Chapter Ninety-Four
"Your Majesty, Princess Jing has arrived!" Yuzhu walked in with a cheerful tone and came over to take my hand. Shanzhu used to be Jing'er's head maid. I don't know if it was her brother's idea or hers, but a year ago, Shanzhu was transferred to serve me. Perhaps it was also to help me.
"Jing'er is here, quickly invite her in." I was also happy. The palace was too corrupt. Jing'er was well protected by her brother. She had no domineering personality, no willful or capricious nature. She was gentle and compliant, making everyone who was close to her feel comfortable. However, it was this simple and innocent personality that sometimes made her a target for others to take advantage of.
"Sister Xue," the warbling of a nightingale heralded its first song, soft and melodious. Jing'er's voice is the most beautiful I've ever heard, perfectly balanced. Neither harsh nor shrill, it's like a spring breeze, soothing the soul. I wonder who will be lucky enough to meet this wonderful girl, Jing'er, in the future.
I looked in the direction of the sound. I was still blind, but with Shanzhu's help, no one could tell I was blind except for Jing'er's brother, Jing'er herself, and Shanzhu. For those two years, I desperately tried to adapt to living in the dark, relying on sounds to orient myself, and touching Jing'er's face to know roughly what she looked like. Jing'er was truly distressed to see that I was blind. She secretly searched for doctors everywhere, but still couldn't cure my eyes. I knew I would never see again, but I didn't stop Jing'er. I thought that with good intentions, I could at least let her give up after trying her best. Jing'er has a stubborn temper. She is very gentle and reserved in her dealings with others, but once she encounters something she is determined to do, nothing can sway her. This also gives her a shield in the harem. For example, she hates Consort Rong. Even if Consort Rong politely invites her, she might not be able to persuade her. In the harem, Jing'er is a typical 'homebody' in modern times. Apart from coming to sit with me when there is nothing to do, she spends most of her time hiding in her own palace. I don't know what she is doing. Even if I knew, I probably wouldn't see it! Therefore, not many of the concubines in the harem like her. But they can't do anything to Jing'er. You have to know that Jing'er is the Emperor and Empress Dowager's treasure. These two powerful figures haven't said a word. What can the wives and daughters-in-law say? Of course, they are polite and respectful on the surface.
"What brings you here to sit with Sister Xue today?" I covered my mouth and chuckled. I don't know what's wrong with Jing'er lately. Shanzhu said she always stares at the guards, especially the good-looking ones. At first, the guards were very serious and stood there without moving. But as Jing'er looked at them, some of them were even delighted, thinking that Princess Jing had taken a liking to them. However, after a while, the guards became afraid and would hide whenever they saw Jing'er. Apparently, this matter even reached the Empress Dowager's ears. The Empress Dowager really teased and reprimanded her before she finally calmed down.
"Why are you making fun of me, even Sister Xue? Ah, it must be Shanzhu who told you!" After saying that, she ran to my side. I don't know if she was teasing Shanzhu or not, but I heard a continuous burst of laughter like the sound of copper bells.
"Alright, alright. Stop fooling around and come talk to Sister Xue," I said helplessly, calling out to the two girls who acted like little kids whenever they were together.
"Alright, for Sister Xue's sake, I'll let you off the hook." Then, a soft hand took my hand, and I followed her and sat down on a chair in the room.
"Jing'er, come and tell Sister Xue, what's with watching the guards all day?" I sat down, took Jing'er's hand, and couldn't help but laugh. How could this child be so bold?
"Oh dear, no way! I just glanced at it a couple of times, and Mother scolded me. It's all my brother's fault!" Jing'er tugged at my sleeve and whined, then pouted and said in a softer voice.
"What's going on? I'm completely confused. How is this related to the Emperor?" I shook my head and said softly.
"Oh dear, it's all because of my brother, who said that Jing'er is of marriageable age and needs to find her a husband." Then he stopped talking. I reached out and accidentally touched her face. It was hot, and I understood what was going on.
