Chapter 448

Chapter 448 Seeing how furious Xie Run was, Dantao softly consoled her, "Your Ladyship hasn't known Consort Wen to be a muddle-headed, soft-hearted person for just a day." "No matter how excessive Xia Dynasty is, they are ultimately her blood kin. If Xia Dynasty falls, she would be devastated too, so it's inevitable that she'd show a bit more concern." Dantao only said this to comfort Xie Run, afraid that Xie Run would anger herself. Even as she spoke, she felt a knot in her own stomach. Muddle-headed and soft-hearted? Xie Run nearly laughed in anger at those words. "Is this the first day I've known Consort Wen?" "She may be timid and fearful, but she's never short on scheming." "She came to Zhaohua Palace today, seemingly worried about her homeland's suffering, but really she's just afraid that Xia Dynasty's fall will drag down her own rank." "She has neither ability nor family background, nor does she enjoy favor. The only reason she sits at the Fei rank is the Empress's lingering affection and her status as a Xia Dynasty princess." "If Xia Dynasty falls, she fears she'll become a princess of a fallen nation—not only will it bring her no benefit, it might even drag her down and make her a criminal." "She's simply afraid, and she doesn't believe the Emperor will let her keep her Fei rank for life out of his feelings for the Empress." Xie Run's eyes darkened, barely concealing her disgust. "Weak and timid... it's nothing but a disguise for selfishness and greed." Consort Wen had risen through the ranks of the Xia Dynasty's harem, and deep in her bones, she believed that so-called affections ultimately boiled down to nothing but interests. She thought the Emperor would act that way, little realizing she was merely seeing her own reflection in the mirror. Previously, Xie Run had still shown Consort Wen some consideration for the Empress's sake, but after today's affair, she was truly sickened to the core. In comparison, Hua Yu's foolishness and Lady Xian's cautiousness suddenly seemed tolerable. When Consort Jingshu received the news, she too laughed coldly. "The Empress thought of her even to her dying breath, yet she has no conscience at all—now she's the one thinking of Xia Dynasty." "It just goes to show how well she played her part before. Now that her own interests are at stake, her fox tail is finally showing." Tao Yao gave a light snort. "As I said, anyone who could climb her way up in the Xia Dynasty harem—how could they be some pure and harmless soul?" "Playing innocent and acting weak every day is just a way to get others to charge into battle for her." "I've seen plenty of people like that in our own household." Consort Jingshu had been reviewing a ledger, pen in hand, circling and marking entries. At Tao Yao's words, she paused abruptly, a smile curling at the corner of her lips. "Back then, the Empress treated us all fairly generously. Having received the Empress's kindness, I ought to find a way to repay it." Tao Yao's eyes lit up. "What does Your Ladyship plan to do?!" With Consort Wen causing such a scene, all Six Palaces were disgusted with her. If they stepped on her at a time like this, others would only praise them. Consort Jingshu: "Have word sent to the Emperor, saying that Consort Wen is worried about Xia Dynasty but was rebuked by Noble Consort Zhao." "Noble Consort Zhao is far too overbearing and domineering..." She spoke of Noble Consort Zhao's arrogance, yet the smile on Consort Jingshu's face was completely unconcealed, even brimming with anticipation for the drama to come. Tao Yao hesitated. "If the Emperor punishes Consort Wen, she'll hold a grudge against both Your Ladyship and Noble Consort Zhao." Consort Jingshu cast her a sidelong glance. Tao Yao continued, "Consort Wen is one thing... but Noble Consort Zhao—she's not someone to be trifled with." Consort Jingshu set down her brush and said lazily, "It's precisely because she's not easy to provoke that I want to provoke her and see what happens." "Life in the palace is too dull. I have to find my own amusement." Tao Yao said softly, "It's not entirely dull." The mistress and maid shared a knowing look, and Consort Jingshu suddenly laughed. "Indeed, not entirely dull—this morning alone, Zhaohua Palace produced three sources of entertainment!" Once Consort Jingshu's words were delivered, they enraged the Emperor. The Emperor was also a man of clear likes and dislikes. Once disgust took hold, he issued an imperial edict on the spot, demoting Consort Wen to Lady of Handsome Fairness. The edict struck Consort Wen like a thunderbolt, leaving her utterly dazed. When Xie Run heard the contents of the edict, she clapped her hands. "Consort Jingshu, that troublemaker!" Consort Wen had probed again and again precisely because she feared the Emperor would demote her rank. But Consort Jingshu had to go and add her own words. The Emperor wasn't stupid—how could he not see what Consort Wen was worried about? He simply turned all her fears into reality. Those two had vented their anger, but Consort Wen would likely hate Xie Run to death. Dantao was also somewhat annoyed. "Why did Consort Jingshu suddenly get involved out of nowhere?" "Is she deliberately trying to harm Your Ladyship?!" "The palace finally had some peace for a while. If Consort Wen harbors resentment, she may find it hard to let go of that anger." Xie Run smiled. "Then let her resent me." "I am a Noble Consort—am I supposed to fear a mere Lady of Handsome Fairness?!" Though Xie Run was irritated by Consort Jingshu's actions, she had to admit— What the Emperor and Consort Jingshu had orchestrated together was truly satisfying. The frustration she'd suffered this morning at Zhaohua Palace had finally been vented. "The one who sent the message was Consort Jingshu, and the one who demoted her was the Emperor." "If she has the spine for it, she should hate them both, and I'd have nothing to say." "If she doesn't, then she'd best stay quiet and behave." Dantao reminded her softly, "The Lady of Handsome Fairness is one thing. But the Second Princess and Third Princess... will she still be allowed to raise them?" Only those above the Nine Concubines may raise children—such is the palace rule. With Consort Wen demoted to Lady of Handsome Fairness, she lost the right to raise children. Even though the Second Princess had been left in her care by the Empress's dying words, the Third Princess had been fostered elsewhere all along. A woman demoted by the Emperor was no longer fit to keep the Third Princess. Xie Run massaged her temples. "Above the Nine Concubines, only Lady Xian and Lady Hua remain. Which of them do you think could raise the Third Princess?" Xiaoshu replied, "Lady Xian already holds a grudge against you over the matter of the Sixth Prince. We cannot give her the Third Princess now." "Who knows what trouble she might stir up next." Dantao added softly, "Lady Hua is even less suitable." "Lady Hua is known for her pettiness." "She has her own Ninth Prince to dote on—she hasn't the heart to spare for anyone else." "The Third Princess isn't her own, and she's a girl besides. Even if she did take her in, she wouldn't raise her with much care." In the morning, Xie Run had complained that too many consorts in the palace brought her nothing but trouble. By evening, she found herself lamenting that there were too few. If even two of them were presentable, they'd already be fighting over who gets to raise the child. Why should she be so torn? Consort Jingshu was reliable, but the Eighth Prince was still in her care—it wouldn't be fair to burden her with three children alone. At that point, even Consort Jingshu would likely protest. Xie Run feared she might use it as an excuse to wash her hands of the matter entirely, so she dared not raise it. Just then, Xiaoshu spoke softly, "Milady, what about Concubine Shen?" Xie Run froze, startled. "I'd quite forgotten her!" It was what they called the darkness beneath the lamp. Xie Run had spent all day agonizing over who could raise the child, forgetting that Concubine Shen was right by her side.