bullyxtreme Chapter 221 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 34
Chapter 221 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 34
As dawn broke, soft light streamed through the carved window lattices and fell upon the bed in Yongshou Palace.
Zhen Huan slowly woke up, raising her hand to indicate that she was awake. Her face was full of exhaustion. Ever since Jinxi was captured, she had been worried all day long and had been unable to sleep.
Today, she did not go to pay her respects. The Emperor, feeling sorry for her being pregnant with twins and suffering from physical discomfort, specially instructed the Empress to exempt her from paying her respects.
After the concubines finished paying their respects, Zhen Huan freshened up and then took Huan Bi to Xianfu Palace, placing her last hope on Consort Jing.
In the courtyard of Xianfu Palace, several osmanthus trees swayed gently in the breeze, emitting a faint fragrance.
Zhen Huan entered the palace and saw Consort Jing sitting upright on the couch, busy embroidering clothes that looked like children's clothes, with a gentle expression.
"Sister Jingfei, it's been a long time. I'm very grateful to meet you." Zhen Huan bowed slightly, a gentle smile on her face.
Consort Jing raised her eyes, a hint of coldness flashing in them, before putting down her needlework and rising to greet her: "Sister, you've arrived. Please have a seat."
After Zhen Huan sat down, she looked around and saw that the palace was still simply and elegantly furnished, just like Consort Jing's personality. She cleared her throat and said, "Sister, I have come here today to ask for your help."
Hanzhu brought the tea up, put it down, and left. Consort Jing smiled slightly, picked up the teacup, and took a sip: "Sister, please speak freely."
Zhen Huan hesitated for a moment, then said, "Sister, you must know about Jinxi and Su Peisheng's situation. I really can't bear to see Jinxi suffer. I hope you can step forward and say a few good words for them in front of the Emperor."
Upon hearing this, Consort Jing put down her teacup and said calmly, "Since you feel this way, you should plead with the Empress. The Emperor has entrusted this matter to the Empress. I have no power in the palace now and cannot interfere in this matter."
Zhen Huan's heart tightened. She and the Empress were already bitter enemies. If she went to the Empress, it would be like walking into a trap.
She suppressed her anxiety and patiently explained, "Of course I know, but Her Majesty the Empress is a virtuous empress and I'm afraid she will handle this matter impartially. I also went to see the Emperor a few days ago for the sake of His Majesty's reputation. The Hall of Mental Cultivation is really inappropriate, and His Majesty is also annoyed by this matter."
Consort Jing sighed softly, "Who hasn't gone through this? I heard that Xia Xia has inherited Su Peisheng's true skills, and it won't be long before she can stand on her own."
When Zhen Huan saw that Consort Jing was adamant in her stance and unwilling to stand up for her, the smile on her face gradually froze.
Just then, a series of crisp footsteps sounded outside the hall, followed by Wen Yi's voice: "Mother, aren't we going to see Brother Hongxu today?"
Wen Yi skipped and hopped in, wearing a pink jacket, her cheeks rosy, like peach blossoms in spring.
She is eight years old this year. Perhaps because Consort Xiang often went to Yikun Palace before she was born, she has always been weak. Fortunately, Consort Jing takes good care of her, and now that she plays with Hongxu, she has become more energetic like a child.
Wenyi's appearance broke the slightly awkward atmosphere in the hall. Consort Jing quickly took Wenyi's hand and helped her sit on the couch, saying with a smile, "Good child, Mother will take you there in a little while."
Seeing this, Zhen Huan stood up, her face apologetic: "It is my fault, sister. Please take the princess to find the Seventh Prince."
As Zhen Huan stepped out of Xianfu Palace, the smile on her face vanished instantly, replaced by a hint of ruthlessness in her eyes. She knew that now she had no choice but to beg Consort Duan for help.
……
Meanwhile, Yanxi Palace was deathly silent. An Lingrong sat alone on a stone bench in the courtyard, staring blankly at the withered tree in front of her.
Ever since the Imperial Observatory issued a warning of "ominous signs," her life has become increasingly difficult. Consort Zhen and Consort Kang frequently cause trouble, and the Empress ignores her completely. What's worse, they even poisoned her voice with a drug that made her mute.
An Lingrong wanted to ask the Empress to help her, but the Empress already had doubts about her. Baojuan had also suddenly passed away, and An Lingrong was trying to break free from the Empress's control. All signs indicated that the Empress would naturally teach An Lingrong a lesson and make her understand that without her, she was nothing.
"How long has it been since His Majesty last visited?" An Lingrong's voice was hoarse, like sandpaper being rubbed.
Chunzhu carefully helped her up and said softly, "Your Highness, be careful not to catch a cold. The Emperor... the Emperor will remember Your Highness."
"You remember me? It's been almost two months since I last visited Yanxi Palace. It's like a cold palace now." An Lingrong's eyes were full of hostility as she shouted. Her voice, already hoarse from a throat injury, was even more shrill at this moment.
Chunzhu was so frightened that her face turned pale. She quickly knelt down to beg for forgiveness. She was transferred to the Imperial Household Department after Baojuan returned to the Imperial Household Department. She thought that Consort An was a gentle person, but she did not expect her to be so irritable in private. In this Yanxi Palace, she lived cautiously every day, afraid of angering this mistress.
"Alright, go down." An Lingrong glanced at Chunzhu with disgust, finding her timid and obsequious.
