The Beloved Imperial Consort Chapter 156

Having obtained the rural estate that she had long coveted, Mu Xi Yao returned to Danruo Courtyard with a smug expression on her face. After making sure that she was properly attended to, Zong Zheng Lin turned and made his way to Chanruo Courtyard. 

“If you’re ready, we’ll depart from the residence.” He Lian Min Min was dressed like a young lady of a common family. Though lacking the grandeur of a princess consort, she now exuded a more refined kind of beauty. Seeing her appropriately attired, Zong Zheng Lin summoned Tian Fu Shan to prepare the carriage. 

The two of them took their seats by the mahogany Eight Immortals table¹ and held their teacups, waiting quietly. The conversation they had before still remained fresh in He Lian Min Min’s memory. Thinking about how the Sixth Highness was still willing to keep her, a woman who might not be of much use, in the residence and occupying such a noble status, she felt deeply grateful but didn’t know how to express it adequately. 

He Lian Min Min couldn’t fathom why His Highness was particularly resolute in this matter. If it were due to marital affection, she couldn’t even deceive herself.

In their everyday interactions, His Highness displayed nothing more than respect, with barely any intimacy between them. It wasn’t until this incident that even He Lian House had chosen to forsake her without regard, while only His Highness was willing to protect her. Regardless of the motive behind it, He Lian Min Min appreciated this act of kindness from him. Even if His Highness requested her to look after the woman in Danruo Courtyard when needed, this arrangement would bring her more benefits than drawbacks. 

‘To look after’? To put it simply, it meant providing a cover for Mu’shi’s monopoly of favor within the prince’s residence. By helping to smooth out their lies, she would not only earn a reputation for fostering harmony among wife and concubines, showcasing her proficiency in managing the household but also make it known to outsiders that His Highness still held affection for his principal consort.  

Thinking that today she would obtain definite information and find out what was going on with her body, it was difficult for He Lian Min Min to remain calm. If the truth could be uncovered, there would surely be traces left by the person who harmed her, providing leads for further investigation.

“Let’s go.” Upon seeing Ye Kai drive the carriage over, Zong Zheng Lin stood up first and carefully inspected it. Once satisfied, he assisted He Lian’shi into the carriage and followed her inside after pulling aside the curtain. 

“Ye Kai, Red Pavilion.” 

He Lian Min Min was about to make a room for Zong Zheng Lin, when she heard him give instructions to that place. She was so taken aback she looked up with an incredulous expression.

Red pavilion? He Lian Min Min expression looked somewhat unnatural.

Why would His Highness venture into the well-known brothel in Shengjing? And he even brought her, the princess consort, along. He Lian Min Min was slightly hesitant. 

“The person who will diagnose you resides in the Red Pavilion.” Noticing the discomfort in He Lian’shi’s face, Zong Zheng Lin provided a brief explanation. 

He Lian’shi’s reaction was truly that of a well-bred lady from a prestigious family. In contrast, when Mu Xi Yao heard about Red Pavilion, her eyes shone brightly. It was difficult for Zong Zheng Lin to explain that excitement of hers; her family background could barely be deemed presentable. 

Lady Yu was a woman who strictly followed rules, while Sir Mu was a paragon of moral integrity, strict in his adherence to principles. How could they have raised Mu Xi Yao, who was so cunning and full of tricks, a girl who didn’t follow any rules?

Zong Zheng Lin pondered over many peculiarities of the little woman with great interest. On the other hand, He Lian Min Min felt a sudden sense of relief, and she appeared somewhat embarrassed. 

How could she think so poorly of His Highness? Among all the princes, the Sixth Highness was already a rare example of integrity and self-discipline. He was not the kind of person who sought pleasure and entertainment. Otherwise, Mu’shi wouldn’t have been able to monopolize all the favor and enjoy endless glory in the residence. While other noble families had female singers and entertainers, there wasn’t a single one to be found in the Sixth Highness’s residence. It was not easy for other families to send two dancing girls, but they were swiftly dealt with by Mu Xi Yao and ended up losing their lives. 

Both of them were lost in their own thoughts throughout the trip, and not a single word was exchanged in the carriage. Ye Kai, who was driving ahead, suddenly felt that he was not accustomed to this kind of journey. 

