novelraw Chapter 154 How to establish oneself in the harem?
Chapter 154 How to establish oneself in the harem?
The following day, after the sacrificial ceremony at the Imperial Ancestral Temple was completed, the Empress, together with the Prince of Chu and a group of imperial relatives and ministers, returned to the palace in a procession.
The King of Chu went directly to the Hall of Diligent Governance to receive the emperor's report, and then returned to the ancestral temple to report on the last day of the sacrificial ceremony.
Xiao Yan nodded and mentioned the reason for his return to the palace and what happened in the palace yesterday.
Upon hearing this, the King of Chu sighed heavily: "My mother is truly foolish! How could she so easily believe such absurd and nonsensical words?"
"It wasn't that the Empress Dowager was foolish in choosing a husband; she was blinded by her paternal love. Just because it concerned Xiao Ze, she would listen to even the most blatant and flimsy lies as if they were the truth."
After speaking, Xiao Yan's expression turned stern: "From now on, I will no longer allow the Empress Dowager to come into contact with these troublemakers."
The King of Chu agreed wholeheartedly, saying, "Your Majesty is absolutely right. Mother has indeed lost her mind for Xiao Ze's sake."
After a moment's hesitation, he looked up and asked again, "Brother, has that evil monk confessed? Who exactly was instigating and directing him behind the scenes?"
Xiao Yan tapped the imperial desk lightly with his finger. "He did confess, but I don't believe him."
"Whom are you referring to in your confession?"
"The Emperor's brother-in-law."
Xiao Yan slowly said, "That evil monk said that in the past half month, the Empress Dowager has dreamed of Xiao Ze repeatedly, complaining to her that he was helpless and his soul was wandering around, living a miserable life. The Empress Dowager told the Imperial Uncle all these things, and the Imperial Uncle instigated him to deceive the Empress Dowager. He said that as long as Zhaoyi was dealt with and the so-called 'evil energy' was dispelled, Xiao Ze could enter the ancestral hall to enjoy incense offerings all year round and his soul could return to peace."
He continued to tap lightly on the table with his fingertips, his brows furrowed slightly: "But I feel it's not that simple. You know the character of the Imperial Uncle. Although he is dull and stubborn, he has always been concerned about the country and the family. He and the Empress Dowager are like siblings. He would not do something so foolish as to hurt the Empress Dowager's feelings and sow discord between me and the Empress Dowager for such petty gains."
"What Your Majesty says is absolutely right," the King of Chu nodded in agreement.
Although he disliked his uncle since childhood because he was reckless, stubborn, and not very smart, he was upright and honest.
"Then who does Your Majesty suspect?"
Xiao Yan picked up a pen and wrote the character "Lu" on the paper.
The King of Chu understood.
The two of them changed the subject without prior arrangement.
Li Fuquan presented a newly built cup of pre-rain Longjing tea. The Prince of Chu picked up the teacup and glanced at Xiao Yan with a half-smile: "Your Majesty rushed back to the palace before the ceremony was over yesterday because of Consort Yuan. I have heard that Consort Yuan has been staying in Zichen Palace for a long time. I wonder if Consort Yuan wanted to stay there herself, or if Your Majesty specially granted her permission, or if Your Majesty forced her to stay there."
Xiao Yan glanced at him sideways but didn't say anything.
Upon seeing this, the King of Chu laughed even more heartily: "I never expected that my usually cold and aloof elder brother would have such a day."
Xiao Yan took a sip of tea and retorted, "You still have the nerve to joke with me? Does Zheng Yueyao even want you?"
The King of Chu's smile vanished, and a deep, bitter resentment instantly settled in his eyes.
Xiao Yan felt much better when he saw his dejected look.
The King of Chu drank his tea in a sullen mood.
A thought suddenly arose.
He could learn to be as shameless as his elder brother.
The emperor was able to force Consort Zhao to live in the Zichen Palace, and over time, feelings developed between them, warming her heart.
He then confined Yueyao to one place, seeing her every day, but unfortunately, he couldn't warm Yueyao's heart.
