Chapter 532: Suddenly Left the Palace and the City 3
As Ye Qianning stepped out of the carriage, she immediately spotted Gu Shuo standing before the palace gates. Dressed in purple robes with his hands clasped behind his back, he was exceptionally tall and strikingly handsome. His quiet stance made him look like a figure straight out of a painting.
’Gu Shuo is ridiculously good-looking,’ she couldn’t help but marvel. ’He’d definitely rank among the most handsome men in the Capital City. Qian Fanji and Zhan Chi are also top-tier when it comes to height and appearance.’
’Dad has more of a rugged sort of charm. While he might not be as handsome as those three, he looks way more dependable than those pretty boys.’
Seeing Ye Qianning alight from the carriage, Gu Shuo strode forward to meet her.
"Are you going into the Imperial Palace too, Boss Gu?" Ye Qianning asked.
"No. I heard Consort Yuan invited you into the Imperial Palace, and I was worried, so I came to check on you," Gu Shuo said, stopping in front of her.
"She said she’s just inviting me for some pastries. It’s nothing."
"Wait a moment. Zhan Chi should be here soon. Let him accompany you inside." Since Gu Shuo had resigned his position as an imperial merchant, his Token for entering the palace had been confiscated, and he could no longer come and go as he pleased.
"It’s not a lion’s den. You don’t have to be so tense. I know what I’m doing, so don’t treat me like a child," Ye Qianning said with a light laugh.
Gu Shuo’s brows knitted slightly. "But you are a child."
’What is a six-year-old if not a child?’
"...Anyway, you can relax."
As they spoke, the rumbling of another carriage reached the palace gate. A eunuch dismounted, his face swollen like a steamed bun.
"Miss... Miss Xiang, if you please." The eunuch’s words were muffled, and his cheeks throbbed with pain every time he spoke.
Gu Shuo’s eyelid twitched at the sight.
Ye Qianning turned to Gu Shuo with a smug look. "See? I never let myself be taken advantage of."
Gu Shuo didn’t know how the eunuch had offended her, but judging by his face, it would have taken more than one or two slaps to cause that much swelling.
’Beating someone from Consort Yuan’s palace to this state... I doubt any other official’s child would dare do such a thing.’
"It’s getting late, so I’m heading in. I can’t keep Consort Yuan waiting," Ye Qianning said, giving him a little wave to reassure him before turning toward the palace gates.
The eunuchs and palace maids fell in line behind her.
Gu Shuo stared after her small figure, an unreadable emotion swirling in his eyes.
Even knowing what she was capable of, knowing everything, he still couldn’t help but worry.
Only when the little girl had disappeared through the palace gates did he finally pull his gaze away and turn toward the pavilion nearest the arch.
「It was almost noon.」
Ever since Consort Yuan had moved to a new palace, many of the concubines in the harem rarely visited. Firstly, they felt she had attracted something "unclean" and feared it might rub off on them.
Secondly, the Emperor himself rarely visited anymore, making it seem as if the consort was losing his favor. As a result, the other concubines only paid their respects occasionally, no longer fawning over her as diligently as before.
Early that morning, Consort Yuan had invited the other consorts for tea and idle chatter.
Normally, these tea gatherings would last no more than a couple of hours before the consort dismissed everyone.
Today, however, was different. The consorts had been sitting there since morning, and it was now noon. They had long run out of pleasantries, but judging by Consort Yuan’s expression, she had no intention of letting them leave.
The atmosphere grew awkward, but the concubines of lower rank didn’t dare to speak up.
"I heard you also invited Miss Xiang, sister. It’s already noon, why hasn’t she arrived yet?" Princess Consort Tong complained, her back aching from sitting so long.
"She must have been delayed on the road. Please, everyone, be patient," Consort Yuan said, her eyes crinkling with a smile.
"You truly are magnanimous, sister. Miss Xiang is famously arrogant. Not long ago, she even caused such a scene that Prime Minister Gao divorced his wife," Princess Consort Tong said, motioning for a palace maid to massage her back.
