Chapter 128 Joyful Fragrance
Yinzhen walked up to her, looking down at the woman he hadn't seen in a long time. Perhaps it was because his gaze was indifferent enough that the woman at his feet looked up at him tremblingly, appearing even more disheveled.
“I am already aware of everything you just said. Zhou Ninghai’s confession has been kept in the Censorate. Everyone here, not just you, is welcome to read it if they wish. I have already punished Consort Nian for her past transgressions. There is no reason for double punishment for the same offense.”
He stepped back a little, keeping his distance. "Since Consort Cao knows so much, those around her must have also been influenced by what they see and hear. The Crown Prince's murder is no small matter. The Imperial Noble Consort and Consort Nian's people have questioned you, so you can't be an exception. Su Peisheng, take Consort Cao's palace servants to the Censorate for a thorough interrogation. They must tell you what they saw and heard."
After saying this, Yinzhen turned and walked out of the hall without looking back. Just as he was about to step out of the threshold, he paused and suddenly remembered something and said, "Since Wenyi has changed her imperial genealogy, she is Consort Nian's biological daughter. I do not want to hear any more discussion about Wenyi's birth from anyone in the future."
Only after those words were spoken did Cao Qinmo's back, which had been supporting her, suddenly go limp as if her bones had been removed. She stared with bloodshot eyes as Yinxiu struggled to be pulled down beside her. An overwhelming sense of collapse slammed her to the ground, and even getting up became a luxury.
Lu Jiaying frowned as she looked at the person who was slumped on the ground like a lump of mud, struggling to get up. She rolled her eyes and said, "Go find someone to send Consort Cao back. She is, after all, an imperial concubine. What kind of behavior is this?"
...
Hongzhao looked at his father, who had returned, and his expression was noticeably more unpleasant than when he left. He knew the reason, of course. After all, he had just watched the entire short film while reciting his lessons.
Consort Cao was too hasty and underestimated Nian Shilan's position in the Emperor's heart. She really thought that once the Nian family fell, Nian Shilan would be adrift and helpless.
Her father, Nian Xialing, rose to the position of Governor-General of Huguang and was awarded the title of First-Class Merit. Even after Nian Gengyao's death, she could still live comfortably for the rest of her life, relying on her father's protection and the Emperor's guilt.
That's how people are; the more anxious they are, the more mistakes they make. In her haste to provoke the Emperor into punishing Consort Nian, she inadvertently revealed many of her own flaws. Anyone could see her eagerness, let alone the MVP of the Nine Princes' Succession Struggle.
Seeing him like this, it seemed he was no longer in the mood to check his own studies. Hongzhao, meanwhile, calmly continued writing his policy essays. The hall was quiet for a short while before a tearful plea could be heard from outside.
"Your Majesty, Consort Nian has been requesting an audience three times already, and this time she even kowtowed until her head was bleeding." Su Peisheng had been working on the interrogation ever since he left Yongshou Palace, and the person who came in to report was his apprentice, Xia Xiazi.
Yinzhen frowned and looked up through the heavy gate, hearing the sobbing cries that echoed in his ears.
"Your Majesty, I don't care how Your Majesty punishes me. I only beg that you spare my brother's life. Consider it as keeping a loyal dog or horse by my side to serve me faithfully!"
Over the years, she had made too many enemies in the palace. Now that she was in dire straits, she wanted everyone to kick her while she was down. She would deliberately let her hear all sorts of rumors about how Nian Gengyao was demoted, how he was disliked by the emperor, and what rumors were circulating in the palace.
She knew, of course, that wretched woman Cao Qinmo had betrayed her, but at this moment, she couldn't care less about such things. She had written so many letters to her brother, but he probably hadn't read a single one, still wearing his yellow jacket and guarding the city gate... The Emperor was already furious with her brother, who held no official position whatsoever; if he were punished further...
Nian Shilan dared not think any further, and disregarded her former arrogance. As if she had completely shattered her former self, standing before the magnificent Yangxin Hall, she only hoped that the Emperor would show mercy and spare her brother's life. She didn't care about any other favors or face.
Hongzhao turned his head and secretly observed his father's expression. He saw a hint of reluctance in his eyes, but Hongzhao did not see the extreme anger that Consort Nian outside thought. Instead, he sensed only a feeling of being moved and hesitant.
Yinzhen himself was torn between two conflicting thoughts. On one hand, there were Nian Gengyao's various misdeeds, and on the other hand, there was Nian Shilan's pleading outside. Coupled with Hongzhao's words just now, the scales in his heart were unknowingly tipping slightly.
"Tell her to go back." After pondering for a long time, Yinzhen only said this one sentence.
Xiaxiazi didn't understand what it meant and stood there, not knowing how to report. Yinzhen was even more annoyed when he saw him like this, and his impatience was almost palpable in his voice.
