Chapter 425 - 203: Don’t Bother the Empress Dowager with Such a Trivial Matter

Chapter 425: Chapter 203: Don’t Bother the Empress Dowager with Such a Trivial Matter

Qin Xiyue knew An Shutong was no easy person to deal with, and revealing this news to her now was surely done with malicious intent.

But, she was indeed displeased.

The Emperor had actually stayed the night with Song Yunzhao, despite her pregnancy. Ever since she’d conceived, the Emperor had almost never stayed over at Wangyou Palace. This led everyone to believe that once she was with child, the Emperor would no longer favor her.

This was how it had been in the late Emperor’s time. Whenever a favored concubine became pregnant, her nameplate would be removed and would only reappear after she had given birth.

But in this dynasty, the Emperor had never used nameplates. He used to rotate among the three concubines, but later, he doted exclusively on Song Yunzhao.

She knew that during this summer retreat at the traveling palace, the Empress Dowager planned to bring up the matter of the nameplates with the Emperor. Princess Consort Zhuang had been the one to leak this information to her; it was the first step in suppressing Song Yunzhao.

But she never expected that before the nameplate plan could even be implemented, the Emperor would break the established balance and stay the night with Song Yunzhao.

The matter seemed trivial, but it was incredibly thorny.

An Shutong observed that although Qin Xiyue was trying her best to mask her expression, her eyes still betrayed a hint of displeasure and wariness.

She already knew some of the inside story of the last incident. And while she had no concrete proof, the fact that Qin Xiyue had been out of sight for a while made her very suspicious.

’After all, given the Empress Dowager’s plan that day, I shouldn’t have slept so soundly. But not only did I sleep like a log, my body also felt terribly unwell. I suspect someone tampered with me.’

’It was just that the Empress Dowager was furious at the time, and the Emperor was pressing the matter, so I really didn’t dare say anything more. I left the palace the next day, but that doesn’t mean this is over.’

An Shutong then slowly added, "I heard from Nanny Yao that the Emperor didn’t even go to the front hall to attend to his duties today. He’s still with Song Zhaoyi. To be so cherished by the Emperor... it’s truly enviable."

Hearing An Shutong’s words, Qin Xiyue showed no outward change in expression. She smiled and said, "Miss An, you haven’t been in the palace long, so you probably find this surprising. But for Song Zhaoyi, this is quite ordinary."

An Shutong knew Qin Xiyue was saying this deliberately, but ’it’s truly hard not to feel sad’.

’What woman in this world doesn’t wish for a gentle and considerate husband?’

With the conversation not flowing, the atmosphere turned somewhat awkward. Only the sound of the light rain pattering on the pavilion eaves could be heard, further vexing the heart.

"I wonder when this rain will stop," Qin Xiyue said, breaking the silence. "I had intended to visit Song Zhaoyi, but I’m afraid it’s not a convenient time to disturb her. Miss An, would you be interested in stopping by my quarters? We could invite a few others to play leaf cards to pass the time."

An Shutong’s first instinct was to refuse, but the words that came to her lips were, "If it’s no bother to Qin Wan Yi, then I would be delighted."

"How could it be a bother? We’re just passing the time." Qin Xiyue rose, smiling as she called her palace maid and told her to go back first to make preparations.

An Shutong and Qin Xiyue walked side by side, both with smiles on their faces, as if the earlier unpleasantness had never occurred.

"This is my first time at the traveling palace, so I’m not sure what there is to do here," Qin Xiyue said.

An Shutong understood Qin Xiyue’s implication. Since she served the Empress Dowager, and the Empress Dowager had accompanied the late Emperor to the traveling palace for summer retreats, she would surely know what activities were available.

