The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 150

Mu Xi Yao blinked with those dark and shiny eyes of hers, her brows furrowed, staring at Wei Zhen until he quickly lowered his head.

With this kind of appearance, it was no wonder His Highness couldn’t hold out against her. Fortunately, Master was not present at the moment, otherwise, he would have received another cold gaze.

“Lady He Lian cannot bear children and He Lian House wishes to substitute He Lian Min Min for He Lian Wei Rui?” Mu Xi Yao muttered quietly, idly flicking the strings of the zither with her slender and fair jade-like fingers. “Tsk, tsk. This rumor is indeed malicious. Did He Lian House offed the God of Tai Sui¹?” She seemed to be relishing a little in the other’s misfortune.

“So it seems that your Mistress, I, will have a lot of work to do. The peaceful days have come to an end…” Mu Xi Yao pouted, looking displeased. The benefits were right in front of her, but she couldn’t touch them. It was really frustrating.

If she were to accept this heaven-sent opportunity, she might end up being framed and suffering from injustice, made to pay the price for someone else’s mistake.

She had been plotting to use someone to spread a well-known allusion from the Jin Dynasty to the Empress Dowager’s ears, in order to wake up He Lian Wei Rui from her daydreams as well as make those women who spoke on her behalf lose their faces. The candidate hadn’t been selected yet, but an ‘unexpected surprise’ appeared out of the blue.

Well, now she didn’t have to do anything. He Lian House had been ambushed by someone. Although she had accepted the task He Lian Min Min gave her, it seemed that someone else did her work and even went beyond the call of duty.

However, the part that went beyond the original job might anger He Lian Principal Consort greatly and she might even storm into her Danruo Courtyard later to demand an explanation.

Mu Xi Yao was extremely curious about this mysterious person who had intervened. But, wasn’t the setting for this plot too grand? To be able to predict He Lian Zhang’s actions in advance, could it be that there was a third party who also knew about the Phoenix Stick?

Wan Jing Wen’s miraculous rebirth was beyond Mu Xi Yao’s imagination. What was even more unexpected was that, by coincidence, Wan Jing Wen had seized an excellent opportunity. As a result, Mu Xi Yao made a mistake in her judgment.

—-

Consort Shu was furious in the palace. Ever since the rumors had spread throughout the Inner Palace, whenever ‘He Lian House’ these three words were mentioned, her temples throbbed with pain as if being prickled by needles.

She no longer cared about the help that family could offer to Zong Zheng Lin’s official career. All her thoughts were focused on whether He Lian’shi had any hidden ailment or not. She had been anticipating a di grandson for a long time and couldn’t let the matter drop just because of one infertile woman.

“Momo, bring a highly skilled physician in this field to carefully examine her. If someone has slandered her, then so be it, but if not…” Consort Shu stroked her temples, “My son has no use for such a woman.” In other words, whether He Lian Min Min could keep her position as the princess consort would depend on the diagnosis.

When Yuacheng Emperor heard about this, his hand holding the brush paused for a moment, his expression neither happy nor angry. Picking up the memorials submitted by He Lian Zhang these past few days, the Emperor closed his eyes for a long time and then ordered Gu Chang De to go to the Imperial Academy of Medicine to announce the edict. He then picked up his brush again and got back to writing annotations in red ink to official documents, busing himself with complex political affairs.

“Is the person in these rumors He Lian Wei Rui you all spoke of earlier?” Empress Dowager Jin rolled her Buddhistic beads over one by one, making no mention of the beautiful tale that had been brought up before.

Zong Zheng Ying sat stiffly, still unable to believe that the wind had suddenly changed direction overnight.

The Noble Consort has been reserved in her behavior and spoke very little, thus she could still remain calm and composed during this situation. She inwardly understood that the He Lian House had used a wicker basket to draw water² this time. Even if they managed to escape this matter, to avoid suspicion, it would be even harder for He Lian Wei Rui to enter the Sixth Prince’s household.

Consort Qi and Fu Zhaoyi were both silent. The situation had changed, and speaking too much at this moment could lead to mistakes. The Old Ancestor had already revealed her disapproval and the fact that no one was punished was already a display of her leniency.

“The Imperial Noble Consort still needs to put effort into selecting consorts for the Eighth. As for others, they can wait a bit. There’s no need to rush.” Empress Dowager Jin was now wholeheartedly waiting for news from Sixth’s princess consort. The position of the prince’s primary consort was not to be taken lightly.

