Consort Li was visited
The next day, Ya Huan and I carried food boxes toward Consort Li's residence. As soon as we turned through the moon gate leading to Consort Li's courtyard, we saw two palace maids dressed in royal blue palace attire standing outside the courtyard. Their hair was adorned with silver begonia hairpins, and the material and style were not in accordance with the regulations that should be in the Cold Palace.
Ya Huan gripped the food box's handle tightly, her voice low and panicked: "Sister Zhao, it's...it's someone from Consort Hui's palace!" My heart tightened, and I instinctively pulled her behind a nearby locust tree, peering through the leaves into the courtyard. A woman in an apricot-colored embroidered magnolia-patterned dress stood under the eaves, a gold and kingfisher feather hairpin tucked behind her ear. The sunlight fell on her, but it didn't soften her cold, aloof aura—it was Consort Hui. Her back was to us, clutching a brocade handkerchief embroidered with ink bamboo, her fingers unconsciously twisting the corner. She seemed somewhat uneasy, quite different from the "overbearing and arrogant" image I'd heard about her.
"Everyone in the palace says Consort Hui and Consort Li are mortal enemies," Ya Huan's voice trembled, her nails almost digging into the wooden edge of the food box. "A few years ago, when Consort Li was favored, Consort Hui even smashed Consort Li's pastry box in public in the Imperial Garden. Why would she come to the Cold Palace to see her?" I didn't dare to answer, only holding my breath and moving closer to the courtyard. Consort Hui, under the eaves, finally spoke, her voice clear but deliberately stiff: "Are you planning to stay in this wretched place for the rest of your life? If you had listened to me back then, you wouldn't have ended up like this."
From inside the room came Consort Li's cold voice, sharper than usual: "Consort Hui is quite leisurely, having time to come to the Cold Palace to see this 'sinner.' What, are you here to laugh at me?"
"Who wants to see you make a fool of yourself!" Consort Hui's voice suddenly rose, the beads on her hairpin jingling softly. "I'm here to tell you that the Empress is still investigating what happened back then. If you keep putting on this act, you'll be silenced sooner or later!" These words shocked me—so the Empress hadn't let Consort Li off the hook yet. No wonder Consort Hui risked coming to the Cold Palace.
There was a moment of silence in the room. Consort Li's voice softened, tinged with weariness: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty, but in my current state, what good would it do even if I knew?"
"How is it?" Consort Hui took two steps forward, almost standing by the door, but her voice softened a little. "I've already had people investigate the eunuch who delivered the medicine to prevent miscarriage back then. As long as we find a witness, we can prove your innocence..." At this point, she seemed to realize that her tone was too soft, and immediately straightened her face. "Don't misunderstand, I just don't want to see you die an unclear death, so that others will think I'm afraid of you!"
Hiding behind the tree, a thought suddenly struck me—they weren't just simple enemies after all; behind Consort Hui's "arrogance" lay a protective instinct. But just then, footsteps sounded outside the courtyard—it was the patrolling guards! Ya Huan turned pale with fright, and I also felt a chill run down my spine—if the guards discovered we were eavesdropping, it would not only implicate us but could also ruin Consort Hui's plans.
Just as the guards were about to reach the moon gate, I had a sudden inspiration. I pulled Ya Huan along, deliberately making noise as if we had just arrived. Carrying the food box, I hurried into the courtyard, calling out loudly as I went, "Consort Li, it's time for breakfast." Consort Hui heard the voice and immediately turned around, her face reverting to its usual aloofness. She said to the maid beside her, "I was just passing by. Since Consort Li wants to eat, let's go." With that, she turned and walked out of the courtyard without looking back. As she passed us, she quickly glanced at me, her eyes not showing hostility, but rather a hint of warning.
I knew in my heart that she was afraid we would gossip. After Consort Hui left, Ya Huan and I carried the food box into the room. Consort Li sat at the table, her face somewhat pale. When she saw us, she forced a smile: "Just now... you all heard it?" I nodded and said softly, "Your Majesty, don't worry, we won't tell anyone. But since Consort Hui is willing to help you, why don't you go along with her wishes? Perhaps you can really find evidence to prove your innocence."
Consort Li was silent for a moment, then picked up the teacup on the table, took a sip, and said in a voice as soft as a sigh, "Consort Hui and I... have known each other since childhood. Her mother and my mother were close friends. Later, after entering the palace, we gradually drifted apart in the struggle for the emperor's favor, and even became what others called mortal enemies." So that's how it is. My doubts were finally resolved. Ya Huan also breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile, "Your Majesty, Consort Hui has your heart; please don't let her kindness go to waste."
Consort Li looked at us, a hint of warmth in her eyes: "Thank you. By the way, you are going to see Qin Lan tomorrow. If she asks about me, just say I'm fine and ask her to wait a little longer. I will definitely find a way to get her out." I nodded, took out some warm porridge from the food box, and placed it in front of her: "Your Majesty, please eat it while it's hot. Only when you are healthy can you wait for the day when your injustice is redressed."
By the time we left Consort Li's residence, the sun was already high in the sky. Ya Huan grabbed my hand and said excitedly, "Sister Zhao, I never expected Consort Hui to be such a good person! Consort Li is saved!" I smiled and nodded, but in my heart I thought to myself, "The people and things in the Cold Palace really can't be judged by appearances alone."
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