Everyone looked at one another, yet not a single person answered, as though they were deliberately trying to embarrass the Empress.
In the end, it was Consort Yue who replied, “Reporting to Your Majesty, for some unknown reason, the Second Princess and Fourth Princess suddenly fell into the pond while sleeping last night. They were badly frightened and are still crying noisily in their palace. Presumably, Consort Xian is comforting them right now, which is why she was unable to come pay her respects to Your Majesty.”
Lin Anran shot Consort Yue a grateful look.
Only then did she reply understandingly, “Yesterday, little A’Li also fell into the water in the imperial garden and ran a high fever all night. I personally watched over her through the night, so I understand the hardship all too well. Consort Xian’s two children must have had it hard as well.”
“When we arrive at Cining Palace, I will naturally explain the situation to the Empress Dowager on Consort Xian’s behalf.”
The concubines all felt something strange about the Empress’s words the more they listened.
The Empress had personally cared for Princess Shengshi all night, yet she still managed to attend the morning greetings on time. Meanwhile, Consort Xian skipped the greetings simply because she was comforting two frightened and crying children. It really did seem a bit overly delicate of her.
But since when had the Empress become clever enough to insult someone through such subtle sarcasm?
Not only had the Empress covertly mocked Consort Xian, she even seemed prepared to poison the Empress Dowager’s opinion of her.
Had the Empress finally grown a brain?
After a brief pause, Lin Anran suddenly turned toward the Noble Consort.
“I heard that His Majesty inspected the Third Princess’s studies last night and even praised her diligence and eagerness to learn?”
The Noble Consort nodded gently, unable to hide the pride at the corners of her lips. “His Majesty did indeed praise the Third Princess.”
“The Third Princess truly is hardworking. Little A’Li, the Second Princess, and the Fourth Princess should all learn from her.”
Lin Anran followed up with more praise before abruptly changing the subject.
“I also heard that His Majesty reprimanded the Second Princess and Fourth Princess last night for failing to complete their lessons on time, even scolding them to tears. They must have felt terribly upset and found it difficult to recover emotionally.”
“Now that little A’Li is still ill, I fear she might pass her sickness to the Second Princess and Fourth Princess. I’ll have to trouble Noble Consort to bring the Third Princess to Jinghe Palace to comfort them instead.”
“They’re all around the same age. Surely after exchanging a few comforting words, they’ll end up playing together and forget all about His Majesty’s reprimand.”
Lin Anran smiled with innocent harmlessness, but in the Noble Consort’s eyes, it felt as though she were being stared down by a venomous snake.
If she guessed correctly, the Empress was clearly implying that the Second Princess and Fourth Princess had jumped into the water because they couldn’t bear being scolded by the Emperor. Otherwise, how could both girls suddenly fall into the pond together while sleeping?
And now the Empress wanted her to take the Third Princess to Jinghe Palace—wasn’t that obviously trying to pit her against Consort Xian?
The Third Princess had received praise from the Emperor yesterday, while the Second and Fourth Princesses had been scolded. If she dared bring the Third Princess to Jinghe Palace today, Consort Xian would definitely think she was there to flaunt her success. She would resent her to death afterward.
Yet the Empress’s reasoning was perfectly sound, leaving her no room to refuse and completely blocking off any escape route.
This move of the Empress—killing two birds with one stone—was truly brilliant.
The Empress was obviously taking revenge for yesterday’s probing.
Though unwilling, the Noble Consort still accepted Lin Anran’s instructions. The fact that she did not immediately retaliate shocked all the concubines present.
The Empress had actually forced the Noble Consort to swallow such a huge silent loss.
Consort Yue looked at Lin Anran with tears shimmering in her eyes, unable to hide her relief and gratification.
Her Majesty the Empress had finally grown up.
…
While waiting outside Wanshou Palace, the Noble Consort once again walked up beside Lin Anran and inexplicably asked, “Which school has the best excavation skills?”