Threats From Noble Lady Yuan

　　Yue Xiu gave Noble Lady Yuan an idea. It would be better to think of a way to prevent the Lu family’s young miss from entering the palace during the new year, or simply make it so she could not leave her home. If the Emperor could not see her, this marriage would naturally not be easy to sanction. Either way, each day that it could delay was good.

　　Noble Lady Yuan felt that this was a very good idea. She thought about it and came up with some additional ideas: “It would be best if the Lu family’s young miss falls ill and does not come. With a severe illness to hold her back that can’t be treated. This sort of sick person is naturally not suited to being with a prince. Either way, after the new year, Mo’er will be heading back to the South within one month, at the latest. This marriage will also be forgotten about by that time.” As she spoke, the corners of her lips curled up, finally revealing a smile. This smile was dark and sinister, and even the corners of her eyes perked up. “Let’s go!” Noble Lady Yuan stood up once more, “Let’s go and see Her Highness the Empress. While the day is still not too late, let’s go and chat with Her Highness the Empress for a while.”

　　Noble Lady Yuan brought palace servant Yue Xiu over toward Jing Ci Palace. While walking, Yue Xiu sighed, “It’s good that the Emperor only demoted master’s status and did not constrict your movements like with Noble Lady Li. This is already some great fortune that can be found in the misfortune; otherwise, even our movements would be restricted, and our days would be even more unfortunate.”

　　She just had to mention Noble Lady Li, and Noble Lady Yuan snorted coldly, “Who could be as stupid as her? For over a decade, she doesn’t harm anyone. She did it once and ended up getting caught. Even when she was caught, she did not know how to try and absolve herself of guilt. Instead, she just kept on piling up the crimes on her own head. Being demoted and confined really was being let off lightly.”

　　“I heard that Imperial Daughter Ji An had asked for her forgiveness.”

　　“Then it’s even more dangerous.” Feng Yu Heng’s shadow appeared in front of Noble Lady Yuan’s eyes once more, and this caused her teeth to itch with anger. “That Imperial Daughter Ji An has never had a good heart. To plead for her forgiveness once, who knows when she will try to get something back for it. Don’t assume that that girl’s goodwill is that easy to repay.”

　　The two walked straight to Jing Ci Palace. When they arrived, the sky was darker, and night was coming. Fang Yi was presently standing in the entrance to the bedchamber and had just received an edible bird nest from a palace servant. Looking up, she saw Noble Lady Yuan walking in her direction, and a feeling of irritation immediately sprung forth. But in the end, she was a servant, and the other side was a master. She still needed to be thorough with her manners, thus she saluted to Noble Lady Yuan and said: “Does Noble Lady Yuan have a matter for coming to Jing Ci Palace at this time? Her Highness is not feeling too well and has already gone to rest. She informed this servant that she would not be seeing guests. If noble lady does not have any pressing matters, please come and pay respects tomorrow.”

　　Yue Xiu glanced at Noble Lady Yuan and saw that she had no intention of leaving. She knew that they would definitely need to see the Empress, thus she quickly spoke up: “May we trouble Aunty Fang Yi with passing along a message. Our master really has a matter and wishes to meet with Her Highness the Empress. I fear that waiting until tomorrow would be too late!”

　　Fang Yi was puzzled, “What matter could be so urgent?”

　　Yue Xiu did not say, only saying: “Could we trouble aunty with passing along this message. As for whether or not she will see us, we trust that Her Highness will be decisive.” The meaning of these words was whether or not they would be seen would all depend on the Empress. Fang Yi, you’re just responsible for delivering this message, but if you can’t even do something like reporting this message, you have lost your worth.

　　How could Fang Yi be unable to understand that. Without saying anything, she slightly shook her head then entered the bedchamber. There were many imperial concubines in the palace, and because the Emperor did not enter the inner palace over the years, it was inevitable that these imperial concubines would feel grief in their hearts. There were even some that could no longer be described using the word grief. Instead, the word twisted should be used. Once the master became twisted, the maidservants at her side would also become less normal. The palace servant of a lowly noble lady dared to speak like this to the head palace maid of the Empress. She really was lacking in discipline.

