Chaрtеr 25: Тhе Еmpress’s Birthdау Celеbration
Sооn thеу аrrivеd at thе раlaсe. Тhe threе оf them аlighted frоm thе сarriаgе onе аftеr аnоthеr аnd first went tо the Еmрress’s Luanfeng Pаlaсe tо оffеr birthdаy cоngratulatiоns.
Аt this mоmеnt, Luanfеng Pаlacе wаs аlrеаdy fillеd with laughter and сhееrful vоiсes—aside frоm thе сonsоrts and сoncubinеs frоm vаriоus palасes, therе were аlsо nоblеwomеn аnd young ladies from the Emрress’s mаtеrnаl fаmilу, the Сheng’en Duke’s hоusehоld.
Thе threе entered, performed their bows, and the Empress, beaming with smiles, promptly bade them rise.
“Having a family truly makes a difference. The Fourth Prince looks much steadier now, and his complexion has grown even brighter,” she remarked with a smile to Consort Shu.
Consort Shu had been under house arrest for many days, but on the eve of the Empress’s birthday celebration, the Empress had specially sought Emperor Yonglong’s favor to have her confinement lifted early.
“It’s not just because of marriage,” Consort Shu replied, her face radiant with smiles. “What son wouldn’t glow with joy on his mother’s birthday?”
This clever remark deepened the Empress’s smile.
Cui Jin merely watched their conversation respectfully, offering a timely smile without interjecting.
Finally, Xiao Lin went to the Imperial Study, and the Empress said to them, “It’s not yet time for the banquet. You may go outside and enjoy yourselves.”
Consort Shu shot a warning glance at Lin Zhao. “Do not wander too far. The palace is not a place for unruly behavior.”
Cui Jin curtsied in acknowledgment.
Lin Zhao’s eyes darkened for a moment.
Consort Shu looked down on her background, but how could Lin Zhao respect Consort Shu for being nothing more than a concubine, lacking integrity!
Once they left the main hall, the Fifth Young Lady of the Cheng’en Duke’s household linked arms with Lin Zhao. “Sister Lin, have your injuries healed?”
Lin Zhao’s expression stiffened slightly. “I am a martial practitioner. What are such minor injuries to me?”
“True,” the Fifth Young Lady of the Cheng’en Duke’s household sneered, glancing at Cui Jin. “Even if some people exhaust themselves with vile schemes, they can only scratch the surface. With just a flick of your finger, composing a poem, you can instantly turn defeat into victory!”
Cui Jin paused slightly, her peripheral gaze sweeping over the girl.
This Fifth Young Lady of the Cheng’en Duke’s household was one of those brainwashed by the theaters and taverns outside, shedding tears every day over the tragic romance between Xiao Lin and Lin Zhao.
Lin Zhao’s tone remained cool and unchanged. “It was merely an impromptu piece, yet it has received such high praise. I feel rather embarrassed.”
Mentioning the recent poem, many young ladies gathered around, showering her with compliments.
Though they had never been to the battlefield, they admired Lin Zhao’s bravery and were in awe of her seemingly boundless talent, deep as the ocean.
“Sister Lin excels in both literary and martial arts, a perfect match for Prince Xin, truly a union made in heaven!” Zheng Hanyu cast a disdainful glance at Cui Jin.
Seeing Cui Jin remain silent, she sneered, “No matter how jealous you are, it’s useless. Sister Lin protects our home and nation, returning victorious from countless battles. We all owe her gratitude! She is not someone a petty, scheming woman like you, confined to the inner chambers, can compare to… You aren’t even fit to carry her shoes!”
Lin Zhao rebuked her sharply, “Hanyu! I went to the battlefield for the people, not to have anyone remember favors. There’s no need to mention such things again!”
Zheng Hanyu snorted lightly. “Sister Lin, if you won’t say it, I’ll say it for you! Otherwise, some people might think you’re too straightforward and naive about inner-chamber conflicts, and they’ll keep trying to harm you!”
“Indeed, I don’t believe those rumors that slandered Sister Lin before weren’t guided by someone.”
Several young ladies close to Lin Zhao also made veiled insinuations.
They were accustomed to speaking freely. In the past, when dealing with girls who admired Xiao Lin, they would use such pointed remarks. And today… not to mention mere insinuations—even if they openly insulted Cui Jin, with Lin Zhao present, nothing would happen to them!
For some reason, Cui Jin did not speak up and even restrained her close friend who wanted to defend her.Lin Zhao’s gaze swept over her, her voice growing even colder and more haughty: “Enough, I know you’re speaking up for me, but there’s no need. The bond forged through hardship between the Prince and me cannot be shaken, even if a heavenly fairy were to come.”
“Exactly, Sister Lin,” one of them chimed in. “Women confined to the inner quarters only care about their little patch of land—obsessed with a man’s favor and children. What do they know of grand principles or bonds forged in adversity?”
