Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

They had not gone in yet when they saw Noble Lady Yu arrive in a heated sedan chair. Xia Dong Chun could not help envying her. Of course, Consort Hua was also riding in a heated sedan chair. Those two pregnant women were far bolder than they were.

Li Si Qi was not jealous at all. She had long known the Empress was starting to meddle again. As the captain of the abortion squad, she would not miss any chance. After a while, all the consorts arrived.

Since the Consort rank now had only Consort Hua left, Concubine Jing’s status seemed to become more distinguished. She and Consort Hua sat on the first chairs, one on the left and one on the right. Second were Concubine Li and Noble Lady Fu Cha, seated below them. Third were Noble Lady Cao and Noble Lady Xin.

Fourth were Noble Lady Yu and Noble Lady Hui. Fifth were Li Si Qi and Zhen Huan. Sixth were Xia Dong Chun and Fang Chun Yi. Seventh were Attendant Kang and Attendant Xi.

A dozen-odd consorts sat on the chairs to either side. At a glance, it still looked quite nice. At this moment, the Empress finally emerged from inside, putting on her airs.

“This consort (this concubine) pays her respects to Your Majesty the Empress.”

All the consorts rose to their feet, faced the Empress, and bowed in greeting. Seated high on the Empress’s throne, the Empress wore a gentle smile. “Sisters, please rise.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty the Empress.” Everyone answered, then returned to their seats.

“Seeing that all of you sisters are well puts my mind at ease.”

The Empress kept smiling. “New Year’s Eve is coming soon. I have prepared some gifts for all of you sisters. In a moment, you may take them back yourselves.

I won’t send people to make the trip.”

“Gifts?”

Consort Hua’s gaze was like a blade as she sneered coldly. “Is Your Majesty giving everyone apology gifts? The tragedy at Yi Mei Garden happened so long ago. Isn’t it a bit late to apologize now?”

“Hua Consort, what nonsense are you spouting?”

The Empress drew back her smile. “His Majesty has already investigated the Yi Mei Garden case and issued an imperial edict to give the rear palace an explanation. What, does Hua Consort dare question the imperial edict?”

“Of course this consort does not dare question the imperial edict!”

Consort Hua said angrily, “We all know it was Your Majesty who insisted we all attend the plum-viewing banquet. Consort Qi and Consort Duan did not force Your Majesty to organize it. What’s more, your dog servants kept hinting at Your Majesty’s meaning, inside and out, that no consort was allowed to ask for leave. The sisters should still remember this.”

As soon as she said that, the consorts’ expressions all differed. Seeing it, Consort Hua showed a satisfied smile. She turned back and stared at the Empress again. “I’m very curious.

How did Your Majesty cooperate with them so well? Was it they who cooperated with Your Majesty, or Your Majesty who cooperated with them?”

“Hua Consort, I meant well back then.”

The Empress took a deep breath and forced down her anger. “Do not forget my injuries were even worse than yours.”

“Heh heh!”

Consort Hua mocked her openly. “As if no one else was injured. Some people were not only injured – they even miscarried. One move, and several children were gone.

This consort hopes those poor children will not spare the true master mind behind it. The living cannot see the truth clearly, but those children should know exactly who kept them from being born.”

“Hua Consort, enough!”

The Empress barked, her voice sharp. “What is past should be put down. Why do you keep clinging to it? If you refuse to accept it, why not go to His Majesty and plead your case?

If you have evidence, why not hand it to His Majesty? Yet here you are, stirring up trouble before me and unsettling the rear palace. Can you bear His Majesty’s and the Empress Dowager’s blame?”

“Don’t try to use His Majesty and the Empress Dowager to pressure me!”

Consort Hua stood at once and snapped back without courtesy. “The truth is something you know, I know, and he knows.” After tossing out those words, she left with her belly thrust forward, not giving the Empress a shred of face. Concubine Li and Noble Lady Cao wanted to follow her out.

But they happened to meet the Empress’s warning gaze. The two of them could only stay.

“Consort Hua misunderstands me deeply.”

The Empress’s expression quickly softened again. She spoke to the gathered consorts. “Consort Hua is only making wild guesses. His Majesty is not a muddle-headed man.

Sisters, do not let Consort Hua’s words sway you.”

“Yes!” All the consorts answered.

As for what they truly thought, only they themselves knew.

“New Year’s Eve will have a palace banquet.”

The Empress’s lips curved into a faint smile. “All of you sisters must attend. These next two days, prepare well.”

“We obey!” Everyone answered again.

“If you have any difficulties, remember to tell me.”

The Empress’s gaze swept over several pregnant women. At last she looked at Li Si Qi and said, “Noble Lady Xin, you are carrying twins. Guard the dragon-and-phoenix twins well. When you give birth safely, I will reward you handsomely.”

Li Si Qi had to rise and bow. “This concubine thanks Your Majesty the Empress.” Of course, she also received looks of envy, jealousy, and hatred from others.

“Sit.”

The Empress nodded in satisfaction. Then she said to the other three, “I will not play favorites. If you three give birth safely, I will reward you richly as well.”

“This concubine thanks Your Majesty the Empress.”

The three of them had to rise and thank her too. The Empress let them sit again. Her gaze turned to Concubine Jing, Zhen Huan, and the others. “Take good care of your bodies.

With imperial favor, children will naturally come…” A quarter of an hour later, everyone left Jing Ren Palace. Those who could ride in sedan chairs departed first. Those who could not could only trudge slowly through the freezing wind. They walked on, facing the icy wind the whole way.

“Sister Mei!”

Zhen Huan noticed Shen Mei Zhuang kept staring at the trio from Yan Xi Palace. She could not help following Shen Mei Zhuang’s gaze. Looking at the three of them, plump like embroidered balls, she could not help showing envy. “They…”

“Huan’er.”

Shen Mei Zhuang’s eyes reddened slightly at the corners as she lowered her voice. “If our children had not been lost, we would probably be just like them. Walking would be hard at a time like this, but we would surely feel very happy. Now we do not even have the chance to enjoy that happiness.”

“Sister Mei, we will have our chance.”

Zhen Huan held her hand as they walked. “Her Majesty the Empress is right. We are still young. As long as we nurse our bodies back to health, we will be pregnant sooner or later.”

“Her Majesty the Empress…”

Shen Mei Zhuang pressed her lips together and could not help glancing at the person beside her. “Huan’er, do you think what Consort Hua said made sense?”

“Consort Hua’s words?”

Zhen Huan froze for a moment, then quickly understood what she meant.

“Yes, Huan’er.”

Shen Mei Zhuang nodded. “I don’t know why, but Consort Hua’s words keep appearing in my mind. Huan’er, do you remember back at Yi Mei Garden? Consort Hua also said that if anything happened, we shouldn’t think of pinning it on her.

Later… a tragedy really did happen. Noble Lady Yu left early and was not badly hurt. But everyone who stayed was injured, especially us – we did not keep our children. Just now, Consort Hua pointed her sword at the Empress again… I keep thinking Consort Hua might know something.”

“Sister Mei, Consort Hua and the Empress have never gotten along.”

Zhen Huan frowned. “We can listen to her, but we cannot believe it all. Sister Mei, do not forget that the Empress was also attacked by wild cats at Yi Mei Garden. If she were the one behind it, how could she have dragged herself into it?

Besides…” Zhen Huan hesitated, then said, “His Majesty personally investigated this case. In this rear palace, who could escape His Majesty’s investigation?”