Pampered Consort's Acting Awards - Chapter 85

The moon was veiled by dark clouds, and the tree branches rustled softly.

Empress Dowager Chu sat firmly in the Chunxi Palace. She took the tea offered by Eunuch Zhang and took a sip, asking, “What’s the situation outside?”

Eunuch Zhang bowed respectfully and replied, “Your Ladyship, chaos reigns outside. Minister Xue not only arrested nine court officials, including Vice-minister Zeng Hening of the Guanglu Temple and Zuo Zhengyu from the Ministry of Rites, but he even personally handled the matter of Second Young Master Xue…”

Empress Dowager Chu furrowed her brows, unbelieving. “You mean Xue Xiangyang took Second Young Master Xue? Do you know the reason behind this?”

Eunuch Zhang shook his head. “The Ministry of Justice avoids discussing this matter, and I haven’t been able to find out.”

Empress Dowager Chu glanced at the flickering candles before her, squinting slightly, and murmured, “It seems this fire wasn’t accidental after all…”

Empress Dowager Chu inquired, “How is the emperor faring?”

Eunuch Zhang replied, “Eunuch Sheng has tightly guarded the Changning Palace. The Imperial Hospital allows no one in, only out. I suspect His Majesty is indeed injured.”

Empress Dowager Chu nodded and asked, “And Changning?”

“Princess Changning has remained in the chambers with Second Young Master Fu and hasn’t ventured outside,” Eunuch Zhang answered.

Empress Dowager Chu reclined on the couch, fingers tracing the prayer beads, deep in thought with closed eyes. After a moment, she said, “Bring me the map of Mount Li and the repair expenses the Ministry of Works sent last time.”

The mountains outside shared hues with the scenery while the palace glowed with bright lights. Empress Dowager Chu lowered her gaze to the map.

To the south lay the palace, east and west the hunting grounds, but to the north, there was desolate silence.

“The north, the north.” Empress Dowager Chu repeatedly tapped the northern cliff on the map.

Eunuch Zhang asked, “Does Your Ladyship suspect Su Huai’an is hiding in the northern mountains?”

“I watched Changning grow up. She didn’t leave the mountain for three years, so she must have some connection with Su Huai’an,” she replied.

Eunuch Zhang softly advised, “Your Ladyship, the account books will eventually become a problem. With His Majesty injured and Mount Li sealed, if we don’t do something about Princess Changning now, we might have to return to the capital.”

Empress Dowager Chu fell silent for a while, slowly counting the beads in her hand, and whispered, “Let it be tonight then.”

***

In the dead of night, citing the emperor’s severe illness, the empress dowager summoned the palace concubines, gathering them in the main hall of the Chunxi Palace. Seated on the lotus throne, she spoke solemnly, “The emperor has sustained a severe injury and has yet to awaken. Fortunately, his life is not in danger. I’ve called you all here today to keep you informed.”

Consort Liu expressed, “The emperor’s injury truly troubles my rest and peace.”

After nods of agreement, the empress dowager discussed prayers with Consort Liu, “An injury to the emperor’s body is no trivial matter. Once we return to the palace…”

Before she could finish, a eunuch hurriedly entered, exclaiming, “Reporting to the empress dowager, there’s a grave matter!”

The empress dowager looked up, asking, “What happened?!”

“Up north, there’s a fire!”

At this news, Xue Lanyi’s delicate brows furrowed together. “Another fire! Isn’t Mount Li a summer retreat?”

Shuyi He couldn’t help but echo, “Indeed, especially at this late hour. How could there be another fire…”

Upon hearing this, Xiao Lianyu abruptly stood and asked again, “Where did you say the fire was?”

The eunuch replied, “Reporting to Princess Changning, it’s up north, a fire up north.”

“How is that possible…” Xiao Lianyu muttered, pushing open the hall doors and walking outside.

The concubines followed Princess Changning’s steps as they exited the Chunxi Palace, all looking northward—there, they saw clusters of flames rising, dark smoke billowing against the night sky.

Xiao Lianyu’s hand trembled violently beneath her ornate gown. She suddenly turned and shouted, “Fu Xun!”

Fu Xun hurried over from a distance, his expression grave. “I was just preparing the horses.”

Changning trembled as she spoke, “Hurry, come with me to the north.”

Before anyone could react, the surrounding footsteps rustled. Soldiers encircled the Chunxi Palace, blocking Xiao Lianyu’s path.

“Changning, how long will you continue this recklessness!” The empress dowager’s voice was sharp. “I ask you, why are you going north?”

In an instant, Xiao Lianyu understood from her tone who had set the fire up north.

The empress dowager took a document Eunuch Zhang handed over and spoke sternly, “This records the expenses for the renovation of the Mount Li Villa over the past three years. I ask you, where did the surplus earth and glazed tiles go? What are you hiding at Mount Li?”

Amidst the silence, the concubines exchanged glances, all thinking of one name—remnants of the Su clan, Su Huai’an.

“If you can’t answer, you won’t leave tonight. I want to see whom you are truly trying to save,” the empress dowager declared.

Princess Changning suddenly burst into laughter. Then, she turned and drew the longsword from Fu Xun’s waist, holding it against the soldier’s neck in front. “Step aside!”

Her voice grew louder, “I said, move!”

Eunuch Zhang commanded, “What are you waiting for? Take action!”

Qin Ling pondered, and as she looked at the young princess’s crimson eyes, she suddenly recalled the kite in the north.

