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Translator's note: Finally there are advance chapters availaible on Kofi
Translator's note: I would like to give a big shoutout to Stephnora and Anxiousempathx for supporting me. you made me so happy guys. A big thank you to all my dear readers who stayed even with the caotic posting schedule. you all have my heart.
Chapter 141
An incense stick’s time later, Aliu was brought to Yihe Palace. Believing the plot was fully exposed, her legs gave way, and she collapsed to the floor with a heavy thud.
Aliu saw the cold sweat on Ashu’s face and his trembling body. A wave of self-reproach nearly buried her. It was all her fault! If it weren't for her, how could Ashu have fallen into such a desperate situation?!
Aliu looked toward Consort Shu in terror, instinctively seeking help:
"Your Ladyship, please save this slave and Ashu! Your Ladyship!"
She crawled toward Consort Shu on her knees, grabbing the hem of the Consort's sleeve and pleading piteously. She kowtowed repeatedly, the muffled thuds echoing through the hall. Consort Shu was jerked off-balance by her tugging; Ya luo hurried to shield her mistress and pushed Aliu away:
"Presumptuous! Let go of Her Ladyship at once!"
Aliu was pushed so hard she tumbled backward onto the floor. Ashu rushed over to support her, crying out in a trembling voice: "Sister!"
Gu Han covered her mouth, watching the scene with a look of feigned surprise. Many in the hall shared her expression. The Emperor had been on the throne for years, and for those same years, Consort Shu had been arrogant and overbearing. She had wantonly intercepted the Emperor's favors; there were few concubines in this harem she hadn't offended.
For all these years, she had been the favored star, surrounded like the moon by the stars. They had rarely ever seen Consort Shu so disheveled.
Yaluo knelt on the floor to straighten her mistress's robes. She appeared calm, but in reality, her hands were shaking. She didn't know what the Consort planned to do. With the truth coming to light and Aliu not being a loyal servant capable of hiding the facts for her mistress, Ya luo’s heart was in a state of chaotic panic.
There were carpets on the floor, so Aliu wasn't actually hurt by the fall, but perhaps because she had been suppressed for too long, a sudden, fierce hatred for Consort Shu flared within her. If not for Consort Shu's threats, how could she and Ashu have committed such an evil deed?!
Now that Ashu was exposed, Her Ladyship wanted to pull her skirts away and walk away clean?
In her dreams!!!
Aliu suddenly scrambled up. She pushed Ashu aside and said with hatred:
"Your Ladyship! Are you really going to burn the bridge as soon as you've crossed it?!"
Consort Shu’s eyelids flickered. She didn't say a word, standing motionless as she looked at Aliu’s curses and hatred with an expressionless face.
Aliu was determined to make Consort Shu lose a layer of skin even if it cost her her life. She stopped begging for help and instead turned to kowtow to the Emperor and Consort Zhao:
"This slave confesses! I will confess everything! I only beg the Emperor and Her Ladyship to spare Ashu’s life!"
Gu Han’s eyes flickered imperceptibly. She stole a subtle glance at the Emperor and remained quiet, saying nothing.
Lu Yu’s face darkened at the farce unfolding before him. Liu An immediately stepped forward:
"Having committed such a crime, you had better confess the truth quickly. Bargaining will only add to your guilt!"
Aliu knew well that she and Ashu could not escape, but she could only hope for leniency through a full confession. Before she could speak, Yaluo anxiously tried to interrupt her, but she was cut off by Gu Han’s cold rebuke:
"Shut up! Since when do you have the right to interject here?!"
The crowd was shocked. No one expected the person to snap at Ya luo and demand silence would be the usually good-tempered Consort Zhao. But on second thought, they understood; after all, Consort Shu had come for her life and the lives of the Imperial heirs. No matter how good her temper, Consort Zhao could not possibly tolerate this.
Ever since her mistress had been promoted to one of the four high consorts, Ya luo had never been reprimanded like this. Her face turned a mix of blue and white. After a moment, meeting Consort Zhao’s gaze, her body couldn't help but shrink back. Consort Shu silently pulled her back, and Ya luo finally fell silent, her eyes suddenly stinging with tears.
Aliu finally had the chance to recount Consort Shu’s plan in full detail. She said in a raspy voice:
"It was this slave's lack of caution that allowed Her Ladyship to learn of my relationship with Ashu. That day, the Flower Conservatory sent potted plants to Yian Palace, which pleased Her Ladyship greatly. However, a servant below me was careless and nearly ruined the roots."
"I remembered Ashu once saying that in such a case, one could start with the soil. I kindly reminded that servant, but as a result, the matter was remembered by Her Ladyship."