"Oh? Is that so?" Consort Yuan feigned surprise.
Some of the other concubines already knew of this, but those less informed were shocked by the news.
"You didn’t know, sister?"
"I’ve had many troubles on my mind lately, so I haven’t heard."
"Ah, that’s true. You’ve been in the Imperial Palace for many years, sister, and the Emperor has bestowed countless treasures upon you. Who wouldn’t be heartbroken to have them all suddenly stolen? That thief must be truly skilled to have taken everything without a sound." Princess Consort Tong had entered the palace the same year as Consort Yuan. With the backing of the Tong family, the most influential clan in the north, she had no reason to fear her.
Consort Yuan’s smile stiffened slightly. "The thief has yet to be caught. My palace has nothing left to steal, but all of you dear sisters should keep a close watch on your own possessions, lest you also fall victim to this thief’s hand."
At these words, the seated concubines exchanged uneasy glances, shifting restlessly.
For the past month, the Imperial Palace had been rife with rumors that there was something unclean within its walls. The Emperor had even summoned many Mages and Daoists to perform exorcisms.
The more they thought about it, the more the hairs on their arms stood on end.
"Your... Your Highness," Consort Jia began, rising to her feet. "I have some matters to attend to in my own palace."
"Sister Jia, what matter could be so urgent?" Consort Yuan asked, looking over with a smile.
Consort Jia remained standing, forcing a stiff smile. "N-nothing... just some minor things."
"If they are minor, then there’s no need to concern yourself with them. Sit," Consort Yuan commanded. Anyone could hear the displeasure in her tone.
Consort Jia sat back down.
All the concubines now understood: as long as Her Highness didn’t permit them to leave, no one was going anywhere.
"Your Highness," a young eunuch announced as he walked in, his face bruised and swollen.
When Consort Yuan saw his grotesquely swollen cheeks, she frowned. "Xiao Shunzi, where is Miss Xiang?"
"Replying to Your Highness, Mr. Li took Miss Xiang away as soon as she entered the Imperial Palace."
’If Li Quande took her, it must have been on the Emperor’s orders. Why would the Emperor suddenly summon Ye Qianning?’
"Mr. Li said that Miss Xiang will not be coming today. She is to have lunch with the Emperor and Noble Princess Consort Zhan," the young eunuch mumbled, kneeling on the floor.
Consort Yuan’s face fell. ’Lunch with Noble Princess Consort Zhan?’
The seated concubines all began to speculate. The Emperor had summoned Miss Xiang to dine with Noble Princess Consort Zhan. Though they didn’t know the reason, it clearly showed how much favor Noble Princess Consort Zhan currently held with the Emperor.
’If she gives birth to a prince, the Emperor will have a son in his later years and will surely be overjoyed. Consort Yuan’s fall from grace might not be far off.’
Consort Yuan quickly composed herself and looked up. "Xiao Shunzi, I sent you to fetch Miss Xiang. What took you so long? And what happened to your face?"
"I... I... Your Highness, Miss Xiang is insufferably arrogant! I went to her residence and waited for over two hours. I merely urged her once, and she had someone slap my face! She also said... she also said..." Xiao Shunzi cried, covering his face as his voice trailed off.
"Said what?"
"She said that anyone in the General’s manor must abide by its rules, and that even if Your Highness were to go in person, you would also have to wait..."
SMASH!
A cup smashed onto the floor.
No one dared to even breathe.
"A mere General’s manor, what audacity," Consort Yuan hissed, her beautiful face contorted with rage.
"Sister, don’t be angry," Princess Consort Tong interjected. "These eunuchs are used to flattery and exaggeration. You can’t believe everything they say. I’ve met Miss Xiang before. While she is a formidable child, I doubt she would be so disrespectful of status." Princess Consort Tong knew perfectly well what the eunuchs in Consort Yuan’s service were like.
’After getting beaten like that, he’s definitely embellishing the story.’
