0p0 Chapter 38: Concubine Su meets Concubine He Shu, whose appearance is completely ruined
Chapter 38: Concubine Su meets Concubine He Shu, whose appearance is completely ruined
Ever since the bloody turmoil of the enthronement day, the palace seemed enveloped in a thick, impenetrable haze. A chilling wind whistled through the winding corridors, and the flags on the palace walls fluttered, as if mourning the horrific tragedy of that day.
The atmosphere in the Imperial Study was as solemn as a massive rock bearing down on the emperor. The Emperor sat high on the dragon throne, his face as gloomy as the bottom of a pot, his furrowed brow seemingly capable of crushing anything. Incense curled from the nearby incense burner, but it did nothing to alleviate the suffocating pressure. The Empress stood by, her expression stern, the silk handkerchief tightly clenched in her hands now crumpled to pieces.
"Why is this guzheng like this?"
The emperor shouted angrily,
"Concubine He Shu almost died because of this!"
This roar is like thunder,
There was a loud explosion in the eerily quiet study, shaking the window frames.
Concubine Su walked forward gracefully, each step seeming to be on a tightrope, yet she remained dignified and elegant. She bowed gracefully, her skirt brushing the ground, like a delicate flower blooming steadfastly in a storm. Her expression was respectful and sincere as she replied:
"I really don't know."
She lowered her head slightly.
"The late emperor's guzheng was brought here by Concubine Zhou, not by my orders."
Her eyes were firm.
"Your Majesty, you might want to ask Noble Zhou which musician is responsible for maintenance. Perhaps you can find some clues."
A hint of determination flashed in her lowered eyes, but she sighed in her heart: When will this palace struggle end?
The Queen stared at Concubine Su with lightning-like eyes and asked:
"Lily Ruyi Cake, you were the first to reach out to stop it. Did you know it was a trick?"
Concubine Su knelt down hurriedly, her voice trembling but her tone firm and powerful:
"Your Majesty's grace is mighty."
She trembled slightly.
"I am grateful to the Empress for her care. All the sisters were present at the time, and this was a spur-of-the-moment act to liven up the atmosphere. I was completely unaware of it!"
After that, the investigating officials worked tirelessly day and night, not daring to slack off for even a moment, and painstakingly interrogated and investigated. Finally, the truth gradually became clear as they unraveled the mystery.
It turned out that Concubine Zhou, blinded by jealousy, had secretly instructed the musician, obsessed with greed, to tamper with the guzheng, promising a generous reward. The musician, blinded by greed, dared to commit such a daring act. According to the law, the musician was beheaded on the spot, his body dumped at the vegetable market. Concubine Zhou was thrown into the Tianlao (Sky Prison). Her desperate cries echoed from the gloomy and damp cell, awaiting her execution in the autumn.
As for the Lily Ruyi Cake incident, it appeared to be an oversight by the Imperial Kitchen, caused by a conflicting ingredient. Those responsible were dismissed and investigated to rectify palace regulations.
Concubine He's bedroom was in utter chaos. Broken porcelain littered the floor, its sharp fragments reflecting a cold gleam, a reflection of the bitterness within Concubine He. The shattered glass reflected Concubine He's twisted, crazed face. She roared with all her might:
"Su Mengqi, you bitch!"
She picked up an object and threw it on the ground.
"You have made me so miserable!"
Another frantic tumble.
An exquisite vase smashed against the wall, and the flying pieces scratched her arm, but she was completely unaware.
"Mr. Zhou, you are an incompetent fool."
She gasped,
"You almost cost me my life!"
The palace echoed with her endless rage and wails. Concubine He Shu collapsed to the ground, tears streaming freely, her makeup smudged, and she looked utterly miserable. The resentment in her heart was like a raging fire, swearing to consume everything: I, Concubine He Shu, will never give up. I will make you pay a heavy price!
Concubine He's father, the Minister of Rites, paced back and forth in his mansion, anxious as an ant on the hot pot. Concubine He's brother, General He, who was guarding the border, was furious when he heard about this and wanted to ride back to the capital immediately to avenge his sister.
The other concubines were whispering to each other in private, some secretly rejoicing that they had escaped danger, while others were jealous that Concubine Su had escaped danger again, secretly plotting new conspiracies.
One day, sunlight struggled to penetrate the clouds, shimmering across the palace path, but it couldn't dispel the lingering chill. The flowers along the path trembled in the breeze, as if filled with fear of the court's infighting and eager to wither and escape this chaotic place.
As invited by the Queen, Concubine Su went to Kunning Palace for tea. As she walked lightly, she happened to bump into Concubine He on the way.
When Concubine He Shu saw Concubine Su, her eyes instantly ignited with rage, which seemed to be able to burn Concubine Su to ashes:
"Su Mengqi, you vile thing!"
Concubine Su smiled contemptuously, her smile full of disdain and ridicule, and turned sideways to avoid this unprovoked disaster.
Concubine He Shu was so angry that she lost all her rationality. She reached out and pounced on Concubine Su, as if she wanted to kill her.
Unexpectedly, Concubine Su reacted quickly, grabbed her arm and shook her off.
"Hmph, how outrageous!" Concubine Su glared at him.
Then he slapped her hard in the face without hesitation, and Concubine He was knocked to the ground instantly. The crisp sound seemed to break through the sky and scare away a flock of birds returning to their nests.
Concubine Su slowly squatted down and approached Concubine He Shu, her eyes cold and full of contempt, as if she was looking at a poor ant:
"Concubine He Shu, you're acting like a mad dog, do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
She snorted coldly,
"I'm telling you, if you want to save your life, be obedient. Don't think the Lily Ruyi Cake incident was just an oversight by the Imperial Kitchen! It's clearly you who covets the Empress's position and is trying to use me to murder her. Don't think you can hide your intentions from the world."
Concubine He Shu covered her face, her eyes full of resentment, as if they could turn into a sharp blade:
"Su Mengqi, you bitch, I will never let you go!"
"so what?"
Concubine Su stood up and adjusted her sleeves gracefully.
"Just you?"
She looked down at Concubine He Shu,
"Now you are nothing but a disfigured abandoned concubine, yet you still dare to act so arrogantly in front of me."
After saying this, Concubine Su turned and left contemptuously, each step revealing the pride and majesty of a victor.
Concubine He Shu cursed wildly behind him:
"Su Mengqi, you vicious woman!"
Concubine Su paused for a moment, then turned around and stared at Concubine He Shu with a murderous look and said:
"Watch your mouth from now on, and don't offend your superiors."
She raised her voice.
"You are but a disgraced concubine who has fallen from grace. I am a distinguished imperial concubine, a level above you!"
Concubine He Shu's eyes widened with anger, and she shouted at the top of her lungs:
"Aren't you afraid of revenge from my He family?"
Concubine Su sneered and sneered:
"Huh, your He family?"
She curled her lips,
"That General He who massacred civilians at the border for military merit? And your father who acted so pretentiously in the Ministry of Rites? I want to see what your He family can do to me!"
After saying this, Concubine Su continued walking towards Kunning Palace without looking back, leaving Concubine He Shu in the same place, trembling with anger and almost fainting. She continued to curse, her voice gradually dissipating in the empty palace hall, leaving only a dead silence.