——

When He Lian Min Min imposingly arrived with her entourage at Danruo Courtyard, she saw Mu Xi Yao dressed in a dark bluish-green dress with a long trailing skirt, looking particularly fresh and elegant. She was burning incense and brewing tea in a leisurely and unruffled manner, waiting for her in the hall. Other than Zhao Momo serving her, there was no one else around.

“The Principal Consort has just arrived in time. Qie has prepared this year’s newly released seven-flavored flower tea for you. Why doesn’t Principal Consort take a seat and enjoy it?” After putting away the tea set, Mu Xi Yao picked up the clay pot and poured flower tea for He Lian Min Min.

The bright scarlet color in the white jade-like porcelain cup was really tempting and an almond-white jasmine petal rested atop it. One could tell at a glance that the hostess had put a lot of effort into it.

Mu Xi Yao picked up the small teacup and took a deep breath, enjoying the sweetness of the flower tea with her eyes closed.

He Lian Min Min was originally full of anger but was calmed down a lot by Mu Xi Yao’s serene and composed demeanor.

“If Principal Consort came to demand an explanation, you’re looking for the wrong person.” Looking at her gloomy expression when she entered the room, it was clear without much thought that she was overwhelmed with fury, and hadn’t carefully thought about the complexity of the situation.

“When this matter came to light, the first person people suspected was Qie, the one who benefited the most on the surface. Does Principal Consort think that Qie would be so foolish as to go through all this trouble to create a brilliant scheme just for a little gain or even end up worse off?”

If she were so diligent and ambitious, the great boss wouldn’t be so resentful that he grits his teeth in anger all the time.

Mu Xi Yoa’s explanation ended there. To say more would be drawing legs on a snake³. Those who were capable of comprehending would naturally understand it, while for those who couldn’t, no amount of explanation would help.

He Lian Min Min observed her silently for a while, and finally picked up the tea and drank it slowly.

She was too rash…Mu’shi was right. Not only was He Lian House schemed against, but she also couldn’t stay out of it either. If this matter were investigated, Mu’shi would be the prime suspect. If she were to be interrogated in isolation, it would be very difficult for her to endure in her current state.

“This time, Qie acted rashly without enough thought. Cefei needn’t concern herself about it.” He Lian Min Min was the first to yield.

“This issue indeed requires caution. In Qie’s opinion, Principal Consort should still have her pulse examined properly to have a clear understanding of her own physical condition.” Mu Xi Yao’s words were sincere. She already had a premonition about He Lian Min Min’s body.

“Thank Cefei for your concern. However, Qie’s body is perfectly healthy. The healthcare momo⁴ takes care of Qie every day and would check Qie’s pulse every few days. Qie has never heard her say that there was anything wrong with Qie’s body. It is unnecessary to rush to seek medical advice now, which would only make us a laughingstock. Rumors are just rumors. The truth will be revealed when the time comes.”

If she hurriedly summoned the imperial physicians as soon as the rumors started spreading, wouldn’t it be just giving everyone a spectacle to watch?

“That’s not true.” Mu Xi Yao shook her head slowly. “The imperial physicians from the palace should already be on their way. It would be better for the Principal Consort to prepare early.” The news spread so fast that the people in the palace should have already heard of it. Mu Xi Yao didn’t know if Yuancheng Emperor would immediately send someone over, but Consort Shu would surely be too impatient to wait for the definite news. Maybe as soon as He Lian Min Min goes back, she would see a bunch of imperial physicians.

He Lian Min Min tightened her lips. She wasn’t afraid. She knew her body well. How could she have a hidden illness? The symptoms of the cold womb were clearly stated in medical books, which include abdominal pain, limbs prone to feeling cold, and night terrors. She didn’t have any of these symptoms, so how could she have a cold womb and be unable to pass on the family lineage?

Seeing her full of confidence, Mu Xi Yao said no more lest she provokes her resentment. However, she was inwardly very cautious.

The outcome of this matter might catch He Lian Min Min by surprise. But at this point, the imperial physician was about to arrive, and it was too late to investigate in advance. How could a person who could set up such a scheme leave behind a mistake that could be easily exposed?

Cold womb…Mu Xi Yao’s brows furrowed slightly.

—

The father and daughter of the He Lian House also furrowed their brows.

“Father, the other party has also made arrangements in the palace. This matter is probably quite serious.” Since it has already caused a disturbance in the palace, it was evident that the person behind it has been planning for a long time.

He Lian Wei Rui suppressed her anger, her heart filled with resentment. Her path to a bright future had been cut off just as she was about to reach it. Even if the fortune of He Lian House was not exhausted and they could clear their name from this event she would be no more able to enter the Sixth Highness’s household. At this time, He Lian House mustn’t collapse, and she also needed to plan her own way out.