"The rules at the traveling palace aren’t as strict as in the main palace. There are hot springs for bathing, and grasslands at the foot of the mountain for riding. The more daring can even go hunting in the mountains." Here, An Shutong smiled. "I also heard there’s a market at the foot of the mountain; the Empress Dowager mentioned that some have even gone to visit it. Besides, the whole point of coming to the traveling palace for the summer is to relax, so banquets are held often. I’ve only heard these things in passing, so I don’t know how true they are. Qin Wan Yi, you can just take it as hearsay."

Qin Xiyue had, of course, made inquiries before coming to the traveling palace, but her information wasn’t as detailed as An Shutong’s.

The late Emperor was a man who loved pleasure, so there was practically singing and dancing every day at the traveling palace. The current Emperor, however, was different. He might not indulge in such activities.

"Hearing that from you puts my mind at ease, Miss An. Being new to the traveling palace, I was worried about committing some faux pas." Qin Xiyue led An Shutong into her own courtyard, which she shared with Dong Guiren.

Dong Guiren was sipping tea under the covered walkway. She was quite surprised to see the two of them return together and quickly rose to curtsy, then greeted An Shutong.

"Dong Guiren, are you free at the moment? Miss An and I are looking to play a game of leaf cards."

"Of course I am." Dong Guiren would never dare to refuse. "But we’re still short one player."

Qin Xiyue smiled. "Then go ask if Fan Pin is available."

Hua Ying quickly assented and turned to leave.

Fang Ping had already returned, and the card table was now set up. Smiling, she invited the three of them inside.

Dong Guiren’s eyes darted about. ’Qin Wan Yi went out first thing in the morning and came back with Miss An,’ she mused. ’No matter how I look at it, this is all very strange.’

’But she could only wonder about it; she wouldn’t dare ask a single question. Besides, there were plenty of rumors in the palace, especially concerning the time Miss An was sent away. Some even said Qin Wan Yi had a hand in it.’

’But looking at them now, that doesn’t seem to be the case.’

Fan Pin arrived quickly. The four of them sat down and began to play, and the atmosphere immediately grew lively.

When word of this reached Princess Consort Zhuang, she was at a loss for how to react.

’Qin Xiyue really is something else,’ she thought. ’One moment she’s scheming against An Shutong, and the next she’s all friendly and playing cards with her.’

"Is the Empress Dowager awake yet?" Princess Consort Zhuang asked.

Rouge shook her head. "I just came from there. The Empress Dowager has not yet risen."

Princess Consort Zhuang scoffed. ’She must have been angered by the Emperor. At her age, a poor night’s sleep means she can’t get up in the morning.’

’It’s a good thing the Empress Dowager hasn’t demanded we pay our respects daily, or we’d all be stuck here waiting.’

"Go and ask if Princess Consort Wan is available."

"Yes, Your Highness."

The maid returned shortly. Rouge reported, "Lady Wanfei was startled by the storm last night and has caught a chill. She has a headache, and the Imperial Physician is writing her a prescription as we speak."

Princess Consort Zhuang: ...

’That medicine pot.’

’In the past, eight out of the ten times she fell ill, she was faking it.’

’Now it seems half of her illnesses are real. It just goes to show, you can’t fake being sick for too long, or eventually even the heavens will think you’re meant to be that way.’

’How unlucky.’

"Your Highness." Yun Dai hurried in from outside, handing her umbrella to a little palace maid. She stamped her feet to dry them before entering the main hall. "Your mother asks if you are available. She wishes to see you."

Princess Consort Zhuang paused. "Did Mother say anything else?"

"Your mother said nothing else, she only asked that one question," Yun Dai replied hurriedly.

Princess Consort Zhuang hadn’t expected her mother to want to see her so soon. ’Could something have happened?’

"Go and bring her in yourself," Princess Consort Zhuang ordered.

Yun Dai nodded quickly. "I’ll go at once. Your Highness, should I inform the Empress Dowager’s side?"

Princess Consort Zhuang’s expression turned cold. "The Empress Dowager has not yet risen. There’s no need to disturb her rest over such a trivial matter."