Chapter 75

Chapter 75: Consort Hua Is Not Easily Appeased Red candles burning high, pepper mud plastered walls, scattering bed and raw dumplings... aside from this pair of ordinary red candles, she had prepared none of these. Even after being taken out of the palace by the Emperor, could she not escape the fate of her past life? Lying beside the Emperor, Zhen Huan’s thoughts raced, yet she dared not turn over. After much internal struggle, she finally decided to follow Consort Hua’s advice, rise from the bed, and trim the candle wick with scissors. The Emperor pretended not to notice and said nothing. Since he said nothing, there was no discussion of growing old together, no talk of folk wedding customs. And thus, there could be no subsequent Pepper Chamber favor or scattering bed and raw dumplings. According to palace regulations, imperial consorts and concubines must pay their respects at the Central Palace the day after attending the Emperor. In her past life, Zhen Huan had been at the Traveling Palace and could not follow the rules. This time, with the Empress Dowager also present, this ritual could not be avoided. Naturally, a low-ranking Attendant like her was not yet qualified to be summoned by the Empress Dowager at this time. While Zhen Huan was performing the three kneelings and nine kowtows for the Empress, the Emperor went to see the Empress Dowager. The Empress Dowager’s purpose in bringing Consort Hua this time was to prevent the Emperor from neglecting her, so she naturally took the opportunity to subtly remind him. Zhen Huan had originally planned to see Consort Hua after paying respects to the Empress, but the Emperor had already gone ahead. She feared that entering at this moment would cause Consort Hua to misunderstand again, thinking she had deliberately come to compete for the Emperor’s attention, which would only make things worse. Unexpectedly, this delay meant that throughout the entire stay at the Traveling Palace, Zhen Huan never managed to see Consort Hua as she wished— The Emperor was either seeing Zhen Huan or visiting Consort Hua. During the remaining time, Consort Hua was either paying respects to the two Empresses or soaking alone in the hot spring, forbidding anyone to disturb her. “If I had known that the day after attending the Emperor was the only opportunity, I would have insisted on going in to pay respects to Consort Hua.” Upon returning from the Traveling Palace, Zhen Huan held Shen Meizhuang’s hand and said, “Sister, you must help me.” “Such a good opportunity, and you failed to seize it.” Shen Meizhuang sighed. “It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but last time I helped you deliver something, Consort Hua became suspicious of me as well.” Shen Meizhuang recalled that before going to the Traveling Palace, while admiring flowers at Yikun Palace, Consort Hua had pondered how the Emperor treated Zhen Huan and An Lingrong differently regarding the same matter. Perhaps Huan’er truly was unique in the Emperor’s heart. She comforted her, saying, “Actually, the Emperor favors you now…” Zhen Huan immediately interrupted her, “The Emperor does not favor me.” Even though Shen Meizhuang was clear-headed and rational, unwilling to speak for the Emperor or let Zhen Huan fall deeper into this, Zhen Huan’s words were somewhat twisting the truth. “Others are carried to attend the Emperor, but you were accompanied by the Emperor himself. And there’s Aunt Fangruo—she serves In Front of the Emperor. Isn’t that Imperial Favor?” “Sister, I don’t want to hide it from you.” Yet Zhen Huan was still hiding the truth from Shen Meizhuang. She rephrased what she had heard from Consort Hua’s thoughts: “During this trip to the Traveling Palace, while strolling in the small garden, I accidentally overheard the Empress Dowager and the Empress chatting, saying that I…” “Saying what about you?” “Saying that I resemble the late Empress Chunyuan, and that the Emperor is merely seeing his old love through me.” To others, this might be an honor, but to the proud Zhen Huan, it was not. Outside the window, Fangruo was instructing the maids of Suiyu Pavilion. When Zhen Huan first entered the palace, she had suspected that Fangruo had relayed what was said during the training period to Consort Hua. She had been unwilling to believe it then, but now she knew about this matter of being a substitute. Lowering her voice, she said, “I suspect that Fangruo once served Empress Chunyuan.” "So it seems he completely mistook you for someone else?" Shen Meizhuang, being a proud person