Chapter 172: Undercurrents Clash
Ping Le was stunned, staring blankly at her mother.
Consort Xiao did not look at her. With a slight movement of her wide sleeves, she adjusted her robes and bowed again to the Empress Dowager, speaking with great distress.
“My wicked daughter has acted improperly, and I will certainly discipline her strictly. I beg the Empress Dowager to consider her youth and ignorance, her lingering illness, and the change in her marriage, which has caused her to lose her senses. Please spare her this once.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing drew out her words, offering no comment.
She knew, of course, that Consort Xiao wanted to downplay the severity of the situation and gloss over it, to prevent people from linking Consort Xue Shu’s death with Ping Le’s actions.
But now, the evidence was conclusive, and everyone was watching. How could this be resolved smoothly?
The Grand Princess naturally saw through the scheme.
Sweat beaded at her temples. With a wrinkled smile, she bowed to the Empress Dowager and said:
“In my humble opinion, this matter is full of doubts and cannot be decided hastily. Why not wait for His Majesty’s decree to investigate thoroughly before making a decision? Moreover, today is His Majesty’s birthday, a day of universal celebration, and the palace should be peaceful. We should not rush to judgment based on one-sided words…”
Her words were very well-spoken.
They preserved the Empress Dowager’s dignity, brought out the Emperor as a pillar of support, and cleverly reminded Consort Xiao that she must be willing to make a difficult sacrifice for the greater good to resolve the crisis.
Consort Xiao was greatly alarmed.
She also saw the situation clearly and noticed the killing intent in Li Zhao’s eyes. Although she didn’t understand why the medical records burned years ago had reappeared and fallen into Li Zhao’s hands, she understood what the Grand Princess’s gaze meant…
Having been favored for many years had made her arrogant. But having navigated the palace, she keenly sensed that she had fallen into a trap set by others, and if she didn’t cut her losses immediately, she would lose everything.
Consort Xiao bit her lower lip and, steeling herself, knelt down.
“Ping Le has failed to uphold the imperial edicts of the sacred dynasty; it is entirely my fault for my negligence and ignorance. I, who indulged my daughter’s recklessness and failed in her upbringing, am willing to receive twenty punishment rods to uphold palace rules…”
She kowtowed heavily, her voice trembling.
“Imperial Grandmother! It’s not Mother Consort’s fault. If you want to punish someone, punish me. It has nothing to do with Mother Consort…” Ping Le cried, trying to rush forward, but was half-supported and half-dragged by two palace maids.
For a moment, the hall descended into chaos.
The palace maids, at Consort Xiao’s signal, tried to pull Ping Le away, but Ping Le, feeling wronged, struggled desperately, refusing to comply.
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing slammed the table, her pearl and jade ornaments jingling.
“Enough!”
Her angry shout froze everyone instantly.
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing was usually kind and benevolent, but when angered, she was still full of majesty.
“Today is my birthday, and I do not wish to see bloodshed. The punishment rods punishment will be noted for now and dealt with later.”
She then closed her eyes slightly, took a deep breath, as if suppressing her anger.
“Issue my decree – Consort Xiao has failed in her upbringing of her daughter. She is confined to Rui Jin Hall to reflect on her mistakes, and she must copy the 《Book of Virtues for Women》 one hundred times daily, presenting it to Ci An Hall. As for Ping Le…”
She narrowed her eyes, looking at this granddaughter who was the apple of the Emperor’s eye, with great pity and hesitation.
After a long pause, her hand tightened slightly, and the phoenix-adorned hairpin flashed a cold, hard gleam under the palace lanterns…
In the end, she merely waved her hand wearily, a sigh escaping her throat.
“Send her to Rui Jin Hall as well, to await His Majesty’s judgment. I am old and muddled; I cannot manage these tangled messes of yours…”
Last time, due to Prince Wei Li Yan’s matter, Emperor Chong Zhao already had some reservations about her. The Empress Dowager also did not wish to argue with the Emperor over Consort Xue Shu, who had died many years ago, affecting their mother-son relationship…
The noble ladies in the hall were all sharp-witted.
As soon as the Empress Dowager spoke, they understood the reason.
One by one, they rose from their seats and bowed in unison.
“Empress Dowager, your wise judgment.”
Old Madam Cui’s lips moved, but she swallowed her words.
Today was not a good time to settle accounts with Consort Xiao. If things became too ugly, it would offend both the Empress Dowager and the Emperor, which would be disadvantageous to the Xue family…
Everyone in the hall had their own thoughts.
Consort Xiao did not argue further and, pulling Ping Le along, apologized.
Ping Le stared blankly, her eyes fixed on Xue Sui as if she were looking at a vengeful demon from hell. Her gaze held fear, hatred, and even more disbelief. For a long time, she refused to move.
Finally, Consort Xiao signaled two palace maids, who supported her on either side and led her away…
As she left, she remained silent, staring at Xue Sui and Li Zhao, without a word of protest, but her eyes were full of coldness.
The chaotic situation subsided.
The palace maids lowered their heads, held their breath, and returned to their seats to serve.
Li Zhao could not linger. He said to Empress Dowager Cheng Qing, “Your grandson will take his leave. There will be a grand banquet in the palace tonight, where all the civil and military officials and imperial clan relatives await to celebrate Your Imperial Grandmother’s birthday. Your grandson will also prepare and await Your Imperial Grandmother’s arrival.”
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s cloudy old eyes scrutinized him for a moment before she nodded slightly.
“Go, go. You are the Crown Prince; the royal dignity rests entirely on your shoulders. You must think carefully in your actions.”
