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Chapter 84

Watching as two strong older female servants escorted Consort Ning out of the imperial garden, some of the imperial concubines still hadn’t snapped out of it. They truly couldn’t understand why the two cases in the past had implicated Consort Ning. Caught in their thoughts, the imperial concubines lowered their heads. Those who were friendly with Consort Ning wished they could hide behind everyone, afraid they would be grouped up with her.

And Imperial Concubine Lin, who remained behind, sported a face devoid of blood at this moment. Never had she imagined that the emperor would discover something so secretive. And it fell even more out of her calculations that the suspicion would fall upon Consort Ning. All of a sudden, a thought struck her. Too afraid to believe, she looked at Noble Consort Shu.

If the one who mentioned painting today had been Zhuang Laoyan, then she and Consort Ning would have been suspicious of her. However, the one who mentioned this had been Zhuang Laoyan’s opponent: Noble Consort Shu. How could they have expected this to be a trap waiting for them to jump into?

“Imperial Concubine Lin, why did you come up with such a scheme?” said the empress while everyone was silent. “In the past, you were jealous of Xianrong Zhao and punished her for no reason. Because of His Majesty’s kindness, he only demoted you. Now, you killed the servants of Consort Rou and framed Xianrong Zhao. Then you and Consort Ning tried to kill her. These vicious intentions truly shock others. You are someone who has stayed by His Majesty’s side for a long time. Why must you and Consort Ning do such things?”

Imperial Concubine Lin took in the empress’ righteous appearance, a smile appearing on her lips. “Which woman in the imperial harem isn’t jealous? Your Majesty the empress, you only know how to criticize me. Could it be that you’ve forgotten when this concubine had first entered the palace, the emperor stayed in my palace for three days straight. On the fourth day, you found an excuse to have me kneel outside Jingyang Palace for six hours. Isn’t how I treated Zhuang Laoyan back then the way you had treated me in the past?”  

“Presumptuous. This palace punished you back then because you had been abusing the servants.” The empress looked at Imperial Concubine Lin, expression unchanging. “This palace is the master of the haren, and has the authority to punish you for this kind of corrupt practice. In the past, with the position of consort on your shoulders, you used the excuse that Xianrong Zhao dropped and shattered your Auspicious Cloud hairpin to have her kneel for many hours. How could you not have known the palace rules? You were just jealous. Your conduct truly causes the Lin family shame.” 

Originally, Imperial Concubine Lin had wanted to dispute this, but as soon as she heard the empress mention her family, her expression changed. She could lash back her bitter resentment with a quick tongue, but what would happen even if she did? The current Lin family was long since not as influential as it had been in the past. If she angered the emperor again or continued to argue with the empress, even if the emperor pardoned the Lin family, the empress’ Zhao family would not let the Lin family have an easy time.  

Seeing Imperial Concubine Lin grow silent, Consort Rou approached the emperor and saluted. “May Your Majesty find justice for this concubine and Xianrong Zhao. Originally, this concubine thought Xianrong Zhao harmed my servants, and so grew resentful, violating palace rules. Now, the truth has been revealed. This concubine realized that this concubine had wronged Xianrong Zhao and is truly sorry.”

“Your Highness Consort Rou is too serious.” Zhuang Laoyan knew she would say something like this, a smile on her lips. “Your Highness was also kept in the dark regarding this matter. This concubine does not deserve Your Highness’ apology.”

“Enough. You were harmed so severely this time. Don’t harm yourself even more because of these things,” said Feng Jin before Consort Rou could respond. He glanced at the empress and Imperial Concubine Lin with indifference. “Imperial Concubine Lin, Miss Yuan, is someone who has been by Our side for a long time. Therefore, even if she was jealous, We still allowed her to keep some honor. But at present, she did such a thing. We cannot excessively tolerate her anymore. Announce Our order: Imperial Concubine Lin is ruthless in temperament, moral conduct dishonorable. Bestow her three chi of white silk.”

