Unparalleled Beauty

Chapter C119

That slut has finally emerged from Chenhui Hall!

These past few days, countless eyes had been fixed on Chenhui Hall, almost staring blood from their sockets. As Wushuang left the palace, the news was sent in all directions, allowing everyone to breathe a sigh of relief.

Early in the morning, Fengqi Palace was far from peaceful.

The concubines came to pay their respects to the Empress. On the surface, they seemed to say nothing, but their flickering gazes held deep meaning. Unfortunately, the Empress was more composed than they had imagined.

After leaving Fengqi Palace, Noble Lady Ma quietly said to Concubine Zhuang, "Your Majesty, this concubine feels that this move might have been deliberately orchestrated by Her Majesty the Empress. Consort Hui is likely falling for the Empress's trick."

Concubine Zhuang raised an eyebrow.

Noble Lady Ma continued, "Think about it, Your Majesty. The Empress has been childless for many years, and some have long said that the Empress suffered some damage back when she was in the Prince's mansion, which is why she has been unable to conceive. Without a son, how can the Empress sit securely on the throne? Why has Consort Hui never feared the Empress? It's precisely because His Majesty gave her the First Prince to raise that she can stand tall and oppose the Empress. It's not hard to understand why the Empress, being childless, would bring her cousin into the palace to seek favor."

Concubine Zhuang lowered her voice and said, "But her cousin is a married woman. Has the Empress no sense of shame?"

Noble Lady Ma was momentarily speechless, but after thinking for a moment, she said, "Having a sense of shame is useless; being shameless might open up new paths. This concubine once heard someone say that the Empress's cousin was actually the proper Princess Consort Wei back then, but the Empress schemed to steal her marriage agreement with His Majesty."

"It is said that the father of this Madam Zhao the Second saved His Majesty, who was still a Prince at the time, at the border and died in battle because of it. His Majesty promised a marriage, but later, when His Majesty returned to the capital for the grand wedding, the person was suddenly changed for some reason. That woman married into the Zhao family, and the Empress filled the position of Princess Wei."

The more Noble Lady Ma spoke, the more she felt that her guess was correct.

"Your Majesty, think about it. His Majesty has always been indifferent to the concubines, rarely setting foot in the inner palace. There are so many beautiful women in the harem, yet none can catch His Majesty's eye. Perhaps His Majesty has some affection for that Madam Zhao the Second? Because the Empress is that Madam Zhao the Second's cousin, she knows some inside information and deliberately schemed to bring her into the palace. You see, His Majesty kept her in Chenhui Hall for three days. Which concubine has ever had such an honor?"

Concubine Zhuang thought for a moment and said, "What you say does indeed make sense."

"So, this concubine feels that Noble Consort Hui making this foolish move, could it be that there are people from the Empress deliberately encouraging her from behind? Otherwise, why would she bring this woman into the palace, only to ultimately benefit the Empress..."

As they spoke, the two walked forward, unaware that a group of people was standing behind a flower bush not far away, led by Consort Hui.

Consort Hui was trembling with anger, her slender hands, painted with henna, tearing at the flower branches despite the pain.

The palace servants attending her were all trembling with fear, not daring to say a word.

Especially her personal maid, Yanzhi, was even more pale with fright, because she was by Noble Consort Hui's side when she came up with this idea, and she even praised Her Majesty for being wise.

Based on Yanzhi's understanding of Consort Hui, she would definitely be blamed.

As expected, Consort Hui's beautiful eyes were already glaring fiercely.

Fortunately, Consort Hui still knew they were outside and didn't lash out, but turned and headed straight for Fengqi Palace.

"Mei Wuxia!"

Hupo stepped forward and said, "You must not be disrespectful to the Empress!"

The Empress raised a hand to stop Hupo, then smiled at the person who came, "Consort Hui, why are you so angry?"

"Do you not know why I am angry? You actually dared to scheme against me!" Consort Hui said aggressively.

The Empress smiled faintly and said, "Consort Hui, what are you talking about? This Majesty doesn't understand!"

