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Chapter 47
Winter passed and spring arrived. Palace servants gradually shed their heavy, cumbersome palace robes. Thin spring skirts wrapped around slender waists as they shuttled through the long crimson corridors, exuding vibrant allure.
When Gu Han was awakened, she was still somewhat disoriented. She poked her head out from the brocade quilt, her voice muffled:
"What hour is it?"
Jiu Nian had long grown accustomed to this. Taking a silk cloth soaked in cool water, she directly helped wash her face. Only when her mistress's eyes showed some clarity did she say: "Not yet the hour of chen."
Gu Han felt the other half of the bed, it had long gone cold.
Helped down from bed, she stood behind the screen with two slender white legs bare, allowing Jiu Nian to dress her. Her waist was so narrow one could barely grasp it. The wide-sleeved palace gown made her seem even more ethereal and fairy-like. After finishing her grooming, she propped her cheeks in her hands. Looking from afar, she resembled a delicately nurtured begonia flower raised in wealth and comfort.
After the weather gradually warmed, Gu Han had resumed her habit of eating breakfast. Jiu Si excitedly said from the side:
"The imperial kitchens were so lively this morning!"
Gu Han raised an eyebrow at her, indicating she should continue.
"When this servant went, I just happened to see people from Cuizhu Pavilion and Wanxi Palace arguing. This servant overheard that apparently Wanxi Palace's people arrived at the imperial kitchens first, but Cuizhu Pavilion had the kitchens prepare Lin Měirén's breakfast first."
"The imperial kitchens have always judged the dish by Imperial Favour. Lin Měirén has been quite favored recently and is the Empress's own blood sister, naturally the kitchens wouldn't refuse. Wanxi Palace's servants were probably bullied too harshly and got into an argument with Cuizhu Pavilion's people."
Speaking of which, Jiu Si touched her nose, saying proudly: "My lady is favored, so the imperial kitchens had already prepared our palace's meal. As soon as this servant arrived, Eunuch Lin from the kitchens handed the food box to me."
"When this servant was returning, I saw that Little Jiu from Wanxi Palace seemed to have been angered to tears."
She said "seemed," but Jiu Si had indeed personally witnessed Little Jiu wiping away tears twice. In contrast, Cuizhu Pavilion's people were quite arrogant and haughty.
Gu Han nodded lightly.
The palace had been quite lively lately. For some reason, His Majesty seemed to have suddenly developed a conscience and finally remembered Lin Měirén. He had visited Cuizhu Pavilion several times in succession. Beauty Lin was quite favored, so Cuizhu Pavilion's servants also walked about with their heads held high and chests out.
Beauty Lin gaining power was naturally not a good thing for Rong BÇŽolĂn.
The imperial concubines all treated these two as theater. What Gu Han found most incomprehensible was that if His Majesty went to Cuizhu Pavilion today, the next day he would make a trip to Wanxi Palace, as if afraid the harem wasn't lively enough.
As Gu Han set down her chopsticks, she said quietly: "This Majesty of ours is truly inscrutable."
Gu Han only said this much. In any case, it had nothing much to do with her. When she arrived at Kunning Palace, the hall was filled with whispers. Concubine Zhou called to her:
"Come quickly."
Gu Han raised an eyebrow slightly, sweeping her gaze around the hall, completely confused: "What happened?"
Zhou looked at her speechlessly:
"You overslept again?"
In the past, Zhou had always thought Gu Han was a disciplined and reserved person. Only after spending more time together did Zhou discover that this person actually had quite a few minor flaws. But the more this was so, the more real and genuine she seemed, not like some ethereal illusion.
Gu Han's gaze flickered slightly, not meeting Zhou's eyes.
Zhou rolled her eyes and didn't continue pressing this issue. Covering her lips gleefully, she said:
"Look around the hall today and see who's missing?"
Gu Han looked carefully before realizing only Lin MÄ›irĂ©n and Rong BÇŽolĂn were absent. As for Consort Shu, her late arrivals and early departures had long become routine, so Gu Han didn't count her.
Gu Han was surprised. Lin MÄ›irĂ©n and Rong BÇŽolĂn had just had friction at breakfast, how had they started making trouble again?
"What happened with those two now?"
Zhou covered her lips and laughed: "The two ran into each other on the way to morning greetings. According to the news just received, Rong BÇŽolĂn fainted. Look at the people sitting here in the hall, their minds have long flown who knows where!"
Gu Han listened in stunned amazement.
Rong BÇŽolĂn had fainted?
Gu Han immediately found it hard to believe. Neither Lin MÄ›irĂ©n nor Rong BÇŽolĂn were fools. No matter how much Lin MÄ›irĂ©n detested Rong BÇŽolĂn, she couldn't possibly be so obvious on the way to morning greetings.
As for Rong BÇŽolĂn, she was merely in a weak position. Judging from the series of things she had done since entering the palace, she had her own methods.
Gu Han didn't believe Rong BÇŽolĂn would truly faint.
The Empress was soon helped out by palace servants, saying coldly: "I heard Rong BÇŽolĂn fainted on her way to morning greetings. As fellow sisters of the harem, you shall all follow this Palace to visit her."
Possibly quite angered, after dropping this line, the Empress turned and walked toward the palace exit.
Gu Han and Zhou exchanged glances and quickly rose to follow. She wasn't as singlemindedly eager to watch the drama as Zhou, in fact, her feelings were rather complicated.
When the group arrived at Wanxi Palace, they saw Consort Shu just descending from her palanquin. Supported by palace servants, she perfunctorily performed a courtesy and said with a covered smile:
"This consort just left the palace when I heard the Empress was heading to Wanxi Palace. To save myself an empty trip to Kunning Palace, I came directly here."
The Empress currently had no mood to deal with her. Bypassing her, she stepped into the hall. The imperial physician had been summoned early. Wanxi Palace was in chaos, even from the inner chambers came the sobbing of palace maids. Lin Měirén stood in the outer hall, her face livid.
