Cui'er didn't seem to mind Ahao's vague answer, but she raised the plum blossom in her hand and waved it at Ahao, smiling even more brightly, "The Consort Zhao instructed me to come out and pick a few plum blossoms, and it's all done. I'm waiting to go back and report."
Ah Hao leaned closer to take a look and still smiled, "These branches are all very good, and the fragrance is also very strong." Cui'er happily showed her white teeth and nodded vigorously, "If Aunt Song says so, this servant can rest assured."
Perhaps fearing a delay, one of the maids who had walked away returned. She didn't approach, but only called out "Cui'er" softly from a distance. Cui'er glanced at her, indicating that she understood, then turned to A'hao and said, "Aunt Song, please don't take what's being said outside to heart. You're a good person, and I wish you all the best."
She had suspected there were some unusual rumors circulating in the palace, and after Cui'er mentioned it herself, it seemed that she was the only one who didn't know. But before A-Hao could ask any more questions, Cui'er had already bowed to her, taken her leave, and run away.
Cui'er ran a short distance away, then turned back and waved to her again, and A-Hao waved back. Cui'er's words warmed her heart. She had never expected Cui'er to repay her in any way, but to hear such words from her was already very kind.
Song Shuhao's initially low mood improved somewhat after her chance encounter with Cui'er.
·
Cui'er returned to Bixiao Palace and delivered the green plum blossoms to Xie Lanyan in Wushuang Hall. Xie Lanyan was having tea with Gu Yunqi when she saw the celadon porcelain vase with plum blossoms in her hands. She smiled and said, "These plum blossoms are really beautiful. It's a pity that I'm afraid my body can't handle it. Otherwise, I would have to go to the plum grove myself to make the most of it."
Gu Yunqi followed Xie Lanyan to look at the plum blossoms, and although she verbally agreed with her, she was pondering Xie Lanyan's words. Many things had happened since leaving the palace, and she felt none of them should be taken lightly. Of all the things, she was most concerned about Song Shuhao. However, Consort Xie had told her that there was nothing to fear.
Seeing that Xie Lanyan and Gu Yunqi were full of praise, Cui'er was happy and said without thinking much, "On the way back, I happened to meet Aunt Song, who also praised the plum blossoms."
Upon hearing something related to Song Shuhao, Gu Yunqi's face stiffened. Xie Lanyan's lips curved into a smile, but she didn't respond to Cui'er, only telling her to leave first. Realizing she might have been too talkative, Cui'er carefully arranged the porcelain vase and quickly withdrew.
Xie Lanyan slowly sipped her tea, then said, "Plum Garden is in the south, and there's also the Cold Palace and the Yuanshu Pavilion in the south, but I wonder what Aunt Song is going to the Yuanshu Pavilion for..."
Gu Yunqi remained silent, and Xie Lanyan added, "It seems the Empress Dowager has given some instructions, since His Majesty has never gone that way before."
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager has always favored Aunt Song," Gu Yunqi said slowly, turning her head to look at Xie Lanyan beside her, thus revealing the reason why she had suddenly become wary of this person. If it weren't for Her Majesty the Empress Dowager's support, His Majesty probably wouldn't have given this person a second glance.
However, there are no "what ifs." Song Shuhao had clearly caught His Majesty's eye, and the Empress Dowager seemed intent on having His Majesty take her into the harem. Most importantly, she felt that His Majesty was being... excessively kind to Song Shuhao.
Xie Lanyan saw through Gu Yunqi's thoughts; she didn't believe that possibility existed at all. Those in power are inherently cold-hearted and selfish. To them, women are merely playthings. Who would give their heart to a plaything? Especially someone as tyrannical and cruel as the emperor.
Thoughts flashed through her mind, but Xie Lanyan raised her eyebrows and asked Gu Yunqi, "I wonder how Consort Gu views me?" After saying that, she looked up and met Gu Yunqi's gaze without any emotion.
Upon hearing Xie Lanyan's words, Gu Yunqi's expression froze for a moment, recalling the various rumors about Xie Lanyan that had circulated in the palace. When Xie Lanyan first entered the palace, everyone thought that she might be different from His Majesty.
His Majesty does indeed favor Consort Xie, but he has never touched her. Therefore, she will never have any children, and even this means that Consort Xie will never pose a threat to the Empress.
If anyone could truly win His Majesty's heart, nine out of ten would think of Consort Xie, yet... Thinking of this, Gu Yunqi couldn't help but feel embarrassed by her earlier thoughts. Looking at Xie Lanyan again, she felt a pang of sympathy.
Xie Lanyan simply lowered her head and drank her tea, revealing no hint of her thoughts.
...
After seeing Gu Yunqi off, Haitang, who had been waiting for a while, hurriedly walked up to Xie Lanyan and whispered a few words in her ear. Xie Lanyan frowned, got up, and went to the study. As soon as she stepped into the room, she turned to Haitang and asked, "Where's the letter?" Her tone was slightly more urgent than usual.
Haitang quickly pulled a letter from her sleeve and handed it to her with both hands. Xie Lanyan took the letter and quickly tore it open. After scanning the contents, she merely chuckled, then expressionlessly tore the letter to shreds and threw it into the charcoal brazier. In the past, she would have left such tasks to Haitang.
Seeing Xie Lanyan's hint of anger, Haitang wondered what was written in the letter, but first heard her say, "Tell that person that I know and I will definitely keep the appointment on time."
