Chapter 220: Rumors of the Palace, Warmth and Protection
Good morning, dear readers!
I successfully published chapters 215 to 219 of our novel, but they've disappeared. Now you might have to continue reading from chapter 220, having to skip ahead a bit—the platform indicates these chapters have already been published, so I can't upload them again. I'm really sorry.
I'm so sorry to have caused so much trouble for everyone's reading! Thank you for always following my stories; your support is so precious. I also sincerely wish you all the best, good luck in everything, and a good mood every day.
The night, like a piece of velvet soaked in ink, slowly covered the glazed tiles of the Forbidden City. The candlelight in Shufangzhai, however, was bright and warm. Several overlapping figures were printed on the window paper, and intermittent laughter drifted out of the wall.
Freshly served lotus seed soup sat on the stone table, its sweet fragrance mingling with the crisp scent of the osmanthus trees in the corner of the courtyard. Xiaoyanzi sat cross-legged on the stone bench, fiddling with the jade pendant Yongqi had given her, the red string wrapped around her fingertips twice. She watched Ziwei embroidering a handkerchief, her lotus pattern nearly finished, and couldn't help but slam the table. "Sister, stop embroidering! We need to figure out how to deal with those rumormongers!"
Ziwei raised her eyes, the candlelight dancing beneath them. The silver needle on her fingertips pierced the silk thread, leaving a fine trail of stitches. "There's no point in being anxious. Those who are innocent will be innocent. Since the Emperor has said that Jinan is fine, we can just wait and see." She gently placed the embroidered handkerchief on her knees, swaying the tassels at the corners. "But you, don't get too angry. You won't have the energy to ride tomorrow."
"I'm not angry!" Xiaoyanzi stuffed the jade pendant into her lapel and stood up suddenly. The hem of her lake blue skirt swept across the stone table, picking up falling osmanthus petals. "The more rumors they spread, the happier I will be! Tomorrow I'll ride my snowmobile around the Imperial Garden three times and let everyone see that I, Xiaoyanzi, and my sister are very happy!"
Yongqi reached out to support her, fearing she might lose her balance. "Don't be reckless. There are guards patrolling the Imperial Garden. It would be bad if you startled the emperor." He looked at her angrily, a smile in his eyes. "If you really want to vent your anger, why don't we go to the guesthouse tomorrow and have Liu Qing make your favorite beggar's chicken. Only after you're full will you have the energy to think of a solution."
"You really understand me!" Xiaoyanzi immediately beamed and patted Yongqi's arm. "It's settled! Let's meet up with Erkang, Liu Qing, and the others tomorrow to discuss our strategy at the guesthouse!"
Erkang sat nearby, a collection of poems in his hand, his gaze fixed on Ziwei. Hearing this, he said softly, "I've already had the Fu family's guards investigate. Most of the palace rumors are coming from around Yikun Palace, and nine out of ten are likely related to Concubine Gao." He closed the book, his eyes darkening. "Ziwei, don't worry. I won't let anyone hurt you."
Ziwei looked up at him, a soft light in her eyes, and she said "hmm" softly. Her fingertips unconsciously stroked the jade pendant given by Erkang. The temperature of the jade pendant was transmitted to her palm through the silk handkerchief, making her feel warm.
He brought a small charcoal basin from a small stool and added a few pieces of silver charcoal into it. The flames "crackled" and his face flushed red. "Don't worry, princesses. If those people dare to come to Shufangzhai to cause trouble, I will tell them the story of Wu Song fighting Ximen Qing in "Water Margin". I will scare them to death!"
"Guaiguai longdi dong!" Little Mosquito squatted beside the charcoal brazier, roasting chestnuts. A small crack appeared in the chestnut shell, emitting a sweet fragrance. "I might as well recite the Great Compassion Mantra for them. I hope they get sores in their mouths and never say bad things again!"
Everyone laughed. Mingyue brought over some freshly brewed tea and said softly, "It's late at night and the weather is cold. Drink some hot tea to warm yourself up." Caixia brought over a cloak and put it on Ziwei and Xiaoyanzi, saying, "Be careful not to catch a cold. If you fall ill, the bad guys will be very proud."
Xiaoyanzi took the hot tea, held the cup to warm her hands, and looked at the lights and smiling faces in the yard. The anger in her heart gradually subsided, leaving only warmth: "It's great to have you here. No matter what tricks they play, we are not afraid!"
In the corridor at the end of the palace road, the cold wind swirled the fallen leaves, and two young eunuchs hunched their necks and whispered to each other in very low voices.
"Have you heard? Princess Mingzhu is not a dragon seed at all. It was Princess Huanzhu and the Fang family who colluded to deceive the emperor!" The young eunuch in a blue cloth jacket glanced in the direction of Yikun Palace and lowered his voice, "I heard from the people around Eunuch E that they couldn't find any evidence in Jinan about Xia Yuhe and the emperor!"
