Xi Que, who had served Jiang Xinyue since childhood, had been raised with the manners of a noble lady, even if she wasn't one by birth. It was outrageous that she was being publicly discussed in such a manner.
Moreover, her mistress was as noble and beautiful as a celestial fairy. How dare these vulgar men discuss her so carelessly?
She utterly despised those men and was particularly vicious in her actions.
Passing palace servants all ran far away, truly frightened by Xi Que's ferocious appearance and Concubine Zhen's cold demeanor.
People immediately began to inquire about what the guards at the entrance of Hexi Palace had done to offend Concubine Zhen.
Upon asking, they learned that Concubine Zhen had been confined to her quarters by the Empress Dowager again.
This time, it wasn't just for a month or two, but for a full six months – half a year!
In the palace, new faces constantly replaced the old, and the imperial concubines were ever-changing. The Emperor might refuse some unwanted attention for Concubine Zhen's sake due to a momentary fondness, but he was the ruler. It was impossible for an emperor to remain faithful to one woman for life.
Those who had long been dormant, suppressed by Concubine Zhen's influence, all became active again. Suddenly, various parts of the palace became extraordinarily lively.
With the most favored Concubine Li, Consort Shu, and Concubine Zhen out of commission, it was Noble Consort Ye, Consort Jin, Consort Liang, and Consort De's turn to shine.
Jiang Xinyue couldn't be bothered with the bloody storms outside. After all, she had the Xuanwu Emperor's promise. No matter how favored others became, no matter how busy the Emperor was, he would always make time to visit Hexi Palace every day to tell stories to the little one in Jiang Xinyue's belly.
On the fifth day of her confinement, Shuang Jiang's head wound finally stopped bleeding. At the urging of Xi Que and Xiao Xuanzi, she took the initiative to seek out Jiang Xinyue in the main hall.
However, what she didn't expect was that the mastermind behind it all, as revealed by Shuang Jiang, was someone she had never even considered before.
Shuang Jiang knelt on the ground, looking dejected. "If My Lady is wary of me and doesn't want me to serve by her side anymore, please punish me by sending me to the Laundry Bureau. Before My Lady entered the palace, I was working there."
Jiang Xinyue helped her up. "Who said I don't want to keep you anymore? I can see your loyalty to me clearly. You, Xi Que, Xiao Xuanzi, and Jiang Chuan – we've supported each other since entering the palace. The bond between us is irreplaceable. I trust what my heart feels more than what my eyes see."
Sometimes even one's own eyes could be deceiving, but the heart wouldn't lie. She believed that Shuang Jiang had been forced into a desperate situation.
She wiped Shuang Jiang's tears with a handkerchief. "Don't worry. When my father visited the palace last time, I already gave him the letter you wrote. He will rescue your parents and brother from your home."
The Emperor had asked her to subtly inform her father that he could use this corruption case against the Song Family. She took advantage of this opportunity given by the Emperor to let her father rescue Shuang Jiang's family.
Shuang Jiang cried until she had no voice left, kneeling on the ground and trying to kowtow again. Xi Que held her back. "When will you break this habit of always kneeling and kowtowing? We in Hexi Palace are all tough cookies. We even dared to beat up the Empress Dowager's people. What's that person to us?"
It was only then that Shuang Jiang learned that her mistress had actually beaten up the Empress Dowager's people, and Kunning Palace hadn't come to make trouble yet, apparently afraid of her mistress.
She felt that her previous self had been so foolish, doing such stupid things out of fear of implicating her mistress.
In reality, if she had truly followed that person's orders, she would have harmed Concubine Zhen.
After finally comforting Shuang Jiang, now that she knew who the mastermind was, Jiang Xinyue naturally wanted to repay the favor.
Come to think of it, since she entered the palace for the selection, that person had been trying to get rid of her in various ways.
When Jiang Xinyue's soul first transmigrated into the original body, it was at the moment when the original owner was being slapped and punished to kneel.
If her memory served her right, it was that person who said the crabapple blossoms in the Imperial Garden were in full bloom and wanted to pick one to wear in her hair.
Even though the original Jiang Xinyue was quite cunning, expert at playing innocent and weak, her scheming was limited to the inner chambers. How could a mere concubine's daughter know that the weeping crabapple in the Imperial Garden was a token of love between the Xuanwu Emperor and Concubine Li?
That person picked the flower but suddenly said it would look even better on the beautiful Jiang Xinyue's head.
Who doesn't like hearing compliments about their beauty?
As soon as the original Jiang Xinyue put it on, Concubine Li had already rushed over and slapped her across the face.
It turned out that branch of crabapple wasn't picked by her at all!
In Changxin Palace—
"My Lady..."
Xia He whispered a few words in Concubine Li's ear. The sharp-featured beauty, half-reclining on a soft couch, immediately sat up straight, her eyes wide. "Concubine Zhen is pregnant? Who said this? Is it reliable?"
The child in Consort Shu's belly irritated her. She always felt that Consort Shu's child had caused the death of her own child. She didn't want that ill-fated child to be her prince.
But if it was born from Concubine Zhen's womb, it could make Consort Shu experience the pain of separation from her flesh and blood, and she could have a beautiful little prince who somewhat resembled herself. That, she did want.
Xia He's gaze was determined. "This servant heard the news from an unfamiliar palace maid, but My Lady, think carefully. Concubine Zhen has always been cautious, rarely stepping out of Hexi Palace without an invitation. Why would she go to Kunning Palace to deliver some lousy tea leaves to the Empress Dowager, knowing she's not in her good graces?"
Concubine Li pondered for a moment. "You mean she deliberately provoked the Empress Dowager?"
Xia He nodded. "The Empress Dowager wanted to punish Concubine Zhen, and coincidentally, the Emperor arrived. Coincidentally, the Empress Dowager needed a favor from the Emperor because of Consort Shu's matter. On the surface, it seems the Empress Dowager wanted to punish Concubine Zhen, but in reality, Concubine Zhen and the Emperor set up this scheme, seeking this six-month confinement to protect the dragon seed in her womb."
Concubine Li's beautiful eyes were full of disbelief. She looked up at Xia He. "But the Emperor wants to send Consort Shu to Sheng'an Temple. It's possible that the Emperor is deliberately using Concubine Zhen as a shield to protect Consort Shu."
Losing to Consort Shu, Concubine Li could still console herself that she lost to the youthful affection between the Emperor and Consort Shu. But losing to Concubine Zhen... her pride and arrogance refused to acknowledge it.
Who was Concubine Zhen anyway?
When she entered the palace, she was just the concubine's daughter of a fifth-rank Vice Minister of the Ministry of Rites. It was only through nepotism that Vice Minister Jiang was promoted to Minister of Rites.
Recently, due to the corruption case involving Qinzhou officials, the Song Family has been overwhelmed with work. To make matters worse, that old scoundrel Jiang Yankun even dared to enter the palace and file a complaint, accusing the Song Family of attempting to assassinate Jiang Yanxi.
Just days ago, the Emperor issued an imperial edict reprimanding both the grandfather and father, stating that if Jiang Yanxi were to die or Jiang Yankun were to be injured, the Song Family would be held accountable.
The edict further declared that even if the Song Family had not participated in the corruption case, they would still be considered equally guilty.
Just listen to that – is this something a reasonable person would say?
