"Your Majesty, please understand. I am not clear about the situation either. The palace servants brought the item to me, saying that they found it somewhere. In fact, I don't know what to do with it." Gu Yunqi felt cold sweat breaking out on her back under the stares of everyone, and she felt extremely uncomfortable.
No matter how hard she tried to explain, her explanations were weak and she couldn't clear her name. Did they not know what to do and simply sent it to the Empress Dowager? If she truly had no ill intentions, then she was exceptionally foolish. Those who believed her were, of course, even more foolish.
Gu Yunqi was filled with remorse. How could she have been so blinded by her subordinates, listening to what they said and sending it to the Empress Dowager for her to handle? Even when the Empress Dowager actually intervened, she didn't sense anything amiss, still thinking that Song Shuhao was going to be in trouble, and simply enjoying the spectacle. In the blink of an eye, she was the one being watched and enjoyed.
Or perhaps that was indeed the case originally. Song Shuhao lived in the Xuanzhi Palace, and her relationship with His Majesty was ambiguous and unclear, something even the Empress Dowager would disapprove of. Providing the Empress Dowager with a pretext, whether good or bad, would suffice. But who could have imagined that His Majesty would actually…
The more silent Zhang Yu became, the more uneasy Gu Yunqi grew. Empress Dowager Feng, Empress Shen, and the others, observing Zhang Yu's attitude, wouldn't confront him now. Empress Dowager Feng's silence was tantamount to acknowledging that Gu Yunqi was indeed involved. A simple investigation would clarify the matter, leaving Gu Yunqi with no choice but to admit it. But admitting it would only lead to a worse situation.
Song Shuhao said that her handkerchief disappeared later, and some people still cared. Looking at it this way, it's highly likely that Gu Yunqi was framed. However, no matter how she was framed, the fact that she delivered the item to Empress Dowager Feng is undeniable. How far His Majesty the Emperor will investigate is hard to say.
Glancing at Gu Yunqi, who was kneeling in the hall, her eyes filled with undisguised panic, Feng Hui straightened her sleeves and raised her eyebrows slightly, seemingly with a hint of smugness. Noticing Consort De, Nie Shaoguang, glancing over from the corner of her eye, Feng Hui turned her head slightly, and the corners of her mouth also curled up.
“It’s clear you were truly panicked and instigated, and that’s why you did this without thinking.” Zhang Yu finally spoke, but his words were different from what most people expected. He didn’t care. “I just don’t know who instructed the person behind this, or…” He paused, then gave an order, “Hmm, investigate.”
With a casual "Investigate," Feng Hui's barely concealed smugness turned into a veiled mockery. One moment she thought she was safe this time, but the next, hearing the emperor's words and sensing the spearhead aimed at her, she instantly lost her composure.
Gu Yunqi had clearly admitted it, so why was there still a need to make an excuse for her and continue to pursue the matter? Feng Hui harbored resentment in her heart, gritting her teeth to control her emotions. She also felt that the look that Consort De gave her was full of mockery, and her hatred grew even stronger.
"If someone is indeed secretly plotting and instigating this, then we should certainly investigate it thoroughly," Empress Dowager Feng said, still looking at Zhang Yu. "But since we still don't know what's going on with this handkerchief, perhaps we can investigate that as well. If there's nothing to it, then we can clear A-Hao's name."
"Your Majesty's words are quite something. I think we should consider sending Your Majesty to Hanshan Palace to recuperate." Zhang Yu chuckled. Empress Dowager Feng couldn't take it anymore and her face changed. He continued, "I made the kite myself and I flew it myself. I thought Your Majesty would understand as soon as you heard that."
The threat was too obvious, and Zhang Yu had always been polite to Empress Dowager Feng, yet today he uttered such words, especially since they involved Song Shuhao, which inevitably raised suspicions. Furthermore, his subsequent words seemed to suggest something else—that His Majesty the Emperor and Song Shuhao were making and flying kites together.
Who knows if His Majesty did all this not to please the beauty? And for whom has His Majesty done so many things? Needless to say, Empress Dowager Feng, at this point, apart from Zhang Yu and Song Shuhao, everyone in the hall looked unwell and brooding.
Zhang Yu didn't stop there. He continued slowly and deliberately, "Whatever her problem is, since she's someone close to me, it's only right that I handle it personally. Why didn't you even send someone to inform me? Is it because you don't respect me?" Such an accusation of disrespecting the emperor was something no one could accept.
Song Shuhao was equally surprised. Although she knew that things would be much easier with Zhang Yu's presence, she hadn't expected his method of solving problems to be so simple and direct. It was the truth, but it was also something most of those present didn't want to hear.
Ah Hao felt that it might not be appropriate to embarrass the Empress Dowager in this way, but she couldn't say for sure that there weren't other reasons, since His Majesty had always treated the Empress Dowager with respect. Having spent these past few days together, aside from certain incidents, her opinion of His Majesty had indeed changed considerably.
