Chapter 96: Beloved Concubine, you are really cute. [Three updates]

Chapter 96: Beloved Concubine, You Are Truly Adorable. "Third Watch of the Night"

For a moment, only the sound of breathing could be heard in the Listening Snow Palace.

Jiang Yunran heard her own voice—steady and calm, without any hurry.

She thought: My composure has improved compared to before.

Hearing such an eerie, storybook-like tale, it was quite an accomplishment for Jiang Yunran to maintain a calm expression.

If Ying Ge had been here, her face would likely have been full of astonishment.

That young girl would surely have gasped, "Oh my heavens!"

Jiang Yunran’s thoughts wandered, her whimsical musings softening the eerie mood in the hall.

“What’s wrong, Beloved Concubine? Why aren’t you speaking? Do you pity me?”

Jiang Yunran: “…”

Yes, she felt “sorry” for him—extremely so.

Jiang Yunran raised her eyes to Jing Huayan, her expression still composed, and asked: “Your Majesty, when you took action back then, did you also go through a period of torment?”

Although Jing Huayan deliberately displayed extreme wickedness in front of her, his perceptions and thoughts might indeed be as he described—indifferent to human life and familial bonds.

But in the end, he did not act against the Second Prince.

And almost all the princes and princesses in the palace, except those who died young due to other reasons, grew up safely.

Jing Huayan restrained the evil within his heart, or perhaps he believed that these younger siblings posed no threat to him.

What he desired, he had to strive for himself.

It had nothing to do with others.

The only one who could influence his fate was the late Emperor.

Jiang Yunran’s heart tightened, and she dared not dwell on it further.

As for that wet nurse, Jing Huayan did not kill her immediately but instead laid plans gradually, waiting until the day he could no longer endure before taking action.

Jing Huayan did not say it, and Jiang Yunran could only guess.

Perhaps he had given her a chance to reform, but she persisted in her ways, betraying his expectations.

So, she could only die.

Jiang Yunran suddenly sighed. She knew what to say now.

“Your Majesty,” Jiang Yunran held his hand, “Your Majesty, it’s all in the past now. Things will get better.”

“Your Majesty is now the sovereign of the highest order. No one would dare to harm you.”

She was comforting him.

Both of their hands were warm—Jiang Yunran’s due to the medicine’s effects, and Jing Huayan’s because he was young and strong.

Their warm palms pressed together, making the moment feel even warmer.

“Oh?”

Jing Huayan’s gaze slowly returned to her face. After studying her intently for a long while, he gently pinched her cheek and smiled faintly.

“Beloved Concubine, you are truly adorable.”

This was the second time he had praised her as adorable.

Jiang Yunran offered no comment.

Jing Huayan said: “Actually, killing someone isn’t such a big deal. Once they’re dead, they’re dead. What does it have to do with me?”

“But that wet nurse’s betrayal stuck in my throat like a fishbone.”

Jing Huayan avoided mentioning the pain of killing a close one he had relied on for survival, nor did he speak of the anger he felt after her betrayal.

He merely told her lightly: “Yun Ran, I despise betrayal most of all.”

Jiang Yunran said: “Your Majesty, I also despise betrayal most of all.”

As she spoke, she lifted her eyes to him, her gaze shimmering with amusement: “You see, we are the same kind of people.”

Jing Huayan raised an eyebrow.

Jiang Yunran’s response took him by surprise, but upon reflection, it made sense.

At times, he indeed felt a “tacit understanding” with Jiang Yunran.

Not because of emotion, nor because of long-standing companionship, but simply because they were alike.

Both used a perfect facade to conceal the malice within.

Jing Huayan couldn’t help but laugh again.

“Very good,” Jing Huayan said, “I am very pleased.”

Jiang Yunran laughed along with him.

Outside the hall, Liang Santai blinked, listening to the occasional laughter from within, and gained more respect for Jiang Yunran in his heart.

It seemed this Consort Jiang was truly remarkable.

Today, His Majesty had been gloomy all day, and only Consort Jiang could coax him into a better mood.

