Сhарtеr 6: Traitоrs, Diе!
Наll оf Auspiciоus Вeginning.
Thе maid Zhiluo wаs аbоut tо ехtinguish the lаmрs whеn shе noticеd Consort Shu still awаkе, holding а bоwl оf Fеtаl Stabilizing Меdiсine in a dаzе. She sighеd inwardly.
With morе and mоre children bеing born in thе reаr рalaсe, it had beеn fоur уеars sincе Соnsоrt Shu’s miscarriаge, аnd her bellу still showed nо signs of movеment.
“Your Highnеss, it’s lаtе. You shоuld rеst,” Zhiluo stepрed fоrwаrd, taking the bоwl and soоthing her.
Соnsоrt Shu laу down, her еyes fiхеd оn the edge of the bed. “Where is thе Еmperor now?”
Zhiluо rеplied softlу, “Аfter leaving the Palace of Earthly Tranquility, the Emperor went directly to the Colorful Cloud Hall.”
The Colorful Cloud Hall was Rong Zhaoyi’s residence.
For ten days this month, the Emperor had visited the Colorful Cloud Hall.
It was clear how much the Emperor favored Rong Zhaoyi.
Hearing this, Consort Shu turned to her side, facing the cold wall. “Extinguish the lamps.”
To others, it might seem the Emperor also favored her.
But only Consort Shu knew it was different. What the Emperor valued in her was her gentle and considerate nature, her unwavering obedience.
……….
In the Side Hall of the Mandarin Duck Tail Hall, Consort Wan was so angry she couldn’t sleep. She had already caused a scene during the day, and now, deep into the night, she couldn’t hold back her tears.
Her face burned with pain, but her heart ached even more.
Her maid, Qing Qing, spent the entire night comforting her. “Mistress, the Emperor removed your name from the night attendance roster so you can rest and recover. Once your injuries heal, you can attend the Emperor again.”
Hearing this, Consort Wan found no comfort, her tears flowing endlessly.
If her face hadn’t been damaged, this would never have happened.
If her face didn’t heal, would she never receive the Emperor’s favor again?
“Quickly, bring the ointment the imperial physician prescribed and apply it for me,” Consort Wan scrambled up, giving the order.
Qing Qing helplessly held her arm. “Mistress, you’ve already applied it many times today. You need to rest properly so you can recover faster.”
Hearing this, Consort Wan seemed to come to her senses, realizing this was the right course of action, and quickly lay back down.
The pitch-black night concealed everything, but it was far from peaceful.
………
News spread from the Palace of Earthly Tranquility.
The Empress was unwell and needed to rest, so she excused all consorts from their morning greetings.
Thus, the consorts who had been watching the situation no longer had any reservations.
Without needing to visit the Empress, they flocked to Consort De’s Palace of Gathered Elegance.
After all, Consort De was the mother of the First Prince and now held authority over the palace.
How could she not attract attention?
Soon, the Palace of Gathered Elegance was bustling with visitors, while the Palace of Earthly Tranquility remained desolate.
With her days recently so leisurely, Hua Shu kept herself occupied—tending flowers, fishing, reciting sutras, maintaining her health, and practicing music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.
She nurtured both her appearance and her spirit.
Hua Shu’s complexion, beauty, and even her overall demeanor visibly improved.
Nanny Wen saw Her Highness practicing calligraphy and placed a platter of chilled fruit nearby.
Even though she had grown accustomed to her mistress’s recent changes, she couldn’t help but observe her a few more times.
In the past, her mistress valued dignity and propriety, always placing the title of Empress first in everything she did. Her attire, words, and actions were always rigidly formal.
It could be said she was learning how to be an Empress.
But now, it felt as though her mistress and the Empress had become one. There was a subtle sense of ease without losing authority, a natural grace in her movements, and a commanding presence in her words that compelled others to submit.
It seemed Her Highness had truly mastered it.
Nanny Wen couldn’t help but feel joy for her mistress.
Although their Palace of Earthly Tranquility was in a difficult situation, as long as Her Highness could stand firm, everything would be resolved.Yun Xiu walked in from outside to report, “Mistress, Consort Hui has arrived.”
