Chapter 48

Chapter 48

Song Qingying had already noticed something was off from the look in Deep Green's eyes, flickering with grievance and several times she seemed like she wanted to speak. Even Shang Lin looked troubled. Without asking, she knew it had to do with Zhao Heng's absence today. "So he dared to miss today, next time he shouldn't blame me for not opening the door!" Song Qingying thought to herself.

However, she knew it was essential to understand the whole story, not good to be too passive, so she eventually called Shang Lin over to ask.

"Go ahead, tell me what you've found out. I can see you're all unhappy," Song Qingying said with a smile.

Shang Lin hesitated, but upon Song Qingying's questioning, he stuttered, "I found out His Majesty went to Consort Xian's chambers..."

Song Qingying was taking her last dose of medicine before bed. She took a spoonful, grimacing at the bitterness, "Consort Xian is of high status and is pregnant. His Majesty should visit her. You all shouldn't look so unhappy; it would be embarrassing if others saw."

Deep Green, having been punished, kept her head down and dared not speak. Light Red, being loyal to Zhao Heng, naturally remained silent as well.

Seeing Song Qingying appear indifferent, Shang Lin added, "Today, Lin Xiuyi and Miss Yang somehow fell into the water together, right in front of His Majesty. Some say it was Lin Xiuyi who pushed Miss Yang, who then fainted. His Majesty... His Majesty carried Miss Yang back to Consort Xian's palace."

Song Qingying was just taking another sip of her medicine when she heard this, causing her to pause and then choke on the medicine, leading to a severe coughing fit. Deep Green and Light Red were busy, one fetching water and the other patting Song Qingying's back.

A wave of bitterness invaded her nostrils, and Song Qingying was left with tears and snot running down her face. Zhao Heng, indeed!

"Lady Qingying, are you alright?" Deep Green brought over a cloth to wipe Song Qingying's face.

Catching her breath, Song Qingying weakly waved her hand, "I'm fine, just choked on the medicine."

Shang Lin was already kneeling at Song Qingying's feet, "I deserve to die."

"It was the medicine that choked me, not your fault. Get up. It's not a big deal," Song Qingying said after drinking some water, continuing, "You see, this is how the harem is. Today I'm favored, tomorrow she is. That's why one must never be arrogant or reckless."

"Yes," everyone present responded.

"Alright, this is nothing. Go do what you need to do. Light Red, prepare some water for me; I'm going to rest," Song Qingying instructed.

Light Red complied and went to prepare, feeling that Song Qingying wasn't as nonchalant as she seemed. What should she tell the Emperor? Whether Lady Qingying cared or didn't?

After Light Red left, Deep Green whispered, "Lady Qingying, are you really not upset? There's no one here now. If you feel aggrieved, you can tell me; I won't say a word to Light Red."

Seeing Deep Green's sincerity, Song Qingying smiled, "Am I not upset with you today?"

Deep Green shook her head vigorously, "I'm not upset, it was my lack of consideration. You were right to punish me, my lady."

Song Qingying smiled, "Why would I be upset? What right do I have to be upset? I'm just a talent after all. His Majesty has so many consorts in the harem; he can't possibly visit me every day. If that were the case, I might not live long, not knowing who would harm me. Besides, I can't serve in bed; it's only right for His Majesty to visit others."

"Are you really speaking truthfully, my lady?" Deep Green clearly doubted what Song Qingying said.

Of course, it wasn't the truth, but how could one so easily speak their heart? Song Qingying responded, "You still doubt me? Think about what I said; it's all too common in the palace. There's nothing to be upset about. And you've seen, don't be reckless in the future."

Left with no choice, Deep Green nodded and changed the subject, "Let me comb your hair, my lady."

Song Qingying agreed. Today, because Zhao Heng was expected, she had Deep Green comb her hair and wore the headpiece Zhao Heng had rewarded her, all for naught. Deep Green carefully removed the hairpins and gently combed Song Qingying's hair. Seeing her reflection, Song Qingying remembered when Zhao Heng combed her hair, she was moved. Yet, that feeling didn't last long before he turned to embrace someone else. Fortunately, she remained true to herself; the emperor's favor was never lasting. She once thought Zhao Heng's feelings for her were different; now, it seems she might have been deluding herself.

The lights were bright in Consort Xian's palace, with several visits from the imperial physician and even the legendary healer, yet Yang Ningyu had not awakened.

Zhao Heng, looking at the person lying on the bed, pale and frowning but not unpleasant to look at, felt pity. Since returning from the Imperial Garden, he had stayed by Yang Ningyu's bedside. Only after being reminded by Lu Deli did he remember he was supposed to visit Yiran Residence. Looking at the still unconscious Yang Ningyu, he eventually had Lu Deli send a message back to Song Qingying. He needed to clear things up.

Consort Xian occasionally came to show care for Yang Ningyu, implying through her words that Yang Ningyu had been wronged and deserved an explanation from the emperor once she awoke.

Not long after Consort Xian left, she returned. Seeing Zhao Heng continuously by Yang Ningyu's side, she felt a sourness in her heart. During her pregnancy, His Majesty's visits were few and far between. Seeing how much he cared for Yang Ningyu, it seemed her family's strategy was successful.

"Your Majesty, why don't you rest for a while? I can have someone watch over her, and I'll call you as soon as my cousin wakes up," Consort Xian said softly, hiding her thoughts.

