Chapter 41

Chapter 41: This Question, the Eunuch Knows "Have all you sisters heard the news?" These past few days, the Empress had been accompanying the Emperor in hosting banquets and receiving noblewomen, so the daily respects at the Central Palace were temporarily suspended. After meeting with the Empress, there were always some noblewomen who wanted to pay a visit to Yikun Palace. Nian Shilan, fearing that the suspicious Emperor might think she was forming connections and add another mark against the Nian Family, refused them all. However, she couldn’t avoid seeing everyone within the inner palace entirely. Consort Li was too foolish, and Cao Qinmo was too cunning—neither could be trusted with her true thoughts. Especially Cao Qinmo, who had betrayed her in her past life. Nian Shilan recalled the subtitles that had flashed before her eyes, with many people criticizing her, saying it was because she had harmed Wen Yi and mistreated Cao Qinmo that led to her betrayal. Admittedly, she had been blinded by foolishness and was wrong to drug a child to compete for an old man’s favor. But Cao Qinmo had a rebellious streak in her bones, born with ambition and unwilling to remain subordinate. Even without the Cassava Powder Incident involving Wen Yi, seeing the Nian Family’s decline, she wouldn’t have stayed loyal. And if the Nian Family had remained powerful, even with the Wen Yi incident, she wouldn’t have dared to act recklessly. True, she had some cleverness, but her background limited her vision and perspective. So, as soon as she gained a little prominence, she forgot who she was. In the end, she was easily disposed of by the Emperor with a bowl of poison. After being reborn, Nian Shilan had also considered killing her to avenge her past betrayal. But as the birth mother of a princess, with her cunning, if she were to resort to some sinister trick in her final moments... Even if she managed to harm her enemy at great cost to herself, it would be a small loss compared to dragging down the Nian Family. That would be a greater loss than gain. Everything had to wait until the Nian Family could withdraw unscathed. Although she rarely saw these two, she wouldn’t hand them over to Sun Miaoqing either, so she hadn’t turned hostile. During this festive season, Consort Li and Cao Qinmo naturally came to visit. Shen Meizhuang was even more frequent, having visited Yikun Palace every few days before the New Year, and she was naturally present now. An Lingrong usually didn’t dare to come, but with this rare opportunity, she couldn’t help but follow along. In her past life, Noble Lady Xin had harbored resentment toward Consort Hua for blocking her from attending the Emperor several times. In this life, since Consort Hua hadn’t acted, she naturally held no grudge. Although Consort Jing wasn’t as curious as Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong, if there was a chance to hear Xinsheng, she wouldn’t pass it up. Since everyone else had come, she couldn’t stand out by not attending. However, Sun Miaoqing wasn’t present, not because she was deliberately being different. It was because she had injured herself in Yimei Yuan and was recuperating in her own palace, even having her Green Head Plaque removed. Yikun Palace had excellent pastries and tea without any musty taste, so the imperial consorts and concubines gathered here daily, making it even livelier than the Empress’s palace. Nian Shilan sat upright in her high seat, leaning slightly to one side, and said: "Noble Lady Xin has always been sharp-eyed and keen-eared. Since you’ve heard something interesting, why not share it to help all the sisters relieve their boredom?" Noble Lady Xin leaned forward slightly. "In reply to Your Highness, during the festive celebrations in the palace, the Emperor composed a couplet for Yimei Yuan, saying that whether it’s palace maids or eunuchs, anyone who can match it will be generously rewarded." The experienced ones understood and smiled knowingly. The newcomers didn’t understand. Noble Lady Fucha asked curiously, "What kind of couplet is it?" "The couplet itself isn’t important," Cao Qinmo teased. "What matters is that someone is in for good fortune." "You—" Noble Lady Xin flicked her handkerchief toward her. "The Emperor’s first line is ‘Adverse Wind Understands Intentions.’" Noble Lady Fucha frowned. "What kind of couplet is that?" Shen Meizhuang also grew suspicious in her heart. She glanced at Nian Shilan and deliberately remarked, "Indeed, isn't this a poem?" "Adverse Wind Understands Intentions, earning a hundred million a day." Shen Meizhuang: "..." "Miaoyin Niangzi is about to make her entrance, and there will be new excitement in the palace." Nian Shilan remained silent, as images of Yu Ying'er's past life drifted through her mind one after another. An Lingrong had little education. She glanced around, not daring to reveal her ignorance, and could only resent how vast Yikun Palace was—sitting so far back, she couldn't hear Consort Hua's inner thoughts at all. Consort Li had always been one to speak without much restraint. "Whether it's a couplet or not isn't important. I just want to know, if the eunuchs really manage to match it, what will happen?" After she spoke, those who understood followed with laughter. Noble Lady Xin, quick to speak, couldn't keep the suspense. "Don't say it, but you all guessed right." This only piqued everyone's interest further, and they clamored: "What do you mean?" "Tell us quickly!" Noble Lady Xin: "Out of eight eunuchs, six answered correctly. Out of six palace maids, five got it right." This response truly startled Nian Shilan. "What did you say?" "Replying to Your Highness, in Yimei Yuan, there were only so many people, and a total of eleven answered correctly." Noble Lady Xin gestured with her two index fingers. "Yimei Yuan truly is a place of talent and learning." "What should we do now?" "Surely we can't grant titles of nobility to all those eunuchs too?" "We're all human—why can't eunuchs be granted titles?" "Exactly~ Weren't we told it didn't matter whether they were palace maids or eunuchs? Why the discrimination now?" Everyone chattered away, teasing and joking with one another. [In the past life, wasn't it only Yu Ying'er who answered correctly? How do so many people know about it this time?] Nian Shilan pondered. [Aside from the Emperor and Prince Guo, the only one who knew about the Yimei Yuan incident on New Year's Eve was Zhen Huan, who was directly involved.] Could this matter actually be related to Huan'er? Hearing the inner thoughts, Shen Meizhuang couldn't help leaning slightly in that direction, wishing she could press her ears right up against Consort Hua. [It's impossible for those people to have "leaked the question" in advance.] [Could it be Sun Miaoqing?] [The Empress!] Consort Li couldn't resist asking, "So how was it handled afterward?" "This concubine doesn't know." Noble Lady Xin also wore a look of regret. "This concubine only learned about it on the way here when I saw Eunuch Su leading a group of people to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. I just asked a few questions in passing." So there was no outcome yet. Nian Shilan found the mere thought of the scene amusing. [With just one Yu Ying'er, she could still be sent up to serve tea. But with a whole group of "Yu Ying'ers," both men and women, Su Peisheng's job won't be easy.] However, the Empress could only have "leaked the question"—she couldn't possibly reveal everything about that night. Otherwise, she would truly anger the Emperor, and if a thorough investigation were launched, no one would come out unscathed. [Everyone in Yimei Yuan might be able to recite poetry, but not everyone can sing Kunqu Opera. Cui Daorong's poem was merely a stepping stone—what truly won Yu Ying'er favor was her beautiful voice.] [She does have some cleverness about her.] Nian Shilan estimated that the outcome wouldn't be much different. Still, she was very curious about what exactly was happening in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. ———— I'm back! Starting today, I'll keep up with daily updates. Feel free to leave comments, share your support, and if you have suggestions, I'll take them to heart~ I'm all about listening to advice~ (()) Send me a virtual kiss—love you all~ (*￣3￣)╭