Investigating the past of Consort Li and Consort Hui
As we left Consort Li's residence, Ya Huan was still excitedly recounting Consort Hui's transformation, while I was pondering to myself—to clear Consort Li's name, relying solely on Consort Hui might not be enough. If we could learn more about their past, we might find more clues. However, the palace is full of gossips, and directly inquiring could easily cause trouble. The safest way was to ask Granny Zhang for help.
After delivering the laundry in the afternoon, I made a detour to Zhang Mama's residence. She was sitting on a stone bench in the courtyard, drying herbs. Seeing me arrive, she put down the bamboo sieve in her hand, smiled, and waved, "Zhao'er, what brings you here? Is there something you want to ask me?" I sat down beside her and briefly recounted my encounter with Consort Hui that morning in a low voice. Finally, I said, "Mama, I want to know about Consort Li and Consort Hui's past. You've been in the palace for a long time; do you know anyone from the past who could help me inquire?"
Upon hearing this, Granny Zhang paused in her work of twirling herbs, her brows furrowing slightly. "The affair involving these two consorts was widely known in the palace back then, but it was difficult to discern the truth. I do know an old palace maid who used to serve in Consort Hui's palace, now the head of the laundry department, named Aunt Liu. Perhaps she knows some inside information." She thought for a moment, then added, "However, Aunt Liu is cautious and won't speak easily. I need to send her a message first, to sound her out." I quickly thanked her, and Granny Zhang waved her hand, "You're doing this for Consort Li's sake; I'll keep an eye on things for you."
The next morning, just after Ya Huan and I finished getting our breakfast, we saw Granny Zhang waiting for us at the palace wall. She handed me a folded note and whispered, "Aunt Liu said she'll meet you tonight at 7 PM under the old locust tree in the backyard of the laundry department. She wants you to go alone and not have anyone follow you." I took the note, feeling both expectant and nervous. Ya Huan whispered beside me, "Sister Zhao, you must be careful. If anything seems amiss, come back immediately." I nodded, carefully put the note away, and secretly resolved to get some useful information out of her.
That evening, around 7 PM, I quietly slipped out of my quarters and headed towards the laundry department. Night was falling, the lanterns beneath the palace walls cast a dim, yellowish glow, and the occasional sound of patrolling guards' footsteps made my heart clench. The laundry department's backyard was quiet, save for the rustling of the old locust tree leaves in the wind. As soon as I reached the tree, a woman dressed in a grey cotton dress emerged from the shadows, her face serene, her eyes sharp—it was Aunt Liu.
"Are you the Tian Zhao that Granny Zhang mentioned?" she asked, her voice low and wary. I nodded and bowed respectfully. "Greetings, Aunt. I'd like to inquire about Consort Li and Consort Hui's past." Aunt Liu looked me up and down before slowly speaking, "Back when I was working in Consort Hui's palace, neither of them had entered the palace yet. They often played together as children. Consort Hui was proud, but she always protected Consort Li. Once, when Consort Li was bullied by another young lady, Consort Hui chased the bully with a stone for two streets, eventually falling and getting covered in mud herself, but still stubbornly insisted, 'I just can't stand seeing people being bullied.'"
At this point, Aunt Liu's tone softened: "Later, the two entered the palace together. At first, they often looked after each other, but the competition for favor in the harem was fierce, and the Empress deliberately stirred up trouble, saying that Consort Li had stolen Consort Hui's favor. Consort Hui was proud and unwilling to back down, and Consort Li also had her own difficulties, so they gradually drifted apart. That time when the pastry box was smashed in the Imperial Garden, it was actually because Consort Hui saw Consort Li being harassed by the eunuchs around the Empress, and deliberately used this as an excuse to help Consort Li out of the predicament, but unexpectedly it made their relationship even more strained."
My heart skipped a beat; so many secrets lay hidden behind the rumors. Just as I was about to ask more, Aunt Liu suddenly said, "Consort Hui has always been concerned about Consort Li, but she's too proud to admit it. A few days ago, she even sent some ointment to Consort Li through someone, but specifically instructed that it be 'a gift from the palace,' fearing that Consort Li might refuse to accept it." A thought suddenly struck me; perhaps I could use the ointment as an excuse to contact Consort Hui.
After bidding farewell to Aunt Liu, I hurried back to my residence and wrote a note that very night. It briefly recounted the events Aunt Liu had told me, and concluded with, "Your Majesty's feelings for Consort Li are evident to all. If there is any need for assistance, this servant is willing to do my utmost." But how could I deliver the note to Consort Hui? Sending it directly was too risky, and having someone else deliver it risked a leak.
The next morning, as I watched Ya Huan pack things for Qin Lan, I suddenly noticed the rose-scented sachet in her hand—it was made from the rose petals I had collected before. A thought struck me, and I folded the note into a small piece, stuffed it into the sachet's lining, and then, using an excuse, asked Granny Zhang to deliver the sachet to a young eunuch in Consort Hui's palace, saying only that it was "a thank-you gift for Consort Hui."
As evening fell, Granny Zhang brought news that after receiving the sachet, Consort Hui only said "meddling," but sent a small box back with a young eunuch. I opened the box; inside were several exquisite pastries: jujube paste pastries glistening with oil, red bean rolls wrapped with delicate osmanthus blossoms, and a note with delicate yet somewhat stiff handwriting: "You must have something to ask of me, it's for Qin Lan, isn't it? I'll take it to heart. Don't ask what you shouldn't ask. If you're truly sincere, then help take good care of Consort Li." Looking at the plate of pastries, I couldn't help but smile—this Consort Hui, as expected, was still so proud and aloof. She said "meddling," but still accepted the gift and quietly gave a response.
Ya Huan leaned closer, saw the note, and exclaimed in surprise, "Sister Zhao, is Consort Hui willing to help us?" I nodded and carefully put away the pastries: "She's just too proud to do it. If we do as she says, we might actually be able to clear Consort Li's name."
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