Chapter 72

Chapter 72: Bathing Together in Qingluan Hot Spring Before Zhou Ninghai could repeat himself, the imperial consorts and concubines took their leave first. "Congratulations, Your Highness. We concubines will not disturb Your Highness's preparations and will take our leave now." As the consorts and concubines departed, An Lingrong intentionally slowed her pace, falling to the very back. When she reached the palace gate, she turned sideways and looked back at Consort Hua standing amidst the flowers. Carefully, she held the peony blossom close to her chest. Zhou Ninghai explained, "Just now, Aunt Zhuxi from Shoukang Palace came in person, saying she was conveying Empress Dowager's decree, ordering you to accompany His Majesty to Tangquan Palace—Miss Songzhi, hurry and prepare!" "Yes, this servant will immediately have people make preparations." Songzhi glanced at her mistress and happily led others to pack. "Empress Dowager's decree? So Empress Dowager is going too?" "Yes, Your Highness." "Why would Empress Dowager go?" Although Empress Dowager didn't openly oppose her, she clearly disliked her. Her brother's troubles also had something to do with this mother's whispers in the emperor's ear. Nian Shilan thought it over and realized it was probably about the Northwest Campaign. These royal family members loved to claim they acted for the greater good. "This servant doesn't know," Zhou Ninghai replied truthfully. "But this servant heard that Empress recently left Shoukang Palace not long ago." Empress? Nian Shilan remembered Empress from this day in her previous life—she should have been in her own Jingren Palace, waiting for Jian Qiu to report. She had claimed to be unwell and unable to accompany them. For this, Qi Erha had praised her while taking the opportunity to criticize Nian Shilan. So why did she go to Shoukang Palace in this life? Once suspicion arose, all kinds of coincidences and misfortunes flooded her mind. Nian Shilan realized many things were amiss. If Sun Miaoqing changed her fate through her own efforts after being reborn, affecting many subsequent events, then what about Cui Jinxi? Sun Miaoqing hadn't even entered the palace yet, but Cui Jinxi had already left. And what about that Xiao Yunzi? Why did he change locations? During the New Year's Eve family banquet, why did Empress move her table next to the emperor's? Why did she drag her to Yimei Yuan? On the day the emperor and Zhen Huan were on the swing, when This Consort went to eavesdrop, why did Empress happen to appear? If Empress was also reborn, many things should have changed before she even thought of them. Yet what lay before her eyes seemed to have occurred only after she had considered them. As the carriage set off, the questions Nian Shilan couldn't answer grew more numerous. "Songzhi?" "This servant is here," Songzhi leaned closer. "Does Your Highness want water or some snacks?" "Tell me, can one person see through another's thoughts?" "See through? As in, whatever Your Highness thinks, others can know?" Nian Shilan nodded, though even she found this idea absurd. "How well would one have to know someone to see through them?" Songzhi pondered seriously. "This servant has followed Your Highness since childhood. Presumably, no one understands Your Highness better than this servant. Yet even this servant wouldn't dare claim to see through Your Highness. Who could completely see through Your Highness's thoughts?" "Then... could there be a kind of..." Should she call it magic? Sorcery? Or some special ability? Nian Shilan didn't know. "Something that doesn't require understanding, but allows one to directly hear This Consort's inner thoughts?" "Hear thoughts?" Songzhi had never heard of such a thing. She shook her head blankly, then said confidently, "If such a thing existed, this servant should have it, right? One must be wholly devoted to Your Highness to qualify, no? Otherwise, it wouldn't be fair." Songzhi felt that she and her mistress were the closest in the world. Such a wonderful ability was something only she deserved to possess. “This servant observes that even the Emperor in the palace is not wholeheartedly devoted to you, Mistress. As for others... at most, Zhou Ninghai might be, but beyond that, no one else.” Her mistress had a fiery temper and often spoke words that bordered on treason. When her anger flared, who knew what inappropriate thoughts might cross her mind? If others were to find out, wouldn’t her mistress be in great trouble? Nian Shilan rested her chin on her hand, gazing at the shifting scenery outside the window. What Songzhi could think of, she could think of as well. That old woman, the