noffsinger Chapter 181 Whispering in someone's ear
Chapter 181 Whispering in someone's ear
And tonight at Ruowei Palace.
A neatly dressed palace maid carried a bowl of peeled pomegranates straight to Ruowei Palace.
"Your Majesty, the pomegranates you requested have arrived."
Consort Duan lazily looked up at the little palace maid and said, "Just leave it there."
The young palace maid nodded and carefully placed the jade bowl containing pomegranates on the table as instructed.
"His Majesty still loves our Consort dearly. All the newly arrived pomegranates from Chong'an Prefecture are reserved for her; no other concubine receives such treatment."
"Her Majesty has been getting a constant stream of new and interesting things these past few days."
Consort Duan listened to the little palace maid's words, touched her earlobe, picked up the pomegranate in the bowl, and sneered.
"I have heard that the Imperial Noble Consort has been placed under house arrest."
"Hmph, so what if she monopolizes the position of Imperial Noble Consort? In the end, won't she still meet the same fate?"
The young palace maid slowly walked up to Consort Duan, lowered her head and whispered in her ear, "Your Highness, I overheard some crazy rumors circulating in the palace."
As soon as the maid finished speaking, she turned to look outside the bedchamber, slowly walked over, closed the door to the bedchamber, and whispered in the concubine's ear.
"Rumors are circulating in the palace that His Majesty placed the Imperial Noble Consort under house arrest because she and the Duke had an improper relationship at the place where the late Empress was worshipped, which caused a fire and made everyone aware that the two were together."
"And they were disheveled; it was only after His Highness Prince Liang rescued them."
"The Duke was shot dead by His Majesty's arrow on the spot."
Consort Duan frowned, and the pomegranate in her hand fell into the jade bowl.
"Duke Liu died on the spot?"
“Absolutely true,” the young palace maid recounted vividly. “I heard that everyone around was terrified; they had never seen His Majesty shoot a minister in front of so many people.”
She added, "When the Imperial Noble Consort was under house arrest, people in the palace said that Prince Jing's features were very similar to those of the Duke."
"But I heard from Eunuch Wang that His Majesty doesn't seem to care whether the Duke lives or dies."
"What a pity for the Imperial Noble Consort..."
Consort Duan snorted coldly.
"Do you think His Majesty is a fool? He wouldn't do something that doesn't benefit him. The fact that he publicly shot and killed a minister like Duke Liu proves that he was no longer of any use to His Majesty."
"Besides, the Imperial Noble Consort ruled the six palaces and enjoyed so much wealth and honor for so many years. She did so many despicable things, and now she has come to such an end. What is there to regret?"
"However, since Your Highness now favors me, it's time to subtly hint at it to His Majesty."
"His Majesty will be coming to my palace tonight to serve him. I can casually mention those rumors so that His Majesty can hear them more clearly."
The autumn imperial examinations, amidst the commotion, have ended, and the revelry in the capital has gradually subsided.
Jiang Zhi was in Xiling Pavilion with others.
"Your Highness, why hasn't he arrived yet?"
"What's the rush?" Jiang Zhi said calmly. "Our dishes haven't been served yet, and no one has arrived, so it's normal."
The waiter brought over the white fungus and lotus seed soup, saying, "Please enjoy, sir."
She took the bowl at noon and felt it was a little hot. She patiently stirred it gently with a spoon.
"Your Highness, what if he doesn't come today, or what if he doesn't pass the exam?"
Jiang Zhi took the spoon and stirred it himself, saying, "Whether he passes the exam or not, he will come. Xiling Pavilion is most lively at this time of year. We will give an extra bowl of white fungus and lotus seed soup to both the successful and unsuccessful students to encourage them."
He nodded thoughtfully at noon.
"Then," Wu Shi said, "can those who didn't take the exam eat?"
Jiang Zhi noticed her fixed gaze and pushed her bowl of mixed food towards her, saying, "Eat."
At noon, he happily shook his head.
As the two were chatting and laughing, a familiar voice broke in.
"princess?"
She looked towards the door.
"Why are you here?"
Min Xiang's voice approached from afar.
Jiang Zhi looked up and stood up. "Young Master Min, what a coincidence! I didn't expect to run into you here."
Min looked down and smiled, unable to suppress the smile on her face.
"Yes, it's because I passed the exam that I came to Xiling Pavilion to celebrate."
At noon, his eyes lit up. "Congratulations, Young Master Min!"
Min looked at the girl in front of him, whose eyes were crinkled with laughter, and thanked her.
"What are your plans for the future, Young Master Min?" Jiang Zhi asked.