Chapter 292

Chapter 0292: Ning Fei

He Jinxi planned to stay with Yun Li all day, but due to affairs at the former court, he had to leave temporarily.

Yun Li actually didn't dwell much on it; what had passed was past, and she didn't want to think too much about it.

As for the matter itself, Ning Xiu Yan was already dead.

It was announced in the afternoon that she died of a sudden illness.

He Jinxi posthumously honored her as Consort Ning.

Regardless of how she died, officially it could only be due to illness.

Given her death was due to illness, and she was a daughter of the Lin family and the mother of the Fifth Prince, posthumous honor was indispensable.

It was also a way to save face.

How could the people of the harem not be suspicious? After all, she was fine in the morning.

To say the Empress Dowager was ruthless, she wouldn’t even wait a few more days.

She made it clear to the harem that Consort Ning's death was unusual.

Sending Yun Li to see was to calm her, but it might also mean getting her involved in trouble.

However, this was the Empress Dowager taking a small revenge while disowning her kin, which Yun Li could understand.

The Fifth Prince was the most shocked and incredulous, mourning for Ning Consort, but he couldn't comprehend it.

The Empress Dowager refused to say anything, only that Ning Consort died of a sudden illness.

Even as a consort, she wasn’t entitled to have her body rest in the palace.

She was sent to a place specifically for the royal family's mourning, and after three days, she was taken to the Consort's mausoleum.

With the Empress Dowager there, Ning Consort's funeral affairs wouldn't look bad.

The next morning, the Empress, along with others, went to the palace's Buddhist hall to pray for Ning Consort.

She was at the Bao'an Hall in the palace, offering paper sacrifices for Ning Fei.

It was as if she was sending her off.

Returning to Fengyi Palace, it was almost noon.

The Empress sighed, "It's been a tumultuous half-year, with Xu Shi gone, and now Ning Fei too."

"Yes, it's truly tragic for Consort Ning, so young," sighed Consort Jinde.

"Speaking of which, Consort Qiong knows best, doesn't she? What exactly happened yesterday? What illness did Consort Ning have?" asked Consort Wu Zhaorong.

Everyone naturally looked at Yunli, who then responded, "Consort Wu Zhaorong, do you really want to know? Can you bear the consequences of knowing?"

Consort Wu Zhaorong was startled, "What you're implying... Isn't everyone curious?"

"So, will you bear the consequences?" Yunli pressed.

Consort Wu Zhaorong hurriedly replied, "Never mind, never mind. If it can't be said, then let's drop it. I was merely speaking without thinking."

Yunli then gave her another look before turning to the Empress, "Your Majesty, I will speak with you privately about it later."

The Empress nodded in agreement.

After a few more moments of idle chat, everyone dispersed.

Yunli stayed behind, no need for secrecy, and told the Empress, "This matter doesn't concern the Empress Dowager; the Empress was furious. Now, she's probably heartbroken too."

The Empress had guessed as much but thought it was uncovered by His Majesty.

"So, it was her! Truly a venomous woman," the Empress was naturally pleased.

Consort Ning's death was beneficial to her.

"There are all kinds of schemes in the harem, I can hardly guard against them all. I was about to ask Your Majesty for a few days off," Yunli said.

"Alright, take a few days to rest. But remember, you are the victim in this, it's not your fault, don't blame yourself," the Empress reassured.

"Yes, I'm not blaming myself, nor am I saddened for her, just feeling weary," Yun Li said with a smile and a shake of her head. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'll return after resting for three to five days."

"Rest well. I'll have someone send you some nourishing items later. Take good care to replenish yourself," the Empress said.

Yun Li thanked her and then left the Fengyi Palace.

Ruyi, after seeing her out, returned and said, "I never expected that it was the Empress Dowager who personally took action. This is truly surprising."

"Indeed, the Empress Dowager is truly decisive and unhesitant," the Empress admired.

"Now that Consort Ning is gone, it's a good thing. This incident will probably make the Emperor wary of the Fifth Prince. I'm afraid the Fifth Prince will also come to resent Consort Qiong," Songlu mentioned.

The Empress laughed: "Indeed."

The next morning, as if coordinated, both the Emperor and the Empress sent gifts.

The Emperor's gifts were more numerous and valuable. The Empress sent fewer items, focusing more on nourishing things.

Such as ginseng, bird's nest, and the like.

Yun Li didn't bother too much with them, storing what could be kept in the small kitchen and putting away the rest.

"Pack up what's suitable, and we'll send it to Consort Jing Ning when she leaves."

Everyone agreed.

Yunli requested three to five days off but ended up resting for ten days.

The Yuanzheng Khan has arrived.

He was given the highest level of reception by He Jingxi, with the Crown Prince personally going out of the city to welcome him.

This year, the Crown Prince's health has been good, at least he hasn't fallen ill after the New Year.

Perhaps because he's grown, the Crown Prince's health has gradually improved compared to previous years.

The Empress was overjoyed by this improvement.

Accompanied by his brothers, the Crown Prince went out of the city to welcome the new Khan of Yuanzheng, Hunyin, into the city.

Hunyin kept a low profile, proceeding all the way into the imperial palace.

He Jingxi and others met him at Zhengyang Palace.

Although Hunyin is the new Khan, he is of the uncle-nephew generation with He Jingxi.

Moreover, his position as Khan was stabilized with He Jingxi's assistance.

Thus, he was very polite upon meeting He Jingxi.

"It's been a long journey, Khan. You must be exhausted," He Jingxi said.

"Not at all, not at all. I'm young, and riding is nothing to me," Hunyin laughed.

"Good, seeing you so spirited puts my mind at ease," He Jinli patted his shoulder.

"It's all thanks to Your Majesty's assistance. I'm deeply grateful," Hunyin clenched his left fist and knocked it against his chest, then bowed slightly.

"Great Jin and Yuanzheng are friendly nations by nature, mutual assistance is only proper. No need for formalities. Moreover, I am friends with your father Khan, and your grandfather had a connection with the previous emperor. Your aunt is my honored concubine, and my niece is your empress dowager. Though we are monarchs of two nations, we are also related by marriage. There's no need for excessive courtesy," He Jinli said with a smile.

"Yes, Your Majesty is right. Being here feels like coming home," Hunyin said with a smile.

The two sat and talked, planning to hold a grand banquet at the Zhengyang Palace in the evening.

Hosting the Khan of Yuanzheng, this was a state banquet.

Yunli was changing her clothes at this time.

"Your Highness, how about this one? It was delivered a few days ago, and you haven't even looked at it," Zhifu suggested, holding up a watermelon red dress.

Yunli glanced at it, the watermelon red base was embroidered with lotuses using gold thread.

"Good."

After changing into the dress and matching it with a belt of the same color, she planned to drape a light cape over it later, as it was still chilly in early spring.

She styled her hair into a high crane-top bun, adorned with red gold tassels, top-grade tribute pearls, and red coral beads.

Then, she added a pair of filigree ruby peach blossom hairpins, with the centerpiece also set with rubies, polished to a dazzling brilliance.

A silk velvet golden thread brocade flower was placed at the back of her head.

Earrings of tribute pearls and red coral beads dangled by her ears.

Around his neck was a necklace made of white jade and red agate.

Every piece of white jade was flawless, and every piece of agate was smooth. Yunli's adornment today was quite significant.

Though not many, the presence of the pendants was already grand. Too much extravagance would have been unnecessary.