Chapter 350

Chapter 350 Her real face would probably never be seen by anyone again in this lifetime. This fabricated Consort Li would also one day silently disappear from the harem. Fang Yuan'er had entered the Imperial Prison, utterly defeated. Her fate would only be worse than hers! Miaomiao was someone arranged by the Emperor. Including the fake death and entering the Yu Dynasty under the identity of a Luosha Kingdom princess—all of it was orchestrated by the Emperor behind the scenes. It was only because, during the earthquake back then, Wan Linlang, in order to survive, had sold all her secrets—including her entire self—to the Emperor. The Emperor had her disguise herself as a Luosha Kingdom princess, and of course it wasn't just to deal with Fang Yuan'er. It was Wan Linlang who had mentioned that the Yu Dynasty and Xia Dynasty were about to go to war, and that the Luosha Kingdom had switched sides midway, causing no small trouble for the Yu Dynasty. She had volunteered herself, wanting to go to the Luosha Kingdom to work for the then-Prince Jing, now the Emperor. After some arrangements, the Emperor secretly won over the Luosha Kingdom, and then brought Wan Linlang back to the palace under the identity of a Luosha Kingdom princess. Taking up residence in Chonghua Palace was Wan Linlang's own suggestion. She understood deeply that the most important thing for a pawn was its usefulness. Once she returned from the Luosha Kingdom, she would lose all her usefulness and become a dispensable woman in the harem. In order not to lose her usefulness, Wan Linlang again proactively offered to keep an eye on Fang Yuan'er for the Emperor, so that Fang Yuan'er wouldn't have time to do evil and harm others in the harem. The Emperor only thought she was still holding onto old grudges, and after a moment's consideration, agreed. After moving into Chonghua Palace, Wan Linlang, under the identity of Consort Li, repeatedly caused trouble for Fang Yuan'er—just as Fang Yuan'er had bullied and humiliated her multiple times when she first entered the Prince's residence as a Concubine Consort. While taking revenge, Wan Linlang was also desperately trying to conceal her identity. Until Fang Yuan'er tested her again and again, and obtained conclusive evidence. Originally, Wan Linlang had planned to stage a frame-up to completely eliminate Fang Yuan'er. But who would have thought that Fang Yuan'er would come looking for her in the dark first. Fang Yuan'er: "Being able to have you disguised as a Luosha Kingdom princess without leaving a single trace—other than the Emperor, there's no second person who could do that." "You and I are about the same. If he can't tolerate me, can he tolerate you?!" "When the hounds are killed once they've caught the rabbit—that's simply our destined end." Wan Linlang was full of vigilance: "You came in the dead of night—what do you want to say?" Fang Yuan'er: "I've come to discuss a partnership with you." "No, to be more precise, I've come to find a way out for the both of us." Wan Linlang hadn't expected Fang Yuan'er to come seeking a partnership with her. Fang Yuan'er: "The Emperor had you enter the palace as Consort Li, and even had you take up residence in Chonghua Palace, repeatedly indulging you to bully and humiliate me—it's only because he's finished using me and wants to dispose of me." "But by the same token, without me, what meaning is there left for you as Consort Li?" Both of them knew this well. If the Emperor was going to settle accounts, he certainly wouldn't just settle with one person. If they schemed against each other, neither would come to a good end. But if they joined forces, perhaps they could find a slim chance at survival. Wan Linlang took the opportunity to reveal information: "In a few days, at the Empress's birthday banquet, I will drink a cup of poisoned wine, and the culprit will naturally be you." Fang Yuan'er gave a mocking smile: "Aren't you afraid that poisoned wine will take your life, and then take mine too?" Wan Linlang said coldly: "A pawn has no right to refuse." At that moment, Fang Yuan'er finally realized her own foolishness and absurdity. All her fighting and scheming with Wan Linlang—they were both nothing but pawns in the Emperor's hands. She had even been smug before, thinking she had gained so many benefits. In comparison, Wan Linlang, having died once, was far more calm and rational than she was. Fang Yuan'er: "The Emperor wants me dead!" "And he wants to pin a crime on me, to dispose of me with a legitimate excuse..." Wan Linlang sneered: "From the moment you brought out the fire weapon, you should have known that only death awaited you." Fang Yuan'er didn't explain her helplessness. She only said heavily: "I don't want to die!" "Whether you want to harm me or not, the poisoned wine at the birthday banquet will still be served." Wan Linlang looked at Fang Yuan'er: "What is meant to happen cannot be changed—unless you have a way to make the Emperor soften once more and spare your life." Fang Yuan'er laughed at herself: "That's right." "The poisoned wine will be served, but whether there's solid evidence, and whether you actually get poisoned—the consequences would naturally be different." The two naturally wouldn't discuss with each other how to survive. They only revealed the information they each knew, and each harbored their own plans in their hearts. At the Empress's birthday banquet, Wan Linlang had originally only needed