Of all the choices, it seemed that only the position of Eighth Prince’s cefei was barely acceptable for her to compromise with.

He Lian Zhang had a stern expression and a vicious look in his eyes. At this point, how could he not realize that there has been foul play involving He Lian Min Min?! The matter of the utmost importance now was to regain the trust of the Yuancheng Emperor. As for this daughter, who had been harmed by someone, He Lian Zhang was too preoccupied to seek a way out for her.

Sir He Lian looked over the list of names repeatedly but still failed to find any suspicious targets. The tactics employed in this affair did not match any of his usual political enemies. Who on the earth could have dealt such a sudden and heavy blow to the He Lian clan, right under the noses of their many informants in the city of Shengjing?

—

In Danruo Courtyard, Mu Xi Yao unfolded Zong Zheng Lin’s letter and smiled with delight.

Great Boss will be back in a few days, just in time. When the man in the family comes back, she naturally had to find something for him to do. Without discussing it with Zong Zheng Lin, Mu Xi Yao Mu Xi Yao quickly took care of the matter by herself, writing down the request to the boss with a few strokes of the brush. In order to make the pretentious Sixth Highness willingly lower himself to cooperate with her little bit of request, Mu Xi Yao promised him many benefits. The coquettish and fawning tone in the letter made even herself too ashamed to read it a second time.

After sealing the envelope, Mu Xi Yao drew a smiley face in the lower right corner again. She nodded in satisfaction and handed it to Tian Fu Shan, who had been waiting by her side for a long time.

Was it necessary? She had been dutifully responding to the correspondence during this time, so why did the Sixth Highness insist on sending the Chief Steward to monitor her every day?

Mu Xi Yao complained to herself, while Chief Steward Tian could only be helpless. He dared not disobey His Highness’s orders. However, receiving several dirty looks from Mistress Yao every day, this feeling was not pleasant….

With her homework done, Mu Xiyao’s mind started to wander.

“Wish to kill two birds with one stone?” The woman’s slender fingers tapped on the table and the stack of jade tiles on the desk immediately fell over.

Wei Zhen watched the valuable bluish jade tiles being carelessly tossed around by Mistress Yao, feeling deeply distressed. Only His Highness would be willing to cut precious jade material into small pieces as per Miss Yao’s instructions and let her show them off and play with them whenever she had nothing else to do.

Upon seeing Wei Zhen’s tense face, a rare embarrassment appeared on Mu Xi Yao’s face.

She originally wanted to make a set of bamboo tiles to teach little bun Cheng Qing how to play domino games and exercise his motoric abilities. However, the Sixth Highness with his showy nature secretly changed the selected material and made a priceless set of bluish jade tiles, which frightened her so much that her heart was racing. She had no choice but to pick them up and keep them until the little bun grew up a little before returning them to their rightful owner.

Seeing Wei Zhen’s look of wanting to pounce on her but being unable to, Mu Xi Yao stopped teasing him, tidied up the little toys, and then handed them over to Mo Lan to store them in a designated place.

Mu Xi Yao picked up a circular fan from the basket and smiled cunningly.

“Commander Wei, say, if the person who had put in so much effort to plan everything found out that the fruit of their labor was stolen, would they die of anger in broad daylight?”

The boss had left the capital, and all sorts of characters came out to make trouble. He Lian Wei Rui was no longer a threat. Zong Zheng Ying was short-sighted and meddled in thoughtlessly, which led to Empress Dowager’s strict discipline. Lately, she had been keeping a low profile and avoiding drawing attention to herself.

The newly appeared person behind the scenes caused her some trouble but also brought a big deal. Although the agreement with He Lian Min Min had come to nothing, if the buyer were to change to Sir He Lian, she would still be willing to lend a hand.

Someone wants to be an oriole⁵? Perfect, she now had her eyes set on a particular phrase called ‘waves rising one after another’⁶.

Translation notes:

[1] Offend the God of Tai Sui is used in communication when one is prone to disputes and misfortunes.

[2] Using a wicker basket to draw water is a Chinese idiom that means wasted effort.

[3] To draw legs on a snake refers to an idiom that means to overdo it.

[4] Healthcare momo refers to elder woman or a personal attendant who is knowledgeable in traditional Chinese medicine and specializes in health and wellness practices.

[5] Oriole here refers to idiom “The mantis stalks the cicada, unaware of the oriole behind”, which means to pursue a narrow gain while neglecting a greater danger.

[6] Waves rising one after another metaphorically refers to the ups and downs, as well as the unpredictable changes in the development of things.

Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)

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