　　Fang Yi held in her anger but still went to report to the Empress. The Empress, however, did not mind Noble Lady Yuan’s matter and asked Fang Yi: “Who was it that caused you to be in this foul mood?”

　　Fang Yi repeated what Yue Xiu had said and saw the Empress’ expression sink, as she angrily said: “They really are becoming more and more outrageous. If this inner palace isn’t tidied up soon, those people will all be dying!” After saying this, she waved her hand, “Call Noble Lady Yuan in. This One wants to hear what sort of unbelievable thing had to be brought over at this time. If it is not as urgent as she says, this One will definitely cause a fuss over it with her.”

　　With the Empress having spoken, Fang Yi could only invite the two inside the bedchamber. Noble Lady Yuan led Yue Xiu in kowtowing and saluting; however, they did not hear the Empress call for them to rise for a long time. The two kneeled until their feet began to feel numb. Finally, Yue Xiu could no longer endure and raised her head to take a glance, but she ended up seeing the Empress leaning back in bed with her eyes closed. It looked as if she was sleeping. She could not help but gently clear her throat as a reminder.

　　But this gentle clearing of the throat nearly cost her half of her life!

　　The Empress opened her eyes upon hearing this and furrowed her brows, a furious expression appearing on her face. Fang Yi angrily scolded Yue Xiu: “You scoundrel, Her Highness the Empress was lightly sleeping, and even His Majesty has said that Her Highness is not feeling very well and must not be disturbed by anyone. You, a lowly noble lady’s servant, actually dares to deliberately wake the Empress?”

　　Yue Xiu trembled and knew that she had indeed overstepped her bounds, thus she quickly kowtowed and begged for forgiveness. Who knew that the usually kind Empress did not want to forgive her and immediately gave the order: “Take her away and punish her by caning her ten times.”

　　Being caned ten times did not sound like much, but it would still result in the flesh being split open. Noble Lady Yuan was extremely shocked to hear these words and wanted to open her mouth to plead for forgiveness; however, she saw that two sturdy eunuchs had already appeared from nowhere and dragged Yue Xiu out of the bedchamber. Allowing Yue Xiu to cry as she pleased, the doors were closed, and the main master inside was quite indifferent.

　　Very quickly, the “whacking” sounds began to fill the air, and Noble Lady Yuan’s heart was tugged with each strike. The look that she shot toward the Empress now contained a bit of resentment.

　　The Empress finally sat up straight and asked her: “What did you come to see this One for? Apparently, it was a matter that was so urgent that it had to be brought up today. Then this One must hear what is so urgent. If you can’t say it clearly, this One will not let you off easy.”

　　Noble Lady Yuan’s teeth itched with hatred; however, the other side was the Empress, and she was currently no more than a lowly noble lady. The disparity in status was too great, and it had already created a feeling of powerlessness. Finally managing to calm herself down, Yue Xiu’s punishment by cane outside had come to an end, as a palace servant entered to report that she had already fainted, but she was still full of life. The Empress had someone carry her back, and Noble Lady Yuan finally let out a sigh of relief.

　　When the palace servant left, she opened her mouth and said: “Your Highness the Empress, this concubine truly had no other choice today but to be shameless and come beg Your Highness.”

　　“Oh?” The Empress was puzzled, “Beg this One? Then do speak, what is the matter?”

　　Noble Lady Yuan glanced at Fang Yi and saw that she did not have any intention of leaving, thus she did not press that issue, only saying: “It’s almost about to be the new year, and His Majesty had spoken about sanctioning a marriage for His Highness the eighth prince and the Lu family’s young miss. This concubine ventures to beg Your Highness, is it possible to get rid of this engagement?”

　　“What?” The Empress was puzzled, “The Emperor’s imperial direction for the marriage was voiced in front of so many people. How can it be canceled? Noble Lady Yuan, this One thinks you must be muddled, right?”

