Chapter 70

Chapter 70

In her past life, Empress Zhang was banished to the cold palace and lost favor, while Noble Consort Luo reigned supreme. This eventually caused Zhang Wan's standing in the Lian family to plummet. Zhang Wan's situation in the Duke's residence grew increasingly dire, ultimately leading to the tragic loss of her child and her own death by swallowing gold. Although Empress Zhang later regained favor, it was too late for Zhang Wan.

Zhang Wan's fate was intertwined with Empress Zhang's, and Empress Zhang, as the mother of the nation, had shown kindness and protection to Shen Anning. In their previous lives, none of the three women had fared well. Perhaps because they were all women, Shen Anning couldn't help but feel compassion and found it difficult to stand by idly.

However, after the incident with Princess Fuyang and the ensuing calamity, Shen Anning had become hesitant. She was unsure whether she should intervene in the many events she knew were coming, and whether doing so would bring about unforeseen repercussions.

For instance, her previous attempt to help Fuyang had put her in danger.

In this life, she had accompanied Lu Suian to the imperial hunt, only to face humiliation from Suo Da. So, if she were to intervene in Empress Zhang's affairs, would it trigger other complications?

Princess Fuyang, who had died tragically in the previous life, was now alive and well. This meant that in this life, there would be a new life trajectory related to Princess Fuyang. Shen Anning's own changes had already influenced her path, as well as Lu Suian's and even the entire Lu family's course of events. If she were to help Empress Zhang resolve this situation, it would be different from her involvement with Princess Fuyang. Empress Zhang was the mother of the nation, and her every move affected national policy. Whether it concerned Empress Zhang herself or the entire court, it would inevitably lead to earth-shattering upheaval. If that were to happen, would the trajectory of this life still follow the path of the previous one?

She feared that by quietly fluttering a butterfly's wings, she might inadvertently unleash an unseen hurricane miles away.

Throughout the journey, Shen Anning had been pondering this matter. She had been hesitant and uncertain, but after a moment of struggle, she looked up and saw Zhang Wan's vibrant face and considered her own more optimistic outlook in this life. Suddenly, her wavering resolve grew firm.

If she were to live a second life only to watch her friends and loved ones suffer the same tragic fates as before, what would be the point of her rebirth?

Even if she were to disrupt all karma between her past and present lives, how could she be sure it would lead to a bad outcome?

With this thought, Shen Anning grew increasingly determined.

She wanted to help herself, Zhang Wan, and Empress Zhang. Moreover, although she had been reborn, she had no backing in this world. She had no maternal family to rely on, and she couldn't pin all her hopes on the Lu family. She needed to plan carefully for her future. If she could firmly attach herself to Empress Zhang, Empress Zhang would undoubtedly become her greatest support and rock. Then, even if she were to break with Lu Suian or the entire Lu family in the future, she would not be without leverage.

Thinking this, Shen Anning felt a faint sense of anticipation.

She began to strain to recall the trajectory of events from her previous life and the political landscape of the court.

Since Emperor Wei had been confined to the imperial mausoleum for fifteen years, with only Empress Zhang accompanying him, it meant that Emperor Wei's offspring were still scarce. Aside from the two sons and one daughter Empress Zhang had borne him, Emperor Wei had no other children. As the mother of the nation, Empress Zhang's children were all legitimate heirs of Emperor Wei. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the next successor would undoubtedly be one of Empress Zhang's two sons. This meant that Empress Zhang's position was unshakable. Even if Noble Consort Luo was currently the most favored in the harem, without an heir, everything was meaningless.

Yet, in the previous life, despite such favorable conditions, Empress Zhang was still banished to the cold palace. This meant that something must have happened that Emperor Wei could not tolerate. So, what exactly occurred during this imperial hunt?

Speaking of this imperial hunt and Emperor Wei and Empress Zhang, another key figure must be mentioned: Noble Consort Luo. It was said that Noble Consort Luo was the object of his affection in his youth. However, at that time, the previous emperor was gravely ill, and the court situation was tightly controlled by Noble Consort Huo. To weaken the power of the then-crown prince (now Emperor Wei), Noble Consort Huo forcibly separated the lovers and instead forced Empress Zhang, a daughter of the Zhang family who had low status and no backing, upon Emperor Wei. Noble Consort Luo was compelled to marry someone else.

Yes, Noble Consort Luo had originally been another man's wife. It was only after Emperor Wei ascended the throne that she divorced and entered the palace. Her entry into the palace once caused an uproar in the court, but Emperor Wei suppressed all opposition with sheer force, demonstrating her importance in his heart. Moreover, Noble Consort Luo still had a sixteen-year-old legitimate son, Li Mi, born from her previous marriage with Duke Su.

Recalling her previous life's memories, Shen Anning had not participated in that imperial hunt, so she didn't know what exactly happened. She only vaguely remembered that the half-month hunting expedition ended abruptly after just three to five days. The reason was that a serious dispute had broken out between the emperor and empress during the hunt, leading to a rift between them. Empress Zhang, in anger, returned to the palace overnight at the beginning of the hunt. Two months later, the shocking event of Empress Zhang being banished to the cold palace occurred.

At that time, rumors spread like wildfire, but the true reason for Empress Zhang's banishment was tightly sealed by the palace. Considering today's news of Noble Consort Luo's pregnancy, could it be that the rift between the emperor and empress was related to Noble Consort Luo's condition?

