Chapter 64: Humiliation
For something to happen within the imperial gardens, it was impossible to keep it a secret.
To amplify the impact, on her way to the Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion, Ping Le dispatched four palace maids to summon imperial physicians four times, conveying the urgency with a “ten-thousand-fire-urgent” attitude.
“The Crown Prince is unwell after drinking, come quickly for a medical consultation.”
She wanted to invite more people to witness the scandal in the imperial gardens…
Fearing that even one person would remain unaware.
Walking all the way from Chang Chun Pavilion, with many onlookers following her, upon arriving at the Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion, the old woman guarding it emerged from the woods, stammering her plea for forgiveness.
“The old servant and Nanny Tan saw Your Highness enter drunk. When we tried to assist, a mere young girl took advantage of the situation, rushed into the pavilion, and closed the door. The old servant feared something would happen and dared not barge in…”
“Just now, we heard sounds from inside… a woman’s whimpering. The old servant was terrified and quickly sent Nanny Tan to report… If a mere young girl were to ruin the Crown Prince’s reputation, the old servant’s sin would be immense…”
Ever since Xue Sui was pushed into that bamboo forest chamber, the two old women had been lurking in the surrounding bushes.
The door was tightly shut and locked from the outside, but they did not let their guard down. They waited until sounds of ambiguous intimacy between a man and a woman emanated from within. The two exchanged glances, knowing that the deed was done, and then they acted separately.
One old woman went to report to Ping Le.
As the other heard Ping Le and her group approaching, she unlocked the door from the outside, erasing all fabricated evidence…
These were all arrangements made by Ping Le in advance.
After listening, she saw the young ladies beside her showing embarrassed expressions. Lu Xi even lowered her head, twisting her handkerchief, her face filled with unease. She smiled.
“What whimpering sounds? You old hag, speak clearly.”
“Oh dear, in front of so many young ladies, this old servant cannot say…”
Lu Xi lowered her head even further.
Ping Le curved her lips, “Did you see which young lady it was?”
The nanny dared not look up and stammered, “This young lady, the old servant has never seen her before… She seems to be the one who follows Princess Consort Duan…”
Xue Yuechen, who had just arrived, turned pale and froze in her steps.
Fu Shi’s face immediately fell, she was so enraged she was about to explode, her teeth nearly ground to dust.
Xue Yue Man and Xue Yue E exchanged glances.
“Could it be Sixth Sister… That would be too embarrassing.”
Ping Le, with a smile, casually glanced at the small pavilion in the blooming forest.
At this moment, it was remarkably quiet inside…
Has everything been done? She needed to hurry.
Ping Le said, “The heavens will rain, the earth will stir. Whom the Crown Prince chooses to favor is not for a mere servant to question. Rise. Go and knock on the door to see if the Crown Prince is well. Do not let excessive drinking cause trouble.”
The old woman’s face was filled with bitterness and embarrassment, “This, this old servant dares not…”
Ping Le scoffed, “If I tell you to go, you go. With your Imperial Sister here, do you fear the Crown Prince will eat you?”
The old woman responded with a “yes” and, getting up, went to knock on the door.
Just as she knocked three times, Empress Xie’s stern reprimand came from behind.
“Audacious servant!”
Empress Xie, accompanied by several palace servants, also arrived in a grand manner. Perhaps she had hurried, as visible beads of sweat on her stern and composed face betrayed the anxiety hidden beneath her calm and elegant demeanor.
If the Crown Prince were to commit such a scandal at the Spring Banquet, it would surely invite numerous impeachments and attacks.
The Xiao clan faction was already looking for an opportunity to trip up the Eastern Palace. They would not miss such a chance to bring him down.
Empress Xie took three steps and then two, intercepting the old woman and standing on the steps.
“The Crown Prince is resting here, how can you disturb him? All of you, retreat!”
With Empress Xie present, the nanny, no matter how bold, dared not move.
Ping Le let out a snort of laughter and walked forward to face Empress Xie eye-to-eye, a smile playing on her lips.
“Why must Imperial Mother be so incensed? We are also concerned for the Crown Prince’s well-being. One does not know what kind of seductive woman is here bewitching His Highness. If she were to use some underhanded means and cause harm to the Crown Prince, that would be a grave disaster affecting the empire and the state…”
Empress Xie looked at her calmly, “No need for the Princess’s trouble. My son is my concern, and I will look after him.”
Ping Le chuckled, “Imperial Mother worries about the Crown Prince, and I, as his Imperial Sister, am equally concerned.”
Empress Xie slightly tilted her chin upwards, “As long as I am alive, is it your place, a Princess born of a concubine, to show concern?”
Ping Le’s expression changed drastically.
Her noble Imperial Mother, despite receiving immense favor from the Imperial Father, always had to be a step below the Empress.
Although the Imperial Consort was respected, if it were in an ordinary family, she would undoubtedly be considered born of a concubine.
And this was the aspect of her life she detested the most, the most difficult thing in her twenty-plus years of a princess’s life of high status.
It was like a thread pulled from perfect brocade; if it wasn’t mended, she would not be able to eat or sleep peacefully, never finding comfort in this life.
Ping Le gritted her teeth in secret.
