Chapter 334

Chapter 334 "You knew I had a purpose in sending you to the pavilion, and you knew even more that Lady An was scheming against you—yet you still went. Why?" Consort Wen said softly, "Because you are my sister. I believe you would never harm me..." Back in the Xia Dynasty's harem, the two sisters—Consort Wen and the Empress—had not had an easy time. Through it all, the Empress had always protected Consort Wen. Consort Wen might not trust anyone else in this world, but the Empress was the one exception. The Empress said coolly, "Then remember those words always." With that, the Empress waved her hand, signaling for Consort Wen to be taken away, a trace of weariness showing on her face. Tinghe and Nanny Li both felt a pang of heartache but dared not say a word. That evening, Xie Run had trouble sleeping. Her injuries were not severe, but she had indeed gained a gash, and no matter how she positioned herself, it hurt. She had barely turned over twice when she disturbed the Emperor beside her. The Emperor: "Does the wound pain you?" Xie Run: "A little." In truth, Xie Run was also unaccustomed to sleeping in Zichen Hall. Everyone attending to her here, inside and out, were the Emperor's people, so she could not be too casual. To outsiders, it seemed the greatest honor; to Xie Run, it was somewhat difficult to adapt. The Emperor rose for a moment, then had someone summon the imperial physician. Xie Run was somewhat surprised. "Didn't you say that Mafei San couldn't be used to relieve the pain?" The imperial physician quickly replied, "Reporting to Your Ladyship, Mafei San only numbs the pain temporarily, and it also harms the body afterward. His Majesty summoned me here to relieve Your Ladyship's pain through acupuncture." "May I trouble Your Ladyship to extend your hand." Xie Run extended her hand and let the imperial physician take her pulse. The Emperor, still in his nightclothes, sat down by the bed and even carefully helped Xie Run sit up, letting her lean against his chest. The imperial physician dared not raise his head, but inwardly he marveled at Consort Zhaode's favor. Even the Emperor himself was personally attending to Consort Zhaode. After the imperial physician inserted a few needles, the pain truly did lessen. Xie Run broke into a smile and, with a wave of her hand, rewarded the imperial physician generously. She leaned against the Emperor's chest and said softly, "Your Majesty, please go to sleep first. You still have morning court tomorrow, and I fear your body won't hold up." "I know." The Emperor acknowledged her words but made no move. After the acupuncture, Xie Run grew drowsy and gradually fell asleep leaning against the Emperor. When she opened her eyes the next morning, the sun was already high in the sky. No need to pay respects to the Empress, no need to tend to the children—she could only lie in bed and stare at the ceiling. Xie Run found it rather dull. Xiaoshu had gone out to gather information and leaned close to whisper in her ear, "I made inquiries all around. Many people are indeed discussing your assassination, but no one knows the assassin was the Xia Dynasty envoy." "However, yesterday Consort Wen and Lady An rushed to Fengyi Palace upon hearing the news to plead for mercy. Lady An, for some reason, remained in Fengyi Palace." "Did you learn anything about military movements at court?" Xiaoshu paused. "News of that sort wouldn't reach the harem unless it was causing an uproar at court. I didn't manage to hear even a hint." Xie Run fell silent, with no clear leads for the moment. "Never mind. We'll take things one step at a time." Seeing the hint of worry between Xie Run's brows, Xiaoshu asked, "Your Ladyship, shall I have someone bring the Fifth Prince over for you to see?" Xie Run shook her head. "I am severely injured right now—how could I manage to look after a child? Besides, the air here is heavy with blood, and I fear it would frighten him." Xiaoshu said no more, only occasionally keeping Xie Run company in conversation along with Dantao. After court, the Emperor returned to Zichen Hall to visit Xie Run and even shared breakfast with her before heading to the imperial study to see his ministers. Xie Run was just pondering whether to do some light exercise by the bed when someone suddenly delivered news. "Your Ladyship, something terrible has happened." Dantao was supporting Xie Run as she stood in place, and Xie Run asked from behind the curtain, "What's all the panic? Speak slowly." "The Sixth Prince of Xia killed Lady An. He has already been thrown into prison. His Majesty said that Xia first sent an assassin, then sent someone to murder a consort of Yu, seeking to sever diplomatic ties between the two nations. He has now ordered military action against Xia." After hearing this, the weight in Xie Run's heart finally lifted. She could finally see a bit more clearly the game the Emperor was playing. "I understand. You may go." "Yes!" Xie Run sat on the bed. "I wonder what the Empress did. Lady An was kept in Fengyi Palace by the Empress, and then suddenly she was killed by the Sixth Prince of Xia?" The Sixth Prince of Xia killing Lady An—it was both a brother murdering his own sister and a Xia prince murdering a consort of Yu, insulting Yu's dignity. Such an incident occurring within the Yu imperial palace was practically handing the Emperor a pretext to dispatch troops. Now, combined with the