Chарtеr 11: Wоrriеs Breed Fеаr
The Еmperоr wаlkеd оut оf thе Pаlасе of Eаrthly Tranquility with swift stерs, as if hе nеvеr wаntеd to rеturn.
Li Shеng сould onlу strugglе to kеep up, but unеxрectedlу, the mоre thе Еmperоr thought about it, thе аngriеr hе becаmе, аnd hе suddenly stоpрed in his traсks.
Li Sheng, who wаs hurrying behind, аlmost crashеd intо him.
Fоrtunatеlу, he had eхcеllеnt balanсe, manаging to stеаdу himself аfter hovеring on onе fооt for a moment.
Then he heаrd thе Emperor’s dееp voicе: “Тhe Empress has truly changed, so cunning.”
Li Sheng caught his breath and stood beside the Emperor, speaking softly, “Your Majesty, perhaps Her Majesty the Empress thought you disliked her, which is why she said that.”
After all, the Emperor never looked pleased whenever he visited the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. Anyone would hesitate to ask him to stay.
Chu Ze sneered, “Playing the zither under the moonlight—wasn’t that to lure me over? And now, she pretends to be reserved. The Empress is quite skilled at playing hard to get.”
She was too good at putting on an act, making him unable to resist wanting to understand her.
Thinking of this, Chu Ze calmed down and began to reflect on his own emotions.
Recently, without even realizing it, his thoughts had been swayed by the Empress.
This was not a good sign.
He could indulge anyone, but he would never allow himself to be led by the nose.
“Investigate thoroughly. Find out if there’s anything unusual about the Empress or if anyone new has appeared around her.”
Chu Ze snapped back to his senses, vaguely feeling that the Empress’s change couldn’t be so simple. Could someone be guiding her from behind the scenes?
If that were truly the case, she must not be let off lightly.
Upon hearing the Emperor’s order, Li Sheng quickly complied, his expression turning serious.
Indeed, the Empress’s transformation was quite significant.
Just in terms of angering the Emperor, she had surpassed her former self.
However, in the past, she had made the Emperor utterly disgusted, to the point where he didn’t even want to look at her.
Lately, although the Emperor was still angry, he visited the Palace of Earthly Tranquility more frequently and often mentioned the Empress in conversation.
Well, even if it wasn’t anything good.
But he still felt something was off.
Unable to figure it out, Li Sheng pushed the thought aside and stopped dwelling on it.
Early the next morning, Consort De rose early to get busy.
After all, the Empress Dowager’s return to the palace was a major event, and this was the first banquet she had organized since taking charge of the harem. She needed to make a good impression.
Consort De stood at the entrance of the Hall of Union, looking around and giving instructions here and there, acting as if she were the mistress of the central palace.
Nanny Xia beside her offered a cup of tea, “Your Highness, please sit and rest for a while.”
Since Her Highness had taken over the management of the harem, their Palace of Gathered Elegance had been steadily improving, and no one dared to look down on them.
When Her Highness ascended to the position of Noble Consort one day, whether it was Consort Shu, Consort Xian, or even Rong Zhaoyi, they would all have to step aside.
Consort De symbolically dabbed her forehead with a handkerchief, took a sip of tea, and felt quite pleased with herself.
“Nanny Xia, go to the kitchen later and keep an eye on things. Make sure the dishes the Empress Dowager loves are prepared with extra care.”
“Yes,” Nanny Xia replied with a smile.
Just then, Consort Hui passed by in front. Consort De clearly noticed her, her gaze shifting as she handed her teacup to a servant beside her and cleared her throat to call out.
“Oh, isn’t this Consort Hui? Where are you off to so early? Rushing to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress?”
Consort Hui went to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility every day to pay her respects but had never once visited her Palace of Gathered Elegance. It was as if she didn’t regard her at all.
Hearing Consort De speak, Consort Hui walked over slowly and curtsied.
“Your servant was indeed on her way to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress. Would Your Highness Consort De care to join?”
Consort Hui smiled faintly.
Consort De’s lips twitched slightly, almost laughing in anger at her words.Yet in the end, she dared not say anything. The Empress was still the Empress, and even if she didn’t take her seriously, she still had to show respect on the surface.