So capable.

At that moment, the highly capable Consort Jiang was peeling an orange.

The orange had been warmed on the heater for a while, and its fresh, sweet fragrance filled the air, making one’s mouth water.

“Your Majesty, did you not investigate her?”

“Her actions must have been instigated by someone behind the scenes.”

“I was only six years old that year,” Jing Huayan said helplessly. “The only person by my side was Liang Santai, who was just over ten years old. How could I investigate?”

Jiang Yunran was curious. After hesitating for a moment, she asked: “Your Majesty, did you not seek help from the Shen family or from the Imperial Noble Dowager Consort?”

“Did you not know?”

Jiang Yunran had never looked into the Shen family's affairs. After all, the Imperial Noble Dowager Consort now lived peacefully in the palace, while her younger brother Shen Mu had succeeded to the title of Duke Dingguo, stationed in Jiuli, where he had fought against Xidi for years, protecting the country.

As for the Shen family's main branch, which had been connected to Empress Gongsu, it had long declined and was hardly ever mentioned.

So much time had passed, years flowing by like a river, leaving no traces behind.

Jiang Yunran had focused all her attention on the Ruan family and on how to get revenge. She had never cared about Jing Huayan's past or the death of Empress Gongsu.

But now, hearing Jing Huayan's words, she suddenly realized what she'd missed.

Nothing in this palace could be overlooked.

Every person and event was interconnected.

Jiang Yunran shook her head, her expression genuinely bewildered, not feigned.

"Your Majesty, I don't know."

Jing Huayan said, "When my mother passed away, the Shen family's main branch had already declined. The year before, my mother's father and elder sister had died together on the battlefield. The youngest brother, who was the only one left to inherit the title of Duke Dingguo, also killed himself out of shame over a major case."

This past was entirely unknown to Jiang Yunran.

What Jing Huayan recounted had to be the truth.

So, the six-year-old Jing Huayan could not rely on his mother's family, and the Imperial Noble Dowager Consort...

"The Imperial Noble Dowager Consort had just suffered a miscarriage at the time and nearly died. She had no energy to spare for other matters."

Jiang Yunran felt another chill of dread.

She was stunned, unable to utter a word.

"Do you find it terrifying?" Jing Huayan said. "I thought the same back then. Every relative around me had some kind of accident. Even the Imperial Noble Dowager Consort's brother, the current Duke Dingguo Shen Mu, fell from a horse and broke his leg, almost dying as well."

At that time, Jing Huayan faced nothing but danger.

But now, speaking of the past, his tone was calm, without a trace of resentment in his expression.

He seemed to have let it go.

Jiang Yunran's breath caught. After a moment, she heard herself ask, "Who wanted to harm Your Majesty, or the Shen family?"

Jing Huayan's fingers tapped lightly on the small table.

Along with the sound of dripping water outside the bamboo-patterned window, it was unsettling, making it hard to focus.

"The several cases involving the Shen family were concluded back then. The families of the criminals were all imprisoned and executed," Jing Huayan said lightly. "The imperial concubine who caused the Imperial Noble Dowager Consort's miscarriage was imprisoned in the Cold Palace long ago and is probably already dead."

With one sentence, Jing Huayan closed the book on that tumultuous past.

"After I was named Crown Prince, I also had people investigate, but no new clues were found."

Jiang Yunran let out a breath.

"Regardless, it's all in the past now."

That was all Jiang Yunran could say.

Jing Huayan looked at her. "Yes, it's all in the past."

"Having heard my story, what does my Beloved Concubine think?" Jing Huayan asked gently. "Do you still want to kill?"

Jing Huayan was also quite skilled.

He managed to steer the topic back.

Jiang Yunran had nearly forgotten her earlier testing, but now, reminded by him, she was instantly on alert.

"Your Majesty, I said it was just a joke with Your Majesty."

Jiang Yunran smiled sweetly. "I'm such a coward, I wouldn't even hurt a fly. How would I dare to kill?"

Jing Huayan laughed.

He had laughed so many times today. Though the past seemed heavy, his mood was remarkably good.

