Chapter 73 (None)
The rain was pouring down, and Jiang Ling's clothes were soaked through when she returned to Fanying Pavilion. Worried about the Third Prince, she quickly changed into dry clothes and went out to Chuigong Hall.
Aruo also finished washing up and came out, hurriedly took an umbrella and followed Jiang Ling, saying, "This servant will go with Your Highness to serve you."
Jiang Ling, who had originally instructed Dan Gui to follow along, looked at A Ruo's still pale face and said, "You've been frightened, so you should rest."
"I'm fine." A'Ruo shivered, then let out a long breath and smiled, "Following Your Highness, I'm not afraid of anything. Earlier, I went to Huaqing Pavilion on Your Highness's orders, and I still have to report back to Your Highness about my mission."
Recalling the time when A-Ruo was working, Jiang Ling couldn't help but sigh that she had really improved a lot.
Jiang Ling guessed that A'Ruo wanted to talk about being taken away by Yuan Changsheng, so he nodded and said, "Dan Gui, you rest. Go and talk to Zi Shan."
Zishan was still too young; although she escaped unharmed, she was truly frightened.
Dan Gui stayed behind to keep Zi Shan company. A Ruo followed Jiang Ling and whispered, "Consort Zhuang is as usual, and Consorts Han and Wang are also quietly in their rooms. I spoke a few words with Yun Hui, and then left with Zi Shan. Just as we left Hua Qing Pavilion and entered the alley, Zi Shan, who had been holding it in for a long time, wanted to hurry back to Fan Ying Pavilion to relieve herself. I noticed her legs were starting to stiffen, and there was still a long way to go back to Fan Ying Pavilion. Zi Shan's face looked strange from holding it in, and her behavior was unseemly. I was afraid we might encounter important people on the way. Although it wasn't proper, everyone has to relieve themselves. I'm familiar with Yun Hui and the others, so I suggested Zi Shan go back to Hua Qing Pavilion to relieve herself. Zi Shan was really in a hurry and agreed. I saw that the roses on the other side of the alley wall were in full bloom, climbing all over the wall. I didn't go back with her, but stood there admiring the flowers and waiting for Zi Shan."
Aruo paused slightly before finally confessing, "I couldn't resist picking some of the beautiful roses, so I stood on tiptoe. The wall was too high, so I tried to jump up and pick them, not noticing the patrolling guards. By the time I realized it, Yuan Daban and his men had already come over and, without a word, were about to take me away. At that moment, Zishan returned from the toilet and, seeing me being arrested, rushed over to see what was happening. Yuan Daban wouldn't listen to my and Zishan's explanations and tied us both up. Zishan and I were so frightened that we cried and screamed. Yunhui and the others from Huaqing Pavilion, upon hearing the news, rushed out to plead for us. Yuan Daban ignored them and ordered the guards to take us away."
According to the rules, Yuan Changsheng could indeed take A'Ruo Zishan away. However, rules aside, Yuan Changsheng could at least have A'Ruo Zishan explain first, and with Yun Hui and the others' words, it could be confirmed that this was a misunderstanding. A few words of reprimand for the two would be enough.
From A'Ruo's words, Jiang Ling could confirm that Yuan Changsheng did it intentionally, but he could never figure out his purpose.
Aruo continued, "When we arrived at the patrol's duty room, we were thrown into a dark and cold room and then ignored. Zishan and I both thought that even if we survived, we were probably half dead. Fortunately, Your Highness came to save us. Your Highness, did someone from Huaqing Pavilion come looking for you?"
Jiang Ling was taken aback and said, "It was Wen Juan who found out that you hadn't returned for a long time and that it was about to rain, so she sent Dan Gui with an umbrella to look for you. That's when she learned that you had been captured."
A'Ruo stared wide-eyed in disbelief and said indignantly, "This servant and Zishan have been to Huaqing Pavilion many times. Her Majesty has treated Consort Zhuang with utmost kindness and righteousness, yet she hasn't even sent a single message to Her Majesty!"
