flstandardbreds Chapter 109 The Fallen Concubine in the Cold Palace 18
Chapter 109 The Fallen Concubine in the Cold Palace 18
After Li Shangxun shed his title as a puppet emperor, people outside Cining Palace basically never saw the Empress Dowager again.
It is said that the Empress Dowager is now devoted to Buddhism and no longer cares about worldly affairs.
Therefore, the Empress Dowager did not attend even major national celebrations (such as the Emperor's birthday celebration).
It's unclear whether he was truly extraordinary or imprisoned in the Cining Palace because he had previously interfered in politics and was thus feared by the emperor.
When some newcomers to the palace asked whether the rumors were true or false, they would always see the mysterious expressions of the old nannies and eunuchs and receive the warning, "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask." Over time, no one asked anymore.
However, even if the Empress Dowager was indeed imprisoned in Cining Palace, no one in the palace dared to neglect her.
After all, the Empress Dowager had already achieved the ultimate goal that the concubines had strived for, and no longer needed to pursue the emperor's illusory favor.
Based solely on her status as the emperor's birth mother, as long as she doesn't cause any more trouble, in this era where filial piety is paramount, the empress dowager can still live out her later years in peace.
Even the Emperor, with his tyrannical nature, didn't completely eliminate the Empress Dowager.
Although she herself did not visit often, she would have the imperial physicians come every few days to check the Empress Dowager's pulse and allow her to take tonics as she pleased.
Therefore, in most people's eyes, although the mother and son may not have a good relationship due to their previous power struggle, Li Shangxun will still take good care of the Empress Dowager out of filial piety.
However, Liu Quan, having been by Li Shangxun's side for a long time, had also figured out some of the tricks of the trade.
The Emperor may have some affection for the Empress Dowager, as well as some deeply hidden fear, but it is by no means due to filial piety as people say.
Moreover, the Emperor suddenly left Cining Palace that day, as if he had come to a realization, and he probably doesn't have much affection for the Empress Dowager anymore.
In his opinion, the Empress Dowager and Consort Chen were completely incomparable, and the Emperor would definitely choose the latter.
Therefore, Liu Quan's first reaction upon seeing people coming from the Empress Dowager's palace was to give his apprentice a wink, telling him to quickly inform the Emperor. He then took on the role of negotiator and proactively followed the palace maids to gather information.
"How is the Empress Dowager's health these days?"
How are you feeling?
"I wonder what brings you to see Consort Chen?"
……
The palace maids of Cining Palace naturally knew the Emperor's attitude towards the Empress Dowager, and this understanding deepened after the last "Buddhist worship" incident.
In her opinion, the Empress Dowager shouldn't get involved in this mess. If she offended this new favorite in the harem, she felt that the Empress Dowager herself wouldn't fare well, and it might even implicate them, the servants.
But she was just a palace maid running errands and could not influence the Empress Dowager's decisions. In particular, although the Empress Dowager was confined to the Cining Palace, she was still the Empress Dowager. The Emperor had not neglected the Empress Dowager in any other way, nor had he restricted her in any other aspects.
So the only thing she could do was to be respectful to Consort Chen and to answer all of Eunuch Liu's questions without reservation, so that if anything went wrong, she might be less punished.
No, it's best if nothing happens.
*
Upon arriving at Cining Palace, Liu Quan was stopped at the gate, while only Liu Shuwan was allowed to enter.
Once inside, the person sitting high above, exuding both majesty and compassion, yet also appearing somewhat melancholic, was the Empress Dowager.
The Empress Dowager was much older than she had imagined. Liu Shuwan remembered what Qi Qi had told her that day and understood. Without looking closely, after exchanging greetings, it was a young palace maid beside the Empress Dowager who spoke first:
"Consort Chen's etiquette isn't very good either."
The Empress Dowager let the palace maid finish speaking before giving a mild reprimand: "Jingwan, don't be rude. This girl has been spoiled by me. Consort Chen, don't take it to heart."
With just this one sentence, Jingwan's overstepping of bounds was lightly glossed over.