Even Empress Dowager Feng received such treatment, so everyone else knew that speaking up would only lead to a more dire situation. No one dared to provoke Zhang Yu anymore, and for a time, everyone in the hall, regardless of status, remained silent and tight-lipped.
Having said all that, further discussion would only make things more awkward. Zhang Yu felt he had achieved his goal and had no intention of lingering any longer. He summoned Lü Chuan and Lü Yuan, first instructing Lü Yuan to take everything back to Xuanzhi Hall, then entrusting Lü Chuan with the task of investigating the matter thoroughly. He then stood up, bid farewell to Empress Dowager Feng, and led Song Shuhao away, leaving the rest of the hall behind.
They returned to Xuanzhi Hall in silence. Once inside, Zhang Yu noticed that Song Shuhao's face was pale and her breathing was slightly rapid. He immediately frowned and asked, "Are you feeling unwell? Why do you look so pale?" She had been perfectly fine this morning. Thinking to himself, Zhang Yu reached out to touch Song Shuhao's forehead to check her temperature, but it didn't seem like she had a fever. He then sent someone to the Imperial Hospital to fetch Ling Xiao.
"There's no need to invite Aunt Ling, it's alright... I'm fine." She was indeed feeling unwell, but Ah Hao knew her own condition. Inviting Ling Xiao would only be a waste of her time. To reassure Zhang Yu, she added, "Aunt Ling has examined me and prescribed medicine before. I'll be fine after taking the medicine."
Usually, Ah Hao would take her medicine when Zhang Yan was attending the morning court session, avoiding him. Today, however, she had taken a nap and then went to Changning Palace after waking up, so she hadn't taken her medicine yet. Zhang Yu's brows didn't relax at Ah Hao's words. She wasn't in good health; how could he not know?
Still somewhat uneasy, Zhang Yu sent someone to fetch Ling Xiao, and also told Song Shuhao to lie down first. Even though Ahao blushed and explained that it was because of her period, it was to no avail. Forced to lie on the bed, Zhang Yu covered her with a brocade quilt and stayed by her side without leaving. Ahao, hiding under the covers and watching Zhang Yu, felt deeply helpless.
"It's probably because she's been kneeling for too long that she's like this..." Zhang Yu concluded to himself, deliberately putting aside the fact that he had also made Song Shuhao kneel as punishment. "I'll have Ling Xiao take a closer look at you later, just in case you've developed any health problems." He didn't give Song Shuhao a chance to refute him at all.
In the past, when the imperial concubines reached this time, they would feel defiled and avoid him. But this was the first time he had ever known that something that happened to them once a month could torment a person like this.
Ling Xiao had come and repeatedly assured Zhang Yu that A Hao had no other health problems, so Zhang Yu didn't let the matter rest. Later, seeing that A Hao had taken her medicine, he just wanted her to rest well for the time being. Neither of them specifically mentioned what had happened in Changning Palace.
Perhaps she was exhausted from all the ordeal, or perhaps the medication was taking effect, but as she felt more comfortable, Ah Hao unknowingly fell asleep. While Song Shuhao slept, the highly efficient Lü Chuan reported the outcome of the matter to Zhang Yu.
Thus, the two imperial edicts were issued to the Jinse Hall of Yuquan Palace and the Huayin Hall of Qiulan Palace, respectively. Consort Shu, Feng Hui, was punished with twenty strokes of the cane and confined to her quarters for one month for secretly instigating a plot to harm someone, and was demoted to the rank of Cai Ren (a lower-ranking concubine). Consort Chong, Gu Yunqi, harbored treacherous intentions and malicious thoughts, and was punished with twenty strokes of the cane and confined to her quarters for half a month, and was demoted to the rank of Mei Ren (a higher-ranking concubine).
Jinse Palace was no longer a place Feng Hui could reside in, so Zhang Yu simply granted her permission to move into Qingzhi Pavilion in Yuxiu Palace. The main hall of Yuxiu Palace was occupied by Consort De, Nie Shaoguang. Gu Yunqi's status was also not suitable for residing in Huayin Palace, but the imperial edict deliberately made no mention of this, which was tantamount to tacitly acknowledging that she could stay there temporarily.
Both were punished, both were demoted, and both were for the same incident, yet Gu Yunqi outshone Feng Hui. Feng Hui was even forced to move to Qingzhi Pavilion while Gu Yunqi could continue living in Huayin Palace. The punishment, as everyone saw it, wasn't just a slap in the face for Feng Hui; it was a relentless, continuous, and brutal rebuke to her.
As one of the four imperial concubines and backed by Empress Dowager Feng, Feng Hui was once someone others envied. However, she fell from grace and even Empress Dowager Feng could not protect her, leaving her in such a shameful state. In the past, most of the concubines had to bow to her, but now she had to bow to those people instead.
