Chapter 72: If not my friend, then only my enemy. [Three updates]

Chapter 72: If Not My Friend, Then My Enemy. (Third Watch)

These words pierced straight to the heart.

Which of the consorts present had not left their families behind to enter the palace alone? Their struggles and rivalries within these walls were all for the sake of their clans and power.

Caring only for oneself could never lead to success.

Only by standing together, like branches from the same root, and supporting one another, could they endure and thrive.

They would rise and fall together. If their families declined, their lives in the palace would plummet. Unless they could gain twice the Emperor’s favor, what awaited them would be a fall from grace and cold neglect.

Yet that "unless" was nothing more than an illusion, a phantom in a dream.

They had all seen the previous emperor in their youth, and now, looking at the current Emperor, who dared claim they could monopolize his favor?

As Virtuous Consort Xu’s words faded, only silence remained in the hall.

Even Noble Consort Yao, who had just resolved a conflict, now fell silent.

The winter wind blew cold, rustling the kumquat trees in the courtyard.

It was Mei Zhaoyi who suddenly smiled and gently spoke: "Why speak of such things? Today, we are here to celebrate Sister Virtuous Consort’s recovery. Now it seems her spirit is much better than before, isn’t it?"

The change in topic lightened the atmosphere at once, and Consort Ning Cui quickly added: "Indeed, has Virtuous Consort improved?"

Virtuous Consort Xu let out a breath, took a sip of tea, and her expression softened slightly.

"Much better. Commoner Wang…"

She shook her head, showing no further resentment toward Commoner Wang.

"Commoner Wang’s medical skills are truly remarkable. She cured my illness. After taking her medicine, I improved day by day, and today I can even walk around."

The consorts glanced at one another, none daring to mention Commoner Wang.

After all, she was the one who had harmed Virtuous Consort Xu.

Yet the usually arrogant and domineering Virtuous Consort Xu now surprisingly spoke up for Commoner Wang: "I was too self-righteous. I didn’t know she had suffered so all these years. Had I known, I wouldn’t have turned a blind eye."

"Regardless, she saved me twice."

If not for saving her, Commoner Wang might have risen to Baolin or Meiren instead of remaining one of the lower-ranking ladies.

Through a twist of fate, Commoner Wang had ended up in such a state, and the usually haughty and aloof Virtuous Consort Xu, because of this poisoning, had begun to reflect.

But it was already too late.

Noble Consort Yao looked at her and said: "It comforts me to hear you think this way."

"Now that the matter is settled, focus on recovering. I await your swift return to health so you can help me manage palace affairs."

She rubbed her temples: "Lately, it’s been too hectic. I can’t handle it all alone."

This past month, Empress Dowager Renhui and the Imperial Noble Dowager Consort had devoted themselves to vegetarianism and Buddhist prayers, showing little interest in palace matters. Noble Consort Yao was shouldering the burden alone.

Virtuous Consort Xu coughed, hesitating.

"I… though I’ve improved somewhat, I still lack energy. I’m afraid I won’t be able to assist you, Elder Sister."

She paused, then added: "It certainly won’t be possible before the New Year. Why not seek Empress Dowager’s decree to have Jieyu Murong and Mei Zhaoyi help you manage the palace affairs?"

Noble Consort Yao instinctively glanced at Mei Zhaoyi and Jieyu Murong.

Mei Zhaoyi sat quietly in the secondary seat, originally focused on her tea. Hearing Virtuous Consort Xu’s words, she seemed caught off guard.

"How could I manage? Sister Virtuous Consort, you must be joking."

Mei Zhaoyi outright refused.

Jieyu Murong responded noncommittally: "It is entirely up to Noble Consort to decide."

None of them mentioned Consort Yi Zhou, as she would never involve herself in such duties.

Noble Consort Yao said: "Mei Zhaoyi is renowned as a talented lady of Yujing, and Jieyu Murong is also of good repute. I’m sure you both can handle palace affairs well. I will seek Empress Dowager’s decree and make a decision then."

After a few more words, it was clear Virtuous Consort Xu was too weary to sit up longer.

