CH 43.2

Just as the words had left her lips, two court eunuchs carried a wooden barrel over. Covering it from top to bottom was a piece of red silk, hiding the lychee tree from sight.

“Your Majesty the empress,” said Wei Yingluo, approaching to present a tray. Upon it lay a pair of golden scissors. “May your honored self personally pick the lychees.”

The empress could already tell that something was amiss. For a moment, she could not think of how to respond. But she trusted Wei Yingluo. Believed that the other party had already figured out what to do. As such, the empress smiled and accepted the proffered pair of golden scissors, making her way to the lychee tree one step at a time. And then, slowly reached out to uncover the red silk…

“Woof!”

Such a sound startled the empress into taking a step backward. Once she clearly saw the situation before her, she could not help but widen her eyes and say, “T-this is…”

Beneath the red silk, the branches and leaves of the lychee tree lay withered. A majority of the fruit had fallen to the soil, only a few remaining on the tree. Upon closer inspection, there were many scratches on the tree trunk. And the main culprit was obviously…

Everyone looked at that snow-white lump under the tree.

As if sensing the ill feelings from those stares, that ball of fluff barked a few times, before jumping out of the wooden barrel in a flash, running straight for Noble Consort Hui.

“Ah!!” Noble Lady Yu suddenly held onto Wei Yingluo’s arm, hiding behind her. “Don’t come any closer! Don’t bite me, don’t bite me!”

She shouted in such a sorrowful manner, as though that puppy’s teeth had already pierced her throat, chewing her flesh.

Hongli glanced at her. “Servants, grab that dog.”

Court eunuchs scrambled over to it, eager yet chaotic in their actions, grabbing hold of that furball in the end. It was evident that that furball had been accustomed to being pampered and spoiled since young, rarely receiving such rough treatment. In a flash, it whimpered like it had been wronged. Then the dog barked loudly in one direction.

“Be more gentle with your actions…” said Noble Consort Hui. Following that, she looked at Hongli, expression unsightly. “Your Majesty—”

Before she could plead leniency for the furball, Noble Lady Yu cried out bitterly, “Noble Consort Hui, once wasn’t enough, and now there’s a second time. Do you really want this concubine’s life?”

Hongli furrowed his brows. “What’s this about?”

“Reporting to Your Majesty,” said Wei Yingluo in a deferential manner as she patted Noble Lady Yu’s back, “a month ago in the imperial gardens, this puppy called Snowball suddenly rushed out and frightened Noble Lady Yu. Because no one was hurt at that time, Her Majesty the empress magnanimously did not investigate further into that matter. However, Noble Lady Yu had suffered a fright, and needed to drink calming medicine every day in order to sleep. To one’s surprise, her condition had just improved today when she suffered a fright again!”

“Audacious slave!” shouted Noble Consort Hui in a stern tone. “What are you implying with these words? Could it be that you suspect this palace incited this animal to scare people?”

In order to protect herself, she no longer referred to Snowball as “Little Sweetie,” and instead called it an animal.

“This slave doesn’t dare.” Wei Yingluo lowered her head. “This slave is merely telling the truth.”

At that moment, Noble Lady Yu broke free from Wei Yingluo’s hold, throwing herself at Hongli’s feet. Choking with sobs, she said, “Your Majesty, save me. Save this concubine! If this continues, this concubine can’t survive. This concubine will meet an end with two lives involved!”

Hongli gazed down at her. He resembled a statue of a god or Buddha at a temple, looking down at the kneeling mortals from high above.

“Servants, support Noble Lady Yu up,” he said in an unhurried pace. “We will take charge in this matter.”

“Your Majesty!” blurted Noble Consort Hui. “Does your honored self truly believe her nonsense? Look carefully at that lychee tree. It was obviously killed by scalding water, yet she insists that the tree was scratched to death by a dog—”

Killed by scalding water?

The empress thought, Good. You didn’t get to examine the lychee tree, so how did you know what killed it? Perhaps you ordered someone to make a move on it in secret?

She did not allow the other party to explain. “Noble Consort Hui! It’s not enough for you to repeatedly alarm Noble Lady Yu. You even caused trouble today during this palace’s Lychee Banquet, frightening Noble Lady Yu again. Just what do you want to do?!”

