"It's nothing." She answered instinctively before realizing whose voice it was. Looking up at the handsome face she'd seen so many times before, she was somewhat immune to it. "What are you doing at Hua Ran Palace?"
"He just lets Consort Xian mistreat you like this?" Murong Shi ignored her question.
"It was my own choice."
"Of course you did it voluntarily. The Emperor is on Consort Xian's side and transferred you to do these things. He also hopes that you did it voluntarily."
"Shut up!" For the first time, he dared not look Murong Shi in the eye.
"Anything with the word 'Emperor' in its name is more important than you." No one knew how tightly Murong Shi clenched his fist when he said this.
"You!" When she looked up, all she saw was his back. And you are no different; a liar has no right to talk about who is more unfaithful.
The next day, paying respects to the Empress, the head of the harem, was unavoidable. Even though the Emperor jokingly said that he was a devout Buddhist and didn't need to be overly bound by court etiquette, the first audience was still essential. Then, the Virtuous Consort, with extraordinary "favor," brought Shen Mo along…
"Is my sister getting used to the food and life in the palace?" The Empress raised her glittering pinky finger and took a sip of her drink. To her left was Consort Gong, to her right was Consort Tian, and behind her was a row of women whose faces she had never seen before. Having never seen such a scene before, Shen Mo stood behind Consort Xian with extra caution.
"Very good, thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
"I've heard that my sister has been a devout Buddhist for many years, so she must be a widow living a quiet life. She can do as His Majesty said and not come to pay her respects. I will grant her permission. It's alright." The Empress continued to exude her maternal care.
"It's nothing, it's only natural," Consort Xian replied calmly.
But Tao Yao, standing to the side, became agitated. She had already felt uneasy seeing Shen Mo following along, and now she couldn't hold back any longer. "The way the Empress Dowager spoke was just being polite to Consort Xian. Consort Xian probably lives in that small place in Qingyou Mountain all year round and has no one to deal with. But why treat the mother of the nation with such an attitude?"
"Tao Yao!" the Empress feigned anger. "How dare a junior speak to Consort Xian like that? Has she lost all manners?"
"Mother..." Tao Yao stamped her foot and tugged at the Empress's sleeve, looking at Shen Mo and Consort Xian with barely suppressed rage.
"Your Highness is right, I will certainly pay attention in the future." The mother and daughter were singing in unison, which the servants and concubines found quite interesting. Consort Xian had no choice but to lower her face slightly.
"Please excuse my daughter's antics, my little girl is just being mischievous." The Empress's attire today was rather formal, with a phoenix robe and a graceful bearing. Her smile was exceptionally elegant and noble, a stark contrast to the plain-faced and plain-clothed Consort Xian. No wonder she asked the palace maid beside her to fetch the jade hairpin.
"Three years have passed, and the time for the Emperor to select concubines has arrived again. Now that you've entered the palace, it's certainly good for you to be simple and pure, but we elders can't let them laugh at us. This jade hairpin was a tribute from a vassal state in the past. I haven't worn it yet, so please accept it, sister." The Empress personally picked up the hairpin and handed it to Consort Xian. Consort Xian paused, and just as she was about to rise, she looked at Shen Mo behind her!
Whoosh! Several impatient concubines behind her started whispering among themselves. Even the most foolish person would know to personally step forward and thank the Empress for her kindness, but Consort Xian had a servant... slap the Empress in the face in front of the entire harem?
A simple greeting ceremony turned into the main event for Consort Xian, and the Empress was playing the clown in the play! Consort Tian walked out with her head held high. If she hadn't been trying so hard to suppress herself, she probably would have been humming a little tune out of excitement. Consort Xian was telling the Empress that she had given birth to a son!
A gentle evening breeze swept in, blowing open the window. Shen Mo pressed her aching arm with all her might, her forehead beaded with sweat. The cool breeze was too much for her; she could no longer bear it and rushed out the door. She couldn't accuse the Empress of poisoning the jade hairpin, because Consort Xian already knew; she couldn't accuse Consort Xian of using her as a human shield, because she had already tacitly approved of it. Suddenly, she only wanted to ask Rong Yue: for his ambition, how much longer would she suffer?