After Chunzhu left, a cold glint flashed in An Lingrong's eyes: Zhen Huan, if she doesn't have a good time, I will never let Zhen Huan have a good time either, and what about Cui Jinxi's matter?
After a moment's thought, An Lingrong instructed the people in Yanxi Palace to keep an eye on the Shenxing Division. She didn't believe that Zhen Huan was so clean; as long as she could find something to hold against Zhen Huan, she would definitely be able to bring her down.
……
With a heart full of trepidation, Zhen Huan arrived at Yanqing Palace. Consort Duan had already anticipated her arrival and was waiting for her in the palace early on.
"Sister, your little sister is here." Zhen Huan forced a smile and put on a brave face.
Consort Duan smiled slightly and rose to greet her: "Sister, please sit down."
After Zhen Huan sat down, she took a deep breath and said, "I know what you said, sister. I'm happy that Longyue has another mother who loves her, but..."
Consort Duan naturally understood Zhen Huan's meaning; what she wanted was not just Zhen Huan's verbal agreement.
However, Zhen Huan is now pregnant and deeply favored by the Emperor, so she can only proceed slowly. As long as Princess Longyue is still being raised in her Yanqing Palace, she will have a chance.
Consort Duan pulled Zhen Huan to sit down, gently patted her hand, and said, "Don't worry, sister, I'm doing this for the Emperor."
Zhen Huan didn't linger. In the past few days, she had been running around trying to save Jinxi, and she was extremely busy. In addition, she was pregnant and was already exhausted.
After Zhen Huan left, Consort Duan sent someone to invite the Emperor to Yanqing Palace. Consort Duan never liked to compete for favor and never took the initiative to seek out the Emperor, so the Emperor naturally gave her face and came to Yanqing Palace that night.
"His Majesty has arrived!" Xia Xiazi's shrill voice rang out from outside the palace.
Consort Duan quickly put down the book in her hand, stood up and bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, I greet you."
The Emperor waved his hand and walked straight to the couch to sit down. Consort Duan got up and sat opposite the Emperor.
"You look much better today. You've always been weak, so you should take good care of yourself," the Emperor said with concern.
He glanced at the book on the table; it was a copy of Mencius. He raised an eyebrow and asked, "Why are you interested in reading this?"
Consort Duan smiled slightly and followed the Emperor's words, saying, "The teachings of Confucius and Mencius are the way of sages, and I like them very much."
"Since you have read Mencius, what insights do you have?" The emperor, a woman who loved reading, became interested and wanted to ask.
"I have read Mencius and know that Zhu Xi's views are shallow. Although he is praised by later generations as the Cheng-Zhu school of Neo-Confucianism, he has misinterpreted the sages of Confucius and Mencius," Consort Duan said slowly.
Upon hearing this, the Emperor became interested and gestured for Consort Duan to continue.
"Mencius said, 'The relationship between men and women is a fundamental human relationship,' but Zhu Xi said, 'Preserve heavenly principles and eliminate human desires,' which is really illogical." Consort Duan secretly glanced at the Emperor and, seeing his calm expression, continued.
“Zhu Xi, however, lacked understanding of human relationships.” The Emperor nodded in agreement.
"The same applies to the palace. If we follow what Master Zhu said, how can the concubines in the harem continue the emperor's lineage? That doesn't align with the imperial family's ideals," Consort Duan said cautiously.
"Does it not meet the requirements?" The Emperor raised his voice, seemingly deep in thought.
After a pause, the Emperor suddenly asked, "Who have you met recently, and what have you heard?"
Consort Duan's heart tightened; she knew the Emperor was referring to the affair between Su Peisheng and Cui Jinxi.
She lowered her head, a hint of guilt flashing in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it: "Your Majesty knows about my health. I generally don't go out, and even when I do, I don't want to meddle in other people's business or gossip."
The Emperor nodded slightly and asked casually, "I do have something I'd like to ask you about. There's something circulating in the palace about Cui Jinxi and Su Peisheng. The Empress is advocating for severe punishment, while Consort Jing and Consort Jin are asking me to grant them a favor. Consort Xuan is unable to speak out. What do you think?"
The Emperor already had a plan in mind. Consort Jing and Wen Yuan both suggested that the two leave the palace to retire, and the Emperor, remembering his childhood friendship with Su Peisheng, also had this idea. However, Su Peisheng knew too many royal secrets…
Thinking of this, a fierce glint flashed in the Emperor's eyes, but he quickly regained his composure and quietly looked at Consort Duan.
Consort Duan pondered for a moment and said, "The Empress believes that today's events are related to the rules of the harem. In my opinion, the two did not cause any trouble in the harem. They were merely a source of comfort for the palace maids and eunuchs. We servants have been in the palace since childhood, and it is inevitable that we feel lonely and desolate."
"Then what do you suggest we do?" the Emperor pressed.
Seeing the Emperor's solemn expression, Consort Duan followed his lead and said, "However, there are also rules in the harem. Why don't you grant Consort Jin and Consort Jing their wish and let them leave the palace to retire? That would show Your Majesty's benevolence."
The Emperor's expression remained unchanged, and Consort Duan continued, "Perhaps it's because Consort Xuan is pregnant and can't bear to hear such fighting and killing."
"Alright, you should rest now. I'm going back to the Hall of Mental Cultivation." The Emperor suddenly stood up impatiently.
Consort Duan was somewhat stunned. She understood that the Emperor was displeased, and quickly rose to see him off. Watching the Emperor's departing figure, Consort Duan felt a vague unease. She didn't know if what she had said was right or wrong.