Qi Jingheng had originally gone out to clear his mind, but seeing all these tears, he couldn’t help feeling somewhat irritated. He then glanced at Chen An beside him.
Chen An understood his meaning and stepped forward, bowing as he said, “Your Majesty, according to reports, Consort Qi fell on the way here today. Similar incidents have occurred before.”
Chen An spoke very tactfully. He wasn’t sure who was right or wrong in the previous matter between Consort Qi and Talent Luo, so he refrained from making any judgments.
Seeing Chen An speak this way, Consort Qi continued, “Your Majesty, what I said is the truth. When I came here today, I don’t know how, but there was a pit on the road. How could there be a pit on the road for no reason? Someone must be trying to harm me!”
She felt that things couldn’t be such a coincidence; it could only be their scheme. Since the Emperor was here, she might as well let him investigate thoroughly. If anything were uncovered, they would be in serious trouble.
Consort Yu, who was listening nearby, hesitated before speaking, “Which part are you talking about?”
Consort Qi looked at the Emperor with tearful eyes. Hearing Consort Yu speak, she replied, “I came out from my palace and walked near the Streamside Pavilion, likely on the road heading east.”
Consort Yu understood immediately. “Why did you take that road? Her Majesty the Empress Dowager ordered it to be repaired yesterday.”
Consort Qi was stunned. How had she not noticed?
“Your Majesty, I did not see any repair workers,” Consort Qi said, wiping her tears hastily.
After speaking, she seemed to remember something and looked up. She saw Luo Wanling looking calm and composed, as if this matter had nothing to do with her. Clearly, she had made thorough preparations.
Chen An continued to reply, “Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is benevolent. Considering the hot weather, she ordered the palace servants to carry out repairs in the morning and evening. Perhaps Consort Qi did not encounter them, but a sign was placed on the rockery outside as a reminder.”
Hearing this, Qi Jingheng slowly spoke, “In that case, the servants attending to you were indeed negligent. Add ten more strokes of the cane!”
After saying this, the Emperor turned and walked forward, clearly unwilling to discuss the matter further.
Luo Wanling followed him, a faint smile curling at the corner of her lips. Did they really think just anyone was worthy of competing with her?
Consort Qi’s entire body went weak and unsteady, and she was supported by the maids behind her. Unwilling to give up, she still wanted to say something.
Consort Yu pulled her back, shaking her head gently and soothing her in a soft voice, “Sister, you must be tired. Go and rest first.”
She could sense the Emperor’s displeasure. If Consort Qi continued speaking, she might risk angering him.
Consort Qi glanced at Consort Yu, resentfully shaking off her hand before turning and heading back to her seat.
In her eyes, Consort Yu was only pretending to be kind to her. In reality, she had long since sided with Consort Xian behind her back.
Meanwhile, Luo Shuran had already returned to the end of the line, quietly observing everything that had happened.
She knew that Consort Qi’s misfortune this time was Luo Wanling’s doing, meant to embarrass her and leave her with no way out.
As for Consort Qi trying to drag her into it, Luo Shuran wasn’t surprised. When she saw Yi Momo coming to find her, she understood that Luo Wanling was afraid she would lose face.
Yi Momo was Luo Wanling’s most trusted person. She was highly capable, and it could be said that Luo Wanling relied on her most of the time.
Faced with Yi Momo’s arrival, Luo Shuran pretended to be fearful and timid, easily making Yi Momo wholeheartedly offer her advice.
How to clarify the previous incident of defiance, then introduce today’s events, placing the blame on Consort Qi—making it seem like she had brought it upon herself—while leaving the rest for Consort Xian to handle.
Luo Shuran followed through, severely deflating Qi Zhaorong’s arrogance, which could be considered a form of revenge against Qi Zhaorong.
However, the Emperor’s arrival was something she had not anticipated.
Thinking of this, Luo Shuran lowered her gaze, her fingertips lightly brushing over her right arm, her eyes filled with a myriad of thoughts.