"What are you looking for?" I pretended not to know and waited curiously.
"Oh dear, how can I say this?" Jing'er's voice began to tremble with panic.
When Shanzhu saw Jing'er's face flushed and her shyly lowered head with a smile, like a lotus emerging from the water or a peach blossom bathed in rain, she exclaimed, "Your Highness, is the princess embarrassed?" After saying that, she hid behind me.
"What are you saying, Mangosteen?" After saying that, she seemed to be about to get up and hit Mangosteen again, but I quickly pulled her back and laughed.
"Is it true that my Jing'er is looking for a husband?" I know that these kinds of things shouldn't be said too directly by young women here, but I'm different. There are no outsiders here, so it won't matter if I say it.
"Oh dear, Sister Xue, how could you be so blunt?" she said sweetly. "My brother says it's time for me to find a husband, but I don't have anyone I like, so I've been eyeing those guards."
"That's strange. He doesn't want the son of a meritorious official, but he wants to be a bodyguard instead." I was full of doubts.
“If I were to marry the son of this meritorious official, I would have to leave the palace. I can’t bear to leave my brother and mother. But if I were to marry a guard, I could stay in the palace,” Jing’er proudly told me her big conclusion.
I laughed again. "That's ridiculous! You came up with that yourself!" Then, I laughed with Mangosteen.
"Sister Xue," Jing'er called out with a hint of dissatisfaction.
"Your sister Xue is right, don't stare at the guards anymore." A slightly lazy, deep, and magnetic voice, with a touch of domineering, said as Ling Feng walked in.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects!" Jing'er and I were both startled. Shanzhu quickly helped me up and stood up to bow.
"Get up, my beloved concubine," Xue Bin said, gently helping me to my feet. Then, with a smile in her voice, she added, "Jing'er, why are you here bothering your Xue-jie?"
"No way," Jing'er muttered again, dissatisfied.
"Alright, Your Majesty, Xue'er has been bored lately, so she specially asked Jing'er to come and talk to me." I patted Xue Bin's hand by feel, and then said to Jing'er, "Jing'er, go back and think it over carefully. This guard will also be leaving the palace. Think carefully about what kind of consort you want, and talk to your brother about it. Your Majesty will definitely choose a suitable husband for you."
After Jing'er and Shanzhu left, I sat back down. The air instantly changed; the warmth and sweetness from before were gone, and a stiff atmosphere filled the hall.
Chapter Ninety-Five
"Two years have passed, and she's here." I sighed with emotion; time really flies.
"Well, I still hope you can continue," he said calmly, as if the gentle-spoken person from before was not him. A chill suddenly rose in the air, making it feel a little suffocating.
"Two years, isn't that enough? You promised me that as long as I helped her enter the palace, everything would be fine, and you would let me leave." I was a little annoyed. This is the harem, not a good place. No one who falls into this place will have an easy time. I hate that kind of life where I'm on edge all the time.
"Just this year. After this year, I will send you out of the palace as promised. I have kept my promise to you for two years." He still spoke in that cold tone, leaving no room for negotiation, and even with a sense of command.
I suddenly stood up in anger. "Xuebin, you need to know that I, Zixue, am free. That matter wasn't something only you could do; I could have found someone else to do it too. Yes, you are high and mighty in this palace, and killing a mere woman like me is a piece of cake for you. But let me tell you, I, Zixue, am your ally, not your pawn. Put away your commanding tone. Outside, you are the emperor, but here you are just an ordinary person. We are all the same."
Xuebin suddenly let out a long sigh, then pressed me back into my seat. Judging from his footsteps, I knew he had sat down opposite me.
"That's right. I was suspicious of you at first. Why would a woman appear at the place where Jing'er was hunting for no reason? As the emperor, I should have everything under control. However, for two years, I have always regarded you as the same as Jing'er. It was unavoidable to bring you into this harem struggle."
