Chapter 65: Pretending to Cry

Consort Rou’s expression remained unchanged as she followed up, “Is that so? It seems this consort was careless. But today, celebrating your birthday is an honor bestowed by His Majesty. Kongshan Garden is built over water—where isn’t close to the water?”

“Tell me, sister, isn’t that right?”

Lan Wu’s reaction was slightly delayed, clearly not having noticed what she was saying. She turned her gaze back from the pond’s edge, tilting her head apologetically. “What did Consort Rou say? This concubine was just thinking about the Butterfly Forest you mentioned earlier and didn’t pay attention. Seeing that it’s almost dark, this concubine still wants to take a look, so I won’t keep you any longer. This concubine takes her leave.”

She was in high spirits, having said something baffling and misleading before flitting away without a care, leaving Consort Rou and Rong Shuyi standing there in awkward silence.

Consort Rou glanced in the direction Lan Wu had left, her expression gradually turning cold. With a faint, mocking smile, she remarked, “His Majesty dotes on her so much that she truly thinks she can do as she pleases.”

“But Sister Zhen is young, just as His Majesty says—she simply loves to play around.” Consort Rou’s tone shifted, tinged with resignation. “This consort can only be more tolerant.”

Rong Shuyi looked up at her, then lowered her eyes in agreement. “Your Highness is truly magnanimous.”

“Enough about her. Sister Rong, let’s head left.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

—

Lan Wu walked toward the Butterfly Forest, and from afar, she could hear the somewhat chaotic laughter of imperial concubines inside. She paused, genuinely reluctant to go any further, but then reconsidered—why should she retreat? What reason did she have to back down?

So she walked in.

It was about half an hour until dusk. Though the daylight was still decent, it was clear that evening was approaching.

The Butterfly Forest felt humid and warm, surrounded by dense thickets and blooming flowers of every color. Indeed, there were many butterflies—just walking in, Lan Wu spotted several orange-yellow-winged butterflies resting on the ground.

“Sister, look, there are a few blue butterflies over there.”

Lan Wu didn’t recognize the voice, but the speaker slowly approached until she stood before her.

The newcomer wore a light blue dress, accompanied by a woman in a goose-yellow gown.

Ah, another familiar face.

Though not exactly close.

Across from her, the woman in the goose-yellow dress frowned slightly upon seeing Lan Wu. Noticing Lan Wu didn’t offer a greeting, she seemed on the verge of speaking but held back, muttering something under her breath, likely due to the thumb ring Lan Wu wore.

“It’s Zhen Shuyi,” Yue Zhaorong said softly, pressing her lips together as she offered Lan Wu a faint smile.

Lan Wu had no particular opinion of Yue Zhaorong, but she held little fondness for the woman beside her—Mu Xiurong.

She nodded and replied, “This concubine just heard Consort Rou mention there’s a Butterfly Forest here, so I came to take a look before nightfall. I see both Your Highnesses are here as well.”

Mu Xiurong spoke first. “Why can’t we be here? Even though His Majesty decreed a birthday banquet for you, Kongshan Garden isn’t your territory. Don’t get any delusions.”

Lan Wu scoffed inwardly—she could have predicted that this Mu woman wouldn’t have anything pleasant to say.

“Sister Mu is so harsh. This concubine merely meant it’s such a coincidence to run into both sisters. How… how could Sister Mu view this concubine in such a way? This concubine…”

Lan Wu raised her handkerchief to cover her face, her voice trembling with feigned tears as she glanced at Mu Xiurong. “Where has this concubine offended Sister Mu? Please tell me, and this concubine will surely correct it.”

Fooled you, she’s the best at pretending.

Seeing Mu Xiurong’s expression of gritted teeth and flustered panic, Lan Wu couldn’t hold back and let out a laugh.

“You! You were faking tears!?” Mu Xiurong clearly heard that laugh, instantly flushing red with anger as she stepped forward to confront Lan Wu with a harsh tone.

Lan Wu simply took down her handkerchief, meeting her gaze without a trace of fear, and said unhurriedly, “If concubine had truly cried, Mu Xiurong would have been in deep trouble.”

Although Chu Mingheng enjoyed making her cry in bed, he disliked her crying in front of others.

That was the truth.

“You think—” Mu Xiurong began to shout in accusation, but Lan Wu covered her ears, her face full of annoyance.

“Why so loud? You’re disturbing concubine.”

Mu Xiurong was so infuriated by her calm and disdainful demeanor that her head spun. She stared at Lan Wu, uttering only “you” for a long while, unable to say another word.

Yue Zhaorong, watching from the side, shook her head helplessly with a light laugh but did not intervene. Finally, she pulled Mu Xiurong behind her and addressed Lan Wu, “Zhen Shuyi, please don’t take it to heart. Mu Xiurong just speaks too hastily; she means no harm.”

Lan Wu glanced at Mu Xiurong and gave a soft snort. Of course, she knew Mu Xiurong had no ill intentions, but her mouth was too quick and blunt, which was irritating.

“Concubine still wishes to stroll through the Butterfly Grove, so I won’t linger to chat with you two any longer.”

Lan Wu walked past them, hearing Mu Xiurong calling out “sister” to Yue Zhaorong behind her, her voice tinged with frustration, growing faint as the distance increased.

Sister, huh…

In her previous life, they had also been close, but Mu Xiurong had offended Consort Shu with her sharp tongue. Consort Shu found an excuse to have her confined. After all, Consort Shu had the authority to assist in managing the six palaces; dealing with a mere Xiurong was quite simple.

Lan Wu remembered that Mu Xiurong had still not been released by the time she herself was strangled to death.

As for Yue Zhaorong…

Had she ever gone to plead with Consort Shu on Mu Xiurong’s behalf?

Lost in thought the entire way, Lan Wu only snapped out of it when she returned to the main hall and took her seat, where a cup of tea was presented before her.

She looked up, her brow tightly furrowed, and finally reached a conclusion—she had forgotten.

Yue Zhaorong and Mu Xiurong seemed so close, like sisters born of the same womb. But in this palace, the most important thing was imperial favor, and the second was guarding against those around you.

No one truly knew another’s depths; one could not easily trust others.

Lan Wu took a sip of tea and reached for the grapes arranged on the plate.

This season offered a variety of fruits. Besides the grapes, fragrant pears, plums, and lychees currently on the plate, Yushan Fang had prepared other fruits as well.

However, the evening banquet had not yet begun, so it was not yet time for all the fruits to be served.

Lan Wu peeled a grape, tasting its slightly sweet and sour flavor, and narrowed her eyes slightly as she looked toward the entrance of the hall.

The imperial concubines who had gone out to stroll in the garden were returning to the hall one after another.

Seeing Consort Rou and Rong Shu Yi return one after the other, Lan Wu peeled another grape and gently lowered her gaze, focusing only on the shadows cast by the sun on the woven gold carpet in the hall, watching them inch by inch as they slanted.

As dusk approached, the glow of the setting sun cast a brilliant golden curtain, enveloping the entire garden. The surroundings gradually quieted, the sounds fading until they ceased entirely. In the ensuing tranquility, everything seemed like an illusory dream.

Lan Wu caressed the teacup. Unlike the others who were eagerly gazing at the sunset, she merely lowered her eyes to look at the slanting shadows on the ground. Her hands were folded on her knees, but her fingers fidgeted restlessly, picking at one hand with the other.

Suddenly, those around her rose to their feet. At the same time, the eunuchs outside the hall announced in a loud voice:

“Your Majesty has arrived—”