Gu Han surreptitiously glanced at Lin MÄ›irĂ©n's sleeves, crumpled from gripping. From this one could see that Rong BÇŽolĂn's condition couldn't possibly be good, otherwise Lin MÄ›irĂ©n wouldn't be so anxious.
Just then, a palace maid came out from the inner chambers carrying a basin of bloody water.
The rich scent of blood filled the air. The delicately raised concubines in the hall immediately changed color, Gu Han was no exception. She pressed a handkerchief to her lips and turned her face slightly aside. The schadenfreude on Zhou's face also diminished somewhat. She frowned:
"Wasn't it said Rong only fainted? How is there bleeding?"
She'd always been blunt and outspoken, doing everything for the satisfaction of speaking her mind. Everyone had long grown accustomed to it. The Empress ignored her. As the palace maid passed by carrying the basin, the Empress's heart also sank. She looked down at Lin Měirén:
"What exactly happened?"
Lin MÄ›irĂ©n's face was deathly pale. She barely managed to say through gritted teeth: "This consort doesn't know either. Rong BÇŽolĂn suddenly collapsed to the ground. This concubine did nothing!"
Given the situation at Wanxi Palace, when Lin Měirén said she'd done nothing, everyone in the hall wore strange expressions, not one person believed her words.
If she didn't do it, could Rong BÇŽolĂn have put herself in this state?!
Lin MÄ›irĂ©n also noticed others' subtle assessing glances. She felt utterly aggrieved. She had been properly on her way to Kunning Palace for morning greetings, who knew she'd encounter that wretch Rong BÇŽolĂn on the road?
She had been riding high lately and had inevitably become somewhat careless. Though she detested Rong BÇŽolĂn, she truly hadn't taken her seriously. When the two met, Lin MÄ›irĂ©n naturally couldn't give way to Rong BÇŽolĂn.
Who could have known that just as she and Consort Rong brushed past each other, Rong BÇŽolĂn would suddenly cry out and fall beside her, rolling into the flower beds? By the time Wanxi Palace's weeping maids carried her away, Lin MÄ›irĂ©n was still in a state of shock.
How could Lin Měirén not realize she'd been schemed against?
But Lin Měirén had seen blood.
For a moment she couldn't help feeling somewhat startled and suspicious, even if Rong BÇŽolĂn wanted to frame her, she wouldn't be so ruthless to herself, would she?
Under these circumstances, Lin Měirén couldn't possibly ignore it and go to morning greetings as if nothing had happened. She first sent someone to inform Kunning Palace, then followed directly to Wanxi Palace.
Today Lin Měirén wore a simple, elegant spring gown with plum blossom prints. The red plum blossoms entwined across it, now looking down, they resembled droplets of blood. Lin Měirén felt only ill fortune in her heart.
The Empress closed her eyes, concealing the weariness and disappointment in her heart.
Since entering the palace, Lin Měirén had been unsuccessful. Then once she gained favor, she became arrogant. The Empress had warned her many times, but she'd only agreed on the surface without taking it to heart.
The Empress, mindful of her young age and the resentment in her own heart, had turned a blind eye to her actions.
Now that such a mishap had occurred, the Empress felt regret in her heart. She shouldn't have indulged Lin Měirén.
Speaking of young age, the newly selected concubines were all barely of age. Concubine Zhao was the same age, when had she ever caused worry?
In this harem, young age should never be an excuse for mistakes.
She had momentarily been blinded by familial affection, committing such an obvious error!
The Empress took a deep breath. She looked coldly at Lin Měirén, who felt her heart jump under that gaze, somewhat guilty and defensive, yet also feeling wronged. Today's matter had nothing to do with her, why didn't elder sister believe her?!
Gu Han glanced almost imperceptibly toward the inner chambers. The scent of blood grew ever stronger, causing her some vague unease. She had a bad suspicion, if it were merely an injury, where would so much blood come from?
After a pause, Gu Han asked Beauty Lin:
"Since you personally witnessed Rong BÇŽolĂn fall, do you know where she was injured?"
Everyone knew she and Rong BÇŽolĂn had once been close. Her asking this question at this moment wasn't strange.
Seeing it was her, Lin Měirén was rather irritated: "Her palace servants protected her so tightly, where would they let me approach?!"
In other words, she knew nothing.
Gu Han's lips twitched. During the selection, she'd seen that Beauty Lin was
Gu Han's lips twitched. During the selection, she had seen that Lin Měirén was also calm and clear-headed. How had half a year in the palace turned her so rash?
Regardless of whether today's matter was related to her or not, someone had an accident right under her nose—the responsibility would definitely fall on her shoulders. Under these circumstances, she still dared claim ignorance about everything, not even realizing the severity of the situation.
Gu Han could only find it beyond words.
They didn't wait for the imperial physician to emerge from the inner chambers. Instead, they first awaited His Majesty, who had just left morning court. The moment Lu Yu stepped inside, he smelled the heavy scent of blood. He didn't even notice the kneeling Lin Měirén. His face darkened:
"Can someone tell me what exactly happened?"
No one spoke.
Lin Měirén wanted to say something, but when she met His Majesty's gaze, she was immediately frightened into silence.
The inner chambers, which had been quiet all along, finally showed signs of activity. Gu Han saw Little Jiu run out and with a thud kneel before His Majesty. She sobbed breathlessly:
"Your Majesty! This servant begs Your Majesty to give our mistress justice!"
Though Zhou also found the atmosphere in the hall somewhat eerie, she was better off than the others. She could still ask impatiently: "You're asking His Majesty for justice, at least explain clearly, what happened to Rong BÇŽolĂn?!"
Gu Han wanted to stop her but failed to do so in time. She immediately rubbed her temples with a headache.