"Her Majesty has instructed that, as it is late at night, to prevent unauthorized personnel from entering and leaving the Flower Dye Palace, a gate control measure has been implemented. Please present Her Majesty's token or edict, young lady." This person, whom I have never seen before, is brazenly announcing the gate control measure here.
Shen Mo smiled, and for a fleeting moment, a thought flashed through her mind: leave, leave Rong Yue, leave this vexing place. Calming down, she realized this was exactly the outcome Consort Xian wanted. She had stolen his son years ago, and now she was here for revenge.
The flute trembled as it was brought to his lips, and a tune of Late Autumn was played completely off-key. He still remembered that night at the Lantern Festival, the song that had made Lechang envious—a clear stream flowing, mandarin ducks nestled together. Those days are gone forever, gone forever… Was that the beautiful, melodious tune? Perhaps it was, perhaps it wasn't. In the depths of his pain, in his dazed state, he couldn't even remember where he was.
Suddenly, a cool sensation ran through my arm, and the pain subsided considerably. A not-so-warm hand, filled with affection and caress, seemed to want more, holding on tightly. My brows finally relaxed, and I completely passed out.
She woke up three days later. The first person she saw was the young master, and it had to be the young master. But she didn't dare to embrace him as she had in her dream, because the imperial physician and Le Chang were standing beside her. Even when there was no one else, Murong Shi was still standing in the Nine Phoenix Palace.
"Finally awake." Rong Yue rubbed his forehead, relieved. "The imperial physician said you were poisoned, the poisoning started in your palms and spread throughout your body. If you hadn't woken up today..."
“You know,” Shen Mo interrupted him, her eyes appearing unusually large on her thin face, “I’m not afraid of poison, you know that.” So she could let Consort Xian do as she pleased.
"Hmm." Rong Yue pondered for a moment, then rubbed his temples. "Then you should rest well. I still have to rush to the military camp. Don't slack off these next few days." Wearing his armor, he glanced at the imperial physician beside him, gave him a few instructions, and then left as he had come.
Shen Mo stared at the bed for a long time before saying, "I am honored that you have taken time out of your busy schedule."
The two imperial physicians preparing medicine in the room thought they were being spoken to and quickly said it was alright. "So, Miss Shen Mo, even while lying on the couch, you know about the imperial concubine selection?" The two imperial physicians were also talkative people who couldn't help themselves. They were usually very cautious, but now that Shen Mo had started talking, they couldn't stop her.
"A talent show?" I think I heard the Empress mention it on the day I paid my respects.
"The Imperial Hospital has been so busy lately, it's all because of the arrival of those new masters. We servants are terrified of hurting ourselves, so we're always on their heels with medicine... What are you doing?" One of them was speaking enthusiastically when his companion kept nudging him with his elbow. When he realized what was happening, he said, "It's nothing. We servants in the palace are all one family. Miss Shenmo is no outsider either. What could possibly happen if I tell you the truth?"
Indeed, nothing was wrong. Shen Mo closed her eyes. It was just a talent show; it had nothing to do with her, and she didn't want to hear about it. However, half a month later, as Rong Yue's departure for the campaign approached, she realized how utterly wrong she had been. It was a rainy day when she encountered the newly favored concubine of the current emperor in the Imperial Garden.
Her beauty was unparalleled, surpassing even the moon and flowers. Not only that, she was also incredibly graceful and light-footed, capable of performing extraordinary dances. On the day she served the emperor, he lingered in her chambers for a full day and night without leaving. Within half a month, she was promoted to the rank of Jade Consort, her future status uncertain, attracting the attention of everyone in the harem.
Of course, this was just other people's evaluation and summary of her. When Shen Mo saw this legendary Consort Yu, all she knew was that Consort Yu was Jiang Suying, and Jiang Suying was Consort Yu! This was a rumor she had heard from the servants around her many times.
"Look, look! It's Consort Yu! Consort Yu has arrived!"