Zhao Heng shook his head, "No, I want to wait here."

Consort Xian felt even more disheartened, looking at Yang Ningyu on the bed. She remembered her mother confidently saying that the emperor would surely like Yang Ningyu. She couldn't understand why her mother was so sure, but now, with the emperor vigilantly watching over her, wasn't it proof that her mother was right? She had once laughed at Consort Song, never expecting to find herself in a similar position.

The Empress Dowager was about to leave when she heard Yang Ningyu mumbling, "Zi Yun... Zi Yun..."

The Empress Dowager was shocked, wondering why Yang Ningyu was calling out a man's name. Looking at Zhao Heng, indeed, his expression had darkened.

"Who is Zi Yun?" Zhao Heng asked the Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager's face stiffened, "I... I do not know, perhaps a cousin from her maternal family."

Zhao Heng glanced at the Empress Dowager, noncommittally, then turned his gaze back to Yang Ningyu. The Empress Dowager looked at Yang Ningyu, then left resentfully.

Zhao Heng didn't believe Yang Ningyu was calling out a cousin's name; she was calling his name. He had been pondering this since the afternoon, how Yang Ningyu could know his childhood name. Very few knew this name, not even the esteemed dowager empress, it was a secret between him and his birth mother, one he had never shared.

He had originally planned to visit Yi Ran Residence that afternoon. Halfway there, he saw a little eunuch hurrying towards the Imperial Garden. After catching him and asking, he learned that Lin Xiuyi and Yang Ningyu had fallen into the water. It was only right for him to check on them. By the time he arrived at the Imperial Garden, Lin Xiuyi had already been rescued, unharmed, but Yang Ningyu had fainted. Zhao Heng hadn't planned to intervene in the women's jealousies within the palace, but approaching Yang Ningyu, he heard her murmur in a daze, calling out "Zi Yun."

Zhao Heng had always found Yang Ningyu familiar, and now she had called out his childhood name, compelling him to take notice.

Yet, even now, he couldn't figure it out. He was certain he had never met this Yang Ningyu before, so why did she seem familiar, even dear to him, and how did Yang Ningyu know his childhood name?

At this moment, Yang Ningyu, lying in bed, was experiencing a prolonged dream. In her dream, this year's imperial draft was not canceled. She entered the palace, was appointed as a talent, and initially, she wasn't favored. Later, by chance, she discovered a plot against the Emperor and caught his eye. Since gaining favor, the covert and overt battles never ceased, yet in the end, she prevailed. The Emperor cherished and respected her, elevated her to the noble consort, her son became the Crown Prince, and eventually ascended the throne, making her the Empress Dowager. This dream was so extensive, it felt like a lifetime had passed. Yang Ningyu struggled to awaken, but could not until she "died" in that dream, jolting her awake.

Upon waking, Yang Ningyu saw Zhao Heng sitting by the bed, observing her intently.

"You're awake," Zhao Heng said emotionlessly.

Still somewhat dazed and unable to distinguish between dream and reality, Yang Ningyu hastily touched the jade pendant at her waist, confirming this was real. She couldn't help but laugh...

Zhao Heng frowned, "What are you laughing at?"

Yang Ningyu, remembering the man before her was the Emperor, hastily rose and said, "This commoner pays respects to Your Majesty."

"Rise. How do you feel now?" Zhao Heng's tone softened a bit.

"This commoner is no longer in discomfort," Yang Ningyu returned to that detached demeanor, as if she was miles away from everyone.

Seeing her distant attitude, Zhao Heng wondered, was she another forced into the palace by her family?

"Who is Ziyun?" Zhao Heng didn't beat around the bush and asked directly.

Yang Ningyu was startled, remembering that in her dream, the Emperor had told her his milk name was Ziyun. Could it be that was really his milk name? But she couldn't admit to knowing it. Yang Ningyu simply said, "This commoner does not know."

Seeing her firm gaze and normal expression, Zhao Heng grew more puzzled, "Really don't know?"

"Truly unaware. This commoner was dreaming just now, perhaps someone in my dream called out Ziyun," Yang Ningyu stated calmly.

With her response, Zhao Heng didn't pursue further. Noticing Yang Ningyu's detachment and considering the matter with Song Qingying, Zhao Heng tentatively asked, "Do you not wish to enter the palace?"

Yang Ningyu glanced at Zhao Heng, thinking of her recent dream where Consort Xian met an unfortunate end, and her maternal family, the Zhou family, was exiled. The Emperor had long intended to act against the Zhou family. Yang Ningyu thought she might take a gamble, better than resigning to her fate. She looked at the maids and eunuchs standing behind Zhao Heng, who understood and dismissed them.

Once everyone had left, Yang Ningyu knelt before Zhao Heng with a thud.

Zhao Heng was startled, "What are you doing? Rise."

Yang Ningyu remained kneeling, "Your Majesty, this commoner does not wish to enter the palace, but now I also cannot leave."

"What does that mean?" Zhao Heng asked, "Stand up and speak."

Yang Ningyu still didn't rise. Zhao Heng sighed, wondering what to do next. As he moved to help Yang Ningyu up, she instinctively flinched away but then stood up on her own.

Zhao Heng, seeing her genuine desire not to stay in the palace, said, "Speak if you have any secrets."

"I was originally one of the ladies selected to enter the palace this year. After the selection was canceled, my family had already betrothed me to someone," Yang Ningyu explained.