Seeing that the Imperial Noble Consort's expression was not right, Zhang Jinzhong smiled and advised, "Your Majesty, do not worry. His Majesty is probably just visiting Consort Xian and will return after dinner. Why don't you go back to the palace to rest first, and I will report to His Majesty when he returns?"
If it were any other concubine, Su Yushan would have turned and left without paying any attention. But if it were Lan Rong, she had to stay here. She wanted to see when Hongli would return, whether he would just have a meal or stay overnight.
"Thank you, Eunuch Zhang. Anyway, I have nothing else to do, so I'll just wait here for His Majesty!"
The Imperial Noble Consort refused to leave, and Zhang Jinzhong had no choice but to let her wait outside the palace.
Still worried, Zhang Jinzhong sent someone to Xianfu Palace again to secretly report the matter to the emperor, saying that the Imperial Noble Consort was waiting for him outside Yangxin Hall. Upon hearing this, Hongli simply waved his hand and did not intend to go back.
He wanted Su Yushan to truly experience how painful it is when the person she loves gets close to someone else!
Lan Rong was flattered by Hongli's arrival, her face beaming with joy. "I am delighted that Your Majesty has come to visit me. However, Your Majesty's arrival was so sudden that I did not have a chance to dress up. I apologize for the inconvenience caused."
Hongli remained expressionless and casually replied, "Then I'll go back. You can dress up nicely."
Lan Rong was startled and quickly changed her words, "No need for that. Your Majesty, it's rare for you to come all this way. I would like to spend more time with you."
She then ordered people to serve food, but Hongli barely ate anything, instead drinking cup after cup of wine.
Lan Rong tried to be understanding and tentatively asked, "Is Your Majesty troubled by something? You can tell me about it; it might make you feel better."
Hongli's eyes were vacant, and he had no interest in responding. "I only want to drink, not talk."
Lan Rong was afraid of angering him, so she dared not say anything more and obediently poured wine, saying, "Then I will drink a few cups with Your Majesty."
These days, Hongli drinks every day. He can't sleep at all without drinking. Only strong liquor can temporarily numb him and make him stop thinking about those rights and wrongs and grudges.
He drank too quickly, and soon the two jugs of wine were gone. Lan Rong helped him into the tent, relieved that tonight would be the night for their tryst...?
Outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation, it was pitch black, with only the lanterns in front of the hall emitting a dim glow. There were no stars or moon tonight, and the night sky was covered with dark clouds. A cold wind began to blow around, and although it was a summer night, it was so cold that it made people shiver.
Su Yushan's legs and feet ached from standing for so long, but her heart ached even more!
Hongli has not returned for a long time. Is he really going to stay overnight at Xianfu Palace and favor Lan Rong? That is her enemy! Yongzhang is also his child. How can he favor the woman who murdered his son?
Emperors have always been fickle. Even though Hongli suspected her and even though he changed his mind, Su Yushan was not too heartbroken. The only thing she could not accept was that he favored her enemy!
If he can even favor Lan Rong, how can she expect Hongli to treat her children well?
Once he gets close to Lan Rong, even if she comes to beg him, he probably won't give her any face anymore. So what's the point of her pleas and compromises?
Before long, a strong wind arose, lightning flashed and thunder roared, and suddenly a torrential rain began. The raindrops lashed against her face, and the howling wind and rain around her seemed to mock her misfortune.
The cold rain soaked her hair and dripped down her cheeks, leaving Yu Shan standing in the rain looking disheveled.
At that moment, she suddenly felt that all her persistence had lost its meaning. This cage was like a greedy monster, silently devouring everything she had. If she continued to suffer like this, she was afraid that she would really go crazy, completely lose herself, and become a mere puppet.
Faced with this desperate situation, she finally had the idea of escaping...
When Chang Yue returned with the umbrella, she saw her master lying in the rain, which frightened her so much that she quickly called for help.
The rain is too heavy right now, making it inconvenient to escort the Imperial Noble Consort back to Jingren Palace. Moreover, the Imperial Noble Consort has already fainted, and if she gets wet in the rain, it may worsen her condition. If the Emperor blames them, none of them can bear the responsibility!
After careful consideration, Zhang Jinzhong took it upon himself to order the Imperial Noble Consort to be helped to the Hall of Mental Cultivation, and then arranged for someone to fetch the Imperial Physician.
The Imperial Noble Consort remained unconscious. Chang Yue changed her into clean clothes and dried her hair. At this moment, Su Yushan slowly woke up, saying she was thirsty. Chang Yue assumed the palace servants were making ginger soup for her.
"Your Majesty, please wait a moment. I will go and check if the ginger soup is ready."
After Chang Yue left, Su Yushan, despite her illness, got out of the tent and began searching for something in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
If she wants to leave this place, the opal ring seems to be her only chance; she must find the ring first!
When Hongli suspected there was something wrong with the ring, he took it away. Yushan guessed that he must have hidden it here, but there are too many things on this antique shelf, so where could the ring be?
Meanwhile, in Xianfu Palace, Lan Rong was frowning. She had thought she could consummate her marriage with Hongli tonight, but to her surprise, he fell asleep as soon as she helped him into the tent!
What should we do? He's too drunk to consummate the marriage!
Anxious, Lan Rong went to the outer room and complained in a low voice, "Qiu Cha, what should we do? Tonight is a perfect opportunity. If we miss it, who knows when the Emperor will come again."
Qiu Cha's bright eyes darted around, and a plan came to mind. "Why don't you undress and lie down next to the Emperor, then use some blood to make a 'birth mark'? When the Emperor wakes up, you can say that the two of you have consummated your marriage. The Emperor will be confused and should believe you."
That's a good idea. The Emperor is so drunk and unconscious, he probably doesn't remember anything, right? Lan Rong really didn't want to miss this opportunity, so she gritted her teeth and decided to give it a try.
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