Feng Hui couldn't accept this outcome, nor did she want to. But the decree had already been issued, the imperial edict laid out before her; everything was set in stone. Why… even the Empress Dowager couldn't protect her? Feng Hui couldn't understand, she just couldn't understand. Last time, she had managed to avoid it all safely…
The palace servants quickly packed up Feng Hui's belongings in Jinse Palace. Standing in the seemingly empty palace, Feng Hui could no longer maintain her arrogance. She tried to raise her chin, but tears streamed down her face uncontrollably. All her former pride and conceit had vanished.
Through her tear-blurred vision, she slowly scanned every corner of the hall, her gaze finally settling on the beams and pillars. Feng Hui stared blankly at the pillar for the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, then suddenly moved, rushing towards it as if she wanted to smash her head against it and die.
The palace servants rushed to stop her, but it was too late; Feng Hui crashed into a pillar. In a daze, she recalled her childhood, her coming-of-age ceremony, and her entry into the palace as an imperial concubine, scheming and plotting her way through each day… She wanted to die but failed. When she opened her eyes again, she seemed oblivious to the wound on her forehead. Her eyes were vacant, staring blankly at nothing, lost in thought…
Upon seeing Nie Shaoguang's figure, she seemed to be greatly stimulated, almost sitting up abruptly. Her face contorted with rage, she lunged at Nie Shaoguang without a second thought. Nie Shaoguang took a small step back, and Feng Hui fell off the bed and onto the floor.
Feng Hui could feel Nie Shaoguang looking at her with contempt, disdain, and disdain. What she saw was the embroidered crabapple blossoms on Nie Shaoguang's skirt, vibrant and dazzling. She heard Nie Shaoguang look down at her and say, "Consort Shu... oh, no, I should say Consort Feng, tell me, who would have thought that one day you and I would both be living in this Yuxiu Palace?"
"Don't worry, I have a very good memory. I haven't forgotten how I fell off my horse and broke my hand during the winter hunt, thanks to you. Consort Feng, you should still remember that too, right? Or have you done so many good deeds that you can't even remember them?"
Feng Hui's cheek was pressed against the cold ground as she listened to Nie Shaoguang's words, without giving him even a glance in response.
·
Prince Anping, Zhao Liang, and Zhao Jian were about to return to their fiefdoms. Zhang Yu had no intention of letting them go so easily; he had made arrangements. He summoned Prince Ning, Xia Mingzhe, Nie Zhiyuan, and others to the palace for a final discussion. After repeated deliberations, Zhang Yu kept Prince Ning behind for one last discussion. By the time Prince Ning prepared to leave the palace, it was already late at night.
On his way, he was stopped by a young palace maid who said the Empress Dowager summoned him. Prince Ning, his face grim, ordered the servants who were leading the way with lanterns to step back. After following the maid for a few steps, Prince Ning stopped and refused to move. The maid noticed, turned around, and smiled at him. Seeing her face clearly in the dim moonlight, Zhang Ye's expression immediately darkened. "What are you doing?" he demanded.
Xie Lanyan looked up at Zhang Ye, seemingly surprised by the anger in his words. Her eyes flickered slightly, and she lowered her head again, lowering her voice, "Now you speak to me like this too... When I was seriously ill and thought I was about to die, your sixth brother didn't even look at me. Now you're doing the same thing. I really would rather be dead."
If these words had been spoken in the past, Xie Lanyan knew Zhang Ye would have softened and toned down his attitude, not treating her too harshly. That's just how he is—affectionate, not hard-hearted, especially soft-hearted towards those he cares about; he's incredibly useful when needed. That's why she disliked Zhang Ye. A person who isn't ruthless enough, with too many stumbles and setbacks, is destined to never achieve great things.
Zhang Ye's face remained expressionless, and when he spoke again, his tone was no better. He simply said to Xie Lanyan, "You can play by yourself. I'll go first." He didn't look at her again.
Xie Lanyan was slightly taken aback, but then she realized that he might know something. Recalling the scenes she had dreamed about, she realized that this person could accept her becoming an imperial concubine and couldn't bring himself to ignore her, while once she betrayed the emperor, his feelings for her were reduced to dislike and resentment.
Could such feelings be considered genuine love? Fortunately, she was the least trusting person when it came to love. People will always betray each other; it will happen at any time. If she truly believed in true love, she would only end up getting hurt. Luckily, she only trusted herself.
"No need. Since you don't want to see me, I'll just disappear. Dressing like a palace maid is my own fault." Xie Lanyan glanced at Zhang Ye, and then indeed left the place even faster than him.
Zhang Ye stood there for a while, not leaving immediately. He turned around and faced the dark artificial hill not far away, and suddenly said, "Come out." Then he seemed to be waiting for something.
If someone were to ask Ling Xiao what would be more embarrassing than catching the prince cheating on the emperor again, she would definitely answer that she was caught the first time, and she was caught the second time.