Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 15

“Go and ask for His Majesty immediately!”

The incense candle was burning, the wind was blowing the bead curtain.

There was a sound from the gate of Jinlan Courtyard, making the birds scatter and flee, and yellow leaves on the tree fell to the ground.

Under the order of the empress dowager, Ning Yuanzheng of the Imperial Hospital paid a visit to every consort to check their pulse.

Jinlan Courtyard, Main Hall.

Ning Yuanzheng was taking off the white kerchief on Qin Ling’s wrist, and said slowly: “Even though there is no big problem on Meiren’s body, this official has found a trace of Zimuxiang poison. Meiren may not understand this well, a small exposure of Zimuxiang will not cause a problem, but it will be fatal in larger amounts.”

[Zimuxiang is literally auspicious purple wood]

Zimuxiang.

Qin Ling’s eyes froze.

What did he mean that she ‘may not’ understand? In fact, she knew this poison really well. It was the poison that Miss Qin had taken and died from in the name of love.

However, she absolutely couldn’t admit this.

Qin Ling’s beautiful eyes widened as she feigned astonishment: “How could this be?”

Ning Yuanzheng replied: “Meiren doesn’t need to panic, all things in this world are related in one or other ways, perhaps it is not really the excess of Zimuxiang, but rather just some meal-related issue. Is it possible for Meiren to show this official your meal record?”

Qin Ling nodded her head slightly, and told Zhu Lan who was beside her: “Quickly bring the meal record over.”

Zhu Lan responded and left.

After a long while, Ning Yuanzheng was going through the meal record while shaking his head, and said: “Weird ah, the meal record is proper and there’s nothing that clashes with each other. Don’t tell me it’s truly Zimuxiang? T- This…”

Ning Yuangzheng checked her pulse once again.

Qin Ling said: “Physician Ning, how is it?”

Ning Yuanzheng’s expression gradually became serious, and he lowered his voice: “It is indeed Zimuxiang poison.”

Qin Ling also lowered her voice: “Is there no solution to this?”

Ning Yuanzheng replied: “It’s not that there’s no solution, however… there is something that Meiren has to keep in mind.”

Qin Ling: “What is it?”

Ning Yuanzheng: “It is not suitable to get pregnant before the poison’s completely gone.”

After Ning Yuanzheng left, Zhu Lan and Zhu Xin looked at Qin Ling with distressed expressions.

Poisoning in the harem has existed in all dynasties over the generations and has long been a normal occurrence. They knew this in their heart.

Qin Ling looked at the distressed and furious expressions of the two of them, and naturally would not let this opportunity pass.

She took a deep breath and asked: “Since you two are serving in Jinlan Courtyard, then you are considered my own people. Thus, there is something I’d like to ask.”

Zhu Lan immediately answered: “Master, you may ask.”

Qin Ling: “Do I look… similar to the late empress?”

Zhu Lan nodded: “Yes.”

Qin Ling: “Then would it be possible for you to tell me, how did the late empress pass away?”

Zhu Lan and Zhu Xin looked at each other.

“This servant has something to say first,” Zhu Xin stepped forward: “There are two things in this palace that must not be mentioned. If the first one is the eldest prince, then the second one is the late empress.”

Qin Ling asked: “Why must it not be mentioned?”

Zhu Xin replied in a low voice: “Everyone thinks that the late empress had a dystocia, but in fact, the late empress’ dystocia was also related to one person, the former Shangyi, surnamed Xu. This Shangyi Xu had a little brother who died on the battlefield because of Su family’s treason. This servant heard that 3 years ago, she brought this matter up to the late empress which resulted in a difficult birth. After His Majesty learned about this matter…”

Qin Ling urged her: “What happened after His Majesty learned about this?”

Zhu Xin continued: “At the beginning of the 9th month, His Majesty returned with victory. He was furious when he learned of the incident. First, he intervened in the court and sentenced Shangyi Xu to Ling Chi. After that, His Majesty didn’t enter the harem for 3 years, and didn’t even visit the empress dowager at all…”

Speaking up here, Zhu Lan stopped Zhu Xin with her arm.

Zhu Xin immediately coughed twice, and said: “This servant has spoken too much.”

Hearing these, Qin Ling couldn’t help but frown.

Xiao Yu didn’t enter the harem for 3 years?

Nevermind Consort Xue and Consort Liu as he never liked the families of these two people, however, he had always treated Li Yuan very well. He’d actually given her a cold shoulder during these years?

Zhu Lan said again: “Master doesn’t need to worry, the empress dowager is in charge of the Six Palaces. She has always been just. This matter of poisoning, she will certainly give you an explanation.

Qin Ling nodded and said: “I hope so.”

Qin Ling just had lunch when someone came.

Qin Ling recognized her at a glance.

This is Consort Xue’s personal female official, Qing Yue.

Qing Yue gave Qin Ling a salute, and with a slight smile, said: “Her Highness Consort Xue has prepared some light refreshments at Xianfu Palace, and wants to invite Meiren Qin to sit and have a chat. Inviting Meiren Qin to come with this servant.”