Empress, was deeply cunning. Given the chance, she would eagerly seize the opportunity to destroy This Consort. If she could hear This Consort’s innermost thoughts, she would surely use this ability to uncover This Consort’s weaknesses and eliminate her long ago. How could she have allowed This Consort to survive until today? However, if she knew that she had invited a wolf into her own house, and that the one who ultimately harmed her was Zhen Huan, not This Consort, would she perhaps try to show goodwill and ally with This Consort to deal with Zhen Huan? “Showing goodwill...” If she wanted to show goodwill, why not speak directly to This Consort? It was puzzling. Nian Shilan shook her head. “It’s truly a headache.” “If it’s a headache, then don’t think about it. What matters most is Your Ladyship’s happiness.” Songzhi massaged Nian Shilan’s temples. “Your Ladyship has just recovered from a serious illness. Soaking in the hot springs to dispel the lingering sickness is most suitable.” “Hmph.” These words sounded familiar. Huanbi had also said that Zhen Huan’s weak constitution made soaking in the hot springs most suitable for her. The Qingluan Hot Spring and the Bifeng Tang were not in the same location, but within the Qingluan Hot Spring, there were several smaller pools separated by walls. As the highest-ranking among the imperial consorts and concubines, Nian Shilan naturally occupied the largest pool in the Qingluan Hot Spring. Songzhi helped her remove her hairpins and ornaments, gently tying up her long hair before assisting her into the pool. The entire hall was enveloped in white mist, making the candlelight appear hazy and dreamy. Without the adornment of gold and jade, Consort Hua appeared serene and elegant, exuding a unique charm. [Weak constitution is suitable for soaking in hot springs?] [The feng shui of the Forbidden City truly nurtures people, nurturing these beauties until they become frail and delicate, all weakened.] [Today, it shouldn’t have been just This Consort coming. Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong should have been brought along as well.] [No, Consort Li and Noble Lady Xin would be even better. They talk a lot and have no filter, daring to say anything. If they came, it would surely be lively.] [Ah, what a pity.] Just as Nian Shilan was feeling regretful in her heart, she sensed movement in the water and slowly opened her eyes. She hadn’t expected to see what she saw, and it startled her. “Empress? What are you doing here?” [Old woman! Could it be that she wants to take advantage of This Consort being undressed to plot against me?] Empress: “...” What is she afraid of? With her physique, could This Empress possibly defeat her or something? Nian Shilan’s eyes were filled with “How dare you think of fighting This Consort?” To avoid her approach, she leaned against the opposite stone wall and called out, “Song—” “Consort Hua seems very afraid of This Empress?” The Empress, wearing a thin gauze robe, stepped into the pool and sat opposite Nian Shilan, leaning against the wall. [Afraid of you? This Consort is the sister of a great general, not some delicate Eldest Miss!] “Your Majesty overestimates. Your subject consort is merely concerned that Your Majesty, being of advanced age, might not withstand the heat and faint in the pool. If something were to happen, others might think it was Your subject consort’s doing.” Advanced age... The words spoken were indeed quite tactful. “This Empress has long been ill and physically weak, so This Empress must trouble Consort Hua to take good care of me.” 【Old woman! I knew you were up to no good. All this trouble just so I could serve you, is that it?】 【Believe it or not, I could push you into the water and end your life right here!】 To be honest, the Empress believed she was capable of doing just that. "The Empress Dowager is bathing in the Bifeng Tang, so it would be inconvenient for This Consort to disturb her. That’s why I came here. I originally intended to send someone to inform you, Consort Hua, but you had already arrived. Moving now would likely disturb the Emperor. Since we are all sisters here, let’s just make do with this arrangement." The Empress was reminding her that Zhen Huan and the Emperor would soon arrive next door, urging her to behave. Nian Shilan rolled her eyes. 【Do I have to thank you for this?】 Given the Empress’s higher rank, Jian Qiu and Huichun added several plates of sliced fruit, pastries, and tea to the poolside platform before withdrawing. 【But her timing is perfect! Just right to test whether she can hear my Xinsheng.】 "!" The moment the Empress sat down, her mind went on high alert.