Chapter 31: Taking Action

Chapter 31: Taking Action

Yao Hua Palace.

After taking her medicine and resting for a day, Jiang Hui felt much better.

Qing Feng had been sent back from Han Zhang Hall by the emperor that morning. Seeing Jiang Hui in good spirits, he stood by and detailed the events leading to Min Jieyu’s fall into the water.

"Are you saying that Sun Cairen went back to look for the jade pendant, and Min Jieyu, no, Wan Selected Attendant, was with her, and soon after, she fell into the water?" Jiang Hui asked, holding a white gardenia, her tone light.

"Yes," Qing Feng bowed deeply, "I also heard in Han Zhang Hall that Wan Selected Attendant’s maid, Xiao Lian, admitted it was her accidental stumble that caused Wan Selected Attendant to lose her balance and push Min Jieyu into the water."

He added, "Today, at the second quarter of the hour of Si, the Empress ordered the Punishment Department to collect Xiao Lian's body. Xiao Lian had already died by hitting her head against a pillar."

Feng was demoted and confined, her maid Xiao Lian took her own life, and Min Jieyu narrowly escaped death.

Jiang Hui chuckled lightly, suddenly becoming curious, she asked Shan Zha, who was silently fanning her, "What do you think, would Min Jieyu have been saved if I hadn’t happened to pass by Tai Ye Pool?"

Without hesitation, Shan Zha replied, "Certainly, my lady! Didn’t Qing Feng say that many eunuchs and maids jumped in to save her?"

"Yes," Jiang Hui mused, turning the white-glazed vase with black patterns in front of her, choosing an angle to insert the gardenia in her hand, "There were others besides me returning from Qian Nian Hall who passed by Tai Ye Pool."

Shan Zha's eyes lit up. She looked around, and seeing that they were among trusted company, with Hong Yu and Bi Yun guarding outside, whispered excitedly, "My lady, are you suggesting that Min Jieyu deliberately fell into the water?"

Jiang Hui replied lazily, "I never said that."

Shan Zha looked puzzled.

Qiu Kui explained, "What the lady means is that Min Jieyu turned the situation to her advantage."

After pondering this, Shan Zha frowned and said, "But couldn’t the emperor have thought of this?"

Qiu Kui and Qing Feng silently lowered their heads, while Jiang Hui stood up to place the vase on the rosewood table, smiling slightly, "To His Majesty, a somewhat favored gentle woman and a well-bred lady who has always admired him, no matter what she does, it's only self-preservation at most."

Jiang Hui stepped back to look at the placement of the vase, adding, "Like this vase, exquisitely crafted, pleasing to the eye, clean and pristine. Even if it was a gift from the Empress from Feng Yi Palace earlier this year, why wouldn’t I use it?"

Shan Zha, now thoroughly confused, chose to remain silent.

After a while, she couldn't help asking, "But, my lady, who is the real mastermind behind all this?"

"Who knows? In others' eyes, I might very well be the mastermind behind it all," Jiang Hui joked.

"Ah?" Shan Zha murmured in disbelief. "How could it possibly be you, Mistress?"

"With two of His Majesty's favored new consorts, one demoted and the other having an accident, why couldn't it be me?"

Sensing Jiang Hui's playful tone, Shan Zha closed her mouth, resolving to speak no more.

After adjusting the position of a plum vase, Jiang Hui reclined on the concubine's couch and inquired, "Qing Feng, has there been any news about Consort Sun recently?"

"Reporting to Mistress, I heard from Du Juan that Consort Sun had sent her personal maid Hua Mei to visit Xiao Lian," Qing Feng respectfully informed.

Jiang Hui's brow slightly raised as she casually remarked, "Is someone eager to see a falling out between sisters?"

After a moment's contemplation, she instructed, "I've heard Consort Sun was quite the dancer in her boudoir days... With His Majesty's birthday in June, let Du Juan discreetly inform her that His Majesty's favorite dance is not the widely rumored 'Feathered Garment Dance,' but rather the 'Western River Sword Dance,' created by the champion hou's daughter, the Protectorate Princess, from the previous dynasty."

The 'Western River Sword Dance' originated as a military sword technique practiced by the elite guards under the champion hou. After his death in battle, his daughter took up arms, leading her troops to victory against a vast enemy force. Her heroics earned her the title of Protectorate Princess, sustaining the dynasty for another two decades.

The Protectorate Princess, while commanding the troops, formed a special female battalion named the Western River Army. She modified her family's sword technique into the 'Western River Sword,' taught exclusively to this battalion.

Subsequently, after the Protectorate Princess passed away from illness, the dynasty's decadence became nearly unstoppable. The last emperor of the previous dynasty even prided himself in bringing the Western River Army's female soldiers into the palace for entertainment. The 'Western River Sword Dance' gradually evolved into a performance art. It's recorded in unofficial histories that the last emperor met his demise during a performance of the 'Western River Sword Dance.'

Nearly two centuries have passed since the previous dynasty. The original dance manual of the 'Western River Sword Dance' has long been lost, rumored to be preserved only in the royal archives and by families of the former nobility.

"Understood," Qing Feng bowed and asked, "Mistress, do you wish for Du Juan to discreetly provide the dance manual to Consort Sun?"

"No need," Jiang Hui shook her head, dismissing the idea, "Overdoing things can backfire. Consort Sun has her own backing. Why would she need us to provide her with the dance manual?"

Qing Feng's thoughts shifted, recalling that the current Empress hailed from the Yingchuan Wang clan, a noble house of the former dynasty, now diminished in influence in the present dynasty.

"I understand," Qing Feng replied with increased respect and bowed before leaving the warm chamber.

After chatting for a while, Jiang Hui felt a bit tired. She lay on the consort's couch for some time and then ate some pastries personally made by Wan Song. Soon, An Jing arrived, his round, chubby face beaming like a dried autumn orange, bringing news of the emperor's intention to dine with the Noble Consort in the evening.

"I see," Jiang Hui smiled faintly, tilting her head slightly, "Wan Song, serve tea to An Gong Gong."

An Jing hastily said, "I dare not disturb you, Noble Consort. I shall take my leave."

"Qiu Kui, see An Gong Gong out," Jiang Hui insisted no further.