Chapter 343

Chapter 343 Xie Run said: "I used to think of myself as an outsider, watching the drama unfold in the rear courtyard day after day, like one sitting on a mountain watching tigers fight." "Now that I think about it, others are not necessarily fools. They may not show the slightest sign of conflict on the surface, but in the shadows, they've likely already passed the knife. Either I've been lucky, or you've been secretly investigating and weeding out these disasters before they could reach me." "And here I was, foolishly rejoicing on the sidelines, thinking I had found a peaceful life." Xiaoshu said: "Not to mention things from long ago—the falling tile incident, and the poisoning some days ago—the true culprits behind both have never truly surfaced." Xie Run said: "That's why I just asked Fang Yuan'er whether she had ever secretly tried to harm me. She avoided answering..." "I have my suspicions about the falling tile incident. When Fang Yuan'er dodged the question, I guessed there was more than just one or two things." The room fell silent, everyone's hearts heavy. Xie Run suddenly smiled. "No need to be so tense." "I am now a favored consort, with a child in my arms and a very secure position. It's not as if anyone who wants to harm me can actually do so." Xie Run thought for a moment. "Send someone to Fengyi Palace to tell the Empress everything Imperial Concubine Gong said, without omitting a single word." Fang Yuan'er had said one thing right. If she wanted to accomplish something, Xie Run might not be able to help her—but if she wanted to ruin her plans, it would be effortless. The fact that the Empress's body was severely depleted had been kept tightly under wraps by Fengyi Palace. Even Xie Run only knew some of the situation because the Empress had deliberately leaked the information. How could Fang Yuan'er, a disfavored Imperial Concubine, know such secrets from anywhere? Xie Run didn't need to think hard to know that Fang Yuan'er had planted someone inside Fengyi Palace. The next day, a young palace maid in Fengyi Palace accidentally dropped a teacup and was sent off to the Huanyi Bureau by Nanny Li. This was originally a small matter, but Fang Yuan'er in the side hall of Chonghua Palace was so furious that she snapped the jade hairpin she had just received. Her attendant maid was still saying: "Mistress, this is a capital white jade hairpin delivered by urgent courier from eight hundred li away. The moment the jade material came out, it was polished by master craftsmen and sent over." "This hairpin is fine in texture, pure white and uniform. Worn in your hair, it makes you look remarkably ethereal and radiant." Fang Yuan'er pushed away the maid's hand. "You may leave now." The maid didn't understand why her mistress had suddenly changed her expression, but she obediently set down the hairpin and turned to leave. Fang Yuan'er looked at the row of jade hairpins laid out on the table, and a surge of anger roiled within her. She had known Xie Run wasn't as innocent as she appeared. The moment she mentioned to Xie Run that the Empress's health was failing, Xie Run had gone straight to tattle—no doubt eager to curry favor with the Empress. Fang Yuan'er knew in her heart that the Emperor would never let her raise the child in Wu Baolin's belly, but she still wanted to struggle for it. Maybe? She thought the Emperor disliked her bright, striking looks and favored Xie Run's innocent, pure, little white-flower appearance, so she had specially sought out various jade ornaments, hoping to dress herself more coolly and ethereally to compete for his favor once more. In truth, Fang Yuan'er had already grown utterly disgusted with the Emperor. It had taken tremendous effort to convince herself to go and fawn over him again. But now, hearing of Xie Run's underhanded move, and seeing the row of jade hairpins that didn't match her aesthetic at all, a wave of nausea rose from her stomach. So this was the kind of character the Emperor liked?! She pulled out the hairpins and jade rings she had just put in her hair, took a deep breath, and put all the jewelry away. "Trying to draw a tiger but ending up with a dog—only inviting ridicule." She didn't know whether she was talking about herself or hinting at something else. After a moment, she sent someone to inquire: "Go see what Consort Li is doing." ... As Wu Baolin's belly grew day by day, the people in the rear palace grew increasingly restless. Noble Lady Xian, who had once gone to see Xie Run, shamelessly went to beg the Empress as well. Of course, the Empress would never agree to her request. This matter was even brought up as a joke by Consort Jing during the morning greetings. "How imposing Noble Lady Xian was back then—thinking that with the Empress Dowager's favor and protection, she could disregard Her Majesty the Empress. And yet yesterday, she had the nerve to go and beg the Empress?" Consort Jing's words were extremely caustic, and she shot Noble Lady Xian a look full of contempt. At first, everyone had thought Noble Lady Xian was a formidable player. But after being lifted up and then dropped by the Empress Dowager, she now didn't even dare let out a single fart, spending her days as a turtle hiding in its shell. Everyone immediately saw through her as all show and no substance, and naturally they all scrambled to take a jab at her. Consort Jing, whose looks had been damaged and who knew she had no chance of serving the Emperor again, had now developed an interest in the child in Wu Baolin's belly, and so she kept belittling Noble Lady Xian relentlessly. Noble Lady Xian lowered her head, her cheeks slightly pale. "Sister Consort Jing, don't slander me. How would I dare to disregard