CHAPTER 123: CHAPTER 122: ALL IS CALM IN THE PALACE, OUTSIDE THE PALACE??

At this, the Empress felt a pang of guilt and, steeling herself, said, "Your Majesty, all the sisters in the harem are one family. Their mistakes are also my fault. I hope Your Majesty can show leniency and spare Honored Lady Hu’s life!"

Zhao Junyao looked at the Empress, sneering inwardly. Would the Empress be so kind-hearted? He didn’t believe it. He just couldn’t fathom what scheme the Empress was hatching. Besides, he couldn’t be bothered to find out! As long as it didn’t involve Qingqing, it was fine.

Having made up his mind, Zhao Junyao waved his hand dismissively. "Since the Empress has spoken thus, imposing a death sentence now would make me appear too heartless. Just... send her to the Cold Palace then!"

With that, Zhao Junyao departed.

Upon hearing this, the Empress was inwardly delighted, as this was exactly the outcome she had desired. She was instantly overjoyed. Truly, even the heavens are on my side!

With that thought, she still led everyone in performing the proper salutation. "We respectfully see off Your Majesty!"

「...」

The case concerning the plot against the Noble Consort’s imperial offspring was thus concluded. Lady Xia was innocent, while Honored Lady Hu was the true culprit. The Empress, deemed negligent in governing the harem, penalized herself by copying the women’s precepts a hundred times and reflecting behind closed doors.

After announcing all this, the Empress, supported by Yu Lan’s hand, entered the inner chamber. Xia Ruqing followed, leisurely leaving with the main group. Honored Lady Hu, sitting on the ground, was dragged away by a few little eunuchs. Though her face was ashen, she wasn’t entirely dissatisfied; she didn’t have to die, she could live.

After this incident, an unusual silence fell over the harem. Even Noble Concubine Shih no longer caused any trouble. Upon hearing the news, she laughed with joy. "Ying Yue, tell me, isn’t this what they call ’losing the wife and the soldiers’?"

Ying Yue stood by and laughed along. "Your Ladyship is right, it certainly is!"

It was expected that I wouldn’t bring down Lady Xia, Noble Concubine Shih thought. But crippling one of the Empress’s pawns isn’t bad either. No rush. I’ll deal with them one by one!

「...」

When Xia Ruqing returned to Qingya Residence, it was already noon. She wasn’t sure if it was the scorching sun or something else, but she felt somewhat stricken by the heat. Her head throbbed so painfully that once she lay down on the bed, she had no desire to get up. Zi Yue, a bit worried, hurriedly poured her some mung bean soup to relieve the heat. Xia Ruqing took the soup and sipped half a bowl before she could drink no more.

"Leave it be, I don’t want to drink now!"

Zi Yue then asked, "My Lady, are you feeling unwell?"

Xia Ruqing lazily sprawled on the bed, letting out a sigh. "These days in the harem are becoming increasingly unbearable! It’s so stifling! I desperately want to go out and get some fresh air!"

Zi Yue quickly said, "In another two or three days, you’ll be able to accompany the Emperor out of the palace. This servant has already packed all your luggage and belongings!"

Hearing this, Xia Ruqing finally felt a bit more at ease. A sense of smug satisfaction, mixed with gratitude, washed over her as she thought to herself: It’s a good thing the Emperor is willing to take me out. Otherwise... oh, what would I do! She only dared to think this, knowing she’d be punished if she voiced it aloud.

「At Honored Lady Hu’s place.」

Now that she was sent to the Cold Palace, Lv Zhu and Lv Luo could no longer serve her. The Empress ordered that the little eunuch who had disguised himself as a palace maid and sprinkled poison on the bundle be assigned to Honored Lady Hu. Honored Lady Hu was to keep him by her side, while the other servants were sent back to the Ministry of Internal Affairs for reassignment. Furthermore, the Empress issued a gag order, forbidding anyone from ever mentioning this matter again. For a time, no one in the palace dared to speak of it.