Early in the morning, she was dragged to collect nectar for Consort Xian. It was said to be good for beauty and relieve coughs, and it was a must-have in other people's palaces. Hua Ran Palace also needed it. Shen Mo was already pale and weak from being poisoned. At this moment, she heard the cheers of the little palace maids next to her. She touched her ears. She heard people praising her every day. What kind of fairy woman could make people's ears calloused?
With a slight tilt of her head, and in that fleeting glance, the flower basket in her hand fell to the ground.
The splendor has vanished, and time cannot be turned back; but if we look back, we can still hear the laughter.
Miss Jiang...
Author's Note: As I write this, I can't help but pose a multiple-choice question: A. Shen Mo and Rong Yue - comedy B. Shen Mo and He Shi - comedy C. The three of them going their separate ways - also a comedy (you're kidding). Okay, actually I already have the answer in my heart. I want to hear the girls' feelings, but no matter what, I will find the most suitable home for them.
Chapter 41 Nostalgia
Her pale face stood out starkly against the backdrop of vibrant flowers. Shen Mo's surprised expression was immediately noticed by everyone, with even a palace maid teasing her, "Haven't you ever seen a pig run even if you've never eaten pork? Why be so flustered when you see a beauty like her?"
But as the beauty approached them step by step, everyone lost their composure and speechless.
Closer, closer, even closer… Lips as red as silk, teeth as white as jade, a touch of blush on her forehead like the rising sun and moon, a slender waist half-grasped in brocade. From the first time she saw thirteen-year-old Jiang Suying, she knew she was beautiful and radiant, yet in the end, she sought death for love. Was it herself, or Rong Yue? He single-handedly sent this idyllic paradise to the depths of the imperial harem.
Jiang Suying finally stopped beside Shen Mo, extending a hand, her eyes gleaming with a sharp light, as if recounting past affections and present debts. Shen Mo closed his eyes, his brows furrowed. Then…
"Such beautiful and pleasing flowers in the palace!" Jiang Suying reached out to the peony next to Shen Mo, her eyes flashing with joy as if Shen Mo were invisible. "May I pick it?" But her words carried a hint of coldness.
"This..." The old woman following behind was in a dilemma, unable to say yes or no.
With a snap, the peony was instantly broken in half, lifeless. The beauty smelled the flower, a scene of breathtaking beauty. Her exclamation, "So fragrant!" would surely be echoed even by the current emperor.
"Miss Jiang..." Even though she could clearly see herself, and she was still angry, Shen Mo finally couldn't control himself and called out her name.
Jiang Suying paused, then... she turned the peony around, she... didn't hear.
"How dare you! You little servant, are you out of your mind? Is the palace a place where you can just casually claim kinship? How dare you, a mere servant, call Consort Yu by her surname?!" The nanny beside her overheard this and, without even asking what happened, launched into a stern lecture. Glancing at Consort Yu, who raised an eyebrow, the nanny swallowed hard, almost thinking she had misread it! This... this usually kind and amiable Consort Yu was just tacitly approving of her actions?
"You must pay your respects to Her Highness. If you act so disrespectfully again, I'll slap you!" She recognized Shen Mo; she was someone the Ninth Prince wanted, and she couldn't afford to offend her too much. Helpless, the nanny uttered a few more harsh words before preparing to return to the palace with Consort Yu.
“What you say is absolutely right, Granny. Such disrespect is truly appalling.” Jiang Suying looked at Peony with gentle eyes, but her words were chillingly cold. It was likely that from this day forward, no one would dare to praise her kindness and friendliness again.
“This…I…” The old woman looked at the indifferent Jiang Suyi, then at the distressed Shen Mo. After all, Jiang Suyi was the mistress. Although she knew she shouldn’t, she still walked back to Shen Mo and raised her hand tremblingly.
"I'm so sorry." The old woman closed her eyes and raised her hand forcefully at Shen Mo. What kind of sins had she committed!
