a small shop to support them. She was thin like a weeping willow and had a pale face, making her look pitiful.
After being brought into the palace, she was fortunate enough to give birth to the sixth prince, but she was always sick or uncomfortable for a year, constantly soaking in medicine pots, and her whole body smelled bitter. She also knew that she was petty and never took the initiative to get close to the emperor. When she heard the imperial concubine say this, she echoed, "If the emperor is happy, we are happy."
Consort De: ...
After a long silence, Consort De still couldn't swallow her anger and urged, "Your Majesty, we only have so many old people in our palace, it's time to bring in some fresh faces."
Cheng Shuyuan lowered her head, her thick eyelashes obscuring the meaning in her eyes.
Consort Liu hummed in response, her expression indifferent, revealing nothing about her intentions.
Consort De felt a tickle in her heart, but dared not ask too many questions.
Consort De's father, Zhong Yuansheng, had served as the Director of Studies at the Imperial Academy for many years, diligently fulfilling his duties as the Chancellor, yet he could not be promoted further. This was because Consort Mu's father, Huang Pu, held the position of Chancellor. Consort Mu had given birth to a prince in the palace, and although they were both consorts, Huang Pu was a head higher than Consort Mu. How could Consort Mu not be jealous?
She was happiest when Consort Mu lost power.
Consort De actually had another selfish motive: her failure to give birth to a prince was a major drawback. If someone close to her entered the palace and gave birth to a prince, she would definitely have greater power, and her status might even be promoted.
The three talked for a while longer before Consort De, accompanied by Consort Cheng, took her leave. About a hundred meters from Chang Le Palace, Consort De instructed, "You go back first; I'll just take a stroll."
Cheng Shuyuan responded softly.
Consort De said with exasperation, "I've shown you the way; whether you take it or not is up to you."
"I will obey my sister's instructions."
Consort De flicked her handkerchief and swayed away.
Cheng Shuyuan lifted her eyelashes, revealing her bright, clear eyes that were hidden beneath the cover. They were clear and bright, without any timidity. She glanced at the back of the figure for a moment before walking to the other side.
The maid Tuanhe carefully supported her and said softly, "Everyone is busy chasing after profit; Your Highness must not be misled."
“I know we won’t fall for their tricks. Once we get back, we’ll close the palace gates, feign illness for a while, and wait out these troubles before coming out again.”
"Good, then the Sixth Prince will be the happiest."
When the Sixth Prince was mentioned, Cheng Shuyuan's usually expressionless face lit up.
Inside Chang Le Palace, after hearing the maid's report, Hong Su turned and entered the hall. She walked up to the Empress and said, "The Consort De went there again."
Consort Liu raised an eyebrow and said sarcastically, "She's a fence-sitter, swaying with the wind. Let her be."
Hongsu lowered her head, wondering whether Consort De was genuinely stupid or just pretending to be, given how openly she tried to please everyone.
"How is Miss An doing?"
Hongsu shuddered when she heard the Empress ask this question, before she realized, "They're still sending silver around everywhere."
"She seems to be quite ambitious. Is she at odds with the Meng family's young lady?"
This startled Hongsu completely. "I heard that's how it is."
"The palace certainly deserves some excitement."
Hongsu was startled, "Your Majesty, Consort De is trying to take advantage of the chaos..."
Consort Liu glanced at her indifferently, and Hongsu immediately calmed down. Then, as if she had thought of something, she froze, unsure of what to do with her hands and feet. Seeing that Hongsu understood, Consort Liu instructed, "Go and do it. If you find that bad fish in the muddy water, I'd be happy to mess it up. It'll make the fishpond cleaner; I find the messy place annoying."
What's so annoying, that bad fish?
At noon, the sun was at its zenith, casting its rays through the window onto the letter, making it almost impossible for Consort Mu to see clearly. After struggling to decipher it two or three times, she asked incredulously, "Really? This is real!"
