Chapter 0121: The Play of Truth and Pretense

Chapter 0121: The Play of Truth and Pretense

Indeed, she looked almost the same as before, but her significant blood loss had also taken a heavy toll.

She was fine now, mostly thanks to her youth.

At this point, the Empress suddenly stood up from her seat.

As she stood, everyone else had to stand as well.

The Empress, leaning on Ruyi's hand, walked down and bowed to Zhang Xiuyi: "I deeply thank you, sister."

Zhang Xiuyi reacted quickly, immediately kneeling down: "Your Majesty, you are too gracious. This is too much honor for your humble servant."

"Sister, your actions saved the Emperor and were a great service to the entire Jin Dynasty. Naturally, you are also a benefactor to me. How could there be no gratitude for such a deed?" the Empress said sincerely.

At this time, the concept of husband and wife being one was highly valued. Even though the Empress was just a part of the harem, as the Emperor's wife, she shared his fate. Hence, her wholehearted gratitude was justified.

Zhang Xiuyi hurriedly said: "At that time, anyone would have done the same. I was merely fulfilling my duty to His Majesty and Your Majesty. Now that His Majesty has given me such a position, I am already overwhelmed with gratitude. Please, Your Majesty, don’t say such things; I am unworthy of such praise."

The Empress, wiping her tears: "Alright, sister, please rise. Quickly get up."

Seeing the Empress in tears, everyone else also had to feign their emotions.

With the Empress herself showing such gratitude, everyone, even if not bowing themselves, had to display their appreciation to Zhang Xiuyi.

Theoretically, if the Emperor had died, it would have been the end for all of them.

But...

Yunli pondered whether the Empress's act was purely to be seen as a virtuous Empress, or if there was another motive.

Zhang Xiuyi, now one of the nine concubines, would ascend to a second-rank consort position with her next promotion.

She also has a healthy prince.

After the morning greetings dispersed, everyone went their separate ways.

By then, the paths were not completely cleared. Those less favored had to trudge through unevenly cleared roads.

Before parting, Jing Cairen said to Yunli, "If you're free this afternoon, come over to my place, and we can gather around the stove in the evening."

Yunli smiled, "I won't make it today. I didn't sleep well last night and was caught off guard by the sudden cold. Let's plan for another day."

Jing Cairen laughed and agreed.

Their titles for each other hadn't changed, as Jing Cairen didn't want to seem submissive too quickly and wanted to deliberately show that their relationship was still good.

But ultimately, things were different.

In such a short time, their statuses had completely reversed.

On the fourteenth day of the twelfth lunar month, a messenger from the Marquis of Dongchang's residence came to the palace, bringing news that Lady Dowager Marquise of Dongchang had passed away.

This was Yunli's grandmother.

Upon hearing this news, Yunli paused.

She sighed, "Help me change. I'm going to see the Empress."

Dressed in a lighter-colored outfit, Yunli went to Fengyi Palace.

Seeing her arrival, someone quickly went to announce her.

The Empress also saw her, "Why have you come, sister?"

After paying her respects, Yunli said, "My family has sent word, my grandmother has passed away. I wish to take a day's leave to return home and pay my respects."

Once entered into the palace, a consort's interaction with her family became much less frequent than before.

However, it wasn't completely impossible to visit in the Great Jin Palace.

The Empress pondered, "In principle, it wouldn't be inappropriate for you to visit. But after all..."

Yunli didn't urge her, simply listening quietly.

Seeing her reaction, the Empress said, "Alright, summon the Noble Consort. She should also visit her family. If she goes, you sisters can go together."

Yunli thanked the Empress, knowing in her heart that the Noble Consort would definitely go.

She wasn’t going for the old lady; she had no affection for her. She certainly wanted to see the Marquis and Marchioness of Dongchang.

Soon, the Noble Consort arrived, dressed in simple attire, clearly prepared for the visit.

The Empress promptly granted permission, and the sisters set off together in the carriage.

On the way, the Noble Consort said from within the carriage, "Sister, don’t be too upset. The imperial physician has already been sent. Perhaps, our grandmother is just temporarily ill and will be fine after a visit."

Yunli nodded, not in the mood to converse much.

Yunli's feelings were complex.

For her, before the age of sixteen, her parents, grandmother, and younger brother were the closest people in her life.

But after the age of sixteen...

She had once pleaded with her grandmother, begging her to speak up so she wouldn't have to enter the palace.

But her grandmother only wiped her tears, saying, "Your father's situation is not easy."

Honestly, she could accept that explanation, but not the decision itself.

However, now that the old lady was gravely ill, she couldn't avoid seeing her for the last time.

After all, for the first sixteen years of her life, her grandmother truly doted on her.

Perhaps in her grandmother's eyes, none of her other grandchildren could compare to Yunli.

Consider this a farewell, then.

Everyone in the Marquis of Dongchang's residence was present, naturally, to receive the Noble Consort.

Yunli remained silent, following behind the Noble Consort.

After all, she was merely a favored consort, but the Qi family managed things well, not neglecting her.

She saw her parents and brother but did not linger on them.

She headed straight for her grandmother's quarters.

Her grandmother lived in a large dwelling in the main compound, a testament to her status. In this regard, even if Jiang Shi resented her, she played her part well in the family drama.

Actually, Lady Yu had been unable to get up since the beginning of winter.

She wasn't very old, but her health was poor.

Perhaps it was also because she had lived discontentedly since the old Marquis passed away.

Now, with this illness, it didn't take more than a month for her to look like she was on her way to the next world.

When everyone entered the room, she couldn't get up, only managing to look at the Noble Consort and Yunli.

She said she was paying her respects to the Noble Consort and the beauty.

The Noble Consort hurried over, "Your granddaughter pays her respects, grandmother. Thank you for your concern."

It was all an act.

She had never been close to this step-grandmother, only visiting during festivals to perform a kowtow and a brief visit.

Yunli felt a tightness in her heart looking at the person lying on the couch.

"Grandmother."

Lady Yu looked at Yunli, and cloudy tears of old age started to fall.

But this was not the time for them to speak privately.

Since the old lady was still alive, the Qi family had no choice but to formally receive the Noble Consort.

Needless to say, the banquet was grand, with relatives from all sides of the Qi family coming to pay their respects.

Yunli was also treated with respect, now being a fifth-rank beauty in the palace, and no one dared to underestimate her.

Only after going through these formalities could she have a private moment with her grandmother.

By the time she returned, Madam Yu had almost lost the little strength she had earlier.

Seeing Yunli, she cried, "Li'er... I thought I would never see you again."

Yunli sat beside her bed, letting her hold her hand.

"I was wrong back then," her grandmother lamented, "I thought, being a stepmother, and your father being of humble birth, despised by the main and second houses... If you entered the palace, it would make them treat your father better..."

Yunli interrupted her, "Let's not talk about these things anymore."

But Madam Yu continued, "I wronged you, but it was all for your father and mother. You should have endured more. Why quarrel with your elder sister?"

The words Yunli was about to speak were choked back.

For a moment, she looked at the person on the bed, unsure whether to laugh or cry.

"So, Grandmother, you think what you did was right?" Yunli asked.

This question made Madam Yu feel a slight guilt, but she still said, "What woman doesn't suffer in life?"