Chapter 141: The Lu Family

Chapter 141: The Lu Family

"Noble Lady Sun..."

Consort Yi murmured, her tone ironic, "She was close to the deposed Empress Wang Shi, initially using her, then later, when her beauty was destroyed, she had no choice but to be used by her. With her nature, how could she align with Princess Huaiqing, a princess destined to marry out?"

"But by doing this, isn't the Empress making Noble Lady Sun suspect that there are Fengyi Palace people around her?" Su Jin didn't understand the implications.

Consort Yi frowned, "I am just speculating, and I haven't figured it all out yet. However, the Empress's actions must have a purpose. We just need to do our part."

In Changxin Palace's Jinlan Garden, the master and servant had a secret conversation. Not far away, in Chonghua Palace's Xuexia Pavilion, Noble Lady Sun was also speaking with her head palace maid, Huamei.

"Are you sure Dujuan hasn't made any moves or secretly gone to any other palace?"

"Yes," Huamei replied seriously, her expression grave, "Ever since Concubine Wan became pregnant, I have been closely watching Dujuan as you instructed, ensuring she hasn't been up to anything."

"Has she recently spoken to anyone from Fengyi Palace?" Noble Lady Sun sought confirmation.

"No," Huamei shook her head.

"So, the matter of Princess Huaiqing secretly contacting me and Consort Yi wasn't leaked by her... In the future, we can trust her a bit more," Noble Lady Sun said, sitting down on a chair, speaking softly.

After pondering for a moment, Noble Lady Sun asked, "Have you noticed anything unusual among the staff of Xuexia Pavilion?"

"Apart from those who have been bribing the eunuchs of the Internal Affairs Office to transfer them out, I have noticed that Bailing seems to be getting closer to Jiangxuexuan," Huamei leaned closer to Noble Lady Sun, speaking in a low voice.

"Bailing? Jiangxuexuan?" Noble Lady Sun chuckled softly, then suddenly brought up another topic, "Feng Jiejie is eight months pregnant. If she gives birth to a prince or princess, she will definitely be promoted. Huamei, who do you think will be entrusted with raising the new royal child?"

Huamei glanced at her mistress cautiously and said, "If it's a prince, the Empress might take him to Fengyi Palace... The Crown Prince is sickly, and the Empress needs a healthy little prince..."

"How could that be?" Noble Lady Sun dismissed the idea, "Even if the Crown Prince is frail, the Empress's favor from His Majesty is known to all, and she is still young. A healthy legitimate son... will eventually come."

"But..." Huamei's voice grew even lower, "My lady, the Second and Third Princes are both nearly three years old. If the age gap grows too large, the Empress might feel uneasy."

Noble Lady Sun frowned slightly upon hearing this, but soon relaxed, affirming, "At least not for the next few years."

"Yes," Huamei agreed, continuing the previous topic, "Aside from the Empress, Noble Consort De already has the Third Prince, and her temperament is rather... straightforward. His Majesty is unlikely to entrust her with a prince. Then there's Consort He and Consort Yi. Consort He is a Hun princess, so naturally, she has no chance. As for Consort Yi..."

"She's only a consort. Raising the Second Princess is already a favor. Even if Concubine Feng gives birth to a princess, she wouldn't be entrusted to her," Noble Lady Sun stated calmly.

"Yes, my lady is wise," Huamei quickly said.

"What if it's a princess?" Noble Lady Sun asked.

Huamei, knowing her mistress understood these matters, responded slowly, "If Concubine Wan gives birth to a princess, aside from Consort He and Consort Yi, both the Empress and Noble Consort De could raise her. But since she's just a princess, they might not be willing to raise another's child, especially since Concubine Wan is well..."

Noble Lady Sun suddenly interjected, "Which means, regardless of whether Concubine Feng gives birth to a prince or princess, His Majesty might directly promote her to consort and let her raise the child herself."

"Yes," Huamei bowed her head.

"Consort..." Noble Lady Sun rolled the word on her lips, her tone light, "That leaves us at most two months."

*

"Sister Luqin, Sun Baolin from Yufu Palace is here again. This is his third visit this month."

In Tangli Palace's Shuyu Pavilion, a young palace maid with a simple hairdo stood outside the main room, her tone somewhat helpless.

Luqin handed her a bunch of slightly wilted apricot blossoms, speaking gently, "These flowers are withered. Go pick some fresh ones."

"Yes," the young palace maid nodded, taking the bunch of apricot blossoms still dripping with water droplets, "About Sun Baolin..."

"I'll speak with the young master. Don't worry about it," Luqin said soothingly, reassuring the young maid, who then left briskly to pick apricot blossoms.

Watching her leave, Luqin turned, lifted the curtain, and entered the room. She quietly moved past the screen and said to the Talent Lady Lu, who was painting by the window, "Young master, Sun Baolin is here."

Talent Lady Lu continued her brushwork, acknowledging with a soft "hmm." After finishing her painting and stamping her seal, she stood up to wash her hands in the copper basin at the corner and softly said, "Send her away in a quarter of an hour."

"Yes," Luqin agreed, handing a silk handkerchief to Talent Lady Lu to dry her hands, then added, "My lady, Sun Baolin won't give up easily if she doesn't achieve her goal."

"She has been asking for a painting by my grandfather several times, earnest and sincere. But her intention isn’t the painting; it’s to curry favor with the Empress," Talent Lady Lu shook her head, "Let her come; just ignore her."

The Empress had mentioned Talent Lady Lu's grandfather, Master Yunting, a master of both calligraphy and painting, on the first day the new ladies entered the palace to pay respects.

"But, Sun Baolin is somewhat favored by His Majesty. If she speaks ill of you to His Majesty…" Luqin expressed her concern.

"What of it? Let her talk," Talent Lady Lu said nonchalantly, stopping in front of a cabinet, looking at a book, then frowning, "This book has gotten damp from the winter moisture. When the weather gets better, it needs to be aired out."

Luqin sighed, earnestly saying, "My lady, it's because the Palace Steward's Office sees that you haven't been favored for over a year since entering the palace. They dare to skimp on charcoal, causing these books to get damp. They are slightly restrained only out of respect for the Lu family. If you continue to not vie for attention..."

"Luqin," Talent Lady Lu's voice was soft but startled Luqin into silence.

Talent Lady Lu's gaze drifted to the window, and she smiled, "I originally intended to pursue a tranquil life here in the palace. Even if it means a simple life, it suits my path of cultivation."

Luqin, however, looked alarmed and whispered urgently, "Are you still thinking of..."

"How could I?" Talent Lady Lu's voice was calm and gentle, "I am a daughter of the Lu family. I won't bring shame to my clan."

After saying this, she suddenly added, "However, we must ensure that the squabbles between the Sun sisters do not affect Shuyu Pavilion. Go get the 'Fishing by the River' painting. Tomorrow, I will take it with me when I visit the Empress."