　　Noble Lady Yuan looked at her but shook her head, “No, this concubine is not muddled. This concubine just hopes that this marriage can be canceled. Also, this concubine also knows that as long as Your Highness is willing to help, this matter can definitely happen.”

　　“Why would this One help you?” The Empress became furious, “Noble Lady Yuan, each person has their own life. You have already given birth to a prince, but this One has nothing. Whoever wants to fight for the throne can fight for the throne. This One can do nothing about it and wants to do nothing about it.”

　　“Although Your Highness is without a child, as the one in the central palace, all of the princes venerate you as the first wife. In the future, regardless of which prince ascends the throne, you would be the undisputed Empress Dowager, yet you say that this is all unrelated to you?” Noble Lady Yuan stared closely at the Empress and did not relent in the slightest, “You clearly know that this marriage between His Highness the eighth prince and the Lu family was the result of some secret meddling. This concubine has come to you to plead, yet you really don’t plan to do anything about it?”

　　The Empress became furious once more: “What do you mean by this One knows? What does this One know? This One only knows that the Emperor has agreed to this marriage. This One only knows that this is like a nail hammered into wood. It cannot be changed. Noble Lady Yuan, this One has no intention of following up on you disturbing me. Please go back.”

　　“This concubine cannot leave.” Noble Lady Yuan’s attitude was very resolute, “This concubine came today with the thought that this goal must be accomplished. My personal servant has already been beaten by Jing Ci Palace. Why is Your Highness sending this concubine back so rashly?” While she spoke, she shook her head, “No, this concubine cannot leave like this. Leaving would mean having come for nothing, and Your Highness will definitely regret it.”

　　“What?” The Empress did not understand and practically thought that Noble Lady Yuan had gone crazy, “This One would regret it? What is there for this One to regret?”

　　“Your Highness!” Noble Lady Yuan suddenly raised her voice and leaned her body forward, “Your Highness must not speak so resolutely, nor should you refuse this concubine too frankly. You need to think hard and think carefully. Think about all of those things that other people do not know about from beginning to end. After you finish thinking about it, consider whether or not you will help this concubine. Or perhaps, simply have this concubine killed to silence the witness?”

　　“You…” Suddenly, the Empress was rendered speechless by Noble Lady Yuan. She stared at Noble Lady Yuan with her eyes slightly squinted, trying to get some sort of information from Noble Lady Yuan’s eyes. Unfortunately, Noble Lady Yuan slyly looked back at her, and neither was willing to cede. In the end, the Empress could not determine anything and could only take the initiative to say: “This One does not understand what you’re saying.”

　　“Does Your Highness really not understand?” Noble Lady Yuan suddenly smiled. It was as if she had heard the funniest joke in the world, as she reminded the Empress once more: “Your Highness has already said that you have no children; however, this concubine’s son is stationed at the border as a general. Say, does this concubine have a better information network or does Your Highness? Your Highness, there are some things that you have kept inside your heart for many years, unwilling to tell anyone, but this concubine does not believe that it is not uncomfortable for you to hold it in. Of course, this sort of thing is also something that cannot be talked about. As long as you still want to steadily remain in this position, it would need to remain a secret forever. You are able to keep it a secret, but what about others? For example, for this concubine, His Highness the eighth prince’s marriage is a depressing matter, and it has already become a problem. If you still aren’t willing to help, it’s hard to say if this concubine will accidentally let it out when His Majesty sanctions in the marriage out of shock. Your Highness, if everyone found out about this matter, the outcome…”

　　“Enough!” The Empress suddenly waved her arm, as the bowl of bird nest that was on the little table next to the bed was flicked onto the ground. The bowl shattered into numerous pieces, and the excellent supplement was scattered on the cold ground. The sight of this caused people’s heart to tremble. Who knew how long had passed, as Noble Lady Yuan wondered, the Empress should not be preparing to engage in a life-and-death struggle, right? At this time, however, she heard the Empress say: “Go back for now. Allow this One to think about this matter for a while.”