Chapter 28: Crabapple Window
These words were spoken by Chu Mingheng himself just moments ago. Lan Wu merely emphasized them, which could not be considered improper or reckless speech.
Chu Mingheng looked at her, gently stroking her cheek with his hand, saying nothing.
However, Lady He and Jieyu Fang changed their expressions. Seeing that His Majesty did not refute these words, they dared not continue following, lest they invite embarrassment. Thus, they could only withdraw first.
Only after everyone had left did Lan Wu feel somewhat happier. Yet she still remembered Chu Mingheng’s mood, so she cautiously took two steps back in front of him, wanting to ask when they would go to the Imperial Garden.
Just as she moved, her waist was seized.
Chu Mingheng casually reached out and pulled her closer, while speaking to those outside: “Send word that I am accompanying Zhen Jieyu to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers.”
As soon as the words fell, Lan Wu heard Chen Kangan’s voice, respectfully responding with “Yes.” Shortly after, the sound of footsteps outside the hall gradually faded away.
Lan Wu suddenly realized that both inside and outside the hall, the palace servants had likely all withdrawn.
She looked up, wanting to ask as if nothing had happened when they would go to the Imperial Garden, but the trembling voice that came out made it clear to anyone that she was afraid.
“A’Wu, what’s so good about the Imperial Garden? You haven’t properly explored this Longyu Pavilion yet.”
“I’ll accompany you to explore it carefully and thoroughly.”
“How about that?”
With each word he spoke, Lan Wu struggled to escape, though she dared not use too much force. As soon as he finished speaking, Lan Wu immediately admitted her mistake.
Chu Mingheng neither agreed nor disagreed, leading her behind the screen to the crabapple window.
“Do you like this window?” He held Lan Wu in front of him, facing the translucent crabapple window, whispering in her ear, “Look at what is embroidered on this window.”
Lan Wu tilted her head, whimpering softly as she admitted her mistake.
Her bottom was pinched, and she immediately cried out, then hurriedly covered her mouth, lightly pressing her lips together. Her shimmering eyes fixed on the bright window as she kept leaning back, opening her mouth to say: “An embroidered beauty…”
Indeed, it was an embroidered beauty—a scene of a beauty playing with a cat.
Lan Wu knew where she had gone wrong. If she wanted to make use of Chu Mingheng’s favor, she had to do so thoroughly, but she had somewhat forgotten herself, and now she was suffering the consequences.
Her sash was untied, and her outer robe hung loosely on her arms.
Lan Wu leaned back against Chu Mingheng’s chest, calling out “Your Majesty” while lifting her head as if to kiss him and soothe his anger.
Chu Mingheng lowered his head but avoided her kiss.
Lan Wu’s eyes froze, feeling deeply wronged. She bit her lip and fell silent.
Even when Chu Mingheng began to undress her, she sobbed and turned her head away, pretending not to care.
“Look at you, who is as delicate as you?” Chu Mingheng had no choice, saying this as he turned her around and held her on his lap.
With one hand pressed against the back of Lan Wu’s neck, using a bit of force to keep her from escaping, his other hand caressed her until her entire body trembled, her legs shaking uncontrollably.
When he tried to kiss her, Lan Wu lowered her head, a tear trickling down. She returned the favor, skillfully avoiding him at just the right moment.
Chu Mingheng laughed softly, kissing the side of Lan Wu’s neck, gradually moving upward, and gently biting the tip of her nose.
“I’ve truly spoiled you.”
But that wasn’t true at all.
Lan Wu thought this, then suddenly stiffened, her entire body leaning against Chu Mingheng’s shoulder. She pressed her fingers to her lips to keep from making a sound, her breathing growing slightly rapid.
Last night, Chu Mingheng had been considerate since it was her first time, so he wasn’t too rough, letting her off after just two rounds. But today, seeing Lan Wu so full of energy and even wanting to stroll through the Imperial Garden, he thought, “Why not? Let’s stroll through the ‘garden’.”
…
The news that His Majesty had taken the newly appointed Zhen Jieyu for a walk in the Imperial Garden quickly spread. The number of imperial concubines in the garden increased significantly, all hoping to catch a glimpse of His Majesty. However, no one knew where His Majesty had taken her, as there was no trace of them to be found.