“Snowball has always been very well-behaved. It has never caused any trouble before!” Noble Consort Hui clenched her teeth. “One would fear that this time, someone used it to frame this concubine!”

“Frame?” The empress shook her head. “Previously, that ferocious dog attacked Noble Lady Yu in the imperial gardens. Today, it did not bite anyone, yet stared at the tribute from Fujian Province, the present His Majesty specially gave to this palace!”

Noble Consort Hui was left speechless.

If that attack in the imperial gardens had not occurred, everyone could still believe her.

But since there had been an attack, how could anyone believe that such a ferocious dog was as she had described, well-behaved and never causing trouble?

“Noble Consort,” said Hongli, sweeping his apathetic gaze to her. “Do you have anything else to say for yourself?”

Within the palace, in order to survive, to live well, one must master how to read people’s expressions. Especially that of the emperor.

A bang, and Noble Consort Hui fell to her knees by Hongli’s feet. Through sobs, she said, “It’s all Snowball’s fault, this animal. This concubine will definitely skin it once this concubine returns—”

“When a tiger or rhinoceros escapes from its cage, when a tortoiseshell or a piece of jade is injured in its repository, whose fault is it?” asked Hongli.

“Naturally, it is the fault of the watchman,” replied Wei Yingluo, kneeling all of a sudden. “Today, as the lychee tree was carried, Snowball scuttled about at our feet. Because it was Her Highness’ Noble Consort Hui’s beloved pet dog, we slaves dared not drive it away. In the end, such a thing occurred. It was this slave who did not do my best in keeping watch. This slave willingly accepts punishment! However…”

From the corner of her eye, she glanced at the weeping Noble Lady Yu. Said in a soft voice, “This slave will be so bold as to say something for Noble Lady Yu. Those who watched over the lychee tree will be punished, but what about those who damaged said tree?”

“Outrageous!” Imperial Concubine Jia slapped the table and stood. “How does a slave like you have the qualifications to speak right now?”

“…She asked for this concubine.” A light sigh escaped Noble Lady Yu’s lips. She raised her tear-stained face. When other women were pregnant, they would be healthy and plump. Only she hadn’t gained any weight, both cheeks still sunken. Like a human skeleton. “This concubine also wants to know if there is any place in this palace where this concubine can live?”

For a moment, Imperial Concubine Jia could utter not a word.

“Your Majesties the empress and emperor are benevolent. Please forgive this slave’s impertinence!” shouted Wei Yingluo in a brazen fashion. “Noble Lady Yu is with child, her identity precious. The lychees are annual tributes from Fujian Province, and the Son of Heaven bestowed them to the empress. The empress is magnanimous and her status is honorable: She must not be provoked again and again! Everything in this case involved Snowball, but the ferocious dog is an animal after all. It doesn’t know etiquette or rules. The one we must blame is its master, since they did not discipline or restrict it, allowing it to cause trouble repeatedly! This slave is so bold as to request this: May Your Majesty pass judgement!”

For a good while, Hongli looked down at the woman kneeling before him. Afterward, he slowly turned his head. His tone proved indifferent yet lofty, with a dignified air that could not be refused as he said, “Noble Consort Hui.”

Such a voice carried no happiness, no anger, no blame. That said, it caused Noble Consort Hui to tremble.

“…Yes, Snowball hasn’t been properly disciplined.” She clutched her hands into fists. “Imperial Concubine Jia! Hurry and beg His Majesty for forgiveness!”

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Sacrificing the rook to save the king!

This phrase flashed through everyone’s mind.

Including Imperial Concubine Jia herself.

She complained about her bitter lot within her heart, yet she knew there was no getting out of this one. After all, she was the one who gave Noble Consort Hui this plan, and she was the one who allowed it to be ruined.

“Your Majesty, it is this concubine’s fault.” Imperial Concubine Jia stood and dropped to a kneel before Hongli. “Her Highness the noble consort feared that Snowball would be too naughty and mischievous. That it would ruin Her Majesty the empress’ banquet. Thus, she urged this concubine to keep an eye on Snowball. It is this concubine who was too careless, allowing such a matter to occur. It has nothing to do with Her Highness the noble consort! If Your Majesty must punish someone, then punish this concubine!”

