Chapter 86: A Minor Punishment

Chapter 86: A Minor Punishment

"My lady...?" Xia Chan was somewhat puzzled.

The Empress had regained her composure and said with a smile, "Since Imperial Physician Qiu could resign and return home, I presume His Majesty won't be too harsh on Fengyi Palace."

It was just a small warning.

She didn't voice this last part, but everyone present understood.

The Empress might have only given birth to the eldest princess, but now she raised three imperial sons, which was a considerable support.

Moreover, as the central Empress, distinct from other concubines, if she were to be accused, solid evidence would be required, or else the court officials would not agree.

She said, "His Majesty's reaction is because he thinks Zhao Noble Consort is pregnant with an imperial heir. But we both know that it's likely false. If His Majesty finds out, I'm afraid his anger will be directed at Yaohua Palace."

Xia Chan followed the Empress's lead, asking, "Does the master mean to have Lady Sun expose this matter?"

"Originally, I summoned Lady Sun to find a scapegoat for Zhao Noble Consort's 'miscarriage' to protect myself, whether her pregnancy is real or not," the Empress said, her eyes lowered and playing with her jade bracelet on the armchair. "But under the current circumstances, it's not wise to proceed. If Zhao Noble Consort suffers another incident, His Majesty will not be so forgiving."

Although fairly certain that Zhao Noble Consort's pregnancy is a sham, the Empress, always cautious, preferred to have a scapegoat bear the risk than confront the slight chance of truth.

Now that this plan is unfeasible, with His Majesty displeased with Fengyi Palace, but doing nothing might risk Zhao Noble Consort's 'miscarriage' harming her. She had to reconsider exposing the false pregnancy.

Chunyan, having heard the Empress's words, frowned and said, "My lady, in my opinion, Lady Sun is unlikely to agree."

Accusing Zhao Noble Consort's child of being fake, even if true, would displease His Majesty. Lady Sun, only out of favor for her looks, hasn't reached the point of His Majesty's disdain, so why would she agree to this?

The Empress glanced at Chunyan, smiling slightly, "Whether finding a scapegoat or exposing Zhao Noble Consort, she won't need to do it herself."

Lady Sun had a good relationship with the Empress and was even promoted to her current rank by the Empress's recommendation. The Empress wouldn't be foolish enough to have Lady Sun directly involved in any scheme.

"Yes, I am not insightful enough," Chunyan respectfully responded.

In March, the afternoons were pleasantly cool. Inside Xiuxia Pavilion, Lady Sun was engrossed in tracing a painting.

Spread on her desk was a long scroll, a contemporary imitation of Wu Daozi's "Sending Off the Heavenly King." Not skilled in painting, Lady Sun had to overlay a thin sheet of rice paper and meticulously trace the lines.

Huamei, grinding ink beside her, whispered, "Why go through such trouble, my lady? A simple gift of jewelry for Lady Feng would suffice."

Huamei felt it was beneath Lady Sun's dignity, a legitimate daughter of a third-rank official, to go to such lengths to please a commoner.

Lady Sun's expression remained calm as she slightly raised her brush, saying indifferently, "Lady Feng's birthday is approaching. This painting, though not valuable, is my wish for her to achieve her heart's desires and conceive soon."

After pausing to assess her half-finished tracing, she resumed her work.

The sound of beaded curtains gently clinking announced the arrival of Dujuan, who reported in a hushed tone, "My lady, the Empress has sent Chunyan to invite you to Fengyi Palace."

"Fengyi Palace?" Lady Sun paused, handed her brush to Huamei, and stood up, "Please ask Chunyan to wait; I'll change my dress and be right there."

"Yes," Dujuan acknowledged and left to entertain Chunyan.

Assisted by Huamei, Lady Sun entered her private chamber, chose a crab-apple-colored brocade dress with a hundred-bird pattern, redid her hairstyle into a flying fairy bun, and adorned a veil before heading out.

Huamei hesitantly asked, "Why would the Empress suddenly summon you?"

Though aligned with the Empress, Lady Sun was not frequently called to Fengyi Palace.

"I'm not sure," Lady Sun replied calmly, "But it may relate to the birth of the Second Prince yesterday."

Glancing out the window, she softly added, "Let's go. Regardless, your mistress cannot refuse the invitation."

With a quiet acknowledgment, Huamei composed herself and helped Lady Sun depart, following Chunyan to Fengyi Palace.

The Empress, still seated on the phoenix throne from the morning greetings, graciously offered Lady Sun a seat on a nearby rosewood armchair, gently asking, "Is that snow face cream effective for you?"

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness," Lady Sun replied with a slight bow, respectfully saying, "It has indeed improved my condition significantly."

The Empress then said with a smile, "If it's useful, that's good. Chunyan, go open the chest and pick out a few boxes of Xueyan cream to give to Lady Sun."

With the Empress's words, Lady Sun naturally had to respond. She stood up and curtseyed, joy in her eyes, and with lowered eyelids said, "Thank you, Your Highness! May I know if you have any orders?"

The Empress's smile deepened, she sipped her tea and gestured for Lady Sun not to be overly formal, then slowly said, "Yesterday, the second prince was born, and I received some news..."

……

Jiang Hui didn't know what the Empress and Lady Sun discussed. Recently increasingly sleepy, she tended to the Emperor in the morning and then went back to sleep after breakfast.

When she awoke again and sat in the warm pavilion playing with her son, she learned of today's court news from Qingfeng.

Marquis Changping not only had his title granted by the Empress Dowager, but also held the position of Zhonglang General of the Yulin Guard, which protects the palaces like Jianzhang and Taiji. This position usually passes from father to son and is exclusive to the Emperor's confidants.

Emperor Xiao Sheng's grandfather, Emperor Gaozong, usurped the throne, splitting the Great Zhou, leading to relentless wars. To win over the Ningyuan Marquis controlling the Northern Army, he married his daughter, Princess Chengping, to the heir of the Ningyuan Marquis.

Emperor Qianning, son of Emperor Gaozong, who reunified the lost territories of Great Zhou, was certainly no mediocrity.

Emperor Qianning placed Marquis Changping in the Yulin Guard in the thirty-first year of Qianning, after he fell seriously ill.

Now that Marquis Changping has been stripped of his position, it's unclear whether Xiao Sheng acted for Jiang Hui's sake or used the opportunity to reclaim military power from the Yulin Guard.

After all, the second prince, of Marquis Changping's bloodline, was just born.

In comparison, initially sending only General Xuanwei to the Northern Pass to assist the Ningyuan Marquis was considered quite moderate.

Qingfeng, standing by the screen, noticed Jiang Hui's indifferent expression and added, "I heard that Imperial Physician Qiu from the Taiyi Institute also resigned and returned to his hometown."

Jiang Hui hummed softly, unsurprised.

She turned to look at Hawthorn, whose face was already bright with joy, and smiled slightly, "Fengyi Palace won't collapse just yet. It's merely a minor chastisement for now, Hawthorn, you're celebrating too early."