Chapter 76

Chapter 76: Zhen Huan Extends Another Olive Branch "This Changzai Gong is truly well-mannered~" Consort Qi praised to Consort Li beside her: "Although she enjoys the Emperor's great favor, she shows no arrogance whatsoever. She serves the Empress diligently and is very respectful to us elder sisters." Consort Li glanced sideways at Sun Miaoqing. Noble Lady Shen and Attendant An often visited Yikun Palace, so she couldn't say anything about them, but a mere Sun Clan—couldn't she criticize her? "Among all the sisters present, who hasn't enjoyed favor before? She's just a mere Attendant, favored for a few days—how arrogant could she possibly be?" Sun Miaoqing showed no displeasure on her face and replied humbly: "Sister Consort Qi praises me too highly; this concubine dares not accept such praise. It is all due to the Empress's excellent guidance. Although I am foolish, by following behind all you elder sisters and learning through observation, I have managed to grasp a little." Her words attributed her good manners entirely to the Empress, implicitly praising the Imperial consorts and concubines of higher rank than herself. She strove to lower her own status as much as possible. "Look, look, no wonder the Emperor likes her." Consort Qi was very pleased, as if Sun Miaoqing's current demeanor was entirely her own teaching. Noble Lady Fucha had always been on good terms with Consort Qi. Since Consort Qi liked her, she naturally had to lend support. "Sister Consort Li, you are mistaken. Sister Gong is not favored for just a few days. When we newcomers first entered the palace, Sister Gong enjoyed consecutive days of favor. Now, she has enjoyed exclusive favor for seven days. I wonder, Sister Consort Li, when was the last time you saw the Emperor?" Sun Miaoqing's expression remained unchanged, but inwardly she was overjoyed. Daring to confront Consort Hua directly, daring to strike the female lead on Long Street—truly worthy of being from the Fucha family, she's different indeed. In the harem, one always needs someone to lend support. Unable to win over the main protagonist group, Sun Miaoqing deliberately grew closer to these two. She didn't expect these two to help her secure her future, but at least in situations with many people like this, they could speak a few words on her behalf. At the very least, she wouldn't be isolated and helpless like last time when she was punished in Shen Meizhuang's place. Nian Shilan arrived fashionably late. Hearing a sentence or two at the entrance, she snorted: [Seized the initiative, gained the advantage, yet in the end chose to challenge the gods and wallow with pigs.] [Fu Yibiao, Qi Erha, and now adding a Sun Sancun who can't even deal with Yu Ying'er—truly birds of a feather flock together!] Consort Hua was indeed a very interesting person. Zhen Huan covered the corner of her mouth with a handkerchief, afraid someone might notice her smile. [How lively today, even that bitch is here.] ...Bitch. Zhen Huan put down the handkerchief. No need to hide it; the corners of her mouth simply wouldn't stay down. [It seems Sun Miaoqing's false Imperial Favor should be coming to an end.] After the Empress arrived, she mentioned that the Tibetan Lama Master had sent several blessed "Ten Thousand Character Longevity" cotton quilts. Since Sun Miaoqing and Zhen Huan were favored, each was granted one. Wishing them an early conception of a prince. ["Ten Thousand Character Longevity" quilts? Who knows how much She Xiang is hidden inside.] [Forget whether they have the fortune to bear a prince; once the Empress's "childless, heirless quilts" are sent over, even if they could conceive, they wouldn't be able to give birth.] Childless, heirless quilts... The Empress inwardly shook her head. Did Consort Hua take her for Consort Qi? To send a quilt containing She Xiang in front of so many people—was she mad? Sun Miaoqing and Zhen Huan rose from their seats and thanked in unison. "Thank you, Empress." "Indeed! Once she gives birth to a prince in the future, Sister Gong will be able to stand on equal footing with Consort Qi." Consort Qi, still smarting from Consort Hua's earlier barrage of insults about her age, lack of favor, and unflattering attire, had no desire to confront her directly. She merely rolled her eyes twice and kept her mouth shut. Consort Li, sitting beside her, chimed in, "Consort