Chapter 66

Chapter 66: The Forgetful Husky “Although Consort Hua has recovered from her illness, her complexion doesn’t seem fully restored. Could it be that because the Emperor has been doting more on Sister Yu lately and rarely visits Yikun Palace, Consort Hua has grown disheartened?” Consort Qi was also at Jingren Palace today. Seeing Nian Shilan so rarely, she seized the opportunity to mock her. She intended to speak subtly, but her meaning was entirely on the surface, making it impossible to miss. “No matter how cold Yikun Palace gets, it can’t be colder than Changchun Palace.” 【Stupid husky, what do you know? Yu Ying’er is meant to bear a child for This Consort, so naturally she must see the Emperor more often.】 So that was indeed her plan. The Empress glanced at Consort Hua, recalling the Emperor’s reminder, and merely followed Consort Qi’s lead, subtly steering the conversation: “After being ill for so long, it’s time to have Tai Yi Yuan prescribe some tonics to properly nourish your health.” “Thank you for your concern, Empress. During my illness, all matters of the inner palace have relied solely on you. You must have been quite busy, I presume?” Nian Shilan sat down opposite Consort Qi. “Isn’t that so?” Consort Qi took over the conversation. “Originally, Noble Lady Shen and Changzai Gong were learning to Assist in Managing the Six Palaces. Though they couldn’t handle major tasks, they could at least help with minor matters. Who would have thought Changzai Gong would grow arrogant from favor and be demoted by the Emperor to Lady Sun…” Consort Qi rambled on about Sun Miaoqing’s situation. Since this person was, after all, someone she had schemed to bring down, Nian Shilan refrained from laughing outright. But the Empress indeed heard her laughing inwardly—not only laughing inwardly but also covering her lips with a handkerchief. 【Lady Sun?】 It wasn’t the triumphant glee of trampling an enemy underfoot but genuine amusement. 【Could it be that after her wish to replace Zhen Huan as Empress Dowager fell through, she now plans to become a pair of sweat-drenched mandarin ducks in the flowerbeds with that ruffian?】 She had heard of “dew-drenched mandarin ducks,” but where did “sweat-drenched” come from? 【Her mind isn’t sharp—she can’t even handle a mere Yu Ying’er—but in matters like these, she refuses to let herself suffer.】 What matters were these? The Empress grew impatient with her cryptic remarks but couldn’t ask. 【That wretch Zhen Huan truly has a talent for infuriating people. She angered This Consort into dashing my head against a wall to death, angered the Empress into dying of heart palpitations, and while the Dog Emperor was half-dead, she sat calmly by his bedside and told him the story of Lady Sun and the ruffian.】 【“Tumbling like phoenixes, oblivious to heaven and earth.” When she saw them, the two were still sweating profusely in the flowerbeds, with Lady Sun’s crimson mandarin duck bellyband still hanging from the ruffian’s belt—undeniable proof.】 This series of blush-inducing descriptions made the Empress frown deeply: This was utterly improper. 【Truly worthy of a female lead, she actually made the dying Old Man sit up in rage.】 【“Huang Ama is the Son of Heaven!”】 Nian Shilan inwardly imitated the Emperor in a gruff voice, 【“I am also the Son of Heaven. Why have you betrayed me?”】 Huang Ama? Imperial Father!!! 【Like father, like son. The imperial family is truly different—not only can the throne be inherited, but so can the cuckold’s horns.】 The Empress’s heart hammered against her chest, her grip on the armrest so tight it couldn’t be tighter. She knew that being around Consort Hua brought daily surprises, but she never expected those surprises could extend to the Late Emperor. Though these matters were of little practical use, they were entertaining and more interesting than the operas at Changyin Pavilion. I wonder if Empress Dowager knows about the Late Emperor being cuckolded? “…Empress, oh~” After Consort Qi finished speaking, she gazed eagerly at the Empress, hoping for a word of affirmation. Huh? What is she "huh-ing" about? Too preoccupied with the shock of the Late Emperor's cuckoldry, the Empress hadn't even heard what Consort Qi said. "Ahem." The Empress cleared her throat, glossing over it vaguely. "Tai Yi Yuan has reported that Zhen Changzai's condition has improved. This Consort thinks it's time to have Jing Shi Fang prepare and hang her Green Head Plaque." [Zhen Huan isn't coming to attend you, so why are you so enthusiastic?] What does she mean, attend This Consort? Even if Zhen Huan were willing to offer herself, This Consort would still find her too dirty for the bed in Jingren Palace! The thoughts running through Consort Hua's mind are becoming more and more unrestrained. The Empress shot Nian Shilan a warning look, but Nian Shilan responded with a fearless roll of her eyes. Even more arrogant than her cat, Songzi. [With Chunyuan reborn, the Emperor can't wait to roll himself up and deliver himself to that Xiao Chunyuan's bed overnight.] [As for Zhen Huan's Green Head Plaque, it would be more fitting to make a Green Head Plaque for the Dog Emperor and hang it in Suiyu Pavilion.] As a staunch supporter of the Empress, Consort Qi naturally wouldn't let the Empress's words fall flat. She picked up where the Empress left off, seizing every opportunity to flatter her. "...These past few days, when I went to the Imperial Garden, I also saw that Zhen. She looks exactly like..." Consort Qi glanced at Consort Hua and, out of caution, stopped herself from mentioning Empress Chunyuan. "I think this Zhen Changzai is no ordinary person. If not for her weak health, she would have Received favor long ago." Nian Shilan sneered coldly: [How is she no ordinary person?] [After his identity was exposed, he took that bitch Zhen Huan to bathe in the big pool at Tangquan Palace, burned red candles with her all night, and even vowed to grow old with her, truly treating her like Empress Chunyuan.] Burning red candles all night? The Empress is a second wife and never enjoyed such grand wedding ceremonies reserved for the principal wife. She had resigned herself to this life, but she never expected the Emperor to care so much about a mere concubine. That old fool, he deserves to be angered to death by Zhen Huan! Anyway, she no longer needs favor now, so she isn't afraid of displeasing the Emperor. Bathing at Tangquan Palace... Just as the Empress was thinking about how to subtly turn their Tangquan Palace trip, meant to be their wedding night, into a lingering source of disgust and discomfort for the rest of their lives, Consort Qi started provoking Consort Hua again. "This Consort thinks that once Zhen Receives favor in the future, she might even surpass you, Consort Hua." The Empress frowned: Consort Hua had already let her off earlier, so why is she looking for trouble again? How many times has she suffered losses, yet she never learns. Truly a fool. "This Consort is already getting old and naturally dares not compare with the newly entered sisters." Nian Shilan refused to let herself be slighted. She glanced sidelong at Consort Qi, her words implying: Compared to you, I'm still more than enough. "I still remember the year we entered the Prince's Mansion, Third Prince had just turned ten. In the blink of an eye, he's almost of marriageable age. This Consort thinks that in less than two years, Sister Consort Qi will become a grandmother." Consort Qi would, of course, be happy to become a grandmother, but not in front of Consort Hua. "You..." Nian Shilan then looked Consort Qi up and down with an appraising gaze: "Sister Consort Qi's palace attire looks quite fresh and youthful. Could it have been bestowed by the Emperor?" Consort Qi replied warily, "What if it was?" "It must have been bestowed back in the former princely residence. The colors of the flowers on the dress have faded, but... that's fine too." Even Consort Qi, as foolish as she is, could detect the hidden meaning in her tone.