Chapter 32: Cage Confrontation (Part 2) “If you really lie, you’ll be punished…
Xu Delu was afraid that when Concubine Ying came out, she would meet Concubine Zhen head-on.
Your Majesty didn't really restrict Consort Ying's personal freedom. Consort Ying usually walks around in the Taiji Hall. What if she follows Your Majesty to the front hall? It's almost lunchtime.
If the news of secretly hiding the concubine in Taiji Hall were to spread, it would be very damaging to the emperor's reputation.
It's always right for him to speak up first.
Xu Delu knocked on the stone door. After a long while, the door slowly opened. The emperor's robe and boots were neatly dressed, but his temples were slightly wet.
Seeing him, Xiao Fang calmly blocked his sight and said, "Prepare some water."
Xu Delu was stunned for a moment before he responded. Then he smiled flatteringly and said, "Jieyi Zhen is here."
Xiao Fang hesitated for a moment and said, "I understand."
After bathing and changing clothes, Xiao Fang went to the front hall to meet someone.
Concubine Zhen sat on the couch against the wall, holding a pink-glazed hibiscus stone teacup, with her head tilted, not knowing what she was thinking about.
It was not until the maid pushed her that Concubine Zhen looked back as if she had just woken up from a dream.
Xiao Fang remembered that she had insisted on going to the storehouse to pick out this set of pink-glazed tea sets last year. Even after she picked them out, she refused to take them away and asked the palace servants to keep them in the Taiji Hall. They could only use them when she came to show her unique favor.
He laughed: "Shu Rou."
Perhaps it was because of the trouble he had just gone through, the emperor felt inexplicably tired when he opened his mouth.
Although he was not a compassionate man, he was always clear that he had responsibilities towards the women in the harem.
They bore him children, stayed in the palace for him, and maintained a certain balance in the court. They were both political accessories and sacrifices. Therefore, he was always more tolerant of them than the rats and dogs in the court.
The moment Concubine Zhen turned around and saw the emperor, she stood up with a radiant smile.
In reality, it had only been two or three weeks since they last met. Concubine Zhen couldn't recall the exact date, as she always avoided thinking about it. Now, hearing that gentle voice again, she felt as if it were a lifetime ago.
She deliberately put on a stern face: "Your Majesty still remembers my name? I thought that in your Majesty's heart, I was already A, B, C, and D."
The emperor heard her anger and raised an eyebrow: "Shall I accompany you to Fangxin Palace for dinner?"
Concubine Zhen was not in a hurry to thank the emperor, as she had her own plans.
She winked at him not too shyly and said, "Can't we just have dinner here? Then, I'll go back and wait for Your Majesty!"
The emperor saw through her intentions and patted her on the back. "Let's go. I will go to Fangxin Palace to review the memorials today."
Concubine Zhen originally thought that if the emperor went to Fangxin Palace at noon, he would probably not go there again in the evening. But if he stayed in Fangxin Palace today, that would naturally be a pleasant surprise.
She said happily, "That's pretty good."
But why is Your Majesty so easy to talk to today?
Xiao Fang simply felt that it was too shameless to hide one person inside and accompany another person outside. Besides, he also needed to calm down.
He had someone wait in the carriage first, and instructed Xu Delu, who was standing nearby, "Send half of the two baskets of grapes to Chengluan Palace privately, without letting anyone know. The rest will be given one each to the Empress, Zhaoyi, Huifei, Yangpin, and Fangxin Palace."
Xu Delu couldn't help but feel a little confused. The tribute fruits from Dayuan were originally something for people to try, so naturally they would not be divided equally among everyone. He had thought of this. Anyway, the main ladies would have some, so if they really wanted to share some with other concubines of lower rank, there would be some too.
You can go to Luan Palace. Aren’t Master Ying and his men all here?
Xiao Fang also felt it was troublesome.
The master doesn't have enough food to eat, but she wants to share it with the servants.
She now knew when was the best time for him to speak.
The emperor walked slowly down the corridor steps, but out of the corner of his eye he caught a glimpse of a skirt quietly peeking out from behind the pillar at the end of the corridor.
The woman had also finished washing up by now, and her face, without any makeup, looked particularly smooth and tender.