In Jinghua Palace, Consort Li couldn’t contain her anger and smashed a set of teacups.
“What a shameless wretch!”
“I thought she refused my goodwill because she had some integrity, but it turns out she’s been scheming to seduce His Majesty all along. Hah, she fooled me completely. Well done, very well done.”
“That lowly wretch even dared to cling to His Majesty for a stroll in the Imperial Garden. How utterly shameless.”
The palace maids crouched on the floor, cleaning up the shattered pieces and debris, pretending to be deaf and blind. Once Consort Li had vented her anger, they quietly withdrew.
Consort Li’s sources of information weren’t as well-connected as Consort Shu and Consort Rou’s. It wasn’t until today that she learned His Majesty had coincidentally encountered Lan Wu in the Imperial Garden yesterday.
Encountering her was one thing, but Lan Wu actually fainted right in front of His Majesty.
Hah, what a delicate, fragile beauty, pulling such a trick. And His Majesty even allowed her to stay in Taichen Palace for the entire night.
He bestowed upon her the rank of Jieyu, with the precious title “Zhen.”
Longyu Pavilion is located within Yilan Hall—a prime location with no higher-ranking concubine in charge and no other imperial concubines residing there. Living there, Lan Wu might as well be a local tyrant!
“Your Ladyship, think about it. Now that Zhen Jieyu has gained favor, doesn’t that mean Beauty Rong has fallen out of favor?” The palace maid Yu Mei gently massaged Consort Li’s shoulders as she spoke softly.
Consort Li snorted lightly. “Beauty Rong thinks too highly of herself. Now that she knows she’s been outshone by a mere dancer, she’s probably stomping around in her palace.”
“That woman acts as though she doesn’t care about such superficial things, but in reality, she’s the most hypocritical of all.”
Consort Li fanned herself idly for a moment before suddenly asking Yu Mei beside her, “Last time at Liu Garden, wasn’t it Beauty Rong who brought His Majesty there?”
Yu Mei replied cautiously, “I heard it was a coincidence that Beauty Rong encountered His Majesty. She only went to Liu Garden because she heard some commotion there.”
“This Beauty Rong, always doing foolish things…”
Consort Li’s eyes darkened as she stopped fanning herself. After a moment of thought, she said, “Fetch some tonics and take them to Qiushui Pavilion. Then tell her that Zhen Jieyu’s palace also summoned an Imperial Physician this afternoon. Not long after, His Majesty went over as well. Although there was no serious illness, His Majesty was particularly concerned.”
“For those as frail as them, it’s especially important to take good care of their health. They mustn’t accidentally harm their bodies—that would be a terrible loss.”
Yu Mei took Consort Li’s words to heart, bowed, and replied, “Yes, Your Ladyship.” She then withdrew and, following the orders, took the items to Qiushui Pavilion.
Qiushui Pavilion had just had a talkative palace maid dragged away the previous night. It was uncertain whether she would survive the thirty lashes. When Yu Mei arrived today, the entire Qiushui Pavilion was eerily quiet.
“Thank you for Lady Lifei’s kindness, but the Beauty is resting quietly and may not be able to come out to express her gratitude.” Beauty Rong’s personal maid had been replaced; the new one was named Zhi Lan.
Yu Mei smiled and said, “Lady Lifei has a few more words to convey to Beauty Rong. I’m afraid the Beauty must hear them.”
Zhi Lan was at a loss until Beauty Rong’s voice came from inside the hall.
“Let her in.”
Yu Mei walked in and stood behind the screen, relaying Consort Li’s words verbatim to Beauty Rong.
Beauty Rong wore a mocking expression, her eyes cold. “Please convey to Lady Lifei that I thank her for her kindness. I will certainly take good care of my health and not trouble her with worry.”
Yu Mei acknowledged and withdrew.
Once the person had left, Beauty Rong turned her head away, unwilling to dwell on what Yu Mei had just said.
Consort Li’s intention was nothing more than to watch her and that Lan Wu—two low-ranking individuals—fight each other, while those high-ranking ladies sat back and enjoyed the spectacle.
But they were mistaken.