Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 26

Come here and change Our clothes.

On the last day before the spirit of the dead departed, the first snow of this year fell.

The snowflakes fell thickly and rapidly, and it is safe to say that the pavilions will be covered in silver by tomorrow.

Above the ground that was covered with a thick layer of silvery white, the palace people walked forward with their heads down while carrying goat-horn lanterns, their feet making crunching sounds.

The emperor suspended the morning court, and each one of the Imperial concubines and servants of the harem wore plain clothes. With eyes filled with sorrow, their gaze followed the coffin that was being carried to its final resting place outside the city.

The funeral arrangements of the master of Shou’an Palace could be described as grand and respectable.

In the past few days, Empress Dowager Chu suddenly suffered a headache due to excessive grief, so after midday, and the concubines and Grand Princess Changning came to Cining Palace to greet her.

The temperature plummeted, and the wind was chilling to the bones.

The plain white silk on the concubines’ bodies made a rustling sound.

Gonggong Zhang came over to welcome them: “May all the highnesses follow this servant.”

As soon as they entered the hall, they could smell the scent of medicine.

Empress Dowager Chu leaned on the handrail of the red sandalwood-inlaid jade with peach fruit-patterned throne and gave the order to “prepare the seat for everyone”, then she stretched out her hand towards Grand Princess Changgning: “Changning, come to aijia’s side.”

Xiao Lianyu approached slowly and sat, then said softly: “Is Empress Dowager’s body getting better?”

After that, she covered her mouth with a kerchief and coughed twice.

The jet-black hair fell on her cheeks, together with her reddish eyes, it was enough to arouse pity.

Empress Dowager Chu looked at her affectionately and said: “This headache of mine is caused by old age, it is not a big matter. But you, how could you ruin your body at such a young age?” 

Xiao Lianyu replied in a low voice: “Changning is fine. Thank Your Highness for your concern.”

“How could it be fine?” Empress Dowager Chu pulled Changning’s hand and said to Gonggong Zhang: “Call Imperial Physician Ning over, let him take a look at the grand princess’ health.”

As soon as this remark came out, although everyone’s expressions remained unchanged, they were all clear in their hearts that the empress dowager could no longer suppress her suspicion.

She suspected that Grand Princess Changning was not sick.

When Ning Chengfou rushed over, there were beads of sweat out of timidity on his forehead.

Being an Imperial physician of the harem is the most difficult thing to do.

It is difficult to protect one’s clear philosophy, and it is even more difficult to take account of the forces of each palace.

Otherwise, how could the Imperial Hospital have a change of 19 physicians in just two dynasties?

Ning Chengfou put a veil on Grand Princess Changning’s wrist, and after a while, he said slowly: “The grand princess has a pulse deficit. It looks like heart disease caused by overthinking.”

“Heart disease? What do you mean?”

Empress Dowager Chu frowned, as if she had never thought that he’d really find a problem with Changning’s health.

Ning Chengfou: “There is a verse from the medical book; the condition of internal organs are related to the seven emotional states. For example, anger breaks yin, great joy affects yang, great anxiety causes internal organs to collapse, great fear causes madness. Overthinking affects the spleen. Once the spleen is injured, the four organs will be damaged, and over time, it will become a heart disease.”

Consort Dowager Chu: “Then what should be done?”

“First and foremost we have to treat the symptoms, then slowly raise the body. We cannot urge the process, just let the mind slowly adjust. Empress Dowager doesn’t need to worry too much.”

Look, these were the words from the Imperial Hospital itself. The empress dowager, the emperor, and the grand princess were not at fault.

Xiao Lianyu lowered her gaze: “Changning has made Your Highness worry.”

Empress Dowager Chu held her wrist and replied: “Aijia and you mum accompanied each other for so many years in this palace. Now that she has left, aijia doesn’t have anyone close to talk to. If not worrying about you, then who should I be worrying about?”

Xiao Lianyu immediately answered: “How could Your Highness say that? In this inner palace, there are so many people who are filial to you.”

The topic of conversation was transferred to the concubines of the harem.

Consort Liu took the lead to say: “That is true ah. If Your Highness doesn’t dislike chenqie’s clumsy mouth, I’m willing to visit Cining Palace and accompany you every day.”