Little Jiu choked back a sob before saying tearfully:
"This, this servant accompanied my mistress to Kunning Palace today to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress. Who knew we'd encounter Lin Měirén halfway? My mistress had clearly already given way to Lin Měirén but when Lin Měirén passed our mistress, she cruelly pushed her."
Only getting this far, Lin Měirén furiously interrupted: "You dog slave, how dare you spread lies before His Majesty?!"
"I never touched your mistress! Clearly your mistress is framing me!"
Little Jiu seemed enraged by this counteraccusation, her whole body trembling with anger. But remembering her station, she didn't argue with Lin Měirén at all. Crying, she said to His Majesty:
"Your Majesty, please see clearly! Even with a hundred times the courage, this servant wouldn't dare deceive the Emperor!"
"My mistress was pushed by Lin Měirén and rolled several times!" She pointed at the palace servants going in and out, saying hatefully to Lin Měirén: "Lin Měirén says my mistress is framing you, but who would frame someone like this? Would they not care about their life?!"
The scent of blood wafting from the inner chambers made Lin Měirén's stomach churn with nausea.
Under His Majesty's cold, heavy gaze, struck speechless by a mere servant, she truly couldn't think of who would risk their life just to frame someone.
Gu Han lowered her eyelids slightly, making no comment on this.
If she were driven to desperate straits, she too would risk her life to fight for a thread of survival.
Though Rong BÇŽolĂn seemed to have some imperial favor, one mustn't forget that Lin MÄ›irĂ©n held higher rank than Rong BÇŽolĂn. She also had the Empress as her backing. This so-called imperial favor hadn't surpassed Lin MÄ›irĂ©n, on the contrary, precisely because she had a bit of favor, she had increasingly drawn Lin MÄ›irĂ©n's attention.
Thinking this far, Gu Han couldn't help but look up at His Majesty. One could say the conflict and confrontation between Lin MÄ›irĂ©n and Rong BÇŽolĂn had been almost single-handedly created by His Majesty. With his instigation, it had evolved into today's result.
Regardless of what His Majesty intended, Rong BÇŽolĂn was merely a discarded piece in all this.
Soon, the imperial physician emerged from the inner chambers, his head covered in sweat. He knelt in the hall, not daring to look at His Majesty's expression, burying his face to the ground:
"Your Majesty, this humble physician is useless and failed to save the imperial heir in Rong BÇŽolĂn's womb.”
In an instant, the entire hall erupted in shock!
Lin Měirén was completely stunned by this news.
Her suspicion confirmed, Gu Han was as shocked as the others. She seemed somewhat unable to bear it, covering her lips and lowering her eyes. From the corner of her eye, she watched His Majesty, catching what seemed like a pause, but the pause was so brief that Gu Han wondered if she had seen wrong.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was oppressive, with only Little Jiu's grief-stricken sobs and the faint weeping of palace maids.
After who knows how long, Lu Yu stood up. He approached Beauty Lin, gripping her chin and forcing her to raise her head, his voice dark:
"I thought I had treated you well enough. What exactly are you dissatisfied with?"
The Emperor's expression terrified Lin Měirén into trembling violently. She desperately shook her head, tears falling in wretched streams. She was clearly a beauty, yet at this moment showed not a trace of beauty. She was utterly terrified:
"...This concubine didn't!"
With Rong BÇŽolĂn's miscarriage laid bare before them and Little Jiu's testimony, Lin MÄ›irĂ©n's defense was pale and powerless.
Lu Yu released Lin Měirén's face, coldly dropping a line:
"Venomous woman!"
In an instant, all color drained from Lin Měirén's face. She half-collapsed to the ground, supporting herself on the floor, staring up at His Majesty in a daze.
She thought somewhat bewilderedly, what was happening?
How had His Majesty, who'd treated her so gently just days ago, suddenly seemed like a different person?
Gu Han's breathing grew lighter.
Setting aside whether Lin MÄ›irĂ©n and Rong BÇŽolĂn each held to their own version of events and what the truth of today's matter actually was, Lin MÄ›irĂ©n simply hadn't known Consort Rong was pregnant. She couldn't have prescient knowledge to plot against an imperial heir. This single judgment from His Majesty was devastatingly severe.
The Empress wearily closed her eyes.
She knew that after this judgment from His Majesty, Beauty Lin was finished.
The Empress seemed to sigh tiredly. She released Muqiu's hand, walked before His Majesty, and knelt:
"It is this consort's poor management that allowed such an oversight to occur in the harem."
Lu Yu looked at her impassively, not even raising an eyelid: "You are indeed at fault."
Beauty Lin shivered violently. She gripped her elder sister's sleeve. For the first time in her long period of arrogance, a trace of clarity entered her mind. She sensed something was wrong, but it was too late. She could only futilely clutch at her elder sister.
She was only seventeen this year. Pampered at home, when had she ever encountered such a situation?
The Empress bowed her head to the ground:
"This consort's management was lax. I request to surrender authority over managing the six palaces."
Since entering the Prince's mansion, management authority had always been in her hands. After entering the palace, this hadn't changed. Though many incidents had occurred in the harem, none had truly troubled His Majesty. One could even say she'd managed well.
As soon as these words fell, they seemed to finally strike Lin Měirén like a blow to the head. She cried out in shock:
"Elder sister!"
She released her elder sister's sleeve and scrambled on hands and knees to His Majesty, gripping his robe hem. Completely different from her earlier terrified trembling, she desperately shook her head, continuously making wretched excuses:
"Your Majesty! Please believe this consort! It wasn't this consort who harmed her! I didn't even know she was pregnant, how could I plot against an imperial heir!"
Seeing His Majesty move, she seemed afraid he would kick her away. She kowtowed heavily at His Majesty's feet, again and again, the dull thuds resounding. In mere moments, her forehead turned blue and purple. Crying, she pleaded:
"Your Majesty! This matter has nothing to do with elder sister! Consort Rong framed this consort! It has nothing to do with elder sister! Nothing to do with the Empress!”