Jingwan was suddenly promoted during the time when the Empress Dowager was ill. No one knew why. The Empress Dowager saw her by chance and then inexplicably promoted her to a personal maid.
Although they were called palace maids, their lives were comparable to those of the masters.
The Empress Dowager didn't need her to do any work; she just wanted her to keep her company, chat, and talk, which would make her feel much better.
Sometimes, the way he looks at Jingwan is very loving, as if he is thinking of someone through her.
After a period of feeling flattered and apprehensive, Jingwan vaguely sensed something.
Then she became more approachable and natural with the Empress Dowager, and her life improved after that.
When good times last too long, ambitions slowly grow.
The Empress Dowager will grow old sooner or later; only by climbing up to the Emperor can she truly become the master.
She had seen Li Shangxun from afar when he came to Cining Palace; he was handsome and powerful.
His status as the ruler of the world is captivating enough, not to mention his own handsome appearance; it's hard not to be tempted.
As for the brutal things he had done, she subconsciously ignored them.
But the sudden appearance of Consort Chen completely disrupted her plans.
That's why she begged the Empress Dowager to let her meet the Consort Chen who had captivated the Emperor.
Couldn't the Empress Dowager see through Jingwan's thoughts? She was just too lazy to point it out.
If Li Shangxun is truly captivated by Jing Wan, that's fine too; that wretched child deserves to be paired with such lowly people.
To say that she doted on Jingwan was not necessarily true.
The days are too long, so I have to find something to pass the time. Otherwise, it would be hard to bear just with my hatred for Li Shangxun.
Jingwan wanted to see Consort Chen, so she went along with it.
Actually, she was also a little curious. Her son was so cold and aloof that she didn't believe he could really fall in love with anyone.
If he really falls in love with her, that would be even better. It would be a perfect opportunity to vent his anger on her. Since she can't do anything to him, he can go after the woman he likes.
Upon thinking of this, the Empress Dowager suddenly became interested: "Consort Chen, who is your father? What rank does he hold?"
"My father...my father is just an ordinary person..."
Before Liu Shuwan could finish speaking, Jingwan interrupted her:
"Just an ordinary person? This servant thought it was Song Dianyi, who had been exiled."
Everyone in the palace knows that His Majesty brought Consort Song out of the Cold Palace, and as soon as Consort Song fell from grace, Consort Chen was born. This servant thought Consort Song and Consort Chen were the same person, but it turns out I was wrong.
"Oh, is that so?" the Empress Dowager asked deliberately. "Consort Chen, are you and Consort Song the same person?"
"I am, but..."
When Jingwan heard Liu Shuwan admit it, she was overjoyed: "Heavens, does that mean that Consort Chen abandoned the Song family and changed her name to avoid being dragged down by her family, and is now enjoying a life of luxury in the palace all by herself?"
At this point, Jingwan deliberately covered her mouth: "Oh dear, it was just that I spoke too quickly and misspoke. I apologize to Your Highness and beg your forgiveness."
"What crime have you committed? Some people do things that are not respectable, but are others not allowed to say so?"
The Empress Dowager gently pardoned Jingwan, but then angrily rebuked Liu Shuwan, "Consort Chen, kneel down before me!"
"You are the daughter of a disgraced official, yet you bewitched the Emperor to bestow upon you the title of Imperial Concubine, using wicked words to flatter the Emperor; this is your first transgression."
As a daughter, to change one's name at will without regard for one's parents and family is unfilial and disrespectful to one's brothers; this is the second transgression.
As a concubine, she disregarded the rules set by her ancestors and resided permanently in the Qianqing Palace; this was the third offense.
"Today I will punish you with thirty strokes of the cane. Do you have any objections?"
Liu Shuwan knelt on the ground without replying, silently calculating the time when Li Shangxun would arrive.
Ten seconds, nine...
"Consort Chen, do you confess your crimes?"
Six seconds...
"Guards, drag this criminal woman away and flog her!"
one second.
Footsteps drew closer, and in an instant, Liu Shuwan was pulled from the ground into a cold embrace, a voice ringing in her ear:
"I had no idea that the Empress Dowager had the time to manage my people!"