Chapter 147: Letters

Chapter 147: Letters

Xue Gui Ren, named Xue Bi Ling, was chosen for the palace during the selection in Jian Zhao's first year. Her father is a commander of the Imperial Guard, a confidant of the Emperor. She is also close to Jiang Hui but has a tense relationship with Yi Pin, who resides in the same palace.

Jiang Hui, not surprised, agreed, then spoke of Sun's situation: "Sun has plotted against other consorts. I've demoted her to Imperial Female Attendant and confined her to Zhu Xia Xuan. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

Xiao Sheng frowned slightly, sat up, and pulled Jiang Hui beside him, speaking softly, "Send her to Chang Men Palace."

Jiang Hui nodded, saying nothing more.

Suddenly, Xiao Sheng asked, "Did Lady Zhong Qin bother you again today?"

Jiang Hui didn't utter the usual platitudes about sharing His Majesty's concerns but sighed softly instead, "It was a bit troublesome, but I had De Fei and others keep them company, so it was manageable."

Xiao Sheng chuckled softly, picking a washed cherry from the jade plate beside him and feeding it to Jiang Hui, comforting her, "It'll be better in a few days. I've sent the Minister of Punishments and officials from the Censorate to the border. If they dare to bother you again, just pretend to be sick and avoid them."

Surveying the military land was crucial to root out corruption, but the situation at the border was complex, involving many influential military leaders. Despite Ning Yuan Marquis's retirement from the Northern Border, his status remained sensitive. Jiang Hui smiled and replied, "Alright, Your Majesty said so. If there's a next time, I'll avoid them."

The Emperor promoted Xue Gui Ren to a fifth-rank consort and moved her to Chang Chun Palace, entrusting her with the care of the Fourth Prince. This caused a stir in the palace. In contrast, Sun's relegation to Chang Men Palace was like a small ripple, quickly fading from memory, much like the now vacant Zhu Xia Xuan.

Chang Xin Palace, Jin Lan Garden.

Yi Pin left the Second Princess's room and, after inquiring in detail about her eating and sleeping habits, returned to her main room to leisurely sip tea.

Su Jin, standing beside her, pouted, "I never expected Qing Xin Pavilion to be hit by such good fortune."

Although Xue Pin was only superficially at odds with Yi Pin, even serving as an ally, Su Jin couldn't help feeling disgruntled about Xue Pin effortlessly gaining a son.

"Calm down, why are you upset?" Yi Pin spoke softly, "Did you really expect His Majesty to send the Fourth Prince to Jin Lan Garden?"

"My lady, why not?" Su Jin glanced outside the window, whispering, "After all, you lost a six-month-old male fetus last time, yet His Majesty only sent the Second Princess here..."

"Su Jin," Yi Pin's tone turned stern as she gave her a meaningful look, "Speaking recklessly is not wise. The Second Princess is my child, His Majesty's daughter. Do you have the right to be so picky? Go kneel outside for an hour as punishment."

"Yes." Startled by Yi Pin's sudden anger, Su Jin tearfully knelt in the courtyard.

She realized her mistake and once again recognized that her mistress was no longer the eldest daughter of the Luo family, forced to be unassertive, but now the Emperor's Consort Yi.

Soft footsteps approached from behind. Su Jin didn't turn around but continued kneeling with her head bowed. The steps stopped beside her, and a worried voice spoke – it was Su Juan.

"Su Jin, what happened?"

"I'm fine, it was my carelessness that displeased our mistress," Su Jin shook her head, noticing Su Juan holding a lacquer box, and asked, "What are you doing with that?"

"It's all because of that Xue Gui, Consort Xue..." Su Juan leaned in, speaking resentfully, "Now she's quite pleased with herself, claiming she'll still remember our mistress even after moving to Chang Chun Palace. She even sent gifts, insisting that our mistress attend the Fourth Prince's full-month celebration. It's just a show-off in front of our mistress, I believe."

"Then you should go inside," Su Juan wanted to say more, but Su Jin stopped her, "We need to be careful with our words and not delay our mistress's matters."

Su Juan paused, seemingly understanding why Su Jin was kneeling, and with a composed expression, she nodded, "Alright."

She headed back to the main room, her eyelids lowered, deep in thought.

"My lady, Consort Xue sent someone with this," she announced.

Su Juan bowed and presented the lacquer box she was carrying to Yi Pin.

"Consort Xue?" Yi Pin nodded, "Place it on the table, and go tell Lu Wu to check on the newly planted orchid for the Second Princess. It seems unwell."

Lu Wu was a newly chosen palace maid from the Internal Affairs Department, specialized in gardening.

"Yes," Su Juan acknowledged softly and withdrew quietly.

It was only then that Yi Pin opened the lacquer box, peering inside and suddenly letting out a soft chuckle, muttering to herself, "This play has finally come to an end."

The ornately carved lacquer box on the table, now opened, was completely empty, containing nothing.

Some time later, Shou Chang Princess arrived at Feng Yi Palace with her daughter to pay respects.

Wei's marriage to Lu's son was drawing near, set to take place in Fan Yang. Though not far, it wasn't particularly close either. Being a marriage bestowed by the Emperor, Shou Chang Princess brought her daughter to the palace to express gratitude and respect.

At that moment, Jiang Hui was examining a manuscript written by Lu Cai Ren. These narratives, inspired by the stories of historical women from the Lang Huan Pavilion's records, were written by Lu Cai Ren. Despite her gentle nature, her writing contained a subtle sharpness, bearing a semblance of a historian's flair.

Wei Miss was to marry into the Lu family, so after a brief conversation, Jiang Hui had Lu Cai Ren take Wei Miss for a walk outside, while she spoke with Shou Chang Princess.

"She inquired, 'I heard that King Rui has been ill lately. Is it serious?'"

"My father has merely caught a slight cold. Her Majesty the Queen need not worry," Princess Shouchang replied with a smile. "Before entering the palace, I had just visited the royal residence. My father even held my hand and said that with age comes frequent illnesses, especially the recurring old ones that one can never evade."

As she spoke, she took out a letter from her sleeve and handed it to Qiukui, her expression unchanged: "Regarding what you asked last time, my father said he has written everything in this letter."