Upon hearing this, Si Lanfeng was stunned. Li Zhaoting going to the Laundry Bureau couldn’t be for sightseeing – there was only one reason. These past days he had shown no interest in Feng Suzhen, and Si Lanfeng had wanted to say something for her. A girl being placed there was truly hard to endure. Thinking of Li Zhaoting’s tremendous fury that day in the Empress Dowager’s chambers, he dared not speak lightly, or not only would his plea fail, but he would also be in trouble. Now that he finally had an opening, a thought arose in his heart, but naturally he dared not say it directly, only smiling in response: “Yes.”
Approaching the Laundry Bureau, Li Zhaoting suddenly stopped. Si Lanfeng was wondering whether he should announce their arrival, have Feng Suzhen come to receive the imperial presence, when seeing him stop, he quickly asked: “Your Majesty, should this subordinate go announce your arrival?”
“No, no need.” Li Zhaoting waved his hand and said lightly: “I won’t go.”
Si Lanfeng couldn’t help but be stunned: “Your Majesty came all this way, why… I heard that Wei Wu Yan and she had deep friendship in the past. If Consort Shu knew of Lady Wei’s fate, she would surely be grief-stricken, but seeing Your Majesty come would also make her extremely happy.”
“Happy?” Li Zhaoting laughed coldly, then said coldly: “I have been tolerant enough toward the Feng family. This is her own doing. Yet she shows no gratitude. If I continue to indulge her, she will definitely become emboldened. Such a person – I give up hope as well.”
“Return to the Empress’s chambers.” With one command, he led people away.
Si Lanfeng frowned slightly, thinking that since they had already come, he might as well go see her – it wouldn’t waste their past official acquaintance. However, upon reaching the courtyard where she lived in the Laundry Bureau, just as he was about to enter, his gaze fell upon something that made him unable to step inside.
He saw this former “colleague” at a glance.
Her hair was disheveled, probably from exhausting work. She was slightly lifting her head, somewhat clumsily stretching her body. Her face was bruised and swollen, both corners of her mouth swollen high, her complexion waxen.
What had happened to her?
He couldn’t help but be shocked. Who had done this? Then he thought of her conflicts with the Empress and the Wei family, and that day in the Empress Dowager’s chambers, the cold intent hidden in the Empress Dowager’s eyes.
At this moment she stood up and went to the well to draw water. There were several palace maids there. One gave a signal, and two deliberately pretended to stumble, spilling water on her. She looked at them coolly without speaking, only lowered the bucket into the well, drew a full bucket of water, and with some difficulty, stumbling slightly, carried and dragged the water back to her position.
His heart filled with anger, wanting to enter and scold those palace servants, but he knew deeply that though he was commander of the Imperial Guards, this was the deep inner palace, the emperor’s family affairs. Moreover, so many people he couldn’t offend were involved behind this. He gritted his teeth but ultimately didn’t act.
But he also dared not look anymore. After thinking for a long time, knowing that if he waited until after tonight, he might choose to protect himself – after all, he still had to show Wei Chenghui face – he went directly to the Empress’s chambers to request audience. But Xiao Si came out saying the Empress was unwell and His Majesty was keeping her company. If it was state or military affairs, he could enter; if not, speak tomorrow.
Si Lanfeng’s gathered courage was instantly scattered. He sighed quietly: “How can people be so different from each other?”
Xiao Si didn’t understand and laughed: “Commander Si, you wouldn’t dare compare yourself to the Empress, would you?”
The next day, after another tender interlude, Li Zhaoting rose for morning court, not letting A Luo get up to serve him, only letting her continue sleeping. A Luo smiled sweetly, enjoying his favor, closing her eyes to rest. After he finished washing, he kissed her forehead once more before leaving.
Mei Er came in to serve, blushing at what she saw. Seeing Li Zhaoting had left, she said: “Your Majesty, His Majesty treats you so well.”
