Chapter 69 (None)
Before Jiang Ling could react, Huang Liang stepped forward, his face darkening with displeasure, and said, "The Consort Shu has come to the Chui Gong Hall to report to His Majesty on an important matter."
The Chuigong Hall was the central hub of power in the Great Yin Dynasty, and its rules were strictly enforced. According to regulations, empresses and concubines were not allowed to approach it without being summoned, except when they had important business to discuss with the emperor.
Yuan Changsheng said unhurriedly, "Since it is an important matter, you cannot linger at the gate." He bowed to Jiang Ling, "Your Highness, please enter the palace. If you have finished your business, please return to Fanying Pavilion. It is late at night, and you should not wander around outside."
As a palace eunuch guarding the imperial palace, Yuan Changsheng only obeyed Emperor Yuanming. He was always loyal and diligent, rarely resting, protecting the safety of Emperor Yuanming and his concubines.
Yuan Changsheng was extremely shrewd and intelligent, but not so harsh as to be inhumane. Hearing Huang Liang's explanation, he brought up the rules, which was also giving Jiang Ling a way out.
Jiang Ling was initially furious, but after Yuan Changsheng's meddling, she suddenly lost interest. She nodded to Huang Liang: "I'm going back now. I'm truly sorry for bothering you, Huang Daban."
Huang Liang glared at Yuan Changsheng, who was still standing there, watching them intently, and said, "Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant will report to the Emperor that Your Majesty has come."
"No need," Jiang Ling refused outright, not wanting to see Emperor Yuanming.
To see things through to the end, considering the easily frightened Lady Zhuang, Jiang Ling added, "You should tell the Emperor that the two noble ladies from Huaqing Pavilion should refrain from gossiping with Lady Zhuang. Lady Zhuang has just given birth and needs to rest and recuperate. The Fourth Prince also needs peace and quiet; the more he sleeps, the better he will grow."
"Yes, yes, Your Majesty, please rest assured, this servant will certainly report the truth to His Majesty," Huang Liang said repeatedly.
He was a shrewd man; he could tell at a glance that Han and Wang were up to something. Emperor Yuanming had chosen to have Consort Han serve him in bed, no wonder Jiang Ling was so angry.
Yuan Changsheng waited a moment, then stepped forward to urge him on. Jiang Ling walked past him expressionlessly, without even glancing at him.
The alley was dark. A'Ruo, carrying a lantern, followed behind. Hearing footsteps behind her, she turned around and saw Yuan Changsheng leading his guards, following her at a distance.
"Your Majesty, Yuan Daban and the others are behind us," A'Ruo stepped forward and whispered to Jiang Ling.
"Ignore them," Jiang Ling said coldly, walking forward at a leisurely pace.
Upon arriving at Fanying Pavilion, Jiang Ling entered the side hall. She paused slightly as she heard Yuan Changsheng and his entourage pass by the main gate. Hesitating for a moment, she turned and went to the gate. In the darkness, Yuan Changsheng and his group patrolled northwestwards.
To the northwest are the residences of the imperial concubines, a small garden, and the residences of the princesses and princes. The Rouyi Palace, where Consort Liu resides, is also located to the south of the west.
"Your Highness." A'Ruo called out in confusion when she saw Jiang Ling standing there in a daze.
"It's alright, go back." Jiang Ling turned and went inside.
Before returning to her room, Jiang Ling checked on the Third Prince, who was fast asleep. She glanced at the time; he would soon be crying for milk. Jiang Ling quickly went to wash and get into bed.
In a daze, Wen Juan, who was on duty, lifted the bed curtains and gently woke Jiang Ling: "Your Majesty."
Jiang Ling thought the Third Prince had woken up. She leaned against the headboard as if she knew the way well, yawning as she said, "Bring him here."
"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived," Wen Juan could only remind her, seeing that Jiang Ling's eyes were closed.
Jiang Ling slowly opened her eyes and saw Emperor Yuanming standing in front of the bed. She was shocked and looked him up and down as if she had seen a ghost.
