Chapter 108: The Hollow
Consort Zeng was forced to kneel by those restraining her. When she lifted her head, she strained to look toward the door, as if stepping through that doorway could restore everything to how it once was.
But the door had already closed.
Zhaoyi Wen observed her state—pitiable, yet deserving in her eyes.
Although Consort Zeng had never harmed her directly, having such a wicked person in the rear palace was unsettling for all.
“Before Her Ladyship, why do you not show respect?” A palace attendant pressed Consort Zeng’s head downward, about to slam it against the floor. Zhaoyi Wen frowned at the sight.
She took half a step back, covering her nose and mouth with a handkerchief, and glanced around. “Enough. Do not cause a commotion.”
The attendant reluctantly ceased but continued restraining Consort Zeng to prevent any contact with Zhaoyi Wen.
“I have come to see you today for no other reason than that Lady Shufei asked me to check on you. After all, Lady Shufei received no small amount of assistance from you in the past.”
When she spoke of “assistance,” it was not in the superficial sense. Consort Zeng had committed countless evils, but Lady Shufei’s rise to her current position had also involved its share of schemes. Now, with no other consorts of her rank remaining in the rear palace, those imperial concubines who had chosen correctly and placed their bets wisely naturally found themselves more at ease.
Thinking of this, Zhaoyi Wen slowly addressed Consort Zeng: “Confined here, you likely know little of what has transpired in the palace.”
“There is no longer a Consort Li—only a Noble Consort Li.”
“She brought you to this ruinous state. Now that I have told you, I wonder if it brings you any satisfaction.”
Zhaoyi Wen noticed that Consort Zeng had fallen silent. Previously restless and defiant, she now remained motionless, as if resigned to fate.
Yet her continued silence felt peculiar.
“And there is Zhen Zhaorong. She has been elevated to Zhaorong. His Majesty dotes on her exceptionally and has raised her rank.”
Even after saying this, Zhaoyi Wen saw no reaction from Consort Zeng. She then gave a subtle glance to the attendant.
Consort Zeng’s hair was seized and yanked downward, forcing her face upward. Her eyes brimmed with venomous resentment, yet her lips remained tightly sealed.
Sensing something amiss, Zhaoyi Wen ordered them to pry her mouth open.
Upon seeing the dark, hollow void within, she gasped in horror, turning away to catch her breath.
Only then did she realize—Consort Zeng’s tongue had been cut out.
“Your Ladyship, Your Ladyship—” The attendant steadied her gently, voice trembling, equally shaken by Consort Zeng’s condition.
Zhaoyi Wen clenched her fists, thinking to herself: Even within the Cold Palace, it would not be easy for an ordinary person to see Consort Zeng. The two guarded gates alone posed a barrier, not to mention the imperial guards stationed outside.
Could it be that His Majesty ordered her tongue cut out?
Zhaoyi Wen patted her chest, uncertain if her speculation was correct.
“You there, release her.”
The attendant hesitated but complied upon Zhaoyi Wen’s insistence, loosening their grip on Consort Zeng.
Did His Majesty order her tongue removed because she had spoken something she should not have?
The moment the attendant released her, Consort Zeng stood up and stepped toward Zhaoyi Wen.
She opened her mouth as if to speak, but no words emerged. Her face was haggard and pale, filthy and disheveled.
Suddenly, she seized Zhaoyi Wen’s hand.
Zhaoyi Wen shuddered, instinctively trying to pull away, while Zhuzhi rushed forward to drag Consort Zeng back.
But Consort Zeng seemed to summon all her remaining strength, gripping Zhaoyi Wen’s hand with a desperate, unyielding hold.
At that moment, the imperial guards outside hurried over and stepped forward to pull them apart. Once they finally managed to separate them, Consort Zeng was still desperately trying to approach and say something.
Zhaoyi Wen was genuinely frightened. Seeing Consort Zeng’s frenzied state, she dared not ask anything further, no matter what she had intended to inquire about.
The guards also requested her to leave.
Clenching her palms, Zhaoyi Wen turned and exited the Cold Palace.
Back in her procession, she was still stunned, thinking about Consort Zeng’s earlier appearance. Consort Zeng had been clutching her hand, as if…
As if she had written something in her palm?
Zhaoyi Wen frowned in confusion, spreading her palm to ponder, then used her other hand to trace strokes on it.
The situation had been too chaotic, and she could hardly remember what Consort Zeng had written. Now, the haphazard strokes she traced formed something that was clearly not a character.
What was Consort Zeng trying to tell her?
Unfortunately, having visited once, it would be difficult to enter again next time.
“My lady, if Lady Shufei finds out you went to the Cold Palace…” Zhuzhi spoke cautiously, afraid others might overhear.
Zhaoyi Wen was unconcerned: “This isn’t a big deal. Perhaps Lady Shufei would also like to see the downfall of the unfortunate.”
“By the way, go and inquire whether anyone left Taichen Palace today, and also check Yilan Hall.” Although she already suspected the person in the sedan chair was Lan Wu, if it wasn’t Lan Wu and someone else suddenly emerged to compete for Lan Wu’s favor, they would be more than happy to see it.
“Yes, my lady.”
Meanwhile, the imperial carriage had arrived outside the palace.
Lan Wu didn’t know where Chu Mingheng was taking her, but with him by her side, she felt at ease. After leaving the palace, they traveled along quiet, sparsely populated paths, gradually heading toward the outskirts of the imperial city.
Unlike the bustling markets Lan Wu had visited in her previous life, this was her first time coming to the outskirts of the imperial city.
The carriage gradually ascended a slope, then leveled out again before coming to a stop.
Voices could be heard outside the carriage, reporting their arrival.
Lan Wu propped herself up, lifting her face to look outside the curtain. Just as she was about to step out first, she had only taken half a step when Chu Mingheng grabbed her waist and pulled her back.
“Put on your cloak. If you catch a cold, don’t even think about going out again.”
Lan Wu didn’t mind, obediently putting on the cloak, with Chu Mingheng even tying the ribbons for her.
She lifted the curtain first, glancing outside just as a gust of wind blew, nearly blinding her.
Mujin helped her down from the carriage.
This was an open expanse of land. Being on a mountain and a flat area, the wind was stronger than usual.
As Lan Wu stepped down from the carriage, another gust of wind swept over her, making her feel light on her feet, as if she were about to be blown away.
Amused, she lifted her feet and tried to walk forward with her head lowered.
But the wind came in gusts, subsiding for a moment before picking up again.
Chu Mingheng led her toward a pavilion sheltered from the wind.
Seeing the pavilion, Lan Wu realized this wasn’t just any wild land—it likely belonged to the imperial family.
Servants had prepared a stove and hot tea in the pavilion, along with various fruits and pastries on the side.
Lan Wu spotted chestnuts and sweet potatoes on a plate.
“These would taste wonderful roasted.”
Chu Mingheng glanced down.
A nearby servant smiled and said, “My lady is absolutely right. The sweet potatoes are especially sweet. Roasting them would be quite enjoyable for you, my lady.”
“Then put them all on.” She selected the roundest and smallest one, placing it right in the center of the stove.