"Your Highness, Princess Consort Tong, every word I have spoken is true! I would never dare to deceive you in the slightest!" Xiao Shunzi cried out from his kneeling position, his expression a mixture of panic and grievance.
"Every word is true? Then let’s have you go before Miss Xiang and the Emperor to state your case. Would you dare repeat these words in front of them?" Princess Consort Tong challenged.
The young eunuch grew frantic and turned to Consort Yuan. "Your Highness, everything I said is true!"
Consort Yuan remained silent for a moment.
"Xiao Shunzi, never mind whether it’s true or not. Do you dare confront Miss Xiang to her face?" Princess Consort Tong scoffed.
Sweat beaded on the young eunuch’s forehead in his panic. He pressed his head to the floor, not daring to look up.
"You see? Sigh. Sister, it’s not my place to meddle, but the eunuchs in your palace have quite the reputation. They may act docile in front of you, but outside, they look down on everyone." Princess Consort Tong said, rising to her feet. "As the Crown Prince’s birth mother, having such duplicitous people around him for long periods will inevitably have an influence. You must be more careful in your choice of servants, sister."
The young eunuch trembled with fear.
Consort Yuan knew this perfectly well. Suppressing her anger, she forced a slight smile onto her beautiful face. "You are right, sister. It seems it’s time for some house cleaning in the palace."
"I am glad you’ve taken my words to heart, sister. It’s getting late, and it’s time for lunch. I will take my leave now." Princess Consort Tong gave a curtsy.
"Very well. All of you must be tired from sitting so long. You are all dismissed," the consort said with a wave of her hand.
The concubines had been on pins and needles for ages. Upon hearing this, they all rose, curtsied, and withdrew.
Once everyone had gone, Consort Yuan could no longer contain her fury. She snatched a teapot from the table and hurled it at the kneeling eunuch. "You disgraceful wretch!"
The eunuch didn’t dare to dodge. The teapot struck his head, and blood immediately began to flow.
"Your Highness, spare me! Your Highness, spare my life! I’ll never dare to do it again!"
"For embarrassing me so thoroughly, killing you a hundred times over wouldn’t be enough to quell my hatred!" This was the first time since entering the palace that Consort Yuan had been lectured in such a manner.
"Your Highness, I know I was wrong! Please have mercy, Your Highness! Please have mercy!" the young eunuch cried, banging his head heavily against the floor.
"Guards! Drag him out and beat him to death with clubs!"
Guards in brocade uniforms entered, seized the young eunuch, and began to drag him away.
"Your Highness, have mercy! Your Highness—"
"Wait..." Consort Yuan suddenly had an idea.
The guards released him.
The young eunuch scrambled on his hands and knees toward Consort Yuan. "Your Highness, please be merciful! Your Highness, please..."
"I can give you a chance to redeem yourself."
The young eunuch looked up, his face covered in blood, a flicker of joy in his eyes. "I am willing to go through fire and water for Your Highness!"
Consort Yuan was satisfied. "Follow me."
The young eunuch scrambled to his feet and followed Consort Yuan into an inner chamber.
「Snow Garden」
Ye Qianning had assumed the Emperor was summoning her, but the moment she arrived at Snow Garden, she understood. ’Noble Princess Consort Zhan must have heard that Consort Yuan summoned me and used the Emperor’s name to bring me here instead.’
’Consort Yuan’s invitation for pastries and a chat was just a pretense. Her real goal was to poison me.’
’She didn’t get her chance today, but she’ll just find another way to summon me in a day or two. Rather than make her go through all that trouble, I might as well pay a visit to her palace myself after lunch.’
"Your Majesty, Miss Xiang has arrived."
"Let her in," the Beili Emperor’s voice called from within.
Mr. Li led Ye Qianning into the room.
The Beili Emperor and Noble Princess Consort Zhan were seated at a table. At the sound, both turned to look toward the door.
Ye Qianning stepped through the doorway. Instead of performing a full kowtow, she gave a clumsy bow. "Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Your Highness."