“With Sister Lin’s talents, if she weren’t a woman, she would have long held a place in the imperial court. Now, confined to the Prince’s Manor, if the Prince still allows you to be insulted by lowly servants, none of us will stand for it!”
They spoke one after another, their words so harsh that even bystanders found it hard to listen.
Only after they finished did Cui Jin smile gently and say, “If you’re done talking, let us leave. Today is the Empress’s birthday banquet—we shouldn’t spoil Her Majesty’s mood.”
Her tone was mild, showing no trace of anger at their mockery, only concern for the bigger picture.
Compared to Lin Zhao and Zheng Hanyu blocking the way to pick a fight, the difference in their bearing was immediately apparent.
Lin Zhao’s expression darkened for a moment.
Cui Jin advised her softly, “If there’s an issue, let’s discuss it back at the manor. We mustn’t let others see discord within the household.”
“What gives you the right to put on airs as the Princess Consort?” Zheng Hanyu frowned deeply. “A mere decorative piece married off to manage the household, and you dare act like the rightful wife!”
Seeing Cui Jin frown, she sneered, “Cousin Prince Xin and Sister Lin are deeply devoted. In this lifetime, he will only cherish and love her, have children with her. Sister Lin is the only true wife in his heart! The one unloved is the concubine!”
“How dare you put on the airs of a wife in front of Sister Lin?!”
Lin Zhao’s face showed a faint smile at these words, but the surroundings suddenly fell silent.
Sensing something amiss, she carefully considered Zheng Hanyu’s words, and this time her face truly paled.
“The one unloved is the concubine”—such words might be spoken in private, or even elsewhere, but not here, in the Phoenix Palace.
The Empress had neither favor nor a son. Emperor Yonglong doted exclusively on the Noble Consort and had even given her a jade pendant symbolizing the Empress’s position… These words indeed mocked Cui Jin, but they also alluded to the Empress.
Seeing the changed expressions around her, Zheng Hanyu belatedly realized her mistake. Her legs went weak, and she nearly collapsed.
She was the Empress’s niece, yet she had openly slapped the Empress in the face.
No… Cui Jin had trapped her into saying this!
Her venomous gaze shot straight toward Cui Jin.
Cui Jin frowned slightly. “Just now… I was distracted for a moment and forgot what Miss Zheng the Fifth said.”
“Yes, yes, I forgot too.”
“My memory isn’t what it used to be… Let’s go, enjoy the flowers.”
Everyone looked awkward and subtle, and within moments, they all left, leaving only Lin Zhao and Zheng Hanyu standing rigidly in place.
Cui Jin walked with Princess Anyang toward the lake. The latter nearly trembled with laughter. “You’re quick-witted… That fool Zheng the Fifth, not only did she let Lin Zhao use her as a weapon, but she also fell right into your trap! Serves her right!”
Princess Anyang was the granddaughter of the Grand Princess Rongyi and had studied under Zhou alongside Cui Jin since childhood.
She had never gotten along with Zheng Hanyu, and seeing her suffer such a great loss today, she was overjoyed, wishing the whole world could celebrate.
Cui Jin smiled but refrained from speaking her mind, mindful of being in the palace.
In her past life, Zheng Hanyu, relying on her status, had caused Cui Ruyue considerable humiliation, even extending her resentment to all the Cui family’s young ladies, chasing after them and calling them shameless.
Fortunately, Zheng Hanyu was simple-minded. In both her past and present lives, a few well-chosen words from Cui Jin had been enough to seal her fate.They lingered by the lake for a while until it was time for the banquet, then made their way to the Hall of Supreme Harmony one after another.
Today, officials of the fourth rank and above, along with their families, were all in attendance. Before long, the hall was bustling with noise and the clinking of cups.
Only Consort Shu’s icy, piercing gaze fell upon Lin Zhao, making her expression stiffen.
Xiao Lin, still unaware of the news, thought Consort Shu was still angry at Lin Zhao for causing her to be placed under house arrest. He subtly shifted his position to shield Lin Zhao from Consort Shu’s stare.
At that moment, everyone was offering birthday wishes to the Empress.
“Year after year, the flowers remain the same, yet the people are ever-changing,” Noble Consort Xian raised her wine cup. “But after so many years in the palace, I have been blessed to see Her Majesty the Empress year after year. It must be the heavens’ favor. I wish Your Majesty eternal health and everlasting beauty.”
The Empress smiled and raised her cup, drinking with her.
Emperor Yonglong chuckled and pointed at Noble Consort Xian. “You speak quite pleasingly today.”
“Your Majesty is implying that I usually don’t know how to speak well,” Noble Consort Xian said with a playful pout. “Then why not let someone who truly knows how to speak please Your Majesty?”
As she finished speaking, her gaze fell upon the seating area of Prince Xin’s Manor.
“Secondary Consort Lin.”