Chapter 32

Chapter 32: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“It’s not that easy.” Shen Mei Zhuang laughed silently. “I’m not you. His Majesty truly likes you.”

“Sister Mei, you’re teasing me too.” Zhen Huan looked like a young woman deep in love, her face shy and glowing. During this time, she had been completely blinded by the emperor’s affection. Otherwise, she would not have taken so long to come see Shen Mei Zhuang.

Even though she had scar-healing ointment in hand, she had not brought it to Shen Mei Zhuang right away. Wasn’t it because she wanted to monopolize imperial favor and deliberately delayed, not wanting anyone else to share her affection? “I’m telling the truth.” Shen Mei Zhuang still wore a smile, but her gaze was calm and distant.

“Huan’er, you’re beautiful. It’s only natural that His Majesty favors you.” “Sister Mei, don’t say that.” Zhen Huan held her hand and said seriously, “Sister Mei, we both need imperial favor.

In this palace, it’s only us sisters relying on each other. I truly don’t want to be bullied again.” “Huan’er, why would you say that?” Shen Mei Zhuang froze for a moment.

“Did something happen again?” “No.” Zhen Huan shook her head and said softly, “Sister Mei, when I think of what happened in Yi Mei Garden, when I think of that child flowing out of me, I just want to…” As she spoke, a shocking hatred shot from her eyes. “Consort Duan atoned with her death and escaped that calamity. But there’s still one living in the Cold Palace.

Sister Mei, I really don’t want to let her go. She wants to protect her son, and I want revenge for my child.”

“Huan’er, you’re right.”

Shen Mei Zhuang touched her own belly and said softly, “Our children can already move. I can feel him. It’s all because I was useless as his mother and didn’t protect him properly. Huan’er, I hate it too!”

Her eyes reddened, and the same deep hatred showed on her face. “I want revenge too. Don’t think she can cling to life just because she’s hiding in the Cold Palace.” “Sister Mei, I found out that Third Prince often goes to the Cold Palace to visit her.”

Zhen Huan gripped Shen Mei Zhuang’s hand tightly. “Even in the Cold Palace, she’s still being taken care of very well. This punishment means nothing to her. Sister Mei, I want revenge.

Whether it’s her or her son, I won’t let either of them go.”

“Alright, I support you.” Shen Mei Zhuang agreed without hesitation. “Huan’er, revenge won’t be easy. We don’t have much help around us…”

… The two sisters discussed how to take revenge. Yet the consorts in the various palaces were unusually quiet. No matter how much the emperor doted on Noble Lady Wan and Noble Lady Hui, every consort pretended not to see it. No one went looking for trouble with them.

Jing Ren Palace. The Empress sat on the couch. After two months of recuperation, she finally recovered her health. Of course, her leg was still a little affected, but it was nothing too serious.

A palace maid knelt on the floor, listening as the Empress lectured her. “I’m giving you an opportunity.” The Empress’s voice was unhurried. “Whether you can serve His Majesty will depend on your luck.”

“Please grant this servant Your Majesty’s fulfillment!” Yu Ying Er kept kowtowing. “This servant will obey Your Majesty’s orders.”

“That’s enough. Stop kowtowing!”

The Empress lowered her eyes and glanced at her. “You’re my person. I naturally won’t treat you poorly. Being able to sing Kun Qu is your advantage.

Whether you can dazzle His Majesty on New Year’s Eve will depend on your own skill. Train well these next few days.”

“Yes, this servant obeys!” Yu Ying Er was overjoyed and knocked her head hard one more time. “Go.” The Empress waved her hand, too lazy to look at her.

Yu Ying Er did not dare to cling any longer and immediately retreated. “Your Majesty, you’ve recovered.” Jian Qiu suggested, “Should we notify the consorts to come to Jing Ren Palace to pay their respects?” “No need to rush.”

