in2ebook Chapter 82 My Lord, Consort Chen has already left the palace.
Chapter 82 My Lord, Consort Chen has already left the palace.
The two chatted and laughed for a while before Consort Qin got up to take her leave.
Watching Consort Qin slowly walk out of the Cuiwei Palace gates, her figure gradually disappearing into the distance, Yaoqin turned back into the palace and asked with a puzzled expression, "What is the purpose of Consort Qin's visit this time?"
At this moment, Su Nuannuan was holding a delicate and cute cloth tiger, gently shaking it to amuse Xiao Jingyao, who was lying on the small couch.
This cloth tiger was sewn by Tingxue; one for each of the two children, so as not to favor one over the other.
The little one was captivated by the lifelike cloth tiger, giggling occasionally. Hearing Yaoqin's question, Su Nuannuan smiled slightly and replied softly, "It must be because she's troubled by matters concerning her maternal family."
Upon hearing this, Honglian, who was standing to the side, looked puzzled and quickly asked, "Your Majesty, why do you make such a judgment?"
Su Nuannuan explained calmly, "You may not know this, but Consort Qin's maternal family coveted the throne after she successfully gave birth to a prince. However, Consort Qin herself did not have such ambitions, at least not while the current Crown Prince was still in power."
"I see! So, Consort Qin is currently engaged in a fierce tug-of-war with her maternal family." Yaoqin nodded thoughtfully and summarized.
“Exactly.” Su Nuannuan nodded slightly in agreement, then added, “She came to me today perhaps just to find a quiet place to relax. As for other matters, I have no intention of interfering, much less getting involved. After all, the intrigues in the palace are complex and unpredictable, and one can easily get into trouble if one is not careful.”
At this point, Yaoqin countered with a question: "If this happened to Your Majesty, how would Your Majesty respond?"
"Hmph, this assumption is simply impossible, so I resolutely refuse to answer. You must know, my parents are reasonable people who can distinguish right from wrong. Those who are muddle-headed and act recklessly were separated from the family long ago. However, what is unexpected is that my second grandfather's lineage has actually chosen to follow my father, which is truly beyond my expectations."
Hearing this, Yaoqin couldn't help but cover her mouth and chuckle: "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Not only did Your Majesty not expect this, but even the Duke was quite surprised when he learned of it."
"That's true. What's even more surprising is that none of the other members of my second grandfather's lineage voiced any objection. I must say, this is precisely where my second grandfather's brilliance and skill lie."
As they were talking, Su Nuannuan seemed to suddenly remember something and asked, "By the way, is it appropriate for that woman from the Su family to enter the palace to accompany the king?"
Yaoqin gently shook her head and replied, "Your Majesty, there is currently no definite news regarding this matter."
"Could it be that the Su family girl is just indulging in wishful thinking, a one-sided affair? If that's the case, then things will get really interesting!" Su Nuannuan's lips curled up slightly, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.
Time flies, and three days have passed in the blink of an eye. Tingfeng returned to report the news.
"Your Majesty, the body has been delivered intact to Consort Chen. Consort Chen repeatedly instructed that a fire will break out in the Cold Palace when night falls and all is quiet. At that time, I implore you to do me a favor and escort her out of the palace in the chaos." Tingfeng knelt on one knee, clasped his hands, and bowed to Su Nuannuan before him, reporting with a solemn expression.
Sitting on the edge of the bed in the inner palace, Su Nuannuan nodded slightly in agreement: "Then let's do as she says."
Tingfeng quickly replied, "Yes, sir!" After saying that, he got up and left to prepare for the night.
As night completely enveloped the earth, the entire palace was immersed in tranquility. Suddenly, thick smoke billowed from the direction of the Cold Palace, and flames shot into the sky. Upon discovering the fire, the guards and eunuchs on night duty rushed to put it out with buckets of water. In an instant, shouts and footsteps mingled together, shattering the original peace of the night.
After the fire was finally extinguished, the eunuchs who had rushed into the Cold Palace to put it out searched the ruins and soon discovered a charred corpse. They carefully carried it out and, after careful examination, confirmed that the charred body was that of Consort Chen, who had recently been banished to the Cold Palace.
When Consort Chen was sent to the Cold Palace, she did not bring any of her servants with her. In fact, she had already planned it all out. Since she was determined to die and find an opportunity to escape from the palace, why should she make others suffer with her?
Moreover, those who served her were either randomly assigned by the Imperial Household Department or spies planted by her loving father. She trusted none of them.
"Your Majesty, the Cold Palace is on fire!" Jinse hurriedly put on her clothes and walked in, her tone slightly anxious.
At this moment, Su Nuannuan was sitting quietly on the bed. Upon hearing Jinse's voice, she calmly and gracefully rose to her feet and asked softly, "Oh? What's the situation in the Cold Palace now?"
Jinse, observing her mistress's unhurried demeanor, instantly understood everything. Her previously tense emotions calmed down instantly, and after taking a deep breath, she replied, "Your Majesty, a charred body was found in the Cold Palace. After some investigation, the cause of the fire has been determined. It turns out that Consort Chen forgot to extinguish the candle before going to sleep, and when the candle was almost burned out, she accidentally set the table on fire. As you know, Your Majesty, most of the tables and chairs in the Cold Palace are in dire need of repair; even a small spark could easily start a fire."
Moreover, the table was far too close to the bed curtains! By the time people realized it, it was already too late!
According to the eunuchs in charge of fighting the fire, as they desperately tried to extinguish the flames, they could clearly hear Consort Chen's chilling and inhuman screams coming from the sea of fire.
Su Nuannuan couldn't help but gasp, thinking to herself, "I never expected Chen Fangyi to be so cunning. She can even consider these trivial details so thoroughly! It seems that her desire to escape this magnificent palace, which is like a cage that imprisons her freedom, is probably not something that will happen overnight."
"Your Majesty, Consort Chen has safely left the palace."