assassination attempt, even if the court officials tried to stop him, they could not suppress the Emperor's desire to go to war. With war brewing at court, Xie Run no longer wished to continue playing "severely injured" and staying in Zichen Hall for recovery day after day. After a while, Chunjuan returned from gathering information. "Reporting to Your Ladyship, it turns out Lady An missed the Sixth Prince of Xia. The Empress, taking pity on her, allowed her to stay overnight in Fengyi Palace and had Lady An write a letter to the Sixth Prince." "After receiving the letter, the Sixth Prince of Xia rushed back to the palace to see Lady An. While the two were alone, a conflict seems to have arisen. In a fit of rage, the Sixth Prince killed Lady An and was then captured by the guards of Fengyi Palace." The Empress did not favor Lady An or the other Xia Dynasty people, so how could she feel any pity for Lady An's longing for someone? This was clearly a trap. Xie Run said, "No need to investigate further. Return to Zhaohua Palace and keep those people in line." Chunjuan smiled and said, "Everyone in Zhaohua Palace hopes you recover soon, so they can serve you again." Xie Run smiled but said nothing. Two more days passed. Xie Run sent word to the Emperor that she had recovered considerably and should no longer stay in Zichen Hall. Besides, she feared Taotao would miss her and cry. The Emperor agreed. Xie Run officially transitioned from "critically wounded" to recovered, returning from Zichen Hall to Zhaohua Palace. No sooner had she returned to Zhaohua Palace than people came calling to pay their respects. Xie Run declined them all, saying to Dantao, "Tell them that my wounds are severe and I need quiet rest. I will not see anyone during this time." Dantao nodded. Xie Run added, "If Lady Lu wishes to see me, have her come through the side gate." "Yes." Lady Lu mostly came to Xie Run to pass along news from the palace. The Emperor had issued an edict: General Hua, the prefect of Yunzhou, killed the Xia Dynasty's Sixth Prince to consecrate the battle standards, officially declaring war on Xia. The entire court was abuzz, and the Emperor was busier than ever. Three days later, the first report of victory came from the front lines. It lifted the morale of the Yu Dynasty's people. Because the Emperor was too busy to visit the harem, the harem had grown quiet. Though that was also partly due to Lady An's death. On the third day, Lady Lu slipped quietly into Zhaohua Palace to visit Xie Run. She came without a sound and immediately brought Xie Run a major piece of news. "I heard that Lady An wasn't stabbed to death by the Xia Dynasty's Sixth Prince, but was strangled to death by someone." Xie Run's gaze sharpened. "Where did you hear this?" Lady Lu said softly, "An old eunuch who handled Lady An's body let it slip while drunk. The Empress has since dealt with him." Xie Run had long suspected the truth behind Lady An's death, so she was not surprised. She only said, "You don't need to investigate these matters further. Be careful not to court trouble." She paused, then asked belatedly, "Has the news spread throughout the Six Palaces?" "No, it hasn't!" Xie Run let out a soft breath of relief. Lady Lu said quietly, "Everyone suspects Lady An's death wasn't simple, but no one thought the Empress would be the one to do it." "She was still her own sister." Xie Run's expression turned cold. "The Empress's true sister is Consort Wen. Lady An was merely a half-sister from the same father. I hear she often bullied the Empress and Consort Wen back in Xia. The Empress likely holds no sisterly affection for her whatsoever." "But..." Lady Lu hesitated. Xie Run cut her off. "But what? You're a veteran of the Prince's household. The Empress sat firmly as Princess Consort Jing for years without bearing a son. Do you truly think she has no methods?" "Say no more of such things." Seeing Xie Run's stern expression, Lady Lu dared not continue the discussion. Xie Run added, "The Empress's days are likely difficult right now." "No matter how she distances herself from Xia, she remains a Xia princess. Now that the Emperor has sent troops to attack Xia, her position is precarious—caught between a rock and a hard place." Lady Lu nodded gently. "I vaguely heard that in court today, someone said the Xia Dynasty harbors wild ambitions and treacherous intentions, and petitioned the Emperor to depose the Empress." Xie Run said flatly, "The Emperor will not depose the Empress." Having gained a reputation for filial piety and enjoyed the benefits of that reputation, the Emperor would not want to depose his Empress during his reign and tarnish his name for nothing. Lady Lu followed up, "The late Empress Dowager committed all manner of evil, and the Retired Emperor, who loathes evil as much as he does, never deposed his Empress either." "Compared to the Retired Emperor, the current Emperor is far more lenient. Why would he casually depose the Empress?" The two chatted for a while before Lady Lu belatedly asked about the wound on Xie Run's hand. In truth, she had noticed it the moment she entered, puzzled that Xie Run, supposedly "gravely wounded," showed no signs of serious injury. Only now did she dare ask. Xie Run glanced down at her hand. "The Emperor says it's a grave wound, so it's a grave wound." Several days had passed, and Xie Run's wound had healed considerably. Her spirits had improved