This Empress Xie, usually kind-faced and appearing detached from worldly affairs, was all an act. Here, she was truly showing her strength.
Ping Le looked at Empress Xie, her words laced with smiles, each one like a knife.
“If Imperial Mother disregards the Crown Prince’s safety and refuses to let me, his Imperial Sister, care for my brother, then I will have to invite Imperial Father to intervene.”
Empress Xie tightly clasped her handkerchief, “Are you threatening me?”
Ping Le curtsied, showing a submissive smile, “Yu Shu would not dare.”
After speaking, she signaled the palace servants around her to guard the entire Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion, ensuring not even a fly could escape, and then stood in a standoff with Empress Xie, smiling at each other from a short distance.
“Yu Shu would like to see, when Imperial Father arrives, whether he believes Imperial Mother is in the right, or that my concern for the Crown Prince is more reasonable?”
Empress Xie looked at her unyielding persistence, and a chill ran through her.
It was clear that Ping Le had orchestrated this situation.
In this palace, what gave Ping Le such confidence was never her status as a Princess, but the person on the Golden Palace throne – her husband.
The Emperor was the greatest backing for Ping Le and her mother.
From countless past encounters, Empress Xie had never won once.
The Emperor’s heart was biased.
If Ping Le was wrong, it was a minor punishment.
If Ping Le was right, she received extra favor.
No matter if Ping Le was right or wrong, she was always right.
If Ping Le truly made a mistake, it was because she was young and didn’t know any better.
Empress Xie’s eyes reddened, and she took a step forward as if her legs were unsteady.
“Justice resides in people’s hearts. Even if His Majesty arrives, he should speak of reason. I do not believe His Majesty will disregard the Empress and the Crown Prince because of your few words of instigation.”
The smile on Ping Le’s face widened.
“Standing for so long, I am tired. Go, bring a chair, set up a table, and enjoy the spring flowers here. It would be most pleasant.”
The palace servants hesitated slightly.
Empress Xie was blocking the doorway to prevent Ping Le from rushing into the room.
There were no chairs on the steps.
If the Empress, with her noble status, was standing, how could a Princess sit?
Ping Le said, “Imperial Mother has always been benevolent. My health is not good, you won’t blame me, will you?”
Empress Xie was standing at the top of the steps. At this moment, besides her two maids, everyone around her was Ping Le’s supporter. The timid concubines and madams hid far away, fearing to get caught in the crossfire, none daring to approach.
She sneered.
“Then Princess, be sure to sit firmly, lest you strain your back.”
Ping Le smiled, “It’s alright, I am young.”
Empress Xie’s brows furrowed.
At this moment, the maid Linglong hurried over, bowed to Empress Xie, and then stepped onto the stairs to whisper a few words in her ear.
Empress Xie’s crow’s feet seemed to slightly relax.
But it was only for a moment, and then, almost imperceptibly, she frowned again and nodded at Linglong.
“Then I shall wait here and let His Majesty handle it.”
Ping Le noticed the subtle change just now, but seeing no one around Empress Xie, she felt no fear.
When one is arrogant for too long, they forget the immensity of the heavens and the depth of the earth.
Palace servants brought a chair, laid a thick carpet, and filled the table with dried fruits, pastries, and fragrant tea.
Ping Le gave Empress Xie a slight bow and then comfortably sat down.
“The air in the garden is fresh and the fragrance of flowers is rich. Sitting here and enjoying tea is truly extremely pleasant…”
–
Princess Ping Le almost summoned the entire Imperial Hospital to the Bamboo Forest Elegant Pavilion. This matter quickly alarmed the entire imperial gardens. Emperor Chong Zhao, who was entertaining officials in Ling Yan Pavilion, naturally received the news, but he did not inquire further until Ping Le sent someone to summon him.
“Absurd!” The Emperor slammed his wine cup down heavily.
A good Spring Flower Banquet, meant to bring joy at the start of the year and pray for favorable weather, had devolved into such a chaotic mess, not only ruining the Emperor’s mood but also disgracing the royal family.
Li Huan sat to the Emperor’s lower right. He glanced at the empty seat to his lower left, his eyes narrowing slightly. He cupped his hands and said with a smile:
“Imperial Father, the Crown Prince does not usually drink heavily. He must have been happy today and had a few extra cups. Ping Le also made a fuss over a trivial matter. I will speak to her later, Imperial Father need not worry too much.”
The Emperor looked at him and said, “You go and see. A good Spring Banquet should not become a scene of uproar, causing me and all my beloved ministers to be unable to enjoy themselves.”
Li Huan’s gaze flickered slightly, “Your son understands.”
As the most favored Imperial Prince, Li Huan was best at discerning the Emperor’s thoughts.
The royal family’s reputation was paramount. Principles of hierarchy and strict etiquette dictated that every action must serve as an example. For His Majesty to achieve a good reputation in history books and be a wise ruler, he had to endure and constantly place himself under the scrutiny of the censors.
If such a matter truly came to light, it would be a loss of face for the Emperor.
Therefore, the Emperor did not intend to go personally. What he wanted Li Huan to do was to quell the storm quietly, preventing the scandal from spreading and bringing shame upon the royal family.