The carriage frame that had been prepared in advance was suddenly replaced by His Highness, and even the exquisite decorations inside the original carriage were ordered not to be touched, while another set of ordinary furnishing was prepared instead. 

Initially, Ye Kai couldn’t understand why such exquisite and cozy furnishings were left unused. But later, Chief Steward pointed out that Principal Consort was accompanying His Highness this time, and the items in the carriage were cherished by Mistress Yao, so His Highness prohibited others from touching them. The temperament of that Mistress was also peculiar. If you touch something she liked, she was bound to get angry with you. 

His Highness excessively doted on Mistress Yao and always complied with and catered to whatever she said. See, even when Principal Consort was leaving the residence, special arrangements had to be made to accommodate her temperament. 

Now that the carriage has been changed, without the soft cushions Ye Kai regularly used, he suddenly felt uncomfortable sitting on the hard surface. 

Moreover, wasn’t it too quiet in the back? Why has there been no sound from His Highness since he got on the carriage?

Every time His Highness and Mistress Yao were in the carriage, there was never a moment of silence. Even scenes that would make outsiders blush if they were witnessed by them, Ye Kai has had his fair share of encountering them. 

Now, with everything so quiet and peaceful, which should be the most appropriate decorum for a noble family, it inexplicably made him a little worried. Could it be that the Principal Consort had angered His Highness, resulting in this cold and standstill atmosphere? 

The situation in the carriage was not as dire as Ye Kai imagined. He Lian Min Min was not clumsy; seeing that Zong Zheng Lin had no intention of speaking, she simply sat quietly and obediently by his side and occasionally replenished his tea to avoid causing unnecessary annoyance. Furthermore, since the matter had not been resolved yet, doing too much might reveal her eagerness.

In a side room within Red Pavilion, a woman with a light veil covering her face respectfully greeted Zong Zheng Lin and the people accompanying him. 

“This must be the Princess Consort. Qieshen pays my respects.” 

As the person who was originally seated rose up, her alluring curves were unequivocally revealed, and the melodious sound of her voice instantly reached their ears. If it hadn’t been for the veil obscuring her face, hiding her true appearance, He Lian Min Min would have thought that another vixen like Mu Xi Yao had appeared. 

“Gugu² doesn’t have to be overly courteous. His Highness regards you with respect, and He Lian’shi will naturally follow with His Highness’s treatment of you.” Judging by her voice, this Yu Gu seemed more like a young maiden of seventeen or eighteen, which didn’t quite match the term ‘gugu’. 

Curiosity lingered in her heart, but she dared not show the slightest hint on her face. These eccentric individuals with extraordinary talents were abound with rare techniques. Wasn’t preserving one’s youthful appearance through the use of medicine precisely this Yu Gu’s expertise? Since they had covered their face, it was best not to act brashly and offend them.

According to His Highness, there was no one in the entire city of Shengjing who surpassed this woman in front of them in the art of fragrances and medicine. Perhaps her hopes for the latter half of her life would depend on her.

“May I ask the Principal Consort to place both hands in the water and allow them to be fully soaked?” A servant girl standing behind Yu Gu brought a wooden basin, the material of which was unidentifiable, and placed it properly before He Lian Min Min.

He Lian Min Min felt a little nervous as she glanced into the basin and saw the clear water that appeared no different from ordinary water. She let Gui Li attend to her and roll up her sleeves. Gently, she immersed her hands into the basin, and as soon as her fingertips touched the water’s surface, she felt an unusual cold sensation spreading rapidly through her fingers. 

“Ah!” He Lian Min Min was so startled she let out a cry. This sensation was too strange. Though cool, it carried a slight stinging itchiness. 

Zong Zheng Lin furrowed his brows but did not intervene in Yu Gu’s diagnosis. 

“Princess Consort, don’t be alarmed. A medicine powder has been added to the water. It won’t cause any harm to your body. It is just Qieshen needs to utilize its properties to examine the Princess Consort’s pulse.” Yu Gu’s words were very gentle, soothing He Lian Min Min’s unexpected panic. 

“In that case, Qie apologizes for my rudeness.” He Lian Min Min slowly placed her hands into the water once more until they were fully immersed. It was only then that she heard Yu Gu’s satisfied voice instructing her to stop.

