Chapter 34

Chapter 34: Meizhuang Eavesdrops The Empress had anticipated this move and had instructed Huichun in advance. As soon as Consort Hua’s hand touched the rim of the bowl, Huichun immediately took it and placed it on a nearby square table. This left Nian Shilan no opportunity to feign an accident. Immediately after, Jian Qiu brought the other bowl to the Empress. The Empress stirred the medicinal soup with a white porcelain spoon, took a sip, and casually explained: “I specifically ordered this soup to be made with donkey-hide gelatin, red dates, and black-bone chicken, along with over a dozen rare medicinal herbs. It was simmered overnight, so the flavors have melded quite well.” [Is the Empress worried that I suspect the soup is poisoned? That’s why she deliberately divided it into two bowls from the same pot, letting me choose first, and then drinking it herself?] Nian Shilan was confused: [What is this? A gesture of goodwill?] That was precisely the Empress’s intention. She thought to herself that she and Consort Hua had no fundamental conflict from the start. It was just that Consort Hua, relying on the Emperor’s favor, had grown arrogant, disregarded the Central Palace, and even harbored intentions to replace her—something she couldn’t tolerate. Ultimately, it was all for the sake of that unworthy Emperor. That was all. Now that Consort Hua no longer desired favor and had no intention of replacing the Central Palace, there was truly no need for her to fight with her. Cooperation benefits both, while division harms both. The Empress was a clever woman, but she couldn’t speak openly about this yet. Because the Emperor was suspicious, and what he needed was not harmony in the harem but mutual checks and balances. Her gesture of gifting the soup today was to make Consort Hua understand that she was a friend, not an enemy. Consort Hua need not exhaust herself scheming against her, lest all her efforts end up hurting those close to her and pleasing their enemies. Moreover, Nian Shilan’s straightforward nature made the Empress fear that if their relationship improved too obviously, the Emperor might notice. Consort Hua was no match for the Emperor. If that old fox managed to trick her into revealing something with a few words, making him think she and Consort Hua were conspiring to seize his throne— The consequences would be unimaginable. Nian Shilan drank the soup suspiciously. It was rich and flavorful, with no bitterness from the medicinal herbs. [No wonder the Emperor likes duck soup. This chicken soup is also well-made. It seems the Empress not only has cunning but also some culinary skills.] The Empress’s lips curved slightly: She’s still thinking about the duck soup. “This soup replenishes qi and blood, warms the meridians, and nourishes the womb.” As these words reached her ears, it felt as if a bolt of lightning had struck Nian Shilan’s mind: [Warms the meridians… nourishes the womb!] [Women with a cold womb find it difficult to conceive. Nourishing the womb means…] “Empress…” Nian Shilan was somewhat incredulous. [She couldn’t possibly be unaware of the effects of Huanyi Incense. My son was taken from me by her and the Emperor working together. How could she possibly be so kind…] The Empress maintained her smile: “I’ve been drinking this for several days now and find it quite beneficial. If you like it, feel free to come often.” She still didn’t dare to openly defy imperial authority by telling Consort Hua to stop using Huanyi Incense. But Linyi Incense was modified from an ancient recipe and could mitigate the effects of the She Xiang in Huanyi Incense. Coupled with this medicinal soup, given enough time, it might be possible to restore her health. Perhaps it could even fulfill her wish of having a son? Currently, the Third Prince took after his mother and wasn’t particularly clever. The Fourth Prince was raised in Yuanmingyuan, and the Fifth Prince was raised in a detached palace. If Consort Hua were to have a son, and she personally guided him, he would undoubtedly be exceptionally intelligent. In the future, supporting her son to ascend the throne would be far more beneficial to her than supporting any other prince. [What am I thinking?] [That old woman, the Empress—if she isn’t scheming against me, how could she possibly have specially prepared this nourishing soup for me?] The Empress was pulled back by Nian Shilan's inner thoughts and chatted with her for a few more moments. After they had drunk half a pot of soup, she