Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 56 Part 2

“Take your time and tell me, what happened?”

While gesturing, Zhang Xi said, “Yesterday, Consort Xue sent two pots of orchids to the Changchun Palace. After one night, Consort Li developed a rash all over her body, and her face swelled up.”

“Orchids?” Su Ling asked, “Could it be an allergic reaction to the pollen?”

The eunuch shook his head and said, “The physician said that Consort Li is allergic to the pollen from the orchid heads.”

The symptoms of pollen allergy and pollen allergy caused by orchid heads are similar, but there is a difference. Allergic reactions caused by orchid pollen result in longer periods of blistering and swelling, and if scratched, they may leave scars.

How could there be pollen from orchid heads?

“Is Consort Xue insane?” Su Ling stood up and said, “Come, let’s go to the Changchun Palace.”

Zhang Xi saw the empress walking quickly and hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, please walk slower. His Majesty has already arrived…”

Su Ling paused for a moment and said, “Alright.”

Su Ling heard his icy voice before entering the Changchun Palace’s hall.

“Who gave you the audacity to meddle in the harem?”

Emperor Xiao Yu stood with his hands behind his back while Consort Xue Lanyi knelt on the ground, and Consort Li kept her head down, her face and neck red.

“I couldn’t tolerate her provocation, so I wanted to warn her, but I never expected it to escalate like this,” Xue Lanyi choked up. “I am guilty, Your Majesty, and I accept any punishment you deem fit.”

Xiao Yu adjusted his robes and sat down on the chair, sneering lightly. “Provocation? Then tell me, how did Consort Li provoke you?”

Hearing the emperor’s tone, Xue Lanyi’s tears fell uncontrollably. “I dare not falsely accuse or protest, I accept my punishment.”

Xiao Yu squeezed the thumb ring in his hand, contemplating how to punish her, when Li Yuan spoke up. “Your Majesty, the physician just said that the rash on this consort’s body is not severe, and she hasn’t scratched it. With some care, it will heal in a while.”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yu looked at Li Yuan. To be honest, while the rash was not severe, the small and large red marks on Consort Li’s translucent skin were alarming and pitiful.

For a moment, Xiao Yu was just relieved that the rash hadn’t appeared on Su Ling’s body. But in that relief, a sense of guilt also arose.

Eunuch Sheng, observing Consort Xue’s behavior, shook his head inwardly. His Majesty’s mother had passed away early, and he had grown up in the deep palace. He detested cunning and malicious schemes as a prince who wasn’t favored. The foolishness that Consort Xue had committed might completely disgust His Majesty.

After a silent pause, Xiao Yu cleared his throat and spoke calmly, “Consort Xue has been arrogant and flagrant, disregarding palace rules and lacking virtue. She should have been stripped of her title, but considering it is her first offense, she will be…”

“Your Majesty!” Su Ling walked quickly over and bowed, saying, “I offer my greetings to Your Majesty.”

Xiao Yu helped her up, and his tone softened. “No need for formalities.”

As soon as the empress entered the hall, it noticeably became warmer. Su Ling looked into his eyes, furrowing her brows slightly and shaking her head. She said, “The matters in the harem are due to my negligence.”

Xiao Yu met her gaze.

Su Ling’s intention was clear in her eyes. The Xue family was currently serving the court, so even if the punishment was necessary, it shouldn’t be imposed because of Consort Li.

“Now that the empress has arrived, she shall handle this matter,” Xiao Yu said, and then he left.

Su Ling said, “I respectfully see Your Majesty off.”

After Xiao Yu left, Su Ling asked Consort Xue, “Do you acknowledge your offense?”

Consort Xue wiped her face and replied, “I acknowledge my offense.”

Su Ling nodded and said, “Zhang Xi, escort Consort Xue to the Xianfu Palace.”

Once Consort Xue left, Su Ling sat next to Consort Li. She glanced at the rashes on Li Yuan’s body and spoke softly, “You have suffered injustice. I will ensure you receive justice.”

Consort Li whispered, “Your Majesty, you are carrying the dragon heir and still have to worry about the affairs of the harem. It is I who have caused trouble for you. I am not aggrieved.” Li Yuan’s voice was indeed pleasant to the ears. Although she claimed not to be aggrieved, it only made people feel more sympathetic toward her.

Just then, Li Yuan suddenly reached out and grabbed her chest, unable to hold back a hiss of pain.

Her white undergarment was stained with blood.

“Don’t use your hand to scratch it,” Su Ling said. “You’ve torn it…”

Fu Ying turned to a palace maid who stood dumbfounded nearby and said, “What are you all waiting for? Hurry and bring the medicine!”

Li Yuan took the medicine jar and looked up at Su Ling. “It’s inauspicious for Your Majesty to see blood. It’s better if you don’t look.”

Su Ling replied, “I am fine. Hurry and apply the medicine, so it doesn’t leave a scar.”

Li Yuan opened her undergarment, revealing a light blue brassiere that covered and exposed half of her bosom.

Su Ling’s gaze followed Li Yuan’s movements, and she never expected to see the same red-purple marks around Li Yuan’s neck as on her own body.

It must be said that the marks left by intimate encounters indeed carried a certain allure. Looking at the bruises, one could almost imagine the appearance of his tall and straight nose nestled in the enchanting valley.

