[Sigh, how can I remind Fatty Hua that the "Joyful Incense" burning in her palace isn't some sweet, romantic fragrance, but rather an incense that kills off one's offspring.]
The people in Yikun Palace are practically pickled in the musk. Even if they immediately stop using the incense and consult a doctor to recuperate, they might not be able to conceive after all these years.
[Besides, Fatty Orange will be coming to Yikun Palace to serve him in bed soon. If he stops using him, he'll find out quickly. Who knows how heartbroken Fatty Hua will be then.]
[As long as it didn't involve imperial power, the emperor could tolerate Nian Gengyao's overwhelming achievements. But Nian Gengyao was arrogant, formed cliques, and showed no restraint; it's no wonder the emperor couldn't tolerate him.]
It's just a pity for Hua Pangpang; I wonder if, for her, knowing the truth was better, or not knowing it was better.
Sun Miaoqing held her chopsticks, poking at the pastries in her bowl, thinking about the future.
Tears welled up in Consort Hua's eyes, falling like beads.
The incense that causes childlessness and extinction...?
Consort Hua looked at the incense tower beside her, where wisps of smoke were rising from a half-person-high gilded bronze lotus incense burner.
Smoke swirled in the hall, taking on ghostly shapes, and the scent of the incense permeated every person and object within.
Sun Miaoqing finally realized that something was wrong, and when she turned around, she witnessed what it meant to be in tears.
[She was perfectly fine just a moment ago! Why is Hua Pangpang suddenly crying so hard, even harder than the day Yiping went to her scumbag father for money!]
Sun Miaoqing was flustered and wanted to wipe away Hua Fei's tears and comfort her, but she didn't even know why Hua Fei was sad!
"Your Highness, what's wrong?"
Consort Hua stopped Sun Miaoqing from wiping away her tears and sniffed.
"I'm fine. I just thought of my younger sister from my maternal family. You two are about the same age and have very similar personalities."
So that's why. I knew it! For no apparent reason, Consort Hua was being so kind to me; it turns out she missed her family.
[The phrase "Wanwan resembles you" really applies everywhere. But even if she's homesick, there's no need to cry so bitterly, is there?]
Sun Miaoqing watched as Consort Hua tried her best to wipe away her tears, her eyes becoming red and swollen, but the more she wiped, the more tears she shed.
A beautiful woman is beautiful no matter what she looks like. At this moment, Consort Hua is like a peony after being battered by wind and rain, possessing a fragmented beauty.
Sun Miaoqing said, "If Your Majesty misses your family, why not ask the Emperor for permission to allow your family to enter the palace for a visit, so as to ease your longing?"
I never knew Hua Pangpang had such a rich emotional life; her family must have a very good relationship.
Unfortunately, he was neither tolerant nor empathetic, and was blinded by power and wealth. He probably never reads history books and doesn't understand the principle of "learning from the past to guide the future."
Consort Hua could no longer hear what Sun Miaoqing was saying, and even if she could, she didn't want to pay attention to her.
If the musk in the "Joyful Fragrance" was intentionally added by the Emperor, then was the child she lost back then also...?
Upon seeing Consort Hua, Songzhi, clearly engrossed in her own world, anxiously said...
"Noble Lady Cheng, Her Majesty is probably unable to entertain you now. Please don't mind, and I apologize on Her Majesty's behalf. Please don't take it to heart."
Sun Miaoqing stood up and said, "Consort Hua's health is of utmost importance. I will return to the palace first. Aunt Songzhi, please comfort Consort Hua."
Songzhi said, "This servant understands, please take care, Your Excellency."
After everyone left, only Songzhi and Consort Hua remained in the hall. As her personal maid, Songzhi didn't believe that her mistress was crying like this because she missed her family.
Although the palace is not the same as the prince's mansion, and the rank of concubine is not the same as her former status as a secondary consort, with the favor of her empress, it is not difficult for her to see her family.
But she was there the whole time, she saw everything clearly. The two of them just ate some snacks and didn't discuss anything else.
The sudden downpour left her speechless and afraid to speak.
After a long while, Consort Hua's tears had dried, leaving only tear stains.
She spoke softly, her voice ethereal and ghostly, making Songzhi's two little pigtails twitch with cold.
"Songzhi".
Do you think the Emperor truly has me in his heart?
Songzhi said firmly, "Of course His Majesty has the Empress in his heart!"
"Why does Your Highness suddenly ask this? I accompanied you into the Prince's residence. Over the years, His Majesty has truly been good to you."
"When you were in the Prince's Palace, the Emperor often took you horseback riding and even personally prepared the Joyful Fragrance for you. And this Yikun Palace, you are allowed to live alone. These are favors that others can only dream of."
Consort Hua's eyes were lifeless; she only murmured, "Joyful Fragrance?"
"Joyful Fragrance..."
Consort Hua rushed to the incense burner, smelling the fragrance before her, but it seemed to grow fainter and fainter no matter how hard she tried.
"Yes, the scent of this Huan Yi fragrance isn't strong enough. Bring some more."
Songzhi immediately ran to the cabinet where the spices were kept, hurriedly opened it, took out a blue enamel jar with embroidered decorations, opened the lid, and found that there was still more than half a jar of Huan Yi Fragrance inside.
He handed the jar to Consort Hua, opened the incense burner, and Consort Hua picked up a spoon and put in the amount from the previous two days.
An excessive amount of Huan Yi incense burned, and the strong smell made Song Zhi cough a few times.
"Your Majesty, that's enough..."
Consort Hua stopped what she was doing, and Songzhi thought she had calmed down. Suddenly, she viciously threw the Huan Yi Xiang incense to the ground.
The purplish-red spices were scattered all over the ground, and the jar was smashed into pieces of porcelain of different sizes. Songzhi was so frightened that she knelt on the ground and dared not raise her head.
She didn't even dare to utter the words "please calm down," for fear that Consort Hua would take her anger out on her.
Even the Huan Yi Incense was smashed, which shows that the Empress was very angry this time. Combined with what she said earlier, it is likely because of the Emperor.
After smashing the Huan Yi Incense, Consort Hua collapsed to the ground. Songzhi heard the noise, looked up, and saw that Consort Hua exuded an aura of desolation, looking withered and emaciated. The last time she was so disheartened was when she miscarried because of Consort Duan.
Songzhi didn't care whether Consort Hua would use her as a punching bag. If beating her now could really help Consort Hua recover, she would be willing to do it.
"Your Highness, what's wrong? Don't frighten me!"
"Your Majesty?"
Consort Hua wiped her eyes; she couldn't believe the Emperor was so heartless towards her!
"Take this incense and secretly have someone test it to see if there is any musk in it."
Songzhi stared in disbelief at the spices and musk on the ground. No woman who still wanted to conceive would avoid such things like snakes and scorpions. They had been using it for years; no wonder their mistress, despite receiving the most favors, had never conceived.
Songzhi said, "No, Your Majesty."
There must be some misunderstanding here!
Consort Hua said, "I really hope this is a misunderstanding."
"Remember, have someone take him out of the palace and examine him secretly. Don't let your brother know."
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