Hua Shu looked up, only then remembering she had arranged to admire flowers with Consort Hui. “Take her to the tea room to wait first.”
Meanwhile, Nanny Wen helped the mistress change clothes, remarking, “Consort Hui has remained quite loyal to you.”
Even after the mistress lost the Phoenix Seal, Consort Hui never once visited the Palace of Gathered Elegance, but instead frequently came to the Palace of Earthly Tranquility to pay her respects.
Hua Shu gazed ahead, seemingly lost in thought, then suddenly spoke, “The Second Prince is two years old now.”
Hearing this, Nanny Wen paused before nodding.
The Second Prince was Consort Hui’s son.
The Empress had been in the palace for over two years. Due to her frail health, she had been recuperating all along, yet her womb remained without any sign of life.
From the beginning, the mistress’s interactions with Consort Hui had been calculated.
After all, Consort Hui’s father had once been a retainer of the Hua family. Her background was not high, making her easy to control.
However, although Consort Hui maintained close contact with the mistress, she rarely brought the Second Prince out. Previously, she had only said the Second Prince was frail and sickly, unable to withstand the wind.
For the mistress to suddenly inquire about the Second Prince—could it be she intended to take him in?
Hua Shu said nothing more. Dressed in dark gold everyday attire, her adornment today was simple. Between her brows, she had painted a dark red lotus flower hairpin. Her starry eyes shimmered, as if infusing her form with spirit, bringing it to life, blooming.
Shortly after, Consort Hui accompanied the Empress out of the palace for a stroll to admire the flowers. Her gaze was inevitably drawn to the Empress.
“Among summer flowers, I alone favor the lotus,” Hua Shu said, her red lips curving as she looked at a pond of twin lotus flowers not far away.
Consort Hui followed her gaze, assuming the Empress was again comparing herself to the lotus, and praised, “The lotus emerges unstained from the mud, cleansed by clear ripples yet not seductive. Your Majesty’s taste is truly exquisite.”
Hua Shu smiled. “Twin lotus flowers bloom together, like immortals descending from the Jasper Terrace. I simply find their beauty delightful.”
What she liked, she liked on the surface.
She disliked being bound, being placed on a pedestal.
Each person has their own choices. She was a mundane person and would live a mundane life.
Consort Hui fell silent. She clearly hadn’t expected such a response from the Empress.
Uncertain of what the Empress meant, she dared not speak carelessly.
Surely the Empress wasn’t teasing her? Could there be a deeper meaning?
As Consort Hui secretly pondered, she heard the Empress’s voice again. “Has the Second Prince’s health improved?”
The Second Prince was her lifeblood.
Hearing the Empress mention him, her heart nearly leapt from her chest.
Without a second thought, she quickly curtsied. “Your Majesty, the Second Prince’s health has improved somewhat, but the imperial physician says he still requires quiet recuperation.”
Hua Shu simply looked at her. “Is that so.”
It wasn’t a question, but a statement.
Consort Hui’s heart pounded. Matters of the inner palace could not be hidden from the Empress. Her eyes reddened. “Your Majesty, this humble consort has only the Second Prince. I beg for Your Majesty’s mercy. I beseech you, I will do anything you ask.”
Her family had long urged her to have her royal son adopted by the Empress, but how could she bear to part with him?
A thousand benefits were not worth having her son bringing joy to her knees.
Hua Shu observed her. Consort Hui had dignified features, but now, with tears in her eyes, she possessed a unique charm.
“Consort Hui, I have no interest in raising another’s child. However, there is one thing I absolutely cannot tolerate in those who stay by my side: lying and betrayal.”
Hua Shu’s tone was mild.
Hearing the Empress say she would not raise the Second Prince, Consort Hui felt inner joy. Just as she was about to pledge her loyalty, the Empress’s voice came again.
“Betrayers die!”That was the oppressive might of one in power, and Consort Hui couldn’t help but tremble.
She straightened her posture, kneeling on the ground with her hands folded at her forehead, prostrating herself beneath Hua Shu’s skirt.
“Your Highness, this humble consort follows your lead alone and would never dare to betray you!”