“Chapter 161: Two Peaches”

"Chapter 161: Two Peaches"

"Yi Shunyi realized she had misread the Emperor’s thoughts."

"His Majesty had given her the concubine title and the Second Princess, considering the matter resolved. The agarwood, the root of all these events, probably involved memories the Emperor did not wish to revisit, hence his reluctance to see her."

"And this guilt, over time, only served to push one further away."

"Moreover, what virtues did she, Luo Rou, possess to keep an Emperor feeling guilty indefinitely?"

"Once she understood this, she knew her chances of bearing another child were slim. Thus, she had to act against Wanfei and Sun Shi, hoping to capitalize on the Emperor's remaining guilt to gain a prince."

"She instructed Xiao Ting, if Wanfei bore a prince, to send her off; if it was a princess, to leave her alive to turn against Sun Shi."

"Indeed, Wanfei gave birth to the fourth prince and died in childbirth. Sun Shi, coveting the child, was sent to Changmen Palace. However, the Emperor had entrusted the fourth prince to Xue Deyi, who at that time was only a Noble Lady, unqualified to nurture an heir."

"Her hopes dashed, but she couldn't afford any regret. Fortunately, the upcoming southern tour presented another opportunity for her to conceive an heir."

"Yi Shunyi’s thoughts raced as the Empress continued, 'His Majesty plans to take Princess Huaiqing and the Second Princess on the southern tour. I intended to choose an experienced consort to accompany them. Shufei and Defei aren’t suitable, and Lu Jieyu is still young. I was deciding between you and Xue Deyi. Since Yi Shunyi has come to me for the Second Princess’s sake, I naturally won’t disregard your wish.'"

"Her words implied agreement to Yi Shunyi's request."

"Hearing this, Yi Shunyi felt a weight lift off her heart, stood up, and respectfully thanked, 'Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kindness.'"

"After she left, Shan Zha asked Jiang Hui, 'My lady, did you really just agree to her request?'"

"Jiang Hui smiled faintly without explanation."

"Shan Zha then turned to Qiukui, who followed Jiang Hui, pleading, 'Aunt Qiukui, please enlighten this fool!'"

"Qiukui glanced at her sharply and said, 'Think about it yourself. If you still don't understand, come ask me tonight.'"

"She then followed Jiang Hui out of the flower hall to visit Huayang in the eastern annex."

"Jiang Hui had already decided on Yi Shunyi’s matter, and the people in Fengyi Palace wouldn’t gossip. Yi Shunyi herself wouldn’t spread the news either, so the other consorts still believed there were two spots up for contention."

"In Fuyang Palace, Baihua Pavilion."

"Duan Guiren and Tang Meiren sat together, pouring themselves tea as no palace maids were around. Duan Guiren sipped her tea and whispered, 'Tang Sister, in my opinion, the Empress will choose someone young, beautiful, and favored. If she selects someone the Emperor dislikes as a companion, it might displease him.'"

"Tang Meiren twisted a piece of jujube and yam cake, understanding the implications of Duan Guiren’s words: young and beautiful referred to those like them who entered the palace in Jianzhao’s fourth year; slightly favored included her, Duan Guiren, and Sun Meiren. Perhaps Lu Jieyu too, although less favored, could impress the Emperor with her talent."

"Swallowing her cake, she asked, 'Do you think Lu Jieyu will go? She’s co-authoring a book with the Empress, so she should be promoted by Her Majesty.'"

"Duan Guiren shook her head, 'Lu Jieyu seldom ingratiates herself with the Emperor. Everyone knows how aloof these noble ladies are. Besides, she was ill recently and doesn’t seem interested in accompanying the tour. Plus, she needs to stay in the palace to write with the Empress. I doubt she'll go.'"

"Pausing, Duan Guiren added, 'The Empress said she’d choose at most two consorts for the tour. Now, it seems most likely to be you, me, and Sun Meiren.'"

Beauty Tang raised an eyebrow: "What do you mean?"

Noble Consort Duan leaned in close, her voice a low whisper: "If Sun Beauty and Consort Jieyu Lu happen to fall ill, wouldn’t that increase our chances?"

*

In Fengyi Palace's Mingluan Hall, the Nine-Nine Cold Dispelling Chart was half complete when the weather turned bitterly cold, freezing water into ice. The palace workers were busy clearing snow-covered paths all day.

On this particular morning, although it didn’t snow, the consorts, wrapped in thick clothes, either rode in palanquins or walked, maintaining their routine visit to Fengyi Palace for greetings.

In Yufu Palace's Pi Xiang Hall, Shufei kissed the fifth prince before putting him back in his cradle and asked a palace maid, "Has Sun Beauty not arrived yet?"

They lived in the same palace and before going to Fengyi Palace for greetings, Sun Beauty was supposed to report to Shufei.

The palace maid shook her head, replying, "Sun Beauty's maid just reported she has a stomach ache. Please wait a moment; she'll be here soon."

"Stomach ache?" Shufei’s eyes lit up. After a cough, she inquired, "Did she see the imperial physician? Tell her if it's serious, I can request leave for her from the Empress."

"Yes."

The maid agreed and left, returning shortly to inform Shufei, "Sun Beauty said she probably overate at dinner last night but feels fine now and will be here soon, no need to request leave."

Sun Beauty and Shufei, residing in Yufu Palace, naturally ate meals prepared in the palace's kitchen. Last night, Shufei had hotpot made, inviting Sun Beauty to join her for a lively meal.

"Alright, if that’s the case, I won’t make the request," Shufei said, waving her hand dismissively.

Soon after, Sun Beauty appeared, looking pale but otherwise fine.

"Sun Beauty, are you sure you don’t want to see the imperial physician first?" Shufei asked again.

"Thank you for your concern, Shufei, but I feel alright. I’ll go to Fengyi Palace for greetings and then see the imperial physician afterward," Sun Beauty insisted, not wanting to miss the important greeting session as the Empress had not yet decided on the southern tour companions.

"Alright then," Shufei glanced at her, shook her head, and got into her palanquin.

Supported by a maid, Sun Beauty followed beside Shufei’s palanquin. Whether due to the cold numbing her limbs or the stomach pain, her pace slowed, sweat beading on her forehead despite the cold weather.

As they neared Fengyi Palace, other consorts walking towards the palace for greetings noticed Sun Beauty’s pale face, asking, "Sun Beauty, what’s wrong with you?"

Shufei, looking back from her palanquin, also inquired, "Sun Beauty, are you alright?"

"I'm fine," Sun Beauty said, clutching her stomach and shivering through gritted teeth.

"That doesn't look like 'fine' to me," Noble Consort Duan, who happened to be nearby with Beauty Tang, approached with concern. "Sun Beauty, you're sweating profusely. Maybe you should see the imperial physician."