Chapter 52

Chapter 52: Dragged to Shenxing Si As night fell, Yu Ying'er indeed sang a song titled "Eternal Reunion," which pleased Empress Dowager greatly. However, the Emperor felt that compared to the person who sang in Consort Hua's palace, Yinger's voice still fell short. Unable to bear the title of "Miaoyin Niangzi," the Emperor only bestowed some rewards upon Yu Ying'er. Of course, a more important reason for this was that the Emperor did not wish to follow the path Nian Shilan knew from her previous life. The Son of Heaven remained committed to changing fate. Yu Ying'er was unaware that she was originally supposed to receive a title, so she naturally felt no displeasure. On the other hand, Sun Miaoqing, due to the unpleasant encounter on Long Street, was overjoyed to hear that Yu Ying'er had not been granted the title of Miaoyin Niangzi. She assumed that the Emperor remembered what she had said that day and noted Yu Ying'er's lack of propriety, which was why he withheld this favor. This perceived partiality, deduced entirely by herself, reignited her fighting spirit. Realizing that An Lingrong was difficult to win over, Sun Miaoqing began to turn her attention to others. That night, after everyone had paid their respects to the Empress, Sun Miaoqing took the initiative to walk back with Cao Qinmo. As they chatted and laughed, Lvzhu's paper lantern caught fire in the wind, and coincidentally, Yu Ying'er happened to pass by in the Phoenix and Luan Spring Favor Carriage. The horse was startled. Sun Miaoqing immediately sensed trouble: Oh no! This, this, this—could it be that now even Xin Bajji's part has to be played by me? That involves being sent to Shenxing Si! Yu Ying'er was jolted, which was originally no big deal, but when she saw Sun Miaoqing— Hey! Last time on Long Street, she had flaunted her status as an Attendant, giving me a hard time. She even said strange things to threaten me. Now she has finally fallen into my hands. Lvzhu stepped forward to apologize, but Yu Ying'er refused to accept it, insisting that Sun Miaoqing had done it intentionally. She demanded an apology from Sun Miaoqing! Sun Miaoqing, who had long resented her, stiffened her neck and offered a half-hearted apology. However, Yu Ying'er remained unrelenting, claiming that Sun Miaoqing lacked sincerity, and so Sun Miaoqing responded with equal sharpness. Disregarding their statuses, the two quarreled openly on Long Street. One was an Attendant disliked by Consort Hua, while the other was a Promise who clung to Consort Hua's side all day. Cao Qinmo disliked both and had no intention of helping either. Fearing she might be caught in the crossfire, she quietly retreated into the shadows. When Yu Ying'er, unaware of her own limits, threatened to send Sun Miaoqing to Shenxing Si, Cao Qinmo stepped out to play the mediator— This act of mediation was not her true intention, but since she was present that day, if she did not intervene, the situation might escalate, and Consort Hua would surely blame her. Her intervention was a favor to Consort Hua. "This is all just a misunderstanding. Sister Yu still needs to hurry and attend to the Emperor, so we shouldn't waste time. How about—giving me some face and letting today's matter be resolved with minimal fuss?" If the matter were completely dismissed, it would be too abrupt and clearly unfair, leaving Sun Miaoqing room to maneuver later. But if it were merely downplayed, it would be seen as Yu Ying'er's magnanimity, making it difficult for Sun Miaoqing to pursue the matter further. Sun Miaoqing naturally disagreed. Having learned her lesson in this lifetime under Nian Shilan's influence, Yu Ying'er said, "Sister Cao, you see, it's not that I refuse to downplay the matter. It's just that Sister Sun is bullying others with her status." Seeing Yu Ying'er turn the tables on her, Sun Miaoqing completely lost her patience. Since she had inadvertently taken the blame for someone else once again today, she might as well let Yu Ying'er send her to Shenxing Si. After enduring a night of hardship, she would receive comfort from Empress Dowager and sympathy from the Emperor the next day. With Miao Frog Seed backed by Consort Hua, the Emperor would surely note Nian Shilan's involvement in his mental ledger. No matter what, she wouldn't lose out! Sun Miaoqing stepped forward. "Yu Ying'er, if you truly have the ability, do it now! Immediately! Right this moment! Send me to