Chapter 134: Mid-Autumn

Chapter 134: Mid-Autumn

Jiang Hui tapped Qiu Kui's cheek, smiling, "Very good, but you’ve overlooked one thing."

"Overlooked?" Hearing this, Qiu Kui pondered for a moment, then softly said, "My lady, are you referring to... Wan Cairen’s situation?"

"Yes." Jiang Hui nodded slightly, gently stroking Xue Xue's tail, "This act of being pushed, though clumsy, still posed some risk to Wan Cairen who is pregnant. Did she really do this just for sisterly affection with Concubine Sun?"

After all, offspring are a woman’s lifeline in the harem. Born of humble origins, Wan Cairen's ascent to the rank of Jiu Pin (ninth consort) was already remarkable. As she aged and younger, more beautiful women entered the palace, without offspring she wouldn’t be promoted beyond consort. After the Emperor’s passing, she would either guard the imperial tomb at Ningshou Mountain or retire to Puluo Temple.

Was she willing to jeopardize her future security just for deep sisterly love with Concubine Sun?

Perhaps not entirely.

Thoughtful, Qiu Kui then said, "Wan Cairen was not very clever when she first entered the palace, but after years here, she must have learned. If she wants Concubine Sun to fight battles for her, she wouldn’t wholeheartedly push for Concubine Sun’s promotion, otherwise..."

"Otherwise, who knows if Concubine Sun, upon being promoted, might consider disposing of the mother to keep the child? After all, she desperately needs an heir," Jiang Hui said with a light laugh, continuing Qiu Kui's thought.

Qiu Kui peeled another lychee, scooped out the fruit with a small spoon, and fed it to Jiang Hui, not mentioning whether Yaohua Palace should deal with the child in Wan Cairen’s womb.

The Emperor doesn’t care about the infighting among the consorts, as long as it doesn’t affect those he cares about, nor does he use unnoticeable poisons. He isn’t particularly concerned about which consort bears a child; happy if there is one, untroubled if not. However, if someone harms an offspring, the Emperor would no longer be so lenient.

The future must be fought for by the young master himself. If everything is laid out for him, how will he face the deeply calculating ministers of the former court?

Indeed, as Jiang Hui had said, the Emperor chose to have his evening meal at Jiaxue Xuan that day.

No one knew what Wan Cairen said to the Emperor, but after he left Jiaxue Xuan to rest in Jianzhang Palace, gifts were sent to Concubine Sun, yet there was still no mention of her promotion.

In Zhaixia Xuan, Concubine Sun thanked An Jing, who had delivered the rewards, and personally escorted her to the door before returning to the inner chamber. She then said to Hua Mei, "Change your dress; let's visit Sister Feng at Jiaxue Xuan to express our gratitude."

Hua Mei agreed and quickly dressed Concubine Sun, lamenting, "I didn’t expect it to end this way."

Concubine Sun, having composed herself, played with the jade pendant hanging from her palace ribbon and calmly said, "It’s alright if it didn’t happen. There will be other opportunities."

Hua Mei glanced at her and whispered, "My lady, what do you think Wan Cairen really said to His Majesty?"

Concubine Sun put down the ribbon, indifferent, "Whatever she said, even if she grew several more brains, she would still be foolish."

Soon it was the fifteenth of August, the Mid-Autumn Festival. The customary family banquet was held in Qian Nian Hall, with the Emperor seated at the head, flanked by his consorts and royal family members.

Unlike previous years, after the young princes and princesses finished their auspicious speeches, Princess Huaiqing didn’t leave to play or rest but sat at the banquet, positioned next to Jiang Hui and Consort De, seemingly pondering over the competing affections of her father’s consorts.

With Princess Huaiqing by her side, Consort De was busy taking care of her, refraining from her usual jealous scrutiny of the consorts performing on stage.

The newly promoted Consort Yi finally left Jinlan Garden, sitting below Consort He, looking somewhat haggard but spirited, not showing any sorrow at the Mid-Autumn banquet.

Concubine Sun, sitting next to Consort Yi and veiled, asked with concern, "Sister Consort Yi, has your health fully recovered?"

"Thank you for your concern, Sister Sun. I am quite well now," Consort Yi smiled warmly at Concubine Sun.

Hearing their conversation, Princess Huaiqing glanced over, then focused on the river shrimp Consort De had peeled for her, sweetly saying, "Consort De, I can do it myself."

"How can you do it yourself? The palace maids are not there for decoration!" Consort De frowned, disapproving.

"Yes, Consort De cares for me, I understand," Princess Huaiqing leaned closer, hugging Consort De’s arm gently, whispering, "But, I want to peel some for Father myself, to show my filial piety. Please let me."

With Princess Huaiqing's plea, Consort De naturally couldn't refuse. Although she wanted to peel some shrimp for the Emperor, her status as an elder held her back from mimicking a young girl's actions. She nodded, "Alright then."

Princess Huaiqing's eyes twinkled with joy, "When my brother Xun grows a bit older, I'll bring him to show our filial piety to Father too!"

Her words delighted Consort De, her smile widening involuntarily. As Princess Huaiqing carried the peeled shrimp to the Emperor, Consort De suddenly recalled how, during Empress Wang's rebellion, the Emperor had fallen ill right after eating food offered by his children.

Though not particularly clever, Consort De wasn’t foolish either. How could she not suspect that the food had been tampered with?

This thought brought a cold sweat to her brow, which the night breeze in Qian Nian Hall made her shiver.

"Consort De, what’s wrong?" Consort He, eating fermented rice balls from her bowl, turned to her, her speech slightly slurred, "You haven’t caught a chill, have you?"

"No, I'm perfectly fine!" Consort De quickly responded.

She thought to herself: That was all Empress Wang's doing, how could Princess Huaiqing know! And how could she possibly plot to kill her own father? I’m just being paranoid!

With this realization, her face returned to normal. She picked up a dish arranged by the maid Haitang, then glanced at the performing lady, finding her somewhat unfamiliar. She decided to inquire about her, but not from a maid; she needed to ask another consort.

Consort De first looked to her left, noticing Noble Consort Zhao's usual aloof expression, watching...

Huh?

Why is she staring at the venerable old Rui King across from her?

How strange!

Turning her head, Consort De saw Consort He eating happily and whispered, "Hey, Consort He, do you recognize the woman dancing in the center of the court?"

Consort He, after swallowing the chestnut pork in her mouth, quietly pointed to someone at the royal family's seating area and whispered, "I don't recognize her. She was presented by that prince from across, didn’t you hear?"