Chapter 46: Refusal at the Gate

Chapter 46: Refusal at the Gate

Indeed, the Dowager Empress's illness was strange, and no one in the Imperial Medical Bureau could cure it. Even the Noble Consort had been bedridden for a long time due to heat toxins and was yet to fully recover.

Xiao Sheng didn't believe in these superstitions, but after staring at Master Hui'an for a long while, he finally said, "Sheng An, take Master Hui'an for a walk around the palace."

In July, the weather was not as hot as in June, but it was still much warmer than on Proluo Mountain.

The palace pathways were lined with cypress and ginkgo trees, whose dense foliage filtered the intense sunlight into shimmering gold that sprinkled over everyone beneath.

Master Hui'an, accompanied by Sheng An and Li Mammy, walked from the eastern Chaoyang Gate to the western Xuanwu Gate, covering the entire rear palace, and then circled back.

Without using a sedan chair, Master Hui'an showed no signs of fatigue, indeed appearing as a master of her craft.

She stopped outside Yaohua Palace, chanting Amitabha, and asked Sheng An, "Does a noble reside here?"

It wasn't yet the time for locking the palace gates, and the doors of Yaohua Palace were wide open. Four eunuchs guarding the gate took shelter under the eaves, casting discreet glances at them.

Recognizing Sheng An, one of the junior eunuchs hurried into Yaohua Palace, presumably to report their arrival.

It was obviously a palace where someone resided.

Standing under a cypress tree, Sheng An, hearing Master Hui'an's rhetorical question, raised his eyebrows slightly and smiled, saying to her, "Master Hui'an, most palaces in the rear court are inhabited."

Li Mammy, more direct, her face still showing concern for the Dowager Empress, asked in confusion, "Master Hui'an, the palace ahead is Yaohua Palace, the residence of the Noble Consort. Is there any issue?"

Master Hui'an shook her head and said, "This palace is spacious and well-aligned with the four cardinal directions, a rare and auspicious site."

Before Sheng An could relax, Master Hui'an changed her tone, "However, this precious site has been clouded for many days. May I have permission to take a look inside?"

"Well..." Li Mammy seemed hesitant, looking towards Sheng An, who pondered briefly before saying, "Please wait a moment, Master Hui'an. I will go to Yaohua Palace and announce your arrival."

Without waiting for a response from Master Hui'an, Sheng An left them and quickly entered Yaohua Palace.

Qing Feng, who had received the news, coincidentally ran into Sheng An and greeted him with a smile, "Why is Eunuch Sheng visiting Yaohua Palace at this time? Is there any instruction from His Majesty? The weather is hot outside, please come in and sit down!"

Sheng An didn't put on airs and entered with a smile, but his words were serious, "Is the Noble Consort present? I have important matters to report."

"Her Ladyship has been unwell these days and has taken her medicine to rest," Qing Feng sensed something serious in Sheng An’s tone, dropping his smile and reverting to his efficient manner, "Please follow me, Eunuch Sheng."

The two walked through Qionghua Hall, from the central courtyard all the way to the main room. Hongyu, the doorkeeper, hurriedly bowed and lifted the curtain, soon returning with Autumn Okra, who then invited Sheng An inside.

The room was filled with a light, tranquil scent of submerged fragrant wood, with a hint of bitter medicinal aroma. The windows were slightly open, and ice basins were placed at each corner. Sheng An followed Autumn Okra past the main hall to stop beside the silk screen embroidered with lotus leaves and double carps in the warm pavilion.

Facing the screen, he slightly bowed, his eyes on the short pile carpet, and said, "Noble Consort, Master Hui'an from Proluo Temple is outside Yaohua Palace and wishes to come in for a visit."

After a moment of silence from within, a faintly weak female voice asked, "Master Hui'an?"

"Yes," Sheng An casually explained, "The Dowager Empress has been ill for a long time, and His Majesty invited Master Hui'an to recite Buddhist scriptures for the Dowager Empress."

