Chapter 60

Chapter 60: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“That was exactly the effect I wanted.” Li Si Qi raised an eyebrow. “Did you really think I would kindly give the Empress a child? I’m not some saintly white lotus. Don’t forget what my mission is. The Empress’s ending should be as miserable as possible.”

“When she loses another child,” Little Teapot could not help gloating, “I’m afraid the Empress will turn into a real madwoman.”

“She was already a madwoman, and a rational one at that.” Li Si Qi replied. “That kind of person is even scarier. She treats lives like grass. Cold and heartless – no matter how miserable her ending is, it’s what she deserves.”

“Master is right.” Little Teapot agreed. “It would be better if she became a madwoman who knew nothing. At least she wouldn’t harm people.”

… The next day. After the Emperor rose, he did not say a word. He left Jing Ren Palace as quickly as he could. The Passion-Warming Wine bestowed by the Empress Dowager was no joke.

The Empress, who had not been satisfied in a long time, was in an excellent mood – excellent. Her face brimmed with a happy smile, as if she had returned to the days when she had just entered the manor and enjoyed favor. Jian Qiu was even more unable to stop smiling, hoping her mistress would get her wish…. Xian Fu Palace.

Noble Lady Xin came to pay her respects. She and Consort Jing sat there. It seemed neither of them had the courage to speak first. That the Emperor had gone to Jing Ren Palace, and that he had stayed the night there, were not enough to make them panic.

As long as the Empress had not been deposed, the Emperor would sooner or later go to Jing Ren Palace to give her face. But… Last night, Jing Ren Palace had called for water. What did that mean? Every consort who had served in bed understood.

The Emperor had slept with the Empress. That news hit them far too hard. Maybe the newcomers could not see through how the Emperor treated the Empress. But they knew all too well.

The Emperor had not touched the Empress for at least several years. That was also the main reason Noble Consort Hua had never taken the Empress seriously. Now that the Empress had regained favor, it would surely be easier for her to set her sights on the children in the harem.

“Your Highness, we…” Noble Lady Xin looked helpless. “From now on, we can only keep hiding.”

“The Emperor went to Kang Shou Palace first,” Consort Jing said softly. “Looks like it was the Empress Dowager’s idea.”

“But the Empress being favored…” Noble Lady Xin could not help worrying. “The Emperor must have been willing. That means he has forgiven what she did.”

“With the Empress Dowager helping her, it was only a matter of time before the Emperor forgave the Empress.” Consort Jing let out a soft sigh. “With the Empress Dowager backing her, no matter what the Empress does, it will all end up being brushed aside.”

“What happened to Noble Consort Hua’s daughter – everyone knows in their hearts. Does the Emperor not know?”

“Noble Consort Hua is the most favored consort, and she lost her daughter. The Emperor only compensated her with the rank of Noble Consort.”

“As for the Empress, she was merely confined to her palace to recuperate.”

“What kind of punishment is that?”

“The tragedy at Yi Mei Garden – I don’t believe he didn’t investigate and find the real culprit. In the end, he still pushed out an accomplice to brush it off.”

“As for us concubines who lost children, forget compensation. We were even blamed…”

“Your Highness, do we have to keep enduring like this?” Noble Lady Xin looked dazed, murmuring, “How long do we have to endure?”

“Don’t think too much.” Consort Jing stayed rational and calm. “At least you have the Eldest Princess by your side. Take care of the Eldest Princess, and let everything else take its course.”

“The palace will only get livelier in the future.”

“As long as we keep our hearts steady and live properly, however the future turns out, it won’t be worse than right now.”

“Sigh…” Noble Lady Xin let out a long sigh. “It’s a pity Consort Xin is close to Noble Consort Hua. Otherwise we…”

“Impossible.” Consort Jing shook her head. “Consort Xin, Consort Tian, and Noble Lady Jing are natural allies. They won’t walk with us.”

“Not only would the Empress and Noble Consort Hua refuse to allow it, I’m afraid the Emperor wouldn’t be happy either.”

“Then it was I who thought too simply.” A trace of resentment showed in Noble Lady Xin’s eyes. “It’s just that I’m unwilling. I can’t avenge my two children…”

“Don’t rush.” Consort Jing’s gaze turned cold as well. “No matter who it is, no one can have everything go their way forever. Besides, when someone commits too many sins, retribution will come sooner or later.”

“Our revenge isn’t unavenged. We’re just saving it to settle accounts with her later, all at once.”

“Be patient. If you don’t even have that little patience, how will you take revenge?”

“A mayfly trying to shake a tree is nothing but overestimating itself. In the end, you won’t get revenge, and you’ll even drag down the people around you.”

“Why do it? We have plenty of time.”

“Yes. This concubine thanks Your Highness for your guidance.”

… If the news of the Emperor sleeping with the Empress made Consort Jing and Noble Lady Xin uneasy, then for Noble Consort Hua it was like a bomb. Flames of fury shot from her eyes. “That shameless old hag of an Empress! How does she still have the nerve to serve in bed?”

“She’s only getting more shameless as she gets older. Isn’t she afraid her old face will scare the Emperor to death?”

“Your Highness!” Song Zhi hurried to offer her the freshest fruit. “You know the Emperor’s temperament best. Maybe something went wrong in Jing Ren Palace.”

“Please be at ease. The Emperor definitely won’t go back to Jing Ren Palace to stay the night these next few days.”

“That’s right. That old hag of an Empress must have used some trick to seduce the Emperor.” Noble Consort Hua snorted.

She grabbed a piece of fruit from the table and took a vicious bite. The way she looked was as if she were biting the Empress. “So what if she served in bed?”

“That old hag is already that old. Does she think she can get pregnant? Even if she wants to, we’ll see whether her belly is willing.”

Just then, Zhou Ning Hai dragged his leg and limped in. As he bowed, he reported, “Your Highness, the Emperor sent someone to deliver rewards to Your Highness.”

“Really?” The anger on Noble Consort Hua’s face instantly turned into delight. “Quickly, bring them in.”

“Yes.” Zhou Ning Hai immediately went back out.

In the blink of an eye, Little Xia Zi led several young eunuchs inside.

“This servant pays respects to Noble Consort Hua.” Little Xia Zi beamed. “Your Highness, the Emperor personally picked out a few precious gifts for you and told this servant you had to look them over yourself.”

“What gifts did the Emperor give this palace?” Noble Consort Hua deliberately lifted her chin high. “If you bring me things other people don’t want to fob me off, don’t blame me for not giving the Emperor face.”

“Your Highness misunderstands.” Little Xia Zi kept a flattering smile and quickly had them bring the items forward. “These are all new tributes just delivered by the Imperial Household Department.”

“Please take a look, Your Highness. The Emperor picked them out according to your preferences.”

… The Empress served in bed, and Noble Consort Hua received rewards. The consorts were stunned by the Emperor’s outrageous moves. Was he supporting the Empress and Noble Consort Hua continuing to fight? Just as everyone had that guess, the Emperor started sending out rewards again.

First came Consort Xin and the dragon-phoenix twins. Next were Consort Tian, Noble Lady Jing, Noble Lady Xin, and Noble Lady Cao, all of whom had children. They and the princesses all received the Emperor’s rewards. Last came Consort Jing and Noble Lady Wan.

One held palace authority, and the other had favor, so they received rewards as well. As for the Empress and the other consorts… It seemed they had been forgotten. Yong Shou Palace.

“Hahahaha…” Little Teapot’s happy laughter echoed in Li Si Qi’s mind. “Master, that dog Emperor really is a dog, hahaha…”

“He slept with the Empress, then rewarded the entire harem. My heavens, this kind of move is just incredible.”

“The Emperor is the Emperor. Of course he’s willful.” Li Si Qi replied with a bright smile. “Sleeping with the Empress definitely wasn’t what he wanted, but once he had slept with her, he couldn’t very well blame the Empress.”

“He certainly couldn’t take it out on the Empress Dowager, the one behind it all.”

“That dog Emperor is stifled inside, so what he does is naturally even more dog-like than a dog. Yesterday was giving the Empress face.”

“Today’s actions made her lose face again. The Empress is probably going to cry.”