Chapter 71

Chapter 71: Going to Tangquan Palace Together The character "Wan," which shared the same pronunciation as Chunyuan, and the constant stream of rewards. Though she was ill and not fit to attend the Emperor, he never forgot to visit her. Not only did he transfer Fangruo to Suiyu Pavilion, but he also intended to take her to Tangquan Palace for a bath. He only mentioned bringing Zhen Huan right before departure, clearly afraid that announcing it earlier might stir gossip and hinder his plans. If the Empress were tactless and accompanied them to the temporary palace, bathing in the Qingluan Hot Spring would still not hinder him. But the Empress was precisely the tactful and considerate type, someone who would genuinely accommodate him. As the Empress Dowager was thinking this, the Empress, as expected, spoke considerately: "Jian Qiu, go and tell the Emperor that This Consort is feeling somewhat unwell and will not accompany His Majesty to the temporary palace." "Yes, Empress." "Wait!" The Empress Dowager was displeased. "If you don’t go, and the Emperor takes a mere Attendant to the temporary palace, won’t people criticize him for being foolish?" "The Emperor is concerned about the crowded palace and specifically brought her..." The Empress glanced at the Empress Dowager, hesitating to speak further. "Since the Emperor is fond of her, why should Your child subject displease him?" "Does fondness justify reckless behavior?" The Northwest Campaign was tense. Even if they needed to suppress Consort Hua, they couldn’t demoralize the soldiers at such a time. Moreover, for an emperor to take a low-ranking Attendant alone to the temporary palace for a bath—what would the court officials think if they found out? And how would the women in the rear palace react? The Empress Dowager felt the Empress had overstepped. "The rear palace can have those who share favor, but there must not be another who monopolizes it!" Sun Zhuxi, gauging her superior’s intent, said, "Empress Dowager, your health is frail, and bathing in the hot springs would be beneficial. Why not take this opportunity to go together? With the Emperor and the Empress accompanying you, it would be seen as an act of filial piety." "Go and deliver the decree." "Yes, Empress Dowager." "Then Your child subject will return to the palace to prepare." The awkwardness on the Empress’s face from the reprimand melted away the moment she stepped out of Shoukang Palace. Her goal had been achieved. Yikun Palace Although new favorites emerged constantly in the rear palace, and the Emperor hadn’t visited Yikun Palace for several days, no one dared to neglect Consort Hua. The Flower House sent over the finest blooms, filling the courtyard with a riot of colors that even the Imperial Garden couldn’t match. Since the Empress had gone to Shoukang Palace early in the morning and excused the consorts from paying respects, the imperial consorts and concubines gathered at Consort Hua’s place. The weather was fine, so everyone enjoyed the flowers in the courtyard. [In my past life, I had to look at a couple of shabby flowers in the Empress’s palace, only to be mocked to my face by that wretch Zhen Huan, saying the peonies I liked were alluring but lacked grace.] Shen Meizhuang paused slightly: Huan’er was truly daring with her words. [I think she has plenty of grace. When she didn’t want to receive favor, she was in the inner hall with a physician, crying pitifully: "Brother Shichu, Huan’er is scared."] Shen Meizhuang was not a romantic person by nature. Hearing Consort Hua’s inner mimicry, she couldn’t help but shudder. An Lingrong also hadn’t expected the Sister Zhen she knew to be like this in private and couldn’t help but shudder as well. [But when it was time to receive favor, it became: "Lord Wen, last time, whether to use medicine was your choice and mine. This time, to recover without a trace—you have no choice, and neither do I."] [How shameless!] Nian Shilan, who had just been speaking softly, suddenly turned fierce, coinciding with Princess Shuhe and Noble Lady Chun making some noise while playing. An Lingrong was so startled she lost her grip: Oh no. Shen Meizhuang turned around, her expression perfectly composed, and spoke with dignified grace: "The peonies are also perceptive, knowing they are Your Ladyship's favorite, so they bloomed especially early this year." An Lingrong wanted to cry: Her Ladyship just said these were her favorite peonies. And she had broken one off—what should she do now? Cao Qinmo, holding Wen Yi, seized the opportunity to say, "The earth's energy here at Consort Hua's