Her Majesty the Empress?" "I respect Her Majesty the Empress no less than the Empress Dowager!" Noble Lady Xian was extremely grateful at this moment. When the Empress Dowager had been elevating her, she had still maintained her composure, continuing to pay her respects and bow to the Empress properly, without any arrogant behavior. Now she had the confidence to talk back to Consort Jing. Because Noble Lady Xian was sensible and knew her place, the Empress held no grudge against her—in fact, she didn't particularly want to listen to Consort Jing's words. Her words were harsh and unpleasant, and moreover, what good was it to keep bringing up the conflict between her and the Empress Dowager? If people heard it often enough, they would think the Empress was unfilial. The Empress glanced at Consort Jing. "Noble Lady Xian has always been proper in her conduct, never showing the slightest arrogance. But you, Consort Jing, are indeed getting worse day by day." Everyone expected Consort Jing to trade barbs with the Empress as she usually did. Unexpectedly, she lowered her head and wiped her tears. "Ever since my face was ruined, the Emperor has never stayed overnight at Yongning Palace again. Truly, my days have been getting worse and worse." "When I look at myself in the mirror at night, I only feel heartache and secret resentment..." The Empress gave a light cough. "Consort Jing, you should be more careful with your words now." There were two culprits behind Consort Jing's ruined face: one was Beauty Duan, who now lay bedridden day after day nursing her illness, and the other was the First Prince. Consort Jing could say she resented Beauty Duan, but she must never show the slightest hint of resentment toward the First Prince. Consort Jing understood the Empress's meaning, and indeed felt a few more traces of resentment in her heart. "I thank the Empress for her consideration. But I fear I will never have the chance to serve the Emperor again in this lifetime. I only hope to raise a child at my side, so as not to end my days in loneliness." No one had expected that Consort Jing, who clashed with others daily, would suddenly change her attitude today and seize the opportunity to show weakness and plead with the Empress. The Empress said, "Ben Gong has noted your words, Consort Jing. I will ask the Emperor on your behalf another day." "The fate of the Imperial Heir rests entirely with the Emperor." Neither Consort Jing nor Noble Lady Xian spoke further. Only Wu Baolin, sitting in the corner, silently touched her own belly. The child in her womb was being discussed by other women—who should raise it. And she did not even have the right to speak. Because such were the rules. After the morning audience ended, Wu Baolin's spirits remained low. She walked with her head down, lost in her own misery, and failed to notice the person ahead of her. From a distance, Talented Lady Ye saw Wu Baolin walking straight toward her and immediately grew angry. "It's only been a few days—have you developed the affliction of blindness as well?!" "Don't tell me you're deliberately trying to get close to me and fake a fall, just to frame me?!" Wu Baolin, just emerging from her own world, was hit with this torrent of words and felt so wronged she wanted to cry. Talented Lady Ye continued, "You really are trying to harm people again! I haven't done anything to you, yet you're already wearing that mournful face. Anyone would think I'd bullied you again." "What a disaster falling from the sky!" Though Talented Lady Ye's words were harsh, her feet were already preparing to slip away. Wu Baolin was both angry and furious, recalling old grievances. Just then, she happened to see several palace maids passing by carrying trays. Without a second thought, she grabbed a box from the tray and hurled it at Talented Lady Ye. "Let that teach you to bully me!" Talented Lady Ye felt a sharp pain in her back and only realized after a moment that she had been hit. She exclaimed in shock, "Have you gone mad?!" How dare she resort to violence in the rear palace? Wu Baolin cried, "I'm mad? You people bully others and won't even let them speak?!" With that, she grabbed something else from another maid's tray and threw it at Talented Lady Ye. She was about to grab more to throw, but the other maids had already wisely dodged to the side, explaining in terror, "If it please Wu Baolin, these are Consort Zhaode's belongings! If they are damaged, even several of our heads wouldn't be enough to compensate!" Wu Baolin was startled and froze in place, cold sweat running down her back. She—she had actually smashed Consort Zhaode's belongings?! Beside her, Talented Lady Ye saw the situation turning bad and turned to flee. She had suffered a loss today, but she couldn't very well quibble with Wu Baolin, who was with child. If she truly angered Wu Baolin into some misfortune, that would be the real disaster. This was originally a small matter, but since Wu Baolin had smashed Xie Run's belongings, it became known to everyone. As expected, someone reported it to the Empress. The Empress had just taken her medicine and was removing her outer robe, preparing to lie down for a rest. Upon hearing the news, she suddenly grew irritated. "Just say Ben Gong is unwell. Have the message delivered to the Emperor and ask him how this should be handled." If Xie Run were managing the Six Palaces, she would have handled this herself—why should it be brought before her? Thinking of the useless Consort Wen and the self-serving Consort Li, the Empress sneered coldly. In this matter, the one who mattered least was actually Talented Lady Ye. Xie Run held high position and great power; Wu Baolin carried the Imperial Heir in her