The Empress stared at her blankly. Women just coming of age loved beauty most. Even when her younger sister first entered the palace without success, she had still dressed herself beautifully. But now she crawled and scrambled, her forehead grotesque from kowtowing, the most wretched appearance imaginable.
Fearing to implicate her elder sister, by the end of her pleading she no longer even called her "elder sister," addressing her formally as "Empress" with every breath. Since entering the palace, she'd never been so obedient.
The Empress felt her throat constrict with obstruction. Her finger guards nearly pierced her palms, the stinging pain kept her conscious.
Lu Yu's eyes darkened for a moment.
He might guard against the Empress, but he knew clearly that whether regarding imperial heirs or the consorts, the Empress rarely struck at them. At least during her tenure, she could truly be called a model of motherly virtue for the realm.
Precisely because of this, Lu Yu had no choice but to guard against her. Childless and without favor, yet desiring nothing, how could that be possible?
But guarding against her didn't mean Lu Yu didn't respect her.
Lu Yu knew this was his legitimate wife, sharing the same bed in life and the same coffin in death, incomparable to anyone else.
He lowered his eyes and said calmly:
"What nonsense are you speaking? You are the Empress. The authority to manage the six palaces rightfully belongs to you."
The Empress barely turned her face away. Lu Yu bent down and forcefully pulled the Empress to her feet. As for Beauty Lin, he didn't even glance at her, coldly issuing a decree:
"Beauty Lin plotted against an imperial heir with vicious intent. Effective immediately, she is demoted to commoner status and confined to the Cold Palace, never to step out!"
Beauty Lin collapsed to the ground in anguished tears. But the Empress couldn't accept it. She grabbed His Majesty's arm, tears actually falling on the spot: "Your Majesty!"
Lu Yu looked down at her:
"Empress, the crime of plotting against an imperial heir—by law, is punishable by execution."
The Empress's lips moved. She stared fixedly at His Majesty. With just one look, she knew that no matter what she said today, His Majesty would never change his mind.
Lu Yu released his supporting hand. The Empress's body couldn't help but stagger, caught in alarm by Muqiu.
Gu Han glanced almost imperceptibly at His Majesty. She lowered her eyelids slightly, concealing the emotions in her eyes. She seemed to somewhat understand what His Majesty intended to do.
Beauty Lin was merely a microcosm, she represented the Empress and the Lin family.
Just looking at His Majesty's attitude toward the Empress, one could know that His Majesty actually had no particular grievance with the Empress. In fact, even when she had first entered the palace, Gu Han had felt that the most secure position in this harem was the Empress's.
Even when Concubine Chen was still Consort De, with a son at her knee, and even with Consort Shu who monopolized imperial favor, the harem had vaguely formed a three-way balance of power.
Yet Concubine Chen fell when she fell, and Consort Shu's imperial favor seemed mixed with many other elements. Only the Empress, even though His Majesty had elevated Consort Shu to oppose the Empress, he still showed the Empress particular respect. No matter what, he had never touched even a fraction of the authority in the Empress's hands.
So what had the Lin family done to anger His Majesty so?
The Empress had long failed to conceive. At this time, the Lin family sent Beauty Lin to participate in the selection, the intention was quite obvious. Anyone with eyes in the harem could see it, which was why the high-ranking concubines couldn't be bothered with Beauty Lin.
To them, Beauty Lin was merely a tool for the Empress to borrow a womb for bearing children. Rising to Noble Consort would already be her limit.
Now His Majesty had directly destroyed Beauty Lin, equivalent to shattering the Lin family's hopes.
For a moment, Gu Han couldn't help feeling frustrated. Being in the harem brought too many inconveniences, even just blocked information was extremely uncomfortable.
To complete the act, regardless of His Majesty's inner thoughts, he had recently shown considerable regard for Rong BÇŽolĂn. Now that Rong BÇŽolĂn had just miscarried, he definitely needed to visit her.
Gu Han and the others left Wanxi Palace one after another.
After walking quite far from Wanxi Palace, Gu Han still felt somewhat unsettled. She heard Zhou beside her exhale and say with lingering fear:
"When Cousin gets angry, it's truly frightening!"
Gu Han's eyes suddenly moved, imperceptibly falling on Zhou. She indeed suffered from blocked information, but there was one person in this harem whose information would never be blocked.
—The Empress Dowager.
Zhou suddenly leaned close to her, lowering her voice:
"Cousin is truly biased. Concubine Chen repeatedly plotted against imperial heirs, yet was merely demoted. But the Lin woman was directly thrown into the Cold Palace."
Gu Han didn't respond to these words. If Concubine Miao had also miscarried like Rong BÇŽolĂn, Concubine Chen's fate might not have been any better.
Gu Han had thought of testing Zhou as if nothing had happened, but thinking of the Empress Dowager, she felt it unnecessary to go to such lengths. So she only shook her head, seeming somewhat puzzled:
"That His Majesty punished the Lin woman so severely, there must be more than just this one reason."
Zhou froze, somewhat suspicious: "What else could it be? She's at least the legitimate daughter of the Chen family. Apart from the imperial heir…"
Her words suddenly stopped. Zhou realized something and drew in a sharp breath.
Gu Han looked at her curiously. Zhou's eyes brightened. She coughed lightly, and before Gu Han could continue asking, she said: "You return to your palace first. I'm going to visit my aunt. I'll tell you in detail tomorrow."
With that, she lifted her skirts and hurried away.
Jiu Nian supported Gu Han, saying worriedly in a low voice:
"My lady, doing this, will the Empress Dowager..."
Gu Han shook her head calmly:
"No matter. With Concubine Zhou there, even if the Empress Dowager is displeased, she'll only warn me."