“Consort Hui, our mistress still has to manage the banquet to welcome the Empress Dowager back. She isn’t as free as you are.”
As Nanny Xia spoke, her words were filled with smugness and sarcasm.
Consort De’s lips lifted slightly, and she gave Nanny Xia an approving glance.
Consort Hui’s expression shifted, and she said coldly, “A mere servant dares to comment on this consort? It’s laughable that Her Highness holds authority over the Six Palaces yet cannot even discipline those around her. If Her Highness finds it inconvenient to discipline her, she may hand her over to this consort, or to Her Majesty the Empress, or even to Her Majesty the Empress Dowager.”
As she spoke, she looked up at Consort De, her eyes full of meaning and carrying a hint of provocation.
Consort De clutched her handkerchief, her fingertips turning white. “Consort Hui, what do you mean by that?”
Seeing her displeasure, Consort Hui smiled instead. She curtsied lightly and said, “Consort De, this consort must still go to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to pay respects. I shall take my leave now.”
Without waiting for Consort De to respond, Consort Hui led her attendants away.
Standing where she was, Consort De was so angry that her neck flushed red. Pointing at Consort Hui’s retreating figure, she trembled slightly. “What, does she think that with the Empress Dowager’s return, the authority over the palace will eventually return to the Empress?”
Nanny Xia supported her mistress, quickly trying to soothe her, then glanced around, signaling that there were too many eyes and ears around and that she must speak carefully.
Consort De gritted her teeth, her handkerchief crumpled into a ball in her hand, her eyes filled with resentment.
“Wishful thinking. I will never let go.”
A fierce glint flashed in her eyes as she took Nanny Xia’s hand and lowered her voice. “That matter from before must be carried out. Let’s take advantage of today to ensure they have no chance of turning things around!”
Seeing Her Highness so furious, Nanny Xia dared not say anything. Thinking of that plan, she still felt uneasy.
Was it too risky?
Inside the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
Hua Shu stood in the center, surrounded by several maids adjusting her robes. Today, she was dressed elaborately in a bright yellow robe adorned with a lifelike golden phoenix that seemed ready to soar into the sky.
Her hair was completely pinned up, secured with a phoenix crown, and golden hairpins hung on either side, swaying beside her ears.
A simple red dot was painted between her brows, and beneath her delicate willow-leaf eyebrows, her almond-shaped eyes were captivating. The bright yellow attire accentuated her fair and delicate complexion.
Hua Shu maintained her posture, relaxing her legs slightly. She was most adept at following rules, yet also skilled at finding comfort within them.
At that moment, Yun Xiu led Consort Hui inside.
Seeing the fully adorned Empress, Consort Hui couldn’t hide her admiration. In recent days, she had only noticed that Her Majesty was in good spirits, but today, she seemed completely transformed.
Standing there casually, the look in her eyes exuded a nobility that seemed to emanate from her very bones.
For a moment, she forgot to bow. It was only when Nanny Wen reminded her that she snapped back to reality and hurriedly paid her respects.
Hua Shu didn’t mind, simply sitting before her dressing case and selecting earrings.
Consort Hui stepped forward, standing beside the Empress, and recounted what had just happened with Consort De at the Hall of Union and Peace.
Mentioning the Empress Dowager and provoking Consort De’s anger had also been instructed by the Empress.
She had never thought the Empress understood much about the palace consorts, but now she realized that Her Majesty saw right through their natures.
Hua Shu selected a pair of auspicious-patterned earrings and handed them to her. “Help me put these on.”Consort Hui continued, slightly bowing. Perhaps she was a bit nervous, and afraid of hurting the Empress. What was usually effortless now seemed somewhat strenuous, her hands trembling incessantly.
Hua Shu quietly watched the scene in the bronze mirror, saying nothing. She suddenly reached out and grasped Consort Hui’s wrist.
Startled, Consort Hui involuntarily loosened her grip on the earring.
Only to see the Empress’s other hand deftly catch it.
As if she had long anticipated this situation.
“You see, when the heart is troubled, there will be hesitation and fear, and flaws will surface. But to seize the vital point—isn’t that quite interesting?”