“Your Majesty,” said Zhuang Laoyan with a slight change to her expression, unable to hold back from speaking. “Your Majesty, this concubine is still alive and Imperial Concubine Lin has attended to you for many years. This punishment is a bit too harsh.” Following that, she kneeled in front of the emperor.

“Begging Your Majesty to spare Imperial Concubine Lin. Although Sir Lin no longer hosts a post in the court, he was a minister that had served for two eras. Now, he is old in his years and cannot bear the pain of mourning for his daughter.”

Feng Jin knew that Xianrong Zhao worried that his action of killing Imperial Concubine Lin would cause the old ministers unease and alarm. He bent down and supported the woman before him to a stand. Saw clearly the anxiety and concern in her eyes. Perhaps she did not know that the Lin family already had no influence. However, having such a way of thinking was rare.

“Since Xianrong Zhao has pleaded leniency for Imperial Concubine Lin, her life will be spared. However, this crime truly is unbearable for others. As such, her position of imperial concubine will be stripped away, dropped to the lowest rank, gengyi. She will be moved to Jingqiu Pavilion, her name tag removed from the selection forever.” Feng Jin no longer looked at Imperial Concubine Lin. “Gengyi Lin, kneel and dismiss yourself.”

A lowest-rank gengyi in the imperial harem was akin to mud on the ground. Palace maids and court eunuchs who had a bit of status could bully them. Such a life wasn’t worth living. Not to mention, someone had recently died at Jingqiu Pavilion. Now that Gengyi Lin was moved there, how could she have any hope left?

Consort Rou retreated to the side, head lowered to hide her sneer. This move of Zhuang Laoyan was truly ruthless. Living a life where one would rather die was worse than losing one’s rank and being bestowed death. She just had to put on such a goodhearted appearance.

After Gengyi Lin was dealt with, the empress did not mention Consort Ning. Consort Ning wasn’t the same as Gengyi Lin. Although she was not as favored as Noble Consort Shu, in the past many years, the emperor had liked visiting her residence. Naturally, their relationship was different from the relationship the emperor shared with other imperial concubines. Although such a thing had occurred now, no one knew whether the emperor would spare her for old times sake. Thus, the empress did not want to be seen as the villain.

Of course, Zhuang Laoyan would not deliberately bring up Consort Ning. After the emperor had supported her to her feet, she took a seat at the side in a well-behaved manner. With a docile expression, she watched as Gengyi Lin’s expression gradually grew unsightly. Zhuang Laoyan’s gaze was innocent and helpless, and she accidentally tilted her head and met eyes with the emperor. Then she noticed his somewhat complicated expression. What a pity she did not have the ability to read the other party’s mood from merely a glance.

“Consort Ning… will be demoted to a mid-tier Imperial Concubine Hu. She will be moved to the side palace hall of Ruanming Palace. Her name tag will be removed from the selection.” Feng Jin rose to his feet. Patted the back of Zhuang Laoyan’s hand. After nagging her a bit to take care of herself, he said dully, “You are all dismissed.” Then, without caring for anyone’s reaction, he turned around and left.

“Respectfully sending off Your Majesty,” said Zhuang Laoyan with her head lowered. She faintly narrowed her eyes. Running Palace belonged to Noble Consort Xian. For the emperor to move Hu Caixuan there was in truth embarrassing for her. Yesterday, both women had been consorts who assisted the empress in managing the harem. But today, one became the master and the other under her jurisdiction.

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But if Zhuang Laoyan remembered correctly, Hu Caixuan was raising one of the emperor’s sons. Now that Hu Caixuan had been moved to Ruanming Palace, didn’t this mean Noble Consort Xian would be raising that prince from now on?

Just how much did this emperor like having Noble Consort Xian raise his sons? Both sons were placed in Ruanming Palace. In this way, Noble Consort Xian truly fit the “xian” title.

But compared to how Lin Zhixi was treated, the way the emperor treated Hu Caixuan was merciful. It was evident he still held a bit of affection for her.