"Stop!" A sharp voice rang out, like a car wheel hitting a rut, bringing the vehicle to a sudden halt. The slap, however, did not fall. The old woman turned around and saw it was Consort Tian. She wiped the cold sweat from her brow. She even resolved in her heart that from now on, whatever Consort Tian commanded, she would obey without hesitation, even at the cost of her life.
"Who made my sister angry so early in the morning?" Consort Tian turned around, dressed in a flamboyant manner, and patted Shen Mo's shoulder without making a sound. After Shen Mo was puzzled, she walked towards Jiang Suyi.
“Oh dear, people say that the day’s plan starts in the morning, so you can’t get up early,” Consort Tian chattered on, comforting Jiang Suying in a very familiar way. While everyone was speechless, Jiang Suying seemed to enjoy it very much, pulling Consort Tian’s hand and discussing her flower appreciation with her. However, as she left, she couldn’t help but glance at Chen Mo and mutter to herself, “If anyone ever takes advantage of their master’s power to commit insubordination again…” She stopped there.
“Then I won’t let her off the hook either! I will punish her severely.” Consort Tian naturally chimed in, and they hit it off immediately. The two fragrant trails eventually disappeared into the depths of the flowers.
Shen Mo stared blankly at the petals that remained along the way. Jiang Suying's words... were indicating her stance, that she was opposed to Consort Xian!
"Did she say anything else?" Lechang fiddled with his folding fan, deep in thought. As soon as Shen Mo reported, his brows furrowed even more.
"No." Shen Mo shook her head. Today, Mr. Lechang visited Rong Yue without the Emperor's notice, and she took the opportunity to tell him everything about Jiang Suying.
"Is she trying to settle old scores?" Rong Yue touched his nose, still feeling somewhat guilty towards her. "She's now the Emperor's darling, and I'm afraid her words carry more weight than both of us combined." He also had a bit of a headache.
"Perhaps I ate too much cold tea and food outside the palace the other day," Lechang said, but Rong Yue clutched his stomach, looking quite pitiful.
"What's wrong, sir? I'll go and call the imperial physician right away." Rong Yue's anxious expression was immediately evident.
"It's alright, it's alright," Lechang quickly waved his hand to call him back, "It's just that my stomach is a little uncomfortable."
"Sir, you've worked hard. I'll go make you some hot tea to warm your stomach right away." Shen Mo said as she hurried out the door. She naturally couldn't neglect Lechang, which Rong Yue valued so much.
"Thank you..." Before Lechang could finish saying thank you, Shen Mo had already walked away. Lechang quickly composed himself and walked up to Rong Yue, his serious expression a far cry from his previous pained look.
Rong Yue was taken aback by his words, but having experienced the ways of the world, he realized that it must be related to Shen Mo when he quickly pulled out a thin piece of paper from his sleeve. He just didn't know that the connection was so subtle.
"Hahaha, I never expected Mr. Lechang to believe in such supernatural fortune-telling." Rong Yue laughed easily, but almost knocked over the teacup on the table.
"A woman by the dragon's side, success or failure hinges on her." Le Chang repeated the words on the yellow brocade slip in his hand, shaking his head. "Your Highness, I didn't believe it at first, but this matter is mysterious. Your Highness might consider it in light of recent events. The Empress harbors resentment towards Shen Mo because of Princess Tao Yao, and Consort Xian and Consort Yu also resent Shen Mo. If Consort Xian is one thing, then the others will also resent Your Highness. If it is truly as Your Highness says, and everything is a conspiracy behind Murong Shi's back, then we only need to hand Shen Mo over to..."
"Shut up!" Rong Yue, who always treated Lechang as an honored guest, completely lost his composure at this moment.
“I understand Your Highness’s feelings. I will only say this much. All decisions will be made by Your Highness, and I will not interfere in the slightest.” Le Chang closed his eyes, then suddenly opened them after a moment. He hardened his heart and said, “If we hand it over to Murong Shi, then the Empress will become his enemy, and Consort Yu will become his enemy. Also…” He seemed to feel a little cruel and helpless, and paused, “Alternatively, we can work with Miss Shen Mo to attack the Ninth Prince in one fell swoop, and from then on, no one can shake Your Highness.”