“Princess Consort, please sit for a moment. It requires one incense stick’s time for the medicine to take effect and disperse.” 

While the words were directed at He Lian Min Min, her gaze was fixed upon Zong Zheng Lin, conveying an explanation to him. 

Zong Zheng Lin made a sound of acknowledgment, indicating that he understood. After a moment of silence, he asked a question that even Yu Gu did not anticipate.

“Is there a prescription to relieve the pain of childbirth for women?”

He Lian Min Min’s fingertips that were underwater trembled slightly. This question, for whom it would be if not for Mu’shi? His Highness truly cherished Mu Xi Yao in his heart. 

After their previous conversation, His Highness seemed to have no more reservations. Was he so eager to seek a prescription for Mu’shi, even in her presence? Using every opportunity to seek favor, even when it came to giving birth to a child, Mu Xi Yao really knew how to use every trick in the book. 

Yu Gu wasn’t very familiar with the affairs of Zong Zheng Lin’s household, and she found this question rather amusing. Could it be that the Sixth Highness’s inquiry was for someone of great significance? 

“May Qieshen ask if this person is Cefei?” Although it was somewhat inappropriate to ask so directly in front of He Lian’shi, considering Zong Zheng Lin’s temperament, he shouldn’t have any reservations. Even if she avoided mentioning Cefei, the Sixth Highness probably wouldn’t mind. 

Indeed, Zong Zheng Lin didn’t find anything inappropriate. “Yes. Mu’shi will give birth next month, but she has a somewhat delicate constitution and cannot bear the pain. The previous delivery was already quite an ordeal.” In front of Yu Gu, Zong Zheng Lin didn’t conceal Mu Xi Yao’s embarrassing shortcomings. 

Upon hearing these words, Yu Gu was initially stunned and it took her a while to confirm that His Highness wasn’t joking. A look of understanding appeared on her face. 

“Using medicine for childbirth ultimately isn’t suitable for the child. If the pain is truly intense, Qieshen has some supplementary ingredients that can provide relief to the mind, which should be helpful to some extent.” 

Having served His Highness for so many years, it was only today that she came to realize that this cold-faced man also had moments of tenderness. 

She had thought that the rumors outside were all exaggerations, but she never expected that Mu’shi would possess such skills. Your Highness, Yu Gu inwardly shook her head. The character of this man was extremely unyielding; it was not an exaggeration to say he was cold-hearted and unfeeling.

“Very well, Bendian shall trouble Yu Gu.” Zong Zheng Lin asked the question without much expectation. How could a woman have a pain-free childbirth? My mind must have been worn out by Mu Xi Yao’s relentless nagging, Zhong Zheng Lin mocked himself. 

Looking at the hourglass, Yu Gu had the servant girl bring a brocade handkerchief, and Gui Li, as instructed, dried He Lian Min Min’s hands. 

Resting two fingers on He Lian Min Min’s wrist, Yu Gu closed her eyes for a considerable time. After switching to the other hand, she took the pulse again, and only after a long while did she open her eyes, her expression now grave. 

With a complicated expression, Yu Gu scrutinized He Lian Min Min briefly and then motioned for her to put down her sleeves. She called for the little girl to remove the wooden basin and then turned back to report to the Sixth Highness, who was seated at the head seat, about the gravity of the matter. 

“Your Highness, Princess Consort was given a malicious medicine during her childhood. It has been seven years since then. During these seven years, the potency of the medicine has built up day by day, and now it has become a deep-rooted and untreatable condition.” Yu Gu shook her head and sighed.

Seven years ago, He Lian’shi was just a child. What kind of deep-seated grudge drives someone to go to such lengths to plot her harm, leaving her alive but condemned to the despair of being unable to bear children? 

He Lian Min Min’s body trembled upon hearing her words, and the sparkle in her eyes diminished almost completely.

For the first time, Zong Zheng Lin’s face became grim.

“Does this medicine need to be administered by someone in close attendance, adding it to her meals on a daily basis? 

If there was someone planted by He Lian Min Min’s side, it would be difficult to ensure that Mu Xi Yao’s Danruo Courtyard wouldn’t be targeted. And there was that boy, Cheng Qing, who easily aroused jealousy and resentment. 

