Chapter 54

Chapter 54: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“Your Majesty is absolutely right!”

Zhu Xi asked again, “It’s just that the Empress has already made up her mind. She plans to spread rumors at the dragon-and-phoenix twins’ full-month banquet three days from now.”

“How bold.” A cold light flashed in the Empress Dowager’s eyes as she ordered at once, “Zhu Xi, go to Jing Ren Palace. Tell the Empress that if she dares spread a single rumor about the dragon-and-phoenix twins, I will wipe out everyone in Jing Ren Palace – not one will be left alive.”

“Yes!” Zhu Xi replied respectfully.

“Go, and don’t let her make the same mistake again.”

“Yes, Your Majesty!”

Zhu Xi soon arrived at Jing Ren Palace. When she saw the Empress, skin and bones and looking like a vengeful ghost, she could not help shivering. No wonder the Empress had completely lost herself and wanted to strike at the dragon-and-phoenix twins. When it came to staying alive, there was nothing a person would not dare to do.

“What are you here for?” The Empress fixed her with a hollow stare. “What does the Empress Dowager want this time?”

Zhu Xi lowered her gaze and answered as calmly as she could, “The Empress Dowager has issued an order. The imperial dragon-and-phoenix twins are precious, and nothing may go wrong. If any rumors about the twins appear, every servant in Jing Ren Palace will be executed – none spared.”

“What did you say?!” the Empress shrieked. “Did you, you wretch, dare to fabricate the Empress Dowager’s decree?”

“This servant would never dare!” Zhu Xi’s expression did not change. She bowed. “This servant takes her leave.”

Whether the Empress believed it or not had nothing to do with her. Zhu Xi turned around and left at once.

“Impossible!” The Empress’s furious screams rang out behind her. “The Empress Dowager would never treat me like this. She has always protected me. How could she issue such an order? It must be that wretch Zhu Xi, falsely passing on the Empress Dowager’s decree…”

… Nothing that happened in the harem could be hidden from Li Si Qi. After she learned of the Empress’s plan, the smile on her face turned colder and colder. “Little Teapot, the Empress has been having nightmares for a month, right?”

“Yes.” Little Teapot asked curiously, “Mistress, how do you plan to deal with the Empress?”

“Why would I deal with her?” Li Si Qi raised her brows. “I’m going to fulfill her wish, all right. Didn’t the Empress send people to invite masters from temples and Daoist abbots from monasteries to pray blessings for her son? They’ve been praying for so long now – it should have worked, shouldn’t it?”

Little Teapot asked curiously, “How do you plan to fulfill the Empress’s wish, Mistress?”

“It’s simple.” Li Si Qi replied with a bright smile. “Hong Hui was suffering in his mother’s place, wasn’t he? If he suddenly receives so many blessings, he naturally won’t be able to bear them. Tonight, when the Empress falls asleep, make her watch Hong Hui’s soul scatter because he can’t withstand those blessings that don’t belong to him. Don’t even leave him a chance to reincarnate.”

“Mistress, that’s ruthless.” Little Teapot could not help sighing. “Aren’t you afraid the Empress will go completely mad?”

“She’s already mad.” Li Si Qi snorted. “If she weren’t, why would she love targeting unborn children?”

“That’s true.” Little Teapot added, “Mistress, what if the Empress breaks down and goes insane on the spot after seeing Hong Hui’s soul scatter?”

“That is a problem.” Li Si Qi’s mind turned, and she laughed. “Aren’t we preparing to give her a child? When you craft her dream, after Hong Hui vanishes completely, leave behind a single star, then let it fall into the Empress’s belly. With her obsession with Hong Hui, she’ll fill in the rest herself. When she gets pregnant, won’t it line up perfectly with her own imagination? Perfect!”

“Mistress, that arrangement is pretty good.”

“Otherwise, how would I enjoy the show?”

… In the main hall, Consort Tian held her precious daughter, smiling from ear to ear. “Our Fourth Princess is so good.”

“Yes, the Fourth Princess is very good. She doesn’t fuss at all.” The nanny smiled and nodded. “I heard the Fourth Princess and the Fifth Princess of Noble Lady Jing will hold their Three-Day Bath Ceremony together with the dragon-and-phoenix twins’ full-month banquet. In a way, it’s a bit unfair to the Fourth Princess and the Fifth Princess.”

