Chapter 56

Chapter 56: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“No rush.” The Empress paused, then said, “Since Noble Consort Hua wants to raise the dragon-phoenix twins, Yi Kun Palace will definitely need more staff. Watch carefully, and place a few inconspicuous spies in Yi Kun Palace.”

“Yes!” Jian Qiu agreed at once. “Your Majesty, don’t worry. We’ll get our people back into Yi Kun Palace again.”

“Hm.” The Empress was satisfied and asked, “What about Yong Shou Palace? How many of ours are there?”

“Replying to Your Majesty, there are three,” Jian Qiu answered with a smile. “Yong Shou Palace was empty, and Concubine Xin moved in with the two children, so they’re short-handed. This servant took the chance to slip three people in.”

“Hm, that’s as it should be.” The Empress gave a faint smile. “Don’t contact them for now. Don’t let anyone notice. Ruo Lan at An Ling Rong’s side belongs to the Emperor. She’s sharp – ordinary people can’t escape her eyes. Let them lie low for half a year to a year. It won’t be too late to contact them later.”

“Yes, this servant will remember.”

… Qi Xiang Palace Concubine Li sneered. “I can see you’re a fool. Wen Yi has been raised in Yi Kun Palace for so long, and she still can’t win Noble Consort Hua’s favor. You’re useless as a mother, and your daughter is useless too.”

“You’re right.” Noble Lady Cao looked calm. “Noble Consort Hua never liked our mother and daughter. Now that the palace has the dragon-phoenix twins, isn’t it normal for Noble Consort Hua to like them more?”

“You!” Concubine Li was so angry she couldn’t speak. “Useless trash. You and your daughter deserve to be thrown aside by Noble Consort Hua.”

“If Your Ladyship has no further orders, this concubine will take her leave first.” Noble Lady Cao didn’t want to keep talking.

After she saluted, she turned and walked out. Hearing the shouting and curses coming from the main hall, Noble Lady Cao’s expression didn’t change. She went straight to the left side hall where she lived. When mistress and servant reached the side hall, Noble Lady Cao sat down and asked, “How is Wen Yi?”

“Please rest easy, my lady. The princess is fine.” Yin Xiu answered softly. “These days the princess doesn’t have to go to Yi Kun Palace, and this servant has seen her much happier.”

“I’ve always known Noble Consort Hua doesn’t like Wen Yi.” Noble Lady Cao’s mood was complicated, and her voice sounded a little lonely. “Wen Yi was given to Noble Consort Hua by the Emperor to relieve her boredom. Children are sensitive, and Wen Yi could naturally feel Noble Consort Hua’s dislike. Ever since Noble Consort Hua closed her doors to raise her pregnancy, our mother and daughter haven’t gone to disturb her. In the blink of an eye, it’s been a few months.”

“Wen Yi is used to staying by my side every day now. Since she doesn’t need to go to Yi Kun Palace anymore, I imagine that’s what Wen Yi wants too. That’s good. No one will disturb our mother and daughter again.”

“This servant knows my lady has always hoped Noble Consort Hua would have her own child.” Yin Xiu nodded. “After Noble Consort Hua’s little princess died young, my lady was afraid Noble Consort Hua would ask for our princess to go back to Yi Kun Palace. Now that Princess Wen Ning can take her place, that’s good too. At least from now on, the princess will be your child alone.”

Noble Lady Cao showed a faint smile. “Yes. No one will snatch my Wen Yi from me again.”

“My lady can finally rest easy.” Yin Xiu smiled, then added, “But Noble Consort Hua is far too biased. In the past, Noble Consort Hua never treated our princess like this. Now, with Princess Wen Ning, she practically wants to treat her as her own daughter. This servant feels wronged for our princess.”

After she spoke, she couldn’t help stealing a glance at her mistress. Noble Lady Cao’s expression gradually sank. “You’re right. Before, Noble Consort Hua treated Wen Yi like a cat or a dog to tease and play with.

Now she cherishes Princess Wen Ning like her own daughter. Of course it’s different.”

“But they’re both princesses!” Yin Xiu couldn’t help saying. “Still, Princess Wen Ning really is different. She’s the princess among the dragon-phoenix twins, so it’s normal for Noble Consort Hua to value her more.”

