CHAPTER 656: CHAPTER 656: SHE SHOULDN’T BE RUINED, RIGHT?

Several autumn rains thoroughly submerged the matter of Consort Xian Pin’s poisoning.

The palace no longer heard any whispers of it.

As for outside the palace, people scoffed for a while, and that was that.

The citizens of the Capital City were gossipers by nature, fated not to dwell too long on any one thing.

After the storm, life at the Fan Residence was not particularly miserable, though their reputation suffered.

Whenever the Fan Family was mentioned, no one showed envy anymore; instead, they were often the subject of jests.

As for the Shih Family, their days truly became difficult.

Without the shops, the entire He Residence was anxious, living solely on whatever salary and savings there were.

The women there dared not add new jewelry to their headdresses anymore.

The men dared not throw away money in prodigal pursuits, squandering on feasts and wine as before.

The whole residence lived a tightly-pinched life.

Grand Tutor Shih, having served as an official for many years, knew by instinct that something must have happened in the palace.

But as for what exactly had transpired, he couldn’t glean any information.

That was very frightening indeed.

The more he panicked, the worse his mood grew, and the harder life within the residence became.

But all of this was outside the palace, of which those inside knew nothing.

...

August passed, and September arrived.

On the day of the Double Ninth Festival, the weather was splendid.

As in previous years, the Empress still held a banquet in the Imperial Garden.

Even if the Emperor did not favor her, she was still the Empress, and she had this much right.

However, unlike previous years, the Empress Dowager usually did not attend. This year, she attended in full dress, appearing to be in quite a good mood.

Xia Ruqing had not heard about the outside affairs, but she could guess.

It must have been a terrible ordeal wrought by the Emperor. Could it be that the Empress Dowager doesn’t care at all?

The Empress personally assisted the Empress Dowager as they slowly approached from a distance.

All the concubines hurriedly rose to pay their respects.

The Empress Dowager waved them off with a smile.

"Rise, all of you! Please, take your seats. Today is a festival; no need to be so restrained on this old lady’s account!"

The Empress just laughed.

"Mother, what are you saying? Our Great Chu Dynasty is a land of propriety, always understanding of etiquette!"

As the Empress said this, she glanced at Xia Ruqing, intentionally or otherwise.

Xia Ruqing just bowed her head and coldly smirked.

Is this a jab at her for not understanding the rules? How absurd! If she understood the rules, she’d be dead by now!

Ha ha!

She knew that the Empress and the Empress Dowager would not easily let go.

After all, it was she who had caused the recent incident.

The Empress Dowager also cast her gaze on Xia Ruqing, inquiring indifferently, "Are you Consort Xian Pin?!"

Xia Ruqing’s mind went blank, as if several pounds of explosives had detonated at once, resounding with a roar that made it impossible to think.

"Indeed, it is I."

She numbly stood up to pay her respects.

The Empress Dowager gave a faint smile, nodded, and bade her sit down again.

Then... she continued to watch the drama unfold.

Xia Ruqing pondered the strange smile at the corner of the Empress Dowager’s mouth. Ultimately, she concluded, She must be plotting something again!

She might as well ignore it. If the Emperor himself was helpless, what could she do?

But as she lifted her head to take a sip of tea, Xia Ruqing then realized—

It wasn’t just the Empress Dowager and the Empress who hated her; the eyes of the Honored Ladies upon her were also filled with malice.

Hm?

She looked up incredulously. Only after surveying her surroundings did she realize this was indeed the case.

The Empress and the Noble Consort, for starters, wished to devour her alive.

Consort Ning also disliked her; after several altercations, she likely awaited an opportunity to stomp on her.

The remaining few concubines were either concerned for their daughters, preoccupied with their children, or had long fallen from favor. They were not active players in the power game and thus not worth mentioning.

Next was Shih Jieyu. She was not interested in contention, her entire heart set upon her daughter. Though the Empress found her disagreeable, she couldn’t say much against her.

After that, came the Honored Ladies.

Of the nine Honored Ladies, after two were gone and one rose to become Consort Cheng Pin, only six remained.

Now, the way these six looked at her was nearly identical to that of the Empress.

Hate, mixed with disdain!

Xia Ruqing sneered inwardly.

You lot, what are you meddling in! The harem really is terrifying. To gain favor and status, you would sell out anything!

"Consort Xian Pin, what are you so engrossed in watching?"

With a single sentence, the Empress pulled Xia Ruqing back to reality.

Xia Ruqing thoughtlessly laughed and said, "This consort was watching a play, and became so engrossed I lost myself in it!"

So absorbed!

The Empress gave a faint smile and said nothing, but a flicker of complexity darted through her eyes.

Consort Xian Pin... since you’re so ungrateful, don’t blame me for not being polite.

Thinking this, the fists within the Empress’s sleeves clenched tight. Even if not for the Fan Family, but for herself, she would never let Consort Xian Pin go.

This woman is a sly vixen! Sooner or later, the Emperor will be completely charmed by her! She must be eliminated!

The play on stage droned on.

The play off stage was just as fascinating.

The expression on Noble Consort Shih’s face was particularly striking.

She couldn’t understand at all when the Empress Dowager and the Empress had become so close!

It was bad enough that the Empress Dowager gave up on her, but was it necessary to cozy up to the Empress to disgust me? The position of Empress should have been mine. Now everything has been taken by the Empress! I have nothing left to linger for! But, I cannot swallow this grievance, not even at the cost of my life. Empress Dowager, Empress... I don’t believe you can cooperate successfully for long.

Consort Ning always looked to the Empress for guidance. Even if the Empress wasn’t as influential as before, she was still the Empress, holding sway over the princesses’ future marriages. Flattering her was a must.

Consort Hui Pin was similar; because of the Second Princess, she never dared to offend the Empress.

Consort Cheng Pin, however, was much more composed. She sat there, attentively watching the play on stage, as if everything happening off stage had nothing to do with her.

Xia Ruqing thought to herself, Truly a wise person!

...

The performers on stage didn’t know how long they had been singing.

The concubines below gradually became restless.

Noticing this, the Empress’s face also showed some embarrassment.

With the atmosphere in the palace so solemn, she had intended to liven things up during the Double Ninth Festival. She didn’t want to forcefully drag everyone out, as it would only make them feel tired.

It was best to disperse early.

So, she waved her hand magnanimously.

"You may all leave!"

Everyone had been restless, so after paying their respects, they all dispersed.

The Empress Dowager, on the other hand, was quite entertained; she enjoyed the play, which was to her taste. With a crowd and good weather, and fine food and drink, there was nothing for her to be dissatisfied with.

The Empress escorted her back, attended on the Empress Dowager during her noon rest, and then left.

Returning to Jiaofang Hall, the Empress looked at the empty chambers and felt completely hollow inside.

"Where is the Third Princess?" she asked anxiously.

The Wetnurse Nanny hurriedly came out from the side room.

"Replying to the Empress, the Third Princess played with Sister all morning. She has had her noon meal and is now asleep. You needn’t worry!"

The Empress pressed a hand to her chest.

"This Empress will go see!"

After speaking, she rushed toward the side palace.

It was only after seeing the Third Princess sleeping peacefully that she felt at ease.

"That’s good, that’s good!"

I still have the Princess. Yes, I still have the Princess. The Emperor asked me to raise her; surely he wouldn’t depose me so easily. Surely he wouldn’t make me spend the rest of my days in solitude.

"Your Majesty, you should also rest for a while!"

She had been busy for most of the day.

The Empress turned to look at Yu Lan, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded.

"Very well."