“Has Xianrong Zhao’s injury healed yet?” said Consort Rou in a gentle tone after walking in front of Zhuang Laoyan. “Such a wound must be taken care of well, lest there be scarring.”

Zhuang Laoyan curtsied. “Thanking Your Highness for the concern. This concubine is mostly healed.”

A smile gracing her lips, Consort Rou nodded. “It’s good that you are fine.” Following that, she used a palace maid for support as she sashayed away.

Watching Consort Rou’s back figure, Zhuang Laoyan gradually looked down. It didn’t matter how much affection the emperor held for Hu Caixuan. Now that they were at this step, Hu Caixuan would never have a chance to climb back up again. It didn’t matter that she had stayed by the emperor’s side for many years; she could no longer rely on her good looks to attract the emperor’s attention. Now that she had done such a thing, the emperor’s trust in her had already been shattered. She also could not act like an understanding elder sister anymore. 

However, due to the mutual affection of the past, the emperor could not bear to have her fall to too miserable of a state. But because of that same mutual affection of the past, the emperor would not want to see her again. Nor would he want to remember that such a woman had exploited his trust to scheme against his other imperial concubines.

As for the Hu Caixuan who had already fallen in love with the emperor, such an ending was considered the most sorrowful.

And so, the Hanshi Festival ended in such a way. The imperial concubines all dispersed. They grew a new understanding of the favor Xihe Palace’s master held.

On the green stone tiles, Noble Consort Shu held a palace maid’s hand for support as she slowly walked, face carrying a faint smile.

“Your Highness, why did your honored self help Xianrong Zhao?” asked Lingsha, not understanding. “What does Xianrong Zhao being harmed have to do with us?”

“Her being harmed naturally does not involve this palace. But after she was attacked, everyone knew she had been framed. Also, this palace’s good younger sister did those ‘good’ things. One would fear that because of that, people would suspect this palace.” Noble Consort Shu stopped in her tracks. Her gaze fell upon a stem of flowering crabapple. “This palace and her acted in a play to wash this palace of suspicion, and eradicated an enemy. Why wouldn’t I have done this?” 

Hu Caixuan was someone who had attended to the emperor since long ago. And she had also been quite favored. It went to show that she had many schemes. From what Hu Caixuan had said today, one would fear she had already felt deeply jealous of Noble Consort Shu. To have one less opponent who hated and was jealous of her, and one less person who helped manage the harem, was something that only brought benefits to Noble Consort Shu.  

Everyone in the harem wanted to see the good show between her and Zhuang Laoyan. However, these people had never expected that sometimes, opponents would work together for benefits.

Picking a flowering crabapple blossom and throwing it to the ground to be stepped on, Noble Consort Shu smiled lightly. “So what if a flowering crabapple can bloom during all four seasons? This palace thinks this kind of flower can only bloom for one season.”

The lightly swaying sedan made Zhuang Laoyan drowsy. She had one hand on a handrest for support, gazing at the flowers and grass by the green tiled path in a lazy manner. She closed her eyes.

“Your Highness, we have returned to our palace.”

Zhuang Laoyan opened her eyes. Saw the front doors of Xihe Palace. Once the sedan had reached the ground, she disembarked with the help of Yunxi’s hand, taking a step onto a stone step. She turned her head to look behind her. The sunset dyed the palace red.

Slowly letting go of Yunxi’s hand, she collapsed onto the ground in ease.

“Your Highness!” screamed Yunxi.

“Hurry and summon an imperial physician. Her Highness has fainted.”

Perhaps at this moment, the emperor was still reluctant to part with Hu Caixuan. Or perhaps, he had started to cherish the memory of the past. But what if Zhuang Laoyan, who had been harmed by her, fainted?

In this imperial harem, veterans could not compare to newer arrivals.

I find this a suitable ending to Imperial Concubine Lin. Consort Ning? Eh, I guess.

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