"You don't understand? You are insidious and cunning, vile and disgusting. Is there anyone in this world you wouldn't dare to scheme against? You put on the appearance of a Bodhisattva, but your heart is filled with treachery and lewdness..."

The Empress's expression turned cold, and she said angrily, "Consort Hui, don't forget that this Majesty is the Empress!"

"You are the Empress, but I am not afraid of you..."

Seeing that her mistress was saying increasingly outrageous things, Yanzhi couldn't stand it any longer. She hurried forward to pull and embrace Consort Hui, and signaled to the others to help her.

"Your Majesty, let's go back quickly, I beg you. If this matter blows up, it won't do us any good. If His Majesty finds out..."

In the end, it was this sentence that persuaded Consort Hui, but before she left, she kicked over the incense burner beside her.

Consort Hui made a scene and left triumphantly.

Hupo told people to clean up the mess.

The Empress revealed a smile. Even if this scheme wasn't of her design, she didn't mind taking credit for it, since it made Consort Hui misunderstand and become so angry.

Originally, her face was smiling, but as she smiled, the smile gradually disappeared.

"Look, this Majesty is clearly the Empress, yet even a mere Consort Hui can act wildly in front of this Majesty."

Hupo stammered from the side, "Your Majesty."

"Is it only because my background is inferior to hers, because my position was not obtained legitimately?"

Seeing the Empress as if in a hysterical fit, her words becoming increasingly outrageous, Hupo hastily waved her hand, dismissing the palace servants from tidying up. Only then did she cautiously advise, "Your Majesty, why bother arguing with her? Consort Hui is a laughingstock in the palace now."

'"Even if she is a laughingstock, she is still the mother of the First Prince. His Majesty clearly knows… clearly knows…" The Empress trembled as she touched her lower abdomen, tears glistening in her eyes. "Yet he insists on letting her raise that child. What does it matter if he is sickly? He is a Prince, while this Majesty… this Majesty has nothing…"'

Hupo's eyes reddened with heartache as she softly called out, "Your Majesty."

"In truth, this Majesty knows that His Majesty is deliberately suppressing me. In the end, he still harbors resentment in his heart about what happened back then. Even if he didn't, that vile woman, Chang Minghui, has tirelessly slandered and spread rumors about this Majesty for years. His Majesty probably harbors ill feelings towards this Majesty as well."

Speaking to this point, hatred surfaced on the Empress's face: "That vile woman started spreading rumors about this Majesty from the Prince's mansion, and she hasn't stopped even after entering the palace! She shamelessly bullies this Majesty, relying on His Majesty's tolerance of her!"

Hupo quickly advised, "Your Majesty, you mustn't be angry with such a person. She is no longer favored now, and His Majesty is also tired of her. Besides a Prince, she has nothing."

"Having a Prince is enough for her." The Empress suddenly calmed down. "This Majesty also needs a Prince, but before that, her Prince cannot remain."

"Your Majesty?"

"Right, before that, this Majesty should also see my good cousin. Hupo, when do you think it would be appropriate for this Majesty to summon her to the palace?"

Hupo had long been frightened by her previous words, especially since they now involved the Empress's deep-seated resentment. How could she dare to speak?

The Empress didn't wait for her to answer, and continued, "Perhaps it's best to wait and see if my good cousin has the ability to have His Majesty summon her into the palace again."

***

From that day on, Wushuang became a special existence in the Duke Zhao's mansion.

Those who could make decisions all disappeared before her, and no one summoned her for questioning or conversation, as if nothing had happened. However, everything that the mansion was supposed to provide her was given in full, and even what had been previously skimped on was now compensated.

After calming down, Wushuang would also fall into confusion and contradiction, unsure of where her future lay. The more she thought, the more she pitied herself, thinking that His Majesty, having seen all kinds of women in his three palaces and six courtyards, might soon forget her, and perhaps would never summon her to the palace again.

Wushuang even thought that even if she wasn't summoned to the palace again, with this incident having occurred, the people in the Duke Zhao's mansion wouldn't dare to deal with her, at most treating her as filth, avoiding her from afar. This was actually no different from her previous days, as she had always been a despised existence in this mansion.

Thinking this way, she felt much more at ease.

