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Chapter 152
The incident with the Liu candidate had been ruled an accidental drowning years ago. Nearly three years had passed; any evidence had long since vanished. Gu Han hadn't left a single clue back then, let alone now.
Her face remained cold. Other than letting others know she was in a bad mood, not a trace of her true emotion could be detected.
Lu Yu cast a nearly imperceptible glance at her, then withdrew his gaze nonchalantly before anyone else noticed.
Concubine Wei did not look at Gu Han. She knew she had no evidence; she was gambling—gambling on the Emperor's suspicion, gambling that he couldn't possibly trust Gu Han as unconditionally as before.
But she was disappointed.
Lu Yu casually handed the note to Liu An and shook his head:
"Since you were capable of mimicking the handwriting of these two to send them letters, writing one more note is hardly surprising."
Concubine Wei looked at Lu Yu in stunned horror.
She almost thought she had misheard. How could the Emperor say something so preposterous?
It wasn't just that he didn't believe her; he had even pushed the blame for this love poem onto her. In a flash, Concubine Wei realized what the Emperor was doing.
The love poem on the paper was indeed in Gu Han's handwriting. No matter how she explained it, some people would always doubt Gu Han. If the Emperor wanted to keep Gu Han out of this, the best way was to declare that this poem had nothing to do with her from the very start!
Concubine Wei’s body swayed. She barely braced herself against the ground to avoid a pathetic collapse. She looked at Lu Yu in disbelief. They were both his concubines, how could he be so biased?!
Gu Han also couldn't help but look at Lu Yu.
She had never admitted to the Liu candidate incident and had considered pushing the note onto Concubine Wei herself, but before she could open her mouth, the Emperor had spoken for her.
Such words might sound like a desperate excuse coming from her, but coming from the Emperor, they gained a weight of credibility that the harem had to accept.
Gu Han tightened her grip on her handkerchief slightly, lowering her eyes quickly to hide the flash of emotion passing through them.
Zhou Xiurong was also a biased one; naturally, she trusted Gu Han more. After hearing Concubine Wei and the Emperor, she spoke up directly:
"What Concubine Wei says is pure nonsense. Have you forgotten? When the Liu candidate died, the Noble Consort hadn't even entered the palace. What power did she have to take a life and walk away completely clean?!"
"Furthermore, the late Empress plotted against the Noble Consort several times. If she really had evidence of an affair between her and Xie Chang'an, would she have remained silent for so long?"
"The Empress and Concubine Wei were always at odds; even the Empress's difficult labor was partly due to you. Why would the Empress choose to help you harm the Noble Consort? Does Concubine Wei think that because the Empress is gone, she can just slander her name as she pleases?!"
Her sharp tongue lashed out, framing the entire event as a self-directed play by Concubine Wei. Every word she said, however, was logical.
The onlookers came to their senses and nodded secretly. If Gu Han could have killed someone so flawlessly during the selection process, wouldn't that make the rest of them look utterly incompetent?
The concubines didn't believe Gu Han had such ability. She had just reached adulthood then; how could she kill someone with her own hands and leave no trace? Back then, Gu Han’s innocence had even been vouched for by the Lady Rong.
It was only because the Empress and lady Rong were both dead that Concubine Wei dared to use the Liu candidate incident to frame the Noble Consort.
Concubine Wei found herself unable to defend herself.
Gu Han remained silent with a cold face. Seeing this, Concubine Wei felt a surge of regret. She shouldn't have gone the extra mile to lure Gu Han and Xie Chang'an together; she should have just presented the love poem to the Emperor directly.
It was her greed—thinking a single poem wouldn't be enough to convict Gu Han—that led her to go through so much trouble to let the Emperor witness a tryst with his own eyes.
That was exactly what gave Gu Han the loophole regarding the handwriting.
Now, the Emperor didn't trust her, Gu Han was safe, and she was the one burdened with all the crimes.
Concubine Wei closed her eyes, her heart turning to ash.
She saw it clearly: even if Gu Han had any sincerity for the Emperor, it was only a tiny fraction. Only the Emperor was so deluded by her that he believed Gu Han’s whole world revolved around him.
She listened expressionlessly as the Emperor pronounced her sentence, coldly uttering the words: "Death by decree."
Concubine Wei turned her head, wanting to see how gloating Gu Han looked. But the moment she met Gu Han’s eyes, she froze for a second.
