Chapter 104

Chapter 104

"Her Majesty the Grand Empress Dowager has arrived!"

"The Emperor Emeritus and Empress Dowager have arrived!"

"His Majesty the Emperor has arrived!"

Upon hearing the sound of the silent whip, the imperial clansmen and civil and military officials lowered their eyes and stood with their hands tucked into their sleeves.

As the Emperor and Geng Shuning, each supporting the Grand Empress Dowager, entered first, Liang Jiugong escorted Emperor Kangxi, and nanny Wu Ya assisted the Empress Dowager, following closely behind.

Everyone knelt in accordance with protocol to pay their respects.

"Long live the Emperor Emeritus and the Emperor, ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand years!"

"Long live the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager, a thousand years, a thousand years, a thousand years!"

Su Peisheng announced in a booming voice—

"Rise!"

Everyone rose quietly, and the Lantern Festival palace banquet officially commenced in the already bustling Dazheng Guangming Hall.

After several expansions, the higher and more spacious halls of the Yuanming Garden resounded with the announcements, creating an especially grand and solemn atmosphere.

However, most were too preoccupied to appreciate the grand spectacle of the imperial family's arrival, and from the start, their intense gazes were directed at Geng Shuning, who stood to the right of the Grand Empress Dowager.

This enchantress, who had monopolized the Emperor's attention for over half a month since entering the palace, had finally appeared!

If looks could kill, Geng Shuning would have been dead a hundred times over by now.

But she was fairly used to such gazes.

Whether hosting corporate annual events, scripting and emceeing for colleagues, or even occasionally presiding over groundbreaking ceremonies for clients... none of those occasions were any less grand than this.

She wasn’t afraid of being the center of attention; in fact, she thrived on it.

For today's appearance, Geng Shuning had specially chosen a court dress of peony-patterned red brocade that was perfectly within the rules.

The festive and grand pattern, set against the exclusive bright red reserved for the main wife, made her stand out brilliantly among the women clad in dark blue official robes and consort attire.

Half of the gazes directed at her today were due to her attire.

The gold and silver hair ornaments on her head, adorned with kingfisher feathers, were crafted with such exquisite detail that they rivaled the phoenix-patterned headpieces of the Grand Empress Dowager and the Empress Dowager.

Yet, despite Geng Shuning's awkward status, she remained within the bounds of propriety, which only added to the frustration.

*

Once Yinzhen had seated the elders, Li Shi, the highest-ranking among the attendees, could no longer contain herself.

She smiled brightly, but her gaze toward Geng Shuning was icy, "At last, we get to see His Majesty's favorite. It’s been so difficult to catch a glimpse of County Princess Sui Ning!"

Geng Shuning stood respectfully by the Grand Empress Dowager's side, gracefully curtsying to Consort Qi, her tone as smooth as pre-rain Longjing tea.

"Please pardon my lack of social finesse, Consort Qi. Sui Ning isn’t as skilled in social etiquette as the other mistresses, and only knows how to delve into the imperial kitchen to research health-preserving recipes for the Grand Empress Dowager, the Emperor Emeritus, and the Emperor."

"If Consort Qi wishes to see me, just send someone to fetch me from the imperial kitchen. His Majesty is occupied with state affairs; it’s not what you think... Please don’t misunderstand."

Li Shi felt a wave of anger rising in her chest. She had encountered many cunning individuals, but this was the first time she had witnessed such a bizarre spectacle—it felt like something out of a ghost story.

Fortunately, Consort Mao was a pro at this kind of thing. She smiled even more gently than Geng Shuning and replied in a teasing tone—

"It's no surprise that Sister Sui Ning has caught His Majesty's eye. Even before you were married, His Majesty always praised you. Why play so humble?"

"We all know Sister is dutiful and thoughtful. We should indeed learn more from you."

Geng Shuning arched her brows slightly, her gaze subtly meeting Yinzhen's for a moment. Was this the Song Shi Fourth Master called the most well-behaved?

Yinzhen frowned slightly. He remembered Song Shi as the only obedient and well-behaved one. But now, it seemed... he had overestimated her.

Geng Shuning sidled up to the Empress Dowager, who was relishing the drama, nibbling her lip and looking even more doe-eyed.

The pre-rain Longjing tea wasn't cutting it; only the top-shelf Taiping Houkui green tea would do.

"Oh, Consort Mao, you're embarrassing me! I really haven't done much. It's just that the Empress Dowager has a soft spot for me."

"Are you saying the Song and Geng families are related? If you want to learn anything, just let me know. Sui Ning promises to spill all the beans."

After saying this, she cocked her head and winked at Yinzhen, adding, "Sui Ning loves swapping ideas with folks. Don't you agree, Your Majesty?"

Yinzhen, under the retired emperor's amused gaze and his brothers' stunned looks, nodded calmly.

"Indeed, you're a quick study and eager to better yourself. I am quite pleased." He paused, then glanced at Consort Mao.

"If I remember right, the Song and Geng families aren't related."

Consort Mao gaped at Yinzhen, speechless for a moment, her face growing increasingly pale.