The rest of the people agreed: “That is right, that is right.”

“Good, that’s good.” Empress Dowager Chu smiled before turning her head towards Grand Princess Changning: “Changning, they have all agreed to accompany aijia, what about you? You’re the Great Zhou’s grand princess, could it be that you want to stay at Mount Li for the rest of your life?”

Mount Li.

The hand of Consort Xue that was holding a teacup paused, then she raised her head to look at Grand Princess Changning.

Thought about three years ago again.

Three years ago, there was conclusive evidence of the Su family’s treason. As soon as the Imperial decree to seize the property and confiscate the possession was launched, her eldest brother Xue Xiangyang personally led people to the Supreme Court to take off Su Huai’an’s official hat.

According to the Great Zhou’s law, Su Huai’an should be punished to death by a thousand cuts at once.

However, the original words of the emperor before his conquest were as such: Before Su Jingbei is found, leave Su Huai’an alive. The investigation will be handed over to the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of War.

Treason is an accusation in which nobody will feel pity even if the perpetrator suffered from broken bones.

Although the emperor had ordered to leave Su Huai’an alive, after several days of interrogation in the prison, he still suffered from countless tortures. It was difficult for him to even walk, let alone to run.

No one expected that on August 15th three years ago, there would be a fire in the prison.

And just before the fire was put out, Su Huai’an disappeared out of thin air.

After losing the dynasty’s serious criminal, the Ministry of War and the Ministry of Justice became anxious. After sealing the city gates, they turned the Grand Princess’ Mansion upside down on the grounds of searching for spies from the enemy country.

But they still couldn’t find the shadow of Su Huai’an.

After this event, Grand Princess Changning was greatly irritated and claimed to be physically unwell. She had to move to Mount Li to recuperate for a while.

Xue Xiangyang suspected that she had another purpose in this trip, so he personally escorted Grand Princess Changning up to Mount Li, and also searched the whole mountain.

Only after the emperor returned in triumph did he return to the capital.

The news Xue Xiangyang sent to her was—Su Huai’an is not in Mount Li.

Xue Lanyi couldn’t figure it out. At that time, besides the grand princess who has affection for him, who else would dare to support Su Huai’an?

Was the Qi State involved in this?

However, if Su Huai’an really had a connection with the Qi State, why did Grand Princess Changning stay in Mount Li for three years?

For three full years, she did not go down the mountain until the consort dowager died of illness.

Was it true that she was simply trapped by love and needed to recuperate?

Xiao Lianyu suddenly coughed a few times and slowly said: “Changning knows that I’m a self-willed person. These few years I’ve been muddled, if not for the empress dowager and His Majesty’s protection, perhaps I would’ve been severely criticized by the people.”

The empress dowager looked at her in anger, “It’s good you know this!”

Xiao Lianyu shook the empress dowager’s arm and said: “May the empress dowager let Changning off.”

Empress Dowager Chu: “Before Cheng Rong left, she was so worried about you. Aijia misses your filial piety, so I won’t force you. But before the next spring, you must return. Do you understand?”

Xiao Lianyu said softly: “Changning will listen to Your Highness.”

***

After coming out of Cining Palace, Xiao Lianyu and Qin Ling came to the side hall of Shou’an Palace together.

Although the consort dowager was gone, the eldest son of the emperor was still living in the side hall, as the emperor had not yet asked anyone to raise Xiao Yun.

Qin Ling walked into the warm room and saw Xiao Yun lying on the table, looking sluggish, and without a word.

Only after seeing Qin Ling did he regain some of his spirit back.

Qin Ling bent her upper body and stared at him: “Have you eaten?”

Xiao Yun shook his head.

Qin Ling squeezed the palm of his hand, “I know you are sad, but you need to eat. I will feed you, alright?”

There were still tears on Xiao Yun’s small face. He hesitated for a while, then pursed his lips and nodded.

After a short while, Momo Yuan took the food box and walked in.

Then put down a bowl of warm rice congee.

Momo Yuan sighed and said, “Although the eldest prince is smart, he is only three years old. He became anxious because he suddenly couldn’t see the consort dowager. This servant was afraid that he would get angry, so I only brought a bowl of rice congee over.”