She spoke enviously, then left with the washing implements so as not to disturb her mistress’s sleep. But A Luo’s voice came from behind: “Mei Er, help me wash and dress.”
“Mistress, what’s the matter? It’s still far from time to pay respects to the Empress Dowager.” Mei Er turned in surprise, but saw A Luo had changed from her previous sweet demeanor, making her even more puzzled: “What’s wrong?”
“Liang Song secretly sent word yesterday that His Majesty went to the Laundry Bureau.” A Luo got up to dress, speaking lightly.
“Yes, he had people follow, didn’t they later report before His Majesty arrived that he changed his mind before reaching there?”
“Changing his mind is one thing, but what if there’s a next time? Feng Suzhen was stubborn before, but now life is hard there. If she speaks beseechingly and brings up the Feng family’s kindness, who knows if His Majesty might change his mind and release her. I can’t give Feng Suzhen any opportunity to exploit. Some things – it’s time to end them. I said I wanted to start a new life. His Majesty treats me well, and I’m gradually falling in love with him. I don’t want Lian Yu and Feng Suzhen’s affairs stuck in my heart anymore!”
Seeing her determined gaze, Mei Er couldn’t help but be alarmed: “Mistress, we can’t personally eliminate this person. Didn’t you tell this servant that though His Majesty deeply loves you and wouldn’t do anything to you, he would inevitably scold you and harbor resentment? We need the Empress Dowager or Lady Wei to act. If it’s Lady Wei, even better – you could eliminate this enemy too.”
A Luo’s eyes showed a glimmer of darkness: “Don’t worry, I have my methods.”
Empress Dowager’s chambers.
Other consorts had come one by one to pay respects, only the Empress hadn’t arrived. Princess Consort Jin instructed a female official beside her: “Go to the Empress’s palace and see if she’s ill or what.”
This palace maid was the Empress’s confidant. Knowing Princess Consort Jin wasn’t entirely pleased with A Luo – though she came as a virgin, she had after all been entangled with the former emperor Lian Yu – she couldn’t help but say: “According to protocol, the Empress should come pay you respects. If she doesn’t come, Your Majesty needn’t ask after her. Just wait for her to come.”
Princess Consort Jin had just finished some fruit. She took up a cloth to wipe her mouth, leaning against the soft cushion a palace maid brought over, then spoke somewhat lazily: “Though I have some thoughts about her, she is someone who knows propriety. Usually she’s respectful to me, and she’s His Majesty’s beloved. It wouldn’t be good if I didn’t ask. Go.”
“Yes.” The senior palace maid nodded and was about to withdraw when a eunuch outside announced the Empress’s arrival.
Princess Consort Jin smiled: “That saves you a trip.”
As she spoke, A Luo entered with Mei Er. After A Luo paid respects, she said fearfully: “Mother, forgive me. This morning I felt unwell and overslept, arriving late.”
“No matter.” Princess Consort Jin personally came down to help her up: “Young people aren’t like us old ones who sleep much. It’s not strange, especially since I heard His Majesty spent the night at your chambers yesterday.”
She smiled meaningfully. A Luo had come with purpose, so hearing this she couldn’t help but blush. Li Zhaoting had purely come to keep her company last night – due to Lian Yu and his teacher’s affairs, he wasn’t particularly lustful, though of course he had his usual needs and could be both gentle and domineering.
Thinking of this made her feel shy, and she quickly explained: “Mother laughs at me. I truly felt unwell, not because of…”
Only then did Princess Consort Jin’s expression become serious: “Have you had the imperial physician examine you?”
She seemed to remember something and said happily: “Could it be you’re with child and don’t know? Come, let me check your pulse.”
Upon hearing this, A Luo suddenly remembered that her monthly cycle hadn’t come on schedule recently. Her heart couldn’t help but feel shocked and delighted. At this time, Mei Er stammered: “Mistress, why don’t you tell the Empress Dowager? You are indeed unwell, but our lateness today has another cause.”
Hearing this, A Luo’s expression changed: “Shut up! You’re so meddlesome!”
