Chapter 74 Kneeling Punishment at Yikun Palace
Lu Yingfeng naturally didn't care about any of that. She and Nian Shilan were both Noble Consorts, and she was also a member of the Manchu Banner Army. She had three children and was pregnant with another one. Her title was also higher than Nian Shilan's. If she were to be afraid of her at this moment, she would be too cowardly.
On the first day, she sent Hong Xihai to Yikun Palace early in the morning to report that she could not bear the heat and travel. If there were any important matters to discuss, she asked Consort Hua to have someone convey her message.
Nian Shilan glared at Hong Xihai, her eyes practically shooting sparks, but she didn't say anything. She could only grit her teeth and say, "I know," before turning her head away to avoid seeing him again.
She secretly resented that it was best if Lü Yingfeng didn't come. After all, even if she didn't want to admit it, Lü Yingfeng had a son and was favored, held the same rank as her, was younger than her, and was also very sarcastic. For a moment, she really didn't know what to say to mock her.
She leaned against the chaise longue, the room filled with the rich fragrance of incense, lazily raising her eyes to look at the people below, each with their own thoughts. Especially Zhen Huan, who was supporting her pregnant belly and looking down with her eyes lowered, her disdain was evident in her eyes.
What important matter could the Emperor and Empress have been away from the palace for only a day? Even so, Nian Shilan still kept everyone sitting in Yikun Palace for two whole hours before finally granting them permission to leave.
Everyone felt as if they had been granted a pardon and bowed to take their leave.
Zhen Huan slowly walked out of Yikun Palace, supporting her waist and rubbing her neck. Liu Zhu was gently massaging her beside her. Seeing that no one was around, Liu Zhu complained softly, "The Emperor and Empress have only been gone for a day, and Consort Nian is already like this. When will this ever end?"
Zhen Huan thought of the Emperor's instructions before she left. The Emperor had gently comforted her, telling her to be patient for his sake and for their child, and to wait for his return. Thinking of this, she smiled gently, supporting her already showing belly with one hand—"It's alright. You see, Consort Xian is also pregnant. I suppose I won't have to come every day, just once or twice."
Since Suiyu Pavilion was far away, the journey back from Yikun Palace inevitably involved passing through the Imperial Garden. The master and servant walked and talked, and from a distance they saw Hongzhao standing firmly in a horse stance, holding a specially made bow and arrow in his hand, slowly drawing the bowstring, squinting at the fruit hanging on the treetop, and suddenly releasing the string.
The arrow shot through the air, accurately striking the reddest fruit. Most remarkably, the arrow didn't remain on the fruit; instead, it pierced through the fruit and embedded itself firmly in the tree trunk behind it, the arrowhead almost completely submerged, demonstrating the immense power of the arrow.
Prince Yi smiled with satisfaction, his eyes full of admiration as he looked at Hongzhao. He had only given a brief demonstration earlier and hadn't expected Hongzhao to achieve much, but the boy had truly surpassed his expectations. He was now beginning to understand why his elder brother doted on this son so much.
Liu Zhu looked on in amazement and exclaimed, "The Fifth Prince is so good at archery at such a young age. The one next to him must be the Thirteenth Prince, Prince Yi. I heard that His Majesty brought Prince Yi into the palace to live and help take care of and teach the Fifth Prince."
Liu Zhu seemed to have discovered something interesting and turned to Zhen Huan, saying, "The Emperor is really something else. He's so worried even though we're not going far, and he even specially ordered Prince Yi to keep an eye on things. If Your Majesty's child is born, I'm afraid the Emperor will be even more attentive."
But Zhen Huan wasn't thinking of that. Her eyes, which had just been filled with tenderness and love, now held a hint of melancholy—"The Emperor truly cherishes this son dearly. He was so worried about him after his passing that he specially arranged for someone to look after him. Yes... if he truly loved him, how could he bear to let him endure even the slightest risk alone..."
Seeing that Zhen Huan's expression was off, Liu Zhu called out softly, "Your Highness..."
"It's alright, let's go." Zhen Huan looked away, refusing to look again, but in doing so, she missed the glance that Prince Yi was giving her from a distance.
Yinxiang was somewhat flustered. The pregnant woman standing under the shade of a tree in the distance just now, when he looked up, he really thought he was seeing his late sister-in-law again. Could there really be such a similar person in the world?
Zhen Huan thought that even if she couldn't completely avoid attending meetings at Yikun Palace like Consort Xian, she could at least take a day or two off because of her pregnancy. It wasn't that she wanted to be lazy, but for some reason, she felt extremely anxious and had some inexplicable discomfort these past two days.
Unexpectedly, Jinxi went to deliver the message in the morning, and soon returned with a bitter face and hurried steps, taking Songzhi with her as they arrogantly stepped into Suiyuxuan.
Just as Zhen Huan was wondering what was going on, she heard Songzhi raise her head and say in a high-pitched voice, "Noble Consort Hua said that everyone has arrived and it is really inappropriate for Consort Wan to be late without reason. If Consort Wan does not go, everyone in the harem will have to wait in Yikun Palace."
Zhen Huan frowned – “Is Consort Hua aware that I am unwell? It’s really not that I’m being lazy; I just can’t get up.”
Songzhi looked her up and down, and seeing that she only looked a little pale, she was certain that she was faking it. She shook her head and spoke in a affected tone, "Please, Consort Wan, go and explain to Noble Consort Hua yourself."
Zhen Huan clenched her hands tightly, her mind filled with the Emperor's last words. With a sigh, she stood up, supported by Jinxi's hand. After tidying herself up briefly, she quickly followed Songzhi out of Suiyu Pavilion.
Her heart pounded with anxiety the whole way. Under the blazing sun, Songzhi walked very fast. She struggled to keep up, and before she had gone halfway, her forehead was covered in fine beads of sweat, and her vision was blurring in waves.
"I am unwell, so I am late. Please forgive me, Noble Consort Hua." The strong fragrance of Huan Yi in Yikun Palace made her temples throb. Seeing that Consort Hua's expression was unfriendly, she wisely knelt down to beg for forgiveness.
But Consort Hua was not appreciative. It was as if she had finally found a handle on Zhen Huan. Her eyes were urgent and sharp. "Consort Wan is late without reason. She has no respect for me. If she gives birth to a prince in the future, will the entire harem have to take your surname, Zhen?"
Upon hearing her question, Zhen Huan was even more unable to rise. She swayed slightly, her brow furrowed ever since she entered the room—"This concubine did not arrive late without reason; I was truly unwell, and I had already sent someone to inform Your Majesty..."
But Nian Shilan didn't suddenly attack today; rather, she had been harboring resentment towards her for a long time. Naturally, she wouldn't listen to her explanation. Instead, she raised her voice and interrupted her explanation: "Consort Wan, Zhen, is clever and flattering, and has no respect for this palace. She is hereby punished by kneeling outside Yikun Palace and reciting the Precepts for Women as a lesson."
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