"Haha," I laughed when I heard his words. "Xuebin, why make so many excuses? The first time we met, you were already on guard against me. Now, you might still have spies watching me. You say you had no choice, but why twist the facts like that? Just admit it. My appearance at that time was exactly what you planned. Do you think I don't know that you've always treated me like a pawn? As for treating me the same as Jing'er, don't make me laugh. I don't know who sent Shanzhu, but you must have given instructions. And this Consort Rong, you want to use me to get rid of her, or get rid of Consort Rong's father—the Prime Minister. People say that the harem is another court. The concubines' struggle for favor is related to the changes in the court. I, who have no power or influence, have become the Imperial Noble Consort. There must be many people in the court who are dissatisfied with me. As for your beloved entering the palace later, I will distract them. They will be busy dealing with me. How will they think of her? You are really clever. At first, I was deceived by you. After two years of harem struggles, I have figured all this out. You pushed me into the limelight and reaped the benefits."
"Since you know, there's no need to spell it out. You're very clever, but you should know that clever people don't live long. Just this one year. After this year, I will never break my promise." He didn't get angry when he heard my words, but the pressure in his tone made me feel cold to the bone. I knew that was enough. I couldn't say anything more. He was the emperor, and he wouldn't tolerate anyone challenging his bottom line. Even if I wasn't afraid of death, I couldn't die in such a meaningless way.
“Alright, I, Zixue, keep my word. After this year, we will go our separate ways.” I softened my tone, but it was firm. Even though his eyes were empty, I knew he could hear the determination in my voice.
"Then tell me, what has happened in the past two years?" I gently clutched the hem of my clothes, a little nervous, afraid of hearing something I didn't want to hear from him, but my expression remained cold, so he didn't notice. You know, the emperor is different from the concubines in the harem; you have to be much better at acting to fool him.
"Hehe, I didn't expect my beloved consort to know so many people. How should I put it, my beloved consort, who would you like to hear from?" His words were eloquent, yet carried a different meaning.
"Speak up, tell me everything you know. Don't play games with me. If you don't trust me, why would you cooperate with me?" I tapped the table lightly to hide my nervousness.
"Hehe, there are many others, such as the master of the number one manor in the world, the leader of the number one demonic sect, the elders of the demonic sect, and even the emperor of the Star Kingdom, Xingchen. You can say that you know all the capable people in the world." He teased me, circling around me. Then I felt his cheek getting close, and his breath sprayed on my cheek, warm.
I pondered for a moment. I could guess why the first three people had contacted me, but I was a little confused about why Xingchen had. I hadn't realized how ambiguous the relationship between Xuebin and me was; I had simply said, "It's alright, I just know them."
"Oh, I know them. But I just don't understand," he said cryptically, then suddenly wrapped his arm around my waist, pulling me closer, and said, "What is it about you, my beloved, that makes these men so desperately search for you?"
"This charm is indescribable, otherwise why would you have chosen me as the Imperial Noble Consort, Your Majesty?" I was startled by his hug. Hearing the sarcasm in his tone, I was immediately annoyed. You think you can tease me? Can't I tease you? Then I reached out and touched his face, using all the charming and seductive tricks I had learned over the past two years.
He hadn't expected my reaction. His body stiffened, and I pushed him away. Then, I continued to touch his face with my hand, saying in a seductive tone, "Your Majesty, you should know that some women are easy to mess with, while others are not. As for me..." Then, a slight blush spread across my rosy cheeks, my dimples shimmering with a captivating glow. I stretched out my foot and kicked him squarely in the groin.
She leaned close to his body and whispered in his ear, "How are you, Your Majesty? How do you feel?"
A loud scream rang out inside the hall. I could imagine that Xuebin was now clutching his groin, staring at me with a distorted expression.
I crouched down following the sound, and felt his breathing stop. "Your Majesty, your health is of utmost importance."
"You..." He took a deep breath, then paused, gritting his teeth as he said, "The most poisonous heart is a woman's, you hate her." He then staggered back to his chair.
