in2ebook Chapter 49 Insolence!
Chapter 49 Insolence!
"I was just about to deliver some things to the Imperial Household Department," Zijuan explained casually, then looked in the direction Lu Zhiheng had left and asked meaningfully, "What, did your Consort Lu want to invite Lord Lu for a chat, but was turned away?"
This clearly shows that she overheard their entire conversation. Yuxiu didn't dare to hide it from Zijuan, after all, she had Consort Shu behind her.
When walking in the palace, one should not focus on one's own identity, but rather on the identity of the master behind one's back.
Consort Shu is the daughter of General Huwei; who would dare offend her? Even Empress Wang wouldn't dare to show her any disrespect.
Besides, Lu Zhiheng had just stated that he wouldn't interfere with Consort Lu. Why would she risk getting herself into trouble for Consort Lu's sake?
Thinking of this, she smiled and said, "Sister Zijuan guessed right. My master wants to ask Lord Lu for help to deal with that person from Diecui Pavilion."
Upon hearing this, Zijuan's eyes flashed, and she asked with a smile, "Oh, what are your master's plans? If you don't mind, tell me?"
"I didn't know that, and Consort Lu didn't tell me either."
As Yuxiu spoke, she looked at Zijuan with sincere eyes and pleading: "Sister Zijuan, this is my master's secret. Although nothing has gone wrong yet, if it gets out, my master will definitely beat me to death. You must keep this a secret for me!"
"Keeping it a secret isn't impossible, but since we've met today, I'd like to discuss something with my sister..."
Yu Xiu asked in confusion, "What is it?"
Zijuan raised her eyebrows and whispered in Yuxiu's ear, "I need you to keep an eye on Consort Lu. If she makes any moves, tell me."
Yu Xiu hesitated, "Sister Zijuan, this is betraying our master, I dare not..."
"What are you afraid of? I have Consort Shu behind me. Are you working for me? No, you are working for Consort Shu. No matter how powerful your master is, can he surpass Consort Shu?" Zijuan's tone was full of disdain for Lu Mingzhu.
Since the death of Consort Chu in Lizheng Palace, apart from the one in Fengyi Palace, Consort Shu has been the one with the highest status in the harem.
If only I could curry favor with Consort Shu...
Yu Xiu's eyes darted around, and she quickly lowered her head and replied, "Yes."
**
That night, the emperor once again stayed overnight at Diecui Pavilion.
The concubines in the harem were not surprised, after all, Consort Qiao had "fainted". If even this could not keep His Majesty, wouldn't the favor he had received a few days ago have become a joke?
Chu Qingyin found it very strange.
Since she woke up, the emperor had been so gentle and considerate towards her, and every time he called her "Yinyin," the tenderness in his eyes was clearly reserved for the imperial concubine.
Even if Chu Qingyin was unwilling to admit it, Pei Yuanling seemed to be certain that she was the Imperial Concubine.
Her intuition told her that her fainting today was not sudden, and perhaps... it was related to something Pei Yuanling had done behind the scenes.
But she couldn't just ask rashly, because if she did, wouldn't that be revealing her identity?
He had no choice but to keep it to himself and planned to have someone secretly inquire about it the next day.
That night, because she had just woken up, the two of them spent the night peacefully, even though they shared the same bed.
The next morning, Chu Qingyin asked a clever eunuch to inquire whether any strange people had recently entered the palace.
The young eunuch soon reported, "In recent days, apart from Chief Minister Lu visiting the inner palace, there have been no other outsiders."
Lu Zhiheng.
Chu Qingyin's delicate eyebrows furrowed; it was Lu Zhiheng again.
She must be incompatible with him in terms of their birth charts, which is why she always has such bad luck when she meets him.
"I understand, you may leave now."
Chu Qingyin waved her hand, and the little eunuch quickly withdrew. Xianglan brought in a nourishing and beautifying soup prescribed by the Imperial Hospital. "Your Majesty, His Majesty specifically instructed that you drink a bowl of this soup every day to nourish your body."
Chu Qingyin took the soup bowl and sipped it slowly while asking Xianglan about the situation when she fainted yesterday.
Recalling the incident, Xianglan still felt lingering fear: "You really scared me to death yesterday! You were just playing with Little Snowball when suddenly you couldn't stand up straight, and your eyes looked like you'd lost your soul. I kept calling you, but you didn't seem to hear me. You just held your head in your hands, as if you were in extreme pain..."
"Oh, by the way, I don't know what happened to Little Snowball, but after you fell to the ground, it bit your sleeve tightly and wouldn't let go no matter what. Its cries were also particularly shrill and quite frightening."
Upon hearing this, Chu Qingyin looked surprised: "You've been calling me? And Little Snowball was biting my sleeve?"
"Yes!" Xianglan nodded repeatedly, letting out a long sigh of relief: "Thank goodness you're alright."
Chu Qingyin: "..."
She had no recollection of Xianglan calling her name.
She also doesn't remember the little snowball biting her sleeve.
During that time, she felt as if chanting Buddhist hymns were lingering in her ears, and her head was throbbing as if it were about to explode. Even now, thinking back on it, she still finds it incredibly eerie.