finally allowed Nian Shilan to leave. Watching Nian Shilan's retreating figure through the window, Jian Qiu couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, have you been treating Consort Hua a bit too well lately?" "The days are long, why must we..." For the sake of such a man, "fight and scheme?" It's not worth it. The Empress set down the porcelain spoon in her hand. "Isn't it good for sisters to be close?" Jian Qiu naturally had to consider her mistress's interests. "Sisters? Your Majesty is the master of the harem. How could they be worthy of being called sisters? Besides, people's hearts are separated by layers of flesh. Consort Hua has never respected you. Your Majesty is kind-hearted and treats her as a sister, but she..." "People's hearts are separated by layers of flesh?" the Empress murmured. "She wouldn't..." Jian Qiu doubted her own ears: What did Her Majesty the Empress just say? She wouldn't? Does Her Majesty think Consort Hua wouldn't? Wouldn't what? Jian Qiu was truly confused: How has Her Majesty the Empress changed? She wasn't like this before. The Empress watched Nian Shilan's retreating figure through the window: This is what I owe her. Consider it repayment. After all, among all the women in the harem, no one having a child is as secure as her having one. Yikun Palace Nian Shilan entered, removed her cloak, and instructed, "Zhou Ninghai, go to Qixiang Palace and summon Consort Li." As Zhou Ninghai left, Huang Guiquan arrived. With the busyness of the New Year festivities, while the Empress had the opportunity to seek out Nian Shilan, Shen Meizhuang naturally also had an excuse to see her. When Shen Meizhuang arrived at Yikun Palace, the maid Lingzhi at the door informed her that Consort Hua was currently in the East Warm Pavilion meeting with Huang Guiquan, listening to his report on the New Year affairs. "Noble Lady Shen, please follow this servant to the West Warm Pavilion to wait." "No need to trouble yourself. The weather is fine today. I'll wait in the corridor. It's not too late to enter after Her Majesty finishes her business." Shen Meizhuang's gaze turned toward the window of the East Warm Pavilion. From this position, if she listened carefully, she should be able to hear Consort Hua's inner thoughts through the window crack, right? How have I become like this now? A dignified lady from a respectable family, actually learning to eavesdrop. She felt somewhat ashamed in her heart, but her feet had already carried her beneath the window. "...That's all. If Your Majesty has no further instructions, this servant will go attend to his duties." After Huang Guiquan finished speaking, he intended to leave but was stopped by Nian Shilan. "Wait. With the New Year approaching, aside from those being punished, the allowances for everyone else—whether favored or not—must not be withheld in any way. Do you understand?" Nian Shilan gave him a warning glance. How could Huang Guiquan not understand Consort Hua's meaning? He just didn't understand why Consort Hua was doing this. "Keep your subordinates in check. I wouldn't want the position of Chief Steward of the Imperial Household Department to be taken by someone else." Nian Shilan dared not underestimate Chunyuan's influence. Huang Guiquan's eyes rolled. He feared Her Majesty had noticed that some of the unfavored ladies were about to gain favor. This was her reminding him not to make mistakes at a critical time. "Thank you for your guidance, Your Majesty. This servant will be diligent and thorough in the future, and will never dare to make any mistakes or omissions." Although she couldn't hear everything clearly, she did catch those two key sentences. Shen Meizhuang clutched the account book and thought: Consort Hua is truly cold on the outside but warm on the inside. On the surface, she appears domineering and arrogant toward everyone, but in reality, she treats everyone well behind the scenes. Consort Li arrived from the palace entrance and glanced at Shen Meizhuang, who was intently reviewing the account book in the corridor. Lingzhi immediately reported that Noble Lady Shen had come to see Consort Hua. That little wretch, not content with stealing the Emperor, now she wants to steal Consort Hua too. Consort Li rolled her eyes at Shen Meizhuang. "Did Consort Hua summon her here?" Lingzhi answered truthfully, "No." No? Then Consort Li saw no need to be polite. As Huang Guiquan emerged from inside, Consort Li went straight in, leaving Shen Meizhuang waiting outside.