During dinner, an imperial decree suddenly arrived. I led the palace maids from the Chenxiang Pavilion to receive it: "By the providence of Heaven, the Emperor proclaims: The beautiful Mu Chenshuang, virtuous and prudent, dignified and benevolent, is hereby conferred the rank of Third Rank Concubine. This is my decree."
After the fathers-in-law left, Xiao Tao and Xiao Cui were both very happy, and I was also very happy. Xiao Tao deliberately teased me: "My dear, why are you so happy?"
"Me!" I picked up a piece of braised pork: "I'm happy that I can get more money every month!" Every penny is money for running away!
"Uh..." Xiao Tao obviously didn't expect me to answer like this: "My dear, you are so superficial..."
"Hehehehe..." I muttered while chewing the braised meat, "Thank you for the compliment, thank you for the compliment!"
"..." Xiao Tao no longer had the desire to continue chatting with me, and it just so happened that another guest came to Chenshuang Pavilion at this moment.
I had no choice but to put down my bowl and chopsticks again and greeted her with a smile. It was none other than Concubine Liu De, whom I had heard of but never met. In the book, Concubine Liu De was gentle, respectful, frugal, and never quarreled with others. However, she was frail and often lived in the palace, rarely seeing outsiders. Judging by her age, she seemed to be a year older than the emperor.
Of course, her ability to live in peace and security in the harem was due in part to her character, but also because her father was Imperial Tutor Liu. While Imperial Tutor lacked real power, he was, after all, a First Rank official, so naturally everyone in the palace respected her. Knowing her modesty and courtesy, I naturally had a favorable impression of her and bowed respectfully to her.
She gently helped me up. "You're welcome, sister. I've wanted to come visit you since you accidentally took the poison, but I'm not feeling well myself, and I'm worried that my visit would bring bad luck to you."
"This time, my sister is helping the harem to eliminate the traitors. I admire you deeply..." She held my hand and talked to me like a sister, coughing from time to time. I felt even closer to her. I didn't care when the food got cold, and didn't send her away until nightfall.
During this conversation, I learned that Empress Hua had been confined by the Emperor for a month, and the Phoenix Seal had been temporarily placed in the care of Concubine De. Concubine De had come to see if I needed anything so she could help me with it. I asked for a few buckets and a shoulder pole, and she smiled softly and patted my head tenderly, "Concubine Mu is so lovely..."
Of course, I'm not being joking when I ask for a shoulder pole and a bucket! My stomach cramps have gotten much less severe lately, but they still occasionally occur. I need to start exercising and strengthen my body to be fully prepared for my escape.
The emperor arrived late tonight, wearing a moon-white casual suit with a warm ring hanging around his waist. Apart from the emperor's majesty, this attire reminded me of the elegant young man described in the storybooks.
We had formed a tacit understanding: we would sit across from each other, and when he arrived, I would bring him a cup of tea, and we would each quietly read. Today, he closed the book before finishing it, and suddenly looked at me and said, "You did a great job today."
I looked up from the storybook and was at a loss for words when I saw his serious expression.
"But I won't punish her severely now." He stared at me with those eyes as dark as ink and as deep as a pool.
I naturally understood that the "she" Song Heng was talking about was Empress Hua. In fact, I felt that confinement for a month and taking away the Phoenix Seal were already a bit harsh. I was afraid that the Hua family would inevitably be resentful and make trouble in the court.
"I understand." I smiled at him. "To kill a snake, strike it at its weakest point. To cut grass, remove its roots."
He suddenly laughed. It was the first time I faced him. Seeing him laugh like a young man, I was a little dazed.
"Mu Chenshuang, I'm really curious, where did you get that syrup from?" His tone was still calm, but there was a rare hint of sarcasm in it.
Your little girl, A Yuan, should have told you long ago that it was the Queen's poison, yet she kept asking me questions even though she knew the answer. Before I could answer, he continued:
"It makes you so... impressive."
I was stunned for a moment. His voice was low, like the evening breeze blowing through the bamboo forest. Then I sat up straight and said to him word by word, "Your Majesty, since that day I drank the syrup, I feel like I've been reborn. From now on, Your Majesty, you can treat me as a completely different Mu Chenshuang, a Mu Chenshuang who has been reborn."
Our eyes met, and he blinked gently: "Okay."
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