No wonder he had abandoned state affairs today to tend to Li Yuan.

Li Yuan bit her lip, concealing her collar and turning her body to the side.

Su Ling clenched her fist and said, “Take good care of your health. I will take my leave now. If there is anything lacking in Changchun Palace, come and inform me.”

Li Yuan quickly stood and said, “Thank you, Your Majesty.”

After comforting Li Yuan, Su Ling proceeded to Xianfu Palace.

Consort Xue, who had realized that she had been tricked, knelt on the ground and said, “I beg Your Majesty to punish me.”

“You deserve punishment,” Su Ling said. “Starting today, you will copy the palace rules in the Xianfu Palace daily. Without my decree, you are not allowed to step out of the Xianfu Palace.” House arrest and copying the palace rules—Consort Xue knew that the punishment imposed by the empress was relatively lenient.

Consort Xue sniffed and said, “I have something to say.”

“Speak.”

“I’ve figured it out just now. Li Yuan did it on purpose. She provoked me first and then hinted during the flower-viewing banquet that she couldn’t touch the Amaranth powder. She intended to make His Majesty feel sorry for her!” Consort Xue anxiously explained, “The Amaranth powder I placed was only a small amount and wouldn’t cause such severe reactions!”

“So what?” Su Ling looked at the stubborn person before her, her temples throbbing with anger. “I’m asking you, even if she did it intentionally, who sent the orchids? Who scattered the Amaranth powder? Why did she target you and not others? Even if she plotted against you, what can you do? Furthermore, you prohibit her from attending to His Majesty due to her rash, but are you acting openly and honestly?”

Consort Xue became increasingly enraged, her face turning red. “I mentioned these things to Your Majesty to warn you,” Consort Xue continued, her eyes also turning red. “She is just a woman accompanying the Goryeo tribute envoy. How could she gain His Majesty’s favor? Our noble ladies of the Great Zhou are all superior to her! And yet, she still sings in Changchun Palace. Who is she singing for?”

Su Ling’s expression turned cold, and she told Consort Xue, “I know you hold yourself in high regard due to your prestigious background and look down on Li Yuan. But here, just as you are not of the Xue family, nor is she an ordinary household. She is part of the imperial harem. Goryeo comes to pay tribute every year, and there is a major selection every three years. Today there is Li Yuan, and tomorrow there will be someone else. How long do you plan to stir up trouble? Have you clarified your own identity?” Su Ling’s words were aimed at Consort Xue, but she wasn’t sure if she was saying them for Consort Xue’s sake or her own.

Consort Xue was momentarily stunned.

“As long as she doesn’t violate the rules of the harem, His Majesty can favor her however he pleases. This is my first and final warning to you. The merits of the Xue family won’t save you a second time.” 

Consort Xue slumped to the ground.

That night, a young female official dressed in brown respectfully adjusted the lamp wick. Su Ling glanced at her. The female official appeared young but had an exceptional memory, remembering everything she was instructed without mistakes or seeking credit. Through prolonged observation, Su Ling found her to be cautious.

Su Ling asked, “What is your name?”

The female official replied, “This servant’s surname is Lu, with the given name ‘Mei’ on the single name plaque.”

“Lu Mei,” Su Ling said. “Starting from tomorrow, you will take over the position of Chief Lamp Attendant in the Shangqin Bureau.”

Lu Mei paused, knelt down, and said, “This servant thanks Your Majesty for her grace.”

“In the future, you will be responsible for keeping the lamp lit for me,” Su Ling said.

Lu Mei acknowledged the order, bowed, and retreated. Shortly after, Su Ling suddenly caught sight of the long black dragon-patterned robe, which had been absent for a long time, appearing at the door.

Xiao Yu walked over, sat down, and said, “You’ve worked hard today.”

Su Ling replied, “Consort Xue’s insolence truly requires proper discipline. I will also take good care of Changchun Palace. Your Majesty need not worry about the harem.”

Xiao Yu looked at her, raising his hand to tuck her hair behind her ear. “As long as you’re here, I naturally feel at ease.” Su Ling smiled and called for someone outside to bring in water.

The full moon hung high in the sky, and a gentle breeze entered through the curtains. Xiao Yu embraced her from behind, and Su Ling instinctively moved away as his nose touched her neck.

His voice carried a slight huskiness, accompanied by a faint smile. “Don’t hide, I won’t tease you.”

She yawned and spoke softly, “Your Majesty, please don’t play around. The burden of carrying your child grows heavier each day, and I feel tired today.”

Xiao Yu understood that she was weary and had been busy all day, so he didn’t tease her further.

Su Ling couldn’t sleep at all. It wasn’t until she heard the steady breathing of the man behind her that she opened her eyes. They lay side by side on the same bed, and finally, she understood the meaning of “sharing a bed but having different dreams.” Even though they slept on the same bed and were so physically close, something had changed.

For example, the scent of sandalwood on him was now mixed with the rich fragrance of orchids.

Su Ling gently moved his hand from her waist and again closed her eyes.

The monarch and the minister. From now on, let’s be the monarch and the minister. Otherwise, I might go insane.

In the same position, Qin Ling and Xiao Yu woke up together.