Noble Consort Yao rose directly and led the others away.

Jiang Yunran also intended to take her leave when she heard Virtuous Consort Xu say: "Cai Nu Jiang, stay."

She was surprised.

But she nodded to the worried Baolin Wei, then turned and bowed to Virtuous Consort Xu: "Yes, Your Highness."

Once everyone had left, Lingxin Palace grew quiet.

Virtuous Consort Xu leaned on Gui Xiang’s arm to stand, swaying unsteadily as she moved toward the bedchamber.

It seemed she intended to speak further.

Jiang Yunran was perceptive. She stepped forward and deftly supported Virtuous Consort Xu’s other arm.

"Your Highness, please take care."

Virtuous Consort Xu glanced at her but said nothing.

Once she was settled comfortably on the couch in the elegant room, she seemed to finally relax.

Gui Xiang stepped forward, removed her golden hairpin, and made her more comfortable.

Her hair fell loose, framing her cheeks and making her appear even more frail.

Only then did Jiang Yunran realize that the poisoning had completely shattered Virtuous Consort Xu’s foundation.

At that moment, Matron Meiying brought over the medicine bowl. Virtuous Consort Xu drank it all in one go without even furrowing her brow.

After she finished, Gui Xiang hurriedly offered a plum to cleanse her palate.

A moment later, Virtuous Consort Xu said: "Cai Nu Jiang, sit and speak."

Jiang Yunran took a seat at the round table and asked softly: "Does Your Highness wish to discuss Commoner Wang?"

Virtuous Consort Xu was not surprised by her astuteness.

She looked up, gave a faint smile, and her attitude softened considerably compared to before.

Perhaps it was because of Jiang Yunran that she had been given this opportunity.

"Jiang Cai Nu, I haven't yet thanked you in person," Consort Xu said. "If it weren't for your attentiveness in reporting to His Majesty early on, I'm afraid I would have already met my end."

Jiang Yunran replied, "I merely did what ought to be done."

"What ought to be done, indeed."

Consort Xu said, "There aren’t many good people like you in the palace."

"I am a good person?" Jiang Yunran also smiled, her expression pure and clear. "Thank you for your praise, Your Ladyship."

Seeing her smile, Consort Xu slowly smiled as well.

"You did a good deed and saved my life. To me, that makes you a good person."

"I have always believed in repaying kindness. Since you saved me, I must repay your grace."

"Tell me, what do you want?"

Jiang Yunran thought seriously for a moment, hesitating briefly.

Consort Xu, seeing her genuinely pondering, couldn’t help but laugh again.

Since falling ill, she had not laughed like this for nearly two months. At this moment, she seemed inexplicably relaxed.

"Do you really want something?"

Jiang Yunran looked puzzled. "Consort Xu has always been a woman of her word. If you say you wish to reward me, I naturally believe you."

"Good, good."

Consort Xu laughed until tears streamed from her eyes. She wiped the corners with a handkerchief, looked at her trembling hands, and slowly fell silent.

"Whatever I can do, I will do my best. Speak."

Jiang Yunran was very practical. She did not engage in empty pleasantries with Consort Xu, nor did she beat around the bush or mention gold, silver, or jewels.

She simply said, "I wish to be promoted."

Consort Xu was taken aback.

After a moment, she narrowed her eyes and smiled.

Though only twenty-three or twenty-four years old, after this serious illness, Consort Xu carried an indescribable loneliness about her.

It made her seem as though she were shrouded in twilight.

"A promotion? To what rank?"

Consort Xu said, "Let me be clear—I cannot make you Empress. I haven’t even become Empress myself."

Meiying turned pale. "Your Ladyship!"

Consort Xu ignored her and kept her eyes on Jiang Yunran.

Jiang Yunran said, "Your Ladyship, I am currently a Cai Nu. I only wish to be promoted one rank higher."

One rank higher would make her a Talent Lady.

But everyone in the palace knew that although she was not yet a Talent Lady, His Majesty had decreed that her allowances and status were to be those of a Talent Lady.

