Palace maid Shuoning

(Up)

Yihua Palace.

The sky outside the corridor was gradually darkening. Consort Rong lay on a rocking chair under the corridor, and the evening breeze, carrying the heat of summer, blew by, making the hem of her skirt sway gently.

Fengchun stood aside and recounted the events of the previous night, word by word:

"Your Majesty, Shuoning was bullied by a young eunuch in West Street last night. I heard that His Majesty personally intervened, and Eunuch Baozhong has also been busy helping out."

Fengchun glanced at Consort Rong discreetly, and seeing no reaction, lowered her voice and continued:

"Your Majesty, if I may be so bold... His Majesty seemed particularly concerned about what happened last night. The Censorate was interrogating him all night. Is a mere eunuch from the flower room really worth such a fuss?"

Consort Rong didn't open her eyes, her fingertips slowly tracing a circle on her stomach: "Is Baozhong here too?"

Feng Chun was taken aback, then quickly replied, "Yes, he is. Eunuch Bao Zhong accompanied the emperor last night. I heard that Shuo Ning was rescued by a young eunuch from the library."

Consort Rong gave a soft "hmm," still without opening her eyes: "That's because she's lucky. Someone saved her and someone protected her. It's her own good fortune."

As she spoke, she slowly opened her eyes, gazing at the crabapple blossoms in the courtyard, her tone as indifferent as if she were discussing something she had long ago planned:

"It's time for me to keep my promise to her. I'll arrange a guard for her, so she can have a safe place to stay."

As for the Emperor, Shuoning herself never had any romantic feelings for him. Once she was betrothed, the Emperor naturally let go of the idea.

Feng Chun blinked blankly, then her mind raced, and a sudden light shone in her eyes:

"Your Majesty is wise. Marrying her off not only preserves the bond between master and servant but also puts an end to the Emperor's hopes."

"Your Majesty has a far-sighted view. This servant was only focused on seeing her being protected, forgetting that those protecting her are the ones we should be wary of."

Upon hearing this, Consort Rong gently closed her eyes and remained silent.

The courtyard was completely quiet, with only the evening breeze rustling through the crabapple branches.

She had warned Baozhong long ago, but he didn't listen at all; his mind was completely focused on Jiang Shuoning.

For Jiang Shuoning's sake, he was meticulous and thorough in everything he did, to the point of being impeccable.

Thinking about it, she felt a tightness in her chest, a feeling of suffocation, like a pill stuck in her throat that wouldn't dissolve, making her feel uncomfortable.

In this deep palace, where can one find true sincerity?

She never believed it, and she never wanted to believe it again.

But if someone insists on having delusions within the cold palace walls, then she will erase those thoughts.

Let him give up completely on his own; she doesn't need to be ruthless enough to take action.

As dusk crept over the eaves, it enveloped her in deep shadows.

Feng Chun stood beside Consort Rong, her face revealing barely suppressed glee.

She was already making plans in her mind, waiting for Jiang Shuoning to leave Yihua Palace before immediately recommending her own people to Consort Rong.

By then, apart from Consort Rong, he would be the only one in power in the palace.

Ever since Jiang Shuoning took over, he has never been lenient with him, and has always controlled and suppressed him.

He had long harbored resentment and plotted day and night to oust the other person. Now, seeing his opportunity finally approaching, he couldn't help but curl the corners of his lips into a smile.

Before she could suppress her smugness, she looked up and bumped into Jiang Shuoning slowly walking in.

Feng Chun's smile froze abruptly. She quickly composed herself, bowed her head, and whispered, "Your Majesty, Shuoning has returned."

Jiang Shuoning bowed slightly as he walked through the corridor and came to Consort Rong's side. He immediately knelt down beside the rocking chair, clasped his hands together, and kowtowed, saying, "Your Majesty, this servant knows her mistake."

Feng Chun glanced at her and muttered to himself: "She's putting on an act again."

Consort Rong did not respond, her eyes remained closed, her fingertips gently stroking her lower abdomen, as if she had not heard her come in at all.

Jiang Shuoning pursed his lips, then immediately kowtowed three times, his voice choked with just the right amount of emotion:

"This servant should not have acted on her own initiative and begs His Majesty to exempt her from her daily duties at the Hall of Mental Cultivation. Furthermore, she should not have arranged for His Majesty to visit the Yihua Palace every three days. This servant has overstepped her bounds and begs for Your Majesty's punishment."

Consort Rong closed her eyes and scoffed, "Shuoning, every word you say is wrong, but every word you say misses the mark."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Shuoning's back stiffened.

She knew in her heart that what Consort Rong was really angry about was Bao Zhong's matter. If she hadn't deliberately mentioned to the Emperor that Bao Zhong had been reprimanded at Yihua Palace.

The Emperor would not entrust the duties of Yihua Palace to Feng Xi.

It was she who personally removed Baozhong from Yihua Palace, so Consort Rong was naturally unhappy.

But she couldn't say that.

Even Consort Rong couldn't ask.

Asking her is tantamount to admitting that she cares about Baozhong; admitting it is tantamount to admitting that she has put her selfish motives on the table.

Both of them knew where the thorn was stuck, but neither could reach out and touch it. To touch it would mean getting themselves caught in the crossfire.