"I'm glad I returned in time yesterday. Consort Zhao is pregnant. If I had arrived any later, something terrible might have happened."
The King of Chu congratulated him with great joy: "Is Consort Yuan pregnant? Your Majesty, I, your humble brother, offer my congratulations."
Xiao Yan: "?"
He was looking sullen and downcast just a moment ago, but how did he suddenly become all smiles? It makes him seem a bit silly.
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Yaohua Palace.
Tingyu placed the bird's nest on the table, curtsied, and said, "Your Majesty, I just went to the Imperial Kitchen to fetch the bird's nest and happened to run into Consort Qiu's personal maid, Chuntao. She hurriedly pulled me to a secluded spot, crying and saying that Consort Qiu had been bullied."
"Hmm?" Song Shuangning's delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly. "Who bullied her?"
"Who else could it be? The only one in the palace with such audacity is Consort Qing."
Tingyu pursed her lips and said indignantly, "Your Majesty, Chun Tao said that these past few days, Consort Qing has been finding excuses to summon Consort Qiu, and secretly using all sorts of underhanded methods to force Consort Qiu to make mistakes so as to humiliate her. Chun Tao also said that Consort Qiu's arms and body are covered with bruises, some from being pinched and others from being squeezed, and they look quite shocking."
"Consort Qiu is afraid of trouble and also afraid of being bullied even more. Now she doesn't even dare to step out of the palace gates. She doesn't know who to ask for help. The Empress has always favored Consort Qing, and there is no one in the palace who can support her. She can only endure it."
Consort Qiu was timid and cowardly, with a pure and innocent nature bordering on naiveté, and she seemed destined to be bullied. Consort Qing and Consort Qiu had long been enemies, and since it was no secret in the palace that Consort Qiu had a good relationship with her, Consort Qiu became an even bigger thorn in Consort Qing's side.
Song Shuangning's eyes turned cold: "Find an excuse to bring Consort Qiu to Yaohua Palace."
Tingyu bowed and said, "Yes."
After such a long delay, and after holding this grudge for so long, it's time to let Qing Xiuyi taste the bitter fruit of her own actions.
Tingyu found a new plum wine she had developed and invited Qiu Meiren over under the pretext of wanting her to try it.
As soon as Consort Qiu stepped into Yaohua Palace, tears streamed down her face like broken beads, and she sobbed softly.
Song Shuangning pulled her to sit on the soft couch. "You suffered this injustice for no reason, why didn't you tell me sooner? Can't I stand up for you? Don't you trust me even a little?"
Consort Qiu shook her head, choking back tears: "I heard that the Empress Dowager set up an altar in the palace a couple of days ago. Sister, you are already very tired. I really can't bear to bother you with these trivial matters, and I don't know how to bring it up..."
Song Shuangning raised her hand and gently wiped away the tears on her cheeks.
"Let me see your injury."
Qiu Meiren lifted her sleeves and untied the ties of her clothes.
Qing Xiuyi had learned her lesson well; she would twist and pinch the parts that could be covered by clothing, so no one could tell that something was wrong.
All that could be seen on Qiu Meiren's arms and waist were dense, bruises of varying shades, a shocking sight.
Song Shuangning was furious at the sight and immediately ordered someone to bring her wound medicine.
She treated Qiu Meiren's wounds and said, "I will settle this score for you."
Qiu Meiren was so frightened that she grabbed her wrist and shook her head: "Sister, you mustn't! You mustn't be impulsive. Don't make enemies with Consort Qing for the sake of me. She's very ruthless and holds grudges the most."
Song Shuangning took a deep breath:
"She bullied you because of me."
"Because you are close to me, and Consort Shao and Consort Xu are of high rank and are the birth mother and adoptive mother of the Third Prince, Consort Qing does not dare to provoke them, so she specifically targets someone like you who is helpless and vulnerable to bully."
"Her bullying you today is a slap in my face. If I allow myself to be manipulated by others, how can I maintain my position in the harem?"