Chapter 50

Chapter 50: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“Your Majesty, Noble Lady Hui was protecting Noble Lady Wan. She deliberately did not make things clear.”

Yu Ying’er continued loudly, “Your Majesty, you can send people to question other palace maids and eunuchs. Who, exactly, was the one who overstepped their station?” Hearing that, Shen Mei Zhuang completely regretted it. Consort Jing felt lucky beyond words.

The Emperor’s indifferent gaze swept over Shen Mei Zhuang and Zhen Huan. From their expressions alone, he could tell that Shen Mei Zhuang’s words were probably not entirely accurate. At this moment, Su Pei Sheng came in. He murmured a few key points at the Emperor’s side.

Yu Ying’er accused Noble Lady Wan of deceiving the Emperor, and also said that Huan Bi’s actions were not ordered by Noble Lady Wan, her mistress. Whether it was stopping her mistress from leaving, or striking a mistress with her own hands, it was all Huan Bi’s personal doing. The Emperor’s expression slowly darkened.

“Attendant Yu, for disrespecting Noble Lady Wan and Noble Lady Hui, your pay is docked for three months,” the Emperor said coldly, issuing the order at once. “Palace maid Huan Bi, for disrespecting a mistress and striking a mistress, you will receive thirty strokes and be expelled from the palace.”

“Your Majesty, please show mercy!”

Zhen Huan could not hold back anymore. She kowtowed desperately. “Please show mercy and do not expel Huan Bi from the palace. This concubine begs you, Your Majesty.

Please show mercy!”

“Noble Lady Wan failed to keep her people in line. Noble Lady Hui spoke carelessly and failed to convey the matter clearly.”

The Emperor ignored the one pleading and continued, “The two of you will be confined to your palaces for one month to reflect on your actions. Take this as a warning. If you offend again, the punishment will be doubled.”

“Yes, this concubine receives the decree!”

Shen Mei Zhuang secretly let out a breath and hurriedly kowtowed in reply.

“Your Majesty…”

Zhen Huan still could not help pleading. “Your Majesty, Huan Bi is this concubine’s maid. Please allow her to remain by this concubine’s side.”

“Noble Lady Wan.”

The Emperor looked her straight in the eye. “If it were not for your sake, your maid would never dare lay hands on a mistress. For that crime alone, she should be beaten to death. Thirty strokes and her life spared is already mercy.

If you do not know when to be satisfied, I can leave you her corpse.”

“Y-Your Majesty…”

Zhen Huan was so shocked she went blank, her whole body trembling.

“All of you, leave!”

The Emperor could not be bothered to say more. He waved his hand and dismissed them.

“This concubine (this lowly concubine) takes her leave!”

No matter what anyone was thinking, they obediently saluted and withdrew from the Imperial Study. Consort Jing held the highest rank and had no desire to get involved in their affairs. She left quickly.

“Hmph!”

Yu Ying’er snorted coldly at the utterly dazed Zhen Huan, then left with her palace maids, chin high and full of swagger. Zhen Huan stared at her arrogant back, her hatred surging. In the past, she had deeply disliked Consort Hua for always picking fights and bullying others. Now, toward Yu Ying’er, she felt nothing but hatred.

The kind of hatred where only one could live.

“Huan’er, let’s go.”

Shen Mei Zhuang did not miss the hatred in her eyes. She sighed quietly, then held onto her as they walked and said, “Attendant Yu’s rank isn’t high, but everyone knows she’s been the most favored these days. Look at her, offending people all over the palace. Who would dare argue with her?

Everyone knows she is favored right now, so they avoid her edge. Huan Bi laying hands on her this time really was inappropriate.”

“Sister Mei, I’m sorry.”

Zhen Huan said through tears, “I dragged you into this.”

“I’m not too badly off.”

Thinking back to the Emperor’s cold, indifferent look, Shen Mei Zhuang still felt uneasy. Even so, she kept comforting the person beside her. “You have to be more careful. No matter what, this matter affects you more.”

“But Huan Bi…”

Tears spilled from Zhen Huan’s eyes. “What if she truly gets driven out of the palace?”

“Can’t she leave the palace?”

