Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Zhen Huan Chronicles – An Ling Rong

Li Si Qi added, “Just remember to handle it properly.”

“Master, what about Fortune God Nine?” Xiao Hu Zi could not help saying. “He’s not only skilled in the ways of merchants, he’s also a language expert. With strong Manchu and Han literacy and even a foundation in Russian, you could say he has real talent. A sharp man like that – it would be such a waste for him to die!”

“Oh, Pretty Nine isn’t dead yet?” Li Si Qi was a little surprised. “I thought he died long ago.”

“He’s practically about to.” Xiao Hu Zi answered. “He’s been stripped of his yellow girdle, removed from the imperial clan registry, and renamed Sai Si Hei. Now he’s imprisoned and already at death’s door. In ten days or half a month, he could die suddenly in his confinement. Master, do you want to save him?”

“We can try.” Li Si Qi frowned. “He’s a sworn enemy of that dog of an emperor. If we save him, it won’t be easy to arrange things afterward.”

“Simple!” Xiao Hu Zi’s tone carried a hint of temptation. “Just don’t let him appear in the capital. Master, we can send him to Guang Fu first. When our Sixth Prince ascends the throne, we can bring him back.”

Li Si Qi figured it was not a big problem. “Fine. If you’re confident, go do it.”

“Of course I can!” Xiao Hu Zi beamed. “It’s easy. Tonight I’ll go take care of Fortune God Nine. Master, actually, there are two more people who would be useful. No – it should be three.”

“Who have you set your sights on now?” “The eldest prince and the crown prince, and the Fourteenth Prince!”

“You’re bold. Planning not to let the Nine Lords go?” Li Si Qi could not help laughing.

“No need. Just adding those two will be enough.” Xiao Hu Zi’s voice was full of smugness. “The Eldest Prince lived a little longer than the Thirteenth Prince. The one I want most is the Crown Prince, but sadly, he’s already been dead for three years.”

“Stop thinking about it!” Li Si Qi did not know whether to be angry or amused. “If you want Prince Zhi, you can get him out too. As for the Fourteenth Prince, his dog life is long. Keep him locked up for now. When the Empress Dowager kicks the bucket, let him out. Without the Empress Dowager shielding him, and with his own elder brother despising him, give him a chance when he’s backed into a corner.”

“Understood!”

… The mistress and spirit chatted for a while. Noble Consort Hua appeared. Everyone paid their respects. After about a quarter of an hour, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager finally arrived.

After everyone paid their respects, the Emperor and the Empress Dowager spoke in turn. Then the palace banquet finally began. In truth, the flow of every palace banquet was about the same. Li Si Qi found it unbearably dull.

One performance followed another. Then a familiar figure appeared. With one look at the dance costume on her, it was clear what was going on. Zhen Huan’s appearance startled quite a few people.

Noble Consort Hua even ground out a curse about a vixen. The Emperor said nothing, and the Empress Dowager did not speak first either. Clearly, they were waiting for Zhen Huan’s performance!

“Master, the famous scene is here again.” Xiao Hu Zi laughed. “Master, you’d never guess why she’s dancing the Startled Swan Dance this time.”

“You didn’t tell me, so how would I know?” Li Si Qi replied. “But it’s not hard to guess. If even you’re shocked, there’s only one person it could be. Prince Guo, right?”

“Yes, it’s him.” Xiao Hu Zi laughed. “When Zhen Huan went to see Cui Jin Xi, she found her being bullied by others. Zhen Huan wanted to get justice for Cui Jin Xi, but she was mocked by a bold, reckless palace maid. The girl did not take her, an Attendant, seriously at all. Zhen Huan was so furious she almost died of it, and she could not bear the gap. Before, she was a favored consort, high above everyone, getting whatever she wanted. Now she was an Attendant that even palace maids dared to bully. Her heart began to waver. Prince Guo happened to write Zhen Huan a letter, saying he ached for her because she was living poorly in the palace. He himself could not interfere in palace matters, and he hoped she would live well and not be bullied. He hoped she would get better and better, and that she could protect her family and the people she wanted to protect. Prince Guo told her he supported Zhen Huan in doing anything. On top of that, the Imperial Household Department had been giving her sour faces these days. Those servants bullied her however they pleased. Unable to endure it anymore, Zhen Huan finally made her decision. A few days ago, with Cui Jin Xi’s help, she slipped into the performances without Noble Consort Hua noticing, and secretly joined the program.”