Qi is still blessed with good fortune. Let's hope she doesn't end up like Fourth Prince's mother, who was so unlucky she never even got to lay eyes on her own son..." "Why bring up Fourth Prince out of the blue?" Fourth Prince was a taboo subject in the palace, and the Empress felt compelled to remind everyone, lest word reach the Emperor's ears and provoke his wrath, which would only lead to accusations of her incompetence as Empress. He already had a substitute for Rouze and could even hear Consort Hua's inner thoughts— On the night Zhen Huan received favor at Tangquan Palace, Consort Hua had remarked that in her previous life, the Emperor had taken Zhen Huan away as soon as he arrived, but this time he lingered. He probably wasn't next door admiring the beauty bathing but was eavesdropping instead. Fearing a repeat of past mistakes, he dared not bestow the Pepper Chamber favor upon returning to the palace. To prevent any mishaps, he had sent Fangruo to serve her. If everything remained under his control, today he could marry his deceased wife, and tomorrow he might change Zhen Huan's surname, elevate her status, and seize her own position as Empress. The Empress now had to be more cautious than ever. "Are imperial princes topics for casual discussion?" Before she could finish her reprimand, Nian Shilan silently responded in her mind. Fourth Prince's birth mother may have been unlucky, but Fourth Prince himself is blessed. He will become Emperor one day! The future Emperor was actually Fourth Prince!!! Consort Jing gasped in shock, forgetting to exhale. The Empress had long known that Zhen Huan would become Empress Dowager, which meant Third Prince had no hope of ascending the throne. But she never expected it would be Fourth Prince, who was raised in Yuanmingyuan. Fourth Prince... Zhen Huan as Empress Dowager... It seemed Fourth Prince's birth mother was unlucky, but his adoptive mother was extraordinarily fortunate. The Empress casually glanced around, her gaze lingering on Zhen Huan for a moment longer. Would the Emperor elevate her status in the future? But Fourth Prince was not much younger than her. How could he address Zhen Huan as his mother? For her sake, the Emperor had become so deluded as to disregard court criticism. The future was truly going to be fascinating. Sister, oh sister, you really are something. You accomplished little in life, but even in death, you refuse to let anyone rest easy. In her previous life, she had indeed been too fixated on short-term gains, rushing to deal with Consort Hua only to invite a wolf into the house. "Alright, everyone has paid their respects today. You may all leave now." The Empress rose and departed. She had always appeared serene and composed in public, rarely displaying such visible emotion. Nian Shilan slowly stood up, watching the Empress's retreating figure with a thoughtful gaze, though no inner thoughts surfaced. "Why did you have to bring up Fourth Prince out of nowhere?" Consort Qi nudged Consort Li's arm. "You've angered her, haven't you?" "If she gets angry, it's her own health that suffers. What are you afraid of?" Nian Shilan turned her head to glance at Consort Qi, snorted, and walked away. A faint smile touched Consort Li's lips: In front of others, Consort Hua was still willing to protect her. She also glanced at Consort Qi, a hint of smugness in her eyes, before quickly following Consort Hua. Seeing Consort Qi repeatedly slighted, Sun Miaoqing immediately stepped forward, affectionately calling out "Sister Consort Qi," and together with Noble Lady Fucha, escorted Consort Qi back to her palace. After leaving Jingren Palace, Zhen Huan pulled Shen Meizhuang aside and asked, "Who is Fourth Prince? Who is his birth mother? Why did mentioning them upset the Empress so much?" "I'm not entirely sure either." Shen Meizhuang glanced back and patted Zhen Huan's hand. "Let's ask Consort Hua." "But Consort Hua refuses to see me..." "If she doesn't wish to meet you alone, do you think she would have Zhou Ninghai knock you out and discard you in public if you insisted on delivering it?" Shen Meizhuang gave a meaningful glance, and Zhen Huan immediately understood. The two stood by the roadside, and upon seeing Consort Hua and Consort Li approaching from afar, they crouched down and said loudly: "Concubine pays respects to Consort Hua, pays respects to Consort Li."