Only an octagonal palace lantern was lit in the bedroom. Emperor Yuanming was facing away from the lantern, so his expression could not be seen for a moment.
Emperor Yuanming coughed, waved Wen Juan away, and sat down on the edge of the bed: "I heard from Huang Liang that you have something important to see me about. I have already punished Huang Liang, but he actually stopped you from entering the room."
Unexpectedly, Huang Liang suffered an undeserved misfortune because of this. Jiang Ling opened her mouth, but the absurdity and ridiculousness made her not want to say anything more than curse.
Emperor Yuanming glanced at Jiang Ling's expression and felt inexplicably guilty. He asked dryly, "What brings you here to see me?"
Since he had graced us with his presence in the dead of night, Jiang Ling briefly and calmly relayed the situation of Lady Zhuang to her.
Emperor Yuanming's cheek twitched slightly, and he said, "I understand."
Jiang Ling glanced at him, not understanding what he knew. Having just shown favor to Consort Han, even if he were to turn against her ruthlessly, he couldn't immediately stop her from going to the main house.
Jiang Ling, who truly loathed Emperor Yuanming, did not wish to say more and said, "It's getting late, Your Majesty should go back and rest early. I also need to rest."
"Don't be angry, I have already punished Huang Liang." Emperor Yuanming chuckled and comforted Jiang Ling again.
It would have been better if Huang Liang hadn't been mentioned; Jiang Ling's anger surged, and he asked, "What has His Majesty done to Huang Daban?"
"I gave him ten strokes of the cane." Emperor Yuanming noticed Jiang Ling's reaction, and, feeling guilty, turned his head away, saying, "You should rest early, I'm going back."
"What wrong has Huang Daban done!" Jiang Ling was furious. She grabbed Emperor Yuanming and said sarcastically, "Your Majesty is enjoying a romantic night with Consort Han. If Huang Daban comes in to disturb you, both of us will be guilty and become sinners who disturb Your Majesty's enjoyment!"
"How have I indulged in pleasure?" Emperor Yuanming blushed, feeling both embarrassed and angry. He retorted, "Don't think you can disobey me just because I favor you!"
"The Emperor's favor is more abundant than the spring rain! Flowers and grass sprout one after another. They say spring rain is as precious as oil, and too much rain will cause floods!"
Jiang Ling unleashed a barrage of sarcasm, then laughed in exasperation. He released Emperor Yuanming's sleeve, turned his back to him, lay down, and pulled the covers over his head. He was afraid that if he looked at him again, he would go blind.
"How dare you!"
Never before had anyone dared to talk back to him like this. Emperor Yuanming was so angry that his nose almost twisted. He stepped forward, lifted the blankets covering Jiang Ling, and pulled her up. "Explain yourself to me!"
"What does Your Majesty want me to say?" Jiang Linghuo pulled the covers over herself, her eyes wide open, burning with intense fire.
Emperor Yuanming had only ever witnessed court officials arguing heatedly in the imperial court. Lacking experience, he was momentarily speechless, his mind blank, unsure how to react.
Jiang Ling lay back down, but Emperor Yuanming, unwilling to give up, pulled at the bedding again, insisting, "Get up and explain yourself to me!"
"What does Your Majesty want to hear? I have said everything I needed to say!" Jiang Ling retorted angrily, clutching the bedding tightly.
Emperor Yuanming was so angry that he was panting heavily. He stared at Jiang Ling and said through gritted teeth, "Whom I favor and whom I summon to serve me in bed is none of your business. Don't forget your place!"
"What status do I have? I'm just a Consort Shu. Consort Shu has a rank, but in reality, I'm still a concubine. What can I do? I haven't done anything." Jiang Ling found it amusing, chuckled sarcastically, and slowly lay down.
"You Jiang, so sharp-tongued!" Emperor Yuanming was furious and sneered, "You look down on Consort Shu's status and don't want to be a concubine, do you want to be the Empress and the principal wife?"
"I don't want to do anything!" Jiang Ling simply stopped addressing herself as "your concubine" and retorted without a second thought.