along with it. Lady Lu's eyes held a hint of envy. "The Emperor values you, Sister Xie. Though he used you as a pretext, that pretext was also an excuse to make you Consort De." "Speaking of which, I haven't formally congratulated you on becoming Consort De." Xie Run didn't bother with excessive modesty this time, only saying, "There will naturally be time for you to offer your congratulations later." Xie Run rested another four or five days before she could no longer stand being cooped up. She took her attendants for a stroll in the imperial garden. Whether her luck was exceptionally good or exceptionally bad, she didn't know. Just by stepping out once, she ran into another incident. Through clusters of brightly blooming flowers and trees, a voice came—gentle yet carrying a hint of allure. "The Emperor specially bestowed the character 'Gong' upon Xiurong Gong as her title, yet Xiurong Gong seems unable to comprehend its meaning?" "Never mind whether you show respect to the Emperor—you show not a shred of respect toward Ben Gong. I must properly teach you a lesson, lest you embarrass yourself before the Emperor and earn his disgust." Through the overlapping flower shadows, Xie Run vaguely made out Consort Li seated on a stone bench. From her angle, she could not see where Fang Yuan'er was. A moment later, Fang Yuan'er's slightly weak voice was heard. "Last time, when Consort Wen and Jieyu An caused that scene at the lake, both were demoted by Her Majesty the Empress—one became Consort Wen, the other Lady of Beauty An." "Now that Consort Li wishes to discipline me, is she not afraid of following in their footsteps and becoming Zhaoyi Li... or perhaps Jieyu Li?" Fang Yuan'er's tone was calm, but those familiar with her could detect a hint of stubborn discontent. Consort Li let out a light laugh. "That was Her Majesty the Empress disciplining her own people, so of course she had to be harsh to show her impartiality." "Now that you have offended Ben Gong, it is only reasonable for Ben Gong to teach you the meaning of respect. Her Majesty is not an unreasonable person—why would she punish Ben Gong?" No sooner had Consort Li finished speaking than the young eunuch at her side stepped forward with the others: "Xiurong Gong, you offended Her Ladyship today, and she only punishes you with an hour of kneeling—that is already mercy beyond the law. If you are dissatisfied, why not go and ask Her Majesty the Empress to arbitrate?" "Only then, I fear, the punishment would be even heavier." Consort Li's manner did not seem forceful, but her words carried veiled threats. Fang Yuan'er seemed angered and turned to leave. Her robes swayed beneath the flower-shadow wall, and only then did Xie Run notice her in the corner. But Fang Yuan'er had only taken two steps when someone kicked her, sending her abruptly to her knees. She whipped her head around: "Consort Li, what exactly are you trying to do?!" Consort Li smiled brightly: "Teaching you how to write the word 'respect.'" Consort Li rose, steadying herself on her palace maid's hand, her posture graceful, and turned back with a deep smile toward where Xie Run was. Through the layers of flowers and leaves, Consort Li's gaze seemed to pierce through space and land upon Xie Run. In a daze, Xie Run suddenly recalled what Lady Lu had said. Could Consort Li... truly be Wan Linlang? But how could she possibly have the ability to replace the princess of the Luosha Kingdom? Xie Run's gaze fixed on Consort Li's retreating figure until she disappeared with her entourage. Her mind kept trying to compare Consort Li's appearance with Wan Linlang's. For a moment, she thought there was a slight resemblance, but then, a moment later, she felt they were completely different. At the very least, neither the Wan Linlang of her past life nor this life would have done something like publicly humiliating Fang Yuan'er. Such direct and brazen methods were never Wan Linlang's style. But that glance from Consort Li just now... held too many meanings that Xie Run could not decipher. Xie Run murmured, almost to herself: "I thought she and I had no connection." Dantao and Xiaoshu heard this and looked at Xie Run curiously. "Your Ladyship, shall we go over and see?" "Let's go." Xie Run led her entourage forward and saw Fang Yuan'er kneeling, propped up on the ground. Her face was dark and grim—impossible to tell whether hatred or anger dominated, or perhaps both in abundance. Hearing the commotion, Fang Yuan'er looked up at Xie Run. Her expression shifted slightly, then quickly returned to calm. "Have you come to laugh at me?" Xie Run sat on a stone bench, casually smoothing her skirt, and said lightly: "Won't you stand up first?" At these words, Fang Yuan'er's expression changed several times. Finally, she let out a light laugh, full of mockery: "Consort Li has punished me—how would I dare not obediently accept it?" Xie Run studied her quietly. "I never knew Xiurong Gong had such a docile temperament, letting others dictate your punishment as they please." "The pebbles on the ground must be digging into your knees. Are you sure you won't stand up to speak with me?" Fang Yuan'er bit her lip, then finally took her palace maid's hand and stood. She had been kicked in the back of the knee and sent down hard and fast. The stones had scraped the skin off her knees, leaving spots of blood on her skirt. Notes: Chapter 335 was skip in the original source.