CHAPTER 664: CHAPTER 664: SLAP IN THE FACE

While the Empress Consort was entwined in tenderness beyond the palace.

「Within the palace.」

The news of Consort Xian Pin’s sudden confinement spread like wildfire through the Harem. People went from schadenfreude to confusion because no matter how much they gossiped, they couldn’t find a reason.

"The more I think about it, the more something seems off!"

"Indeed!"

"She was fine, so why suddenly confine her?!"

"Exactly, and there’s no way to find out why."

The chatter grew louder, until even the Empress began to feel that there was more to it than met the eye.

「Inside Ningshou Palace.」

Upon hearing the news, the Empress Dowager furrowed her brows. "When was she confined?"

The confinement of a concubine was not an uncommon matter, so she hadn’t inquired about it. Could there be further developments to this matter?

The Empress replied, "To answer the Empress Dowager, she was confined before the Emperor left!"

The Empress Dowager pondered upon hearing this. Before long, she scoffed coldly, "Confined before the Emperor’s departure, with orders that no one is to visit... It’s very likely that... he took Consort Xian Pin with him!"

The Empress’s eyes widened in an instant. "Mother, that... surely can’t be, it’s against protocol! This time, those accompanying the Imperial convoy for the hunt were all Civil and Military Officials and members of the Imperial Forest Army. Not a single female relative had been brought along. If Consort Xian Pin went with them and was discovered, her reputation would be utterly ruined! To stay in a place full of men, and for so many days at that. The Emperor couldn’t possibly guard her at all times; who could ensure her chastity? Back when the southern tour was hit by flooding, Consort Yun Pin left everyone behind and vanished for two days on her own. The Emperor never favored her again; didn’t that speak volumes?"

The Empress Dowager sneered. "Why not? The Emperor has already been bewitched by that woman, losing his mind! He seems to have forgotten how to even write the word ’protocol’!"

The Empress’s complexion was grave. After some hesitation, she said, "Mother, actually, this matter is quite simple. If we send someone to check if Consort Xian Pin is in Qingya Residence, wouldn’t that solve it? Then all mysteries would be unraveled. But... the Emperor has ordered that no one is to visit her!"

The Empress Dowager grew impatient. "Hmph! Not allowed to visit? I am not going there to visit!" After saying this, she called over a Little Eunuch and ordered, "Go to Qingya Residence and find out if Consort Xian Pin is still in the palace!"

The Little Eunuch acknowledged with a ’yes’ and ran off at once. Upon reaching the entrance of Qingya Residence and seeing a few eunuchs guarding the gate, he finally realized something. Right, didn’t the Emperor order that no one is allowed to visit? These were the Emperor’s men; how could he gain entry! After much thinking, he stepped forward, handed over a piece of Silver, and asked with an ingratiating smile, "Might I ask, Sir, is Consort Xian Pin inside?"

The guard eunuch weighed the Silver, then tossed it back to him. At the same time, he gave the Little Eunuch a disdainful look and said in a sardonic tone, "Isn’t that obvious? If Consort Xian Pin isn’t inside, who would be?! Get lost! This is not a place for you!"

Seeing that not even Silver could get him in, the Little Eunuch left disheartened. When he returned and the Empress Dowager inquired, he could only tell the truth.

The Empress Dowager became more certain in her heart, scoffing coldly, "Look, this is clearly a sign of a guilty conscience! Otherwise, why would so many people need to guard a single concubine?"

The Empress hurriedly offered a placating smile, "Mother, please calm your anger, it might not be as we think!"

On the surface, her words were comforting, but in reality, they only stoked the flames. Sure enough, the Empress Dowager grew angrier the more she thought about it. Just as she was about to send someone to forcefully investigate, Sister Qing stepped in to stop her, "Empress Dowager, it’s late today; let’s wait and go tomorrow!"

The Empress Dowager glanced at the sky; it was indeed dark outside. As the Empress Dowager of a nation, barging into a concubine’s chambers at night would truly tarnish her reputation. She restrained herself, only exclaiming hatefully, "I myself shall pay a visit tomorrow. I shall see just how influential Consort Xian Pin truly is!"

Seeing this, the Empress realized that the matter could not be settled today. After consoling her with a few words, she rose to take her leave.

The very next morning, after taking an early meal, the Empress hurried over again. The Empress Dowager had just woken up and was quite impatient upon seeing her rushing over so early. Why did the Empress seem to be using her as a pawn? The more she thought about it, the more uncomfortable she felt. She didn’t make a move but only excused herself, saying she was feeling unwell.

It wasn’t until the third day, when palace gossip reached its peak, that the Empress Dowager could no longer sit idly by. She went personally to Qingya Residence with her attendants, followed by the Empress. The young eunuchs stationed at the door stopped them as usual.

"Greetings to the Empress Dowager, greetings to the Empress, greetings to Consort Ning!"

Consort Ning had heard the commotion halfway and came to join in the excitement. She was waiting to see Consort Xian Pin embarrassed.

"How dare you! When I arrive, you dare not make way immediately!" the Empress Dowager scolded furiously.

The young eunuchs knelt on the ground, displaying troubled expressions. "Empress Dowager, the Emperor has decreed that Consort Xian Pin is under house arrest and no one is permitted to visit her!"

The Empress Dowager sneered. "Visit? You think too much. I am not here for a visit! With the rumors spreading throughout the palace and causing unrest, I must see for myself whether Consort Xian Pin is inside or not!"

Having said that, the Empress Dowager attempted to force her way in. The young eunuchs tried to stop her, but they were pushed aside by the Chief Eunuch who was by the Empress Dowager’s side. "Blind fools, even the Empress Dowager’s palanquin you dare to block! Summon the guards, take these few away!"

"Yes!"

"Empress Dowager, Empress Dowager!" The young eunuchs were extremely alarmed. They were nearly scared to death. The Empress Dowager was indeed their superior, but they served the Emperor! If they failed in their duties, they could lose their heads!

The Empress Dowager wouldn’t listen to them. After having the bothersome young eunuchs removed, she pushed open the door and entered the courtyard of Qingya Residence.

As it happened, Xia Ruqing, holding Little Bun, was just coming out from the back courtyard. She wore a light pink upper garment with a lotus green pleated silk skirt underneath. Her hair was loosely tied up, decorated with a singular white jade hairpin. Bearing a natural face, without the touch of makeup. At first glance, she appeared like a lively village maiden.

"Ah! Empress Dowager!" she exclaimed, then turning to her attendants, "You bunch of fools, why didn’t you inform me!" After reproaching them, Xia Ruqing hurried forward to bow in greeting. She then set Little Bun on the ground. "Quickly, pay your respects to your Grand Empress Dowager!"

Little Bun performed the greeting artfully. "Greetings to the Grand Empress Dowager!"

Both mother and child wore an obedient and compliant demeanor. The Empress Dowager’s face turned from white to green, from green to purple, from purple to black. She shot a fierce glare at the Empress and impatiently waved her hand. "Rise!"

Xia Ruqing respectfully thanked the Empress Dowager and asked someone to take Little Bun away. She then stepped forward to ask for forgiveness. "Empress Dowager’s august visit graces us; this concubine has been remiss in my welcome. Please forgive me, Empress Dowager!"

The Empress Dowager gave her a cold look and sneered. "Consort Xian Pin, you are indeed sensible!"

It was an awkward situation; she wanted to lose her temper but could find no excuse. The Empress Dowager maintained her dignity, saying inexplicable things.

Xia Ruqing was stunned for a moment, then quickly caught on and replied, "This concubine does not understand what the Empress Dowager means?!"