Shen Mei Zhuang did not know about Huan Bi’s background. “She can go back to your household. Once she recovers, have Aunt find a suitable family for her to marry into. Huan’er, Huan Bi’s temperament will only bring you trouble if she stays in the palace.

Taking this chance to send her out might be for the best.”

“No.”

Zhen Huan rejected it outright. Seeing Shen Mei Zhuang’s surprised look, she had to explain. “Sister Mei, Huan Bi grew up with me. She’s like my younger sister.

If she goes out, she can only find an ordinary family. But if she stays in the palace, there may be a chance in the future to find her a better match.”

“You mean…”

Shen Mei Zhuang froze, then quickly understood. She fell silent for a moment, then asked, “Huan’er, since you want to plan for your own people, then why, these past days, you…” In truth, she knew Yu Ying’er was telling the truth. Zhen Huan had deliberately claimed illness to avoid favor. As someone who knew, Shen Mei Zhuang could not understand why she did that.

“I… I don’t know how to say it…”

Zhen Huan could not speak the real reason. She only lowered her head. “Maybe I was wrong. I shouldn’t have been so willful.”

“Huan’er, without favor, anyone can bully us.”

Shen Mei Zhuang’s tone carried helplessness. “Think about it. If you were a favored consort, would Attendant Yu dare treat us like this? Without favor, you can’t even protect yourself, much less the people around you.

Think it through carefully.”

“I know!”

Zhen Huan pressed her lips tight, a taste she could not describe rising in her heart.

“Huan’er, if you want to keep Huan Bi, it’s not impossible.”

“Sister Mei, you have a way?”

“It’s simple. After Huan Bi receives the strokes, you take her back to recover.”

Shen Mei Zhuang offered a suggestion. “While she recovers, you work hard and find a way to regain favor. Then, when the Emperor is in a good mood, you plead with him. Huan Bi has already been punished.

Whether she is expelled or allowed to stay is just one sentence from the Emperor. If the Emperor is happy and willing to give you face, then Huan Bi might be able to remain. But the premise is that you must be favored, and the Emperor must be willing to make an exception for you. Think about it carefully!”… What happened in the Imperial Garden quickly spread through the harem.

Everyone treated it like a show. Whether it was Yu Ying’er or the palace maid Huan Bi, no one really took either of them seriously. After that came Zhen Huan and Yu Ying’er, both using every trick they had to fight for favor. Today you stole her chance, tomorrow she stole yours.

Their battle to snatch the Emperor was especially entertaining. The Empress and the Empress Dowager did not interfere. Everyone was happy to watch the drama. No matter how they made a fuss, the masters of Yan Xi Palace had no time to care about the excitement outside.

“She’s going to deliver! My lady is about to give birth!”

A shout came from the main hall. Li Si Qi stood up while she was teasing the babies. “Senior Maid Ruo Lan, go over and take a look first. I’ll go over in a bit.”

“Your Highness, you really shouldn’t go out.”

Ruo Lan showed disapproval. “You must observe two months of postpartum confinement. You can’t go out at a time like this.”

“It’s fine. My body recovered long ago.”

Li Si Qi did not care. “Besides, it’s still within Yan Xi Palace. What’s there to be afraid of?”

“Your Highness…”

“Forget it. Stay and watch Sixth Prince and the little Princess.”

Li Si Qi did not want to hear her persuade her anymore. She walked out at once. “I’ll go take a look myself. Noble Lady Tian might be waiting for me to go over.”

Senior Maid Lan Ruo did not have time to say anything. Her mistress had already walked out. Feeling helpless, she could only stay behind to guard the two little masters. Just as Li Si Qi said, Noble Lady Fu Cha truly was nervous and afraid.

Even with the nannies soothing her, she still felt uneasy.

“An Ling Rong…” She muttered softly.

The nanny beside her answered at once. “My lady, Consort Xin must observe two months of postpartum confinement. It may not be convenient right now…”

“My lady, Consort Xin is here!”

“Quick, let An Ling Rong come in.”

Noble Lady Fu Cha was overjoyed. Sure enough, Li Si Qi came over in plain clothes. Noble Lady Fu Cha could not help saying excitedly, “An Ling Rong, you came.”