“Yes. It must be someone close to the Principal Consort. Someone who has access to the meals and drinks and can mix the medicine into them.” 

Upon receiving a reply from Yu Gu, Zong Zheng Lin immediately turned around and looked at He Lian Min Min with a gloomy expression in his eyes. 

“Among the people around you, who takes care of your meals?” 

He Lian Min Min’s eyes were brimming with tears, and she clenched her hands tightly together.

“Are both of them from He Lian Residence and have been with you for over seven years?” 

Tears streamed down He Lian Min Min’s face, her voice quivering. “Tao Hong was given to Qie by Qie’s mother. Just Bi Lan, she has been serving Qie since the age of eight. This task was entrusted to her due to her attentive and thoughtful nature.” 

How could she believe that she had been betrayed by her most trusted chief maidservant? A wave of dizziness washed over He Lian Min Min’s mind. If even this bond nurtured from childhood couldn’t be trusted, what was left in the vast prince’s residence for her to have faith in?

“Wei Zhen, quickly capture and bring the person here.” Whether she did or not will be known with a single test. It was easiest to identify individuals who had long-term exposure to the medicine. 

“Your Highness,” Yu Gu’s frowning brows remained furrowed, “this medicine does not belong to Great Wei but has been passed down from the Two Dynasties. Even for the people of this dynasty, a government-issued permit is required for its purchase. As for the identity of the person behind it…” 

Zong Zheng Lin’s face turned grave and stern, and a chilling glint flashed in his phoenix eyes. Very well, they dare to collude with Two Dynasties. Although he had never held He Lian House in high regard, they were still his in-laws in the name. With moles planted by outsiders like this, Zong Zheng Lin had no other plans but to carry out a thorough cleansing.

For several decades, there has been no war between Great Wei and the Two Dynasties. On the surface, they governed independently on either side of the river, but behind the scenes, they dispatched spies to gather military intelligence from each other. While the Two Dynasties presented a united front to the outside world, they were internally embroiled in fierce conflicts, and each side had its own hidden agenda. If it weren’t for the constraints imposed by the other three parties, Great Wei and Two Dynasties would never have coexisted peacefully as they did now.

Upon hearing this kind of confidential secret, He Lian Min Min disregarded the powerful background of the mastermind and instead single-mindedly focused on identifying the culprit, intending to tear them into a thousand pieces and exacting ruthless revenge. 

“Gugu, considering Qie’s condition, is it really impossible..” He Lian Min Min couldn’t bring herself to resign to fate as she watched Zong Zheng Lin’s figure standing by the window. She couldn’t bear to let go of this man who had rescued her from peril….at least having his child would be good.

Yu Gu watched her with a frown for a moment. Pitying her plight, she ultimately spoke the truth. 

“It is not entirely impossible, but the pain involved is beyond what an ordinary person can bear.”

As if clutching onto the final hope, He Lian Min Min’s eyes instantly lit up. She locked her gaze onto Yu Gu, her face filled with earnest plea. 

“Princess Consort, this method itself is too sinister, almost deemed abominable by the principles of heaven. If the Princess Consort were to use this method to conceive, it would undoubtedly bring about an unfortunate outcome. Qie apologizes to the Princess Consort for not being able to disclose it.” It was forbidden for the Divine Fragrance lineage to commit acts that violated the harmony of heaven. Whoever went against the ancestral teachings would be banished from the sect.

He Lian Min Min clenched her fists tightly as a sudden surge of hope ignited within her, firmly taking hold in the depths of her heart.

There is a way, there is indeed a way! As long as there was still hope, even if Yu Gu was unwilling to reveal it, she could find out through other means.

Despite exhibiting broad-mindedness on the surface and choosing to not bring it up, He Lian Min Min couldn’t let go of the obsession that grew within her. The overwhelming thrill of coming back from the brink of death made the intense fear that had weighed her down vanish in the blink of an eye. Truly, there was a path even when it seemed impossible, and she, He Lian Min Min was meant to firmly secure her position as the consort of the Sixth Prince. 

As long as she finds a way and successfully gives birth to a di son for His Highness, no matter how many bastards other women may bear, none can surpass her son’s ‘di’ status!  