Just as she was frowning in thought, a eunuch came from outside the door to report that the Empress had come to visit with a group of concubines.
Visiting her? These people have probably heard she's unwell and come to see when she'll die!
However, she still had to maintain appearances, after all, she was no longer the arrogant and aloof Consort Chu who relied on Pei Yuanling's favor.
"Qiuzhu, go to the outer room to entertain them first. I'll get ready and come right away," Chu Qingyin instructed calmly.
Qiu Zhu glanced at Xiang Lan standing beside her, a hint of resentment flashing in her eyes. Before Qiu Zhu arrived, she had always been the one serving Chu Qingyin closely in the inner room. Now, only Xiang Lan could get close to Chu Qingyin; Qiu Zhu had become a messenger.
Although she was jealous, she dared not show it.
Having spent time with her recently, she had realized that Qiao Qingyin was an extremely shrewd mistress. If Qiao Qingyin discovered anything, she would surely be kicked out. Judging from His Majesty's attitude towards this mistress, this Diecui Pavilion was a hotbed of activity, and she couldn't afford to be kicked out because of a momentary fit of pique.
After all, who among the servants in this palace would be foolish enough to oppose such immense wealth?
"This servant greets Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Shu, Consort De, Noble Consort Ning, Consort Lu, and Lady Qiao. May all Your Majesties enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Qiu Zhu stepped out of the room and greeted the concubines in the main hall one by one before respectfully explaining, "Please allow me, Your Majesty the Empress and all the ladies, that my master is unwell and has just gotten up. In order to avoid offending you ladies, I would like to ask him to finish washing up before coming out to pay his respects. I hope you ladies will wait a moment."
Upon hearing this, Lu Mingzhu immediately snorted coldly, "A mere Consort Qiao dares to keep Her Majesty the Empress waiting here?"
Empress Wang's eyes flickered slightly, but her expression remained unchanged. She simply smiled gently and said, "Consort Qiao is a patient. She is the host, and we are the guests. Since we have come to visit, it is alright to wait a while."
Upon hearing this, Consort Shu and Consort De exchanged a smile, knowing full well that Empress Wang's words were merely a show.
However, since Empress Wang held the highest rank, they naturally couldn't take the lead.
Unfortunately, Lu Mingzhu was a fool, and her words put Empress Wang in a difficult position. She could only swallow her anger, and the Empress must be furious right now!
"Please take your seats, Your Highnesses. I will make tea for you." Qiu Zhu quickly and efficiently arranged for the palace maids to make tea and serve pastries.
Before long, Chu Qingyin slowly walked out with Xianglan's help.
She wore a long, light blue dress with gold stitching, a lotus-shaped gold hairpin, and her long, flowing hair was styled into a high bun. Two emerald green jade earrings hung on either side of her, which made her face, which was already pale from recovering from a serious illness, appear even more delicate and pitiful, evoking pity.
Upon seeing this, a dark glint flashed in Empress Wang's eyes.
The former Consort Chu was always arrogant and domineering, relying on the emperor's favor to act recklessly and disregard everyone's feelings. Now, Consort Qiao is the opposite, always knowing how to feign weakness, acting like a sickly beauty, and fainting several times to make the emperor feel sorry for her.
"This humble concubine greets Your Majesty the Empress, Consort Shu, Consort De, and Noble Consort Ning."
Chu Qingyin first bowed to the high-ranking concubines one by one before turning to Lu Mingzhu and Qiao Qingling beside her: "Consort Lu, Second Sister, you've come too!"
"Seeing that my sister is doing well, I'm relieved," Qiao Qingling said, her face full of concern and sisterly affection.
Lu Mingzhu snorted coldly and looked up at Chu Qingyin's small face, which was just recovering from a serious illness: "It is said that Consort Qiao fainted yesterday because she was frightened. Now it seems that she is indeed as weak as a willow in the wind and pitiful. You must take care of yourself, otherwise how can you serve His Majesty in this state?"
The sarcasm in her tone was undisguised, and everyone present naturally understood it, waiting to see how Chu Qingyin would react.
Chu Qingyin smiled at Qiao Qingling before turning to look at Lu Mingzhu: "Thank you for your concern, Consort Lu. Thanks to His Majesty's kindness, he specially invited Physician Chen from the Imperial Medical Bureau to treat my body. I believe that I will be able to recover in a few days."
Upon hearing this, everyone present, except for Lu Mingzhu and Qiao Qingling, stiffened slightly.
Chen Yun was the chief imperial physician who treated His Majesty. Since His Majesty ascended the throne, apart from treating Consort Chu, even Empress Wang had never received such an honor.
Unexpectedly, Qiao Qingyin became the second person in the harem after the Imperial Concubine!
It's impossible not to feel jealous, but more than that, I'm terrified. Could it be that Consort Qiao is truly possessed by the spirit of a noble consort? Otherwise, why would the emperor favor her so much?
"Consort Qiao should be careful. I've heard Buddhist teachings say that those with weak constitutions are most afraid of having good fortune but not living to enjoy it. Otherwise, what about Consort Chu—"
Before Lu Mingzhu could finish speaking, she was interrupted by a shout from outside: "Insolence!"