Сhарtеr 2: Оne Must Hаvе the Life tо Enjoу Роwеr
Неaring thе sоund frоm insidе, the pеrsonal maid Yun Xiu hurriеd in. Вefоrе shе соuld spеаk, shе heard hеr mistrеss saу, “Take thе Phоenix Seаl to thе Pаlаce оf Heavеnlу Рuritу.”
Upon hеаring this, Yun Хiu сouldn’t helр but feеl surprised.
In thе past, whеnever thе Emperоr hаd suсh thoughts, thе Еmpress would rаther diе thаn hand ovеr the Phоeniх Sеаl. Who wоuld have thоught that todау, hеr mistress would cooperatе sо willingly?
But what elsе сould Hua Shu dо? Тhe Emperor was currently furious, and arguing would be pointless. It was better to go along with his wishes for now.
Moreover, there was no solid evidence that she had harmed the imperial heir. As the Empress, as long as she remained steady and avoided self-destruction, the Phoenix Seal would eventually return to her.
When the time came, she would make the Emperor willingly return it to her.
After all this turmoil, Hua Shu was utterly exhausted.
The original host had often been plagued by worry and anxiety. This time, it was her nighttime anxiety and hysteria that caused her to lose her breath, allowing Hua Shu to take her place.
Good health was the most important thing. No matter how difficult the situation, she needed a good night’s sleep.
Hua Shu had once suffered greatly from illness, seeking medical treatment and praying to gods and Buddhas. Now, in a way, her wish had been granted.
One must have the life to enjoy power.
……….
The Emperor reclaimed the Phoenix Seal and ordered Consort De to temporarily manage the authority over the Six Palaces.
This news completely shook the rear palace.
It inevitably led to speculation that the Emperor had grown utterly disgusted with the Empress.
After all, it was heard that the Emperor had even forbidden the imperial kitchen from providing cow’s milk to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility. It seemed the Empress’s dismissal was imminent.
The next day, during the morning greetings, half of the concubines excused themselves and did not attend.
The remaining half were also there partly to watch the spectacle.
Inside the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, Hua Shu sat before her dressing case as a maid behind her arranged her hair.
Nanny Wen, who had brought over the magnificent robes, watched with heartache. Her mistress was now in a difficult position—having lost the authority to manage the palace and lacking the Emperor’s favor. Even the Empress Dowager, recuperating in the traveling palace, could offer little help.
“Your Majesty, the Emperor is still angry. If you go and sincerely apologize, perhaps he will consider the Grand Preceptor…” Nanny Wen urged reconciliation, not wanting things to reach an irreparable point.
Hua Shu waved her hand, signaling her to stop.
It was precisely because the Hua family had guarded three generations of the imperial court and her father was the Grand Preceptor that the Emperor held some restraint.
Otherwise, the Emperor would have long since confined her to the cold palace.
“Send a letter home. Say that I am well in the palace and ask my father, and the entire Hua family, not to speak up or plead for me.”
Hua Shu understood the situation all too well.
The Emperor’s mind was deep and unfathomable. It was entirely possible that in punishing her, he might also use it as an excuse to discipline the Hua family.
For now, the wisest course was self-preservation.
In court affairs, the slightest misstep could stir a small storm, and many could perish.
Nanny Wen understood that Her Majesty did not want to implicate her family and could only agree.
Soon, Yun Xiu styled Her Majesty’s hair into a Lingyun bun, with strands coiled in the front and secured with a nine-tailed phoenix hairpin.
Hua Shu lowered her gaze and stood up, selecting a set of dark golden magnificent robes. The skirt was layered with golden threads embroidered into peonies, and a colorful phoenix encircled her waist. Once dressed, she lifted her wide sleeves, allowing them to adjust the attire.
“Find the register of the palace concubines, especially clarifying those who did not come today,” Hua Shu said abruptly, her eyes closed.
Nanny Wen was stunned for a moment before nodding. It was right to remember them well, so they could be dealt with one by one in the future.
That was indeed what Hua Shu had in mind, but more importantly, she needed to thoroughly understand the situation in the palace.
Although the original host was the Empress, her mind was filled with romantic notions, and her eyes saw only that one Phoenix Seal. As for everything else, she had no mind for it at all.Just look at all these women in the rear palace—what kind of demons and monsters are they?
Which one of them is an easy target?
