Chapter 234: The King Seems Like an Outsider
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
The king’s voice was urgent as he stepped forward to help Consort Hui rise from the ground. “Hui’er, I never doubted you!” he exclaimed, his eyes full of concern.
“You’ve been striving to gain favor for my sake every day in the harem. How could I ever doubt you?” The king’s tone was filled with sincerity, making it clear that he trusted Consort Hui completely.
“When you first arrived at the palace, Consort Shu showed you hostility. While I was at court, she even slapped you,” the king continued, his voice trembling with emotion.
“And what was your response? You stitched scriptures until your fingers bled, praying for her peace.”
“Then there’s Consort Jiang, who has tried to trip you up so many times. Yet, you always defended her. Even when you were ill, you would still visit her to offer comfort when she was distressed.”
“And let’s not forget Consort Lin…”
“You’ve given so much to win their approval, all for my sake. How could I ever doubt you?” The king sighed deeply, his heart filled with admiration for his beloved.
“Concubine Qin is foolish. She doesn’t deserve your compassion…” He glanced at the scattered love poems on the ground, his anger evident.
The dowager looked over at Consort Hui, her eyelid twitching involuntarily. Could this devoted lover truly be Consort Hui?
She shuddered at the thought, but recalling how Consort Hui had climbed into her bed, it seemed increasingly plausible.
“Your Majesty, we found a pair of wooden carvings at the pavilion in the middle of the lake. They appear to be from the Lantern Festival wishes,” a guard reported from outside the hall.
Concubine Qin’s face blanched. She looked at the king, terror written all over her face.
Eunuch Wang, holding the carvings, looked confused. “Why, they depict two women?”
“These carvings show two women?” The king took the carvings, feeling a sense of familiarity.
“One seems to be Concubine Qin,” Eunuch Wang whispered quietly.
“And the other?”
Concubine Qin felt her heart pounding fiercely. She pressed her forehead to the ground, not daring to look up.
“Of course, it’s Concubine Qin and Consort Hui.”
“I have a pair, too,” Consort Jiang announced, stepping forward and presenting a pair of puppets from her sleeve.
“I have a pair as well,” Consort Lin added, her eyelashes fluttering nervously.
“We made these during the Lantern Festival with Consort Hui. Each of us has a pair…” Consort Shu stepped forward, accidentally stepping on Concubine Qin’s hand, eliciting a cry of pain.
“Oh dear, I didn’t see you there, Concubine Qin. My apologies,” Consort Shu said, her voice tinged with insincerity.
[Wow, all of Consort Hui’s admirers are right here…]
[Consort Shu even stepped on Concubine Qin’s hand. Is she jealous of the attention Concubine Qin and Consort Hui are receiving together?]
“Your Majesty, don’t these look like me and Consort Hui?” Consort Shu held the carvings close, her face radiating happiness.
The king examined them closely, nodding, “Indeed, they do. It’s heartwarming to see you sisters getting along so well…” He sighed with emotion, reflecting on the past when the consorts in his father’s harem would often harm each other’s children. He felt fortunate. His beloved and the other consorts seemed as close as sisters.
Lu Chao Chao giggled to herself, holding a small cookie.
[King Daddy, open your eyes…]
[All your little wives are standing by Consort Hui… not one is close to you!]
[Look, look, Consort Shu is sneaking a handhold with Consort Hui…]
[Oh, Consort Jiang is glaring at Consort Shu, so jealous…]
Lu Chao Chao munched loudly on her cookie.
“Concubine Qin, who is your lover? If you confess, I will spare your life!” The king’s tone was icy as he glared at Concubine Qin.
Concubine Qin kowtowed three times.
“Your Majesty, it is my fault. I am willing to accept punishment. I come from a humble background and have been bullied by everyone here. When I wasn’t favored, even the servants would torment me. She was the only one who gave me hope…”
“I have not lived in vain. I may not be with her in this life, but I hope in the next, we can be together forever. Your Majesty, I am ready to face any punishment!”
As she finished speaking, Concubine Qin suddenly rose and ran towards a pillar.
“No, she’s going to hurt herself!” Lu Chao Chao shouted.
Consort Hui, acting instinctively, rushed forward.
“Ow…” Concubine Qin collided with Consort Hui, who cried out in pain, her complexion turning ashen.
Consort Hui clutched her chest and slid to the ground, her expression contorted with agony.
“Better to live poorly than die well…” Consort Hui gritted her teeth, then lost consciousness from the pain.
Concubine Qin, blocked by Consort Hui, scrambled up in a panic, “Sister Hui!” her voice shaking.
“Get away, you troublemaker!” Consort Shu kicked her aside.
Consort Jiang turned pale with fear, while Consort Lin called out, “Summon the royal physician, quickly!”
The king, momentarily stunned, was pushed aside by the frantic crowd.
As he watched everyone surround Consort Hui, their eyes filled with concern, he felt uneasy. Something was… not quite right.
He suppressed his discomfort and ordered Concubine Qin to be taken away.
Looking desolate, Concubine Qin kept repeating, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I just…” Her previous boldness was gone; now she was a picture of terror, trembling and tearful.
At this moment, everyone was clustered around Consort Hui’s bed.
Outside the curtains, the royal physician stood, while inside, a female doctor examined Consort Hui, frowning slightly.
“How is Consort Hui? Does she have internal injuries?” the king asked anxiously.
The concubines behind him seemed more reserved, but their worried expressions were evident.
After examining Consort Hui, the royal physician reported, “There are no major issues, just some bruising from the impact. Applying ointment daily will be painful, but the bruises should heal within a week.”
Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.
Consort Shu exchanged glances with the other concubines, “Since Consort Hui is alright, I’ll take my leave.”
Consort Jiang lingered, but a glare from Consort Shu made her follow. Today had drawn too much attention; they couldn’t afford to linger in Yongning Palace any longer.
After the concubines departed, the royal physician scribbled a prescription.
He then added, “Consort Hui has several scrapes on her body. I’ll prescribe some medicine for the bruises to prevent scarring.”
“Scrapes?” The king looked puzzled.
The female doctor explained, “It appears she fell from a height, which caused the scrapes. Her knees are bruised…”
“And her hand wounds weren’t properly cleaned; there’s still dirt in them.”
The king pointed to Consort Hui’s bandaged hand, “Aren’t these blisters from burns? How could there be dirt?”
“They are indeed blisters from burns, but it seems there are also cuts underneath… the wounds weren’t cleaned properly, and dirt has gotten inside.”
“How could they be treated so carelessly! This is absurd!”
“Be careful of infection,” the royal physician warned, his expression grave.
The king swayed slightly.
This novel is translated and hosted on BCatranslation
“Can you determine what caused the cuts?” The king’s voice was hoarse, his throat dry, as a strange fear gripped his heart.
After a moment of contemplation, the royal physician stroked his beard, “It doesn’t look like a sharp weapon was used.”
“A sharp weapon would leave a different type of wound.”
“It looks more like she was cut by fragments from a broken bowl. But there’s dirt inside…”
“Should we clean Consort Hui’s wounds again?” the royal physician inquired.
The king remained silent, his expression grim.
Lu Chao Chao was in high spirits.
[Indeed, it’s always satisfying to see others suffer…]
[Gossip can appear anywhere, but not on yourself!]