Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Zhao Heng scrutinized Yang Ningyu coldly. With her beauty, had the selection been held as usual this year, she would have surely been retained.

"If you were already betrothed, how did you end up in the palace?" Zhao Heng asked coldly.

"It was the Zhou family, Consort Xian's maternal home, who forced me into the palace, seizing my fiancé," Yang Ningyu said, her eyes flashing with resentment when mentioning the Zhou family.

Zhao Heng couldn't understand. With so many beauties in the world, why would the Zhou family resort to such measures? If he really took Yang Ningyu, what would people think of him? Even if a goddess descended, he couldn't take another man's wife. Zhao Heng felt displeased but found himself admiring Yang Ningyu more for her loyalty and courage.

"Since that's the case, I grant you leave to go. Why then do you say you cannot leave now?" Zhao Heng asked.

"The Zhou family's power is vast. Even if I leave now, I cannot escape their reach without implicating my family," Yang Ningyu said with a desolate expression.

Zhao Heng became unhappy at this, "No matter how powerful the Zhou family is, can they be greater than me? If what you say is true, I will grant you and your fiancé marriage."

Yang Ningyu shook her head, "It's not that I don't trust Your Majesty, but unless the Zhou family is dealt with, they will find ways to make my life difficult."

Zhao Heng's expression darkened. The Zhou family was not untouchable, but now was not the time.

"According to you, only after I deal with the Zhou family can you leave. How can you be so sure I will deal with them?" Zhao Heng asked.

Yang Ningyu looked at Zhao Heng, "Because I believe Your Majesty is a wise ruler."

Zhao Heng smiled, "You are clever. A gentleman helps others achieve their goals. I will investigate, and if what you say is true, I will not make things difficult for you."

"I have another request to ask of Your Majesty," Yang Ningyu said, kneeling down again.

"Stand up and speak," Zhao Heng said.

"I do not wish to stay with Consort Xian. Please, Your Majesty, arrange another place for me to live," Yang Ningyu requested.

"You ask for much. Since you don't intend to stay in the palace, on what grounds should I make arrangements for you?" Zhao Heng said with a smile, appearing more amenable than he felt.

After a moment of thought, Yang Ningyu said, "Since childhood, I have studied medicine under my father and brothers. I wish to serve as a medical woman in the Imperial Medical Bureau."

"You’ve thought this through well," Zhao Heng remarked noncommittally, then pressed, "Do you truly not know who Ziyun is? Are you hiding anything else from me?"

Internally puzzled, Yang Ningyu wondered if the Emperor's milk name was indeed Ziyun, making her dream all the more strange... She decided not to reveal her dream, insisting, "Your Majesty, I truly do not know who Ziyun is. I have not deceived Your Majesty."

"I will remember your case. Considering your loyalty to your fiancé and your filial piety, I will not neglect it," Zhao Heng said before leaving, acknowledging that some matters required further investigation.

Consort Xian, seeing Zhao Heng dismiss the servants and hearing Yang Ningyu had awakened, initially thought they had consummated their relationship, feeling a mix of success for her family's plans and personal sourness. However, Zhao Heng’s prompt and tidy departure from Yang Ningyu's room, without having consummated anything, puzzled her about why he dismissed the servants. Concerned about what Yang Ningyu might disclose, she hurried into her room.

Observing Yang Ningyu's usual serene demeanor, Consort Xian asked, "What did you discuss with His Majesty? Why did he dismiss everyone?"

Yang Ningyu casually replied, "His Majesty inquired about the drowning incident. It involves Lin Xiuyi; perhaps His Majesty didn’t want others to overhear."

"You didn't say anything out of turn, did you?" Consort Xian eyed Yang Ningyu with suspicion.

"Of course not," Yang Ningyu replied.

After a pause, Consort Xian said, "The Emperor was by your side the entire time you were unconscious. Now that you're awake, he left. Why didn’t you ask him to stay?"

Yang Ningyu's smile was tinged with irony: "Because the Emperor doesn’t like me."

Seeing Yang Ningyu's indifferent demeanor, Consort Xian angrily said, "Don’t forget why you came to the palace. And what about the man outside? Do you still want him to live?"

Yang Ningyu, infuriated by Consort Xian’s words, coldly said, "Consort Xian, it’s almost midnight. You should rest, especially for the princess's sake in your womb."

Consort Xian stepped back in shock, pointing at Yang Ningyu, "How did you know I’m carrying a princess!"

"It’s obvious. I have medical knowledge; surely, Consort Xian, you haven’t forgotten?" Yang Ningyu said, staring at Consort Xian’s belly, causing her to flee in fear. Yang Ningyu felt a rush of satisfaction seeing Consort Xian’s frightened expression, bolstered by the Emperor’s support, finally able to vent her frustration.

Once Consort Xian left, Yang Ningyu lay back on her bed, taking off the jade pendant from her waist and caressing it. It was a token of engagement from her fiancé. They had known each other since childhood and were supposed to marry, but her selection as a lady-in-waiting changed everything. Just when she thought their relationship was impossible, the selection was canceled, and their families joyfully prepared for the wedding. She hadn't even worn her wedding dress when this incident occurred. She was ready to accept her fate until that dream convinced her the Emperor was not a licentious, unjust ruler, and she had a chance. It seemed she had won her gamble.

