Chapter 81 (None)
After finishing her business at Xiefang Pavilion, Consort Lin returned to Chonghua Palace. Granny Zhong led the maids in to bring in hot water towels. Xiuyun helped roll up her sleeves, tested the water temperature, and said, "Your Highness may wash again."
"Add some cold water," Consort Lin said, frowning as she reached into the copper basin.
As the weather gradually warmed up, even in the reed shed in the courtyard, Consort Lin always felt the heat from the incense burner burning her, making her feel hot and sticky.
Xiuyun was taken aback. Having served Consort Lin for many years, she knew her habits intimately. Not daring to ask any further questions, she added cold water to the basin.
Consort Lin remained silent, lowered her head, scooped up some water and splashed it on her face. Feeling the cool water, she exhaled a deep breath, wiped the water droplets away, and went outside.
Upon entering the next room, Consort Lin sat down on the couch. Granny Zhong served her tea, but before she could even drink it, she asked, "Where is Arui's homework?"
Xiuyun quickly retrieved Xiao Yunrui's homework from the low table against the wall and presented it to Consort Lin. Consort Lin took it and carefully looked through it. After reading one page, her brows furrowed. As she flipped through the entire book, her expression darkened considerably.
"You insolent brat!" Consort Lin slammed her homework on the table, making the teacups tremble.
Granny Zhong quickly smiled ingratiatingly and said, "Your Highness, the First Prince has always been sensible and filial, and everyone praises him. Even so, he is still a young boy, at the age when he is mischievous and playful..."
Consort Lin looked up, her eyes icy cold. Granny Zhong trembled in fright and quickly shut her mouth.
"He's no ordinary mischievous boy; he's long past the age of playing around!"
Consort Lin closed her eyes slightly. Every time she checked Xiao Yunrui's homework, it felt as if there was a taut string in her mind that kept twitching, making her furious.
"He's not even as good as the eldest princess. He's wasted his time at school. He's a complete idiot!"
Although Consort Lin doted on Xiao Yunrui, he was extremely meticulous about his studies. Despite the tutor's frequent praise of Xiao Yunrui, he never truly won Consort Lin's favor.
Xiuyun Zhong, the old nanny, dared not utter a sound. Consort Lin said sternly, "When he finishes his studies, he must come to see me immediately, and summon all his servants as well!"
"Yes, this servant will go right away." Xiuyun hurriedly walked out. When she reached the door, a little palace maid rushed over and said, "Aunt Xiuyun, Consort Zhao requests an audience with Her Majesty."
"Consort Zhao?" Xiuyun glanced at the sky. There was still some time before Xiao Yunrui finished school, so she went back to her room to report.
Consort Lin's expression had returned to normal, and she said, "Let her in."
Xiuyun hurriedly responded and went out. Consort Lin got up and came to the main room. Consort Zhao entered the room and stepped forward to pay her respects.
"Sit down." Consort Lin observed Consort Zhao's expression and asked, "What happened?"
Consort Zhao's eyes reddened, and she bit her lip, forcing a smile. Granny Zhong brought in tea, and Consort Lin gestured for them to leave. With only the two remaining in the main room, Consort Lin then asked, "What exactly happened?"
"Your Majesty," Consort Zhao began, tears streaming down her face before she could speak. She dabbed at her tears with a handkerchief and recounted the events of Emperor Yuanming's summons.
Consort Lin's expression changed slightly; she had never expected Emperor Yuanming to be so cold-hearted. Back then, she, along with Consort Zhao, the late Empress, Consort Shen, Consort Liu, and other wives and concubines, were all old acquaintances from Emperor Yuanming's pre-ascension residence.
Things have changed, and everything is over. Only the three of them are still alive. Consort Zhao entered the palace late, and Emperor Yuanming doted on her. After she became pregnant, Emperor Yuanming was overjoyed and sent treasures to Xiangxue Pavilion every day.
Later, Consort Zhao visited Consort Zhao in the palace, and Emperor Yuanming and she met for the first time, becoming inseparable. The gifts originally intended for the Fragrant Snow Pavilion were continuously sent to Consort Zhao's bedroom.
Consort Zhao soon became pregnant, and Consort Zhao and Consort Zhao gave birth to Xiao Jiatang and Xiao Yunjue respectively.
Even if the affection is gone, she is still the second princess's birth mother and the person who has been by her side for many years. She should at least give her some face.
Consort Zhao came to Chonghua Palace and laid bare her shameful secrets; her intentions were not pure.
The thought of "the rabbit mourning the fox's death" sent a chill down Consort Lin's spine. She sighed, offering no further advice, only saying, "You still have the Second Princess."
"Yes, I also have A-Tang."