At this point, Aliu kowtowed heavily several times toward Lu Yu and Gu Han, her face pale:
"Your Majesty, see clearly, it wasn't that this slave wanted to harm Her Ladyship, but to save my own life and my brother's, I had no choice!"
Gu Han fell silent. The servants filling the hall couldn't help but feel a sense of "the fox mourning the death of the rabbit"—those of low status had many grievances; how could they do as they pleased?
Aliu wiped her tears and continued:
"At that time, the Emperor had already decreed the Flower Conservatory to cultivate magnolias for Yihe Palace. Once Her Ladyship knew Ashu was the one chosen to care for them, she came up with this idea again. I remember very clearly: the first time I went to find Ashu to discuss this was the day the Empress passed away."
Aliu was sobbing so hard she could barely catch her breath:
"I have plotted against Consort Zhao and the Imperial heirs; I deserve ten thousand deaths. But Ashu is innocent! He only put poison in the magnolias because he was forced! He has always been timid and afraid of trouble. Without me, Ashu would never have dared to commit such a crime!"
"I beg Your Ladyship! I beg Your Majesty! Have mercy and spare Ashu’s life! It’s all my fault!"
Ashu was terrified, tears falling continuously. He held Aliu and cried: "Sister..."
The entire hall was filled with the tragic wailing of the two siblings. Some felt a sense of pity, while others felt they deserved to die. But only Consort Shu remained calm, her eyelids lowered so that no one could read her thoughts.
Gu Han asked in a strained voice:
"Now that things have come to this, what does Her Ladyship Consort Shu have to say?"
Both human and physical evidence were present. Aliu was a second-class maid of Yian Palace who had served Consort Shu for years; few in this palace could bribe her to betray her mistress. Aside from Consort Shu, even if someone else used Ashu to blackmail her, she could have sought help from Consort Shu.
Thinking it through, there was simply no other possibility.
Yet Gu Han felt a lingering sense of unease. Consort Shu’s expression was too calm. It was as if she had long anticipated this scene, showing only a vague sense of regret and disappointment, disappointment that the truth was discovered too early.
Realizing this, Gu Han felt a sudden chill.
Consort Shu wasn't afraid of her deeds being exposed, nor was she afraid of the punishment that would follow. She was different from Concubine Chen or the Empress; she didn't come from the capital, nor was she a favored daughter of her family. She had always been alone, relying solely on the Emperor's favor to stand in the palace.
Consort Shu was solitary and truly afraid of nothing; she only wanted Gu Han’s life. As long as such a person lived, she would be a source of endless future trouble!
In that moment, a sudden killing intent toward Consort Shu rose within Gu Han.
Gu Han raised her eyes and looked coldly at Consort Shu.
Consort Shu only gave her a small smile. That smile made Gu Han’s heart skip a beat. In the next moment, Consort Shu directly confessed:
"It was I who did it."
As soon as she spoke, the hall erupted in a clamor. Lu Yu was livid. His hand, gripping her chin, tightened with immense force, and he said with loathing:
"Since you entered the palace, I believe I have not treated you poorly. What exactly are you dissatisfied with?!"
The Emperor showed no mercy. Consort Shu felt constant pain in her cheek, but it wasn't just her face—the disgust in the Emperor’s eyes stabbed her directly. A blunt pain surged in her heart, making her entire body seem to shudder.
Consort Shu closed her eyes, and a single tear fell from the corner of her eye.
Lu Yu suddenly let go and shoved her away. Consort Shu staggered and fell hastily to the floor. This time, no one dared to help her. Dressed in her magnificent palace robes, her fall was pathetic, yet the scene felt somewhat surreal to everyone watching.
Even Aliu, who hated Consort Shu to the core, was momentarily dazed. She had never expected that Her Ladyship would confess so directly without even a struggle.
Gu Han furrowed her brows almost imperceptibly, a flash of thoughtfulness in her eyes. Consort Shu’s composure made her irritable; she felt that some things were exceeding her expectations.
Consort Shu supported herself and knelt back up. Having been pampered by the Emperor for so long, her nobility and pride seemed etched into her bones. Even now, she knelt with her back straight, in stark contrast to the cowering Aliu beside her.
Tears hung on her glamorous cheeks like broken pearls on fine silk. Even Noble Lady Yao, who lived with her in Yian Palace, was stunned for a moment. She suddenly understood why Consort Shu, despite having nothing else, could dominate the harem's favor for so many years.
With such a beauty, who would have the heart to let her remain in the dust?
Everyone heard Consort Shu speak in a soft, slow voice:
"Since I entered the palace, Your Majesty has always treated me very well—fine clothes, gourmet food, and a deep favor that made others envious. You allowed me to hold my head high in this harem and live as a human being. I have always kept this in my heart."
