Сhарter 21: A Littlе Sесrеt
Мade by thе Еmpress hеrself?
Li Sheng dеsреrаtеlу tried tо rесаll the servаnt girl’s words—it seemed shе hаdn’t said it wаs mаdе bу thе Emрrеss hеrself, had shе?
Нesitаting now, he spоke аmbiguously, “I supрosе it is a tоkеn of the Еmpress’s regаrd.”
Не wаtched аs thе Еmрeror bеforе him opеned the fоod boх.
Inside, the milk cаkеs wеre ехquisitely madе—reсtаngular in shaрe, loоking soft, sрringу, аnd smoоth, topрed with a lауеr of honey and sprinkled with finelу сrushed osmanthus flowеrs.
А rich fragranсе wafted forth.
Li Sheng, ever perceptive, picked up a pair of chopsticks and handed them to the Emperor, praising, “These milk cakes truly excel in appearance, aroma, and flavor!”
Chu Ze actually disliked such overly sweet things, but since they had been sent over, it wouldn’t be proper not to taste them.
He sat there, took a piece with the chopsticks, and sampled it.
The milky flavor was rich, melting in the mouth.
After tasting a few pieces, he slowly set down the chopsticks. “Acceptable.”
Hearing the Emperor say this, Li Sheng understood clearly—when the Emperor said “acceptable,” it was practically the highest praise.
Chu Ze gazed at the food box, reminded of events from some time ago.
He had gone to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility in anger because he had discovered that every time he visited, the Empress was asleep.
That day, he had deliberately and suddenly grasped her wrist to check her pulse, and her breathing had noticeably faltered.
She had been pretending to sleep.
To be honest, in Chu Ze’s view, the Empress truly did not know what was good for her.
He had some interest in her, but not enough to sacrifice the dignity of an emperor.
Unexpectedly, today she had sent over food—likely she had been thinking of him.
Chu Ze stood up, his slender fingers straightening his sleeves before he walked outside.
Li Sheng dutifully hurried to follow. “Your Majesty, shall we proceed to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility?”
He was almost about to call out the order when he heard the Emperor’s voice: “To Cining Palace.”
Cining Palace?
The words “Palace of Earthly Tranquility” swirled back in Li Sheng’s throat, forcibly replaced by “Cining Palace.”
Truly, the emperor’s heart is as unfathomable as a needle in the sea.
“I want my mother! I want my mother!”
The First Prince was throwing a fierce tantrum, giving his wet nurse, Madam Qin, a headache.
She had no choice but to have a young maidservant accompany the First Prince to fly a kite, diverting his attention.
With Consort De gone, the First Prince had essentially lost his backing.
Now, it was likely the Emperor still harbored resentment toward the consort. He hadn’t come to see the First Prince during this time, nor had he arranged a place for him.
“The First Prince is like a discarded pawn. It’s just a pity we still have to accompany him,” another elderly maid beside her said, her tone melancholy.
Wherever they went now, they were met with disdain, as if people feared being associated with them.
“If only the Emperor would arrange a place for the First Prince—which consort could raise him?”
At present, Consort Xian was caring for a princess; Consort Hui had a prince of her own; Consort Rong, who had lost her own prince due to Consort De’s schemes, was even less suitable.
Among the remaining high-ranking consorts, only Consort Shu was left—her status and position would be appropriate.
Of course, the childless Empress would also be suitable, but if that were the case, wouldn’t the First Prince become the legitimate heir? Moreover, it wasn’t certain to happen.
After all, Consort De had deliberately schemed against the Empress.
The First Prince had truly become a hot potato.
Madam Qin stood there, lost in thought, then turned and went back into the room. From under the bed, she pulled out a rust-stained box.
She twisted it open—inside was no treasure, just a letter.
Hesitantly, Madam Qin tucked it into her sleeve. “Perhaps… perhaps this could secure a good place for the First Prince.”
She murmured, her heart pounding violently in her chest.The tension spread, and she struggled to get up, swallowing hard before hurrying out.
Madam Qin walked along the long street, her gaze constantly darting around. Though she saw no one, her heart seemed unable to calm down.
As she turned a corner, she spotted a group of people and immediately knelt to pay her respects.
The arrivals were none other than Consort Xian and Consort Shu, who had gone out for a stroll. Their palaces were not far apart, so they had walked together.
Madam Qin kept her head lowered, almost holding her breath, not daring to make a sound.
Consort Shu glanced down at her briefly but said nothing.
After passing through the palace gate, Consort Xian swayed her hips and returned to her palace.
Seeing that everyone had left, Madam Qin sighed in relief. But not long after passing the palace gate, she was dragged into an alley.
Her eyes widened in fright.
“Aren’t you the one serving the First Prince? Where are you rushing off to in such a panic?”
The speaker was Zhiluo, a maid serving Consort Shu.
She had clearly noticed that this nanny seemed uneasy and, being someone close to the First Prince, might be up to something.
Madam Qin recognized her as Consort Shu’s maid. Catching her breath, she instinctively tried to hide her fear. “No, I was just lost in thought and startled when I suddenly saw the consorts.”
“Is that so?” Zhiluo eyed her coldly. “Nanny Qin, in this palace, one must keep their eyes wide open. A single misstep could lead to a death with no place for burial.”
Hearing her words, Madam Qin’s already tense heart leaped to her throat, quickly breaking through her defenses.
“Miss Zhiluo,” Madam Qin said, looking at her, “if I speak, could Consort Shu grant this old servant and the First Prince a place to go?”
After some thought, perhaps Consort Shu was the best refuge.
“Speak first, and everything will be decided by Her Ladyship,” Zhiluo replied, sizing her up.
Ever since Consort De’s incident, Her Ladyship had been keeping a close watch on the First Prince’s side. That’s why, upon seeing this Madam Qin, she had specifically sent Zhiluo to investigate.
Could there truly be something unspeakable going on?
Hall of Auspicious Beginning.
Zhiluo returned and went straight into the Inner Hall, handing the letter in her hand to Her Ladyship.
“Master, this was given by Madam Qin. She said it was a blood letter written by Consort De before her death.”
Consort Shu sat upright before her dressing case, reached out to take it, and unfolded it.
—Empress,
Only today have I realized how gravely mistaken I was. All my faults stem from greed.
Once greed took hold, it led to my downfall. In the beginning, when I stayed by the Emperor’s side, I simply hoped for a good future.
But once I gained everything, my desires swelled.
Only in the face of death have I come to understand many things.
Perhaps I was too foolish, unaware that traitors had been planted around me. Such foolishness brought ruin upon myself and my family.
I know that the earlier incident involving Consort Rong was not your doing, nor was it mine. The mastermind behind it is cunning and deceitful, using others as weapons.
Empress, in all that has happened, every fault is mine.
I was foolish, ignorant, and became someone else’s weapon.
But the child is innocent. I beg Your Majesty to show mercy and spare him a path to life.
You must be cautious of Consort Xian. She fans the flames, and perhaps the incident involving Consort Rong is not unrelated to her.
…
After reading it, Consort Shu folded the letter, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.
Consort De’s personal maids had all been executed, yet this letter ended up in the hands of the First Prince’s wet nurse. No wonder she had been so flustered.
If mishandled, neither side would benefit.
And Consort Xian would not let her off either.”Your Highness, with this, we can seize Consort Xian’s weakness. Once we adopt the First Prince, your promotion to Noble Consort will be just around the corner!” Zhiluo said.
Consort Shu’s usually gentle face was now cold. “Who said I intend to adopt the First Prince?”