*Crack!* The sound of a teacup shattering.
No, it was the sound of two teacups shattering. One inside the room, one outside.
"Ah Mo!" Rong Yue held up his hand, cut by shards, listening to the commotion outside. After a moment, he turned to look at Le Chang, his eyes filled with an unprecedented ferocity, as if he were an enemy, a lifelong enemy! "You did this on purpose!"
Yes, it was intentional, he deliberately let her hear. Le Chang turned around with difficulty and left through the secret passage. A cold glint appeared in his eyes. He had never, never killed anyone before, but he was certain that the feeling he had today was more painful than killing anyone else.
Squeak...
The door reopened, and Shen Mo slowly approached Rong Yue, her pale face devoid of any life. In her hands, she no longer held hot tea, but gauze.
He lifted his hand to wipe away the bloodstains, wrapping the gauze around and around until his hand was completely bound and unable to move. Only then did Shen Mo stop, throw down the rest of the things, stand up and leave.
“Amo.” Even though his injured hand made movement difficult, it still retained a bit of strength. Rong Yue pulled her back just as she was about to leave. “How terrible it would be if the road to overlooking the world were without you.”
"Young Master, the day of departure is approaching. Tomorrow the Emperor will personally review the troops and conduct drills. You should rest early." Shen Mo tried to pry his hands open and say some meaningless words, but his heart was already overflowing with emotions.
"Listen to me, that's impossible! I will never give you away to someone else!" He shoved Shen Mo into his chest, his heart pounding so hard that Shen Mo was stunned. He dazedly twitched his fingers and grabbed his military uniform. How was this feeling different from before? Why was he so flustered?
She desperately wanted to touch her heart, but Rong Yue held her captive, and she couldn't move at all.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
The drums of the army camp sounded more sacred and majestic than anywhere else, especially today. The Emperor and Empress of the Qitian Dynasty personally reviewed the troops and gave them encouragement on the battlefield, ensuring a great victory for Qitian and a complete defeat of the barbarians.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Empress! Long live the Empress!" The elite troops, tempered and trained through countless trials, now resembled a mighty pack of lions. Murong Yi glanced at them one by one, nodding repeatedly.
Many soldiers, who had never had the chance to witness the Empress's majesty, were now on high alert. However, those who paid attention would notice that besides the Empress, two women in palace attire accompanied her. One was dressed in simple, elegant robes, her face slightly pale, her stern gaze making one hesitant to look directly at her. The other had bright eyes and white teeth, her two watery eyes so captivating that they seemed untouchable.
"Your Highness, this way please." The eunuchs busied themselves arranging seating, and after the Emperor and Empress were seated, they led the Consort Xian to the Emperor's right. Shen Mo followed behind the Consort Xian, clearly receiving a wary look from the Empress on her left.
"Your Highness Consort Yu, Your Highness Consort Yu..." The eunuch, sweating profusely, called out to Consort Yu, who was rushing toward the Emperor, and arranged for her to sit to the left of the Empress.
"Your Majesty..." Consort Yu's discontented and complaining cry was neither too loud nor too soft, but only the Emperor, Empress, and Consort Xian, who were in high positions, could hear it. The Empress almost grimaced in anger, but the Emperor's heart softened. He looked around and helplessly twitched his fingers.
"Hmph!" Consort Yu had no choice but to obediently take her seat.
"Father, may we begin?" Murong Yue stood at the bottom of the steps, cupping his hands in a gesture of respect. Anyone could guess what had just happened, but since the protagonist was Jiang Suying, he felt a bit uneasy, just like Shen Mo, and his face looked unnatural.
"Yes, accurate!"
With Murong Yi's command, the performance officially began. Because of the upcoming campaign in the Northwest, equestrian skills were of paramount importance, making them the first and only event personally led by Rong Yue.
His tall, slender figure, honed through years of martial arts training, exuded the imposing aura of a warrior general. He rode his tall horse against the wind, slashing and killing with every movement radiating power and charisma. Even without his distinctive silver-white battle robes, one could immediately recognize Rong Yue, this handsome and spirited man.