There was risk, but the benefits were greater. It was worth gambling on this once
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Chapter 47
Winter passed and spring arrived. Palace servants gradually shed their heavy, cumbersome palace robes. Thin spring skirts wrapped around slender waists as they shuttled through the long crimson corridors, exuding vibrant allure.
When Gu Han was awakened, she was still somewhat disoriented. She poked her head out from the brocade quilt, her voice muffled:
"What hour is it?"
Jiu Nian had long grown accustomed to this. Taking a silk cloth soaked in cool water, she directly helped wash her face. Only when her mistress's eyes showed some clarity did she say: "Not yet the hour of chen."
Gu Han felt the other half of the bed, it had long gone cold.
Helped down from bed, she stood behind the screen with two slender white legs bare, allowing Jiu Nian to dress her. Her waist was so narrow one could barely grasp it. The wide-sleeved palace gown made her seem even more ethereal and fairy-like. After finishing her grooming, she propped her cheeks in her hands. Looking from afar, she resembled a delicately nurtured begonia flower raised in wealth and comfort.
After the weather gradually warmed, Gu Han had resumed her habit of eating breakfast. Jiu Si excitedly said from the side:
"The imperial kitchens were so lively this morning!"
Gu Han raised an eyebrow at her, indicating she should continue.
"When this servant went, I just happened to see people from Cuizhu Pavilion and Wanxi Palace arguing. This servant overheard that apparently Wanxi Palace's people arrived at the imperial kitchens first, but Cuizhu Pavilion had the kitchens prepare Lin Měirén's breakfast first."
"The imperial kitchens have always judged the dish by Imperial Favour. Lin Měirén has been quite favored recently and is the Empress's own blood sister, naturally the kitchens wouldn't refuse. Wanxi Palace's servants were probably bullied too harshly and got into an argument with Cuizhu Pavilion's people."
Speaking of which, Jiu Si touched her nose, saying proudly: "My lady is favored, so the imperial kitchens had already prepared our palace's meal. As soon as this servant arrived, Eunuch Lin from the kitchens handed the food box to me."
"When this servant was returning, I saw that Little Jiu from Wanxi Palace seemed to have been angered to tears."
She said "seemed," but Jiu Si had indeed personally witnessed Little Jiu wiping away tears twice. In contrast, Cuizhu Pavilion's people were quite arrogant and haughty.
Gu Han nodded lightly.
The palace had been quite lively lately. For some reason, His Majesty seemed to have suddenly developed a conscience and finally remembered Lin Měirén. He had visited Cuizhu Pavilion several times in succession. Beauty Lin was quite favored, so Cuizhu Pavilion's servants also walked about with their heads held high and chests out.
Beauty Lin gaining power was naturally not a good thing for Rong BÇŽolĂn.
The imperial concubines all treated these two as theater. What Gu Han found most incomprehensible was that if His Majesty went to Cuizhu Pavilion today, the next day he would make a trip to Wanxi Palace, as if afraid the harem wasn't lively enough.
As Gu Han set down her chopsticks, she said quietly: "This Majesty of ours is truly inscrutable."
Gu Han only said this much. In any case, it had nothing much to do with her. When she arrived at Kunning Palace, the hall was filled with whispers. Concubine Zhou called to her:
"Come quickly."
Gu Han raised an eyebrow slightly, sweeping her gaze around the hall, completely confused: "What happened?"
Zhou looked at her speechlessly:
"You overslept again?"
In the past, Zhou had always thought Gu Han was a disciplined and reserved person. Only after spending more time together did Zhou discover that this person actually had quite a few minor flaws. But the more this was so, the more real and genuine she seemed, not like some ethereal illusion.
Gu Han's gaze flickered slightly, not meeting Zhou's eyes.
Zhou rolled her eyes and didn't continue pressing this issue. Covering her lips gleefully, she said:
"Look around the hall today and see who's missing?"
Gu Han looked carefully before realizing only Lin MÄ›irĂ©n and Rong BÇŽolĂn were absent. As for Consort Shu, her late arrivals and early departures had long become routine, so Gu Han didn't count her.
Gu Han was surprised. Lin MÄ›irĂ©n and Rong BÇŽolĂn had just had friction at breakfast, how had they started making trouble again?
"What happened with those two now?"
Zhou covered her lips and laughed: "The two ran into each other on the way to morning greetings. According to the news just received, Rong BÇŽolĂn fainted. Look at the people sitting here in the hall, their minds have long flown who knows where!"
Gu Han listened in stunned amazement.
Rong BÇŽolĂn had fainted?
Gu Han immediately found it hard to believe. Neither Lin MÄ›irĂ©n nor Rong BÇŽolĂn were fools. No matter how much Lin MÄ›irĂ©n detested Rong BÇŽolĂn, she couldn't possibly be so obvious on the way to morning greetings.
As for Rong BÇŽolĂn, she was merely in a weak position. Judging from the series of things she had done since entering the palace, she had her own methods.
Gu Han didn't believe Rong BÇŽolĂn would truly faint.
The Empress was soon helped out by palace servants, saying coldly: "I heard Rong BÇŽolĂn fainted on her way to morning greetings. As fellow sisters of the harem, you shall all follow this Palace to visit her."
Possibly quite angered, after dropping this line, the Empress turned and walked toward the palace exit.
Gu Han and Zhou exchanged glances and quickly rose to follow. She wasn't as singlemindedly eager to watch the drama as Zhou, in fact, her feelings were rather complicated.
When the group arrived at Wanxi Palace, they saw Consort Shu just descending from her palanquin. Supported by palace servants, she perfunctorily performed a courtesy and said with a covered smile:
"This consort just left the palace when I heard the Empress was heading to Wanxi Palace. To save myself an empty trip to Kunning Palace, I came directly here."
The Empress currently had no mood to deal with her. Bypassing her, she stepped into the hall. The imperial physician had been summoned early. Wanxi Palace was in chaos, even from the inner chambers came the sobbing of palace maids. Lin Měirén stood in the outer hall, her face livid.