The hall went dead silent.

In two moves, Geng Shuning had shut up the palace's top ladies. This sly fox had a few aces up her sleeve.

Many were irked, but Geng Shuning stood grinning behind the Empress Dowager, rubbing her shoulders, her tone even more sweet and bubbly.

"The Empress Dowager always calls me a little rascal, but it turns out all the ladies in the palace like me. I'm not as much of a pest as you claim. If you don't cheer me up, I won't drop it!"

Everyone: No! The Empress Dowager was being too polite!! You really are that annoying!!!

The Empress Dowager laughed and bopped her on the head, "Alright, my treasury is all prepared for you, my little monkey. It'll be yours sooner or later."

Everyone: "..." You might as well give her the phoenix seal and the imperial edicts too!

As Geng Shuning and the Empress Dowager laughed, they stoked the flames in the hearts of the other women.

As for the imperial clansmen and ministers, Yinzhen was much more serious—

"When will the Ministry of Rites present the draft for the selection process?"

"Has the Imperial Clan Court verified the household registries of the Manchu, Mongol, and Han banners? Make sure no family is overlooked."

"The harem cannot remain without a mistress. For this selection, you all must put in more effort."

Well, the little schemes in the hearts of the imperial clansmen and ministers were also set spinning by Yinzhen.

With both overt and covert tensions in place, those families who had long prepared had no intention of waiting until after the banquet to make their moves. There were still fireworks and palace lanterns to enjoy.

Besides, the banquet dishes were mostly steamed, and not particularly appetizing.

*

"Your Majesty, I have an important matter to report!" It was Songzhu, the Minister of Rites, who stepped forward and spoke loudly.

Yinzhen smiled faintly and said, "The palace banquet is for everyone to have a good time together. If there's anything urgent, it can wait until tomorrow's court session."

Songzhu rose, knelt in the center of the hall, kowtowed, and spoke in a firm voice—

"Your Majesty, there is something I must say today. I beg Your Majesty's forgiveness!"

Yinzhen's smile faded as he stared expressionlessly at Songzhu until beads of sweat appeared on his forehead, then he granted permission.

"The Empress Dowager and the Emperor have just returned to the palace. If their spirits are dampened, I will hold you accountable!"

Songzhu showed no fear and only loudly requested the Emperor to make a decision.

"As a minister, if I cannot offer clear and honest counsel, it is disloyalty. If I fail to admonish Your Majesty, it is a dereliction of duty. I am willing to face death, but there are some things I must say..."

Emperor Kangxi raised an eyebrow: "This is a festive occasion, and bloodshed is inappropriate. I pardon you. Go ahead."

Songzhu kowtowed again in gratitude for the imperial grace, then got straight to the point, pointing directly at Geng Shuning—

"Your Majesty, a star of ill omen has appeared in the palace, bewitching the Emperor, monopolizing his favor, endangering the imperial heirs, and disrupting the harem's balance.

The Emperor is stubbornly clinging to his own views, forgetting his duties as the emperor. I beg the Emperor to make a decision, deal with the star of ill omen, and restore harmony to the harem!"

Emperor Kangxi glanced at Geng Shuning, his expression unreadable, his tone deepening.

"Oh? I heard that the star of ill omen is merely a rumor, a malicious slander against Sui Ning?"

Songzhu: "At first, we also thought it was baseless gossip, and even submitted a memorial urging Your Majesty to quell the rumors."

"So what do you mean now?" Emperor Kangxi put down his wine cup displeased. "Do you have evidence to prove that the Emperor is blinded by lust, or that Sui Ning is indeed the star of ill omen?"

Songzhu took out a memorial from his sleeve and held it high above his head: "I have evidence to prove that County Princess Sui Ning is indeed the star of ill omen, which will endanger the Qing Dynasty's empire. I beg the Emperor and Your Majesty to look into this matter!"

Su Peisheng hurried over, took the memorial, and, at Yinzhen's indication, first delivered it to Emperor Kangxi's desk.

Emperor Kangxi opened the memorial, glanced through it, and handed it to Yinzhen, his tone remaining calm. "What did the Imperial Astronomical Bureau say about this master's earlier calculation of the birth chart?"

Yinzhen explained with a dark expression: "Father, that was orchestrated by the Ula Nara clan, who directed the Imperial Astronomical Bureau. The deputy director of the bureau has already been dismissed and is being investigated."

"The birth chart is also inaccurate, being a month early, and deliberately using an extremely inauspicious chart unfavorable to the nation's fortune."

Before Emperor Kangxi could continue questioning, someone else knelt out from the side—it was Niohuru Duke A Linga.

He knelt beside Songzhu and saluted boldly: "Your Majesty, this matter is quite coincidental. As everyone knows, I... am lustful!"

Everyone: "..." You are quite self-aware.

A Linga looked proud: "So I always notice things that others don't, right?"

"A few days ago, I took two concubines to ride horses in the western suburbs and met a fellow enthusiast, hehe... During our chat, I learned that this person was once the former fiancé of a daughter of the Qi family, and he grew up with the late Lady Gengjia, childhood sweethearts."