The Empress said calmly, “There are still a few days until New Year’s Eve. If I make them come pay respects now, His Majesty probably won’t be willing.” When she thought about how the emperor had not come to visit her even once during her injury, she felt not only bitter but also uneasy. She could not help suspecting that His Majesty might know something.

“Wait a little longer.” The Empress understood clearly that it would be best if the emperor came to Jing Ren Palace once. Then she could order the harem consorts to come pay respects to her. That was the proper display.

“Yes.” Jian Qiu nodded, then added, “Your Majesty, Yu Ying Er is not the kind who keeps to her place. She’s also arrogant and domineering. In the future, she will definitely bring trouble to Your Majesty.”

“What trouble would I fear?”

The Empress looked at her nail guards. “As long as she has ambition, I’m willing to fulfill it. His Majesty likes people like that. Whether it’s Consort Hua or Noble Lady Xin, aren’t they all the same – proud, bold, and reckless?

One more Yu Ying Er won’t be too many. It’ll make the palace livelier.”

“This servant understands.”

… Yan Xi Palace. With her huge belly, Li Si Qi sat to the side, her eyes wide as she stared at the emperor.

“What’s wrong with you?” the emperor asked with an amused smile. “You’ve been staring at me without saying a word.”

“Your Majesty, I heard you gave Noble Lady Wan a pair of jade shoes?” Li Si Qi looked at him with a smiling squint. “Jade shoes made with Shu brocade. Shu brocade for the uppers, warm jade for the soles – smooth and warm to the touch, and it even kept the bottoms of the feet warm. The inside was hollowed out and filled with all kinds of spices, with the elegant name ‘Fragrant at Every Step.’ Your Majesty, I didn’t get anything wrong, did I?”

“Why bring this up out of nowhere?” A trace of awkwardness flashed in the emperor’s eyes. He lifted his teacup to hide his lapse, took a sip, and casually asked, “You little thing, are you jealous?”

“Yes!” Li Si Qi nodded openly. “Your Majesty can’t play favorites. Since Noble Lady Wan has nice things, you should also make me a pearl cloud collar, alright? I want Your Majesty to design it personally for me. It has to be beautiful, and it has to be one of a kind.”

“You little thing – you’ve got some nerve.” The emperor laughed in exasperation and pointed at her in the air. “Only you would dare ask me for things.”

“I’m Your Majesty’s woman. Isn’t it only right to ask Your Majesty for nice things?” Li Si Qi put on an innocent look. “Besides, I’m pregnant too. Your Majesty has good things, but you don’t even think to bestow them on me. Oh, and recently, Your Majesty shouldn’t reward Shu brocade to the sisters in the other palaces.”

The emperor raised a brow. “Why?” “Who wants to wear Shu brocade, then turn around and find Noble Lady Wan wearing Shu brocade on her feet too? Wouldn’t that be completely humiliating?”

“…” The emperor was so choked he could not answer. He also regretted, a little, using Shu brocade to make shoes for Noble Lady Wan. It really was improper, because the consorts in the palace all liked using Shu brocade to make clothes.

He only hoped Noble Lady Wan herself had some sense. “The pearl cloud collar you want – I’ll design it for you,” the emperor agreed. “But New Year’s Eve is coming soon, and the Imperial Household Department is busy. They can only make it for you after the New Year.”

“Alright.” Li Si Qi nodded happily. “As long as Your Majesty doesn’t forget.” “Of course I won’t.”

“Your Majesty, what about the other pregnant consorts?” “You little thing – are you trying to empty out my private treasury?”

“Of course not. I’m thinking for Your Majesty. Your Majesty also doesn’t want people to complain that you play favorites, right?”

… A quarter of an hour later, the emperor strode out of Yan Xi Palace. He was afraid that if he stayed any longer, several more items from his private treasury would go missing. “Hahaha…” Little Teapot’s unrestrained laughter echoed in her mind. “Mistress, aren’t you afraid that you’ll scare the emperor into avoiding you in the future, looking so money-grubbing?”