Chapter 39: The Rash

Chapter 39: The Rash

Inside the hall, the drumbeats echoed, blending with the sounds of the long flute and zither in the musician's ensemble.

In her dance, Sun Cairen executed thrusts, picks, pulls, spins, and strikes with fluid grace. Clad in flowing red, her swords danced in her hands—one moment light and agile like a bird, the next flowing smoothly like a dragon.

Her performance was a blend of elegance and strength, captivating everyone in the hall with her mesmerizing movements.

Clearly, Sun Cairen had put her heart into mastering the "Western River Sword Dance."

On the drum, she executed a hawk-turn maneuver, preparing to perform a complex move with her swords, but suddenly, her motion halted, and she fell heavily to the ground, struggling briefly before lying motionless.

The music in the hall abruptly stopped.

The Empress stood up in alarm and anger, exclaiming, "What happened? Quickly, summon the imperial physician!"

Murmurs arose, wondering, "Was it a difficult move that she failed to execute?"

"From such a height off the drum, that fall must have caused serious injury."

Whispers circulated among the consorts.

Min Jieyu rose, intending to check on Sun Cairen.

An Jing and Sun Cairen's personal maid, Hua Mei, rushed to the scene. Hua Mei, upon seeing Sun Cairen's condition, lifted her veil and cried out, "My lady has been harmed!"

Beneath the veil, Sun Cairen's face was slightly swollen, covered with red rashes.

At the imperial family banquet for the Emperor's birthday, an attack on one of his consorts unfolded, leaving the royal relatives wishing they had seen nothing.

Elder Rui Wang, ever composed, slowly commented, "It appears to be symptoms of measles. With so many flowers around Qian Nian Hall, the lady may have encountered pollen on her way here."

Regardless of whether it was a court intrigue or not, Elder Rui Wang, representing the royal family, declared the incident as a mere accident, saving face for the Emperor.

After a prolonged silence, the Empress Dowager spoke, "Elder Rui Wang is right. Let's move Sun Cairen to a side hall and summon the imperial physician." Several eunuchs then carried her away.

Emperor Xiao Sheng frowned slightly and quietly instructed Sheng An, then turned to the Empress, "Please oversee the situation."

The Emperor's birthday celebration couldn't be hastily concluded over a minor incident involving a talented lady. Sun Cairen was moved for treatment, the Empress went to look after her, and the rest continued the festivities in Qian Nian Hall.

The banquet ended around 11 PM. Jiang Hui, having no close ties with Sun Cairen, briefly visited her in the side hall as a formality before heading back to Yao Hua Palace in her sedan chair.

Halfway back, she was caught up by the Emperor's carriage; he was spending the night at Yao Hua Palace.

Assuming the Emperor would visit Feng Yi Palace for his birthday, Jiang Hui massaged her temples behind the curtain before donning a smile and stepping out to greet the Emperor.

Remembering Jiang Hui's previous illness from summer heat and night breeze during the Dragon Boat Festival banquet, Emperor Xiao Sheng personally helped her into his carriage, expressing concern, "Are you feeling unwell, Hui'er?"

She shook her head, "Just a bit tired."

"Rest against me," the Emperor suggested softly, his voice brimming with tenderness.

The spacious carriage allowed them to lie side by side comfortably. Jiang Hui didn't object, merely asking, "Won't you check on Sun Cairen?"

"She's developed measles and needs rest," the Emperor replied, drawing her close, "You sleep first."

Jiang Hui lowered her eyelids, hiding her gaze, and softly agreed, "Alright."

After drinking at the banquet and refreshing himself at Yao Hua Palace, the Emperor felt energized and desirous. However, finding Jiang Hui already deep asleep, he silently resolved his needs while holding her.

At that moment, a soft female voice was heard from the outer chamber, distinctly different from Jiang Hui's usual attendants.

Emperor Xiao Sheng initially disregarded the noise outside, but the woman's voice suddenly turned shrill before falling silent.

Impatiently, he called out louder, "Sheng An?"

"Your Majesty, a palace maid lost her way and disturbed you and the Noble Consort. I've already disciplined her," Sheng An replied from outside.

"Brother Xiao, what's happening?" Jiang Hui, groggily awakened by the noise, asked.

"It's nothing. Hui'er, since you're awake, let's enjoy ourselves," Xiao Sheng suggested, rolling over to lie on top of her.

The next day wasn't a day of rest and coincided with a grand court assembly, so Xiao Sheng rose early to prepare.

Jiang Hui, exhausted and sleepy, sat on the bed, one hand still on Xiao Sheng's yellow waistband, assisting him in dressing. Her eyes closed, she leaned against his chest, quickly falling back asleep.

Xiao Sheng, amused, gently laid her back on the bed and covered her with a silk quilt. After dressing, he moved behind the screen to wash and shave, instructed by Sheng An, and told Autumn Chrysanthemum, "Let the Noble Consort sleep longer; if she can't get up, there's no need to attend the morning greetings at Feng Yi Palace."

"Yes," Autumn Chrysanthemum responded.

By the time Jiang Hui woke up, it was already bright outside, and she realized it was too late to attend the morning greetings.

Unperturbed, she let Autumn Chrysanthemum and Wan Mang assist her in getting up. Only when breakfast was served did she lazily inquire, "What happened last night?"

Referring to something other than Sun Cairen's incident, Autumn Chrysanthemum reported, "It was my oversight. The night guards didn't notice, allowing Bi Yue into the main hall."

"Bi Yue?"

Bi Yue was chosen from the Internal Affairs Department when Jiang Hui first moved to Yao Hua Palace. Due to her attractive appearance and scheming nature, Jiang Hui had assigned her to guard a side hall. Initially, Ping Gugu had suggested using Bi Yue to vie for favor, but Jiang Hui had reprimanded her.

"Yes," Autumn Chrysanthemum replied steadily. "In the past six months, Bi Yue had behaved, but the palace maid I assigned to watch her let her guard down, giving Bi Yue a chance to sneak into the main hall last night."

"Was Bi Yue stopped by Sheng An?" Jiang Hui asked while scooping a spoonful of barley porridge, her breakfast being light and simple.

"Yes, Sheng Gonggong and I were on night duty together. He heard some noise and went out to check, catching Bi Yue sneaking around," Autumn Chrysanthemum paused before adding, "Since your ladyship always sleeps early, and Bi Yue was dressed quite flashily, she was probably targeting His Majesty."

"Targeting His Majesty?" Jiang Hui murmured, pondering briefly before shaking her head slightly and instructing, "Check inside and out to see if anything's been added or removed from the main hall."