Qin Ling nodded and said: “Momo is as attentive as ever.”

Qin Ling stirred the congee with a spoon, scooped it up evenly, put it in front of his mouth, and said: “Come on, open your mouth.”

The eldest prince whose face was so cold just before turned into a well-behaved child and opened his mouth at once.

Qin Ling gave him a bite, he swallowed a bite.

After swallowing it, he opened his mouth again.

He was so obedient, like an entirely different person.

Momo Yuan at the side finally showed a hint of a smile and said slowly: “Now he listens to Jieyu’s words very much. Just now when this slave tried to persuade him to eat, he wouldn’t budge no matter what I say. Even the congee has been warmed up three times.”

Xiao Yun seemed to be dissatisfied with Momo Yuan for telling Qin Ling these things. His pupils were like drenched black grapes, seemingly aggrieved.

Momo Yuan immediately said: “Alright, alright. This servant won’t say anything.”

Qin Ling stared at the leftover at the corner of Xiao Yun’s mouth. She reached out and wiped it for him, and said seriously: “Even if I can’t come, you have to eat. You can’t have an empty stomach because you will get sick easily. Do you understand?”

Xiao Yun’s hand was pulling at her sleeve and holding it tightly: “Can’t you… stay here?”

“Just stay here, all the time.”

Qin Ling’s eyes turned gloomy.

Although she was promoted, that man came to her room only to sleep. He refused to say a word, and never mentioned what he thought about the raising of the prince.

Because of this, she couldn’t ask yet.

Another day without Xiao Yun beside her was another day she couldn’t feel at ease.

“I’m afraid that won’t work.”

Qin Ling smiled and softly said: “Just like how Yun’er has homework from the Imperial tutor every day, I also have my homework to do every day. It is the same with His Majesty.”

Xiao Yun loosened his eyebrows and asked in doubt: “Imperial Father also has homework?”

“Of course,” Qin Ling stroked his head and continued: “His Majesty has the most homework.”

Xiao Yun: “Also need to… read the Three Character Classic?”

Qin Ling nodded with an “mm-hmm” and said, “Yes.”

As he asked more questions, Qin Ling answered. Like this, the little prince’s attention was occupied.

Grand Princess Changning, who was watching Qin Ling from behind the screen, was entranced.

After her consort mother left, the whole harem had been striving for the right to raise the eldest prince, who had lost his birth mother.

This person, Jieyu Qin, was someone who benefited from familiarity with the involved party. Yun’er relied on her so much, as long as she was willing to spend more “thoughts” on this, she could easily take advantage of the opportunity.

Two to three years old children are the easiest to fool. It should be easy to ask him to take the initiative to ask Imperial Brother for the person.

But this Jieyu Qin didn’t do that.

If not because the person before her was only 16 years old, Changning would really think that her Imperial sister-in-law had returned…

Thinking of this, she suddenly thought of the flustered look of her Imperial brother, and couldn’t help but glance at the mole on Jieyu Qin’s jaw again.

***

The main hall of Jingyang Palace.

The bright moon hung high over the creamy-white window paper, like a cage of light muslin.

Qin Ling was thinking about Yun’er’s words when she heard a familiar footsteps sound approaching.

She immediately welcomed the other person and paid respect.

The black brocade lay in front of her, and nobody knew how long it took before one could hear the person replied, “Rise.”

Qin Ling got up and said: “Many thanks to Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu walked to the table and lifted his robe to sit. When he was about to speak, he looked at her, and finally said with clenched fist: “Come here and pour me a cup of tea.”

As their eyes met, Qin Ling felt tense for some reason.

She went to take the teapot at once.

Xiao Yu stared at her every movement with a scorching gaze. This kind of gaze, what is the difference from a wolf looking at its prey?

Qin Ling was very aware of his lack of energy today.

Therefore, she moved especially carefully today.

She ate, drank tea, and walked in the same posture as she studied from Si Yue. There shouldn’t be any mistake.

The man’s expression did not change, but he clenched his fist tighter and tighter. After he had a sip of tea, he immediately said he was tired.

Qin Ling thought he was going to sleep as always.

However, before she could reply, the man extinguished the candle first.

It was suddenly dark all around, and Qin Ling paused.

She heard him say: “Come here and change Our clothes.”