Because of these events, everyone’s interest in admiring the flowers had long since waned by half. If not for noticing the Emperor’s arrival, no one would have been able to muster any enthusiasm.
Now, they all accompanied the Emperor, hoping that if they caught his eye, they might earn a bit of favor.
Luo Wanling walked beside the Emperor, her eyes constantly glancing at him, her posture becoming coy. “Your Majesty, it has been many days since I last saw you.”
She knew that this was how Consort Shu had seduced the Emperor—arrogant and domineering on the surface, but acting like a vixen in front of the Emperor.
Qi Jingheng smiled faintly and turned his head, his deep eyes seemingly filled with tenderness. “Indeed, I find my beloved consort even more beautiful than before.”
No one disliked hearing words of praise, especially when they came from the Emperor. Luo Wanling suppressed her joy, gracefully tucking a stray strand of hair behind her ear, appearing somewhat shy.
“I have heard that Your Majesty is a master of painting. Why not take advantage of today for me and my sisters to each create a painting, and let Your Majesty judge them?” The one who stepped forward to speak was Consort Li. With her regular features, thick eyebrows, and large eyes, her smile bore a slight resemblance to Consort Shu’s.
She was also a passionate and stunning beauty, but Consort Li lacked Consort Shu’s arrogance. For a time, the Emperor had favored Consort Li quite a bit, but after she suffered a miscarriage during pregnancy, she fell out of favor.
It was only after giving birth to the Fourth Princess that she gradually regained some favor.
Consort Li’s painting skills were excellent. As for the other consorts, their abilities varied. Luo Wanling secretly shot a glance at Consort Li, thinking she had too much time on her hands and was deliberately stirring up trouble.
However, she was not afraid. As a daughter of a noble family, and one who could enter the palace, which of them had not been trained in such leisurely and elegant pursuits since childhood?
Zhaoyi Yu was the first to back down. “I am not capable of this. My hands are skilled at embroidery, but painting is beyond me.”
Among them, her rank was not low, and she had given birth to the Eldest Prince. However, her family background was still lacking. Her ancestors were minor soldiers who tended horses for the previous emperor, later receiving care and slowly climbing to the position of Grand Coachman.
Her father was only a fifth-rank Supervisor of Fords. Zhaoyi Yu was proficient in needlework at home but had little literacy, let alone painting.
Qi Jingheng turned to look at them, then gazed at the surrounding scenery. “Those willing to paint may take ‘a riot of color’ as the theme and complete a painting within the time it takes for two incense sticks to burn. Those who wish to rest in the shade may do so.”
The consorts readily accepted this arrangement.
Soon, the attendants went to prepare the materials needed for painting, and in no time, the entire courtyard was filled with supplies. Anyone who could paint had to give it a try—what if they caught the Emperor’s eye?
Only Zhaoyi Yu and Qi Zhaorong remained resting in the pavilion. Qi Zhaorong was not very skilled, and besides, her mood had not yet settled. She simply wanted to rest quietly and avoid further embarrassment.
The painting time passed slowly. Qi Zhaorong sat there, irritably having her maid fan her, her eyes constantly scanning the surroundings. Soon, she noticed something—she couldn’t see that little wretch. Could she be hiding in some corner?
Luo Shuran did not choose to paint but instead sat alone behind a rockery to rest. Here, well water flowed through bamboo poles, and when the wind blew, it was the coolest spot.
She could paint, but standing out would be difficult, so there was no need to serve as a foil to others’ brilliance.
Crunch—the sound of stepping on a twig.
Ming Xia, who was following Luo Shuran, turned back to look and saw a person approaching—it was the Emperor. She was so frightened that she hurriedly bowed in greeting.
Luo Shuran propped herself up and saw the bright yellow dragon robe appear before her eyes. The vividly embroidered dragon seemed to be scrutinizing her.
She obediently bowed in greeting, but before she could bend her knees, she was supported by a pair of broad palms and heard a magnetic, gentle voice that seemed to carry a hint of laughter.
“Why did you run off alone to rest in such a nice place?”