Chapter 0082: Despicable Man

Chapter 0082: Despicable Man

Yun Li couldn't believe that the Emperor could be so mischievous.

She had mentioned it in passing yesterday, but how would others outside know the Emperor had drawn a begonia flower for her?

But now that the Emperor had said it himself, how could she keep it a secret?

No point in hiding it – let the Emperor watch as the entire harem soon blooms with begonia flowers.

"What is Qiong Cairen laughing at?" Meng Baolin was unnerved by her laughter.

"I'm laughing at your discernment. His Majesty personally drew this flower this morning. I can’t see it myself in the mirror, but I imagine it must be well done," Yun Li replied with a smile.

Meng Baolin was startled, and everyone else turned to look.

Lan Fei chuckled, "Oh, the Emperor drew it for you? Indeed, Qiong Cairen is quite favored. I remember how Jia Meiren boasted for a long time when the Emperor personally put on earrings for her."

Jia Meiren snorted, "I can't compare to Qiong Cairen. And certainly not to Lan Fei, who had the Emperor arrange her hair."

Yun Li's lips curved slightly.

In her mind, she mocked: just a despicable man moving his fingers.

Yet it made all these women care so much.

The Empress waved her hand, "It's Qiong Cairen’s good fortune to be favored by the Emperor. My sisters should not be envious. The Emperor doesn't favor just one person. Everyone should be content."

Everyone agreed, but inwardly, no one truly accepted this.

Yun Li knew well that pretending to be humble was futile now. The Emperor was insistently pushing her into the limelight, and she wasn’t one to shy away from trouble, so she might as well step forward.

When the gathering dispersed, Jing Cairen invited her, "Sister, if you’re free, come and sit with me."

Yunli nodded and then left with Meng Baolin.

After returning, she paid no attention to Meng Baolin and went to Lady Jing's quarters.

Ever since Meng Baolin revealed that Lady Jing was pregnant, the two had been in a state of mutual disdain.

"A few days ago, I received a letter from home. My mother had consulted a doctor from outside the region. He mentioned that my condition is rare. It’s likely that… I was given something I shouldn’t have been," Lady Jing said through clenched teeth.

She had thought it over for a long time and finally sent a letter describing her condition, opting not to bring her family in, as it would be too conspicuous.

"My mother didn’t dare to hide it from me. The doctor said that to resolve it… unless I… Anyway, I can’t take any medicine right now. If I wait a few more months, it might become… incurable," Lady Jing said, her eyes red with tears.

"Yun Li understood; to be cured, the pregnancy must be terminated."

"It likely means taking medicine, which would harm the child too. That's the implication."

"But such a choice is too difficult. How could she bring herself to harm her own child?"

"'Right now, without any evidence, I dare not say much. Even if I knew someone was harming me, it's unlikely I'd find the culprit. I really don't know what to do. Sister, you've always been wise. Please, give me some advice,' implored Concubine Jing."

"'Sister, this is something I cannot decide for you,' Yun Li firmly refused. 'I can only assure you that I'll pretend to be unaware of this matter.'"

"Concubine Jing sighed, 'I really don't know what to do. This is the emperor's heir...'"

"'Sister, I should return now. You think about it yourself. Regardless, I am on your side,' Yun Li said, then curtseyed before leaving."

"She said nothing more, for any word might be misinterpreted."

"On Yun Li's return, Zhuyu softly asked, 'Concubine Jing... to reveal such things, not even keeping them from me...'"

"'It means she has decided what to do,' Yun Li said with a soft laugh. 'How many truly kind women are there in the harem? Do you think she really wanted my advice?'"

"'Ah? Then...' Zhuyu asked anxiously, 'what does Concubine Jing mean? I don't understand.'"

"'You're not dull, think about it. I'm hungry,' said Yun Li."

"Zhuyu nodded and went to serve her meal."

"After being framed several times, even a fool like Concubine Jing would have learned."

"Moreover, it's evident that the Hua family's intentions towards her are far more sincere than the Qi family's towards the Noble Consort."

"And she quickly figured out what to do."

"Yun Li, having understood everything, merely sneered."

"Zhuyu slowly realized that Concubine Jing had summoned her lady because she had previously alerted her. Now, whatever she did, her lady might be considered an informant. She deliberately called her lady over for assurance, didn't she?"

"With this in mind, Zhuyu approached Yun Li and said, 'My lady, I've understood it all, but... does she really trust you?'"

"'She doesn't need to trust me, just to tie me to this. You visited her once, and I went today. If something happens in the future, and I try to accuse her, wouldn't I be implicated too?' Yun Li questioned."

"Zhuyu was stunned."

"Zhi Fu also said, 'What should we do then? You meant well in this matter. Concubine Jing is too ruthless.'"

"'It doesn't matter,' Yun Li shook her head. 'I know what I'm doing. Unless the Emperor himself asks, what does it matter?'"

"After a pause, Zhi Fu asked, 'But what if the Emperor does ask you? You can't just not answer, can you?'"

"'Then I'll answer. Don't worry, I have my ways,' Yun Li sighed. 'I'm just reflecting. The women of the harem, when their hearts turn cruel, dare to do anything.'"

"Clearly, Concubine Jing had already decided not to keep the child."

"For her, she's still young, she can have more children."

"But if she's completely disfigured, even if she has a child, she won't have a future. And if the child is still young, can she raise it?"

"Is it a son?"

"All these were uncertainties."

"Actually, her being pregnant now was a bit early too."

"So, considering all these factors, not keeping the child was the best option."

"Indeed."

"On the twenty-ninth of March, Concubine Jing went through with the abortion."

"It caused quite a stir. When Yun Li rushed over, the Empress and others had also arrived."

Meng Baolin knelt outside on the porch, crying inconsolably. Her maid, also kneeling behind her, had a face full of panic.

Everyone understood the situation at a glance.

The imperial physician and the nurse hurried over, and Lady Jing was screaming in pain inside the room.

Basins of blood were carried out one after another.

Soon, the imperial physician came out and shook his head: "Empress, Lady Jing is safe, but the royal heir… couldn’t be saved."

"What happened? It was almost five months, how could this happen so carelessly?" the Empress exclaimed angrily.

"Replying to the Empress, it was Meng Baolin… She suddenly bumped into us, and while we were supporting her, our Lady Jing fell onto us, which disturbed the royal heir. She started bleeding immediately," Miaoyun wept in explanation.

The Empress looked at Meng Baolin: "What have you done?"

"It wasn't... I didn't do it on purpose, it wasn't... I was just moving and accidentally bumped into her," Meng Baolin cried while explaining, "Empress, it was her own carelessness, it was her fault."

"Meng Baolin is really talking nonsense. Even your own maid saw you harboring resentment. Ever since our Lady became pregnant, you've been sarcastic and spiteful. Today's incident was no coincidence," Miaoyun accused angrily, "Let Xiangli speak!"