Chapter 24: Great Physician Wen Arrives

The one who targeted Consort Fang was likely an old hand in the palace.

If not Consort Hua, then it must be the Empress, Consort Qi, Consort Duan, Consort Jing, Consort Li… everyone was a suspect.

Unsure if there were spies in Suiyu Pavilion, she dared not dig directly under the osmanthus trees. Instead, she loosened the soil around all the flowering trees in the courtyard.

Yet after a busy half-day, not only was there nothing under the osmanthus trees—

There was nothing under the pear or crabapple trees either.

Consort Hua wouldn’t lie to her. Could it be that the information she received was wrong, that someone had deceived her?

Or perhaps that person had sensed something amiss and removed the items in advance?

Jiang Fuhai came to deliver the Empress’s decree, announcing that starting tomorrow evening, the new consorts should prepare to serve the Emperor. Glancing at the freshly turned soil and the gardening hoe nearby, he took note and asked an extra question.

“My lady has such refined taste, personally loosening the soil for the flowers?”

Zhen Huan smiled gently. “Forgive my humble efforts, Eunuch. I heard the crabapple trees in Suiyu Pavilion haven’t bloomed since spring. I thought loosening the soil might help them flower next year.”

After Jiang Fuhai left, Kang Luhai offered repeated congratulations.

“Congratulations, my lady, congratulations! You are surely the first among the new consorts to receive such favor.”

But overwhelming fortune required the life to bear it. She feared her blessings were too shallow to withstand being the first to receive such favor.

Jiang Fuhai’s extra question—could it mean the one behind this was the Empress?

At this thought, Zhen Huan’s heart skipped a beat.

Kang Luhai said, “This dirty work of loosening soil and tending flowers, my lady can just order Xiao Yinzi and the others to do it in the future. No need to dirty your own hands—it would be laughed at if word got out.”

Indeed, which consort in the palace wasn’t precious and noble? How could she loosen soil herself?

No wonder Jiang Fuhai asked an extra question—it must have seemed improper.

But she had been searching for something just now and had no choice but to do it herself.

“Thank you for the reminder, Eunuch Kang.”

Thinking Kang Luhai was also an old hand in the palace, Zhen Huan rewarded him with Crab Roe Pastry. Claiming she wanted to serve her superiors better in the future and avoid taboos, she inquired about palace affairs.

Thus, she learned of Chunyuan’s existence.

She realized that the reason she could enter the palace, the reason she was targeted, the reason she was despised—the root cause likely lay here.

Zhen Huan had expected worries to weigh on her, making sleep difficult at night. Yet her body felt relaxed, and she slept exceptionally well.

It seemed affairs always developed in unexpected directions.

Early the next morning, Zhen Huan sent Huanbi to Tai Yi Yuan to fetch Great Physician Wen.

Wen Shichu took her pulse but found no major issues. However, since Huanbi had said the lady was unwell, he examined her pulse with extra care.

“Excessive contemplation harms the spleen and stomach. Does my lady have something weighing on her heart?”

Zhen Huan spoke truthfully, “I heard some… sounds I shouldn’t have heard.”

“If they shouldn’t be heard, then find a way to forget them.”

Zhen Huan hesitated slightly, then asked hopefully, “That day outside the palace, sir, does your promise still hold true?”

Wen Shichu immediately affirmed, “Of course! I will always prioritize you in everything.”

Zhen Yuandao had once saved Wen Shichu’s father’s life. Zhen Huan and Wen Shichu had known each other since childhood, growing up together. Before the selection, outside the palace, Wen Shichu had privately proposed marriage, promising to protect her for a lifetime.

But Zhen Huan had not agreed.

Now, Wen Shichu thought she had changed her mind.

Even though Sister Huan had been chosen as the Emperor’s consort, if she said the word, he was willing to risk everything.

He originally wanted to call out “Sister Huan,” but then thought that Huan’er wasn’t the type to disregard rules so carelessly. Fearing he might be overthinking, he simply said, “Just give the order, my lady.”

“I don’t want to serve the Emperor.”

The harem was a place of scheming and rivalry. If she were to gain favor without reason, she would only make enemies. If she were to receive the Emperor’s favor, she feared she might follow in Consort Fang’s footsteps.

Wen Shichu advised her a few words: since she had entered the palace, receiving the Emperor’s favor was only a matter of time.

Better sooner than later.