Hongli tapped his fingers on the table. Although he didn’t really believe Imperial Concubine Jia’s words, Noble Consort Hui possessed too influential of a background. It was impossible to truly punish her in a severe manner just because of a few trees. But if the blame fell onto Imperial Concubine Jia, then everyone would be satisfied. Therefore, he said with indifference, “These lychee trees were tributes from Fujian Province. They arrived in the capital city from far, far away. We personally gave these trees to the empress in order to make her happy. But due to your neglect, Our great effort has been all in vain. Right now, you should not be apologizing to Us, but rather to the empress!”

“Yes!” Imperial Concubine Jia gritted her teeth. Walked forward two steps on her knees. Then she kowtowed with much force toward the other woman. “This concubine was incompetent and did not control the dog properly. May Your Majesty the empress please forgive me!”

After she had caused such a huge disaster, there was no way she could be excused with just a few light words.

Seeing how silent the empress kept, Imperial Concubine Jia felt helpless. She had no choice but to continue kowtowing. For a period, it was quiet in the banquet, the only sound the slam of each kowtow.

Tens of kowtows later, the empress finally said, “…Enough. This palace merely had one banquet ruined. But Noble Lady Yu suffered a great fright! If this harmed the dragon seed, how would you compensate for it?!”

This meant she not only had to kowtow to and acknowledge her mistake to the empress, but to Noble Lady Yu as well.

Humiliation washed over Imperial Concubine Jia’s heart for a moment. Kowtowing to the empress wasn’t a big deal, as she was the master of the harem; in the empress’ presence, everyone was of lower status. But what was Noble Lady Yu even worth? She had to kneel before her as well?

“What?” said the empress, cold enough to freeze. “Are you holding any resentment? Do you refuse to acknowledge your mistake?”

“…This concubine doesn’t dare.” Since the other party’s influence was stronger, she could only clench her teeth and kowtow in Noble Lady Yu’s direction. “Noble Lady Yu, Elder Sister was momentarily neglectful and almost let a disaster occur. Please be magnanimous and forgive Elder Sister this one time!”

After these kowtows were performed, they were akin to water already split: unable to be recovered.

From now on, anyone well-informed in the imperial palace would know that she, Imperial Concubine Jia, had knelt before Noble Lady Yu. Had kowtowed to her.

Noble Lady Yu looked at the woman before her. Then she said, seemingly to said woman yet also seemingly to the Noble Consort Hui behind her, “This concubine hopes you are sincerely repenting and will never use a ferocious animal to harm others again!”

Snowball appeared to sense that someone had mentioned it, letting out barks.

“Enough. We do not want to see this dog again!” Hongli cast a loathsome glance at it. Following that, he cast the final judgement, saying, “Imperial Concubine Jia was momentarily neglectful, allowing a disaster to occur. She will be demoted to the position of noble lady, and put under house arrest for three months! As the master of Chuxiu Palace, Noble Consort Hui failed to manage both her people and dog properly. Simply too incompetent! She will be punished with one year’s salary and must reflect on her mistakes in seclusion!”

Then he no longer watched this crowd of women as each tried to outwit the other, storming off in a huff.

Wei Yingluo was unsure if her eyes had played tricks on her, but before Hongli had left, he seemed to have glanced back at her. Such a glance proved rather complicated. Wei Yingluo could not discern what it meant.

Once Hongli was gone, the remaining people had their thoughts wander. The empress observed it all, yet did not force them to stay. After urging them to drink a few cups of wine, she concluded this banquet that had strayed from its main theme.

Everyone departed. Except Noble Lady Yu.

Aware that she had something to say to her, the empress opened another table for them. On it were a few plates of fruits, light refreshments, and tea. Smiling, she said, “Why did you come today? Weren’t you recuperating in Yonghe Palace?”

“Recuperating” had merely been an excuse. They both knew that Noble Lady Yu had declined to participate in the banquet at first due to her fear of running into Noble Consort Hui.