“Interesting.” Li Si Qi understood what had happened. She could not help glancing at the Emperor on the dragon throne. Sure enough, that dog of an emperor was completely mesmerized by Zhen Huan’s Startled Swan Dance.

That included the other men in the hall as well. They were all captivated by Zhen Huan’s dance. Suddenly thinking of something, Li Si Qi looked toward Shen Mei Zhuang not far away. When she saw the pleased expression on Shen Mei Zhuang’s face, Li Si Qi could not help rolling her eyes.

As expected. These two sisters were not normal people! As Zhen Huan’s dance grew more and more enchanting, a beautiful flute melody rose, and paired with her movements, it was even more pleasing to the eye. One played the flute, one danced.

Before anyone noticed, it felt like a match made in heaven. When the music and dance ended together, the entire hall fell silent.

“Good!” The Tenth Prince shouted without any restraint. “So this is the famous Startled Swan Dance. I never thought we’d see such a charming dance here. No wonder His Majesty loves it so much. It’s really opened my eyes! Your Majesty, I rather like this dance too. How about you reward this dancing maid to me? Then I can watch the Startled Swan Dance every day.”

“Impudent!” The Emperor’s mood had been good, but the moment he heard the Tenth Prince, his face darkened. Those who knew Zhen Huan’s identity all wore strange expressions. They also looked at her with pity.

“Old Ten, don’t talk nonsense.” The Empress Dowager had to speak up. “Madam Zhen is a consort of the harem. You must not act recklessly.”

“So she’s a consort!” The Tenth Prince immediately showed disgust. “I thought she was a maid. Your Majesty, Your Majesty Mother, you can’t blame me. Who would’ve thought His Majesty’s consort would wear dance clothes and dance for everyone? No, wait! I know – back then, that Pure…”

Before the Tenth Prince could finish, his consort beside him cut him off. “Hiss! Consort, are you trying to murder your husband?”

“Shut up!” The Tenth Prince’s Consort glared at him. She had to rise and apologize with a salute. “Your Majesty, Your Majesty Mother, the prince is drunk.”

The Empress Dowager waved it off, unconcerned. “It was only a joke. The tenth household needn’t worry.”

“Thank you, Your Majesty Mother!” With that, the Tenth Prince’s Consort finally felt at ease. The kneeling Zhen Huan was so humiliated she did not dare lift her head.

At this moment, she did not dare hope for favor. She only hoped the Emperor would forget her.

“Attendant Zhen, your dance was not bad.” The Emperor finally spoke, and he did not seem angry. “Get up.”

“Yes. This concubine thanks Your Majesty!” Zhen Huan knocked her head hard once, then rose and withdrew. After that, the performances at the banquet only grew more boring.

The Empress Dowager rose and soon left first. Everyone began chatting. Before long, Zhen Huan, now changed into proper clothes and jewelry, appeared at the banquet. Some people noticed her, but no one would speak lightly at a time like this.

Not until the banquet ended. The Emperor personally took Zhen Huan away. The smiles on the consorts’ faces could no longer hold.

“Wretch.” Noble Consort Hua was furious. She had worked so hard to host the banquet, only for Zhen Huan to steal the spotlight. The next day, Zhen Huan was restored and promoted back to Noble Lady, and her “Wan” title was restored.

She became Noble Lady Wan again. Not only that, Noble Lady Wan enjoyed ten straight days of favor. Seeing how obsessed the Emperor was, the consorts who did not know the truth were stunned.