to put on a show—pretending to discover poison in the wine, then pinning the crime on Fang Yuan'er—and that would have completed her task. But in order to win a shred of the Emperor's pity, she knowingly drank the wine that contained Cinnabar-top Red, pretending to be completely unaware. When hovering at the threshold between life and death, that shred of the Emperor's pity was enough to bring her back from death to life. Fang Yuan'er also pretended not to know about the Emperor's scheme, deliberately handing over the evidence of poisoning. Only she hadn't expected that Qiu Wu would betray her. With Qiu Wu implicated in the matter, Fang Yuan'er couldn't defend herself no matter what, and was directly thrown into prison. Even after meeting Xie Run, Fang Yuan'er still hadn't completely given up. She always felt that, given the Emperor's nature, he wouldn't let her die for the time being. First, she had once borne the Emperor a prince and had supported him with money and effort all the way, helping him ascend the throne. Some matters were known to the court officials. She was the Emperor's consort, and also the Emperor's subject. If the Emperor took her life arbitrarily, he would inevitably be criticized for cruelty and heartlessness, causing instability among the court. Especially during a time of war between the two nations. Second, she also possessed the ability of prophecy. Her script was different from Wan Linlang's. The reborn Wan Linlang only knew things up to the moment of her death; what happened after death was unknown to her. But she knew—not as Fang Yuan'er, but from a third-person perspective viewing the script. They both had prophetic abilities, but neither could fully replace the other. Fang Yuan'er had thought about the worst situations she could end up in. Nothing more than death or imprisonment for life. Between these two... as a living person, she couldn't choose. She only wanted to fight for a third answer. But when the Emperor mentioned the ill-fated dragon-and-phoenix twins of Concubine An, Fang Yuan'er was completely disheartened. If it were merely schemes and plots within the harem, the Emperor might have turned a blind eye and let it go. But as a man, and as a father, the Emperor would not allow a woman who had repeatedly attempted to harm his offspring to continue living. Wan Linlang looked at herself in the mirror, thinking of how Fang Yuan'er had ended up like this—how could she not be terrified? A cup of poisoned wine had nearly cost both of them their lives. She didn't even dare look at the face beneath Consort Li's skin anymore. That face had committed countless evils, perhaps every single one had been noticed by the Emperor. She only waited for the day when, after the Emperor finished dealing with Fang Yuan'er, it would be her turn? After Xie Run visited Fang Yuan'er in the Imperial Prison, within two days, the verdict came down. "Imperial Concubine Gong is demoted to Lady-in-waiting Gong, imprisoned for life in the Cold Palace, never to leave." "Consort Li is promoted to Consort Lixian, to recuperate in Chonghua Palace, no longer required to pay respects at Fengyi Palace or Cining Palace." When Xiaoshu received the news, she came immediately to tell Xie Run: "My Lady, now everyone inside and outside the palace is discussing Consort Lixian's poisoning." Xie Run smiled faintly. "What are they saying?" "That Lady-in-waiting Gong was ruthless and audacious? Or that Consort Lixian's poisoning was a blessing in disguise?" Xiaoshu coughed lightly. "Both." Xie Run was silent for a long while before saying, "Has anyone mentioned the Emperor?" Xiaoshu was puzzled but still replied: "They all say the Emperor acts with swift decisiveness and heavenly wisdom, unlike the Retired Emperor, who indulged consorts who didn't follow rules, making a mess of the harem." Xie Run: "The current Emperor's harem is indeed much quieter." At least it wasn't as chaotic as it was in the prince's residence. For a moment, curiosity flickered through Xie Run's mind. Consort Li being granted the title Consort Lixian—was this her title, or was it settling her posthumous rank? Xie Run didn't know what play Wan Linlang and Fang Yuan'er were putting on. But she knew one thing. Consort Li was a piece the Emperor had set up to deal with Fang Yuan'er. If Fang Yuan'er had ended up like this, how could Consort Li fare well? "My Lady?!" Xie Run looked up and saw Dantao gazing at her with deep concern. Dantao: "What is my Lady thinking about? This servant called you several times, but you didn't respond." Xiaoshu said softly: "My Lady has been increasingly prone to spacing out alone lately." Xie Run smiled. "With Taotao finally not by my side, I've got some peace and quiet. Shouldn't I enjoy it alone?" The sun wasn't too strong today, so Nanny Xu had taken Taotao out to play. Dantao handed the tea to Xie Run and said softly: "My Lady, Noble Lady Xian has invited you to the imperial garden to admire the flowers. Would you like to accept?" Xie Run took the tea, took a light sip, then pondered Dantao's question. "Why would she invite me out of the blue?" Dantao reminded her quietly: "The child in Wu Baolin's belly is getting bigger by the month. Consort Jing has been visiting frequently lately, so Noble Lady Xian naturally can't sit still either." Xie Run: "Not going." No matter how idle she was, she wouldn't meddle in the matter of the child in Wu Baolin's belly. Dantao: "Then this servant will