She truly didn't want to do anything. Firstly, she couldn't find pleasure in Emperor Yuanming. Food and sex are basic human needs; without these great pleasures, life was utterly dull. Secondly, Emperor Yuanming was too shameless; the anger that had accumulated over time was now like oil poured into a pile of dry tinder, burning uncontrollably.
"My Empress should be a model of virtue for the nation, dignified and generous, kind-hearted, and possess both literary and moral excellence. Look at you, you're just like a jealous and petty shrew from the marketplace. What virtue do you have to be an Empress!"
Emperor Yuanming clicked his tongue a few times, looking at Jiang Ling with a mocking gaze. Seeing her chin held high, like a fighting cock, he suddenly had a flash of inspiration.
"You really are jealous." Emperor Yuanming became inexplicably happy, and looked at Jiang Ling with great interest. He suppressed the smugness rising in his heart and tried hard to keep a straight face. "As a concubine, you must abide by the virtues of a woman. Being jealous is one of the seven grounds for divorce."
The seven grounds for divorce are divorce. Jiang Ling was too lazy to point out Emperor Yuanming's mistakes. Seeing the confidence emanating from him, he really didn't want to say another word to him.
Emperor Yuanming was prepared to teach Jiang Ling a lesson again, hoping to make her more docile in the future. He raised his hand, sat back on the edge of the bed with an air of authority, and Wen Juan whispered from outside the curtain, "Your Majesty, the Third Prince has woken up."
Jiang Ling put on his outer robe, lifted the covers and got out of bed. He slipped on his shoes and went to the side room, saying, "Bring him here."
Ignored, Emperor Yuanming stood sullenly in his bedroom for a moment, thinking to himself, "Women are petty and jealous; I won't argue with her." Soon, Emperor Yuanming understood, put his hands behind his back, and followed her out.
Wenjuan carried the crying Third Prince into the house, and Jiang Ling took him in her arms, gently coaxing him, "It's alright, it's alright, Mother's here, don't cry."
The third prince nestled in Jiang Ling's arms, whimpering as he nursed. Jiang Ling looked down at him, gently wiping away the tears from the corners of his eyes.
Emperor Yuanming stood there watching, his gaze softening unconsciously. He thought of his newborn fourth prince, and a wave of regret washed over him.
Consort Zhuang is frail and unable to feed the Fourth Prince herself. If only she could raise the Fourth Prince to be plump, healthy, and lively like Jiang Ling.
After feeding the baby and changing his diaper, the Third Prince fell asleep again. Jiang Ling was so sleepy that he could barely keep his eyelids open. He yawned as he walked towards the bedroom.
It was past midnight, and Emperor Yuanming was also tired. He planned to rest in Fanying Pavilion and then went into the bedroom.
Jiang Ling instantly regained her senses, stopped in front of the curtain, and coldly stared at Emperor Yuanming.
"How dare you send me away?" Emperor Yuanming was stunned for a moment, staring at Jiang Ling in disbelief. He squeezed in and said angrily, "You've really gone too far!"
Since it wasn't cold at night anyway, Jiang Ling didn't want to argue with Emperor Yuanming, so he simply turned around and prepared to sleep on the couch.
Emperor Yuanming angrily took off his outer robe. Seeing that Jiang Ling had not entered, he went to the side room and found her already lying on the couch fully clothed.
"You have quite a temper; it's all because I spoiled you."
Emperor Yuanming snorted, secretly thinking that he would ignore Jiang Ling for a while. Once she was scared, he would see if she still dared to challenge him.
At dawn, Jiang Ling got up again to feed the Third Prince. She was so tired that by the time the Third Prince woke her up, the sun was already high in the sky, and Emperor Yuanming had long since left.
After Jiang Ling finished washing up, she fed the Third Prince and instructed Wen Juan, "Take some bird's nest soup, some snacks, and five taels of silver to visit Huang Liang. Tell him that I caused him to be beaten, and I am really sorry."
Wenjuan was taken aback and said, "Huang Daban was flogged?"
"Yes." Jiang Ling gave a wry smile and said, "Go ahead."
Wenjuan said worriedly, "Last night I heard Your Highness arguing with the Emperor. This morning when the Emperor left, his face looked very unpleasant."