She changed into a new palace dress, which was fresh and elegant. She peeked over from behind the pillar with tender eyes.
Now I know I can’t bear to see him go.
Wasn't she the one who urged him to leave quickly?
The emperor exchanged glances with the person for a moment, and suddenly felt a little guilty.
He calmly withdrew his gaze.
As the emperor, he should treat everyone equally. Why should he feel guilty?
*
Ruizhu Palace. Lately, Consort Yuan seemed to have made her home in Ruizhu Palace, even beginning to help Consort Hui with some simple palace duties.
For example, he had previously supervised his subordinates in distributing the ice rules to each palace, and prevented them from withholding too much from those unfavored and low-ranking concubines.
Concubine Hui had been in poor health for some time, and thanks to the help from others, she didn't have to work too hard.
On that day, Yuan was willing to take the blame for her cousin Zhao Cairen, so it was impossible for Concubine Hui to remain unmoved.
The palace maids still didn't understand. No matter what, Concubine Yuan had bribed Xiang Su, who was by the Empress's side. How could someone who had ulterior motives behind the Empress's back be a good person?
Concubine Hui said to the others, "It doesn't matter if you have schemes. In this palace, anyone without a bit of cunning won't make it. As long as you are willing to treat others with sincerity, you can be one of us."
She also planned to ask for mercy for the Yuan family in the future, so that the Yuan family's status would be changed.
The relationship between the Zheng and Zhao families is now in jeopardy. If she had not knelt in the rain and begged for mercy that day, and promised the Zhao family that she would rescue her cousin, they might have already fallen out.
She needed a helper, and her family had urged her many times.
When the grapes from Dayuan were delivered, Concubine Hui was in no mood to eat them. She said, "Let's send some to Hongye Tower. I don't think there are any in Liyang Palace."
The palace maid sighed quietly, "I'm afraid Concubine Yuan wants more than just grapes."
*
Fangxin Hall.
Just as the inscription on the plaque reads, there is a large peach blossom forest behind the Fangxin Hall. Unfortunately, spring has passed and the peach blossoms have fallen like stars, leaving only lonely trees.
Concubine Zhen originally planned to have someone go to the pavilion in the peach blossom forest to view the memorial, and there was a swing next to the pavilion.
He was busy with his court affairs while she swung on her swing, which was a bit like the time when her father went to the Eastern Palace to give lectures and she clamored to go with him. Back then, he found her annoying and, seeing that she was young, he had someone make a swing for her to get rid of.
When people's lives are not going as they wish, they always start to miss the past uncontrollably.
But there was nothing good about being bald at the moment, so Concubine Zhen put the thought aside and lay down beside the table, propping up her chin and watching people writing.
Xiao Fang noticed her burning gaze and laughed, "Is there something on my face?"
Concubine Zhen was a person who didn't like to keep her words to herself. In the past, her stepmother always tried to suppress her with the female virtues and teachings in the boudoir, but she would go against it.
Whatever was on her mind at the moment came to mind without hesitation. Her voice was as gentle as an oriole: "There are no flowers, but I have my lover, who is as gentle as the wind and bright as the moon, the past that I miss, and the future that I hope for."
Xiao Fang was slightly stunned, and said indifferently: "Only you dare to say that."
Concubine Zhen had always known that the emperor's feelings for her were not romantic at all, that he simply didn't understand romance. She snorted in feigned dissatisfaction.
Although she felt disappointed, it didn't seem too bad when she thought about how he was such a heartless person. As long as he was still willing to spoil her, that was enough.
She took out a letter that the emperor had tucked away in a stack of folders and read it.
This is a secret letter sent from the southwest with an express delivery of 800 miles.
Concubine Zhen's astonishment grew more and more unbearable as she read aloud, "It directly accuses Zhu Mingcheng, the Minister of Personnel and also the Envoy of the Imperial Court, of attempting to embezzle disaster relief funds... How did the Zhao family become antagonistic to the Yongning Marquisate?"
There was drought in many parts of the southwest, and the Zhao family, being a wealthy family, donated money again this time.
In order to prevent corruption at all levels, the disaster relief funds sent to the people were very little and could not really help their lives. Therefore, donors were always allowed to escort the disaster relief funds in person.