“Value her more – so what?” Noble Lady Cao’s words carried meaning. “Who knows what the future will be. Right now Concubine Xin looks pretty good, just like Consort Qi. So we can’t judge by what’s in front of our eyes. Only the end is truly good.”

“My lady sees far.” Yin Xiu’s gaze flickered. She smiled and said, “This servant doesn’t understand these things. I only know Concubine Xin is very glorious right now. Quite a few palace maids and eunuchs want to go serve in Yong Shou Palace, or serve the two little masters.”

“Glorious – so what?” Noble Lady Cao replied lightly. “Most of the consorts in the palace have had their glory. First you watch him build a grand mansion, then you watch him host banquets, then you watch it collapse. Why fight over a day or an hour? You don’t need to envy it either. We’ll just live quietly and properly.”

“Yes, this servant understands.” Yin Xiu’s eyes spun, and she changed the topic on her own. “By the way, my lady, Concubine Li has been getting more and more excessive lately. If she startles our princess, that would be bad.”

“Concubine Li!” Mentioning her, a cold glint flashed in Noble Lady Cao’s eyes. “She’s the mistress of this palace, so she can do whatever she wants. We can only endure it.”

“If only Qi Xiang Palace had just you living here, my lady.” Yin Xiu continued. “Concubine Tian entered the palace and moved into the main hall of Yan Xi Palace as a Noble Lady. Noble Lady Xin brought the First Princess back and also moved into the main hall of Chu Xiu Palace. You’re a Noble Lady too, and you have Princess Wen Yi. You should be able to move into a main hall as well.”

“How could such a good thing ever come to me?” Noble Lady Cao shook her head. “Concubine Tian entered as a Noble Lady and got to live in a main hall because she’s from the Fu Cha clan and deserves that treatment. As for Noble Lady Xin, you can only say she was lucky. She was promoted, and she brought her daughter back from the Princes’ Quarters to raise. For the First Princess’s sake, it’s perfectly normal for the Emperor to let her live in the main hall.”

“My lady can do the same.” Yin Xiu spoke with conviction. “You’re not inferior to them in the least. If you don’t fight and don’t struggle, how will you protect the princess in the future? Only if you climb higher and become a Concubine, or even a Consort, will you be able to protect the princess well.”

“How could it be that easy.” Noble Lady Cao forced a bitter smile, her mind in a tangle. “Enough. Don’t talk about this anymore. Go watch Wen Yi. If she wakes up, bring her over. I’m tired. I’ll rest for a while first.”

“Yes, my lady!” Yin Xiu saluted and withdrew. Leaning against the cushions, Noble Lady Cao closed her eyes and rested.

… Time passed quickly. In the blink of an eye, two months had gone by. During these two months, Li Si Qi only wanted to raise her babies, snack, and watch the drama. She had no interest in serving that dog emperor.

If he came, she served him. If he didn’t, she ignored it. Of course, the most favored person was still Noble Consort Hua. After that came Zhen Huan.

The power of that figurine was still not small, and she was willing to lower her posture and please the Emperor. Even Yu Ying Er, who could sing Kun Qu, couldn’t suppress her momentum. After Noble Lady Hui came out from her closed-door reflection, her favor plunged. She wasn’t summoned for bed anymore.

Even Noble Lady Xin and Noble Lady Cao could see the Emperor once in a while, yet Shen Mei Zhuang, as a Noble Lady, became invisible in the palace.

“My lady.” Cai Yue couldn’t help speaking. “Noble Lady Wan has already moved back to the main hall of Sui Yu Pavilion. The Emperor agreed to let Huan Bi continue staying in the palace.”

“Huan’er didn’t work for nothing.” Shen Mei Zhuang smiled faintly. “She doesn’t have to worry anymore.”

“She doesn’t have to worry…” Cai Xing muttered under her breath. “My lady, you should worry about yourself. If this keeps going, the people of Cun Ju Hall will only be able to live on cold scraps.”

“There are still some pieces of silver left in my box.” Shen Mei Zhuang’s expression dimmed. “Next time you go to fetch meals, take some silver with you. Try to bring back something we can eat.”