Consort Mu couldn't hold back her emotions as her long-cherished wish came true, and a string of tears slid down her cheeks. She murmured, "I knew it. When my brother and sister-in-law told me in my dream that I must find my little niece, it must have been a sign that my life was safe."
Yu Jue's throat felt constricted, and she could only nod heavily.
Consort Mu hurriedly tidied her hair, her face bright, and prepared to go out. "Let's go, I need to see her."
We can't wait even a moment longer.
Yu Jue reached out and tightly grasped Consort Mu's hand, her eyes gesturing towards the inner room. A dark cloud seemed to float, obscuring the light, and Consort Mu's face paled. Yu Jue comforted her, "This servant will go and arrange for you to come here, Miss."
Consort Mu nodded with fervent eyes, but then, as if remembering something, she stopped Yu Jue from moving.
"Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"You said that Song Yuan gave you this letter before you went to the capital?"
Yu Jue nodded excitedly and said, "Yes, the people I sent investigated. If it weren't for the old master sending the message, we would have been deceived."
The people Yu Jue sent were excellent at gathering information, but everything inside and out had been arranged by Meng Qingshan. Qing Li did indeed live in Taiyuan Prefecture, and only a slight change of household registration was needed.
Consort Mu was slightly taken aback. "Then Father recognized Qingli a long time ago. If I hadn't taken the initiative to find out, Father would definitely not have paid any attention to me."
"Do you think Father has forgiven me for my recklessness back then?"
“This servant believes that the old master knows why you did this. Otherwise, the old master would not have accepted the things I brought every time. When the time comes, there will be no barriers between father and daughter.”
A burning desire shone in Consort Mu's eyes, but having been confined to the palace for so many years, whether intentionally or unintentionally, when would she ever be able to leave?
Consort Mu did not believe that the wall-like enclosure around her was unintentional. She looked into the inner room, her burning gaze seemingly trying to see through the warm curtains, and whispered, "If that day ever comes, I will kneel before my father and beg for his forgiveness."
Consort Mu pulled Yu Jue aside and whispered, "Tell her not to be anxious and to wait patiently for good news."
"My Qingli is the smartest," Consort Mu murmured to herself. "They've been smug for far too long."
Consort De spent the whole day traveling and persuading others. It wasn't until dusk that she returned to Changyi Palace and inquired about the Fourth Princess's affairs. Hearing that the Fourth Princess had spent the whole day playing with Miss Tang and had gone to bed early, she knew that she hadn't misjudged her.
The fourth princess is only four years old and has a gentle nature. Consort De only hopes that she can grow up peacefully. Her Changyi Palace has no princes to support her, and she is unwilling to force those arrogant young ladies from high-ranking families. It would be better to choose someone with a down-to-earth personality, so that the fourth princess can be happy.
Princess Ling Shuzhi stood in the hall, the dim yellow light in the corner making her appear somewhat dim. Hearing her mother repeatedly questioning the Fourth Princess, she retorted with dissatisfaction, "Mother..."
Consort De's head was taut; the shrill scream felt like needles piercing her brain. She immediately frowned, and after a moment, she breathed a sigh of relief and asked helplessly, "What's wrong?"
"My mother only cares about my younger sister, not me!"
"Qi'er only got one playmate, but you got two. You have someone to keep you company every day, and you never lack clothes or food. How much more care do you need?"
"Hmph!" Ling Shuzhi stomped her foot and stormed out of Changyi Palace. Back at Manyue Palace, Feng Yuchan and Chen Lihui surrounded her. Seeing her unpleasant expression, they exchanged a glance.
Ling Shuzhi shoved the two aside, walked to the table, and smashed all the teacups on it to the ground. She lay on the table and sobbed. When she had finished crying, she raised her face, which was covered with tear stains and her eyelashes were wet. She looked very pitiful, but the words that came out of her mouth were very vicious, "An Shulan, that good-for-nothing, she was made to harm Qingli, but to this day, that bitch is still alive and well!"
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