Hearing what was said, Qin Ling couldn’t help but stare blankly.

One has to say that these words were not polite in the slightest. However, the saying “an official beats common people” is also applicable in the harem.

Xue Lanyi was a 2nd ranked Consort, while she was merely a 5th ranked Meiren. Even if she didn’t want to go, she still had to go.

This is truly the real implementation of the saying ‘times change’.

Qin Ling softly replied: “Then I will have to bother Gugu Qing Yue to lead the way.”

Qing Yue smiled, “Meiren is too courteous.”

The flowers of Xianfu Palace were blooming just right, the wind was blowing the embroidered curtains, and the garden was full of autumn fragrance.

Consort Xue was leaning on the throne made of red sandalwood inlaid with jade flowers. Noticing her arrival, she immediately put down the grape in her hand and sat properly.

Qin Ling bent her knees to give her a salute: “This concubine pays respect to Consort Xue.”

Consort Xue smiled at her: “Younger Sister, quickly sit down.”

Qin Ling walked to her side and sat down. Her movements were slightly reserved.

Consort Xue couldn’t take her eyes off her face, and she seemed to talk to herself: “I’ve never believed in those peculiar, mysterious powers, but after today, I have to start believing it.”

Qin Ling deliberately bit her lip.

Consort Xue spoke to her: “You’re called Qin Ling?”

Qin Ling nodded and said: “Yes.”

Consort Xue stared at her again and asked: “Where is your hometown?”

Qin Ling replied: “Qian’an.”

Then Consort Xue asked again: “How many sisters do you have in your family?”

Qin Ling: “This concubine has one younger sister.”

… …

After a while, Consort Xue felt somewhat relieved and ready to get into the topic.

She raised her hand and rubbed her temples: “Bengong has been suffering from insomnia lately. The Imperial Hospital has prescribed some medicine but none of them works. Just yesterday, Er Mingan sent some Buddhist scriptures, saying that transcribing the scriptures can eliminate filth. Earlier this day, Bengong hurt her wrist. You take a look at this. How can I transcribe anything now?”

Qin Ling looked at the wrist she was holding out and immediately knew what she was doing. She softly replied: “If Your Highness Consort Xue doesn’t dislike it, this concubine can transcribe the scripture.”

Consort Xue raised her eyebrows, looking astonished: “Really?”

Qin Ling replied respectfully: “Helping Your Highness is a part of this concubine’s duty.”

Consort Xue smiled from the corner of her mouth, and softly said: “Then, I thank younger Sister.”

Consort Xue returned, brought back 2 scrolls of Buddhist scriptures, and said to Qing Yue: “Quickly get the brush and ink.”

After a while, a young eunuch brought a rectangular table with black lacquer inlaid with golden flowers and snail conchs.

An incense burner is placed on the left, and the Four Treasures of the Study is placed on the right.

[ink, brush, paper, inkstone.]

Consort Xue gave Qing Yue a look.

Qing Yue immediately ground the ink.

Once the ink was prepared, Qin Ling picked up the brush, lightly dipped it in ink, and bent her thin and fair wrist, slowly putting the brush on the paper.

Consort Xue looked at her handwriting and somehow, felt inexplicably relieved.

Consort Xue breathed a sigh of relief, but Qin Ling couldn’t help feeling frightened.

At the beginning, she practiced calligraphy again just in case, but she didn’t expect to use it so soon.

Consort Xue deliberately asked Qin Ling to transcribe the scriptures to test her temperament, so naturally, she wouldn’t let Qin Ling go easily. It wasn’t until the moon rose and the curtain of Consort Xue’s bedroom fell that Qin Ling shook her stiff wrist and left Xianfu Palace.

After Qin Ling left, Qing Yue served longan tea to Consort Xue, and said in a low voice: “From what this servant sees, Meiren Qin is one who knows her place and a well-behaved person, Your Highness doesn’t need to be too worried.”

“It was only 6 hours, what can you tell from such a short time?” Consort Xue took the tea, drank a sip, and sneered: “Besides, before grace is shown, everyone knows their place.”

Qing Yue thought for a while, then said: “Meiren Qin is somewhat similar to the late empress. This face won’t be able to enter His Majesty’s eyes.”

Consort Xue’s  eyes turned gloomy, and she muttered: “Since it won’t be able to enter his eyes, what else will she do?” 

Qing Yue looked at her master’s lonely expression, and comforted her: “But, several days have passed, and His Majesty hasn’t called for Meiren Qin to serve…”

Consort Xue waved her hand to interrupt her: “Enough, don’t talk anymore. Just pay attention to her.”

Qing Yue nodded: “This servant understands.”

Early in the next morning, Consort Xue was preparing to have breakfast. She barely touched the spoon when a female official in black clothes suddenly entered, bowed towards her, and said: “Reporting to Your Highness, Shouan Palace has invited Meiren Qin over.”

Consort Xue immediately raised her head and knitted her brows: “Shouan Palace? Was it Consort Dowager Sun who invited her?”