This was a reminder not to let the storm at the banquet spread and cause further complications, but rather to keep it quiet or let it pass…
Li Zhao acknowledged, cupped his hands in a bow.
Turning back, his gaze met Xue Sui’s abruptly. After a brief exchange of glances, he turned his head away expressionlessly and quickly left Ci An Hall with a cold demeanor…
The banquet resumed.
The atmosphere in the hall relaxed. The noble ladies chatted in low voices in twos and threes, as if nothing had happened, raising their cups in toasts and engaging in lively conversation.
Empress Dowager Cheng Qing’s gaze slowly swept across everyone, finally resting on Empress Xie.
For the first time in many years, she showed a look of apology to the unfavored Empress.
“Empress, you have suffered.”
Empress Xie’s eyes instantly reddened, but she merely smiled slightly.
“To share the worries of the imperial family is my duty; I do not feel suffering.”
Having navigated the imperial harem for most of her life, how could Empress Dowager Cheng Qing not know the scheming involved?
She sighed softly, her expression complex.
At this moment, Princess Ruihe, who had been silent for a long time, gracefully walked over, bowed to the Empress Dowager, and then knelt beside her, pouring tea and serving food.
“Empress Dowager, please do not worry. Today is your special day; do not let these unpleasant matters spoil your birthday joy…”
“Good girl. You are the most obedient.” Empress Dowager Cheng Qing said to her kindly, “Your life has been difficult. Now that you have finally returned to the capital, you should interact more with the ladies and noble daughters of various families. If you fancy any talented young man, I will arrange for him to be your husband…”
She spoke earnestly, with a hint of jest.
Ruihe immediately blushed, lowered her head, and said playfully, “Empress Dowager, please stop teasing Ruihe…”
“Alright, alright, you are easily embarrassed. When the wedding feast is served, I will tease you properly.” The Empress Dowager gently patted her hand, her smile kind and doting.
Ci An Hall was brightly lit, exuding an atmosphere of peace and festivity.
After serving Empress Dowager Cheng Qing for a while, Ruihe excused herself and went to Xue Yuechen’s side to offer a toast.
“Madam Princess, I hope you are well. From now on, as we are both in the capital, I ask for your continued care…”
With that, she covered her cup with her wide sleeve and drank it down.
Xue Yuechen was naturally generous and valued appearances. Although displeased, she would never openly antagonize Ruihe in front of everyone.
She responded with a light laugh, “Princess, you are too kind. This humble wife will join you in a toast…”
Before her voice fell, she reached for the wine Ruihe had poured, but Xue Sui’s hand stopped her.
Xue Yuechen looked at her, puzzled.
Xue Sui’s expression was calm. She looked at Ruihe, who was wiping her lips, with a half-smile.
“We have no one of suitable age in our mansion who could be the Princess’s fortunate husband. Sister, please do not misunderstand…”
Xue Yuechen smiled awkwardly.
Ruihe’s face instantly turned unpleasant.
“Madam Ping’an, do you misunderstand me?”
Xue Sui smiled faintly and said respectfully, “Princess, you are overthinking. This humble wife would never dare to offend you; it is purely out of good intentions. After all, Princess, you are a recent widow returning to the capital. If your actions are not discreet, it is inevitable that you will attract criticism…”
Princess Ruihe’s almond eyes widened, and she suppressed her anger.
Xue Sui bowed slightly, “This humble wife is naturally dull and my words may be imprecise. I hope the Princess will forgive me…”
Ruihe could not discern malice from her face, yet she clearly felt it.
Hating inwardly but unable to act, she vaguely offered polite words and left awkwardly to speak with Lu Xi and Xiao Qing’er.
Xue Yuechen then sighed and slowly glanced at Xue Sui.
“Are you satisfied with showing off so much today?”
“Satisfied with what?” Xue Sui’s gaze followed Princess Ruihe’s retreating figure. She glanced at her with a solemn expression and said in a very low voice, “Sister, haven’t you tasted the meaning of today’s farce yet?”
Xue Yuechen looked confused, “You mean…”
Xue Sui slowly pushed away the cup in front of her, “One must guard against others.”
Looking at her meaningful smile, Xue Yuechen shivered.
Yes!
How could Consort Xue Shu from those years ago have imagined that such a vicious method existed in the world?
If only she had been more vigilant…
No.
This palace is full of treacherous hearts and traps everywhere; how could one guard against them?
Thinking of her aunt who died tragically in Rouyi Hall, a chill ran down her spine, and she instinctively gripped Xue Sui’s hand.
“Sister, I understand now…”
Xue Sui gently patted her hand, smiling reassuringly.
“Sister, you don’t need to worry too much. Princess Ruihe’s frequent overtures, I don’t know what her intentions are. Since she has set her sights on Prince Duan’s Mansion, Sister, you should be friendly with her openly. Sister, you just be the good person; I will be the bad one…”
Xue Yuechen’s throat tightened, “Sister…”
Xue Sui: “Only then can we see her intentions clearly.”
Rather than hiding in the dark and being constantly on edge, it was better to keep potential threats within sight…
As the feast reached its peak, Xue Sui found an excuse and went out with two maids to change her clothes.
When she came out, Li Zhao stopped her in the corridor.
He was tall, his brocade robe luxurious. The hem of his robe slightly lifted, blocking a ray of light falling from the eaves. Her vision, the paving stones under her feet, the fallen leaves in the corner, all fell into his shadow, making it impossible for Xue Sui to discern whether the unyielding coldness in the Crown Prince’s eyes at this moment was an illusion…
See you tomorrow, happy holidays~
