A Crossover of Film and Television: Miao Miao's Life Transmigration

Chapter 235 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Consort Qi 48

It was that time of year again when the concubines in the harem paid their respects to the emperor. Yixiu seemed particularly attached to this right, as if only through this ceremony could she demonstrate her dignity as empress.

Wen Yuan was the second to last to arrive at Jingren Palace. As soon as she entered, she chuckled and said, "Oh, my sisters, you've all arrived quite early."

The concubines below the rank of Consort quickly rose and bowed to Wen Yuan. Wen Yuan then exchanged bows with Consort Jing and Consort Duan before sitting down and gesturing for the others to rise.

Her gaze swept over Shen Meizhuang, who had recently enjoyed the Emperor's favor and had been promoted to the rank of Noble Lady. According to rumors circulating among those around Shen Meizhuang, she seemed to be pregnant, probably just over a month along, but unfortunately, Shen Meizhuang hadn't discovered it yet.

"Consort Shen, you look quite well lately," Wen Yuan remarked casually.

"Thank you for your praise, Your Highness," Shen Meizhuang replied demurely.

Looking back, she used to disdain dealing with the emperor, but the year she spent in confinement at Suiyu Pavilion completely changed her mind.

Now that she had become a Noble Lady again, a sense of sorrow welled up in her heart. Back then, she had entered the palace as a Noble Lady in the first year of her reign, and now, after nine years of twists and turns, she had returned to this position.

She has been frequently visiting the Empress Dowager at Shou Kang Palace lately. Although the Empress Dowager's attitude towards her appears unchanged, she can sense that the affection between them has diminished. Now, she can only rely on herself once again.

Wen Yuan smiled mysteriously and said nothing more. She knew in her heart that although Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan seemed to be allies, in reality, at crucial moments, the two would each make their own plans for their own interests, and were no longer as close as before.

"Consort He, how is your health recovering? I heard that the Fifth Princess is much better these days." Wen Yuan changed the subject and looked at An Lingrong.

The Fifth Princess is frail and sickly, and the Emperor is worried that she will be difficult to raise, so he has not yet given her a name. Everyone usually calls her the Fourth Princess.

“Yaoyao has indeed improved a lot recently, and my heart is at ease.” An Lingrong’s tone instantly became kind when she mentioned the Fifth Princess.

Consort Xin and Consort Jing took over the conversation, chatting about the interesting things that happened when raising children, which filled the concubines who didn't have children with envy.

At this moment, Yi Xiuzheng was leisurely drinking tea in the inner room, his eyes were inscrutable, and his face revealed a trace of loneliness.

Jianqiu watched her with concern. For nearly a year, Zhen Huan had been pressing her relentlessly, and Wen Yuan refused to back down. There wasn't a single concubine in the harem who genuinely stood on Yixiu's side.

Although there are Consort Zhen and Consort Kang, both of them are opportunists, bullies who prey on the weak and fear the strong. They are both foolish and prone to causing trouble, and are really not capable of being of great use.

"Your Majesty, it's almost time," Jianqiu reminded softly.

"Hmph, what are they talking about?" Yixiu asked.

"Consort Jin and Consort Jing are talking about the children, and they're having a lively discussion." Jianqiu hesitated for a moment, but still told the truth.

“Child… I had a child back then too, it’s all that bitch’s fault…” Yi Xiu’s emotions instantly spiraled out of control, her voice trembling.

Seeing this, Jianqiu quickly pulled Yixiu back, feeling extremely remorseful. It was all her fault for being so talkative and mentioning the child.

After venting her anger, Yixiu suddenly calmed down and said, "Go out. I am the Empress, and they should pay their respects to me."

Yi Xiu put on a gentle expression and walked out of the inner room with a smile, saying, "What are you ladies talking about?"

"Greetings to Her Majesty the Empress." Everyone bowed in greeting.

Wen Yuan merely rose and gave a perfunctory bow, then sat down on her own before Yi Xiu could speak. She and Yi Xiu were already bitter enemies, and keeping Yi Xiu around was only to use her to deal with Zhen Huan so that she could reap the benefits.

Yi Xiu naturally noticed Wen Yuan's perfunctory attitude, and a hint of coldness flashed in her eyes, but she still said gently, "Get up."

"Your Majesty, we were just talking about the children. Another year has passed in the blink of an eye, and Shuhe will be getting married next year," Consort Xin said casually, without caring whether she had touched a sore spot for Yixiu.