Jiang Ling frowned; this matter was indeed unreasonable.
If Zhuang Meiren is truly as A Ruo says, then all the things she has done for her these past few days seem utterly ridiculous.
So much time has passed, and still no one from Huaqing Pavilion has come. No matter how much distress Lady Zhuang may have, it is ultimately disheartening.
Jiang Ling said calmly, "I won't go anymore."
Aruo angrily chimed in, "This servant doesn't want to go either. Consort Zhuang's eyes are creepy, as if this servant is trying to steal the Fourth Prince. She's guarding against this servant like a thief."
It seems that Zhuang Meiren has not completely recovered, but her condition has not worsened.
Jiang Ling thought about it again and realized that she had treated the Third Prince in the same way.
Upon arriving at the entrance of the Chuigong Hall, Jiang Ling sent a eunuch to deliver a message, instructing Wen Juan to bring out the Third Prince. She stood under the eaves to shelter from the rain and wait.
Just then, several people walked over with umbrellas in the rain. As they drew closer, Jiang Ling recognized them as Consort Han.
Consort Han no longer wore her former emerald green palace dress, but instead wore a brand new soft, light pink silk skirt. Her face was powdered white, and her lips were painted with crimson rouge. In her hair, she wore a gold and jade crown comb, a crimson rose in her hair, and a rose petal decoration on her forehead. She was adorned with jewels and flowers.
The soft, light gauze was extremely thin and was generally worn in the hot summer months; the fabric was also expensive. Given Han Guiren's rank, her summer dresses and skirts would at most be made of fine silk. Furthermore, the dazzling crown and comb in her hair must have been a gift from Emperor Yuanming.
When Consort Han saw Jiang Ling standing under the eaves, her expression changed. She was taken aback and stepped forward to curtsy, saying, "What a coincidence, Consort Shu is here too. Look, Your Highness's clothes are all wet. Why are you standing here?"
Jiang Ling looked at Consort Han's elaborate attire, disregarding the rain and chill, and guessed that she had been summoned by Emperor Yuanming to serve him in bed.
Jiang Ling paid no attention to Consort Han's undisguised smugness and simply nodded slightly.
Seeing that Jiang Ling ignored her, Consort Han was unwilling but dared not provoke him. She waited awkwardly at the door for someone to report back.
A'Ruo remained obediently by her side. Consort Han looked at her, her eyes darting around, and forced a smile, saying, "I heard that the palace maids in Your Highness's palace were taken away by the patrolling guards. How could the people in Your Highness's palace be so unruly, causing such a disaster and implicating Your Highness?"
Jiang Ling smiled slowly, pointed at A'Ruo and said, "Isn't she perfectly fine? It doesn't matter if a palace maid in my palace causes trouble." As he spoke, he walked over to Consort Han and saw her pupils widen suddenly and her lean back in alarm. He couldn't help but smile even more.
"As for you, don't mess with people you shouldn't mess with, or take things you shouldn't take."
Consort Han's face turned ashen. Jiang Ling sighed softly and said, word by word, "I'm not trying to scare you, but you must always remember one thing: there's no such thing as a free lunch. You're still young, you have plenty of opportunities. Don't let temptations blind you and cost you your life."
"Your Majesty... I don't understand what Your Majesty is saying." Consort Han felt like she couldn't breathe. She didn't dare to look Jiang Ling in the eye and replied incoherently.
"Of course you understand." Jiang Ling said no more, reached out and removed the rose from her temple, smoothed her messy hair, and said, "Too much of a good thing is bad, it only tarnishes your original color."
Consort Han didn't dare to breathe loudly, and subconsciously reached out to touch her temple. At this moment, Wen Juan carried the Third Prince in front, followed by Huang Liang and the eunuchs carrying the sedan chair, and the group walked out in a grand procession.