Having experienced abandonment by her family and betrayal from her closest aides, He Lian Min Min, who was nearly pushed to a dead end, now had her sole focus on offspring. This deep-rooted obsession gradually transformed her, as she started to overlap more and more with the dignified and ruthless woman she had been in her previous life. 

Wei Zhen had been gone for less than half an hour, but when he came back, he was alone, without the maidservant whom the Sixth Highness specifically requested to see. 

“Your Highness, Principal Consort’s maidservant, Bi Lan, left a letter and committed suicide by throwing herself into the well just half an hour ago. This subordinate found these items that she hadn’t had the time to dispose of in her chamber.” He took out three unmarked bottles of medicine powder from his sleeve pocket and placed them on the mahogany desk. 

He Lian Min Min forcefully suppressed her anger, her chest subtly rising and falling with restrained fury.

“What do you think?” The Sixth Highness remained calm and composed, unaffected by the death of that person. To Zong Zheng Lin, this kind of run-of-the-mill act of keeping someone quiet through murder was nothing out of the ordinary. 

Yu Gu stepped forward and identified each item, finally picking up a small exquisite glass bottle containing pale yellow medicinal powder. “It should be this. Qieshen has only heard about it briefly from my teacher, seeing it for the first time today. This medicine is called Niuqi. It is a primary ingredient used to treat the black-blind autumn rash. However, through special processing and being soaked in cow bezoar and black gold, it has now become a chronic poison.” 

Zong Zheng Lin nodded. The black-blind autumn rash was a unique disease found in the inland regions of Two Dynasties. The reason Niuqi only grew in Two Dynasties was due to the specific humid and hot climate there. If memory served her right, this medicine had very limited production, and there should be restrictions on it.

Being able to obtain Niuqi, and administering it to He Lian Min Min consistently for seven years, the cumulative dosage was not insignificant. This person seemed to have a deep connection with the Two Dynasties.

“Inform He Lian Zhang truthfully about this matter.” That old fox won’t fail to come up with a plan for what to do next.

“Princess Consort, please come with Qieshen. Your pulse needs to be covered up.” Yu Gu brought a set of gold needles, and over a dozen medicine bottles of different colors, and even prepared two incense burners. Just by looking at these preparations, one could tell that the upcoming procedures would be quite complex and require considerable effort.

Seeing Zhong Zheng Lin nod, He Lian Min Min took Gui Li and headed toward the inner chamber. During the application of the medicine, the pain was so excruciating it caused her entire body to spasm, and she let out a low groan of agony. This content belongs to thehlifestyle.com, if you see this translation elsewhere, it’s been stolen!

Gui Li watched helplessly as her Mistress suffered, her palms dripping with cold sweat. Images of Bi Lan who had thrown herself into a well kept replaying in her mind. She couldn’t explain it, but somehow, she felt a sense of desolation, as if witnessing the tragic fate of her own kind.

An hour later, when He Lian Min Min came out. She had lost all color from her face. She was supported shakily by Gui Li and her lips continued to tremble incessantly. 

“Your Highness,” her voice was feeble, causing Zong Zheng Lin to furrow his brow.

“The potency of the medicine is a bit strong. Principal Consort should rest well upon return. After tonight, there should be no anomaly in the pulse.” Yu Gu tidied up and provided all the necessary explanations.

Zong Zheng Lin nodded his thanks. He extended his hand to support He Lian Min Min, and led her onto the carriage, departing through the side gate of the alley. 

Just as the carriage turned the corner and entered the main street, it was blocked by seven or eight sedan chairs ahead. Women’s laughter and gasps of admiration permeated through the carriage curtains, disturbing the serenity of Zong Zheng Lin. 

“Ye Kai?” Zong Zheng Lin put down the medical book he had obtained from Yu Gu and lightly knocked on the carriage twice. “What’s going on ahead?” 

Ye Kai lifted the curtain, revealing only half of his body. “Your Highness, the Fourth Princess, and Commandery Princesses are in the front. They are gathered around a performer, enjoying the spectacle.”

“Tell them to disperse,” Zong Zheng Lin ordered coldly before returning to his reading.

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Translation notes:

[1] Eight Immortal table refers to a traditional big square table for eight people to dine.

[2] Gugu typically refers to a father’s sister, and sometimes it is used as a respectful term for an unrelated female elder.

 

Relationship Diagram  (by Sith Kazar)

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