Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

Yan Xi Palace.

“In this freezing weather, what is there to admire about plum blossoms?” Xia Dong Chun complained. “And we still can’t skip it. What rotten luck.”

“Exactly. They insist on making all of us attend at a time like this.” Noble Lady Fu Cha frowned, her tone carrying unease. “I just hope nothing unexpected happens.”

“Who knows if it will.” Xia Dong Chun grew worried too. “It’s snowing and icing over, and the roads are slippery. Making us go admire plum blossoms now – who knows what Her Majesty the Empress is really thinking.”

Li Si Qi replied casually, “Whatever you think she’s thinking, that’s what she’s thinking.” “Xin Noble Lady, do you know something?” Noble Lady Fu Cha looked at her, hope in her eyes. Over these months together, she had unconsciously started treating the other woman as a reliable partner.

She understood very well that the three mistresses of Yan Xi Palace had been able to live in peace mainly because of her. In her heart, she knew the other woman truly looked after her and Xia Dong Chun, so she was willing to follow her arrangements.

“How would this lady know anything?” Li Si Qi smiled innocently. “We’re together all day and we’ve never even left Yan Xi Palace. How would we know what’s going on outside?”

Noble Lady Fu Cha smiled. She didn’t believe a word of it. Xia Dong Chun shot Li Si Qi a look. “If you don’t know, then why are you running your mouth?”

“This lady wasn’t running her mouth.” Li Si Qi rolled her eyes. “I was just following your words. You know the weather makes going out to view plum blossoms risky. Do you think no one else knows that? Her Majesty the Empress insists on making everyone go out at this time because she’s waiting for you to get into trouble. As for who ends up unlucky, that depends on everyone’s luck.”

“That’s true.” Xia Dong Chun nodded. “If something’s bound to happen, then we all have to be extra careful.”

She looked at Li Si Qi. “You always have plenty of crafty ideas. This time, help us think of a way to avoid any accidents. Later this lady will send you a thank-you gift.”

She might be a bit dumb, but she wasn’t completely brainless. Besides, the nanny the emperor had sent had been guiding her day and night, teaching and correcting her. Even a pig would have become a slightly smarter pig by now. So she also knew that An Ling Rong was shielding her and Noble Lady Fu Cha.

Even if she didn’t speak well, in her heart she already treated them as sisters. When she spoke to them, she was blunt and unguarded, without the slightest restraint.

“Sure.” Li Si Qi nodded with satisfaction. “But you’ll have to send more.”

She knew Xia Dong Chun’s parents spoiled her and their family lacked for nothing. As soon as news of her pregnancy went out, the Xia Family immediately sent in plenty of gold, silver, and jewels. If Consort Hua was the harem’s big rich woman, then she was a smaller rich woman. So Li Si Qi didn’t hold back when it came to fleecing a tycoon.

“Don’t worry. You won’t be shorted!” Xia Dong Chun snapped.

Then she said to Noble Lady Fu Cha, “Noble Lady Tian, you should take something out too and let her see the world. She acts like a poor ghost all day – it’s embarrassing.”

“Alright.” Noble Lady Fu Cha agreed readily. “I happen to have a small, pretty coral bonsai. It was a birthday gift from an elder when I was little. In a moment, Xin Noble Lady can take it back with her.”

Li Si Qi shook her head. “No. It’s your birthday gift. How could this lady take what you love?” Noble Lady Fu Cha didn’t care and continued, “It’s fine.

It’s just a small coral piece. I still have a taller, bigger coral bonsai.”

“As expected of the legitimate daughter of the Fu Cha Clan – rich and bold.” Li Si Qi smiled and nodded. “Then this lady will accept it with thanks.”

“Don’t worry. If we have good things, we won’t leave you out.” Xia Dong Chun looked disgusted as she stabbed her right in the heart. “If you’re too shabby, this lady feels ashamed too.”

“So what if I’m poor? It’s not like I ate your rice.” Li Si Qi shot back, then explained her plan and arrangements.

In truth, those were only the surface measures. The main thing was still relying on Little Teapot to protect everyone. After all, the eunuchs and palace maids in Yan Xi Palace had all taken Strength Pills. They didn’t know martial arts, but with that raw strength, dealing with a few ordinary people was no problem.

Three days passed in the blink of an eye. At the time set by Her Majesty the Empress, they walked toward Yi Mei Garden. A Noble Lady did not have the status to ride in a sedan chair. Of course, even if they could, pregnant Noble Ladies didn’t dare.

No one was stupid. One careless slip from a sedan chair and it wouldn’t just be a matter of injury – the child likely wouldn’t survive. So no one dared to gamble with their bellies. When Her Majesty the Empress heard the news, she was a little disappointed, but she didn’t take it to heart.

The real show hadn’t even started yet. “Her Majesty the Empress has arrived!” Jiang Fu Hai’s shout rang out. All the consorts quickly lined up to welcome her and offered their greetings.

“This concubine pays respects to Her Majesty the Empress.”

“Everyone, rise quickly.” The Empress nodded with a smile. Her gaze swept over the consorts present, and she did not see Consort Hua. She couldn’t help frowning slightly.

Soon, she smiled again. “This year, the plum blossoms are blooming nicely. I thought it would be dull to admire them alone. So I invited all of you sisters to come and enjoy them, and to bring some liveliness to these flowers blooming in the snow.”

“A touch of red on snowy boughs, and laughter beneath, where beauties stand. A scene so charming it intoxicates, as though immortal maidens walked within a painting.” The Empress smiled. “Sisters, each of you is lovely and radiant. This time, I can feast my eyes and admire a different kind of scenery. Why not go strolling in pairs? If anyone produces a fine poem, I will reward you generously.”

As soon as the Empress finished speaking, Zhou Ning Hai’s voice rang out, “Consort Hua has arrived!” Everyone immediately looked over. They saw Consort Hua, attended by many eunuchs and maids, walking over step by step at a slow, unhurried pace. Under everyone’s gaze, she stopped a few steps away from the Empress and casually flicked her handkerchief.

“This concubine greets Her Majesty the Empress. This concubine walked all the way here and truly suffered a bit. Her Majesty the Empress won’t blame this concubine for arriving late, will you? No, wait! It seems it isn’t even the appointed time yet. That means this concubine isn’t late at all. Her Majesty the Empress, isn’t that right?”

“Consort Hua was of course not late.” The Empress greeted her with a smile, as if she truly didn’t mind Consort Hua’s rudeness. Smiling warmly, she continued, “I was just speaking with the sisters. Everyone may act as they please. Yi Mei Garden isn’t very large, but it’s still enough for everyone to enjoy themselves. If you like a certain plum branch, you may have a eunuch break it off for you and take it back to place in a vase. As long as everyone is happy, then my goodwill won’t have been wasted.”

“Her Majesty the Empress is truly kind,” Consort Hua said without the slightest gratitude, shooting back at once. “On a day this freezing, you insist on dragging out the pregnant consorts who should be nurturing their pregnancies, just so they can ‘enjoy’ the bite of icy wind.”

“What are you saying, Consort Hua?” The Empress’s brows tightened slightly. “Yes, the weather is cold, but it isn’t as though we can’t go out. We sisters finally had the chance to gather and relax. Don’t say such dampening things.”