There was no hurdle in this world that couldn't be overcome; life could always go on. Spending her whole life alone in this small courtyard wasn't so bad, actually.

As for what outsiders would say about her after learning of this matter, since she wouldn't be going out anyway, what they said seemed unimportant.

Just when Wushuang had finally built up her mental defenses, only one night passed before the bejeweled and ornate carriage that had taken her to the palace arrived again at the gate of the Duke Zhao's mansion the next evening.

Stepping into this palace once more, Wushuang felt less of the terror she had experienced the previous two times. Although she was still afraid, at least she didn't feel that trembling trepidation.

When she arrived, he was having his meal.

Without the blood-red eyes, he was actually quite handsome, dignified and composed, at least on the surface.

"You... come..."

Emperor Qianwu sighed, deciding to take the lead himself.

The abnormality of his body could not be exposed, but 'he' was slowly regaining his senses these past few days, yet his words and actions were still strange. He could only suppress 'his' protests and let him come forward.

"Have you had your evening meal?"

Wushuang wanted to say yes, but she didn't dare to lie in front of Emperor Qianwu, so she shook her head.

Emperor Qianwu glanced at Fusheng.

Afterwards, needless to say, Fusheng ordered that another set of tableware be prepared, and had someone help Wushuang to the table to sit down.

Emperor Qianwu did not have anyone serve him, but his table manners were impeccable, revealing his excellent upbringing.

Wushuang remained silent, initially not daring to pick up any food. Seeing him glance at her, she hurriedly picked up a chopstick of vegetables into her plate, and then she ate only that one chopstick of vegetables.

Seeing Emperor Qianwu lower his eyelids, Fusheng quickly came to Wushuang's side.

"Madam, shall this old servant serve you?"

"How could I?"

Perhaps she hadn't known before, but seeing Fusheng constantly attending to Emperor Qianwu, Wushuang had quietly asked a palace maid about the identity of this chamberlain who had helped her before. Naturally, she didn't dare to regard this Grand Chamberlain as an ordinary palace servant.

"What's wrong with it?" Fusheng said with a smile, asking someone to bring a plate and bowl to pick food for Wushuang, filling not only a plate full, but also serving her a bowl of soup.

There was no way Wushuang could finish so much, but with that person watching beside her, she didn't dare not eat.

Seeing her carefully put down her chopsticks, Emperor Qianwu also put down his chopsticks.

After the meal, Wushuang was led away by a palace maid to bathe.

This Rouyi Hall had a special hot spring pool. Wushuang didn't know where the water came from or where it went, but bathing here was much more comfortable than using a bathtub.

She was unaware that the bathing pool in Rouyi Palace was actually part of Chenhui Hall, and that the two palaces were connected. The reason for this arrangement was, in truth, Emperor Qianwu's attempt to conceal his illness.

When 'he' lost control, there had to be a place to confine him. This was why he had built Chenhui Hall adjacent to Rouyi Palace, and also the reason for the rumors of hauntings in Rouyi Palace. In truth, Rouyi Palace had long been rumored to be haunted, though those were merely exaggerations. Emperor Qianwu was simply exploiting them once more.

After bathing, Wushuang was attended to, changed into comfortable sleeping garments, and returned to her bedchamber.

He was already on the bed, and Wushuang felt that the way he looked at her was a little strange, an indescribable feeling that made her ears burn.

But immediately he got off the bed, picked her up, and placed her back on the bed, as usual pinning her beneath him.

He sniffed gently, nuzzling her ear and temple like a curious kitten.

Your Majesty is truly strange!

Wushuang thought to herself, while simultaneously trying to relax and not be too nervous. Suddenly, she heard the person on top of her ask, "You... what's... your name?"

His voice was low and hoarse, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time, but it wasn't the same as Meifang's stutter. It simply gave Wushuang the feeling that he hadn't spoken in a long time.

She felt that this feeling of hers was absurd, since he had clearly spoken normally before.

"Wushuang, Mei Wushuang," she said, trembling.

"Wushuang?" he murmured, the dark, hoarse voice and the overly close proximity causing her ears to tingle. "I am called, Ji Yang."