Shenxing Si!" "Guards!" How could Yu Ying'er withstand such provocation? She pointed a finger. "Drag her to Shenxing Si!" Two eunuchs stepped forward. Sun Miaoqing showed no fear. However, the two eunuchs did not seize Sun Miaoqing. Instead, they apprehended her palace maid, Lvzhu, who stood beside her. "Yu Ying'er! What are you doing?" If she herself entered Shenxing Si, she could still come out. But if Lvzhu went in, even if she managed to emerge, she would lose half her life. Sun Miaoqing tried to rescue Lvzhu, but Cao Qinmo pulled her back at that moment. "Good sister, it's getting late. This matter cannot be allowed to escalate further." She slowly shook her head— No matter how justified one might be, continuing to stir up trouble would be a minor issue if it only disturbed the Emperor and Empress, but if it alarmed the Empress Dowager, it would truly be seen as immature and unreasonable. Cao Qinmo continued, "Endure for a moment, and the storm will pass." Sun Miaoqing felt a pang in her heart. How unwilling she was. She had just entered the palace. Her grand plan to become the Empress Dowager had not yet begun. Must she lose an arm so soon? "My lady, my lady, save me—my lady—" Lvzhu's voice faded into the dark night. The bells of the Phoenix and Luan Spring Favor Carriage rang out once more. The paper lanterns on the ground burned out, their flames gradually extinguishing. Yu Ying'er, feeling elated, nearly burst into song but remembered Consort Hua's warning and quickly closed her mouth. Cao Qinmo comforted Sun Miaoqing with a few words and instructed her own maid to escort Sun Miaoqing back to Yanxi Palace. Yinxiu watched Sun Miaoqing's retreating figure and asked in confusion, "My lady, it seems to me that Attendant Gong has been trying to show goodwill toward you lately. Why didn't you help her tonight?" A mediator standing in the middle only needs to shift slightly to the left or right to show partiality. Cao Qinmo had shifted to the right, toward Yu Ying'er. "That is Consort Hua! Even the Empress now indulges and appeases her." "General Nian has just won a great victory. For most of the first month, aside from the first and fifteenth days when the Emperor is at Jingren Palace, Attendant Gong may be slightly better off than the other newcomers, but altogether, she has only been favored three times. The rest were all spent at Yikun Palace." "The Emperor is growing fonder and more devoted to Consort Hua" There was envy in Cao Qinmo's voice as well, but what could envy accomplish? In terms of beauty or family background, she could not compare to Consort Hua in any way. Would Sun Miaoqing's situation be any better than hers? Perhaps. Perhaps she had a long-term vision, seeing the Emperor's suspicions and anticipating the fall of the Nian family. But ignoring the present for the sake of the distant future was foolish. Utterly foolish. No one could say for certain what the future held. Moreover, Consort Hua seemed different from before. For now, there was no need for her to abandon a great tree for a floating piece of wood. "Even Lady An did not choose her." But Cao Qinmo did not entirely dismiss this floating piece of wood. After all, imperial authority was supreme. If the Emperor intended to use the Sun family, whether the floating wood would sprout new shoots remained to be seen. Cao Qinmo returned to her own palace with Yinxiu. The Phoenix and Luan Spring Favor Carriage passed by the intersection. Noble Lady Xin emerged from the shadows of the palace gate. She gazed at the spot where the dispute had taken place earlier. Tonight, after leaving the Empress's palace, she had originally been walking with Noble Lady Chun. If Consort Hua had not called her aside and spoken a few extra words, she might have been the one to clash with Yu Ying'er. Lately, Yu Ying'er had gained favor, and Noble Lady Xin felt displeased. She thought about her own temper. If the roles were reversed, Noble Lady Chun, being young, would not have held back and advised like Cao Qinmo did; it would likely have been herself locked away in Shenxing Si instead. Was tonight's incident an unintended consequence of Consort Hua's actions, or a deliberate scheme? Only after her maid reminded her did Noble Lady Xin set off back to her palace. After everyone had left Long Street, a limping figure gradually disappeared into the shadows. "Your Highness, everything has been carried out according to your instructions."