Jiang Shuoning hesitated for a moment, lowered his eyes, and his voice carried just the right amount of grievance and confusion:

"Your Majesty... This servant is foolish and begs Your Majesty to give this servant a hint."

Consort Rong chuckled softly, as if she had heard something amusing.

Then, she slowly opened her eyes, her gaze falling on Jiang Shuoning's lowered head. She stared at him for a long time, so long that the wind in the corridor seemed to stop for a moment.

"A hint?" She slowly chewed on those two words. "Shuoning, you want me to give you a hint? If I actually do, am I still me?"

Jiang Shuoning looked up, his face already streaked with tears, his voice trembling with sobs:

"Your Majesty, I truly know I was wrong... Please forgive me this time."

(under)

Consort Rong looked at Jiang Shuoning's tear-streaked face, crying so aggrievedly and innocently, as if he had truly been wronged.

But as she looked at it, another thought suddenly popped into her mind.

Did Jiang Shuoning ever cry like this in front of Bao Zhong?

If Baozhong saw her crying, would he feel even more heartbroken? Would he wish he could give his life for her?

The moment this thought crossed her mind, the feeling of unease in her heart tightened even more.

She didn't want to look anymore, so she turned her gaze away and looked at the crabapple blossoms in the courtyard, her voice carrying a hint of barely suppressed annoyance:

"Alright, get up. I heard you were frightened last night, go back to your room and rest. I'll come to serve you again tomorrow."

Jiang Shuoning breathed a sigh of relief and immediately kowtowed:

"This servant thanks Your Highness for your kindness. I will always remember Your Highness's kindness."

After speaking, she slowly stood up, bowed her head and took a few steps back before turning and walking towards the backyard.

Consort Rong listened until her footsteps faded into the distance before speaking in a low, soft voice, as if she were giving instructions that shouldn't be overheard:

"Fengchun, go and find me a bodyguard. He doesn't need to be good-looking, nor does he need to come from a high-ranking family; an average background is fine. He can serve in any palace. Be quick."

Fengchun quickly replied, "Yes, Your Majesty. This servant will take care of it immediately."

The night was quiet and still.

Jiang Shuoning tossed and turned in bed, unable to fall asleep.

After tossing and turning several times, she simply sat up, took out the sachet from under her pillow, and gently stroked the delicate mimosa flower pattern on it with her fingertips.

The image of Zhou Yan's sincere and earnest face during the day involuntarily came to mind.

"Shuoning, I never thought of leaving Consort Mei. She treated me extremely well and never mistreated me in the slightest. She may seem tough, but she has a sharp tongue but a soft heart."

For the past eleven years, she has single-handedly raised me. I still remember once when I was a child, I had a high fever, and she held me in her arms all night.

She threatened to throw me out if my fever didn't break, but in the end, she stayed by my side all night.

As she spoke, her eyes betrayed her anticipation and longing:

"Shuoning, I just want to see Consort Chong, even just one glance would be enough. I don't even know what she looks like now."

Is her dress still embroidered with mimosa flowers? Does she still, as always, have a particular fondness for those crystal dumplings?

Jiang Shuoning lowered his eyes and stared at the sachet in his hand, his mind in turmoil.

If her and Baozhong's previous guesses were correct, and Song Zhang had not been castrated and had an affair with Consort Chong, then Zhou Yan was very likely their daughter.

Back then, Consort Chong insisted on entrusting the young Zhou Yan to Noble Lady Mei for upbringing, clearly because she feared that someone in the palace would discover the flaw in their bloodline and bring about her death.

They could only painfully place their own flesh and blood far away, hoping to save the child's life through the help of others.

Why did Consort Chong choose Noble Lady Mei?

Mei Guiren is of low rank and has no relation to anyone, so what gives her the right to be a concubine?

Besides, why not Consort Su, Consort Qi, or even Consort Rong? Who wouldn't be a more reliable choice than Noble Lady Mei?

It had to be her.

There must be a reason for this.

Jiang Shuoning closed his eyes and clenched the sachet in his palm.

Investigate from Consort Mei.

Just then, the cheerful humming of Fengchun drifted in from outside the courtyard, making me feel great.

The young eunuch on night watch quickly stepped forward with a smile:

"Father-in-law, you're back so late, and you look so happy. Did you stumble upon something good?"

Feng Chun paused, glanced at him sideways, and couldn't hide her smile: "Great news, fantastic news!"

The young eunuch immediately leaned closer, asking curiously, "What good news is it, Your Excellency?"

Feng Chun's eyes gleamed with smugness, and she patted his shoulder with feigned profundity:

"Knowing too much about some things can only cause trouble. Just wait and see; the situation in Yihua Palace is about to change."

Having said that, he flicked his sleeves and walked briskly toward his residence, humming a tune with increasing abandon.

Jiang Shuo sat quietly on the bed, listening to every word that came through the crack in the window.

Is the world about to change at Yihua Palace?

Fengchun was an old servant of Consort Rong, and she was always cautious and prudent. No matter how proud she was, she would never dare to make irresponsible remarks about the situation in the palace or utter such arrogant words.

An inexplicable unease crept into her heart, making her already chaotic state of mind even more tense.