After leaving Consort Xian’s palace and seeing it was late, Zhao Heng, not wishing to disturb Song Qingying’s rest, returned to his own quarters. The night passed without incident.

The next morning, the news that Lin Xiuyi had been demoted to a lady-in-waiting reached Yiran Residence. Song Qingying was indifferent to Lin Xiuyi's situation; she was only concerned about Yang Ningyu.

"Not only Song Qingying is concerned, but the entire harem is buzzing. The Emperor, having carried a drenched Yang Ningyu yesterday and dealt with Lin Xiuyi, should have rewarded Yang Ningyu by now. Yet, there's been no movement. Truly, His Majesty's thoughts are inscrutable."

"I heard the Emperor returned to his quarters in the middle of the night. The moment Miss Yang awoke, he left. Could it be that the Emperor doesn't favor Miss Yang?" whispered Shen Bi into Song Qingying's ear.

Recalling her own experience, Song Qingying thought, "Emperor Zhao Heng didn't rush to summon me to his bed either, probably aiming to flirt and foster affection." She scoffed internally. If it weren't for her being in a foreign world with little knowledge of the outside, and the lack of trustworthy people in the Song family, she would have fled long ago. Why bother with these jealousies and competing for a man among a group of women, wasting her time?

"Shen Bi, you're starting your nonsense again!" Song Qingying glared at her.

Quickly, Shen Bi stuck out her tongue, "This servant dares not. I'll go and prepare the medicine for the concubine."

The mention of medicine made Song Qingying's mouth taste bitter. "How long must I continue to take it?" She knew she was in for a long haul with the medicine whenever she saw the ancient physician leave with a gloomy face.

Shen Bi brought the medicine, and Song Qingying, seeing the dark brew, frowned deeply, really not wanting to drink it.

"I'll fetch some candied fruit. With each sip of medicine, take one piece of candied fruit, and it won't be bitter," suggested Shen Bi.

Song Qingying sighed and nodded. Once Shen Bi brought the candied fruit, Song Qingying thought to herself, what matters is not the emperor or the heroine, but her own health. She began to take her medicine obediently.

Meanwhile, Zhao Heng saw a report from Qinghong, who hadn't exaggerated a bit, detailing how Song Qingying personally kneaded and rolled dough yesterday, instructing someone to wait for him at Jin'ou Pavilion, and how she waited till late. Zhao Heng felt a tightness in his heart, realizing he had inadvertently neglected Song Qingying while attending to Yang Ningyu. He was surprised she remembered their conversation and had indeed prepared noodles for him. He regretted missing the appointment, wondering if she was angry.

Feeling uneasy, Zhao Heng immediately ordered Lu Deli to select some fine gifts for Song Qingying. "I'm tied up today, otherwise I'd personally apologize to Song Qingying. I fear my apologies might come too late, and she'll end up scolding and hitting me again," he thought.

After Lu Deli returned with the rewards, Zhao Heng, setting aside the documents he was reviewing, asked, "Was she upset?"

"Lu Deli honestly reported: 'The concubine seemed as cheerful as ever, happily accepting the rewards and even giving me a generous purse as usual.'"

"She wasn't upset at all? Did she inquire about anything? Like yesterday's events?" Emperor Zhao Heng felt unsettled hearing that Song Qingying wasn't upset, unlike other concubines who would have been visibly distressed. Neither the report from Qinghong nor Lu Deli indicated any displeasure on her part...

"'She didn't ask anything,' Lu Deli responded."

Emperor Zhao Heng felt displeased. Usually, such incidents would leave the concubines somewhat discontent, some even confronting him. Song Qingying, after all her efforts and waiting so late into the night, showed no sign of anger. Was she being magnanimous, suppressing her feelings, or did she simply not care about him? Zhao Heng felt increasingly agitated, blaming the Zhou family for introducing Yang Ningyu to the palace, which led to him missing out on the noodles, inadvertently benefiting the servants of Yiran Residence.

"Summon Meng Changhai to the palace immediately!" Zhao Heng suddenly commanded, startling Lu Deli.

"Yes," Lu Deli, confused by the Emperor's sudden anger, hurried off to carry out the order.

Sitting alone, Zhao Heng pondered over Yang Ningyu. He couldn't shake off the feeling that he had met her before, and her knowing his childhood name only deepened his curiosity. Was it merely a coincidence? Determined to unravel the mystery surrounding Yang Ningyu and the Zhou family's insistence on her palace entry, Zhao Heng found himself overwhelmed by the complications women brought into his life, considering forgoing future selections and prohibiting families from sending women to the palace.

In Yiran Residence, Song Qingying stared blankly at a table full of jewels. What was Zhao Heng's intention? Was it a gesture of favoritism or compensation? At least, for now, she hadn't fallen out of favor. She smiled, looking out the window at a blooming begonia.