The son of the Zhao family was an official, so this time he was assigned the task of deputy envoy to the expedition and was also in charge of a team of government troops that were escorting the disaster relief funds.
However, ten months after the departure, the deputy envoy pointed out in public on the way that the principal envoy wanted to embezzle the disaster relief funds. This was simply unheard of.
Everyone knows that the Minister of Personnel is the father-in-law of Marquis Yongning. What kind of madness did the Zhao family go through?
The emperor took the letter back from Concubine Zhen's hand.
He said without further ado, "I have sent someone to handle it. The most urgent task is to deliver the disaster relief funds. We can discuss the right and wrong later."
"Your Majesty, do you intend to punish Minister Zhu?"
Concubine Zhen knew very well that she should not interfere in political affairs. The reason why she read the letter instead of those memorials was to avoid suspicion.
But she couldn't help but ponder, "Judging from the date of this letter, the Yongning Marquis's Mansion probably doesn't know about this yet. If they do find out, I'm afraid things won't end well. If Your Majesty punishes Minister Zhu to enforce court discipline, the hatred between the two families will only deepen. But if you let him go, the Marquis' Mansion will act recklessly, and Minister Zhu will not let the Zhao family off the hook either..."
Unless, the Zhao family has a backup plan and is ready to confront the Marquis' Mansion head-on.
Concubine Zhen suddenly thought that the reason why Concubine Zhao was able to act recklessly outside and was considered one of the noble ladies with the worst reputation was because of her family's blind protection.
The Zhao family loved this daughter the most. If Concubine Zhao was confined to her house because of the Empress's frame-up, it would make sense, but Zhao had clearly brought this upon herself, and the Empress had nothing to do with it.
The more she thought about it, the more confused she became. Concubine Zhen was ready to pester the emperor to help her clear up her confusion.
His Majesty has always handled these matters with ease. If he is willing to tell her these things, it can more or less prove that she is still somewhat special.
Just as Concubine Zhen opened her lips, a hurried eunuch came.
The young eunuch entered the palace in two steps and reported to the emperor, "Your Majesty, Chen Xiuzhuan has arrived."
The emperor narrowed his eyes and said, "I don't remember summoning him today."
*
Tai Chi Hall.
Originally, he could have submitted the memorial during the court audience tomorrow, but Chen Shaoling had no idea why he had been possessed by some mysterious force to deliver it in person.
He had inquired for a long time recently, but had not heard of any female official surnamed Cheng in the imperial court. However, he had heard that the emperor had recently married a noble lady surnamed Cheng.
It inevitably makes people think of a possibility.
Just as he reached the corridor of the palace, a young eunuch came out and said to him, "Your Majesty is not here at the moment. Sir Chen, please come another day."
Chen Shaoling was not disappointed.
Since we are both in the presence of the emperor, this young eunuch in front of me may also be used as a breakthrough point in this matter.
He called out to the resident: "Excuse me, may I ask the eunuch——"
Seeing the politeness towards him, the young eunuch also responded politely: "What advice do you have, sir?"
Chen Shaoling was anxiously thinking about how to put it most appropriately, but at this moment, a figure in green appeared under the corridor wall and flashed past his eyes like a startled wild goose.
He instantly forgot to think and hurriedly said to the eunuch: "Nothing, since Your Majesty is not here, I will come another day."
He turned and quickly chased after her: "Girl."
Dong'er turned around, feeling completely bewildered: "Are you calling me, my lord?"
The moment Chen Shaoling saw the man's face clearly, he stopped in disappointment.
He couldn't help but laugh to himself, thinking he was desperate and trying all sorts of methods. He suspected that any random palace maid he saw was the woman he saw that day. Her clothes should have been of a higher quality, and her figure should have been taller and more slender.
"Feel sorry."
He threw out of his mind those impolite thoughts of commenting on and comparing women's figures, turned around in despair, and was about to leave the palace.
A cool and gentle female voice sounded in the corridor behind him, capturing his attention.
"Where have you been? I couldn't find you anywhere."
Chen Shaoling turned around suddenly.
Dong'er always felt that she and Master Ying had some kind of connection in her previous life, so even though she didn't go to Chengluan Palace, she still stayed with Master Ying these days.
Just when he was about to answer, he noticed that the strange adult who had inexplicably called him just now was looking at him with almost infatuated eyes.