"Reciting Buddhist scriptures..." the female voice seemed puzzled, "Then why does Master Hui'an wish to come to Yaohua Palace?"

Sheng An's gaze lifted slightly, resting on the dark base of the silk screen, and he did not reply.

Autumn Okra, who had led Sheng An, glanced at him and quietly moved closer to the inner room. After a while, the Noble Consort's voice turned cold, "Is this His Majesty's wish?"

"His Majesty is not yet aware of this matter," Sheng An replied calmly.

"Then please inform His Majesty at Liangyi Hall. If it is His Majesty's wish, I will not obstruct," the Noble Consort said.

"Yes," Sheng An seemed to be waiting for this response and did not mention sending another eunuch to Liangyi Hall. He flicked his whisk slightly and retreated out of the warm pavilion.

Qing Feng was waiting outside; seeing Sheng An emerge, he greeted him with a smile, "Has Eunuch Sheng finished his task?"

Approaching closer, he spoke in a subdued voice, "Outside, Li Mammy and that master seem intent on forcing their way in. I hope Eunuch Sheng can report this to His Majesty."

Sheng An glanced at him, nodded slightly, and left Yaohua Palace.

Li Mammy and Master Hui'an had moved from under the cypress trees on the palace path to the eaves of Yaohua Palace, peering inside.

"Has Eunuch Sheng returned?" Li Mammy asked, now appearing somewhat anxious, "What did the Noble Consort say?"

Sheng An shook his head and led them a few steps away before saying, "The Noble Consort stated that Master Hui'an may enter only with His Majesty's permission."

Hearing this, Master Hui'an remained expressionless, but Li Mammy frowned, "The Dowager Empress is still ill; how can we delay because of the Noble Consort's matter? Besides—"

She looked at Sheng An, "Since Eunuch Sheng was appointed by His Majesty to guide Master Hui'an through the palace, it implies she can go anywhere."

Sheng An, however, did not engage with her reasoning and calmly said, "This matter is significant and requires His Majesty's approval. Li Mammy and Master Hui'an, please wait. I shall return shortly."

Without waiting for Li Mammy to respond, he briskly walked towards Liangyi Hall, dusting off his whisk.

Watching Sheng An's retreating figure, Li Mammy pondered for a moment, then led Master Hui'an to the side path beside Yaohua Palace. They stopped a passing maid, "What's your name? Which palace do you serve?"

Startled, the maid, seeing it was Li Mammy from Cining Palace, quickly smiled and bowed, "Greetings, Li Mammy, greetings to the master. My name is Xi'er. I serve in Chuxiu Palace and am on my way to the Imperial Kitchen for today's evening meal."

"Xi'er?" Li Mammy examined her calloused hands and neatly combed hair without ornaments, nodding slightly. She pulled out a silver coin from her sleeve and instructed, "Go to Cining Palace and tell them I can't return right now. Ask Qingguo to take care of the Dowager Empress."

Xi'er repeated the message verbatim, and seeing Li Mammy nod, she bravely accepted the silver coin and hurried off to Cining Palace.

Only then did Li Mammy bow to Master Hui'an and suggest, pointing towards Fenglai Pavilion near the Suoyue Pond, "Master Hui'an, why not rest in the pavilion for a while?"

The two sat in Fenglai Pavilion for about a quarter of an hour before the Emperor's carriage appeared in the distance on the palace path.

Li Mammy and Master Hui'an approached to greet him. Xiao Sheng, however, looked intently at Master Hui'an and asked sternly, "Sheng An just told me that Master Hui'an said Yaohua Palace is an auspicious site clouded with dust?"

"Amitabha," Master Hui'an replied calmly and unhurriedly, "That is indeed the case."

"So, for this reason, you intended to forcefully enter Yaohua Palace?" Xiao Sheng's expression darkened.