Chapter 62

Chapter 62: Meizhuang Scolds Zhen Huan No matter how deep sisterly affection runs, it cannot withstand repeated deception. Liuzhu was right—she must not let trivial matters create distance between herself and the sister she grew up with. Thus, Zhen Huan had invited Shen Meizhuang today, determined to come clean with her. The plank bridge in the Imperial Garden connected to a pavilion at the center of the lake. Huanbi and Caiyue stood on the lakeshore at the other end of the bridge. Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang sat inside the pavilion. “The other day, you asked me if I had seen the Emperor, didn’t you?” Zhen Huan began. “Mm.” “I did encounter a man in the Imperial Garden. He introduced himself as Prince Guo. We discussed poetry and played the flute together, and we agreed to meet again…” “Prince Guo!!!” Shen Meizhuang was inexplicably reminded of the cuckold’s hat she wore in her past life and gasped sharply. “You… you and Prince Guo…” “No, no, it’s not what you think,” Zhen Huan hurriedly explained. “It’s not like that at all. Prince Guo and I are innocent.” “But you are one of the Emperor’s Imperial consorts and concubines. How can meeting a prince in private be considered innocent? If this were to get out, even if I were willing to believe you, would others?” Shen Meizhuang was furious at her lack of judgment. “Huan’er, how could you be so foolish!” “He is the Emperor.” “The Emperor?” Shen Meizhuang frowned slightly. “Are you saying the Emperor was drawn by your flute playing, knew you were Zhen Changzai from Suiyu Pavilion, and pretended to be Prince Guo to arrange another meeting with you?” “I don’t know why he would do such a thing either.” A young girl’s heart is always tender with springtime feelings. At eighteen, Zhen Huan, encountering for the first time a man so talented and respectful toward her, could hardly help but be moved. Though she claimed not to understand, in her heart, she still wished to believe the Emperor had taken a genuine interest in her. “Why?” Shen Meizhuang already held prejudices against the Emperor, and today they ran especially deep. “He is the Emperor, who delights most in playing power games. Women like us are nothing but tools in his eyes. Today he favors you on a whim, tomorrow he favors another. Has he ever shown a shred of sincerity toward anyone?” “Treating you this way is merely a whim born of lust. Seeing your innocence and naivety, he was momentarily amused, treating you like a kitten, a puppy, a plaything to manipulate at his whim.” “This…” Zhen Huan did not intend to defend the Emperor. “But the Emperor didn’t seem to be deliberately toying with me.” Shen Meizhuang retorted, “If he wasn’t toying with you, why didn’t he reveal his identity?” Zhen Huan opened her mouth but found herself at a loss for words. “I suppose you’ve never encountered a man in your eighteen years and were momentarily deceived by his lies.” Shen Meizhuang paused, unable to comprehend. “You’ve always been so clever. How could you be so bewitched by him?” “The Emperor is nearly fifty!” Old and wrinkled. “And you dared to believe he was Prince Guo?” Zhen Huan stammered, “I… Sister, you seem to dislike the Emperor very much.” Like him? Like him for being old? Like him for his uniquely aged scent? “Huan’er, what medicine has Imperial Physician Wen prescribed you? How could someone once so sharp-witted become so foolish now?” “Sister…” Throughout the entire palace, people said Consort Hua was infatuated with the Emperor and had lost herself. Yet, it turned out the one who lived most clearly was her. Her ladyship had said: Do not speak of feelings with the Dog Emperor, or you will become wretched. With earnest concern, Shen Meizhuang said, “People like us are born with fates beyond our control. Sent into the palace by our families, we are not here to discuss feelings with the Emperor. We bear the honor and disgrace of our clans on our shoulders, even the lives of our kin depend on us.” "It's not that I'm criticizing you, but he is the Emperor, so naturally he can say whatever he wants. But you are different—you are the Emperor's consort. When he claimed to be a prince, whether it was true or false, you should not have continued to see him." "Now that he is fond of you and enjoys amusing himself with you, everything seems wonderful. But if one day he grows tired or bored with you, you will be nothing to him. And if someone with ill intentions stirs trouble, making him suspect that you admired Prince Guo in your youth and are merely using him as a substitute, then not only might you lose favor, but I fear even the Zhen Family could..." Zhen Huan was startled by these words: Could it be that her father's future imprisonment originated from this very moment? She clutched her handkerchief and murmured, "I hadn't considered that." "It's not too late to think about it now!" Zhen Huan steadied herself, then grasped Shen Meizhuang's hand. "So, sister, I hope... you can help me." "You want me to help you receive favor?" Zhen Huan shook her head. She needed Shen Meizhuang to act as a bridge between herself and Consort Hua. "Since spring began, my health has gradually improved. Even without the chance encounter in the Imperial Garden, receiving favor is only a matter of time. I've long heard of Consort Hua's immense favor, and I... do not wish to become her enemy because of this." Shen Meizhuang never hid anything from Zhen Huan. "Don't worry about that. Consort Hua is most considerate of us newcomers and would never stoop to petty jealousy over such matters." Zhen Huan couldn't explain to Shen Meizhuang that Consort Hua secretly wished for her demise. "Dear sister, then I must trouble you to arrange a meeting for me with Consort Hua first." Shen Meizhuang had long worried that her dear friend might one day oppose Consort Hua, so she was delighted at the prospect of them working together. But as for arranging a meeting... Shen Meizhuang knew that in Consort Hua's heart, her dislike for Huan'er far exceeded her disdain for Sun Miaoqing by many times. It seemed more likely that Consort Hua would have Huan'er killed than agree to meet her. She tactfully said, "Consort Hua has a proud temperament, much like a cat—she enjoys being coaxed, flattered, and indulged. If anyone deliberately opposes her, she will stop at nothing to bring them down, regardless of the consequences. Your temper..." In their past life, even while pregnant, Huan'er had openly defied Consort Hua, well aware of her higher status yet still humiliating her in public. Though Shen Meizhuang didn't know the reason, for the sake of her child, a mother should have done everything possible to lower her head. Yet she couldn't say Huan'er was wrong, as she didn't know the full truth of the matter. Shen Meizhuang still believed that Huan'er had her reasons for acting as she did in their past life. "Dear sister, you are close with Consort Hua. For your sake, I would never oppose her." "Good. I will do my best to find a way for you. However, dragging on this ambiguous situation with the Emperor is not wise." Shen Meizhuang said sincerely, "If you don't mind, I can help expose the Emperor's identity." "I fear angering the Emperor might affect you, sister." "If he's displeased, all the better..."—it would spare her from having to see him—"You and I are close, and in others' eyes, we are seen as allies. If something happens to you, the Emperor might suspect me as well. Right now, removing your hidden danger is most important." Zhen Huan knew Shen Meizhuang was sincere but hadn't expected her to be so selfless. "Sister..." Shen Meizhuang patted her hand. "We've grown up together since childhood—no need for such formality. Let me escort you back." Hand in hand, the two walked out of the pavilion, where tall green shrubs were trimmed into a wall-like hedge. "Sister, listen—there's a sound." Zhen Huan pricked up her ears, the sound seemed to be coming from the swing area: Could it be Consort Hua again? She told Huanbi and Caiyue to go back first, took Shen Meizhuang's hand, and hurried toward that direction. At this moment, Nian Shilan was already sleeping like the dead, oblivious to the world, having even angered the Emperor into leaving. Even if she were dreaming of going to the Great Snow Mountain of the Northwest, she would not possibly come here. Yet the matter at the swing was not entirely unrelated to her either.