After a good night's sleep, Jiang Ling had calmed down. She knew that last night had been a grave transgression, but she had no regrets.
Time cannot be turned back, and regret is useless. If she had to do it all over again, she would still do the same thing.
Jiang Ling said quietly, "Serving the emperor is like serving a tiger. The emperor's heart is unpredictable, and his face is never pleasant even when he smiles."
Wenjuan was stunned. She didn't dare to reply and quickly said, "This servant has gone to see Huang Daban."
"Wait a moment." Jiang Ling thought for a moment and said, "Go to Huaqing Pavilion on your way and ask Yun Hui how Consort Zhuang and the Fourth Prince are doing."
Wenjuan prepared gifts and went to visit Huang Liang, and then went to Huaqing Pavilion. The crabapple blossoms were in full bloom, and Jiang Ling accompanied the Third Prince to play and sunbathe under the flowering trees. Seeing that she was frowning, he roughly knew what was going on.
"Your Majesty, the person who struck him with the cane was a trusted confidant of Huang Daban. He only suffered a minor cut and will be fine after a couple of days of rest. Huang Daban is very grateful to Your Majesty, saying that it was he who angered the Emperor and that it had nothing to do with Your Majesty, and that Your Majesty should not take it to heart. Huang Daban heard that the Emperor visited Fanying Pavilion and was displeased after returning home, and he is worried about Your Majesty."
After Wen Juan finished reporting on her visit to Huang Liang, her tone changed, and she said, "Yun Hui served Consort Zhuang as Her Majesty had arranged. Consort Zhuang had a nap and some chicken soup, and her spirits were somewhat better this morning. However, after Consort Han went there, Consort Zhuang started to overthink again, becoming restless and anxious. She clung to the Fourth Prince and wouldn't let go, even distrusting the wet nurse who was feeding her. The Fourth Prince cried terribly, and Yun Hui and the others had to persuade him until their throats were dry before Consort Zhuang finally handed the Fourth Prince over to the wet nurse."
Indeed, that scoundrel Emperor Yuanming's so-called knowledge is more useless than dog shit!
If Zhuang Meiren continues to be tortured like this, she'll either die or go insane!
"Last night, the Emperor bestowed upon Consort Han a set of gold and jade jewelry. This morning, Consort Han wore the set to pay her respects to Consort Zhuang. Consort Wang, however, did not go. Yunhui said that Consort Wang and Consort Han are outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds; she is jealous of Consort Han's favor and does not want to see Consort Han's petty and scheming nature."
Jiang Ling's face darkened, and he asked, "What did Consort Han say?"
Wenjuan said, "No one can find fault with what Consort Han said. She is truly blessed to have the Emperor's favor and to have been rewarded with gold and jade jewelry. A fortune teller once told her fortune and said that she is blessed with great fortune and will live to be a hundred years old. To enjoy wealth and honor, one must have the life to enjoy it and live a long life to be truly blessed."
Hearing about life and death, Consort Zhuang would surely become suspicious and paranoid again. Consort Han knew Consort Zhuang's weakness well, so she deliberately chose these words to say to her.
Consort Han's scheme wasn't particularly clever, since even Yun Hui could see through it. The fact that she deliberately brought it up repeatedly in front of Consort Zhuang showed that she was either blinded by jealousy or utterly foolish.
The destructive power of idiots is immense, and to make matters worse, they are blessed by a dog emperor, making it a disaster.
However, fools are always used as cannon fodder, unaware of their impending doom.
Consort Zhuang gave birth to the fourth prince. Even if Emperor Yuanming no longer cared about her, she was still more important than Consort Han.
Jiang Ling suddenly remembered something and said, "Wenjuan, go to the Imperial Hospital and tell them I'm feeling a bit unwell. Ask Physician Wu to come and take my pulse."
Wen Juan quickly brought Wu Shishan over. Jiang Ling let him take her pulse and said, "Physician Wu, I'm fine. I invited you here to inquire about something. Do you know how the eldest princess's birth mother died back then?"
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