PDLP Chapter 160: Conflict
Chapter 160: Conflict
The sound like a barbell reached Concubine Hua's ears, her face changed slightly, and her breathing became a little difficult!
"Who was I thinking? It turns out to be you!"
Nian Shilan wore a fuchsia cheongsam embroidered with ink-and-wash flowers and birds. Its wide sleeves were embroidered with purple hibiscus flowers, and the edges were trimmed with royal blue piping. She paired it with a rich, delicate phoenix headdress inlaid with kingfisher feathers. At the center of her intricate, sleek, deer-like bun was a royal blue phoenix-inlaid, pearl-studded, and cloisonné-carved hairpin, adorned with raindrop-shaped pearls. The dragon flower around her neck was embroidered with a gold-threaded floral pattern, surpassing the Empress's fluttering butterflies and flying flowers. This outfit perfectly complemented Concubine Hua's elegance and dominance.
But both his tone and actions were full of disdain, and he didn't even look at the two of them.
An Lingrong quickly knelt down and saluted: "May your Majesty, Concubine Hua, be blessed with good health."
Seeing that Xia Dongchun was also about to bow, An Lingrong quickly said, "Sister Xia is pregnant. Please, Your Majesty, excuse her from paying her respects."
Hearing An Lingrong say this, Xia Dongchun stopped bowing and stood there quietly.
Nian Shilan swept her cold gaze over Xia Dongchun's belly, with jealousy flashing in her eyes. Xia Dongchun became pregnant after being summoned to the emperor's palace for three days, but as for her, the emperor would call her every now and then. She had taken countless pregnancy medicines and had been examined by famous doctors in and outside the palace, but there was still no movement in her belly.
"How is Concubine Xia?"
Xia Dongchun gritted her teeth and replied in a trembling voice, "I am in good health. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
An Lingrong saw her cowardly look like a mouse seeing a cat, and cursed in her heart: You are so disappointing!
After thinking for a moment, she continued, "I heard that the Emperor dotes on Sister Xia very much. It's been raining these past two days, making it inconvenient for him to go out, so the Emperor didn't go anywhere but braved the rain to visit Sister Xia. If Sister Xia gives birth to an heir, the Emperor will surely dote on her even more!"
Seeing the growing anger in Nian Shilan's eyes, An Lingrong knew that the situation was almost over, so she pretended to be weak and said, "Your Majesty is talking to my sister. I have been out for a long time and feel unwell, so I will take my leave first!"
An Lingrong shrank her body to minimize her presence, bowed, and quickly left the Imperial Garden with Liu Zhu.
Nian Shilan stared at Xia Dongchun, a cold light flashing in her eyes. The corners of her mouth curled up slightly, revealing a mocking smile. "Xia Changzai, you even dared not to pay your respects to me. It seems that even though I gave you a hundred strokes of the cane that day, I still haven't taught you the proper etiquette and manners of a concubine!"
Listening to Concubine Hua talking about her humiliating past, Xia Dongchun hardened her heart and said, "Your Majesty's teachings, this concubine will never forget them. But now is different from the past. I am pregnant, I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
Unexpectedly, Xia Dongchun actually dared to talk back to her. Nian Shilan said, "Haha, what's wrong with everyone in this palace? Every one of them is taking advantage of their pregnancy to commit crimes. This palace is really confused!"
Why did it seem like everyone in the palace dared to challenge her authority now? