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墨書 Inktalez
Everything in the Cold Palace was so terrible. When Consort Xi arrived with a group of palace maids, she saw Consort Qian dressed in old, dull gray clothes. She never expected that someone so fond of beauty would end up like this.
Consort Qian was taken aback by Consort Xi's sudden appearance and thought that Mo Xiao Li had come along as well. She cried out desperately, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, have you come to see the Consort?"
Consort Xi smiled gently at Consort Qian. Months of confinement had stripped her of her former brilliance, and at that moment, her heart-wrenching cries made Consort Xi softly say, "Sister, did you really think that in this state, the Emperor would still come to see you?"
Upon hearing this, Consort Qian understood that now in the Cold Palace, only Consort Xi remained. She composed herself and looked at her with pride, mocking her as she said, "You and that Wretched Woman are cut from the same cloth. Don't think that just because I'm down on my luck now, you can gloat. I tell you, it won't be long before I get out of here, and then you'll know what it means to suffer. Don't think that just because the Empress Dowager favors you, you can do as you please. I still have the Chancellor's Residence backing me." With that, she laughed without regard for her image.
Consort Xi was unfazed by her words; she merely found it amusing. She walked to the side and examined the furnishings of the Cold Palace. After a long silence, she finally said, "Sister Consort Qian, actually I came to find you for another matter—it's about the Empress."
"That Wretched Woman! What has she done? Is the Emperor no longer favoring her?" Consort Qian asked with a mix of excitement and hatred.
Consort Xi simply smiled lightly and looked into Consort Qian's eyes as she slowly said, "Have you forgotten that the Empress has given birth to a child? And it's an Elder Brother at that. So tell me, do we still have a chance to win the Emperor's love?"
"Then what is your purpose in coming here today? If it's just to show off, then you've really miscalculated."
Consort Xi did not answer directly but instructed Huan'er to take everyone outside. Once they were alone, she quietly shared something with Consort Qian. After they finished speaking, they exchanged knowing smiles.
On the way back, Huan'er looked at her mistress with confusion and asked, "Consort Xi, what if this plan fails?"
"If it succeeds, then we all benefit. But if it fails, it doesn't matter; after all, this isn't something I initiated," Consort Xi replied with an enigmatic smile.
Huan'er looked at Consort Xi's once gentle face now twisted into a smile that didn't reach her eyes and couldn't help but shiver. But then she praised her saying, "This plan is truly brilliant, Consort Xi. As long as Consort Qian wants to get out, she'll definitely agree to your proposal. At that point, we can just sit back and watch the tigers fight while we reap the benefits. Your Highness is simply too clever."
Consort Xi listened to Huan'er's praises, her smile deepening as she sat in the palanquin, gazing ahead while her mind wandered to other matters.
Meanwhile, inside Yun Jin Palace, Mo Xiao Li sat at a low table, looking at the memorials before him, his expression growing increasingly grim. Finally, he stood up in anger. Although the issues concerning Border Defense had been suppressed by General Mu, the situation was not so easily resolved, as Nanyang demanded that Yin Fuzai be sent to them.
Despite having sent people to search among the common folk, there had been no news after such a long time. To make matters worse, a plague had emerged in the north, and all signs pointed towards the recently born Little Prince.
For the first time, Mo Xiao Li felt despondent. The situation was far more complicated than he had anticipated. Rumors circulated among the populace that the Little Prince was a harbinger of disaster. In many places, stories had been fabricated and widely spread about this matter. The officials in court not only failed to suppress it but were now openly discussing it, completely disregarding him as Elder Brother.
Standing beside him, Li Fusheng was well aware of recent events. Watching his master’s increasingly troubled face, he felt helpless and could only urge those below him to expedite their search for the missing person.
At that moment, a commotion was heard outside the hall. Already feeling irritated, the noise only fueled his anger further.
He shouted, "What is happening outside?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a small eunuch trembling with fear entered and immediately knelt on the ground, saying, "Replying to Your Majesty, Consort Qian in the Cold Palace has fallen seriously ill and sent someone to convey the message."
After hearing this, Mo Xiao Li fell silent for a moment before responding, "Then send a physician over; is this something that needs to be reported?"
"Your Majesty, please calm down. It’s just that the old maid said that Consort Qian is nearing death, so… so..."
"Enough, enough. You may leave," he said irritably, waving his hand and returning his gaze to the scenery outside.
The small eunuch quickly bowed and slowly retreated. Li Fusheng, observing the departing eunuch with a frown, approached Mo Xiao Li and said, "Your Majesty, it has been quite some time now. Prime Minister Kang has come to plead several times; are you considering releasing her?"
She lightly hummed in response and fell silent. Li Fusheng obediently stood by without saying another word.
In Qinxiang Garden, Mu Junqi had nearly recovered after several days of rest. Taking advantage of the nice weather today, she sat by the window soaking up the sun. She was well aware of the events that had transpired in the north over the past few days, and looking at the child in her arms made her heart ache more and more.
Although she kept telling herself that this child belonged to Elder Brother and that as long as she protected him well, nothing would happen, the current developments were far from what she had hoped for.
After reflecting for several days, it seemed that everything from the premature birth to all that had happened since was under someone else's control. According to her investigation, the outbreak had come too suddenly, as if it were deliberately orchestrated.
Just as she was lost in thought, Huixin walked in with a not-so-pleasant expression. She first bowed to Mu Junqi and then hesitantly said, "Your Highness, I just heard some news."
"What is it?"
"I heard that Consort Qian has received heavy military support, and the Emperor has even sent someone to treat her illness. So many people are saying that she will be released soon," Huixin said awkwardly, looking at Mu Junqi.
Mu Junqi clearly did not expect such sudden news. She felt both confused and angry; someone she thought she would never encounter again was now said to be meeting her again soon. She handed the child to the nearby Nursemaid, lost in thought as she continued to gaze at the scenery outside...
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