palace is excellent, and the flowers bloom beautifully." Noble Lady Xin spoke quickly, "What earth's energy? Clearly, it's Her Ladyship's good fortune." An Lingrong wanted to let go, but if she did, the flower would not stand upright— The stem was broken. "Attendant An! How dare you!" Consort Li had long disliked these newcomers and finally found an opportunity. With her words, she drew everyone's attention. "What happened?" Nian Shilan frowned slightly, "What are you shouting about?" [Has Consort Li gone mad even before entering the Cold Palace? She startled This Consort!] Consort Li grabbed An Lingrong's hand and complained, "Reporting to Consort Hua, Your subject consort noticed Attendant An acting suspiciously earlier. Who would have thought she would secretly pick Your Ladyship's favorite peony?" An Lingrong quickly knelt down, "Your Ladyship, forgive me. This concubine... this concubine did not mean to." "Today you say you didn't mean to and pick Her Ladyship's favorite flower. Tomorrow, if you didn't mean to, could you climb over Her Ladyship's head?" "Consort Li!" [How presumptuous! With Little Bird trembling like this, could she possibly climb over This Consort's head? Is This Consort someone easy to ride?] Nian Shilan shot her a sharp look, "Do not lose your dignity over a mere flower!" "Over a mere flower? Your subject consort must say something inappropriate..." Cao Qinmo, sharp-eyed, noticed that Consort Hua was in a good mood today and unwilling to make a fuss. She tugged at Consort Li's sleeve and whispered, "Sister Consort Li, this is Yikun Palace." This was Yikun Palace, not Jingren Palace. Causing trouble in front of the Empress was one thing, but saying inappropriate things in front of Consort Hua—Consort Hua would not be lenient with you. Having followed Consort Hua for many years, Consort Li naturally understood. However, she had not expected Consort Hua to let An Lingrong off so easily and still felt resentful. "It's just a flower. If you like it, take it back." Nian Shilan gave a look, signaling that the fallen flower be given to An Lingrong. It was said that Songzhi was the most opportunistic, but in truth, she was simple: those her mistress disliked, even if they were the Empress's people, she dared to disregard; those her mistress liked, even if they were mere servants, she would respect. "Please rise, Mistress," Songzhi said. Upon hearing this, Bao Zhen helped her mistress up. An Lingrong held the flower with both hands, looking overwhelmed with gratitude: "Consort Hua, this concubine..." [No matter how much I like it, flowers will eventually wither.] [This Consort no longer cares even for the Emperor, let alone a single flower.] [In the end, nothing in this palace will truly belong to This Consort, nor is anything worth This Consort cherishing.] Nian Shilan gazed at the flower in An Lingrong's hands, "People are like flowers, and flowers are like people. Rather than leaving them for those who cannot appreciate them, it is better for them to follow those who love them, so they do not come into this world in vain." An Lingrong held the flower: Follow those who love them... Cao Qinmo quickly changed the subject, "This concubine heard that this afternoon, the Emperor and Empress will depart for the Changping Hot Spring Resort Palace." Noble Lady Xin wore a mischievous smile, pinching her handkerchief to tap Cao Qinmo's arm. "If he only takes the Empress, perhaps she'll come back with a little prince." "Sister Xin, you really should talk less with that mouth of yours." [The Emperor isn't taking just the Empress—he's taking Zhen Huan alone.] [When other consorts attend the Emperor, they're carried over. Only that wretched woman is different—the Emperor wants to bathe with her like mandarin ducks.] [When Little Bird was nervous and afraid, the Dog Emperor looked down on her a hundred times over and had her carried out untouched. But when that wretched woman Zhen Huan was nervous and afraid, he said: "It's always been this way—consorts are afraid during their first time attending the Emperor."] [Hmph!] [In all of Great Qing, there's no one more hypocritical than him!] An Lingrong was still thinking about Consort Hua's words, "people are like flowers, and flowers are like people," when she heard Her Ladyship inwardly speaking up for her injustice. Her heart swelled with warmth beyond measure. Zhou Ninghai came in from outside, cheerfully bowing. "Your Ladyship, word just came from outside. You're to prepare and follow the Imperial Carriage to Tangquan Imperial Travel Palace this afternoon." Nian Shilan: "?" "What did you say?"