The female official nodded and responded: “Yes. Momo Yuan of Shouan Palace personally came to Jinlan Courtyard to invite the person, saying there is an important matter.”

Consort Xue: “Do you know what it is?”

The female official shook her head: “This servant doesn’t know.”

As Consort Xue thought deeply, the spoon in her hand was gripped more tightly.

Why did Consort Dowager Sun look for her?

Shouan Palace, that is the place where the eldest prince was raised.

Qin Ling was also anxious.

She followed Momo Yuan in a hurry, and in just half a cup of tea  time, they arrived in Shouan Palace.

As soon as she entered the room, only after she saw the consort dowager sitting in a palm bamboo armchair inlaid with three suns jade did she breathe a sigh.

Qin Ling saluted her: “This concubine has seen the consort dowager.”

“Get up quickly. No need to be so courteous,” The consort dowager said in a breath, then continued: “Today I called you here for an important matter. Later on, when you enter, no matter what you see inside, you must not mention it to other people.”

Qin Ling immediately replied: “This concubine will keep that in mind.”

Consort Dowager Sun sized her up, and after a long while, said: “Good. Come with me.”

Momo Yuan raised the curtain, and Qin Ling walked in.

Taking a closer look, Xiao Yun was sitting on the low table with his head lowered, staring at a portrait painting earnestly.

The person in the painting is not someone else, but Empress Chunyi.

It was Qin Ling herself.

Consort Dowager Sun walked over and spoke softly: “Yun’er, look who’s coming.”

Xiao Yun lifted his eyes, and looked at Qin Ling.

The black eyes that were like washed grapes, immediately brightened.

This Qin Ling and Su Líng were too similar, making the consort dowager involuntarily think about the past, and her heart felt slightly sore.

Consort Dowager Sun said softly: “You have probably heard about the late empress. The painting in the eldest prince’s hand was drawn personally by His Majesty. The eldest prince has never seen his biological mother, so every time someone mentions her, he will look at this painting for a while. However, it is just a painting in the end. Ever since he saw you, he hasn’t let go of this painting. I think he regards you as the late empress.”

Consort Dowager Sun looked at Xiao Yun and said quietly: “The people in the palace say that the eldest prince is stupid, suffering from a disease since he was in the womb, but I don’t think so. Today he hasn’t eaten anything, just wants me to bring you here.”

Qin Ling replied softly: “What does the consort dowager want me to do?”

“I want you to tell him that you’re not his Imperial mother,” Consort Dowager Sun looked her in the eye and said word for word: “Do you understand what should be said?”

Qin Ling clenched her fists tightly, and said: “This concubine understands.”

The consort dowager walked over, turned her head, and pointed at Qin Ling. Then she flattened the portrait, and said softly: “Meiren Qin has a mole here, but your mother doesn’t have a mole. Did you see it?”

Xiao Yun shook his head.

With an earnest gaze, he shook his head.

Consort Dowager Sun stroked his head affectionately, and said: “Yun’er, they’re not the same person.”

Xiao Yun still shook his head.

Consort Dowager Sun was a little discouraged. She then turned to Qin Ling: “Come here and let him look carefully.”

Qin Ling walked over and said softly: “Little Highness, I’m indeed not your Imperial mother.”

As soon as these words came out, the eldest prince knitted his brows.

Seven to eight points of grievance flooded his eyes at once.

Consort Dowager Sun said to Qin Ling: “Many thanks to Meiren for today. You may leave.” It is better to be sad today than to be disappointed in the future.

Qin Ling nodded and answered: “Yes.”

Seeing that she was about to leave, the eldest prince urgently pulled at the consort dowager’s sleeve while pointing at the portrait.

Regardless of how young he was, the strength was not small. The consort dowager’s waist was nearly shaken by him, she asked at once: “What’s the matter?”

The little prince opened his mouth and stomped his feet, but nothing came out of his mouth. He then lowered his head and went to Qin Ling.

Qin Ling crouched at once to meet his eyes, and asked: “Do you have something to say?”

Consort Dowager Sun frowned, and her gaze towards Qin Ling immediately changed slightly. She was about to speak and scold her when she saw Xiao Yun placed his index finger on Qin Ling’s chin, and said: “Don’t have.”

Because he hadn’t spoken for a long time, the words “don’t have” were uttered in a small, but sharp voice.

Consort Dowager Sun widened her eyes, and everyone else was just as shocked.

Qin Ling unconsciously covered her mouth.

Momo Yuan did not dare to believe it: “Your Highness, did this old servant mishear things?”

“You did not mishear. You heard it right,” Consort Dowager Sun took a deep breath and said: “Yun’er, say it again, okay?”

Xiao Yun’s long eyelashes moved and hung, but he didn’t say anything more.

“Momo Yuan!”

Momo Yuan replied: “This old servant is here.”

Consort Dowager Sun: “Go and ask for His Majesty immediately!”

This part is a bit sad actually. But I guess he really is the only one who will know his mother, considering he also cried when Su Ling died. What’s that thing, uh… the bond between mother and child is strong? :^)