Chapter 105: Absent
“You say she is not in Yilan Hall?” Consort Shu withdrew her hand, the freshly painted vermilion on her nails gleaming vividly, yet she had no patience to admire it further. Her tone was filled with skepticism toward the palace maid’s report. “How is that possible? If she is not in Yilan Hall, where else could she be?”
A palace maid knelt in the center of Yifang Hall, reporting precisely the news from Yilan Hall. With autumn setting in, the air had grown dry these past few days, making even ordinary skin feel taut and uncomfortable. As the maid spoke, the corners of her mouth ached from the strain. The mistress of Yilan Hall had been placed under house arrest by His Majesty’s decree, and no one had been seen leaving the hall since. Obtaining any information from within was as difficult as scaling the heavens.
Zhaoyi Wen smiled faintly without a trace of expression, picking up the tea from the table and taking a delicate sip as she listened to the maid continue her report.
“Replying to Your Ladyship, this servant noticed that the meals delivered by the Yushan Fang staff these past few days were fewer than usual. Puzzled, I inquired further and learned from the delivery staff that Zhaorong Wen seems to be absent from Yilan Hall. Only after confirming this news did I come to report to Your Ladyship.”
Consort Shu still found it strange and couldn’t help but glance at the two seated below.
Ever since Noble Consort Li gained a measure of authority, she had become utterly domineering. Moreover, Consort Shu had handed her a piece of evidence sufficient to bring about Consort Zeng’s downfall. Noble Consort Li wasted no time in making use of this opportunity, gathering proof and rushing to inform His Majesty. As expected, Consort Zeng was consigned to the Cold Palace. Coincidentally, around the same time, the Zeng clan collapsed like a toppling tower, vanishing almost overnight. For a moment, Consort Shu couldn’t help but wonder if this was all too convenient—or even whether His Majesty had a hand in it.
If His Majesty had indeed intervened to assist, then her every move had been laid bare before him, sending a chill down her spine.
Yet His Majesty said nothing, as if unaware that she had used Noble Consort Li to overthrow Consort Zeng.
Consort Li was too ostentatious and too foolish, so when Consort Shu learned of her intentions, she saw no harm in offering a small favor.
It was merely a matter of having the Imperial Wardrobe Bureau servants deliver the wrong garments. Lan Wu had stormed over in a rage—what a spectacle it must have been, though unfortunately, Consort Shu had missed it.
Now Consort Li had become Noble Consort Li, and Lan Wu was under house arrest. Logically, Consort Shu should be laughing, yet an unease lingered in her heart. Everything had gone too smoothly. Now, hearing the maid report that Zhen Zhaorong, who should have been confined, was not in Yilan Hall, she found it odd at first, but upon further reflection, it seemed almost ordinary.
“What do you two think?” Consort Shu waved lightly, dismissing the maid below, then withdrew her earlier gaze to admire her newly painted nails.
Zhaoyi Wen was the first to speak, her voice soft. “Although His Majesty punished both of them, house arrest is hardly a severe penalty.”
As she spoke, she glanced at Xiuyi Bai and chuckled. “You’ve always been clever, sister. Think quickly—what could be the reason?”
Xiuyi Bai promptly took up the thread, feigning humility. “Sister Wen, you always tease me. Surely both you and Her Ladyship already know the reason and are merely testing me.”
“When Noble Consort Li was at the height of her power and influence, we devised a plan to make Zhen Zhaorong aware of it. That’s why I had my palace maid pass the word to her. Who would have thought she was such an indifferent soul, paying it no mind at all?”
“That’s right, she’s doing well in Yilan Hall, and no matter how formidable Noble Consort Li may be, His Majesty is watching over her.”
Xiuyi Bai glanced at Consort Shu, seeing she wasn’t angered, then continued: “Looking at this matter on the surface, His Majesty has punished everyone involved, but he has always favored Zhen Zhaorong—how could he truly punish her? Now that she’s not in Yilan Hall, who knows where His Majesty has taken her to enjoy herself.”
A chill gradually rose in Consort Shu’s eyes, only to quickly recede. The corner of her mouth curled into a mocking arc: “Now I’ve come to see things clearly. Zhen Zhaorong is a capable one. If she can win the emperor’s favor, so be it. I see His Majesty has no interest in anyone else anyway. Fortunately, the authority to assist in managing the six palaces is in my hands. As long as I manage well, His Majesty will naturally hold me in higher regard when he sees it.”
His Majesty would never entrust such great authority to a concubine born from a dancer’s background, so within the harem, for now, there is no imperial concubine who can contend with her for power. The only one worth being cautious and wary of is…
It’s Zhen Zhaorong’s belly.
If a dragon seed were to suddenly appear in her womb, then the situation in the harem would change drastically.
Consort Shu did not want such a thing to happen, but since it hasn’t occurred yet, she was still hesitating whether to take action against Lan Wu.
She did want to act, but once discovered, she feared she might follow in Consort Zeng’s footsteps.
Thinking of this, Consort Shu took a deep breath—this matter still required careful consideration, and it depended on whether Lan Wu was worth the risk.
Lan Wu, who was suspected of going off to enjoy herself, slept for another hour or so.
Waking up in a daze, she hugged the quilt and sat up, reaching for the teacup beside her.
The teacup was placed by the bed, easy to reach. The water was still warm, likely changed by the palace maid who had entered earlier.
After drinking the water, Lan Wu opened her eyes to look at the sky outside—it was already approaching dusk again.
She called for someone to come in.
Mujin entered to attend to her and, seeing she was awake, asked if she wanted something to eat.
Lan Wu frowned; she wasn’t very hungry.
But her legs…
Earlier, she had nearly fallen in front of Chu Mingheng. She couldn’t afford to lose face again now.
Lan Wu called Mujin over to help her up.
Her legs were still sore, but she managed to stand up anyway. Lan Wu breathed a slight sigh of relief and, with weak legs, said she wanted to freshen up a little.
She had slept for a long time and couldn’t just stay in bed. Although she couldn’t go out for a walk, she needed to get some fresh air, or she would feel stifled.
“Has His Majesty not returned yet?” She took two steps, steadied herself, and seeing Mujin call out for someone to prepare water, quietly asked her.
Mujin shook her head: “His Majesty has not yet returned to Taichen Palace.”
Lan Wu nodded in understanding. After the palace maids attended to her washing, she couldn’t go far, so she simply settled in the small study in the side room. Leaning by the window for some fresh air, she read a book.
After autumn arrived, the sky darkened quickly. Before long, Lan Wu noticed the light dimming and had more candles lit in the hall.
She was engrossed in her reading, completely unaware of the greetings outside the hall.
Until the book in her hand was pressed down.
Just as she was about to get annoyed, she looked up and met Chu Mingheng’s face. Instinctively, she smiled at him, then quickly withdrew it. Glancing at him, she picked up the book and continued reading.
Chu Mingheng chuckled softly, sitting beside her and leaning his head over to read with her.
“Bring it closer, I can’t see.” After reading for only a short while, Lan Wu tilted the book away, and Chu Mingheng pulled her into his arms, holding the book for her.
Lan Wu reached out to push him away, saying, “I didn’t ask you to look. I… I’m not reading anymore.”
Chu Mingheng had been waiting for this very line. He released the book and instead lifted her onto his lap, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “Then let’s not read. We’ll go have our meal.”
Lan Wu wasn’t hungry at all, but she still had to accompany him and take a few bites.