What was hidden in the north that made Changning choose to confront the empress dowager with swords drawn? Numerous easily overlooked details flashed before her eyes—

When she arrived, the young princess, while weighing Xiao Yun in the carriage, said, “A three-year-old child is in a growth spurt.”

Last night, effortlessly dragging Xiao Yun with one hand, she said, “Auntie will teach you how to play.”

In the first year of the Yanxi era, Changning disappeared from the capital shortly after Su Huai’an was imprisoned. The consort dowager allowed her three years on Mount Li, and even on the brink of death, she hadn’t sent any message there. Was it because… the princess had made a mistake she couldn’t undo?

Qin Ling watched Changning’s figure, her heart sinking continuously.

At this moment, all attention was on Princess Changning.

Qin Ling scanned the surroundings, fixing her gaze on the nearest watchtower. She sprinted there, trembling hands searching for bowstrings in the quiver, standing, drawing the bowstring taut, aiming into the endless darkness of the sky, releasing three arrows in succession.

The arrows pierced the sky, exploding with a “bang,” and a blue smoke spread in all directions.

In the Great Zhou, blue smoke acted as a military order; cavalry would arrive from all directions within moments. 

“Who shot the arrows?” Eunuch Zhang shouted, “Who’s at the rear?”

Amidst the late-night winds and rustling bamboo leaves, Eunuch Zhang found Qin Ling nearby and called her out, “Zhaoyi Qin!”

Empress Dowager Chu stood in the darkness, her gaze intense yet composed. “Zhaoyi, do you understand the consequences of unauthorized military orders?”

Qin Ling stalled, slowly moving over and shielding Changning, presenting the token left by Xiao Yu to the empress dowager. “Today, this concubine takes full responsibility for everything.”

The empress dowager glanced at her, a fleeting expression crossing her face.

That tone, that expression, it reminded her so much of…

Qin Ling mounted her horse and spoke to Xiao Lianyu, “Changning! Get on your horse!”

Xiao Lianyu, who had been momentarily surprised, realized the forest at Mount Li spread the fire rapidly; there was no time to waste. With a light step on the stirrup, she swiftly mounted her horse.

Eunuch Zhang signaled, and the palace guards of Chunxi Palace swiftly intervened. He halted Qin Ling’s horse, gritting his teeth. “Defying the empress dowager is a grave offense. I advise Zhaoyi Qin not to become arrogant due to temporary favor.”

Arrogance due to favor.

Qin Ling tightened her grip on the reins, smiled briefly, and whispered, “Then today, let me teach Eunuch Zhang what true arrogance is.”

The sound of approaching hoofbeats grew louder. With a single breath, the cavalry arrived. Governor He Zichen of Yuzhou looked at the token before him and proclaimed loudly, “Official He Zichen, awaiting orders!”

At that moment, when Qin Ling turned her head, He Zichen’s eyes were filled with astonishment. Without a sound, he silently uttered a name, “Ah Ling.”

Second Young Master He, twenty-five this year, possessed a refined appearance that didn’t quite align with the ruggedness of the frontier soldiers. However, due to extended stays beyond the border, his complexion had lost its former fairness, and his deep black eyes seemed to bear a layer of wind-blown dust. His armor seemed to have merged with his towering physique.

After several years apart, Qin Ling didn’t expect to encounter him like this. Their eyes met, and she said, “Governor, please lead the troops with me to extinguish the fire up north!”

He Zichen snapped out of his reverie and replied, “I shall follow your command.”

With a nod exchanged between Qin Ling and Xiao Lianyu, they both exclaimed, “Let’s go!” Simultaneously, they urged their horses forward, charging toward the billowing smoke. 

Observing Zhaoyi Qin’s departing figure, He Yuru couldn’t believe it. “Didn’t she say she couldn’t ride?”

The gazes of Consort Xue and Consort Liu met, a profound shock filling their hearts.

Was that really Zhaoyi Qin?

Consort Xue suddenly remembered, last autumn, a Taoist priest who came to the palace for rituals mentioned lingering spirits in the Yushu Courtyard. And then, Qin Ling had fainted in front of her.

Already not very brave by nature, Consort Xue couldn’t even stand properly now. Qing Yue quickly rushed to support her.

***

The night wind slipped into their sleeves, making their garments flutter and rustle. The speed of their two horses was too fast, causing their hair ornaments to succumb to the jostling. Golden and beaded hairpins fell one after another to the ground, and their dark hair cascaded down.

Xiao Lianyu was an exceptional rider, navigating the rugged mountain paths directly toward the temple below the cliff.

Before the temple, flames engulfed everything. With a gust of wind, walls, columns, and windows were ablaze, followed by the collapse of the buildings.

Nannies fled, each carrying a child.

Surrounding them were soldiers armed with bows and arrows.

Riding swiftly, Xiao Lianyu pulled the reins tightly, dismounted, and staggered toward the children. They appeared to be around three years old.

Seeing the princess, one cried and called, “Mum, mum…”

The nannies quickly set the children down.

Xiao Lianyu was already silently shedding tears, collapsing weakly and embracing one of the children, whispering, “Don’t be afraid, Mum’s here…”

Qin Ling needed just one glance to realize that the child before her was Su Huai’an’s. She looked at Xiao Lianyu and hoarsely asked, “What… what’s going on?”

Moonlight slowly withdrew amidst the gazes of all, turning into dewdrops, dispersing like blossoming fog.

The rest of the cavalry arrived. They gazed in shock at the ruined temple and the children in front of it.

None had expected this: a devastating fire revealing a hidden secret in the woods—not Su Huai’an, but his two children…