Chapter 273: Chapter 270: Malicious Intent_2Xiangxiu, upon hearing about leaving the palace, was nearly overjoyed: "Is there really such good news? Naturally, I choose to leave the palace!" Staying in the palace meant wasting her life, not to mention that Princess Consort Sang was always plotting against her. Although the Emperor was now aware of Princess Consort Sang’s true character, she was still the Empress’s sister, openly. It likely wouldn’t be quick for Princess Consort Sang to be dealt with. Life outside the palace might be impoverished, but being with her mother would bring peace of mind.

    "May the Emperor grant his grace, I wish to leave the palace. Once I am out, I will surely eat vegetarian and recite the Buddha’s name daily, praying for the Empress’s good health."

    After saying this, Xiangxiu forcefully kowtowed three times.

    He Ying was once again moved: While people usually flattered him, and he did not care much about whatever nice things they said—sometimes even finding it annoying—it was different when it involved Sang Yan.

    "Since you have made up your mind, so be it, I grant you 500 taels of silver and release you from the palace."

    He Ying was in a good mood and did not mind granting a bit more favor: "Wait for Pei Muyang to return, then let him take you to the Imperial Hospital to get some ginseng. Your mother is old and needs to be well cared for. There’s no need for you to go thank the Empress. After all, Princess Consort Sang is her sister, and she is probably not too pleased."

    Those last few sentences directly dispelled the thoughts in Xiangxiu’s mind.

    Indeed, she had intended to go to Qingning Palace to thank the Empress.

    "Emperor, if I leave the palace just like this, what if Princess Consort Sang finds out?"

    Xiangxiu still felt uneasy: once out of the palace, what if Sang Ruoshui still caused her trouble?

    He Ying sneered, "Regarding Sang Ruoshui, I have my plans. Just be at ease."

    Hearing what He Ying said, Xiangxiu felt like a weight had been lifted off her chest: no matter how formidable Sang Ruoshui was, could she really be more powerful than the Emperor?

    Meanwhile,

    At the same time,

    In Qingning Palace,

    Sang Yan sat on a soft couch and looked at Pei Muyang standing below, frowning as she asked, "Are you saying that He— the Emperor has asked you to hand over the investigation of the palace food matters to me?"

    Due to her urgency and surprise, she almost blurted out He Ying’s name.

    She had never dealt with such matters before!

    It was utterly overwhelming. S~ea??h the N?velFire(.)net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

    Pei Muyang smiled and nodded, "Yes. As the Master of the Harem, Empress should naturally make the decisions on this matter."

    Sang Yan: "..."

    Her frown deepened, and she scrutinized Pei Muyang from head to toe: this man had a lot of "schemes" in his heart. Could it be that he knew of her kindness and deliberately convinced He Ying to hand this matter to her? After all, he was the chief eunuch. Dealing with a few issues in food, why would she need to be involved?

    Pei Muyang felt tingles on his scalp from her gaze and hurriedly said with a smile, "Why does Empress look at this servant like that? This matter has nothing to do with this servant. Zhang Tong did something wrong because he was blind and malicious at heart, but this servant had nothing to do with it..."

    He was practically lamenting, just short of kneeling to claim innocence.

    "The Emperor handed this matter to you to help establish your authority; it really has nothing to do with this servant. I hope Empress will see through this."

    Qiuzhi laughed out loud: Pei Muyang was a highly favored individual by the Emperor’s side. Seeing him acting so servile and trembling was truly a fresh sight.

    She held back her laughter, lowered her voice, and whispered to Sang Yan, "Your Ladyship, looking at how Mr. Pei is acting, it must be genuine. The Emperor is indeed trying to help you establish your authority."

    Sang Yan felt a complete mess inside: how could she not understand He Ying’s intention? But he surely thought too highly of her.

    She just wanted to be a lazy fish.

    To live carefree, with no concerns for safety, and to be intimately close with her beloved every night—this would be perfect.