“Yingluo asked me to come. She convinced me that the more afraid I was of Noble Consort Hui, the more she would torment me. Even if I don’t do this for myself, I must do it for Imperial Concubine Yi. Vent her anger for her…” Noble Lady Yu stroked her protruding abdomen. A smile bloomed on her lips. “Even if my words don’t hold enough influence, with the addition of this child, it should barely be enough…”

The two then chatted about their everyday lives. Because of her pregnancy, there was a trace of weariness upon Noble Lady Yu’s countenance. The empress noticed this. Had Erqing send her back to Yonghe Palace to rest. Once they had left, Wei Yingluo fell to her knees with a bang next to the empress. “This slave has made decisions without Your Majesty’s approval. May Your Majesty the empress please forgive me.”

Yet, the empress did not hold the slightest intention of rebuking her. On the contrary, she reached out with a finger and poked Wei Yingluo’s forehead in an intimate manner. “You, oh, you actually came up with such a plan. Noble Consort Hui’s scheme of scaring Noble Lady Yu with Snowball had yet to be settled. Pushing it to today cannot be considered wronging her.”

In an utmost sincere fashion, Wei Yingluo replied, “It’s a small matter that this slave pleaded guilty and accepts punishment. From Noble Consort Hui and Imperial Concubine Jia’s conduct and deeds, it is clear that they wanted Your Majesty to lose all respect and influence. How could this slave allow them to have their way? This slave had not done my best in keeping watch over the lychee trees. It was originally a huge matter that the lychees were harmed, but compared to what Noble Consort Hui had done—inciting her ferocious dog to harm Noble Lady Yu, allowing it to destroy Fujian Province’s tribute, and allowing it to ruin Your Majesty’s banquet—my crime was much lighter in comparison.”

At that moment, the empress laughed. “You should know that the emperor already figured out that you used him.”

Shocked, Wei Yingluo almost raised her head at once to look at the empress.

The foolish look on her face seemed to please the empress. A giddy smile spread across the empress’ face. “But don’t worry. Since the emperor figured it out and still allowed you to use him, it’s clear he also thinks that Noble Consort Hui acted too excessively, seizing the opportunity to strike at her.”

Wei Yingluo let escape a breath; she felt as though her back had grown a bit colder.

“Yingluo,” asked the empress all of a sudden, “what kind of person do you think the emperor is?”

Wei Yingluo did not know why this question was proposed. Thinking it through, she gave a neutral answer: “He works governing the country and cares for the people.”

The empress shook her head. “This palace is not talking about this. This palace is asking you about his temperament.”

And so, Wei Yingluo uttered many idioms to describe it, yet the result was the same as always: the empress shaking her head. In the end, Wei Yingluo hummed and hawed, saying, “Resolute in his decisions?”

“Exactly!” Like a child, the empress clapped. “What kind of person is he? He’s the emperor of the Great State of Qing, the ruler of the world. So long as he finds someone unpleasant to the eye—chop! And the heads go falling! Why would he allow them to remain? Wouldn’t that just annoy him?”

Once again, Wei Yingluo felt her back grow colder, sweat washing it clean like a waterfall. She forced a smile. “Then… what misgivings does His Majesty have?”

“He cannot have any!” said the empress, resolute. “The emperor cannot have any misgivings. No matter how favored that Osan is, and no matter how many officials plead for leniency for him, if the emperor says he is to be executed, then he is to be executed. He won’t even blink an eye!”

“Then… then…” Wei Yingluo scowled in a miserable manner. “Your Majesty, the emperor will definitely settle scores? He will want this slave’s head?”

She cut a pitiful appearance. As though she were a cat who had caused a lot of trouble, ready at any moment to leap onto her owner’s knee, acting coquettishly and rolling around as she mewed, asking her owner for protection.

“Don’t worry. Nothing will happen to you,” said the empress. But Wei Yingluo saw a smile on her face that held a profound meaning. “You are a girl. A beautiful girl.”

Although the empress had said she would be fine, the last sentence made Wei Yingluo feel as if it weren’t just her back that felt chilly. It was her entire body. Ice-cold. As if she had fallen into a well.