Two days later, in early June, the Emperor’s imperial procession departed from the palace. Consort Yun, Honored Lady Xi, Honored Lady Lan, and Lady Xia accompanied the Emperor on his journey. The Empress led the other concubines in bidding farewell to the Emperor at the palace gate, watching as the large procession slowly departed from the Imperial Palace. It slowly shrank in the distance, gradually blurring, until it disappeared from view. Only then did she lead everyone back.

"You may all disperse. From today onward, I shall reflect behind closed doors. The Emperor is not in the palace, so I expect all of you, sisters, to conduct yourselves with propriety." Having said that, she led Yu Lan away first.

After respectfully seeing the Empress off, the remaining concubines exchanged glances. No one dared to speak. They merely nodded and exchanged brief pleasantries before returning to their respective quarters. For a time, tranquility reigned in the harem.

The only place not at peace was the Empress Dowager’s Ningshou Palace. Ever since learning of the Noble Consort’s unstable pregnancy, the Empress Dowager had been fraught with anxiety. Not a single day had been peaceful. This time, upon hearing that the Noble Consort was bleeding again, the Empress Dowager, without a second thought, had Wei Sheng, the director of the Punishment Department, brought in for questioning. The result was, naturally, no leads. Xiao Hui had already forgotten that someone had accidentally bumped into her while she was delivering the clothes, so she hadn’t mentioned it. It would have been a miracle if Wei Sheng had managed to uncover that!

It wasn’t until later, when the Empress uncovered the truth and presented all the evidence, that the culprit was revealed: Honored Lady Hu!

The Empress Dowager was utterly flabbergasted. "What does the Noble Consort’s pregnancy have to do with Honored Lady Hu? How does it concern a mere Honored Lady like her!" If Lady Xia had done this... well, then there might have been a minuscule, say, 0.001% chance! After all... they are both favored consorts of the Emperor; conflicts are bound to arise. Wanxin had disliked Lady Xia for a long time; it’s not impossible she tormented her in private. Retaliation from Lady Xia would also be plausible! But Lady Hu? Who is she? She’s not favored and has no grievances with Wanxin. Would she harm Wanxin’s child? Heh... As if I would believe that! the Empress Dowager scoffed internally. Having spent so many years in the harem, how could I not see through such simple tricks! Oh Empress, Empress, you’ve found such a scapegoat, played such a hand! Who do you think you’re fooling!

「...」

The Empress Dowager seethed with resentment, her teeth practically itching. She was finally relieved when the Emperor left the palace. She had planned to deal with the Empress thoroughly, but who would have thought the Empress would suddenly announce... she was entering closed-door reflection! It was utterly preposterous! The Empress Dowager was so furious she was at a loss for words.

"Hmph! Closed-door reflection! I shall see just how she ’reflects’ behind closed doors!"

Seeing the Empress Dowager in this state, Sister Qing hurriedly stepped forward to console her. "Your Majesty should take care of your health. In this sweltering heat, please don’t let your anger affect you!"

This attempt at consolation only fueled the Empress Dowager’s anger. "How can I not be angry? That Empress is so audacious! Does she take me for a fool, or think I’m already dead?"

Sister Qing quickly tried to soothe the Empress Dowager’s anger and brought her a bowl of mung bean soup. "If Your Majesty is truly angry, you must find a way to vent it. You can’t keep it bottled up like this!"

The Empress Dowager slammed the bowl she was holding onto the table with force. "Hmph! Vent! I simply cannot swallow this insult!"

Seeing this, Sister Qing didn’t dare try to persuade her further. She was worried, but what good would worrying do?

「...」

For the time being, the Imperial Palace was tranquil. Those outside the palace, however, were about to embark on a rather imaginative venture. This time, when Zhao Junyao ventured out, he brought not only a few of his favored consorts but also several ministers. Additionally, there were dozens of guards and members of the Imperial Forest Army, not to mention the Hidden Guard. The retinue also included the Imperial Physician, Imperial Chef, palace maids, and eunuchs. In total, they numbered at least eighty, if not a full hundred. Such a large and majestic entourage naturally drew a lot of attention.

So, Zhao Junyao devised a plan. He procured a batch of furs and pelts from an unknown source. The entire party disguised themselves as merchants traveling far and wide.