Chapter 69

Chapter 69: The Empress Grows Suspicious [How did this become like a plaster that can't be shaken off?] Songzhi could tell that her mistress, due to Zhen Huan, was extending her dislike to others. In the rear palace, finding someone loyal and devoted to their master was not easy. Songzhi did not want her mistress to push Noble Lady Shen away lightly. She advised, "During the days Your Ladyship was ill, Noble Lady Shen served day and night by your bedside, working tirelessly without complaint, and never once sought credit before the Emperor. Her sincerity, Your Ladyship, you know it well." Nian Shilan pursed her lips, her face showing impatience. "She must have something to discuss if she's coming now. Let her in." Songzhi happily curtsied. "Yes, Your Ladyship." She walked to the door and said to Shen Meizhuang, "Noble Lady Shen, Her Ladyship invites you in." Shen Meizhuang took the brocade box from Caiyue's hands and followed Songzhi into the hall. "Coming today, has something difficult to decide happened in the palace again?" "Replying to Your Ladyship, with the Empress and Your Ladyship overseeing the rear palace, it is not my place to make decisions. I have other matters to discuss with Your Ladyship." Shen Meizhuang opened the brocade box and respectfully presented it with both hands to Nian Shilan. Inside were a pair of gold filigree sachets. [Hah, what's going on today? Everyone is coming to Yikun Palace with gifts.] Nian Shilan found them familiar. "Noble Lady Shen, you don't visit the temple without a purpose, do you? If you have something to say, speak plainly." Shen Meizhuang knelt down. "Attendant Zhen encountered the Emperor in the Imperial Garden. Seeing her pitiful in her illness, the Emperor bestowed some items. Attendant Zhen, remembering Your Ladyship's grace toward the rear palace and knowing Your Ladyship's fondness for incense, specially selected these and asked me to present them to Your Ladyship." [No wonder they look familiar—they were bestowed by the Emperor.] [How mysterious the ways of the world are. In this lifetime, I haven't given her anything, yet she eagerly comes to flatter me.] [What? Knowing that the Dog Emperor gave me the Child-Cutting Musk, she deliberately sends a sachet so I can wear it daily and cut off my chances completely, is that it?] [That dog couple! Equally ill-intentioned!] Child-Cutting Musk!!! There is only one thing the Emperor bestowed: Huanyi Incense!!! Is there something wrong with the Huanyi Incense the Emperor gave to Her Ladyship? Was Her Ladyship's poor child actually harmed by the Emperor? What a vicious man! Fearing the power of the Nian Family, he could even lay hands on his own flesh and blood! Shen Meizhuang had originally promised to speak well of Zhen Huan before Consort Hua, never expecting to have her flattery backfire. For a moment, she didn't know how to explain. Nian Shilan flicked her handkerchief. "What grace could I possibly have toward her? In the future, causing me less trouble would be enough. There's no need for such insincere flattery." Speaking of insincere flattery, Nian Shilan thought of how Zhen Huan was skilled at putting on an act. Her nighttime visit to Shen Meizhuang at the Leisure Moon Pavilion in her past life was a perfect example. [Without even having received favor, she already wants to put on a virtuous act for the Emperor, is that it?] [Hmph, that wretch, trying to scheme against me?] [In my past life, Zhen Huan said that Shen Meizhuang grew up with her since childhood, so naturally, they share the same heart and mind.] Nian Shilan suddenly looked sharply at Shen Meizhuang: [Is this a case of seeing her sister receive favor and now switching sides to join forces in plotting against me?] [Indeed, not to be trusted!] "Shen Meizhuang, I gave you some face because I saw you as respectful and obedient. Don't push your luck and fail to recognize kindness!" Shen Meizhuang understood that Her Ladyship was misunderstanding Huan'er and herself because of past-life events and immediately knelt down. "Your Highness, please forgive me. This concubine holds no other intentions towards Your Highness, and Huan'er certainly meant no harm. These sachets should have been delivered by Huan'er herself, but she has been ill for a long time, and Your Highness has only just recovered from a cold. She feared passing her illness to you, so she entrusted me to bring them to you first." "This Consort lacks nothing of the sort." Shen Meizhuang was about to say more when she heard Consort Hua's inner thoughts: [Seeing this irritates me. If you don't take her things and get out of Yikun Palace immediately, I'll punish you along with her!] "Today, this concubine acted rashly. I hope Your Highness will take care of your health and not be angry with me." This was Shen Meizhuang's first failed attempt to build a connection between Zhen Huan and Consort Hua. The same news reached Jingren Palace, where Jiang Fuhai reported that a new Zhi Shi Gong Nv had been assigned to Suiyu Pavilion. "Was she not sent by the Imperial Household Department?" The Empress set down the book in her hand, pondered for a moment, and asked, "Is it Fangruo?" Jiang Fuhai replied, "Your Highness is most wise." "How could it be her?" Jian Qiu frowned. "Wasn't Fangruo originally in service to..." She trailed off, referring to Empress Chunyuan. "In this harem, every woman can be a person, but Fangruo is a relic." The Empress smiled faintly and picked up her book again. "All of my sister's lifeless possessions are stored in my treasury. Only this living one remains by the Emperor's side." Jian Qiu dismissed Jiang Fuhai, leaving only the mistress and servant in the hall. Lowering her voice, Jian Qiu asked: "Could it be that by this move, the Emperor has completely taken this Wan Chang Zai as a substitute for Empress Chunyuan?" "Isn't it a good thing for her to die as soon as she gains favor?" The Empress meant that in the Emperor's eyes, Zhen Huan was already gone, leaving only Rouze. Jian Qiu hesitated, "Your Highness, there is something I'm not sure if I should say?" "Why be so formal in front of me?" "Back then, the Emperor promised to elevate you to the position of principal wife once you gave birth to the Eldest Prince. But as soon as the Eldest Miss entered the palace, she took your place as principal wife. Now, another one like her has appeared, and the Emperor has even given Fangruo to her directly. Could it be..." Could it be that one day, even the Empress's throne might be given to Zhen Huan because of Chunyuan? The Empress's hand, turning the page, paused: Cui Jinxi is far less capable than Fangruo. Could it be that the changes made back then have instead caused Zhen Huan to move toward something even greater... She shook her head again, "No, the Empress Dowager would never allow the Empress's throne to fall into the hands of anyone outside the Ulanara clan." "But the Empress Dowager clearly knew that Noble Lady Wan resembled Empress Chunyuan and understood the Emperor's feelings for her, yet she still insisted on having Noble Lady Wan enter the palace." Yes, it was the Empress Dowager who allowed Zhen Huan into the palace, not the Emperor. Wait, how could it not be the Emperor? The Empress's mind grew muddled: "Noble Lady Wan..." Jian Qiu corrected her, "Your Highness, it's Attendant, Wan Chang Zai." "Wan Chang Zai?" "Yes, she has not yet attended the Emperor. According to ancestral regulations, she cannot be promoted. The Emperor only gave her a title of nobility." "A title of nobility?" The Empress remembered Consort Hua saying that in the previous life, Zhen Huan was given the title "Wan" as soon as she entered the palace. In this life, Consort Hua had specifically mentioned this title. Why did the Emperor ultimately not give it to her? After all, during the Palace Selection, he had clearly seen Zhen Huan's appearance. If he loved her so deeply and saw her as a substitute, why did he change his mind? And why did he send Zhen Huan to Suiyu Pavilion? Was he afraid of something? Questions flooded her mind one after another. The Empress's heart raced, and an even more terrifying thought emerged in her mind.