Gu Han surreptitiously glanced at Lin MÄ›irĂ©n's sleeves, crumpled from gripping. From this one could see that Rong BÇŽolĂn's condition couldn't possibly be good, otherwise Lin MÄ›irĂ©n wouldn't be so anxious.
Just then, a palace maid came out from the inner chambers carrying a basin of bloody water.
The rich scent of blood filled the air. The delicately raised concubines in the hall immediately changed color, Gu Han was no exception. She pressed a handkerchief to her lips and turned her face slightly aside. The schadenfreude on Zhou's face also diminished somewhat. She frowned:
"Wasn't it said Rong only fainted? How is there bleeding?"
She'd always been blunt and outspoken, doing everything for the satisfaction of speaking her mind. Everyone had long grown accustomed to it. The Empress ignored her. As the palace maid passed by carrying the basin, the Empress's heart also sank. She looked down at Lin Měirén:
"What exactly happened?"
Lin MÄ›irĂ©n's face was deathly pale. She barely managed to say through gritted teeth: "This consort doesn't know either. Rong BÇŽolĂn suddenly collapsed to the ground. This concubine did nothing!"
Given the situation at Wanxi Palace, when Lin Měirén said she'd done nothing, everyone in the hall wore strange expressions, not one person believed her words.
If she didn't do it, could Rong BÇŽolĂn have put herself in this state?!
Lin MÄ›irĂ©n also noticed others' subtle assessing glances. She felt utterly aggrieved. She had been properly on her way to Kunning Palace for morning greetings, who knew she'd encounter that wretch Rong BÇŽolĂn on the road?
She had been riding high lately and had inevitably become somewhat careless. Though she detested Rong BÇŽolĂn, she truly hadn't taken her seriously. When the two met, Lin MÄ›irĂ©n naturally couldn't give way to Rong BÇŽolĂn.
Who could have known that just as she and Consort Rong brushed past each other, Rong BÇŽolĂn would suddenly cry out and fall beside her, rolling into the flower beds? By the time Wanxi Palace's weeping maids carried her away, Lin MÄ›irĂ©n was still in a state of shock.
How could Lin Měirén not realize she'd been schemed against?
But Lin Měirén had seen blood.
For a moment she couldn't help feeling somewhat startled and suspicious, even if Rong BÇŽolĂn wanted to frame her, she wouldn't be so ruthless to herself, would she?
Under these circumstances, Lin Měirén couldn't possibly ignore it and go to morning greetings as if nothing had happened. She first sent someone to inform Kunning Palace, then followed directly to Wanxi Palace.
Today Lin Měirén wore a simple, elegant spring gown with plum blossom prints. The red plum blossoms entwined across it, now looking down, they resembled droplets of blood. Lin Měirén felt only ill fortune in her heart.
The Empress closed her eyes, concealing the weariness and disappointment in her heart.
Since entering the palace, Lin Měirén had been unsuccessful. Then once she gained favor, she became arrogant. The Empress had warned her many times, but she'd only agreed on the surface without taking it to heart.
The Empress, mindful of her young age and the resentment in her own heart, had turned a blind eye to her actions.
Now that such a mishap had occurred, the Empress felt regret in her heart. She shouldn't have indulged Lin Měirén.
Speaking of young age, the newly selected concubines were all barely of age. Concubine Zhao was the same age, when had she ever caused worry?
In this harem, young age should never be an excuse for mistakes.
She had momentarily been blinded by familial affection, committing such an obvious error!
The Empress took a deep breath. She looked coldly at Lin Měirén, who felt her heart jump under that gaze, somewhat guilty and defensive, yet also feeling wronged. Today's matter had nothing to do with her, why didn't elder sister believe her?!
Gu Han glanced almost imperceptibly toward the inner chambers. The scent of blood grew ever stronger, causing her some vague unease. She had a bad suspicion, if it were merely an injury, where would so much blood come from?
After a pause, Gu Han asked Beauty Lin:
"Since you personally witnessed Rong BÇŽolĂn fall, do you know where she was injured?"
Everyone knew she and Rong BÇŽolĂn had once been close. Her asking this question at this moment wasn't strange.
Seeing it was her, Lin Měirén was rather irritated: "Her palace servants protected her so tightly, where would they let me approach?!"
In other words, she knew nothing.
Gu Han's lips twitched. During the selection, she'd seen that Beauty Lin was
Gu Han's lips twitched. During the selection, she had seen that Lin Měirén was also calm and clear-headed. How had half a year in the palace turned her so rash?
Regardless of whether today's matter was related to her or not, someone had an accident right under her nose—the responsibility would definitely fall on her shoulders. Under these circumstances, she still dared claim ignorance about everything, not even realizing the severity of the situation.
Gu Han could only find it beyond words.
They didn't wait for the imperial physician to emerge from the inner chambers. Instead, they first awaited His Majesty, who had just left morning court. The moment Lu Yu stepped inside, he smelled the heavy scent of blood. He didn't even notice the kneeling Lin Měirén. His face darkened:
"Can someone tell me what exactly happened?"
No one spoke.
Lin Měirén wanted to say something, but when she met His Majesty's gaze, she was immediately frightened into silence.
The inner chambers, which had been quiet all along, finally showed signs of activity. Gu Han saw Little Jiu run out and with a thud kneel before His Majesty. She sobbed breathlessly:
"Your Majesty! This servant begs Your Majesty to give our mistress justice!"
Though Zhou also found the atmosphere in the hall somewhat eerie, she was better off than the others. She could still ask impatiently: "You're asking His Majesty for justice, at least explain clearly, what happened to Rong BÇŽolĂn?!"
Gu Han wanted to stop her but failed to do so in time. She immediately rubbed her temples with a headache.