belly. Only Talented Lady Ye had nothing to rely on. The Empress said, "If the Emperor doesn't want to deal with it, then have Consort Li handle it." Let Consort Li try pretending to be ill too! With that, the Empress closed her eyes and lay down on the bed. The Empress washed her hands of the matter, and it was brought before the Emperor. The war at the front was no longer going smoothly; instead, it had become somewhat deadlocked. Many court officials had begun urging the Emperor to cease hostilities. The Emperor was now swamped with work and irritable all day. Suddenly hearing someone ask him about such trivial matters in the rear palace, he nearly laughed in anger. "The affairs of the rear palace are for the Empress to handle. If she can't, there's still Consort Li and Consort Wen. Are they all useless?" "Such a trifling matter, and you still come to ask me?" The eunuch delivering the message kept his head lowered, his whole body trembling. "The Empress is unwell and is currently resting in bed to recover." "Because this matter involves Consort Zhaode and the Imperial Heir in Wu Baolin's womb, I have come to beg Your Majesty for a directive." The Emperor suddenly laughed and asked Eunuch Shian, "Do you think the Empress did this on purpose?" The maids and eunuchs attending nearby all silently lowered their heads, wishing they could burrow into the cracks of the floor and pretend they didn't exist. The Emperor continued, "I rejected her arrangements, so she deliberately sends these trivial matters to annoy me?" "It must be her—she's always been fond of venting her dissatisfaction this way." After all, they had been husband and wife for many years; the Emperor was all too familiar with the Empress's tactics. Eunuch Shian could only steel himself and speak up, "Then would Your Majesty like to see this handed over to Consort Li and Consort Wen for handling?" The Emperor thought of Consort Li and Consort Wen and couldn't help furrowing his brow. "Consort Wen is at least a princess of the Xia Dynasty. She's been learning from the Empress for a while now—can she still not bear responsibility?" Eunuch Shian kept his head lowered. "It's not that Consort Wen can't bear responsibility, but rather that Consort Wen is a newcomer. She has rank but no seniority, so she can't keep the old-timers who came up from the household in check." "Newcomer?" The Emperor immediately thought of Consort Li. "No matter how you put it, it's just incompetence." "Isn't Consort Li also a newcomer? Yet she manages to make Imperial Concubine Gong lose face every single time." Eunuch Shian said, "Your Majesty speaks truly." But inwardly, he silently grumbled. Wasn't it only because Your Majesty was partial that Consort Li could make Imperial Concubine Gong lose face? The Emperor sighed. "Enough. Consort Wen can't handle it, and if Consort Li goes to deal with it... it might turn out even worse." "Have Wu Baolin go to Consort Zhaode's residence and apologize, then place Wu Baolin under house arrest for one month." "As for whatever Wu Baolin damaged of Consort Zhaode's, have her compensate double the value." Eunuch Shian opened his mouth, "But Your Majesty, I hear that what Wu Baolin damaged was an entire set of pearl headdresses that Consort Zhaode had prepared for the Empress's birthday banquet—priceless... Wu Baolin likely can't afford to compensate for it." Even if all the rewards Wu Baolin had received since entering the palace were combined, they still wouldn't be enough to compensate for that set of headdresses. Let alone double compensation. The Emperor also realized this point. "Fine, then have her and Talented Lady Ye each compensate half." Eunuch Shian suppressed a smile. "Your Majesty is wise." Eunuch Shian was just about to relay the message when he heard the Emperor call out again, "Wait!" "Talented Lady Ye has repeatedly stirred up trouble and behaved improperly. Demote her to Baolin." The Emperor said, "In these several disturbances, Wu Baolin was certainly in the wrong each time, but this Talented Lady Ye is no peacemaker either." "If she hadn't stirred things up, how could Wu Baolin have been so angered that she lost her senses and threw someone else's things at people?!" The Emperor detested troublemakers the most. Especially those like Talented Lady Ye who thought themselves clever and deliberately provoked others into making mistakes. He didn't think Talented Lady Ye was innocent in the slightest. Eunuch Shian quickly replied, "Yes!" When the Empress heard of the Emperor's decree, she let out a light laugh. "The Emperor handled it himself—clearly he knows in his heart that Consort Li and Consort Wen can't manage things." Beside her, Tinghe said with a smile, "Your Majesty, the Emperor also decreed that Consort Zhaode assist you in the Management of the Six Palaces." "Word has it that Consort Zhaode was wronged as an innocent victim, and the Emperor made this arrangement specifically to compensate her." The Empress was about to say something like "why bother," but then she immediately understood. There was a hint of bitterness in her smile. "The Emperor truly is good to the Xie family..." Though he ultimately did grant the authority of the Management of the Six Palaces. But when it was given, and how it was given—the difference was enormous! Whether it was promoting someone's rank or granting the authority of the Management of the Six Palaces, the Emperor never did so without reason—there was always a legitimate justification. This made the Six Palaces envious and jealous, yet left no handle to seize upon. Such favor was far more reliable than the favor of the Retired Emperor's era, which had gathered the resentment of the entire Six Palaces upon one person.