The Empress is not all-powerful, but if she cannot even control the rear palace, then she is nothing but a beautiful empty shell, providing others with a ladder to climb.
Once everything was prepared, Hua Shu leaned on her maid’s arm and slowly walked outside.
Her splendid attire made her appear dignified and majestic. She slightly raised her chin, and there was a sharp, imposing aura in her eyes that made people dare not look directly at her.
Nanny Wen couldn’t help but glance at her mistress a few more times, feeling somewhat puzzled and surprised.
Why did she feel that her mistress seemed slightly different, yet she couldn’t quite pinpoint what had changed?
In the front hall, the consorts whispered among themselves.
“We’ve waited for so long. Could it be that Her Majesty the Empress intends to cancel the morning greetings?” The speaker was Consort Wan, Shen Hui, the daughter of the Vice Minister of War, who had entered the palace during this year’s selection.
With her delicate and charming appearance and lively temperament, she was one of the more favored consorts by the Emperor among this year’s selections. In less than half a year after entering the palace, she had already been promoted to the rank of Consort.
Seeing her speak like this, Song Zhaorong found it difficult to respond. However, looking around, apart from Consort Hui, who was on good terms with the Empress, none of the other consorts of higher rank had arrived.
As for the nine consorts, the Emperor had only bestowed titles on four, and currently, only she and Zhen Xiuyi were present.
All the lower-ranking consorts who should have come were already here.
No matter how fallen the Empress might be, she was still the Empress, and not someone they could afford to provoke.
Just as everyone was looking around, they heard the voice of Chief Eunuch Wang from the Palace of Earthly Tranquility: “The Empress has arrived!”
Everyone fell silent, stood up, and began to bow and offer their greetings.
Hua Shu walked out from the side and stood at a higher position, looking down at the crowd of consorts standing below.
A dazzling array of reds and greens, a gathering of beauties, each vying to outshine the other.
How long had it been since she had seen such a scene?
Once, she had been one of them, but now, she had become the one looking down from above.
This feeling was somewhat peculiar.
Hua Shu sat down unhurriedly and raised her hand. “All rise.”
Her voice was clear and calm.
The consorts stood up, their peripheral glances unconsciously drifting toward the higher seat. Why did the Empress look so well, as if nothing had happened?
She must be forcing herself to hold on.
Everyone sat down with their own thoughts, and their subtle movements naturally fell into Hua Shu’s eyes. From above, they were especially clear.
“Lady of Handsome Fairness Zhou, I heard you have been diagnosed with pregnancy. You must take good care of yourself, rest more, and pay attention to your health. If your condition makes it inconvenient, you may skip the morning greetings.”
Hua Shu spoke while looking at a woman seated at the far end.
Lady of Handsome Fairness Zhou wore a green ruqun, with regular features and a gentle expression in her eyes. She had also entered the palace during this year’s selection. Unexpectedly, she became pregnant after her first night attending the Emperor, and she was now nearly two months along.
Her family background was not high, so becoming pregnant with the imperial heir was truly something to be grateful for.
When Lady of Handsome Fairness Zhou heard the Empress mention her, she straightened her posture, stood up, and bowed in gratitude. “Thank you for Your Majesty’s consideration.”
Opposite her, Consort Wan curled her lips in a forced smile. “Lady of Handsome Fairness Zhou may indeed be inconvenienced, but I’m afraid she still has to pay her respects to Consort De!”
Both she and Lady of Handsome Fairness Zhou had entered the palace during this year’s selection. Unexpectedly, despite not receiving much favor, Lady of Handsome Fairness Zhou had proven to be quite fertile.
They even shared the Mandarin Duck Tail Hall, which truly made her detestable to see.
Consort Wan’s words echoed clearly in the hall. Lady of Handsome Fairness Zhou’s face turned pale, and everyone’s eyes unconsciously shifted toward the higher seat.
Now that the authority to manage the palace was in the hands of Consort De, shouldn’t all the consorts go to pay their respects to her? What would become of the Empress from now on?
But they dared not say it aloud.Now that someone foolish had brought it up, they were somewhat curious to see how the Empress would respond.
Hua Shu’s fingertips lightly brushed the edge of the phoenix throne, a smile curling at the corners of her lips—yet this smile, for some reason, sent a chill down one’s spine.
“Who was it that spoke just now?”