Princess Consort Jin had been about to send for an imperial physician, but Mei Er’s words made her heart jump as she immediately asked: “Empress, is there something in the harem troubling you? You might tell me.”
A Luo almost immediately replied: “Mother, please don’t listen to my little servant’s nonsense. It’s just that recently some consorts have been competing for His Majesty’s favor, and I had to mediate.”
“Some women just don’t know their place. The Empress has worked hard.” Princess Consort Jin spoke slowly, then fixed her gaze on A Luo: “But aside from this, the Empress has nothing else?”
“No, nothing else.” A Luo lowered her head and answered extremely quickly.
“Girl, what do you say?” Princess Consort Jin’s eyes flicked to Mei Er. Mei Er seemed startled, glanced quickly at her mistress, then hurriedly said: “Replying to the Empress Dowager, this matter… is just what my mistress mentioned.”
“Mm, that’s good then.” Princess Consort Jin seemed to believe them, her slightly furrowed brow relaxing. After exchanging a few more pleasantries with A Luo, she let her withdraw.
When the two had left the palace, she immediately beckoned her trusted female official over and whispered a few words in her ear. The female official listened and immediately said: “Yes, this servant understands. The Empress deliberately concealed something. This servant will follow them and find a way to privately question her servant.”
…
Here, A Luo and Mei Er slowly walked some distance before A Luo suddenly stopped and slapped Mei Er across the face, scolding through gritted teeth: “Who told you to speak up!”
“Miss!” Mei Er cried in pain, covering her face and staring at A Luo with shock and grievance in her eyes: “Your Majesty, we clearly heard with our own ears that Feng Suzhen, while worshipping Lian Yu, swore that she had already given herself to Lian Yu, that no matter what she would always be his person, and that she would definitely find ways to make His Majesty change his mind, then wait for the chance to kill His Majesty and the First Rank Marquis to avenge him. Why won’t you let me report this to the Empress Dowager?”
“We were late today because we were discussing whether to report this or not. Didn’t you say you love His Majesty? Why not report it to him and the Empress Dowager!”
“It’s precisely because I’ve forgotten Lian Yu and now love His Majesty wholeheartedly, while His Majesty still remembers the Feng family’s kindness. If I rashly report this and Feng Suzhen denies it, His Majesty might not believe it, which would affect the feelings between His Majesty and me. Better for me to secretly guard against…” A Luo shook her head bitterly: “Do you understand or not—”
“Empress, regardless of what you think, I’m afraid you must definitely return with this servant and inform the Empress Dowager of this matter!”
Before she finished speaking, someone stepped lightly out from behind a tree, speaking sternly.
In moments, A Luo and her servant were pale-faced and brought back to Princess Consort Jin’s chambers. The female official hurried to Princess Consort Jin’s side and whispered several words in her ear. After listening, Princess Consort Jin flew into a rage, pointing at A Luo: “Empress, how can you be so foolish? Is this how you love His Majesty? If you love him, you shouldn’t fear getting into trouble. How much do you know about whether this Feng Suzhen and Lian Yu were already… Tell me everything immediately!”
A Luo’s whole body trembled. Beside her, Mei Er was already pale with fright, crawling to the ground and kowtowing repeatedly: “Empress Dowager, please don’t blame this servant’s mistress. This servant will tell everything, holding nothing back. Yesterday evening, this servant’s mistress intended to visit Noble Consort Miao, but when we got there, the palace servants said she wasn’t in. This servant’s mistress guessed she must have gone to the Laundry Bureau. Angry that she violated palace rules, she wanted to personally go bring her back. But along the way we unexpectedly discovered Feng Suzhen in an abandoned palace courtyard worshipping Lian Yu, saying…”
“Empress, accompany me to the Laundry Bureau. You others, bring guards and three feet of white silk!”
After the time it takes to drink tea, Princess Consort Jin shouted fiercely, murderous intent blazing from her eyes.