Jiang Ling placed the rose in Consort Han's palm and smiled as she reached out her hand to the Third Prince, who was nestled in front of Wen Juan with his eyes darting around.
Upon seeing Jiang Ling, the Third Prince immediately began to squeak and wriggle towards her. Wen Juan quickly protected him and carefully handed him over to Jiang Ling to hold.
"His Majesty asked, 'Why doesn't the Empress go in?'" Huang Liang bowed and asked.
"His Majesty is busy, I dare not disturb him," Jiang Ling replied with a smile.
Huang Liang caught a glimpse of Consort Han standing there out of the corner of his eye, and an awkward look flashed across his eyes. He quickly said, "This servant is on His Majesty's orders to escort Your Highness and the Third Prince back to Fanying Pavilion."
"Thank you for your trouble," Jiang Ling said, carrying the Third Prince into the sedan chair.
The third prince was hungry and buried his face in Jiang Ling's chest, whimpering. Jiang Ling gently coaxed him, and when they arrived at Fanying Pavilion, she quickly fed him milk.
Wenjuan sat to the side and said with a smile, "When Qingtan and I arrived at the Chuigong Hall, His Majesty personally took the Third Prince to the Imperial Study. According to Zhang Shan, His Majesty was reviewing memorials while holding the Third Prince. The Third Prince tore several memorials to pieces, and His Majesty's dragon robe was soaked with urine, but he still couldn't bear to let go and let the Third Prince play by himself. The rice porridge that I brought was cooked by His Majesty under the eaves of the Imperial Study, and he was not allowed to leave for even a moment."
Jiang Ling raised an eyebrow upon hearing this, patted the Third Prince's round belly, and said reproachfully, "So you've already eaten rice porridge. I thought you were starving, but you're just being greedy." She decisively put down her clothes and didn't let the Third Prince eat any more.
Wen Juan smiled and said, "Her Majesty instructed that the Third Prince should not be allowed to eat too much. I was worried about His Majesty, so I went to find Zhang Shan. Sure enough, His Majesty fed the Third Prince a small bowl, but when he was still complaining and refusing, he felt sorry for him and wanted to feed him more. I quickly stopped him, and when His Majesty heard that it was Her Majesty's idea, he gave up."
Jiang Ling looked at Wen Juan and said calmly, "How big can a baby's belly be? You've fed her a bowl and she still feels it's not enough. This is spoiling her too much."
Wenjuan paused, thinking of Consort Han she had seen in front of the Chuigong Hall, and said, "When His Majesty learned that Your Highness had gone to find Yuan Daban, he immediately sent Huang Liang to deliver the decree. I thought that His Majesty treated Your Highness and the Third Prince differently from others. Since following Your Highness, everything has gone smoothly for you. I must have been out of my mind."
"Don't overthink it, I was just saying it offhand." Jiang Ling looked at the Third Prince, who was happily climbing on the bed, and cursed Emperor Yuanming in his heart.
That bastard is useless; he can't even take care of his own son!
Wen Juan breathed a sigh of relief and asked, "Your Highness, is A'Ruo Zishan alright?"
Jiang Ling shook her head. "They've been frightened. You'll have to work harder, but let them rest for a couple more days to recover. The Third Prince is growing up and becoming increasingly mischievous. You few can't keep an eye on him all the time. I'll go pick out a few newly arrived eunuchs and find some reliable ones to serve the Third Prince..."
At that moment, a thought flashed through Jiang Ling's mind, and he asked, "Do you know where Yuan Changsheng's home is?"
Wenjuan recalled, "I'm not entirely sure. Some say he's from the outskirts of Beijing, while others say his ancestral home is Ganzhou Prefecture, and he grew up in the capital. Since Yuan Daban speaks with a Beijing accent, I assume he must be from Beijing."
