Chapter 766 - 543: Falling into the Water

Chapter 766: Chapter 543: Falling into the Water

"What is it?" An Shutong glanced at her, then sat up. "Let’s talk inside."

Mu Qing helped her mistress up, and the two of them went back into the room.

On the other side of the flowering wall, Zhao Ling’e sat by a half-open window, looking up in their direction. From her vantage point, she could see An Shutong, but An Shutong could not see her.

’How long has she been there?’

Zhao Ling’e’s expression darkened slightly, her eyes fixed intently on the building across the way. Only after they had closed their door did she avert her gaze.

Meanwhile, An Shutong was taken aback by what Mu Qing said. "Is what you’re saying true?"

"I don’t know if it’s true or false, but someone from Yixin Palace secretly told me." At this moment, Mu Qing didn’t know whether to be happy or not. "Mistress, do you think this is a good thing or a bad thing?"

An Shutong’s face was grim. "These courtiers don’t bother to properly defend our borders, but they’ve certainly mastered these crooked schemes."

"I heard that this time, they’re presenting a princess from a tribe in Beiming. They want to join forces with Great Chu to fight the King of Beiming, implying a marriage alliance." Mu Qing didn’t know if this was a good thing or a bad thing; as a little palace maid, she didn’t understand matters of state.

But...

She looked at her mistress and said softly, "Mistress, wouldn’t it be a good thing if someone could break the Imperial Consort’s exclusive favor?"

’If that happened, perhaps Mistress would finally have a chance.’

An Shutong reached out and tapped Mu Qing lightly on the head. "Even I, your mistress, have stopped thinking about these things. Why can’t you give up?"

Mu Qing’s eyes reddened. "I just feel wronged on your behalf!"

"What’s there for me to feel wronged about? Aren’t the three concubines in a worse position than I am? I’ve come to understand things now. Our Imperial Consort doesn’t covet power. As long as you don’t go against her, she won’t make things difficult for us lesser concubines.

But if anyone dares to make a move against her, that’s another story. The Imperial Consort doesn’t tolerate any deception.

She doesn’t covet power or wealth, nor does she use her rank as Imperial Concubine to bully the other concubines. In her eyes, there is only the Emperor. She’s so beautiful, and in front of the Emperor, she’s both coy and enchanting. Thinking about it now, if I were a man, I would also love a beauty like that."

"Mistress..."

"Just look. Among all the women in the harem, who else is like the Imperial Consort, wanting only the Emperor himself? It’s no wonder we lost to her."

Every single one of us concubines was sent into the palace by our families with an agenda. Not one of us has pure intentions.

I heard that when the Imperial Consort first entered the selection, she was hoping to fail so she could go home and get married. When I first heard that, I didn’t believe a single word of it.

But now, I believe it.

Who else could be favored for so many years, bear two sons, and still maintain her original mindset?

’At any rate, I could never do that.’

Just look at the Empress Dowager. Even now, isn’t she still unable to let things go?

And what good person is Zhao Ling’e? The Empress Dowager insists on promoting her—isn’t that just to oppose the Imperial Consort?

But the Emperor protects the Imperial Consort, so what’s the use?

The Empress Dowager knows full well she won’t get the outcome she desires, yet she stirs up trouble again and again. Isn’t it just because she refuses to accept it?

’Truthfully, I’m not reconciled either, but I’ve accepted my fate.’

At the thought of accepting her fate, An Shutong suddenly stood up. "Let’s go. We’re going to see Lady Shufei."

"Mistress, it’s so late!"

"How can you say it’s late when we haven’t even had dinner?" Without bothering to change, An Shutong pushed the door open and walked out.

Passing the flowering wall, she found Zhao Ling’e drinking tea in the courtyard. Upon seeing her, Zhao Ling’e immediately stood to greet her. "This concubine greets An Pin."

An Shutong had a strange feeling, as if Zhao Ling’e had been waiting here just for her.

She waved the round fan in her hand and gave Zhao Ling’e a slight nod. "You’re in good spirits, Lady Zhao."