Consort Zhao murmured through her tears, quickly wiping them away, her expression hardening: "I've seen the end of my life, in this deep palace, from my youthful days to my decay. Fortunately, A-Tang won't follow my old path. As her birth mother, not being able to bring her glory is the greatest pain of my life."
She stood up, knelt down on both knees, and bowed deeply, saying, "I entrust Atang to Your Majesty, and I pray that Your Majesty will protect Atang for the rest of her life."
Consort Lin looked shocked and quickly helped Consort Zhao up, saying, "Sister Zhao, please rise!"
Consort Zhao stood up, and Consort Lin sighed again, saying, "I was just angry about Arui's homework. We are both mothers, and children are all debts. I watched Atang grow up. She is a princess after all. With you and me backing her up, no one can bully her."
"How could I bear to let my own flesh and blood suffer even the slightest grievance?" Consort Zhao said softly. She looked at the sky and didn't linger any longer. She stood up and said, "Your Majesty is still busy, so I won't stay any longer."
Consort Lin rose to see her out of the room, while Consort Zhao stood under the eaves and curtsied, saying, "Your Majesty, please wait."
"Sister Zhao, please take care. If you have time, please come and visit Chonghua Palace." Consort Lin nodded.
Consort Zhao responded and left with Granny Huang. Consort Lin stood there, watching Consort Zhao's figure flash past the screen wall and finally disappear into the sunset.
Zhong silently directed the palace maids to light the lanterns, and the lanterns in Chonghua Palace lit up one after another. Consort Lin stood there the whole time, her expressionless face appearing especially cold under the light and shadow.
"Your Highness, Consort Zhao was just excitedly preparing for the Fourth Prince's first birthday, why is she coming to you crying?" Granny Zhong took out a shawl and gently draped it over Consort Lin's shoulder, asking hesitantly.
"The Emperor forbids her from raising the Fourth Prince." Consort Lin pulled on her shawl and turned to walk into the house.
"But did something happen at Funing Palace?" Granny Zhong asked in surprise.
“There’s no movement from Funing Palace.” Consort Lin shook her head and said with certainty, “The one who truly has wisdom in Fanying Pavilion is not her, but the Emperor who doesn’t agree.”
"Your Majesty?" Granny Zhong was completely bewildered, unable to understand why Emperor Yuanming would obstruct the process.
"Who dares to disobey the Emperor's decree?" Consort Lin sneered, sat down on the couch, lowered her head and pondered for a while, her expression becoming relaxed.
Regardless of the outcome, it was better for her than for her. Consort Zhao's kneeling was a way of entrusting herself to Xiao Jiatang, and it could also be considered a genuine act of pledging allegiance to her.
A princess of noble birth, without powerful backing, is nothing more than a title. After Emperor Yuanming's death, if the second prince ascends the throne, Xiao Jiatang and he will be not only siblings but also cousins, a double blessing. Unfortunately, the two have always been outwardly friendly but inwardly at odds, and coupled with the relationship between Consort Zhao and Consort Zhao, Xiao Jiatang's life will not be so easy.
The rest are the eldest prince, the third prince, and the fourth prince. The third and fourth princes are all under Jiang Ling's care. Because of the fourth prince's affair, it is estimated that Consort Zhao hates Jiang Ling as well.
The afterglow of the sun dyed the alleyway crimson, and the vermilion walls looked like dried blood, so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.
Consort Zhao walked at a leisurely pace, still wearing the embroidered shoes she wore indoors as she hurried out. The coolness of the bluestone shone through the thin soles of her shoes, the silk hem of her skirt rustling and mingling with the sound of the wind and her breath, echoing in the alley.
Granny Huang followed at a leisurely pace, glancing occasionally at Consort Zhao ahead, her eyes revealing undisguised worry.
“Your Highness,” Granny Huang couldn’t help but step forward and said, “After all, Consort De is your sister. If Consort De finds out that Your Highness is going to see Consort Lin at this time, she will probably be angry again.”
Consort Zhao covered her face and laughed, her eyes still red, bathed in the crimson sunset, which sent chills down Huang Mama's spine.
"Your Majesty, I humbly believe that we share both glory and loss, and that we can only rely on our own sisters."
Consort Zhao's smile remained unchanged, and she did not utter a word.
No one can be relied upon.
The sisterly bond had been worn away long before Consort Zhao entered the palace, during the long, lonely years.
If Consort Zhao's son ascends the throne, she will not fare well. If someone else were to ascend the throne, she might not be implicated because of her connection to the Zhao sisters. However, if she were to stand with Consort Zhao, she would definitely be dragged into the mess.
Rather than pretending to be close to Consort Zhao, it would be better to directly ally with Consort Lin.