Gu Han naturally hated Concubine Wei. The woman had tried to make the Emperor believe she was unfaithful—she had wanted her life!
But at the same time, Gu Han found Concubine Wei’s actions incomprehensible.
Gu Han could understand Concubine Wei's feelings for the Emperor to an extent. Entering the estate in her prime, receiving the Emperor's regard and care, coming from a good family without having suffered much—it was easy to see why she would lose her heart to him.
But Concubine Wei was different. Her family background was poor; she had been persecuted since entering the estate. Having finally gained the chance to rise, she had actually given her heart away for nothing?
When Gu Han first entered the palace, she knew Concubine Wei was smart. When she did these things, she must have anticipated the consequences if she failed. Yet she did them anyway. She had no children, only favor. These actions brought her no benefit!
Knowing how hard it was to earn everything, yet treating it so cheaply—this was what Gu Han found most baffling about Concubine Wei.
Gu Han knew everyone was different, but to her, that was exactly why someone who had suffered should grasp their opportunities even tighter.
If Gu Han were Concubine Wei, she would have held onto her position as Consort Shu and the Emperor's trust with all her might. Even if she eventually became "useless," the Emperor wouldn't have demoted her without cause. She wouldn't have craved that shred of affection.
If you can't even live comfortably, why talk about love?
The affair ended quickly. Lu Yu looked at Xie Chang'an, his gaze dark and cold. After today, he could no longer allow Xie Chang'an to remain in the palace.
Especially knowing that the love poem had come from Gu Han’s hand.
So, he asked: "What are your plans for the future?"
Gu Han looked at Lu Yu, confused. Wasn't it over? Since she and Xie Chang'an were "innocent," why did the Emperor ask this?
Xie Chang'an, however, understood the Emperor's mind perfectly. He kowtowed deeply, his voice elegant yet reserved:
"This servant follows Your Majesty's command."
Lu Yu could no longer see any grace in Xie Chang'an. In fact, the more outstanding the man appeared, the more uncomfortable Lu Yu felt—it was an eyesore. He said coldly:
"Back then, the Xie family was executed. Your entry into the palace was not of your own will. I will not take your life, but from this day forth, you are to leave the palace."
Gu Han gasped: "Your Majesty?!"
Xie Chang'an was now a man without roots. Once he left the palace, where could he go? Inside, he had Eunuch Cheng and her to look after him; he was at least provided for.
But no one listened to her. Xie Chang'an’s heart finally settled. He kowtowed in the Emperor's direction and thanked him in a weak voice:
"This servant accepts the decree."
Seeing him so tactful, the irritation in Lu Yu’s chest finally dissipated a little. He glanced at the woman who looked like she wanted to protest and said sternly:
"It is late. We should return to the palace."
Gu Han looked at Xie Chang'an, then back at the Emperor, not understanding why things had developed this way. But seeing the Emperor leaving, she could only follow, her eyes wide with lingering concern, looking back with every step.
Lu Yu walked slowly. Only after she caught up did he imperceptibly quicken his pace.
As they grew distant, Xie Chang'an could still hear her faint voice:
"...Why did Your Majesty make him leave the palace..."
She seemed to be rambling on with more questions, all about him, but the Emperor said nothing, simply leading her away from the osmanthus grove.
Xie Chang'an’s eyelashes fluttered. Someone entered the woods silently to help him up. He coughed a few times and, thinking of what had just happened, a smile touched his lips:
"Eunuch, you've come."
Eunuch Cheng said irritably, "If it weren't for the Emperor's trust in the Noble Consort, do you think you would have fared so well today?"
Xie Chang'an shook his head silently.
It wasn't trust. It was fondness. So much so that he forcibly ignored the suspicious points.
Xie Chang'an looked at the long, red imperial corridor. He thought: Finally, I can leave with a peace of mind.
In the darkness, Xie Chang'an and Eunuch Cheng leaned against the walls of the corridor, walking through the night.
Xie Chang'an said softly, "Eunuch, Chang'an is leaving."
Eunuch Cheng was silent for a long time. He only asked one thing:
"After you leave the palace, where will you go?"
Xie Chang'an’s body was already like a lamp running out of oil. Thus, Eunuch Cheng did not ask about his "future" plans.
"Back then, the Rongyang Marquis estate handled the funeral affairs for my father and brother. I must go pay my respects."
The elegant voice paused for a moment before continuing slowly:
"And then, I will go see someone."
"Chang'an is already too late. I cannot let her wait any longer."
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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