Upon hearing "Ganzhou Prefecture," Jiang Ling seemed lost in thought, as if Consort Liu's hometown was also in Ganzhou.
However, Consort Liu's father was an official, and her family accompanied him to his post in Ganzhou Prefecture, so they didn't stay there for long. Furthermore, Yuan Changsheng was able to be castrated and enter the palace as a eunuch; the two were of vastly different social standing, making it impossible for them to have known each other.
As Jiang Ling was pondering, Huang Liang, whose legs had been worn thin from being ordered around by Emperor Yuanming, arrived again. He carried an exquisitely carved huanghuali box, his face beaming with smiles, and said, "Your Majesty, this is a celadon inkstone with live eyes, which His Majesty greatly admires. It is made by Li Mo. His Majesty instructed me to deliver it to Your Majesty."
Inside the box lay an inkstone. The pattern at its center resembled an eye, its pupil gleaming. Beside the pupil, upon closer inspection, were faint blue-green specks. The ink was as hard as jade, yet smooth, its luster shimmering like lacquer sprinkled with gold dust.
Jiang Ling would only write a few large characters when she was extremely bored. Emperor Yuanming was well aware of this, yet he disdainfully called her writing a waste of ink and brush, but still gifted her an inkstone and ink sticks worth a thousand gold pieces.
If the inkstone and ink stick weren't so valuable, Jiang Ling would have thought that Emperor Yuanming was mocking her.
The only remaining possibility is that he feels guilty!
Sure enough, Huang Liangtou buried his head in the ground and said with a forced smile, "Your Majesty, His Majesty is busy with state affairs. Consort Han went to pay her respects, but His Majesty sent her back. His Majesty has no time to visit Your Majesty and the Third Prince today. The weather is unpredictable, so Your Majesty and the Third Prince must take good care of yourselves."
Jiang Ling found it extremely funny and laughed, "Huang Daban, your back is not good, stand up and talk."
Huang Liang should be right. He slowly straightened up, his bones making a crisp, cracking sound like popping beans.
Jiang Ling sighed inwardly, thinking about the back-and-forth between Huang Liang and Yuan Changsheng, and her thoughts shifted slightly. She asked Wen Juan to serve tea, and kept Huang Liang behind, saying warmly, "You've been running around all day, you must be tired. Please sit down and have a cup of hot tea."
Huang Liang, supporting his aching back, sat down on the brocade stool. Wen Juan served him a newly presented spring tea, its aroma filling the air. He couldn't help but pick up the teacup and take two sips: "Thank you, Your Majesty. This servant's favorite is the Dragon and Phoenix Tea."
“I have some, I’ll share half with you later,” Jiang Ling said generously, without mentioning a reward.
Huang Liang was stunned and hurriedly tried to refuse, "No, no, Your Highness, please keep it for yourself. This servant will be satisfied with just a taste."
Jiang Ling said, "It's alright. I'll ask the Emperor for it after I finish eating."
Huang Liang almost burst out laughing at Jiang Ling's bluntness, but he quickly held it in and bowed to express his gratitude.
The two men sipped tea and chatted casually. After half a cup of tea, Jiang Ling said seemingly unintentionally, "Huang Daban said earlier that Yuan Changsheng is extremely cunning and ruthless. I was angry at the time and didn't take it seriously. Now that I'm at peace, I regret it more and more. Are you acquainted with Yuan Changsheng, Huang Daban? Could you pass on a message for me? I want to see him and apologize to him in person."
Huang Liang hurriedly put down his teacup and said, "Your Majesty, I am quite familiar with Yuan Changsheng. I will personally go and convey Your Majesty's words later."
Jiang Ling nodded and said thank you for your trouble. Huang Liang sat for a while and then took his leave to go find Yuan Changsheng.
After dinner, Huang Liang sent Qian Chuanzi to report that Yuan Changsheng would come to Fanying Pavilion to pay his respects to Jiang Ling at the beginning of the morning.
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