She watched the man approach suspiciously, and then saw him ask Concubine Ying, "May I have a moment to talk?"
Dong'er was confused and turned to Qingzan, who also looked confused. But soon, Qingzan nodded to her.
Dong'er whispered in Qingzan's ear, "Concubines are not allowed to see other men privately."
After thinking for a while, he said, "I'll go and look after them for you guys."
As he said this, he stood at the corner of the corridor.
Under the red corridor painted with dragons and algae, the hot wind blew at his sleeves, and Chen Shaoling's eyes roamed over this face that looked like his old friend thousands of times.
The lie he told to the emperor that day was far more than just a lie. It was clearly a lie that was cast in the same mold.
Looks like, very similar.
He suppressed his heart that was about to burst out of his chest and asked, "Young lady, your surname is Cheng. Did you live in Shaoyinfang when you were outside the palace?"
Qingzan looked at him in surprise.
Is this the old residence of her and her mother recorded in the case file?
As soon as Chen Shaoling saw the man's expression, he knew the answer.
He spoke carefully: "I'm sorry, it's been too long, I don't remember the girl's name, but I remember..."
He was about to say half of his words when the woman raised her head in panic and stopped him.
She called out hurriedly:
"His Majesty."
Turning back, at the corner of the corridor, the emperor's black uniform gradually revealed itself in full, fluttering in the wind.
The emperor had the appearance of a pine tree and the bones of a crane, his eyes were deep and his face showed no emotion.
Dong'er followed the emperor helplessly and apologetically. She wanted to keep watch for Concubine Ying, but the emperor gave her a gesture to be silent.
Chen Shaoling immediately knelt down, wanting to explain, but his words were muffled. Then he thought, it shouldn't be a big deal to just exchange a few words with the imperial attendant.
The emperor had no intention of punishing him, and simply said, "You won't be free today, Shaoling, go back first."
Chen Shaoling hesitated again and again, but finally left.
The emperor then looked at the woman who was standing a few feet away with a guilty look on her face, lowering her eyes and not daring to look at him.
He walked closer to the man step by step without saying a word.
Qingzan instinctively sensed the danger and retreated step by step. The beauty sitting in the corridor leaned over and raised her head with trembling eyelashes: "Your Majesty..."
She leaned back so far that half her shoulder fell onto a clump of ornamental cannas.
"I was wrong. I shouldn't have spoken to a man outside my family."
The emperor reached out and pushed aside the banana leaves behind her.
The voice was calm, yet full of oppression: "What did he say to you?"
Qingzan looked at the emperor inquiringly, not knowing whether he was angry or not, nor whether she should tell him everything she had just said.
She remembered the top scholar; they had met once in the Taiji Hall.
But he mentioned Shaoyinfang right away, which meant he knew her from outside the palace, and might even know her mother. Could they have some old connection?
Thinking of this, Qingzan felt it necessary to keep it secret.
She said vaguely, "We haven't said much yet, just chatting. Is His Majesty angry?"
"How much more do you want to say?" the emperor sneered.
He leaned one hand on the railing, trapping her in the narrow space in front of him.
"If you lied, I'd lock you up for one more day."
Close at hand, the emperor's sharp eyes were indistinguishable from his emotions, yet Qingzan was certain he was angry. She had no choice but to say something flattering: "If that's the case, I'm afraid I'll have to lie to keep His Majesty by my side."
The emperor sneered, laughing at her sweet talk and roundabout tactics that were devoid of any sincerity.
He actually didn't need to rush back today, but he just remembered the look she gave him when she stood at the end of the corridor and watched him leave.
I just never expected that the first thing I saw after I came back was her chatting and laughing with another man.
Qingzan was about to say something to ease the tense and terrifying atmosphere when suddenly, the world turned upside down.
Dong'er covered her mouth in shock.
A big hand reached over Qingzan's knee, lifted her up with one hand very roughly, and held her on the shoulder.
Qingzan suddenly felt dizzy and struggled to move, but was slapped on the buttocks by someone.
The noble elegance and imperial majesty of the past seemed like a mask worn by the emperor above his clothes. At this moment, he was revealing a more primitive and deep-seated ferocity.
Qingzan could almost imagine what was going to happen.
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