"Your Majesty, don't worry. As far as I know, Your Majesty has quite a few children in this generation. Your Majesty has worked very hard these past few years. I am only thinking of Your Majesty. Your Majesty should rest." I remained calm and walked back to my chair to continue drinking tea. After his pain subsided, we would continue our conversation.
There was another gasp on the other end, then I heard him mutter, "He's not really going to take a break, is he?"
"Don't worry, Your Majesty, I know how to handle things. In a few days, Your Majesty's life will still be full of pleasure. Alright, don't tell me that's all the information you have. I believe Your Majesty has already found out what they want from me." I was getting a little impatient. This wasn't even enough. How long would this go on? Later, I still had to ask Mangosteen to use incense to get rid of the bad luck.
Chapter Ninety-Six
"I still have no clue as to why the First Manor Lord and the First Demonic Sect Leader are looking for you. As for the Demonic Sect Elder, all I know is that something terrible seems to have happened within the sect, and they want to know if you—Zi Xue—are dead. As for the Star Kingdom King looking for you, it's for your blood. I heard that the Star Kingdom Queen was somehow poisoned, and the Star Kingdom King heard somewhere that you are the Lord of the Moon Spirit, and that your blood can cure all poisons. I can only stop the latter two's investigations. As for the Manor Lord and the Sect Leader, I'm afraid I can't help them. I can only spread the information and distract them." Xue Bin was still in pain, and I could hear a slight urgency in his voice.
"Ha, it seems that the Demonic Sect has probably experienced a civil war, otherwise I would still be of use to them. Otherwise, why would that elder go to such lengths to find me?" I sneered inwardly. It's really ridiculous. Why do people here like to use others to achieve their goals?
"Then, what about the King of the Star Kingdom? You wouldn't actually be the Lord of the Moon Spirit, would you?" Xue Bin pondered for a moment, then looked at the beautiful and stern woman in front of him with a half-smile, his tone revealing a hint of delight.
I touched the ends of my hair that were hanging down my clothes and sneered, "As everyone knows, the chances of the Moon Shield recognizing a master are extremely slim, and finding the master of the Moon Shield is even more difficult. If it were that easy to get the news, then the Moon Shield wouldn't be a legendary divine artifact, it would just be like these pieces of broken copper and scrap iron. What, do you think I look like the master of the Moon Shield?" I rested my chin on my hand, waiting with interest for the person opposite me to say something.
"Hehe, I've investigated and found out that you went blind not from childhood, but two years ago after leaving the Demonic Sect. I know that the Moon Spirit can fulfill any request of its master, but the master must pay a price. The Demonic Sect is well hidden, but it's not impossible to find out some information about its inner workings. For example, the Demonic Sect leader was besieged by martial arts practitioners two years ago. He was poisoned while protecting a woman, and that woman was you, wasn't she?" Xue Bin said these words with certainty. I knew he suspected me. After all, the Moon Spirit master here is like a rare treasure in modern times. No one would not want him, including the emperor in front of me. I'm afraid that Xingchen is just using the beautiful pretext of saving the empress to find me.
"Have you heard of mandalas?" I didn't rush to answer his question, but simply uttered the words one by one.
"I've heard of it. It's said to be a flower that blooms in hell. I've read about it in books. Datura has a thick, upright stem, and the whole plant is smooth and hairless, sometimes with sparse hairs on young leaves. The upper part often branches dichotomously. The leaves are alternate, broadly ovate, with irregularly wavy shallow lobes or sparse teeth on the margins, and have long petioles. The veins have sparse, short, soft hairs. The flowers are solitary in the leaf axils or at the branch forks; the calyx is tubular with 5 lobes, and the corolla is funnel-shaped, white to purple. The capsule is erect, with hard spines on the surface, and is ovoid. The seeds are slightly flattened, kidney-shaped, and dark brown. Datura is poisonous. Mild symptoms include dry mouth and throat, difficulty swallowing, hoarseness, rapid pulse, dilated pupils, delirium, hallucinations, and convulsions; severe symptoms include death. Does this have anything to do with your eyes?"
