Seeing Liang Luoxian living freely didn’t suit her character, so she slightly nodded: “I also like to stir things up, but you must not implicate yourself. But when did Fan Xifeng offend you?”
Ji Chen’s face turned pale: “Let’s not discuss this matter. I don’t want to talk about it now.”
“Your Highness, Empress Liang has committed suicide,” the Xin Consort’s senior palace maid reported.
“Hmm, I know. Go spread the news. The former emperor has passed away, and Empress Liang, overwhelmed by grief, followed him in death.”
The Xin Consort watched her leave and took a deep breath: “Tong’er, I’ve survived in the palace for over a decade, walking on thin ice. Now, the dog emperor and empress can no longer exploit me. I’ve truly had my revenge. Next, I only hope your brother proves himself.”
The Xin Consort, being a high-ranking official’s wife, was certainly watched by the former emperor. As for the empress, the Xin Consort who had stolen her man and favor was certainly a thorn in her side. Women who survived in the palace were not simple – either enduring or favored. The Xin Consort was clearly both, and now she had finally emerged victorious.
However, Gu Qingtong noticed the Xin Consort’s wandering gaze, lingering at the palace gate before withdrawing, looking deeply pained. She softly responded: “Hmm.”
The Xin Consort caressed her cheek and drew her into an embrace: “My dear daughter, I’ve wronged you the most.
Once everything is settled, I’ll have the Crown Prince declare you a princess and Chener a county princess.”
“Mother, I’m not of royal blood. Such an honor might invite criticism and diminish the Crown Prince’s reputation. I only wish for everyone to be well and happy.”
The Xin Consort raised her voice: “Once the Crown Prince takes the throne, I’ll be the Empress Dowager. I’ll declare my own daughter a princess, and who would dare speak against it! Moreover, your father’s injustice has not been redressed. If his grievances are cleared, even making you a princess cannot compensate for your suffering.”
Gu Qingtong knew the Xin Consort’s mind was made up, and the court officials would naturally intervene in these improper matters. If they couldn’t stop her, she would have even less ability to object.
“Your Highness, Ruan Niang requests an audience,” the Xin Consort’s senior maid Qin Nanny returned, followed by an anxious-looking Ruan Niang.
The Xin Consort released Gu Qingtong, accepted Ruan Niang’s greeting, and slowly said: “Tong’er, Chener, go to the side hall with Qin Nanny. I have something to discuss with Ruan Niang.”
“Yes.”
Gu Qingtong followed behind Qin Nanny, her mind still recalling the scenes from the royal mansion.
Xin Fei had tried several times to rush forward but was stopped by Qin Momo, whose words “Your Highness, please endure a little longer, otherwise all previous efforts will be in vain” seemed to refer to the Emperor and the Crown Prince’s rebellion. It appeared that Xin Fei had long prepared for these events, and Qin Momo was her trusted confidant.
“Both young ladies can have some refreshments in the side hall. Once the matters outside are settled, this servant will arrange for you to be sent back to the Huahao Yueyuan Pavilion,” Qin Momo instructed two palace maids to bring in food, lit the palace lamps, and then sent away the others.
“Back to the Huahao Yueyuan Pavilion?” Ji Chen asked in surprise.
“You are still people of the Huahao Yueyuan Pavilion and naturally will return there. Although Her Highness and the Crown Prince wish to reward you, that must wait until the court is stable. Right now, the Crown Prince is preoccupied with his own affairs, so you can just wait patiently.”
Ji Chen had thought she could leave the Huahao Yueyuan Pavilion today, but unexpectedly could not, and found it hard to accept, her face turning red.
Gu Qingtong didn’t mind, held her hand, and curtsied to Qin Momo: “We understand. Thank you for your guidance.”
Qin Momo saw her calm demeanor and sighed slightly: “Young Miss, it’s not that this nursemaid doesn’t want to help you, but in these extraordinary times, we cannot let Her Highness’s efforts go to waste.”
Gu Qingtong looked up in surprise; this Qin Momo was her nursemaid, seemingly an old servant of the Gu household.
Qin Momo looked at her and saw a striking resemblance to the former Xin Fei in her eyes, and her heart softened: “Young Miss, you may not remember, but I do. I remember the injustice done to the Respected Master, I remember the cold shoulders you endured, and I remember Her Highness’s years of hidden bitterness. You must believe that having come this far, if we endure a little longer, we will ultimately achieve victory.”
Gu Qingtong understood that her coldness was just a surface, and deep down she urgently hoped they would fare well, softly saying: “Qingtong understands.”
Ji Chen also seemed lost in thought and nodded.
Qin Momo, seeing this, was relieved and withdrew.
When they entered the palace, it was already getting dark. The palace maids had begun lighting lanterns in the garden.
Ji Chen walked to the bed, looking at the lotus flowers with their tender tips emerging in the garden, radiating a soft pink summer essence in the gentle light: “Late spring is ending, early summer has arrived.”
“Indeed,” Gu Qingtong glanced at the newly sprouted banana plants.
Ji Chen looked at the distant raised eaves, more majestic against the yellow walls and gray tiles: “That is the Dezheng Hall.”
This imperial palace is so imposing, but it only belongs to the supreme ruler, and we can only look up to it.”
“Do you envy it?”
“I don’t envy it. I think the people in the palace are less free than birds. I’m a person content with simplicity, yet I’ve fallen in love with a man who is not content with simplicity. I wonder if this is a tragedy.”
“Orange, don’t say that. My master being a man with ambition is only natural.”
Ji Chen smiled bitterly: “Forget it. But Tong’er, have you forgotten something?”
“What?”
Ji Chen stared at her, seeing she truly didn’t remember, helplessly poking her forehead: “I’ve been thinking these past few days, with everything so busy, you might forget. And now it seems you really have?”
“My dear Orange, my memory is poor, just tell me,” Gu Qingtong, seeing disappointment in her eyes, quickly pulled her arm and acted coquettish.
“You’re truly a girl with no memory. In five days, it will be our birthday.”
“Oh, is it that?” Gu Qingtong couldn’t say she really didn’t know and pretended to suddenly remember.
“We were born in the same year, month, and day. So, we must always be well.”
“Orange, you are my best friend, and always will be. We’ll share both good and bad times.”
Ji Chen nodded and smiled, but suddenly seemed to think of something, her delicate eyebrows furrowing: “Tong’er, the Crown Prince said Yu Qie cut the Rui Prince’s throat, but the late Emperor only ordered imprisonment, and General He Xi is waiting to take people back. Now, I don’t know what happened to Yu Qie and whether General He Xi will be angry with Yu Qie.”
Gu Qingtong also frowned: “Is my master avenging the late Emperor?”
“It should be. After all, it was the late Emperor who prevented him from returning to Yunqiong, and after his father was given a surname, he was cast aside by the late Emperor. His father died in despair, and it was his mother who raised him. He couldn’t return to Yunqiong, and after his mother died, he was even sold into a theater troupe. With the royal bloodline of Yunqiong reduced to a theater performer, I don’t believe he doesn’t harbor hatred. Now that he has killed the Rui Prince, a son paying for his father’s debt, I hope he can let go of his vengeance.”