The anger in Lu Yu’s heart did not subside with her words; instead, it grew even more intense. Just as she said, if she truly felt he had treated her so well, why did she do this?!
Lu Yu had to admit that Consort Shu had always been clever. Otherwise, back in the Prince's Estate, no matter how great her beauty, he wouldn't have singled her out from among everyone to elevate her.
Because she was clever, she should have understood that this was a fair exchange. He allowed her to be proud in the palace, and she had to do what she was supposed to do.
And because she was clever, she had long been aware of things others couldn't see, such as his feelings for Gu Han.
Concubine Chen fell because she harmed an Imperial heir; the Empress fell because of a difficult birth. Consort Shu had lost her purpose. In other words, she hadn't served her function at all, yet she had enjoyed the riches and glory all along the way for free.
Since the Empress died, Lu Yu indeed became wary of the Consort Shu he had single-handedly built up, but out of old sentiment, he hadn't done anything to her. He even gave the little princess to her; in the harem, she remained above all and under only one.
What reason—or rather, what right, did she have to strike at Gu Han?
Gu Han’s brow furrowed slightly. She didn't want the Emperor to delay any longer. Pressed by the urgency, she called out:
"Your Majesty..."
Lu Yu paused. Their gazes met in the air. Even though Gu Han said nothing, Lu Yu knew what she meant.
He had said he would give her an explanation and would certainly punish the culprit severely.
Gu Han gripped her handkerchief tightly, biting her lip as she met the Emperor's eyes. After a moment, Lu Yu let out a breath. Just as he was about to speak, a cry seemed to drift in from outside the hall. Gu Han heard it clearly: it was Ze'er’s crying.
Every day when Ze'er woke up, he would inevitably cry and fuss to see her.
Gu Han glanced at the hourglass in the hall and realized time had passed so quickly. It was indeed time for Ze'er to wake, but it was truly unfortunate timing.
Gu Han closed her eyes and clenched her hands; her fingernails bit into her palms, stinging with pain. After a long while, she reopened her almond eyes, appearing to have lost her spirit, and she barely turned her face away.
Not only did she hear Ze'er’s crying, but the Emperor heard it too.
Consort Shu still had a legitimate princess under her care. She had looked after the princess for months with such diligence and care that even Gu Han had heard rumors of it. If the Emperor could not find a suitable replacement in a single day, he would not take Consort Shu’s life in a single day.
Gu Han couldn't help but lift her hand to her forehead. He truly is a little debt collector.
Lu Yu paused and looked toward Gu Han, but she seemed to have seen through his thoughts already, turning her back to him. Lu Yu’s heart felt stifled.
Author's Note:
Gu Han: After all that calculating... I'm exhausted.
Author's Note:
Kunning Palace: Empress
Yi'an Palace: Consort Shu
Xianleng Palace: Imperial Consort De
Zhaoyang Palace → Main Hall: Xiuyi He
Zhaoyang Palace → Side Hall: Rong Baolin
Yihe Palace → Changchun Pavilion: Female Lead
Rongcui Hall: Beauty Miao
Cuizhu Pavilion: Beauty Lin
Changning Courtyard: Zhou Meiren
Hanleng Palace → (Main Hall transferred to Side Hall): Talented Lady Yuan
Also appearing: Noble Lady Lin, Liu Baolin
Here are the ranks of imperial consorts:
- Empress (皇后 Huánghoù) — Head of the Imperial Harem
- Imperial Noble Consort (皇贵妃 Huáng Guìfēi) — Rank 1
- Noble Consort, Pure Consort, Virtuous Consort, Worthy Consort (贵妃、淑妃、德妃、贤妃 Guìfēi, Shūfēi, Défēi, Xiánfēi)** — Senior Rank 1 (The Four Consorts, with Noble Consort as the highest)
- Consort (妃 Fēi) — Junior Rank 2
- Bright Deportment, Bright Countenance (昭仪、昭容 Zhāoyí, Zhāoróng) — Senior Rank 3
- Cultivated Deportment, Cultivated Countenance (修仪、修容 Xiūyí, Xiūróng) — Junior Rank 3
- Noble Lady (贵嫔 Guìpín) — Senior Rank 4
- Imperial Concubine (嫔 Pín) — Junior Rank 4
- Beauty (美人 Měirén) — Senior Rank 5
- Talented Lady (才人 Cáirén) — Junior Rank 5
- Precious Grove (宝林 Bǎolín) — Senior Rank 6
- Imperial Woman (御女 Yùnǚ) — Junior Rank 6
- Palace Maid (宫女子 Gōngnǚzǐ) — Senior Rank 7
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