Little Jiu choked back a sob before saying tearfully:
"This, this servant accompanied my mistress to Kunning Palace today to pay respects to Her Majesty the Empress. Who knew we'd encounter Lin Měirén halfway? My mistress had clearly already given way to Lin Měirén but when Lin Měirén passed our mistress, she cruelly pushed her."
Only getting this far, Lin Měirén furiously interrupted: "You dog slave, how dare you spread lies before His Majesty?!"
"I never touched your mistress! Clearly your mistress is framing me!"
Little Jiu seemed enraged by this counteraccusation, her whole body trembling with anger. But remembering her station, she didn't argue with Lin Měirén at all. Crying, she said to His Majesty:
"Your Majesty, please see clearly! Even with a hundred times the courage, this servant wouldn't dare deceive the Emperor!"
"My mistress was pushed by Lin Měirén and rolled several times!" She pointed at the palace servants going in and out, saying hatefully to Lin Měirén: "Lin Měirén says my mistress is framing you, but who would frame someone like this? Would they not care about their life?!"
The scent of blood wafting from the inner chambers made Lin Měirén's stomach churn with nausea.
Under His Majesty's cold, heavy gaze, struck speechless by a mere servant, she truly couldn't think of who would risk their life just to frame someone.
Gu Han lowered her eyelids slightly, making no comment on this.
If she were driven to desperate straits, she too would risk her life to fight for a thread of survival.
Though Rong BÇŽolĂn seemed to have some imperial favor, one mustn't forget that Lin MÄ›irĂ©n held higher rank than Rong BÇŽolĂn. She also had the Empress as her backing. This so-called imperial favor hadn't surpassed Lin MÄ›irĂ©n, on the contrary, precisely because she had a bit of favor, she had increasingly drawn Lin MÄ›irĂ©n's attention.
Thinking this far, Gu Han couldn't help but look up at His Majesty. One could say the conflict and confrontation between Lin MÄ›irĂ©n and Rong BÇŽolĂn had been almost single-handedly created by His Majesty. With his instigation, it had evolved into today's result.
Regardless of what His Majesty intended, Rong BÇŽolĂn was merely a discarded piece in all this.
Soon, the imperial physician emerged from the inner chambers, his head covered in sweat. He knelt in the hall, not daring to look at His Majesty's expression, burying his face to the ground:
"Your Majesty, this humble physician is useless and failed to save the imperial heir in Rong BÇŽolĂn's womb.”
In an instant, the entire hall erupted in shock!
Lin Měirén was completely stunned by this news.
Her suspicion confirmed, Gu Han was as shocked as the others. She seemed somewhat unable to bear it, covering her lips and lowering her eyes. From the corner of her eye, she watched His Majesty, catching what seemed like a pause, but the pause was so brief that Gu Han wondered if she had seen wrong.
For a moment, the atmosphere in the hall was oppressive, with only Little Jiu's grief-stricken sobs and the faint weeping of palace maids.
After who knows how long, Lu Yu stood up. He approached Beauty Lin, gripping her chin and forcing her to raise her head, his voice dark:
"I thought I had treated you well enough. What exactly are you dissatisfied with?"
The Emperor's expression terrified Lin Měirén into trembling violently. She desperately shook her head, tears falling in wretched streams. She was clearly a beauty, yet at this moment showed not a trace of beauty. She was utterly terrified:
"...This concubine didn't!"
With Rong BÇŽolĂn's miscarriage laid bare before them and Little Jiu's testimony, Lin MÄ›irĂ©n's defense was pale and powerless.
Lu Yu released Lin Měirén's face, coldly dropping a line:
"Venomous woman!"
In an instant, all color drained from Lin Měirén's face. She half-collapsed to the ground, supporting herself on the floor, staring up at His Majesty in a daze.
She thought somewhat bewilderedly, what was happening?
How had His Majesty, who'd treated her so gently just days ago, suddenly seemed like a different person?
Gu Han's breathing grew lighter.
Setting aside whether Lin MÄ›irĂ©n and Rong BÇŽolĂn each held to their own version of events and what the truth of today's matter actually was, Lin MÄ›irĂ©n simply hadn't known Consort Rong was pregnant. She couldn't have prescient knowledge to plot against an imperial heir. This single judgment from His Majesty was devastatingly severe.
The Empress wearily closed her eyes.
She knew that after this judgment from His Majesty, Beauty Lin was finished.
The Empress seemed to sigh tiredly. She released Muqiu's hand, walked before His Majesty, and knelt:
"It is this consort's poor management that allowed such an oversight to occur in the harem."
Lu Yu looked at her impassively, not even raising an eyelid: "You are indeed at fault."
Beauty Lin shivered violently. She gripped her elder sister's sleeve. For the first time in her long period of arrogance, a trace of clarity entered her mind. She sensed something was wrong, but it was too late. She could only futilely clutch at her elder sister.
She was only seventeen this year. Pampered at home, when had she ever encountered such a situation?
The Empress bowed her head to the ground:
"This consort's management was lax. I request to surrender authority over managing the six palaces."
Since entering the Prince's mansion, management authority had always been in her hands. After entering the palace, this hadn't changed. Though many incidents had occurred in the harem, none had truly troubled His Majesty. One could even say she'd managed well.
As soon as these words fell, they seemed to finally strike Lin Měirén like a blow to the head. She cried out in shock:
"Elder sister!"
She released her elder sister's sleeve and scrambled on hands and knees to His Majesty, gripping his robe hem. Completely different from her earlier terrified trembling, she desperately shook her head, continuously making wretched excuses:
"Your Majesty! Please believe this consort! It wasn't this consort who harmed her! I didn't even know she was pregnant, how could I plot against an imperial heir!"
Seeing His Majesty move, she seemed afraid he would kick her away. She kowtowed heavily at His Majesty's feet, again and again, the dull thuds resounding. In mere moments, her forehead turned blue and purple. Crying, she pleaded:
"Your Majesty! This matter has nothing to do with elder sister! Consort Rong framed this consort! It has nothing to do with elder sister! Nothing to do with the Empress!”