But Zhen Huan had made up her mind—whether sooner or later, she would never serve the Emperor.

She had never liked the Emperor to begin with. On the day of the selection, the Emperor didn’t seem to like her either. There was really no need for her to risk her life for an old man.

She might even implicate the Zhen Family.

…

“Greetings to Consort Hua.”

In the afternoon, Jiang Fuhai arrived at Yikun Palace. He bowed slightly, his expression blank, and said, “Her Majesty the Empress has some matters to discuss and requests your presence at Jingren Palace.”

Fuzi isn’t dead, and Zhang Hong hasn’t been bestowed—what could the Empress want with her at this time?

“Did she say what it was about?” Nian Shilan asked.

“Matters of the masters are not for this servant to inquire about,” Jiang Fuhai replied.

Nian Shilan’s eyes were filled with annoyance. “Understood. I’ll change my clothes and be there shortly.”

[Has the Empress lost her mind?]

[The new consorts are to serve the Emperor tonight. The Emperor will surely come. She’s always been afraid I’d steal her favor, so why call me over now?]

The Empress was in the courtyard, pruning chrysanthemums. Hearing Nian Shilan’s inwardly grumbling voice faintly drifting over, the corners of her lips curved slightly.

Jiang Fuhai’s announcement came a moment later: “Consort Hua has arrived—”

“I wonder why Her Majesty the Empress has summoned me at this hour?”

“At this time, I thought you’d be awake from your afternoon nap, so I sent for you. The flower garden has cultivated some green chrysanthemums. I found them quite novel and had two pots brought over. You can take them back with you later.”

The budding green chrysanthemums, placed in the palace, would bloom and fill the air with a delicate fragrance—far better than Huanyi Incense.

The Empress thought.

[What’s so novel about green chrysanthemums? You’re the novelty here. No one has provoked you, so what wicked scheme are you plotting against me now?]

Nian Shilan glanced at the green chrysanthemums, curled her index finger, and lightly brushed the petals with the back of her finger.

[They are indeed lovely, but they’re the favorite of that wretched Shen Meizhuang.]

[Hmph, what flower suits what person. Green chrysanthemums for the Green Noble Lady.]

[After she serves the Emperor tonight, the Emperor will reward her with these green chrysanthemums and even intends to let her assist in managing the Six Palaces. He’s determined to pit her against me.]

[I have no interest in things others like.]

As Nian Shilan withdrew her hand, she knocked off a few petals.

The Empress was surprised: So Shen Meizhuang would be the first to receive favor?

She had thought the first among the newcomers would be Zhen Huan, who resembled Rouze.

“Her Majesty is thoughtful. Unfortunately, no matter how rare chrysanthemums are, they remain ordinary and carry a somewhat petty air. I believe flowers, like people, should be vibrant, splendid, and full of life.”

Nian Shilan rested her hand on a nearby withered branch, her eyes darting a glance, a faint smile on her lips.

The Empress didn’t even need to hear her thoughts to know she was up to something.

Sure enough, Nian Shilan spoke with a provocative, insincere smile:

“If Her Majesty truly means well, when these flowers bloom, could you spare two for me?”

Her emphasis was on “these flowers.”

Jian Qiu bristled on her mistress’s behalf. “But those are peonies, Consort Hua—”

The Empress raised a hand to silence Jian Qiu, her smile unwavering as she said:

“Just two flowers. As long as you like them, when the peonies bloom next spring, I will certainly pick the two reddest, most vibrant, and most passionate ones to send to you.”

Nian Shilan: “…”

[Has the Empress taken the wrong medicine?]

[Usually, she enjoys mocking me for not being well-read, always hiding daggers in her words. Why is she so agreeable today?]

[Could it be that the Emperor is here? Is this Daughter of a Concubine trying to harm me again in secret?]

Nian Shilan cautiously glanced back.

There was no movement at the door.

The Empress took in her subtle actions, and her gaze toward her inexplicably softened.

“Then, I shall wait to thank Your Majesty for your grace?”

[How boring.]

Jian Qiu looked at Consort Hua with dissatisfaction: Her own mistress was being so magnanimous, even willing to bestow peonies upon her, yet she couldn’t even offer a sincere gesture of gratitude.

Taking advantage of kindness, Her Majesty the Empress is far too merciful!

At that moment, Jiang Fuhai announced that the imperial physician Wen Shichu had requested an audience.

[Oh, Great Physician Wen is here.]