Chapter 26

Chapter 26: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“What a lovely thing for the Empress to say.”

Consort Hua rolled her eyes. “This plum-viewing banquet was organized by the Empress. If anything happens, it has nothing to do with me. And I didn’t have anyone prepare the food and drink for the consorts either.

If something goes wrong, don’t even think of blaming me.” After tossing out those words, she didn’t care how ugly the Empress’s expression became. Consort Hua turned around and left. As she went, she deliberately shot Li Si Qi a look.

Li Si Qi returned it with a bright smile. Consort Hua snorted softly and headed off alone in one direction. The Empress suppressed the anger in her heart, the corners of her lips lifting into a faint smile. “Sisters, there’s no need to worry.

Everything was prepared by the Imperial Household Department. Nothing will go wrong. Just relax and enjoy yourselves.”

“Yes!” The Empress’s gentle smile returned. “Go and enjoy yourselves. Have a bit more fun.”

“Your concubines take our leave!” The consorts bowed to her and, without another word, split up to find companions before leaving together. The Yan Xi Palace trio also left quickly. Only Consort Qi stayed by the Empress’s side, not letting her stand there all alone.

“This is really not bad.” Noble Lady Fu Cha admired the plum blossoms around them as she walked. Their beauty, proud even in snow and frost, was indeed pleasing to the eye.

Li Si Qi smiled slightly. “Plum blossoms are best enjoyed when it’s a bit quiet. Too much noise only ruins their beauty.” “Beauty, my foot.”

Xia Dong Chun could not help complaining. “All I know is I’m freezing to death. If I didn’t have to come, I wouldn’t. If we wanted to admire plum blossoms, why not have someone cut a few and bring them back to put in a vase?

We could sit inside by the fire, eating snacks. How nice would that be? Instead we had to come out here to suffer.” Li Si Qi rolled her eyes.

“Shut your mouth. You’re bundled up like a ball, and you’re holding a hand warmer. You won’t freeze to death. If you can’t fight it, then enjoy it.

Stop saying things that kill the mood.” Noble Lady Fu Cha smiled. “Ling Rong is right. If we can’t avoid it, then we should behave ourselves and just make up the numbers.

We won’t stir trouble – we just need to watch our own safety.”

“I say one thing and you two have a whole pile of words to throw back at me.” Still sulking, Xia Dong Chun shot them a look. Knowing they were outside, she did not keep complaining. They chatted as they walked, and without noticing, they could no longer see any of the other consorts.

“Little Teapot, how’s the situation right now?” “Mistress, they’re fine for now. A couple days ago, Consort Hua sent people to inspect outside Yi Mei Garden, and other consorts sent people to check as well.”

“Of course. Nobody’s stupid. Whether the plum-viewing banquet is dangerous or not, as long as they have people in hand, they’ll send them to inspect first.” “Most of the little traps the Empress had set up have already been repaired.”

“Those were just appetizers. The Empress never planned to rely on those petty tricks to make the consorts suffer.”

“Exactly. The Empress is vicious. Right before leaving, she even told people to put hibernating snakes into the garden. And with the main force – the feral cats – the show in a moment is going to be especially lively.”

“Ah!” A single scream cut off the exchange between one woman and one spirit in an instant.

A shrill voice came from another direction. “Snakes! There are snakes! How can there be snakes?!”

It was Noble Lady Hui’s voice. Xia Dong Chun’s face went a little pale, fear flashing despite herself. “How can there be snakes?”

“There really are snakes. I’ve got snakes over here too!” This was Noble Lady Yu’s voice.

There was not much fear in it – truly worthy of a girl raised on the Mongolian grasslands. Her voice carried more confusion than anything. “Aren’t snakes supposed to be hibernating at this time? How are there so many snakes running out?”

Yi Mei Garden was neither especially large nor especially small. As long as someone shouted loudly enough, and with the wind carrying the sound, everyone could hear more or less. So the news that there were snakes in two places reached all the consorts. “Ling Rong, should we go take a look?”

Noble Lady Fu Cha looked at the person beside her. Yan Xi Palace had always been managed by her, so the others naturally followed her decision. Xia Dong Chun refused outright. “It’s chaos.

We really shouldn’t go.” “We can’t not go.” Li Si Qi answered, “We’re all in Yi Mei Garden. If we don’t show up, it’ll definitely draw attention.

If someone splashes dirty water on us or pins a ‘guilty conscience’ label on us, it would be far too unfair.”

“Then fine. Let’s go over.”

Noble Lady Fu Cha said directly, “Be careful. Don’t get close. Just watch from the sidelines.” The three of them hurried over.

At a glance, they saw Noble Lady Yu, who had twisted her ankle. They also saw Noble Lady Hui being helped up, clutching her stomach. Zhen Huan, her face still frightened, leaned against Huan Bi’s arms. It looked like something had happened, but it did not seem too serious.

Everyone was staring at several eunuchs not far away, beating the snakes… The Empress and Consort Hua arrived one after the other. “Good thing you’re all right.” The Empress looked at the shaken women and hurriedly ordered, “Quickly – clear the area all around. In the dead of winter, how did hibernating snakes get startled awake and come out?”

Consort Hua had already begun to suspect it was staged, and her tone turned sharp. “What the Empress says is ridiculous. Even if Yi Mei Garden had snakes hibernating, there couldn’t possibly be this many. Look – more than a dozen snakes appeared in Yi Mei Garden at the same time.

Isn’t that suspicious?”

“Since Consort Hua suspects something, then send people to investigate it properly and find out what happened.” The Empress replied casually, but her gaze landed on Zhen Huan as she asked with concern, “Noble Lady Wan, how are you? Are you all right?” “Replying to the Empress, this concubine can still endure.”

A faint discomfort spread through her lower abdomen. Zhen Huan thought it was only because she had been frightened. She worried more about Shen Mei Zhuang beside her. “I wonder how Elder Sister Mei is doing.

Elder Sister Mei, should we summon an Imperial Physician? Should you go back first?”

“Go back?”

A mocking voice sounded in Li Si Qi’s mind. “She won’t be going back. How could the Empress let anyone leave? The real show hasn’t even begun.”

“It should be about time.” Li Si Qi answered, “If those cats don’t come soon, the consorts will find excuses to leave.” “They’re here, Mistress. Be careful.”

“Good. Watch the situation.” “Yes!” After Little Teapot’s voice vanished, cat cries rang out all around.

Li Si Qi grabbed one person with each hand and retreated. The two who were still watching the commotion felt her movement and instantly understood something was about to happen. With their maids supporting them, they retreated slowly as well. “Meow!”

A sharp cat cry startled everyone at once. They all looked over, only to see more and more cats gathering toward them. “Ah! So many cats!”

“How can there be so many cats?” “No! It’s charging over!” “Run!”

“Move!” “Ah, damn beast!” “Someone, hurry, someone – save us!”

… In an instant, the scene turned into complete chaos. Aside from the Yan Xi Palace trio, who had already retreated, Consort Hua had been prepared. She was startled, but luckily the people at her side reacted in time and kept her safe. However… The frightened consorts, palace maids, and eunuchs fled in all directions without thinking.

Even Consort Hua and the others, who had not yet left the scene, were caught up in the stampede. “Bastards! Are you blind?!”

“Get out of my way!” Consort Hua’s furious voice rang out. The Empress looked panicked too, but the flicker of delight in her eyes was hard to miss.