Another eunuch with pigtails shuddered and wrapped his old cotton-padded jacket tightly around him. "Is this true? You can't say that. If Eunuch Su hears, you'll be dead!"
"What are you afraid of? Who in the palace isn't secretly talking about this?" The eunuch in the blue coat curled his lips. "Empress Gao said that one day she will expose their true colors. If we follow her then, we might even have a bright future!"
The two were talking animatedly when they heard a light cough behind them. Startled, they turned quickly to see the 12th Prince, Yongqi, approaching with his guards. Yongqi was dressed in a dark blue uniform, his features gentle yet dignified, a book clutched in his hand, clearly having just emerged from the Empress Dowager's palace.
"What are you talking about?" Yongji's voice was not loud, but it made the two young eunuchs' legs weaken. "Have you forgotten the palace rules? What is the crime of talking about the master behind his back?"
The eunuch in the blue jacket fell to his knees and stammered, "Ah... Brother, spare me! We servants are talking nonsense. We won't dare to do it again!"
Yongqi frowned at them, his eyes sweeping across their flustered faces. "The rumors about Princess Mingzhu and Princess Huanzhu are all nonsense. The Emperor has already examined the evidence in Jinan. Anyone who dares to spread rumors again will be rude." He said to the guards, "Take them to the Imperial Household Department and have Changshou teach them a lesson."
The guards responded and stepped forward, dragging the two mournful eunuchs away. Yongqi watched them from behind, sighed softly, and walked a few steps toward Shufangzhai. Seeing the bright lights inside and the faint sound of laughter, he returned to Jingren Palace with relief. Although he didn't know where the rumors started, he trusted the two princesses from the bottom of his heart—they were sincere and definitely not the kind of people the rumors portrayed.
In the Fu family's study, the lights stayed on late. Fu Lun sat on the armchair, teacup in hand, brow furrowed. Fu Jin, sitting nearby, mending Yong Qi's cuffs, saw his frown and put down her needlework, whispering, "Master, are you still thinking about the rumors in the palace?"
"Hmm." Fulun put down his teacup, the lid making a soft sound as it touched the cup. "Although the Emperor has already planned Mingzhu Gege's marriage, I'm afraid this rumor will cause further complications. Erkang is deeply in love with Ziwei. If the marriage falls through, I wonder how heartbroken he will be."
Fu Jin sighed, picked up her sleeve and examined it carefully. "The children's fate is predestined. Miss Ziwei is such a good girl, the emperor knows this and won't be affected by rumors. But you, don't worry too much, you still have to attend court tomorrow." She paused, a trace of worry flashing in her eyes. "I always feel that this rumor is strange. I'm afraid someone is deliberately targeting the two princesses and our Fu family."
"I know." Fulun nodded, tapping his fingertips on the table. "It must be Concubine Gao and Emin who are behind this. Emin has hinted several times in court that Princess Mingzhu's identity is suspicious. I don't think he has good intentions." He stood up and walked to the window to look out at the moonlight. "Don't worry, I will protect the children and will never let them make the same mistake again."
The lights in the imperial study burned until three o'clock in the morning. Qianlong stood by the window, gazing at the moonlit Forbidden City. In his hand, he clutched the secret report investigating the source of the rumors. It prominently stated, "Madame Li frequently interacted with Eunuch E." He sneered, crumpled the report into a ball, and tossed it into the charcoal brazier. Flames erupted, quickly reducing the paper to ash.
"Your Majesty, it's late, you should rest." Eunuch Su stepped forward softly and handed over the cloak. "It's very dewy outside, be careful not to catch a cold."
Qianlong took the cloak and put it on, his gaze still fixed on the direction of Shufangzhai, where the lights were still on, like a warm star. "Su Peisheng," he said slowly, his voice filled with undeniable authority, "pass on my oral order. From now on, the security of Shufangzhai will be strengthened. No one is allowed to approach or disturb it at will. Also, have Imperial Physician Li prepare some calming herbs and send them there, so that the two princesses won't be disturbed by the rumors."
"I obey your order." Eunuch Su bowed and responded.
Qianlong looked at the dancing flames in the charcoal basin, a cold glint in his eyes: "Some people just don't know what's good for them. I gave them a chance, but they chose to go down a dead end." He paused, his voice softened, "Tell Princess Huanzhu not to worry, if the sky falls, I'll hold it up."
Eunuch Su responded quickly, secretly admiring in his heart: The emperor really protects these two princesses very well.
As the night deepened, the red walls of the Forbidden City stood silently in the moonlight. The candlelight in Shufangzhai finally dimmed, leaving a warmth in everyone's heart. Meanwhile, the candlelight in Yikun Palace remained ablaze, illuminating the sinister profile of Concubine Gao. Nanny Li held a freshly forged "letter" and whispered something. The flickering candlelight quietly pushed a greater storm towards dawn.
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