Haitang dared not think any further and respectfully replied, "Yes."
Chapter 33 Pretext
Compared to other palaces and halls, the Yuanshu Pavilion is located in a slightly remote area. The pavilion is surrounded by lush bamboo groves, and a cobblestone path winds its way to the steps, exuding a sense of tranquility and elegance.
Ah-hao walked along the path to the front of the Yuanshu Pavilion, climbed the steps, but found the gate ajar, which puzzled him.
Admittedly, the Imperial Library has never been lively, even rather deserted, but it is by no means a casual place. Palace servants should be on duty here every day; palace affairs are always conducted at fixed times and on fixed days, and cannot be done arbitrarily. At this hour, the doors should already be open.
As she approached the door, she heard some noises coming from inside, indicating that someone was there. Listening more closely, she felt that the noises were not right; it sounded like someone was crying and shouting. Ahao became even more suspicious, gently pushed open the door and went inside. The previously faint sounds became much clearer.
"Eunuch Li, please, please don't..." The young palace maid was sobbing and begging for mercy, hoping to be spared. The eunuch Li she was talking about had a lewd laugh and even more vulgar words.
"Qing'er, you're crying so pitifully, this old man only wants to cherish you more! Look at these two tender white breasts, they're so adorable~ Oh dear, didn't I just say I didn't want them, why are these nipples reacting?"
No one knows what Eunuch Li did, but the little palace maid suddenly cried out in pain, her sobs growing louder. Eunuch Li, however, chuckled heartily, seemingly quite pleased.
Ah Hao followed the sound and approached, her footsteps becoming increasingly lighter, unnoticed by the busy eunuch Li. He continued to utter lewd words, while the young palace maid struggled incessantly, her cries growing ever more painful.
Leaving aside the fact that such a thing was done in broad daylight, the humiliating words alone were enough to arouse hatred, not to mention the act of forced rape. Ah Hao felt angry, but knew that rescuing the palace maid was the priority.
There was no one else around besides her, and Ahao worried that if she suddenly spoke up, it would enrage the villain and lead him to do something extreme. Besides, Ahao couldn't help but think that if others found out that the young palace maid had been violated, her future would certainly be difficult.
Time is very limited for judgment and decision-making, so Ah Hao will try to get closer to them first, but he should proceed cautiously.
Seeing that Eunuch Li was facing away from her, pressing the young palace maid against a bookshelf, Ahao paused for a moment, grabbed a blue-and-white porcelain vase from the flower stand, and without hesitation, took a few quick steps behind Eunuch Li, who was facing away from her, raised the vase, and smashed it down hard.
Although the young palace maid saw Ah Hao and her face showed fear, it was too late for Eunuch Li to notice. He quickly turned half of his body, but instead pushed his head towards the porcelain bottle in Ah Hao's hand.
Perhaps she used the right amount of force and was lucky, because Ah Hao's smash immediately made Eunuch Li lose consciousness and collapse to the ground, while the porcelain bottle in her hand remained solid and intact.
Seeing that the person was indeed unconscious, Ah Hao breathed a slight sigh of relief and looked at the young palace maid named Qing'er. Her clothes were disheveled, her arms crossed over her chest, and her exposed, snow-white skin bore red marks from being pinched and beaten. Qing'er's eyes were red as she silently wept, her face filled with terror and fear. She stood there, dazed and confused, having forgotten how to move.
Ah Hao spoke gently to bring her back to her senses and to comfort her, saying, "It's alright. I won't tell anyone about what happened today, so don't worry." She looked at the young palace maid, who was only fifteen or sixteen years old, and felt a pang of pity for her, but also felt that the person lying on the ground was a beast.
Qing'er choked back sobs, completely at a loss, but timidly called out, "Aunt Song..."
"You recognize me? Good. Get yourself together and leave. Be careful not to be seen. I'll handle the rest." Ah Hao didn't ask where Qing'er worked or what her name was. After thinking for a moment, she asked again, "Does he work here?"
Qing'er shook her head hesitantly, and after being reminded, she hurriedly went to tidy her clothes. However, due to her earlier struggle and Eunuch Li's rude behavior, the hidden buttons on her outer garment were broken, the collar was torn, and the cotton wadding inside was exposed. If she went out like this, people would undoubtedly know that she had been violated.
Ah Hao took off her cloak and draped it over Qing'er, wrapping her tightly. Seeing that Qing'er's hair was disheveled, she reminded her again, but Qing'er still did as Ah Hao instructed, raising her hand to re-tie her hair. Finally realizing what was happening, she hurriedly explained to Ah Hao, "Aunt Song, I didn't seduce him, I..."
"You don't need to tell me, you know it in your heart. If you've done nothing wrong, don't punish yourself for someone else's mistakes, and don't do anything foolish, it's not worth it. Don't make me do all this for nothing, understand?" Worried that she might do something rash, Ah Hao couldn't help but say a few more words, but she didn't know if it would be of any use.
Qing'er roughly understood Ah Hao's words and her feelings. Tears welled up in her eyes as she knelt down and kowtowed three times to Ah Hao, saying, "I will remember Aunt Song's great kindness and virtue, and I will strive to repay her in the future."
Ah-hao helped her up from the ground, but then asked, "Will you do something foolish when you go back?"