I made it up, but I didn't expect there to actually be such a flower here. I originally thought that if he didn't know, I could just say he was ignorant, but that would inevitably leave him with some suspicion. Now that it really exists, and it's almost identical to the information I've seen in modern times, at least I can dispel his suspicions. I absolutely cannot let anyone know that I am the Lord of the Moon Spirit. A peaceful life is just around the corner, and I absolutely cannot encounter any trouble here, otherwise all the things I've done before will have been in vain.
"That's right. In the Demonic Sect, I unwittingly wandered into a patch of datura flowers and was accidentally pricked by a thorn. Fortunately, I was discovered in time, otherwise I would be waiting for my next reincarnation in hell now. Although my life was saved, my eyes..." Her voice was filled with sorrow as she gently touched her empty eyes. She truly felt pain from the bottom of her heart. It wasn't because she wanted Xuebin to believe her, but because she genuinely remembered what she had experienced. Even now, she still didn't know whether what she had done was right or wrong.
"Hmm," he replied softly, but I couldn't discern the meaning in his tone—whether it was regret or lingering doubt.
"That's about it," Xuebin suddenly blurted out, leaving me completely bewildered.
"What?" I asked.
"No, it's alright, my beloved, get some rest," he said to me tenderly, as if he were a true lover. Then, his footsteps faded away. I hurriedly stood up, but it was too late; his presence had already disappeared from the palace.
"What exactly did he mean? What do you mean by 'almost'?" I murmured to myself, looking down.
This snow country is located in an extremely cold region, where it snows all year round. The entire snow country is like being draped in a white veil, a vast expanse of white. Stepping on the snow, you hear a 'crunching' sound in the air. Even with a cloak on, your hands are still frozen stiff and painful. Rubbing your hands together helps them return to their original color after being frozen red. You raise your hands and breathe gently into them. It's so cold.
"Your Highness, let's go back. The weather has been chilly these past few days, and you might catch a cold if you're not careful," Shan Zhu said with a hint of reproach as she held up an umbrella behind me. Her eyes were fixed on me, and she would occasionally give me a reminder.
"I've stayed in the palace long enough these past few days, and I'm afraid I'll become lazy if I stay any longer." Although it was very cold, it didn't diminish my interest in experiencing the snow. I still love the snow, just like I do now.
"Your Highness, Consort Rong has been coming to see me these past few days. As you instructed, I told everyone that you are unwell and cannot receive guests. She came again this morning, and I said the same thing. Your Highness, if Consort Rong comes again tomorrow, will I say the same thing again?" Shanzhu said cautiously, following closely behind me.
"Hehe, she probably can't take it anymore. The Emperor has been scolding her these past few days, she's had enough to suffer." I stopped and took the plum blossom that Mangosteen broke off for me, brought it to my nose to smell, and then laughed.
"Alright, I've rested enough these past few days, it's time to get involved." I continued toying with the plum blossom, then threw it away and gestured for Mangosteen to come closer.
"Take me to see that new concubine, the Emperor's beloved. It's time for me, the Imperial Noble Consort, to make my appearance. After all, the Emperor should bestow his favors on all his subjects equally."
"But Her Majesty said it might not be appropriate." After all, Her Majesty had previously enjoyed great favor in the harem.
"I'm afraid only I have the right to say this."
Shanzhu didn't understand what the Empress meant, but she had been in the palace long enough to be considered an old hand. She knew some of the rules of the palace: if the master said it, it was true; if the master said it wasn't, it wasn't. Don't try to guess what the master is thinking. In the harem, speak less, observe more, and listen more. Don't have any curiosity that could harm your life. Even if you do, you must nip it in the bud.
Chapter Ninety-Seven
"The Imperial Noble Consort has arrived!" The eunuch's announcement echoed throughout the Xilan Palace. Before I even stepped inside, a palace maid quickly appeared before me and knelt down. Shanzhu helped me stop in my tracks.
"This servant, Shaoyao, greets Your Majesty," a palace maid below me called out. I casually waved my hand to let her rise.
