Chapter 92: Clarification

Chapter 92: Clarification

Qiu Kui helplessly explained, "Naturally, it's evidence of Tao Ye's dealings with Fengyi Palace."

"But..." Shan Zha, still confused, said, "If Tao Ye is from Fengyi Palace, why did Lady Sun need to deceive her through Xiao Fangzi?"

Mid-sentence, she realized her folly.

The Empress's goal was to expose Noble Consort Zhao's fake pregnancy without implicating herself, making Consort Xu the most suitable person to take the lead. Naturally, she wouldn’t casually use a piece from Yufu Palace.

However, Lady Sun, manipulated by the Empress, wouldn’t know who the Empress’s pieces were. Most of her information came from Dujuan, who would suggest which palace servant was suitable for bribery. Therefore, bribing Xiao Fangzi, Tao Ye's lover, was reasonable.

Though Shan Zha understood this, one question remained unsolved. She asked, "But if Tao Ye was from Fengyi Palace, wouldn’t she have secretly informed the Empress before stealing the hairpin? If the Empress knew she was going to take the jade and pearl hairpin, she would naturally stop her."

Jiang Hui smiled slightly, "That’s because she received false information. Consort He made her believe that the Empress had permitted her actions. This way, she killed two birds with one stone, obtaining evidence of Tao Ye's connections with Fengyi Palace."

Understanding Jiang Hui’s explanation, Shan Zha finally grasped the situation and stayed silent.

A few days later, Consort He personally visited Yaohua Palace. Shan Zha led her to the floral hall to wait and went to the warm chamber to inform Jiang Hui.

Jiang Hui wasn't surprised by Consort He's actions, understanding that actions warrant rewards.

"Noble Consort Zhao’s floral hall is so elegantly arranged! Far better than mine," exclaimed Consort He as she entered.

Upon entering, Jiang Hui heard Consort He's praise and, taking her seat at the head, responded with a light smile, "Consort He flatters me."

Consort He glanced at her with a smile, her deep and bright eyes hidden under high eyebrows, forming two crescents.

She said candidly, "I waited in Yufu Palace for several days, hoping for Noble Consort Zhao's visit. Remembering that Central Plains ladies are usually reserved, I decided to visit myself!"

Without waiting for Jiang Hui’s response, Consort He continued, "I assume my thank-you gift is ready, Noble Consort Zhao?"

"Of course," Jiang Hui replied with a slight smile, turning to Qiu Kui, "Bring the gift."

"Yes," Qiu Kui replied, quietly leaving the floral hall.

Hearing this, Consort He raised her eyebrows and asked, "Isn’t Noble Consort Zhao curious why I’m asking for a thank-you gift?"

Jiang Hui didn’t respond directly but simply took a sip of warm water from her porcelain cup, smiling faintly at Consort He.

"Is this what you Central Plains people mean by 'everything is understood without words'?" Consort He tilted her head slightly, becoming more straightforward, "I guess I know what Noble Consort Zhao wants, and what I desire, I assume you’re willing to give."

At that moment, Qiu Kui returned, holding a lacquered box and approached Consort He. She bowed and handed the item to the maid standing behind Consort He.

"Consort He may wish to have a look," Jiang Hui suggested warmly from her seat.

The small black lacquered box, only the size of a palm, was intricately carved with overlapping pomegranate flowers, fastened with a gilded brass clasp and was not locked.

Consort He gently opened the box to find a dark greenish-black copper ring lying on a crimson silk cushion inside.

Looking up at Jiang Hui somewhat unexpectedly, Consort He took the ring out and slipped it back onto her left hand. She then dismissed her dark-skinned maid and left the floral hall before saying, "Is this Noble Consort Zhao returning the original to its owner? Just to be clear, that fine jade hairpin of yours is not with me, it’s with the Emperor."

Hearing this, Jiang Hui nodded slightly and softly said, "It won’t be easy for Consort He to return to the Xiongnu."

"I know," Consort He nodded, "That's why I need your help. As long as I am in the Great Zhou, you can count on me for whatever you wish to do."

Jiang Hui suddenly asked, "Why does Consort He trust me so much? After all, there's deep enmity between us."

Consort He replied dismissively, "What enmity? We were just serving our own masters. I almost danced in celebration when that old man was killed."

She extended her right hand to gently touch the copper ring, indifferent to the presence of Jiang Hui’s maids in the hall, and said, "I am a princess married through diplomacy. Unless I fake my death, as long as the Emperor lives, I cannot return. Even if I go back, I must sneak around, which is no fun. But..."

Consort He looked at Jiang Hui with a smile, "If you become the Empress Dowager and I become the Imperial Consort, any excuse will do to return home with honor. After all, the Great Zhou doesn’t marry their father’s women."

Jiang Hui wasn't startled by her blunt and bold words and didn’t inquire about her reasons for returning. She remained calm.

"If that's what you’re thinking, you’d better hurry to Fengyi Palace."

"Fengyi Palace?" Consort He’s eyes roamed thoughtfully, then she shook her head, "She won’t do. She’s smart but indecisive. I’ve considered this. And besides, Noble Consort Zhao returning this ring to me, doesn’t it imply your support in helping me return home?"

Jiang Hui didn’t pick up on that line but instead said, "His Majesty will summon you to his bedchamber soon."

"To his bedchamber?" Consort He was momentarily startled, then realized, "Does he intend to use a child as a blatant excuse to annex the Xiongnu?"

She added, "But such things are not so easily accomplished!"

"Consort He has learned our idioms well, but this is not the right context," Jiang Hui said with a slight smile, continuing, "If you wish to return, it’s best to have a son with His Majesty. Moreover, with a son and your status, it would be easier to accomplish things back in the Xiongnu."

Jiang Hui, having studied "The Conquest of the Rong and Di Tribes" and discussed with her father, the Marquis of Ningyuan, knew that despite some tribes in the Xiongnu having high status for women, the region north of Zhenbei Pass had gradually started favoring sons over daughters.

As a shamaness, Consort He naturally held a respectable status, but to seize more power, she needed a son.

For the Great Zhou, this was also a valuable piece to play.

Consort He, deep in thought, finally reached for the celadon cup she had not touched, drank the clear tea in one gulp, and said, "You are right."

She stood up, performed an increasingly practiced full courtesy, and said with a smile, "Now that the matter is settled, I shall take my leave. I've been quite bored lately, working on a new song. Noble Consort, do visit Yufu Palace often!"

With that, she left without looking back.

Shan Zha emerged from a corner, tidying up the tea set from Consort He’s seat, and whispered to Qiu Kui, "Sister Qiu Kui, why did Consort He send her maid away? Our mistress hadn’t dismissed anyone yet."

Qiu Kui glanced at her and said quietly, "It was Consort He's way of showing sincerity. The matters discussed in the hall were meant to be known only by those in Yaohua Palace and herself."