"Shuhe has grown up and will be getting married next year. As Shuhe's 'stepmother,' I will definitely provide her with a dowry." Yixiu emphasized her status as "stepmother."

Although Consort Xin did not think so in her heart, she still smiled and said, "Thank you, Your Highness. It is a blessing for Shuhe to have Your Highness's dowry."

In reality, she was thinking to herself, what kind of blessing is this? Her Shuhe doesn't need it. If Yixiu added something poisonous to the makeup, and Shuhe accidentally used it, wouldn't that mean she would be childless?

"Consort He, how is the Fifth Princess? I heard she's been summoned by the imperial physician again recently. If she can't be cared for properly, I will naturally have other concubines raise her." After An Lingrong gave birth, Yixiu's attitude towards her had not been very good.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. The Fifth Princess is much better now. Calling the imperial physician was just a routine check-up. The Fifth Princess's condition has improved significantly recently. Thank you for your concern, Your Highness." An Lingrong said softly, but her eyes revealed a firm resolve. She would never let anyone take her child away.

Fifteen minutes after the greetings began, Zhen Huan arrived late with Fu Jia. Immediately following was a heated exchange between Yi Xiu and Zhen Huan. Only when Yi Xiu realized she couldn't win the argument with Zhen Huan did she announce the end of the greetings.

After leaving Jingren Palace, Zhen Huan called out to Shen Meizhuang: "Sister Mei, why haven't you visited Yongshou Palace lately? You seem to have become distant from me."

Shen Meizhuang held Zhen Huan's hand and said with a happy expression, "You've been very busy lately, Huan'er. Every time I go to Yongshou Palace, we only exchange a few words before you have to go and handle palace affairs. I was thinking of waiting until you have time to come and see you."

"I happen to be free today, let's go to Yongshou Palace together," Zhen Huan said, extending an invitation at the opportune moment.

Shen Meizhuang was currently only a concubine with no real power. If she could befriend Zhen Huan, who controlled the palace, her treatment in the harem would naturally be different. Therefore, she readily agreed.

Wen Yuan watched them from afar, then turned and returned to Chuxiu Palace. As soon as Hong Xu saw Wen Yuan, he rushed over like a little dumpling.

"Mother, you're finally back! You said you'd tell me the story of Han Xin," Hongxu said in his childish voice.

Hongxu is already three years old, and Wenyuan plans to start his early education. Unexpectedly, the child is particularly interested in stories about military generals, and recently they have been talking about Han Xin.

"Alright, Mother will go change her clothes and then I'll tell you." Wen Yuan patted Hongxu's ruffled little head.

After telling Hongxu the story, Wenyuan asked Fanglan to take him downstairs to play.

At this moment, Xiao Lengzi tiptoed in, a smile on his face. Wen Yuan raised an eyebrow and gestured for Jingfu to stand guard at the door in case the Emperor suddenly arrived.

"Speak, what is it?" Wen Yuan asked.

"Your Majesty, great news! We have finally found the old nanny who taught Empress Chun Yuan to dance at Prince Yong's residence." Xiao Lengzi could not hide his excitement. They had been searching for this for several years, and now they had finally succeeded.

Upon hearing this, Wen Yuan was indeed delighted, and then asked in confusion, "Is it the one who served Empress Chun Yuan closely back then?"

“That’s right. She followed Empress Chun Yuan to Prince Yong’s residence. A month before Empress Chun Yuan passed away, the young child in this dance instructor’s family unfortunately died, so she took leave. Later, after Empress Chun Yuan’s incident, fearing that she would get into trouble, she changed her name and lived in Yangzhou.” Xiao Lengzi answered respectfully.

"Good, well done. Go find Jingfu to claim your reward." Wen Yuan said with a smile. This was one of the key pieces of evidence to bring down the Empress.

Thinking of something, Wen Yuan continued, "How are things going with Su Peisheng and Cui Jinxi?"

“Consort Xuan really wanted to take action against them, but she was stopped by the people I arranged. However, I don’t think she can stop them for long. I have already contacted Cui Jinxi, and she seems to be somewhat interested. I estimate that she will relent soon,” Xiao Lengzi said calmly.

“She’s at the mercy of others, like a fish on a chopping board. She claims to be loyal to Consort Xuan, but Consort Xuan doesn’t trust her. How can she not seek another patron?” Wen Yuan muttered to herself.

"It's clear that none of the women in this harem are simple," Wen Yuan couldn't help but sigh. And wasn't she herself also navigating this complex harem step by step?