Consort Lin was not someone to be trifled with, and Consort Zhao was well aware of this. Furthermore, she was irreconcilably at odds with Consort Zhao, thus they became allies.
If Jiang Ling ultimately wins, while she may not be considered kind in the harem, she certainly won't be ruthless.
Either way, you're not at a disadvantage.
That dragon throne was stained with countless amounts of blood.
Between Consort Lin and Consort Zhao, one of them will eventually fall, adding another bloody stain to the dragon throne.
"May blood flow like a river, and may the Xiao family be wiped out!"
Consort Zhao thought happily, and the smile on her face grew wider and wider.
Jiang Ling thought about it all night, and the next day he left the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince behind and went to Xiangxue Pavilion to see Consort Zhao.
Emperor Yuanming was a despicable and unreasonable emperor who was impossible to communicate with.
Regardless of what Consort Zhao thought, Jiang Ling insisted that the matter concerning the Fourth Prince was not her doing.
Jiang Ling was visiting Xiangxue Pavilion for the first time. He had long heard that Xiangxue Pavilion got its name from the fact that when the pear blossoms bloom, the falling petals resemble snow.
Just as the pear blossoms were coming to an end, the ground was covered with a layer of snow-white fallen flowers, and the branches still held unopened white petals, interspersed with tender yellow leaves, creating a breathtakingly beautiful scene.
When Consort Zhao learned of Jiang Ling's arrival, she came out of the house to greet him. Seeing Jiang Ling looking up at the pear tree, she said, "If Consort Hui doesn't mind, why don't you sit under the pear tree and have some tea?"
"Excuse me." Jiang Ling nodded and sat down on the stone bench under the pear tree. He raised his hand to catch the petals floating in the air and sincerely praised, "This pear tree is really growing well."
“Your Majesty is right, I am very pleased as well.” Consort Zhao raised her head and looked at the pear tree with Jiang Ling. Granny Huang brought up tea, and she quickly looked away, personally carrying the teapot to pour the tea: “Please, Consort Hui Shu. This is last year’s compressed tea, I wonder if Your Majesty is accustomed to it.”
This year's spring tea had already been offered as tribute. Jiang Ling didn't know whether Consort Zhao hadn't received any or for some other reason. She didn't ask any further questions, nodded her thanks, and took a sip of the tea.
With the Third Prince and the Fourth Prince present, Jiang Ling could not linger. She cut to the chase and said, "I have come to apologize to Consort Zhao on behalf of the Fourth Prince." As she spoke, she bowed.
Consort Zhao quickly stepped aside to avoid it, and said anxiously, "Your Majesty, this is... this is too much for me."
"It was my fault for being unreliable. I acted without first informing the Emperor and then reported to him, but the Emperor did not approve it."
Jiang Ling tried her best to explain, without mentioning a word about Emperor Yuanming summoning Consort Zhao to the Emperor's presence, or the cold words Emperor Yuanming uttered when he refused. Her attitude was sincere, and whether Consort Zhao accepted or not was none of Jiang Ling's business.
"Your Majesty is too kind. Your Majesty has been raising the Fourth Prince all along, and it is only right that the Fourth Prince continue to stay by Your Majesty's side. I was also short-sighted. Since His Majesty has not issued any decree, I hastily began to arrange the Fourth Prince's birthday."
Consort Zhao smiled politely and tactfully, her words perfectly tactful: "I should have come to Your Majesty to explain, but Your Majesty has come to Xiangxue Pavilion in person. It was my rudeness."
She bowed slightly to apologize and said, "I have prepared some items for the Fourth Prince's first birthday. If Your Majesty does not mind, I will send them to you as a gift for the Fourth Prince. I hope he grows up safely and peacefully."
The two were very polite and courteous to each other, and the atmosphere was harmonious. Jiang Ling sat for a while before returning to Fanying Pavilion.
"Your Highness is back." Wen Juan saw Jiang Ling walking into the room, supporting her back, and hurriedly went forward to greet her with concern, "Your Highness, are you feeling unwell?"
"I'm fine." Jiang Ling shook her head with a wry smile. Going to Xiangxue Pavilion was even more tiring than taking care of the naughty Third Prince.
Back in the secondary room, Jiang Ling lay down on the couch, gazing at the coffered ceiling above him, pondering Consort Zhao's reaction.
Consort Zhao was happily preparing for her first birthday celebration when Emperor Yuanming poured a bucket of ice water over her head, but she showed no reaction whatsoever.
Jiang Ling was uncertain, and the more nonchalant Consort Zhao seemed, the more wary she became.
Moreover, Consort Liu and Consort Zhao remained completely silent throughout the entire process.
The silence of the two, especially Consort Liu, made Jiang Ling particularly uneasy.
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