herself, could understand this sentiment. "No wonder he pretended to be Prince Guo to meet you." Zhen Huan nodded. "Since things have come to this, you can no longer avoid receiving favor. As for Consort Hua, I will think of more ways to help you, but you must also keep a low profile yourself." Zhen Huan took a deep breath. "I understand. A tower built on floating clouds is ultimately unstable." In the evening, Chief Eunuch Xu Jinliang of the Jing Shi Fang brought the plaques to the Hall of Mental Cultivation. The Emperor glanced at them and was about to flip one when he noticed the person he wanted was missing. "Where is Wan Chang Zai's plaque?" Xu Jinliang replied, "Your Majesty, after noon, someone from Suiyu Pavilion sent word that Wan Chang Zai has started her monthly courses. Her Green Head Plaque has already been hung up." "Oh~" Having just returned to the palace, no longer under the Empress Dowager's watchful eye, he hadn't expected her to have her monthly affairs again. Though disappointed, the Emperor was willing to be understanding. "She has always been frail; the fatigue of travel must have affected her. She should rest well." "Then tonight, Your Majesty..." The Emperor raised a hand. Xu Jinliang understood his meaning and left with the tray. Upon exiting the Hall of Mental Cultivation, he saw Sun Miaoqing approaching and bowed to her. During the Emperor's absence from the palace these past few days, Sun Miaoqing had reflected deeply. She had gained imperial favor because she dared to distance herself from the Nian Family and become his pawn. But now, with the Nian Family's power growing, if she continued openly opposing Consort Hua, she would only make things difficult for the Emperor. That day by the swing, with the Emperor's intelligence, he couldn't have failed to see through Yu Ying'er's clumsy framing attempt. Sun Miaoqing believed the Emperor was most likely angered by her recent recklessness and lack of restraint. His punishment was due to his high expectations of her and his disappointment; it was a deliberate warning. Otherwise, when the Empress Dowager ordered her confinement, the Emperor wouldn't have specifically flipped her plaque to comfort her. Sun Miaoqing was filled with regret for making such a mistake at this critical time. Otherwise, she would have been the one going to the Tangquan Imperial Travel Palace, not Zhen Huan. Now that the Emperor had returned, she was determined to win back his favor no matter what. Otherwise, if Zhen Huan, the true female lead, returned to her destined path, Sun Miaoqing's own opportunities would truly become slim. Imperial favor was her greatest, and only, support in this harem. Sun Miaoqing knew how important those serving in front of the Emperor were. Not only had she never offended Xiao Xiazi, but every time he visited, she gave generous rewards. Thus, when she came, Xiao Xiazi naturally announced her. Xiao Xiazi went in and came out, saying politely, "Mistress, His Majesty invites you in." Since Zhen Huan had already gained favor through the flute, Sun Miaoqing didn't want to use the flute. Carrying a pipa, she entered the Hall of Mental Cultivation and sang from dusk until the moon rose. The Emperor, unable to bear sending her away, let her stay the night. In her previous life, after returning from the Traveling Palace, Zhen Huan enjoyed exclusive favor for seven days. This time, Sun Miaoqing used the same trick again, applying lip rouge to seize those seven days of imperial favor. Not only that, Sun Miaoqing proactively went to Yikun Palace to apologize to Nian Shilan, adopting a humble attitude and sincerely seeking friendship. She also sent copied scriptures to Shoukang Palace, striving to please the Empress Dowager. Seeing her sensible, the Emperor restored her title of nobility and rank, as well as her right to learn to assist in managing the Six Palaces affairs. He also lifted her confinement. Sun Miaoqing once again became the most favored among the new consorts. But that wasn't all. She remembered that after Zhen Huan received favor, she was late once and faced ridicule from everyone. To avoid repeating that mistake, no matter how tired she was, she woke up three quarters of an hour early and arrived at Jingren Palace well in advance. It is clear how much Sun Miaoqing has grown from this punishment. But Consort Hua's temperament is not something she can oppose or flatter at will. The feud has already been formed. Since she intended to join the Emperor in dealing with the Nian Family, Nian Shilan would never let her off.