Geng Shuning's originally calm expression instantly turned cold. She had expected these people to resort to desperate measures, but she didn't expect them to drag the dead into this.

Fine, bold indeed!

A Linga: "I heard that this frequent visitor of the Imperial Academy often goes to Guanghui Temple near Tanzhe Temple. Coincidentally, Lady Gengjia also went to Guanghui Temple instead of offering incense at Tanzhe Temple."

"At the end of autumn in the 24th year, the two happened to stay overnight at the temple due to heavy rain. Even more coincidentally, during that time, Governor Geng was away on official business and not in the capital."

"When he returned to the capital, he learned that his legitimate daughter was born half a month premature, yet County Princess Sui Ning looked more beautiful than ordinary children, more like a full-term baby..."

The hall erupted in chaos; no one present was a fool.

One coincidence might be dismissed, but so many together... Who would believe there was no hidden agenda?

Yinzhen's expression turned icy and severe. This was not just about branding Geng Shuning as an ill-omened star; they also wanted to label her as a Han woman, completely eliminating any chance of her entering the palace in a high position.

These scoundrels were truly adept at their schemes.

Geng Shuning stood quietly with her head bowed, in no hurry to defend herself. Not enough people had stepped forward yet.

Emperor Kangxi, however, asked with a grave expression, "Accusing a deceased titled lady of infidelity—do you have evidence?"

A Linga scratched his head and grinned awkwardly, appearing like a simpleton who had stumbled upon this scene by accident.

The newly appointed Duke of Wu, Fucun, rose and knelt in the hall. "Your Majesties, I have evidence to present!"

He raised the memorial, glaring at Geng Shuning with barely concealed resentment. "As everyone knows, my sister has always been a virtuous woman who lived for her husband. Yet, after the Geng family gained the Emperor's favor, she began making frequent mistakes, committing acts that brought her no benefit—utterly baffling!"

"I cannot defend my sister; she did indeed err. But we cannot believe she committed such grave mistakes out of mere jealousy. The Ula Nara clan would never raise such a child."

"Out of kindness, Lady Uya and Lady Ma Jia urged the Duke of Wu's mansion to investigate the matter thoroughly and clear her name... Fucun, unwilling to let the Ula Nara clan be shamed, boldly pursued the investigation and uncovered many suspicious points."

"I discovered that when Geng served as a female official in the Palace of Longevity and Health, the Grand Empress Dowager's health began to deteriorate. When she served in the Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager's health also frequently declined. This is the first point."

"After Geng was appointed as a female official in the Emperor's presence, it wasn't long before the second prince, Hongyun, tragically passed away. This is the second point."

"While Geng was halfway through a prayer ceremony, she was summoned by the Empress Dowager, who then summoned the imperial physician, reportedly due to exhaustion. Around the same time, the third and fourth princes also fell ill repeatedly. This is the third point."

"Later, when Geng Shuning returned to the palace with the Grand Empress Dowager, the third prince fell ill again. This is the fourth point."

Geng Shuning resisted the urge to crack melon seeds, maintaining a submissive demeanor as she listened, though inwardly she scoffed. The second strike didn't even blame the earthquake on her—this ill-omened star wasn't getting enough blame!

Fucun, oblivious, continued with a face full of indignation. "If it were just one incident, it could be dismissed as a coincidence. But time and time again... I cannot help but suspect that my sister's initial consultation with the Imperial Astronomers revealed the truth—that this is the work of an ill-omened star!"

"Since the birth date was incorrect, I investigated repeatedly and found the nanny who delivered Geng, as well as several maids who served Lady Geng Jia, confirming Geng's true birth date."

"Then, after encountering the Niohuru Duke, we finally confirmed—County Princess Sui Ning is not Manchu, nor was she born in early autumn of the 25th year, but rather at the end of summer!"

Many of the consorts in the rear palace raised their handkerchiefs, murmuring in disapproval. Geng Jia De Jin was cuckolded, the Qi family's daughter had an affair with an outsider, and Geng Shuning, this seductress, was not only an ill-omened star but also a Han woman... Hahaha, how satisfying!

A flicker of vengeful satisfaction crossed Li Shi's eyes. The nanny and maids from the Geng family had been found by her Li family.

But this was far from over.

She wanted Geng Shuning dead!

And not just dead—she wanted her to die in disgrace!

As the murmurs in the hall grew louder, someone no one expected stood up and knelt behind Songzhu.

The third-rank Duke, Maersai, with a hint of deep affection, glanced at Geng Shuning before lowering his head in guilt.

"Your Majesties, I am willing to take full responsibility for County Princess Sui Ning's crimes!"

Consort Rong suddenly stood up, shocked, wide-eyed, and trembling as she pointed at Maersai—

"Scoundrel! Do you remember your family name? For the sake of this two-faced woman, you would disregard the glory of the Ma Jia clan for generations?!"

Geng Shuning: "..." Oh ho! Third strike!

Whether this loyal Duke knew his family name or not didn't matter. What mattered was that her boyfriend was so furious he might forget his own name.