    Now, such a task had been thrown her way—

    With so many eunuchs and palace maids in the palace, who knew who was colluding with whom?

    Those who showed signs were easy to investigate, but what about those who were secret?

    For those discovered, were they coerced, or was it mutual consent?

    How to deal with the coerced?

    How to handle those in mutual consent?

    How do you handle the transition from coercion to mutual affection?

    It’s even harder than a calculus problem!

    Sang Yan pinched her temples and waved at Pei Muyang, "This palace understands. Let me think about it. When the Emperor returns, I still need to discuss it with him."

    Pei Muyang nodded and responded, "Yes, this servant will return to the palace to report."

    Yuesang Palace

    "What? You’re saying that little wench Xiangxiu was saved by Sang Yan?"

    Sang Ruoshui was shocked, inadvertently breaking her nails stained with rouge.

    After her shock, she began to feel anxious, "Will Xiangxiu speak ill of me to Sang Yan? I intentionally looked into Sang Yan’s affairs outside, what if it reaches her ears? She might whisper to the Emperor in bed, right?"

    The more she thought about it, the more uneasy she became, "Has Xiang Ying returned?"

    The palace maid answered in panic, "My Lady, Sister Xiang Ying just left the palace today, and it will probably be by the gatehouse key pass before she returns. Do not worry, my Lady. The Empress probably just happened upon her, and Mr. Zhang, who normally receives so many benefits from us, wouldn’t speak carelessly."

    "Really?"

    Sang Ruoshui looked at herself in the copper mirror, her complexion deathly pale, losing the usual soft and delicate charm.

    She irritably picked up a powder box and smashed it against the copper mirror, roaring, "The moment Sang Yan returned, this palace’s complexion worsened. She’s here to steal my luck! My status and favor, all snatched away by her!"

    The palace maid thought to herself, The Emperor wasn’t fond of you before either, but of course, that was only muttered in her heart.

    The example of Xiangxiu’s fate was right there!

    "My Lady, you are a beauty unmatched, and the Emperor will surely recognize your virtues eventually."

    The palace maid’s timely compliment.

    Sang Ruoshui’s furrowed brow relaxed slightly, "Yes. As long as when Xiang Ying returns and clarifies what happened outside with Sang Yan, will a tarnished Empress be accepted by the people of Da He?"

    She pondered, lifting the corners of her mouth, and through the copper mirror, caressed her own cheek, "Thus, taking good care of this face of mine is most important."

    As beauty wanes, so does love.

    And with diminished love, favor is severed.

    Once Sang Yan falls out of favor, that’s when Sang Ruoshui’s opportunity will arise!

    Thinking this, Sang Ruoshui commanded, "Fetch the pearl powder; this palace wants to even out my complexion."

    The palace maid nodded, and was just about to get up—

    Pei Muyang walked over, sweeping his horsetail whisk, and bowed respectfully toward Sang Ruoshui, "Princess Consort Sang, unfortunately, the Emperor has sent this servant to invite you to the Imperial Study."

    Sang Ruoshui’s heart skipped a beat upon hearing this: The Emperor is inviting her to the Imperial Study? Why? Did Sang Yan complain about her?

    She looked at Pei Muyang, trying to discern any signs from his face.

    But Pei Muyang was all smiles, courteous and beaming at everyone.

    Trying to read something from his face—difficult!

    Sang Ruoshui forced a smile and asked, "Mr. Pei, is the Emperor summoning this palace... for something urgent?"

    Pei Muyang’s smile grew even broader as he replied, "Princess Consort Sang is one of the Emperor’s concubines and admires him deeply; perhaps... the Emperor has recognized your fervent devotion?"

    His tone was full of sarcasm.

    Sang Ruoshui didn’t catch it and was overjoyed, believing her opportunity had come so quickly!

    She quickly called the palace maid, "Hurry and help this palace dress up!"