Yu Meiren raised her wine cup and clinked it with Consort Zheng's.
Yu Meiren wore a faint smile, while Consort Zheng gazed at the sky; their figures stood forlorn and desolate.
Five years ago, it was Consort Rong who caused Yu Meiren to be banished to the Cold Palace, where she lived a life of utter darkness.
Consort Zheng was banished to the Cold Palace very early on, where she eked out a living for many years.
“Back then, Consort Rong used me to poison the little princess’s sweet soup.”
Yu Meiren's voice was flat, as if she were talking about someone else's affairs.
"I was so stupid back then. I actually believed that she had a secret formula to help people have children. I was used as a pawn by her and completely manipulated by her."
Yu Meiren gave a cold laugh.
"Now, she's finally getting her comeuppance."
"Yes." Consort Zheng nodded.
She had accomplished quite a few things during her years in the cold palace, but ever since the princess was born, everything seemed to go wrong.
Now, they've finally made the right move.
"However... the Fifth Prince and the palace maid were merely imprisoned in Yong'an Palace."
Yu Meiren's face showed resentment and helplessness.
"It seems that His Majesty is ultimately unwilling to kill them." Consort Zheng sighed.
"After all, they are my own flesh and blood."
"The fact that her son will never have the chance to become the Crown Prince must be a great blow to Consort Rong."
"Let's just wait quietly for Yong'an Palace to make its move. Maybe we'll hear some good news!"
Consort Zheng raised her wine cup and looked at the moon in the sky.
A year ago, Consort Yu and Consort Zheng were playing chess in the Cold Palace when they suddenly heard a commotion outside and went out to see what was going on.
It turned out that the princes had finished their studies.
"I thought the palace was so lively because the selection of concubines had begun, but it turns out the princes have just finished school."
Consort Zheng's eyes flickered slightly. "When the princes finish school, the Fifth Prince will probably also pass through this road."
Yu Meiren nodded, a plan forming in her mind.
Normally, one wouldn't pass through the Cold Palace on the way from the school to the palace gate, but the shortest route back to Yong'an Palace from the school is through the Cold Palace.
Therefore, Yun Yichun and the eunuchs and maids serving him often passed by here.
That day, the guards who were guarding the Cold Palace accepted Yu Meiren's money, so they stopped guarding the main gate of the palace and instead stood guard by the palace gate in front of the palace.
When Yu Meiren saw Yun Yichun passing by, she waved to him while carrying a plate of white jade cakes.
"Chun'er, come here to have some snacks with your mother."
Yun Yichun was stunned for a moment when he heard the voice, but he was hungry after school, so he sent the eunuch to wait by his side and went into the Cold Palace to eat some snacks.
Where is your mother?
Yu Meiren pulled Yun Yichun to sit at the table, and Consort Zheng brought out pear blossom soup from inside.
"My mother is recuperating at Yong'an Palace."
Yun Yichun picked up a piece of white jade pastry.
"Alas, your mother's life was also tragic back then."
Yu Meiren sighed and wiped the corner of her eye with a handkerchief.
"Chun'er, you don't need to blame the Empress."
"Her Majesty the Empress was afraid that someone would harm the Ninth Princess, which is why she reported your mother to His Majesty."
[Empress?]
Yun Yichun immediately lost his appetite and put down the white jade cake in his hand.
"Please enlighten me, Mother Consort Yu."
Yu Meiren gently patted Yun Yichun's hand, "Back then, it was the Empress who reported Consort Rong to His Majesty, which led to Consort Rong being imprisoned."
Yun Yichun clenched her fists as she listened.
He thought of the humiliation his mother had suffered that day.
[They're all empresses. If it weren't for the empress, my mother wouldn't have ended up like this!]
"You don't need to be too angry."
"The Empress is second only to the Emperor. She is doing this to attract His Majesty's attention and pave the way for the Crown Prince."
"It's the eldest prince who she worries about the most."
"Does Consort Yu mean that the Empress caused my mother to go to the Emperor to curry favor in order to pave the way for my eldest brother?"
He knew that his father had always valued the princess highly, but he never expected that the empress would do such a thing.
Yu Meiren didn't speak, then sighed: "It's all in the past, Chun'er. Listen to your mother, always look forward, and never think about avenging your mother."
"Yes, Her Majesty the Empress has many guards and palace servants around her. You are just a child, so don't even think about avenging your mother."
Consort Zheng poured Yun Yichun a cup of pear soup and offered her some advice.
"Oh, I heard that the palace is going to hold a banquet, and the concubines and the families of the ministers will all be there."
"Chun'er, neither your mother, Consort Zheng, nor I can leave the Cold Palace."
"You must keep an eye out for us and tell us what interesting things have happened and how lively it is."
"Let us, those of us who are lonely in the deep palace, also have some joy."
"Yes, I'm sure Prince Rui and Prince Rui will come then."
[Prince Rui, Eldest Brother...]
"The soup at the palace banquet is much tastier than the soup in the cold palace!"
As she spoke, Yu Meiren glanced at the sky and said, "It's getting late."
Yun Yichun was somewhat dazed, his thoughts were very complicated, and he couldn't quite process what Yu Meiren and Consort Zheng had said.
He rose and bowed to the two women: "Mother Consort Yu Mei, Mother Consort Zheng, I shall take my leave now."
Consort Yu and Consort Zheng saw Yun Yichun off. At the door, Consort Yu feigned surprise and called out, "Chun'er, you should be careful when you play here."
"This plant growing on the ground is called 'heartbreak grass.' If you accidentally eat it, it can kill you."
Yun Yichun nodded, her gaze lingering on the inconspicuous grass on the ground at the entrance of the Cold Palace.
...
"It's late, go wash up and go to bed."
"There's still a long road ahead."
Consort Zheng gazed at the starry sky and murmured softly.
...
Three days later, Yun Yishu arrived at Yun Duoduo's bedroom.
He placed a wooden box on the table.
"Third brother, what is this?"
"Open it and take a look."
Yun Duoduo curiously opened the box, and inside were bright yellow gold bars!
Dozens of gold bars were neatly stacked together.
[A mini gold bar?!]
[We've really struck it rich!]
"Third brother, are these all for me?"
"We made a fortune at the last palace banquet; this is money for my imperial sister."
"Thank you very much, Third Brother!" Yun Duoduo accepted the gold bars without any hesitation.
“My sister, because of the last Hundred Flowers Festival ball, I made quite a bit of money selling oil-paper umbrellas and rouge and powder. Now that I have some capital, I want to open a painting studio.”
Nowadays, there are many literati in Nanyang, and the imperial court is paying more and more attention to them. As a result, more and more people in the capital are buying books and paintings.
"OK!"
"Have you found a suitable shop?"
"Brother Qiming is already looking at it. I came to see you today because I want to come up with a name for the painting studio."
"As you know, my brother hasn't read many books, so I won't bother with that. This kind of elegant affair still needs you to do it."
"Hmm, such an elegant affair..."
Yun Duoduo was quite pleased with Yun Yishu's praise and approval. She pondered, "How about we call it 'Moonlit Fate Painting Studio'?"
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