Chapter 85

Chapter 85: Zhen Huan Chronicles, An Ling Rong

“Huan’er, compared to taking revenge on Concubine Li, I think Xiao Yun Zi’s safety matters more.” Shen Mei Zhuang said in a low voice. “Everyone in the palace knows Xiao Yun Zi is your eunuch. If something happens to him, it will drag you down with him. Huan’er, even if His Majesty wants to protect you then, he won’t be able to. Why not wait for another chance?”

“No, I don’t want to miss this chance.” Zhen Huan refused to stop halfway. “Sister Mei, we can think of a way. Xiao Yun Zi can secretly observe the guards’ patrol times and shift changes. When he’s sure, we’ll act.”

“Fine.” Shen Mei Zhuang knew Zhen Huan always meant what she said. Once she decided something, no one could change her mind. And now the two of them were tied together – there was no way to part paths with her anymore.

… Three days passed, and sure enough, the palace stayed quiet. Nothing haunted happened. The Empress was in despair. She understood the “haunting” was those little ghosts that came to gnaw on her at night.

The Empress suffered every night, and after days without sleep, her head ailment flared up again. The concubines also started getting leave again, no longer needing to go to Jing Ren Palace to pay their respects.

“Master, the Empress has a few good items on her,” Xiao Hu Zi said with envy. “If only they could be yours.”

“What, you’ve never seen good things?” Li Si Qi snorted. “Something from this little world can actually catch your eye?”

“Master, don’t look down on this place,” Xiao Hu Zi replied. “There isn’t much spiritual energy here, but there are still good things. Especially a string of prayer beads and a jade token – they’re ritual tools made by a high monk and a Taoist master. If an ordinary person wears them, they really can ward off evil and dispel foulness. Honestly, giving them to the Empress is a waste.”

“If you think they’re so good, why not just take them?” Li Si Qi asked. “Hehe. I do want to, but I need your permission,” Xiao Hu Zi said.

“Don’t be polite when you deal with the Empress. Do whatever you want,” Li Si Qi said. “No problem, Master. Leave it to me from now on.”

“Before you act, use your brain,” Li Si Qi warned. “You can take the good items from the Empress, but you have to swap in fakes. Don’t do anything that drags innocent people into it. If the Empress learns something went missing, she’ll take it out on the maids and eunuchs. That would mean we hurt people indirectly.”

“Understood, Master. Don’t worry. I won’t mess around.” “Good.”

… Without the Empress realizing it, the “good items” the Ula-Nara people had obtained through threats and forced purchases had already been swapped out. The Empress thought she would finally sleep soundly, but she fell into nightmares again and continued to “enjoy” tearing, unbearable pain. As the days passed, Zhen Huan could not hold back anymore. She decided to act.

She secretly got a drug from Imperial Physician Wen that could cause hallucinations, told Jin Xi to find a way to make First Attendant Fang take it, then let her leave Sui Yu Pavilion. She would have Xiao Yun Zi lead her to Qi Xiang Palace, where Concubine Li lived. Her plan was set, and Xiao Hu Zi immediately learned what she and Shen Mei Zhuang were plotting.

“So she really needs someone to sacrifice for her,” Li Si Qi said with a cold, mocking smile. “Before, it was the Fu Cha clan. Now it’s First Attendant Fang. She keeps saying First Attendant Fang is cute, obedient, and like a real sister to her, but look at this. When it’s time to use her, she uses her anyway.”

“Master, should we step in?” Xiao Hu Zi chuckled. “Since they’ve started playing, it would be a shame if we didn’t add a little fire and do justice to Zhen Huan’s arrangement.”

“Right. How could we waste Concubine Wan’s careful planning?” Li Si Qi nodded with a smile. “If we don’t push her down, how will she have the mood to keep flirting with Guo Zi Li? When she’s favored, she only fights for favor and has no time for romance. For Guo Zi Li’s sake, we should give them some chances.”

“Ha!” Xiao Hu Zi laughed. “Master’s right. Zhen Huan shouldn’t forget Guo Zi Li. But even if you don’t plan for her, the people around her won’t let her forget him. Zhen Huan only got a letter from Guo Zi Li yesterday. She won’t forget the man in her heart, so don’t worry.”

“Of course I’m not worried,” Li Si Qi said with a smile. “Helping once in a while is nothing. Oh, right – remember to lure the Empress out, and lure her to Qi Xiang Palace. Without the Empress involved, this play won’t be exciting enough.”

“The Empress?” Xiao Hu Zi was shocked. “Master, didn’t you say you wanted her to stay pregnant for over a year? She’s already nine months now. If she joins tonight’s show, she might give birth.”

“Give birth?” Li Si Qi sneered. “Dream on. She can have her fetus stirred, but she absolutely cannot miscarry. Let her keep carrying it, and don’t let her give birth. Besides, is the Empress’s fetus even a child? Since it isn’t, it’s normal to carry it for a few more months.”

“Hehe, Master, you’re amazing.”

“Stop flattering me.” Li Si Qi continued, “Handle this properly. In the show, Zhen Huan’s haunting act went forward with the Empress secretly supporting it. This time, you need to make His Majesty and the Empress Dowager know the Empress’s people were involved too.”

“Understood.” Xiao Hu Zi agreed at once. “Master, I’ll make sure it’s done perfectly.” “Go.”

Li Si Qi knew there would be a good show tonight, so she rested early to have the energy to watch. As night fell, the Forbidden City, lively in the day, returned to silence. Under the dark curtain of night, the palace seemed to sink into sleep. Time ticked on, and soon it reached the Hai Hour.

At the main hall of Sui Yu Pavilion, people carefully watched the movement in the right side hall. When they saw First Attendant Fang step out in her underclothes, unaware of herself, the informed ones knew it had worked. Tonight, Sui Yu Pavilion’s gate was not locked. Instead, it was left slightly open, just a narrow crack.

First Attendant Fang looked as if something were drawing her. She shuffled toward the palace gate, step by slow step. At Jing Ren Palace, the Empress, who should have been trapped in nightmares, suddenly sat up. The night maids felt nothing and kept sleeping.

Wearing only her underclothes, the Empress slowly walked outside. None of the Jing Ren Palace maids and eunuchs noticed a thing. The Empress stepped out through a palace gate that had somehow been opened, and without anyone knowing, she and First Attendant Fang, each on her own path, both headed for Qi Xiang Palace. Most importantly, the patrol guards seemed to have all gone to rest.

Neither of them encountered anyone along the way. At Qi Xiang Palace, Concubine Li, the “star” of the night, was also caught. She woke up with a sudden pain in her belly and immediately ordered the night maid to help her dress. Everything was underway.

“Ghost!” A scream came from outside Qi Xiang Palace, and Concubine Li, who had just finished changing, was instantly stunned.