Jiang Yunran didn't understand why he was so happy, and Jing Huayan didn't bother to explain. Perhaps only Liang Santai, who had been by his side for twenty years, would know why Jing Huayan was in such good spirits.

Because, after all these years, Jing Huayan had finally been able to speak of that past to someone else.

In summary, it was a sense of relief.

Jing Huayan laughed and tweaked her cheek. "Good, my Beloved Concubine was only joking. My Beloved Concubine is the most delicate."

So dismissive, obviously not buying it.

Jing Huayan had originally only intended to see her today, to put his mind at ease once he saw she was well. He hadn't expected to say so much, talking until the sunset painted the sky.

He had lingered for too long.

He stood up, pressing her shoulders to keep her from rising to see him off.

"You're still ill. Don't go out and get chilled."

With that, Jing Huayan leaned down and placed a kiss on her lips.

It was light, shallow, yet so soft and lingering.

"Recover well. I'll be waiting for you to get better."

Having said this, Jing Huayan left with his hands behind his back, his tall figure carefree and dignified, full of energy.

Jiang Yunran touched her lips and chuckled softly. "I bid you farewell, Your Majesty."

Before dinner, Zhao Tingfang stopped by again.

Whenever Jiang Yunran claimed to be sick, Zhao Tingfang got worried and had to see for herself.

After taking her pulse, Zhao Tingfang finally relaxed.

"You seem perfectly fine. Why did you withdraw your placard?"

Jiang Yunran fed her the baked orange she had peeled and patted her cheek with a smile.

"There's been too much happening lately. I don't want to entertain him," Jiang Yunran said. "His Majesty is too distrustful."

"I'll go back when I've made arrangements."

Zhao Tingfang didn't mind. The baked orange was too sour it made her face pucker, making her look particularly youthful and cute.

Jiang Yunran chuckled again.

She leaned close to her ear and said quietly, "We never investigated the matter of Empress Gongsu back then. Hearing His Majesty's words today, I can't help but feel there might be something fishy about it."

Zhao Tingfang furrowed her brows, deep in thought.

"But it's been twenty years. How can we investigate now?"

Jiang Yunran tapped her forehead lightly. "Oh, you're such a dummy."

"Empress Gongsu was said to have died from a hemorrhage after a miscarriage. The ones who would know the most about this are undoubtedly the imperial doctors."

Zhao Tingfang's eyes lit up.

"I see."

She continued, "Currently, there are two directors in the Imperial Hospital. Director Bai has served in the palace for twenty years, but back then he was just an obscure low-ranking medical attendant. He’s also rather set in his ways—it might be difficult to question him."

"As for Director Mai, I’ve heard her aunt was once the head director of the Imperial Hospital. She herself is very approachable and might be worth asking."

Jiang Yunran reminded her, "Be careful with everything."

Zhao Tingfang patted her hand and said, "Don’t worry, I know what to do. Focus on recovering and taking your medicine. Your pulse feels much stronger already."

Jiang Yunran nodded, walked her out, and after a moment of thought, called Ying Ge inside.

In the following days, Beauty Jiang rested peacefully to recuperate, while Beauty Wei had fully recovered. On a clear day, she specially took her servants to stroll in the imperial garden.

The disappearance of a palace maid didn't cause a stir in the palace. Within three to five days, everyone had forgotten who Yin Zhui was.

Leaning on Amber, Beauty Wei, though still pale, seemed much improved—well enough to be out and about and enjoy the scenery.

The two walked together along a small path in the imperial garden, with Amber trying her hardest to cheer up Beauty Wei.

Just as Beauty Wei began to smile, a playful, taunting voice suddenly rang out.

"She was just a lowly palace maid. What’s the big deal?"

Beauty Wei paused mid-step. She turned around, looking past layer upon layer of green bamboo toward a pretty woman in an octagonal pavilion behind them.

Concubine Hui, bundled up in a heavy cloak, was joking around with Baolin Su.

Her tone was full of disdain.

"Who knows if she ran off with some eunuch?"