If she had not just been promoted to Cai Nu after being conferred as a consort, a rapid promotion to Talent Lady would have been too conspicuous, which was why His Majesty had taken such a roundabout approach.

Now, she was the most favored in the palace.

Consort Xu asked her, "Why don’t you ask His Majesty? He would not refuse you."

Their conversation was audacious, making Meiying break out in a cold sweat, but the two speakers remained calm, as if they were simply sisters chatting casually.

"Consort Xu, you were the one who asked me to make a request."

Jiang Yunran blinked. "What His Majesty gives is from His Majesty. What you give is from you. They cannot be lumped together."

Consort Xu couldn’t help but laugh again.

She laughed until she was breathless. Meiying and Gui Xiang hurried forward to attend to her, offering her tea. Only after drinking it did Consort Xu regain her composure.

"After this illness, I’m no longer of much use," Consort Xu said.

Consort Xu looked out the window, where only the recently transplanted kumquat tree stood bright and dazzling, its branches laden with orange-red fruit, full of vitality.

Always abundant and vibrant.

But none of this belonged to Lingxin Palace.

"I promise you, I will strive to make you a Talent Lady," Consort Xu suddenly said, her gaze shifting back to Jiang Yunran. "But I also need to know His Majesty’s stance toward Earl Zhongyi's household."

Though ill, Consort Xu was not foolish.

Her mind had always been clear.

Recently, only a handful of people could enter the Qianyuan Palace, and Jiang Yunran had spent the most time there.

She must know Jing Huayan’s movements and the decisions made in Qianyuan Palace.

Jiang Yunran rose and said calmly, "Then I will remain a Cai Nu."

"The debt of gratitude Your Ladyship owes me need not be repaid. Consider it a gift from me to you."

Meiying’s expression darkened. Before Earl Zhongyi's household fell into disgrace, when Consort Xu was still healthy, no one had dared speak to her like this.

Now, even a mere Cai Nu dared to kick her when she was down.

"Jiang Cai Nu, how dare you!"

Consort Xu waved her hand, coughed, and sighed softly.

"If it cannot be done," Consort Xu said, "then let it be."

At this, she looked up at Jiang Yunran, her eyes suddenly tinged with amusement.

"Jiang Cai Nu, do you think you will be the final victor?"

Consort Xu said, "Once, I was also the one who enjoyed unparalleled favor in the rear palace. I received His Majesty’s grace, attained my rank, and yet now, have I not still ended up in this state?"

"You cling to His Majesty, yearning for his affection, hoping for his rewards—but all of it is as fleeting as flowers in a mirror or the moon reflected in water," Consort Xu said. "You would be better off aligning yourself with me. At the very least, I would not abandon you for another woman."

Jiang Yunran listened expressionlessly, remaining quiet.

So, repaying kindness was a pretense; manipulating her was the real goal.

Jiang Yunran suddenly found it highly entertaining.

First, there was the Imperial Noble Dowager Consort, and now Virtuous Consort Xu—everyone seemed to think she was someone they could use. She really had to thank them for thinking so highly of her.

What a pity. Jiang Yunran only wanted to secure her own future, not work like a beast of burden for others.

"But, Virtuous Consort," Jiang Yunran suddenly spoke, interrupting Virtuous Consort Xu's persuasion, "what you can give me, His Majesty can also give. Yet what His Majesty can give me, you may not necessarily be able to provide."

Her voice was soft, yet resolute and fearless.

"Your Ladyship, I come from a lowly background—nothing more than a rustic village girl, coarse and unsophisticated," Jiang Yunran said. "I only seek riches and comfort, to eat, drink, and enjoy life. I have no such grand ambitions, nor such fortune."

"The life I have now seems quite good to me—at the very least, I no longer have to embroider day and night, burning the midnight oil."

"So, Your Ladyship, I must decline."

Having said this, Jiang Yunran did not wait for Virtuous Consort Xu's reaction. She directly curtseyed and turned to leave.

Just as she turned around, Virtuous Consort Xu spoke.

"If you are not my friend, then you can only be my enemy."

"If you are not my friend, then you can only be my enemy."