Chapter 234: The Emperor Like an Outsider
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Hui’er, I have never doubted you!” The Emperor’s voice carried a hint of urgency as he stepped forward to help Consort Hui to her feet.
“For my sake, you have spent every day currying favor with the harem consorts. How could I ever suspect you?” Of all the people he might doubt, Consort Hui was never one of them.
“Back when you first entered the palace, Consort Shu treated you with scorn, even taking the opportunity to slap you while I was in court.”
“And you? You embroidered Buddhist scriptures day after day, your fingers pricked and bleeding, all to pray for her peace.”
“Then there was Noble Lady Jiang. How many times did she try to trip you up? And yet, you always pleaded for her. Even when you were ill, you endured it just to console her.”
“And Lin Zhao Yi…”
“You have given so much of yourself, all for me. Only then did you win their approval. How could I possibly doubt you?” The Emperor let out a sigh.
His moonlit treasure had truly given her all for him.
“As for Noble Lady Qin, she is a fool. She is not worthy of your kindness…” The Emperor’s gaze landed on the scattered love poems littering the floor, and his expression darkened with rage.
The Empress stole a glance at Consort Hui, her eyelids twitching uncontrollably.
Could it be… this secret lover was Consort Hui?
She shuddered at the thought, but then recalled how Consort Hui had once climbed into her own bed, and suddenly, it all seemed entirely plausible.
“Your Majesty, we have discovered a pair of wooden carvings in the pavilion at the lake’s heart. They appear to be remnants of Lantern Festival prayers.” A guard outside the hall reported respectfully.
Noble Lady Qin abruptly lifted her head, the blood draining from her face in an instant.
She turned to the Emperor in sheer terror.
Eunuch Wang took the wooden carvings and studied them with a frown.
Why… why were they both women?
“These carvings… depict two women?” The Emperor took them, feeling an odd sense of familiarity.
“One of them resembles Noble Lady Qin,” Eunuch Wang whispered.
“And the other?”
Noble Lady Qin’s heart pounded so fiercely it nearly leapt from her chest. She pressed her forehead firmly to the ground, not daring to let the Emperor see the fear in her eyes.
“Of course, it is Noble Lady Qin and Consort Hui.”
“I also have a pair,” Jiang Pin stepped forward with a respectful bow, producing a set of wooden dolls from her sleeve with a mischievous smile.
“I have one as well,” Lin Zhao Yi followed suit, though a keen observer would notice the faint tremble in her lashes.
“We all made these together with Consort Hui during the Lantern Festival. Each sister has a pair of their own…” Consort Shu approached, her foot landing squarely on Noble Lady Qin’s hand, making her cry out in pain.
“Oh my, I didn’t see you there. Forgive me, Noble Lady Qin,” Consort Shu said with a lighthearted chuckle.
[Wow, all of Consort Hui’s “fish” have gathered here…]
[Did Consort Shu step on Noble Lady Qin out of jealousy? Because she and Consort Hui were together in the same hall?]
“Your Majesty, look closely. Do these not resemble me and Consort Hui?” Consort Shu clutched her carvings with deep fondness.
The Emperor examined them carefully and nodded. “Indeed, they do. It is rare to see such harmonious sisterhood among you all…” He could not help but sigh.
In the previous Emperor’s harem, concubines schemed against each other, often harming their own children.
Yet, he was blessed.
His beloved and the consorts treated each other like true sisters.
Lu Chao Chao pulled out a small biscuit, laughing inwardly.
[Emperor Dad, open your damn eyes!]
[All your little wives are gathered around Consort Hui… and not a single one is standing by you!]
[Oh, look! Consort Shu is secretly holding Consort Hui’s hand!]
[And Jiang Pin is glaring at Consort Shu—are they fighting over her?]
Lu Chao Chao took a loud, satisfying crunch of her biscuit.
“Noble Lady Qin, who is your lover? Speak now, and I will spare your life!” The Emperor’s gaze was icy as he stared her down.
Noble Lady Qin kowtowed three times.
“Your Majesty, the fault is mine.”
“I willingly accept punishment.”
“I was born lowly, bullied by all in the palace. When I was out of favor, even the servants trampled upon me. But she… she gave me hope.”
“I have not lived in vain.”
“In this life, I cannot be with her. But in the next, I pray to grow old by her side.”
“Your Majesty, I will bear all consequences!”
With those words, Noble Lady Qin abruptly lunged toward the pillar, intent on ending her life.
“No! She’s trying to kill herself!” Lu Chao Chao cried out.
The closest person to her, Consort Hui, acted without thinking and threw herself forward.
“Ah!”
Noble Lady Qin’s head slammed against Consort Hui instead, sending the latter sprawling with a pained shriek, her face pale as death.
Consort Hui clutched her chest, sliding to the floor, her features contorted in agony.
“Damn it… living is worse than dying…” she groaned through clenched teeth before promptly fainting.
Noble Lady Qin scrambled up in horror. “Consort Hui!” Her voice trembled.
“Get away from her, you wretch!” Consort Shu kicked her aside.
Jiang Pin turned pale with fright, while Lin Zhao Yi shouted, “Summon the Imperial Physician, now!”
Before the Emperor could even react, the group had already formed a protective circle around Consort Hui, excluding him entirely.
The Emperor stood frozen.
He watched them surround Consort Hui, their eyes red with worry, and a strange discomfort settled in his heart.
Something felt…
Off.
Suppressing the unease, he ordered Noble Lady Qin to be taken away.
Yet, as she was dragged off, she muttered broken apologies, her voice more desperate than when she had been caught in the act.
Later, everyone gathered at Consort Hui’s bedside.
The Imperial Physician stood outside the curtain as a female healer examined her wounds, brows furrowed.
“How is Consort Hui? Were her internal organs harmed?” The Emperor inquired with concern.
The other consorts, while appearing more restrained, could not hide the worry in their eyes.
After taking her pulse, the physician stated, “She is not gravely injured, merely bruised. Daily application of medicine will suffice. The swelling will subside within seven days.”
At once, everyone exhaled in relief.
Consort Shu exchanged glances with the other consorts. “Since Consort Hui is fine, I shall take my leave.”
Jiang Pin hesitated, unwilling to go, but at Consort Shu’s glare, she reluctantly followed.
They had drawn too much attention today; lingering in Eternal Peace Palace any longer would be unwise.
As they departed, the physician continued, “Consort Hui has several abrasions. I will prescribe some salves to prevent scarring.”
“Abrasions?” The Emperor was stunned.
The healer reported, “They appear to be from a fall. Her knees are badly bruised…”
“And her hands—there’s dirt embedded in the wounds.”
The Emperor pointed at her bandaged palm. “Wasn’t that a burn? How is there dirt?”
“It is a burn, but beneath it, there are cuts—likely from broken ceramics.”
The Emperor’s face darkened.
Lu Chao Chao grinned.
[Watching others suffer is so satisfying…]
[Drama can unfold anywhere—but never on me!]