The Empress stared at her blankly. Women just coming of age loved beauty most. Even when her younger sister first entered the palace without success, she had still dressed herself beautifully. But now she crawled and scrambled, her forehead grotesque from kowtowing, the most wretched appearance imaginable.
Fearing to implicate her elder sister, by the end of her pleading she no longer even called her "elder sister," addressing her formally as "Empress" with every breath. Since entering the palace, she'd never been so obedient.
The Empress felt her throat constrict with obstruction. Her finger guards nearly pierced her palms, the stinging pain kept her conscious.
Lu Yu's eyes darkened for a moment.
He might guard against the Empress, but he knew clearly that whether regarding imperial heirs or the consorts, the Empress rarely struck at them. At least during her tenure, she could truly be called a model of motherly virtue for the realm.
Precisely because of this, Lu Yu had no choice but to guard against her. Childless and without favor, yet desiring nothing, how could that be possible?
But guarding against her didn't mean Lu Yu didn't respect her.
Lu Yu knew this was his legitimate wife, sharing the same bed in life and the same coffin in death, incomparable to anyone else.
He lowered his eyes and said calmly:
"What nonsense are you speaking? You are the Empress. The authority to manage the six palaces rightfully belongs to you."
The Empress barely turned her face away. Lu Yu bent down and forcefully pulled the Empress to her feet. As for Beauty Lin, he didn't even glance at her, coldly issuing a decree:
"Beauty Lin plotted against an imperial heir with vicious intent. Effective immediately, she is demoted to commoner status and confined to the Cold Palace, never to step out!"
Beauty Lin collapsed to the ground in anguished tears. But the Empress couldn't accept it. She grabbed His Majesty's arm, tears actually falling on the spot: "Your Majesty!"
Lu Yu looked down at her:
"Empress, the crime of plotting against an imperial heir—by law, is punishable by execution."
The Empress's lips moved. She stared fixedly at His Majesty. With just one look, she knew that no matter what she said today, His Majesty would never change his mind.
Lu Yu released his supporting hand. The Empress's body couldn't help but stagger, caught in alarm by Muqiu.
Gu Han glanced almost imperceptibly at His Majesty. She lowered her eyelids slightly, concealing the emotions in her eyes. She seemed to somewhat understand what His Majesty intended to do.
Beauty Lin was merely a microcosm, she represented the Empress and the Lin family.
Just looking at His Majesty's attitude toward the Empress, one could know that His Majesty actually had no particular grievance with the Empress. In fact, even when she had first entered the palace, Gu Han had felt that the most secure position in this harem was the Empress's.
Even when Concubine Chen was still Consort De, with a son at her knee, and even with Consort Shu who monopolized imperial favor, the harem had vaguely formed a three-way balance of power.
Yet Concubine Chen fell when she fell, and Consort Shu's imperial favor seemed mixed with many other elements. Only the Empress, even though His Majesty had elevated Consort Shu to oppose the Empress, he still showed the Empress particular respect. No matter what, he had never touched even a fraction of the authority in the Empress's hands.
So what had the Lin family done to anger His Majesty so?
The Empress had long failed to conceive. At this time, the Lin family sent Beauty Lin to participate in the selection, the intention was quite obvious. Anyone with eyes in the harem could see it, which was why the high-ranking concubines couldn't be bothered with Beauty Lin.
To them, Beauty Lin was merely a tool for the Empress to borrow a womb for bearing children. Rising to Noble Consort would already be her limit.
Now His Majesty had directly destroyed Beauty Lin, equivalent to shattering the Lin family's hopes.
For a moment, Gu Han couldn't help feeling frustrated. Being in the harem brought too many inconveniences, even just blocked information was extremely uncomfortable.
To complete the act, regardless of His Majesty's inner thoughts, he had recently shown considerable regard for Rong BÇŽolĂn. Now that Rong BÇŽolĂn had just miscarried, he definitely needed to visit her.
Gu Han and the others left Wanxi Palace one after another.
After walking quite far from Wanxi Palace, Gu Han still felt somewhat unsettled. She heard Zhou beside her exhale and say with lingering fear:
"When Cousin gets angry, it's truly frightening!"
Gu Han's eyes suddenly moved, imperceptibly falling on Zhou. She indeed suffered from blocked information, but there was one person in this harem whose information would never be blocked.
—The Empress Dowager.
Zhou suddenly leaned close to her, lowering her voice:
"Cousin is truly biased. Concubine Chen repeatedly plotted against imperial heirs, yet was merely demoted. But the Lin woman was directly thrown into the Cold Palace."
Gu Han didn't respond to these words. If Concubine Miao had also miscarried like Rong BÇŽolĂn, Concubine Chen's fate might not have been any better.
Gu Han had thought of testing Zhou as if nothing had happened, but thinking of the Empress Dowager, she felt it unnecessary to go to such lengths. So she only shook her head, seeming somewhat puzzled:
"That His Majesty punished the Lin woman so severely, there must be more than just this one reason."
Zhou froze, somewhat suspicious: "What else could it be? She's at least the legitimate daughter of the Chen family. Apart from the imperial heir…"
Her words suddenly stopped. Zhou realized something and drew in a sharp breath.
Gu Han looked at her curiously. Zhou's eyes brightened. She coughed lightly, and before Gu Han could continue asking, she said: "You return to your palace first. I'm going to visit my aunt. I'll tell you in detail tomorrow."
With that, she lifted her skirts and hurried away.
Jiu Nian supported Gu Han, saying worriedly in a low voice:
"My lady, doing this, will the Empress Dowager..."
Gu Han shook her head calmly:
"No matter. With Concubine Zhou there, even if the Empress Dowager is displeased, she'll only warn me."
There was risk, but the benefits were greater. It was worth gambling on this once
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