Because, in Shen Anning's memory, she had never heard about Noble Consort Luo being pregnant at this time. She only remembered that Noble Consort Luo gave birth to her first imperial child three years after Empress Zhang was banished to the cold palace, which was the fourth year of Emperor Wei's reign.

So, was the reason for the rift between Empress Zhang and Emperor Wei truly related to Noble Consort Luo's pregnancy? Did Empress Zhang attempt to harm the imperial heir in Noble Consort Luo's womb?

In the palace, such harem struggles were common, and it wouldn't be surprising if it were true. But even if Empress Zhang had committed such a rebellious act, would Emperor Wei really banish the empress to the cold palace for the sake of an unborn child, thereby destabilizing the already fragile court situation?

Moreover, with the precedent of Noble Consort Huo still fresh in everyone's minds, the court was already in an uproar over Noble Consort Luo's entry into the palace. If Emperor Wei were to punish his original wife of over ten years for her sake at such a time, who knew what kind of storm it would unleash?

So, no—Empress Zhang's banishment to the cold palace couldn't have been solely because of this. Something else must have happened at this time.

What kind of event would cause the emperor and empress to disregard all consequences and clash openly during the imperial hunt, eventually leading to the mother of the nation being confined to the cold palace for a full five years?

Attempting to harm the emperor? Interfering in state affairs? Or... some unsavory matter between a man and a woman?

The first was impossible, the second had never been heard of, so as for the latter—

Shen Anning's eyes narrowed, and her heart shuddered.

Could it be that the emperor and empress's relationship had broken down?

Could it be that Empress Zhang was caught by Emperor Wei in some compromising situation—

Such as being caught in bed with someone else?

If that were the case, then everything would make sense.

Shen Anning didn't know much about Empress Zhang's private virtue, but she knew that five years later, the emperor and empress reconciled, while Noble Consort Luo fell from grace, dragging the second branch of the family down with her. Didn't this suggest that Empress Zhang's private virtue was beyond reproach?

Moreover, Empress Zhang had been so kind and protective even toward her—

Of course, these details weren't important now. Shen Anning even suspected that Noble Consort Luo had a hand in the rift between the emperor and empress in their previous life. If that were the case, it meant that a major event was destined to happen either tonight or in the next couple of nights.

The situation was urgent and brooked no delay. Shen Anning's expression grew serious, and she was about to take Zhang Wan to a quiet place to warn her when, upon turning around, a whip descended from above, striking right in front of Shen Anning and blocking their path.

"Shen Shi, I challenge you to a match!"

An arrogant and domineering voice rang out simultaneously.

Shen Anning and Zhang Wan looked up to see a fiery red pony that had somehow appeared within their sight. On the pony's back sat someone dressed in blazing red, exuding an overbearing aura—it was Princess Fuyang, who had sent soup to Lu Suian for two consecutive days and had cheered for him so enthusiastically during today's competition that her voice had gone hoarse.

"If I win today's hunt, I want you to give up Brother Suian. I want you to divorce him—"

Princess Fuyang's audacious words nearly made Zhang Wan's eyes pop out.

The other women who had been scattered around were also drawn by this heated scene, gathering around with stunned yet excited expressions.

Looking at the young, vibrant face on the horse, proudly tilting its chin toward her, Shen Anning inwardly rolled her eyes. What kind of trouble had she saved?

See, this was the backlash of casually changing someone else's fate—it all came back to her.

She had brought this upon herself, and Shen Anning couldn't blame anyone else.

Moreover, with more pressing matters at hand, Shen Anning had no desire to engage with this arrogant and domineering princess. She tried to lead Zhang Wan away by taking a different path, but Princess Fuyang caught up with them again, blocking their way once more.

Pointing her whip at Shen Anning from a distance, she said contemptuously, "What, afraid?"

She clearly had no intention of letting her off easily.

At this point, Zhang Wan finally couldn't hold back. "Princess Fuyang, Ning Er doesn't know how to ride or shoot." She then glanced toward the distant competition grounds and raised her eyebrows slightly. "Her Majesty the Empress and the Noble Consort are still watching from afar. Princess Fuyang, don't go too far."

Zhang Wan invoked the Empress to pressure her.

But Princess Fuyang paid no heed, continuing to sneer at Shen Anning. "Hmph, if you can't even ride or shoot, you're even less worthy of Brother Suian!"

Fourteen- or fifteen-year-old children were at an age where they didn't know any better.

And Princess Fuyang was the worst among such children.

Shen Anning had no time to argue with a child. She looked at Princess Fuyang and said calmly, "If Princess Fuyang has such capabilities, I'll be waiting for Crown Prince Lu's divorce papers."

With that, she took Zhang Wan's hand and turned to leave. However, after a few steps, she suddenly stopped and turned back. Then, she said to Princess Fuyang word by word, "I've changed my mind. If I win, I want you, Princess Fuyang, to respectfully call me 'Elder Sister Ning' three times every time you see me from now on, and then disappear completely from my sight. How about that?"

In this life, Shen Anning only wanted to live a peaceful and stable life. She didn't want someone like Princess Fuyang ruining her mood again and again.

It would be better to settle this once and for all.

Sure enough, as soon as she finished speaking, Princess Fuyang's face twisted with anger. She gritted her teeth and said, "You'd better keep your word. I'll be waiting for the good news of your divorce from Brother Suian."

As if afraid Shen Anning would change her mind, Princess Fuyang cracked her whip and galloped off on her fiery red pony toward the hunting grounds.