Chapter 65

Chapter 65: The Empress Wants to Lay Her Cards on the Table Since being reborn, Consort Hua had grown indifferent to most things, but she remained deeply fixated on having a child. She had once considered using Fuzi—hoping Fuzi would gain favor, become pregnant, and bear a child for her to raise. Could it be that she also wanted Yu Ying'er to bear a child for her? This Consort’s Eldest Prince is gone, and the Dog Emperor does not deserve to have children. However, Consort Hua’s child would still be connected to This Consort, and she is now, in a way, acting on This Consort’s behalf. This Consort intends to repay her with a child, but ultimately, it is for This Consort’s own sake. As for others… are they worthy? “Jian Qiu, Noble Lady Yu’s promotion is a joyous occasion. Go to the storeroom and send that pair of red jade agate bracelets to Zhongcui Palace. Tell her it is This Consort’s reward.” Now this is the Empress! Jian Qiu bowed respectfully. “Your Highness, rest assured, this servant will handle it properly.” “Wait—” Consort Hua, having been reborn, was aware that This Consort had targeted the Emperor’s offspring. The other day, to protect Yu Ying'er, she personally came to Jingren Palace. Now, for the sake of that child, she would likely intervene. Given her temperament, she might even lodge a complaint against This Consort before the Emperor. “Wait, first help This Consort change clothes.” “Where is Your Highness going?” “Consort Hua is ill. As the Empress, This Consort should show concern.” The Empress had come to understand that as long as this mind-reading ability existed, the possibility of her allying with Consort Hua would always be higher than that of them being enemies. Consort Hua was foolish and still regarded her as an enemy, which could easily lead to unintended harm. It would be better to clarify things with her. Just as the Empress finished changing and stepped into the courtyard, Jiang Fuhai announced, “The Emperor has arrived—” The Emperor entered through the gate. Today was neither the first nor the fifteenth day of the month—why had the Emperor come? The Empress hurriedly bowed. “Greetings, Your Majesty.” “Rise.” The Emperor raised a hand and walked straight into the room, saying as he went, “It’s getting late. Does the Empress have matters to attend to outside?” “I heard Consort Hua has been bedridden for a long time. As sisters serving Your Majesty together, and with my health always being poor, the affairs of the rear palace have relied entirely on Consort Hua to manage. Today, I am feeling somewhat better and thought to visit her.” Knowing the Emperor was suspicious, the Empress deliberately added, “When sisters are affectionate and the rear palace is harmonious, Your Majesty can focus on state affairs with peace of mind.” “The Empress is virtuous.” The Emperor’s tone when speaking to the Empress was always strictly official, devoid of any marital affection. Compared to the way he spoke to Zhen Huan—that worthless manner—if the Empress remained unclear about this, she truly would be, as Consort Hua said, the greatest fool in the rear palace. “As the Empress, this is all…” Huichun served tea, and the Emperor took it, interrupting the Empress before she could finish. “Harmony in the rear palace is a good thing. I have heard that the Empress has been treating Consort Hua with particular kindness lately.” The Empress was not like Yu Ying'er or Sun Miaoqing, who needed everything spelled out, broken down, and hammered into their heads to understand. The Emperor’s path to the throne was filled with schemes and bloodshed, and years of life experience had shaped his suspicious nature. Although he spoke of wanting harmony in the rear palace, what he desired was not harmony born of sisterly affection, but harmony achieved through the balance of power. Thus, his words were not a statement of approval but a veiled warning. Yet, what he called “kindness” was merely sending gifts to Yikun Palace twice. Out of consideration for the Emperor, the Empress had not even set foot inside Yikun Palace. Even so, she still faced the Emperor’s reprimand. “The Bathing the Buddha Festival is approaching. This morning, I went to see the Empress Dowager, and she instructed me, which is why I…” The Empress used the Empress Dowager as an excuse. The Emperor took a sip of tea before speaking slowly, "You are a daughter of the Ulanara clan, Rouze's younger sister. The Empress Dowager naturally trusts you." Even worse than being a pawn for balancing power in the harem was the fact that the Emperor had made her Empress because of his former love. "There have been many incidents of jealousy and rivalry in the harem recently, creating a foul atmosphere. Since the Empress is feeling better now, and Consort Hua is still ill, you should focus your efforts on managing the harem properly." A foul atmosphere? Favoring palace maids, pretending to be a prince, disregarding palace regulations and etiquette—wasn't he the one creating the foul atmosphere? The Empress forced a smile. "Your Majesty is right to remind me." "You are the mistress of the harem. These matters should not require my reminders." "This consort has been negligent. I beg Your Majesty for forgiveness." Jiang Fuhai entered the hall. "Your Majesty, Empress, the evening meal is ready." "There are still memorials to review in the Hall of Mental Cultivation. I shall return now." Faintly, from the doorway, came Su Peisheng's voice announcing, "Prepare the carriage for the Hall of Mental Cultivation." The Empress watched intently as Huichun entered to light the lamps. Jian Qiu comforted her, "His Majesty seemed to be in a poor mood today. He did not mean to quarrel with you, Your Highness. Please do not take it to heart." The Empress snorted with a laugh. "Why would I quarrel with him?" He wasn't worth it! "Then why does Your Highness..." seem so displeased? The Empress was not displeased, but she and Consort Hua were ultimately... never mind. The Nian Family was gradually gaining prominence, and Consort Hua was someone who could not keep her thoughts to herself. Getting too close to her now would be detrimental—to her, to herself, and to the future child. It was not a good idea. There would be plenty of time ahead. Even Consort Hua could now exercise patience to deal with Sun Miaoqing. For the greater plan, she too could endure. Sun Miaoqing... a mere Promise, yet daring to stir up trouble! Feeling that the Emperor had ruined her appetite, the Empress decided to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager at Shoukang Palace. She deliberately mentioned how Sun Miaoqing, in her eagerness to show filial piety before the Bathing the Buddha Festival, had been copying the Avatamsaka Sutra day and night. She praised her lavishly. The Empress Dowager, kind-hearted and considering the Avatamsaka Sutra to be voluminous, instructed Zhuxi to go to Yanxi Palace the next day to remind Sun Miaoqing to take care of her health, copy slowly, and not rush. Zhuxi intended to take the completed sutra copies with her, but the samples Sun Miaoqing had provided to the outside were randomly selected. The sutras she currently had on hand were incomplete and fragmented, making them unsuitable to present. Caught off guard, Sun Miaoqing could not admit she had not copied them. Instead, she brazenly claimed that she had accidentally spilled tea the previous night, soaking the sutras. She repeatedly promised to recopy them. Sun Zhuxi, citing her disrespect to Buddha, punished Sun Miaoqing on behalf of the Empress Dowager, ordering her to reflect on her mistakes behind closed doors for three months. Now, the Avatamsaka Sutra had to be copied from the beginning again. When the news reached Yikun Palace, Nian Shilan, who had recovered from her cold, was in high spirits and even drank two extra bowls of chicken soup. "This is the fate of those who dare oppose Your Highness," Songzhi said with a hint of triumphant joy. It was the Empress who had ordered Sun Miaoqing to copy the sutra. Nian Shilan speculated that the Empress was likely the one pulling the strings behind the scenes. She smoothed her hair and stood up. "It has been a long time since I last saw that old woman, the Empress. It is time to pay her respects."