decline Noble Lady Xian, saying my Lady is afraid of the sun and doesn't want to go out." Xie Run had just nodded when she heard a young eunuch rushing in to report. "Reporting to my Lady, something bad has happened!" "The Fifth Prince was playing with several princesses, and the First Prince rushed out from somewhere and pushed our Fifth Prince." Xie Run quickly asked: "How is Taotao?!" The young eunuch hurriedly said: "The Fifth Prince fell, and the First Princess and Second Princess fell as well. The First Princess's hand was scraped and is bleeding quite a bit." "The palace attendants are in a frenzy, not knowing what to do." By the time the young eunuch finished speaking, Xie Run had already lifted her skirt and rushed out of Zhaohua Palace. She now realized that worrying about others in this harem was pure idleness. She couldn't even manage her own affairs! Fortunately, Taotao was playing in the small garden not far from Zhaohua Palace, just a few steps away. As soon as Xie Run brought her people over, she saw Taotao and the Second Princess crying in a heap. Their wet nurses were holding and coaxing them, but to no avail. Since Taotao was born, Xie Run had never seen the boy cry so miserably. She stepped forward, took the child from the wet nurse's arms, and bounced the little chubby one to soothe him, while asking the attendants, "Who was injured?" "Why is Second Princess crying so hard?" "Where is First Prince?!" The chaotic scene gradually quieted down under Xie Run's questioning. "Your Highness, First Prince pushed our Fifth Prince and ran off!" "Your Highness, Second Princess was startled by First Prince suddenly barging in, which is why she's crying so much." "Your Highness, First Princess, in order to protect Fifth Prince and Second Princess, fell and scraped her arm. She's already gone to see the imperial physician." The attendants had just finished explaining when, from afar, they saw Concubine Fang running over with her people. When she reached Xie Run, her hair bun had completely come loose, and her eyes were full of panic. Seeing the attendants who served First Princess, she immediately asked, "Where is First Princess?! First Princess?!" It took her a moment to realize Xie Run was also there, and she hastily bowed: "This concubine pays respects to Consort Zhaode." Xie Run bounced Taotao as she said, "First Princess scraped her arm and has already gone to see the imperial physician. Don't worry too much—first send someone quick on their feet to check on her." Concubine Fang nodded absentmindedly: "Your Highness, this concubine is worried about First Princess..." "Go quickly." Xie Run could see that the woman looked as if half her soul had been scared out of her. Glancing at Second Princess, who was still crying nearby, Xie Run added, "Zhaohua Palace is close by. Take the child inside to soothe her first." Standing out here wasn't doing anyone any good. Xie Run looked around, still feeling somewhat puzzled. Why hadn't anyone come from Fengyi Palace? Concubine Fang's residence was much farther away than Fengyi Palace. Even if the Empress couldn't make it herself, she should have at least sent a few senior maids or eunuchs to handle matters. Xie Run first settled the people from both palaces, then asked about the specific details of what happened. Nanny Xu had been serving at close quarters, and even now, as she reported, she couldn't help wiping sweat with her handkerchief: "Originally, First Princess, Second Princess, and our Fifth Prince were playing together, and we servants were just standing by attending to them. Suddenly, First Prince came over with his wet nurse, saying he wanted to join in." "The two little ones didn't know any better, but First Princess didn't like First Prince and refused him on the spot." "We thought that would be the end of it, but who would have expected—he stood quietly watching for a moment, then suddenly charged in, trying to push our Fifth Prince. It was First Princess who reacted quickly and shielded Fifth Prince in her arms. Because of that, First Prince pushed her down, and she fell, scraping her arm." Nanny Xu sobbed, "Even now, thinking back on it, I'm still terrified. With all due respect, First Prince suddenly went mad—no one could have anticipated it." "If it were any ordinary person, I would never dare let him near Fifth Prince. But he's the First Prince, and he's simple-minded. He just stood there looking at the princes and princesses playing together with such longing, and I didn't dare stop him. Who would have thought..." Xie Run waved her hand: "I've already understood everything you've said." "Send someone to check on First Princess! See what the imperial physician says, and if any ointment is needed, send someone to fetch it immediately." "Yes!" The Emperor had few children, so the moment anything happened to any of the princes or princesses, word was immediately sent out. By the time the Emperor arrived, someone had inexplicably brought First Prince along as well. The Emperor glanced at First Prince, his eyes filled with complex emotions. "Wretched beast, kneel!" First Prince had reverted to his usual slow, sluggish demeanor, showing no reaction for a long while. The Emperor looked at him and, for a brief moment, wondered if First Prince was faking his stupidity. But everyone in the Imperial Medical Academy had diagnosed him—the child's mind was truly damaged. So it wasn't an act; the child was simply wicked by nature.