She led the way obediently, but inwardly she was curious. She had never seen this Consort when other concubines came to cause trouble for her mistress. Why was she suddenly appearing now? She would have to remind her mistress to be careful later. Someone who could occupy such a high position in the harem must be extraordinary.
Along the way, Shanzhu briefly explained the layout of Xilan Palace to me, her words tinged with dissatisfaction. I smiled knowingly; she was indeed someone I cared about. Otherwise, how could the pavilions and terraces here be as unique and elegant as Shanzhu described, with various faint floral fragrances in the air? Shanzhu said that this garden was truly top-notch. Heh, Xuebin is no good either. Since he likes this woman, he must know that in this harem, the emperor's favor is a deadly poison. One wrong move and you'll fall into hell. Giving her such a special palace is like giving her a fatal curse. Does he want his beloved to sleep in this harem's tomb as soon as possible? Are the concubines in this harem as blind as I am? Seeing such a beautiful palace fall into the hands of a 'newcomer,' no one would be happy. They'd probably break countless fingernails, smash countless porcelain pieces, tear countless handkerchiefs, beat countless palace maids, and crush countless flowers. There's a pattern among these concubines: if I'm unhappy, I'll make the other person even more unhappy. How come Xuebin is so confused here? But, as some say, people in love are all fools. Since Xuebin likes her, of course he wants to give her the best. Heh, I hope this woman has some ability herself, otherwise, all my efforts to protect her are thankless. I'd end up with the best one who's both exhausting and troublesome, and I'd be exhausted to death. It was definitely a mistake to agree to Xuebin's request.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort has arrived!" Shanzhu nimbly helped me to my seat in the hall, then stood beside me. I heard her kneel down and say, "Greetings, Consort Lan."
"Get up!" Her voice was as melodious as a nightingale's, stirring the heartstrings. However, compared to Jing'er's voice, it paled in comparison. Yet, among all the palace concubines I had seen, it was the most beautiful. A thought suddenly occurred to me: Xuebin was a sister-obsessed man, and the woman he had his eye on also had a beautiful voice. I had heard Shanzhu describe her appearance as moon-like and flower-like, like a lotus fairy, with unparalleled beauty, willow-leaf eyebrows, clear and bright eyes, skin like solidified milk, or crystal clear like sweet spring water, delicate and fragile, graceful and slender, with hands like soft shoots, a face like a hibiscus flower, and a gentle, charming demeanor. I couldn't help but shudder. Could Xuebin be looking for a lover like her sister?! Then I mentally slapped myself. What kind of time is this to be thinking about such nonsense?
"Greetings, Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort." Just as Shaoyao had thought, Ruolan couldn't understand why the Imperial Noble Consort had come at this time. When Shaoyao came to take her out earlier, she told her to be careful and not to make any mistakes that the Imperial Noble Consort could use against her. She hadn't been in the palace for long and was naturally unfamiliar with some things in the palace, which was why Bin had sent Shaoyao here to help her and prevent her from being harmed. Looking at the "beautiful fairy born in the moon palace" in front of her, she couldn't help but think of this phrase. She wasn't as glamorous as the other palace concubines she had seen, but she had an extraordinary aura, like a fairy descended to earth, untouched by worldly affairs. There was no one more beautiful in appearance than her, but she had a more noble and elegant temperament. Ruolan's heart ached. Before entering the palace, she had heard that Bin doted on this woman to an extreme degree. Before seeing her, she was very confident in her own looks. Now, she was indeed more beautiful than him, but this temperament was something she couldn't learn. No wonder Bin was so infatuated with her. Now, she didn't even have confidence in herself whether she could forever occupy the deepest place in Bin's heart.
"Please get up, little sister. I've caught a cold these past few days and haven't been able to see you. Please don't blame me, little sister." I smiled slightly, my tone intimate yet distant. My words were understated, but they compelled me to respond. I wanted to test her and see how she would handle this small problem so I could plan how to help her in the future.