"Have the imperial physician heal her wounds, and tell her to stay put and not to cause me any more trouble. She doesn't need to worry about anything else."
"Yes!" Having received confirmation, Xia Xiazi hurriedly withdrew.
——
Although she had an idea in mind, making a decision was not so easy. In addition, she was busy with many things, as if things that had been piling up for a long time had been crammed into this month. In just one day, before Su Peisheng had even gotten any clues from the interrogation, it was already time for Zhen Huan to be conferred the title of imperial concubine.
The next day was the ceremony to confer her title as a concubine. The night before, she tossed and turned, unable to sleep. It wasn't because she was happy or excited, but because her mind was in turmoil and her thoughts were a jumbled mess whenever she closed her eyes.
Many say that emperors are heartless, and Cao Qinmo's words today have laid bare all the evil deeds Nian Shilan has committed over the years, yet the emperor remains unmoved, not even uttering a single rebuke. Clearly, he has long harbored the intention to protect her. But is it true that he is deeply affectionate? The constant presence of the "Joyful Fragrance" in Yikun Palace, and even the presence of the fully formed male fetus that Nian Shilan had previously miscarried in the Prince's residence.
Zhen Huan stared at the bed curtains, her sleepiness completely gone after thinking it over and over. She could only silently comfort herself, knowing that the Emperor treated her differently from others, but this thought had little effect.
"Liuzhu, I can't sleep. Come with me for a walk."
Startled awake by the sound, Liuzhu mumbled a groggy reply, "Hmm? Okay, Your Highness, you'd better dress warmly."
Coincidentally, Zhen Huan wasn't the only one who couldn't sleep tonight.
Outside the Thousand Autumns Pavilion, Zhen Huan caught sight of a woman's figure in the distance. She paused, the night too dark to make out the woman's face. She gripped Liu Zhu's hand tightly and mustered her courage to call out, "Who's there?"
The voice turned around upon hearing the sound, but did not respond. Instead, it walked straight towards Zhen Huan's direction.
She wasn't very brave, and because she couldn't see who was approaching, she kept retreating. It wasn't until the distance between them was so close that the light from the lantern Liuzhu was carrying could shine on both of their faces at the same time, that she could see who it was.
That year, Shilan.
Zhen Huan finally breathed a sigh of relief. If there was one person she least wanted to see at this moment, it was Nian Shilan. Seeing that Nian Shilan had stopped in front of her, she didn't say anything. She gave a slight curtsy and then turned and left with Liuzhu.
"Stop!" Nian Shilan's fiery temper was consistent throughout, though she might compromise before the Emperor. But in front of others, especially those she disliked, she would naturally hold her head high.
"Isn't Consort Wan always the most well-mannered? Doesn't she even bow to me?"
Her voice was accusatory, and Zhen Huan naturally wouldn't give in to her anymore. With her back to Zhen Huan and without turning her head, she said directly, "His Majesty has bestowed upon me the title of Consort Wan by imperial decree. According to etiquette, Consort Nian should be the one to bow to me."
"Hmph." Nian Shilan's sharp eyes were fixed on her, her words filled with undisguised sarcasm—"Until the actual investiture ceremony is completed, nothing else matters. Consort Wan, do you really think you're so noble and invincible? What's the difference between your father being punished for his mistakes and my brother being punished!"
Upon hearing Nian Shilan mention her father, Zhen Huan couldn't help but turn around, her almond-shaped eyes, brimming with intelligence, glaring at her. Nian Shilan, however, looked back without fear—"I forgot, but there is a difference. My brother has made great contributions in pacifying the Northwest, while your father only knows how to wait like a rat in a gutter to bite off a piece of flesh from others!"
No child could remain unmoved by such words, let alone Zhen Huan, who had harbored resentment towards her for a long time. These words were the final trigger for her anger.
Zhen Huan, her chest heaving, couldn't help but take two steps forward. Looking at Nian Shilan's provocative expression, she couldn't help but speak up—"No matter how illustrious your military achievements are, you are still the Emperor's subjects. How can you allow others to snore beside the Emperor! It is precisely because you are ignorant of your own limitations that you have ultimately harmed yourselves and others, reaping what you sowed!"
"You've harmed yourself and others!" Nian Shilan was also provoked and lost her temper. She sneered and questioned sharply, "It's all your fault, you vile woman! You and Consort Hui are both useless. You couldn't protect your children, but you both blame me!"
Hearing her mention the child again, Zhen Huan felt even more choked up. How could she dare to bring it up again... Ling Rong's words kept flashing through her mind. Zhen Huan gritted her teeth and finally couldn't help but speak up—"Isn't it all because of you! If it weren't for the Joyful Fragrance in your palace, how could I have been so weak and miscarried after kneeling for such a short time!"
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