Chapter 110: Mutual Deception

Chapter 110: Mutual Deception

Zhifu quickly caught up, and even though her words were brief, they conveyed a clear message.

Beauty Yun's visit to Yuzhi Palace had been unpleasant.

In Yuzhi Palace, the Noble Consort surely had spies among those who served her closely and even among the lower-ranked servants who weren't allowed inside the rooms.

This was the case in every palace.

Therefore, the day after paying respects, the Empress detained Yun Li.

After everyone left, the two moved to an inner hall to talk.

The Empress, heavily pregnant, slowly sat down with assistance.

"What happened yesterday? You are so impulsive, did you have another disagreement with your sister?"

Yun Li quickly retorted, "She's not my sister! I don't have such a sister!"

"Look at you, that's too much to say. After all, you are family," the Empress said with a smile.

"But she... she bribed my people, she..." Yun Li stopped herself and sheepishly added, "I misspoke."

"Such words, sister... If she really bribed your people, that's a serious matter," the Empress said slowly.

Yun Li, in a panic, quickly clarified, "No, no... it's just a small matter. That Furong... she was caught by His Majesty and... His Majesty ordered her execution. It's nothing much. His Majesty forbade me from speaking about it... Your Highness, I shouldn't have said that."

"Oh? His Majesty forbade you to speak?" the Empress asked, her heart in her throat.

Yun Li nodded, "Yes, actually that day... I wasn't very clear why, but Furong was taken elsewhere for questioning. My people saw her receive a large gold bracelet from the Noble Consort," Yun Li made a face. "His Majesty said Furong was at fault, and as for other matters, he instructed me not to ask or speak. So I..."

Waving the tiger's skin as a banner, the Empress would surely not dare to ask the Emperor.

Everyone would just ambiguously swallow this matter.

The Empress sighed with relief, "Since it's His Majesty's wish, let's not discuss it further."

"Yes," Yun Li frowned, "I don't wish to visit the Noble Consort anymore. Today was really... my fault as well."

"Well, it's a natural enmity between you sisters, always unable to get along. If you don't want to go, then don't," the Empress said with a smile.

The Empress at this time was naturally very easy to talk to.

After sitting a while longer and receiving a pair of hairpins from the Empress, Yun Li returned to Le'an Palace.

"My lady, shall I put these away?" Zhifu asked.

"Keep them. They were a gift from the Empress, and quite beautiful," Yun Li said casually. "When you can't retaliate, you have to make people believe you know nothing."

She seemed to be talking to herself, so Zhifu and Zhu Yu pretended not to hear, yet internally they admired her.

Indeed, with the matter coming to light, and unable to be left unresolved, it was essential not to antagonize the Empress.

Playing dumb was indeed the best strategy.

It's rare that someone so young could keep such composure.

By playing dumb, everyone remains confused, and the Empress, at least for a short time, would find it difficult to act against her.

Moreover, before Yun Li entered the palace, Furong could still be bribed.

Now, arranging someone new wouldn't be as easy as before.

Zhu Que, through Cui Ke, identified a low-ranking palace maid in Le'an Palace named Lan Hua.

She was over thirty years old.

Being unattractive, she had never had the chance to serve a master, nor the opportunity to receive favor and leave the palace. So, she was assigned to Le'an Palace when new servants arrived last year.

Zhu Que asked, "My lady, how shall we deal with her?"

Yun Li said, "Let's keep her, just avoid her in the future now that we know."

"Understood, I'll remember," Zhu Que replied.

Eliminating one spy won't change much, as the Empress, intent on controlling the harem, will undoubtedly plant more.

Hence, Yun Li chose not to act against this person.

Furong had died, and whatever she said before death would forever remain unknown to the Empress.

He Jinli wouldn't disclose anything, and the Empress, feeling guilty herself, couldn't inquire. Thus, the matter was buried.

Yun Li simply needed to show her dislike for the Noble Consort, which wasn't hard since she genuinely didn't like her.

Just like that, an issue was dissipated.

The Empress wouldn't feel lost over a failed scheme; to her, it was a disaster averted.

This year's autumn was late, making it the perfect time for chrysanthemums to bloom in the Imperial Garden.

Talent Zhang, accompanied by Xunhua, was enjoying the flowers in the garden.

There, they coincidentally met Wei Niang from Yuefu.

Wei Niang greeted, "This servant pays respects to Talent Zhang."

"No need for formalities. Wei Niang, are you here to appreciate the flowers too? The golden autumn chrysanthemums are blooming beautifully," said Talent Zhang.

"Yes. I'm here to see the chrysanthemums for someone dear to me. He loved these golden autumn chrysanthemums, especially the golden globes. He used to say, 'The city full of rouge cannot compare to a single golden chrysanthemum,'" Wei Niang smiled, yet her eyes were full of sorrow.

Concealing the emotion in her eyes, Talent Zhang said, "What a coincidence to meet here. I also love these chrysanthemums. It seems we have a lot in common. Xunhua, go and get some tea brewed. I would like to have a chat with Wei Niang."

Xunhua nodded and left.

After Xunhua left, Wei Niang scoffed, "Talent Zhang, now a prince's mother, has a status incomparable to before. Yet, she still deigns to speak with someone as lowly as me."

Talent Zhang did not respond to the provocation, merely gazing at the flowers and taking a deep breath.

"What, no more words to say?" Wei Niang pressed aggressively.

Wei Niang, around twenty-five or twenty-six years old, already showed wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, prematurely aged.

Talent Zhang said, "What can I say? How reluctant I was to enter the palace, but he... I came and became the Emperor's woman. Should I just suffer for a lifetime? He's gone, leaving you and me. I know you're suffering..."

"You don't understand. You're now Talent Zhang, a prince's mother. And me? I'm still a lowly servant of Yuefu. Do you know, I thought, with Empress Dowager Tao... but she too took her life. I'm filled with hatred," tears wound down Wei Niang's face.

"I must kill the damned Emperor, even if he's already dead! I will avenge him," Wei Niang declared.

"You don't need to speak. He wronged you then, now you just have to not hinder me. Once the Emperor passes, you and your son seek your own fortune," Wei Niang interrupted Talent Zhang.

Talent Zhang shook her head, "Alright."

Wei Niang glanced again at the chrysanthemums, smiling bitterly, "All my life, I never loved flowers. Never did, but I..."

She left without finishing her sentence.

When Xunhua returned, she asked nothing.

But Talent Zhang said, "The past is past. You're good, knowing so much yet saying nothing. I am the Emperor's Talent, the mother of the Third Prince. Nothing else."

Xunhua knelt down, "I am only your servant, Talent, knowing nothing else. I will only be loyal, incapable of anything else."

Talent Zhang helped her up, nodding with a smile.