“What’s unfair about it?” Consort Tian smiled. “Don’t forget, the dragon-and-phoenix twins didn’t even get a Three-Day Bath Ceremony. At least the Fourth Princess and the Fifth Princess get to hold one. Even if it’s riding on the twins’ occasion, so what? Dragon-and-phoenix twins are good fortune and auspicious omens. It’s a good thing that our Fourth Princess gets to share in it.”

“Your Highness is right.” The nanny looked apologetic. “This servant was being too narrow-minded.”

“Nanny.” Consort Tian looked at everyone present. “Remember this: the Fourth Princess and the Fifth Princess were both born under Consort Xin’s protection. Anyone can feel wary of Consort Xin, but we have no need to. Consort Xin is moving out of Yan Xi Palace, and I’m not happy about it at all. I would much rather she stayed in Yan Xi Palace. Only if she stays in Yan Xi Palace can we live our days in peace. Once she moves away, Noble Lady Jing and I don’t know if we’ll be able to hold Yan Xi Palace, and we don’t know if we’ll be able to protect the Fourth Princess and the Fifth Princess.”

“Your Highness!” The nanny dropped to her knees. “Please rest assured, this servant is willing to use her life to protect Your Highness and the Fourth Princess.”

“Nanny, get up.” Consort Tian shook her head. “Remember, even if Consort Xin moves to Yong Shou Palace, we are still allies. We will support each other and stand together through thick and thin. Don’t say unpleasant things again. Do you all understand?”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

… In the left side hall, Xia Dong Chun also warned the people around her, “If Consort Xin and Consort Tian aren’t trustworthy, then you’re even less trustworthy. I only trust them. Don’t even think about driving a wedge between us. Whoever dares to harbor ulterior motives, I will replace you at once.”

“This servant would never dare!” Several people immediately bowed in reply.

“As long as you’re loyal, I’ll treat you as my own people.” Xia Dong Chun swept her gaze over them. “Only if I live well will you live well. If you want me to be unlucky, you’ll be the first to become unlucky.”

… After the two mistresses had put their people in their place, no one spoke again about whether the children were being treated unfairly. On the third day, Li Si Qi, who should have been observing two-month confinement, had no intention of continuing it. After Aunt Ruo Lan dressed her with her own hands, a dignified and graceful consort appeared before everyone. People rarely saw Li Si Qi dress up properly.

It was her first time appearing in full consort attire, and it truly left many people amazed. The Emperor was no exception. Of course, no matter how stunning An Ling Rong was, she still could not outshine Noble Consort Hua. At that moment, Noble Consort Hua had no interest in competing in beauty.

She walked straight to the wet nurse and scooped Princess Wen Ning into her arms. That instantly startled many people. No one had expected Noble Consort Hua to take such an interest in Princess Wen Ning. With the way she looked – soft and motherly – it was unbelievably unexpected.

It wasn’t as if Noble Consort Hua had never raised a princess. Everyone knew Noble Lady Cao’s daughter, Princess Wen Yi, had once been raised in Yi Kun Palace. Noble Consort Hua had never worn this sort of expression then. When she was pleased, she teased the child a few times.

When she was displeased, she would not even spare her a glance. It was nothing like now, when she looked entirely like a mother. If everyone did not know that the little princess she had given birth to had died the moment she was born, they would not have been able to stop themselves from suspecting that Princess Wen Ning was her own child. Nian Geng Yao, who was also attending the banquet, saw his younger sister like this for the first time.

He was just as surprised. He glanced toward the Madam beside him, silently asking. Madam Nian explained in a low voice at his side. Nian Geng Yao’s gaze immediately fell on Li Si Qi.

No one knew what he was thinking. Li Si Qi naturally knew he was looking at her. She did not want to invite trouble, so she pretended not to notice. The Empress did not appear.

The Empress Dowager did.

“Come, hurry and bring the children over for me to see.” The Empress Dowager smiled and beckoned to Noble Consort Hua and Li Si Qi, who were holding the children.

She glanced at the dragon-and-phoenix twins and nodded in satisfaction. “They’ve been raised well. Consort Xin has rendered great merit. I will reward you handsomely.”

Li Si Qi held her son and bowed. “This consort thanks the Empress Dowager.”