"This concubine is quite fond of the art of tea and often brews it by hand to pass the time when I’m free. What a coincidence to see you today. I wonder, might I invite Sister An Pin to join me for a cup?"

Zhao Ling’e’s smile was sincere and warm, but An Shutong felt a cold sweat prickle her back. She shook her head. "No, thank you. It’s stuffy inside, so I’m going out for a walk. Please enjoy your tea, Lady Zhao."

"It’s so late, and you’re still going out, Sister An Pin? The paths are treacherous in the dark. You should watch your step."

An Shutong didn’t answer and simply walked away.

After leaving Baihua Pavilion, An Shutong hesitated. Instead of heading toward the palace where Consort Shu lived, she turned, passed Yixin Palace, and walked toward the lake, genuinely trying to look as if she were out for a stroll.

Mu Qing followed her mistress. Only after they had walked a good distance did she let out a slight sigh of relief. "Mistress, just now, I really felt like I couldn’t breathe. There’s something very strange about the way Lady Zhao looks at people."

An Shutong had thought it was just her imagination, but to her surprise, Mu Qing felt it too. She slowed her pace. "You also felt something was off?"

Mu Qing nodded quickly, holding the lantern to light the path ahead. "Yes. Did you think so too, Mistress?"

An Shutong didn’t speak. She followed the path over a wooden bridge, through a covered walkway, and to the edge of the Dragon Pool.

Under the night sky, the lake water was dark and murky, making soft lapping sounds as it shifted with the wind.

The mistress and her maid walked in silence along the paved path by the shore, a light breeze carrying the scent of the lake across their faces.

The flowers and plants along the bank grew in lush thickets. As they walked, Mu Qing began to feel frightened. "Mistress, maybe we should go back?"

It was pitch-black by the lake, with the palace lanterns spaced far apart. Her heart was in her throat.

An Shutong stood at the water’s edge, gazing at the black surface of the lake, her mind replaying the way Zhao Ling’e had spoken to her earlier.

She turned, about to speak to Mu Qing, when a dark shadow lunged at her. She stumbled and fell backward, plunging instantly into the lake.

She wasn’t a strong swimmer and struggled to get to the surface. Just as her head broke through the water, she saw a dark figure falling toward her, and then she heard Mu Qing’s voice.

’It’s Mu Qing!’

Mu Qing’s body slammed into An Shutong, forcing her back underwater. Darkness enveloped her vision as she sank, but through the water, she could still see the dim moon hanging in the sky.

’Even though life in the palace was unpleasant, she didn’t want to die.’

An Shutong looked at Mu Qing, who showed no sign of movement after falling in, and a terrible premonition washed over her.

She pushed Mu Qing away and struggled back to the surface, taking a desperate gasp of air. But before she could cry for help, she sank again.

「Hua E Building」

Yun Zhao finished checking the guest list for the palace banquet and went over the schedule one last time. Seeing no issues, she was finally ready to rest.

Feng Yi hadn’t returned tonight, held up by memorials sent from the Capital City.

Just as she was preparing to wash up, Zhang Maoquan came running back in, panting as he spoke. "Your Highness, something terrible has happened! An Pin and her maid fell into the lake! They’ve just been pulled out, but I’m afraid their chances of survival are slim."

Yun Zhao’s head shot up. "Who fell in the lake? An Pin?"

"Yes," Zhang Maoquan said immediately.

"Send the Imperial Physician to Baihua Pavilion!" Yun Zhao started for the door, asking as she walked, "What exactly happened? What was An Pin doing by the lake in the middle of the night instead of sleeping? Was she alone, or with someone else?"

"I rushed back as soon as I heard the news. I don’t know the specifics yet. I’ll go investigate right away." Zhang Maoquan turned and bolted.

Yun Zhao hurried toward Baihua Pavilion with Nanny Yu and Xiangxue. After taking a few steps, she turned to Xiangxue and said, "Go find Meng Jiuchang at once, and make sure you report to the Emperor that An Pin fell into the water!"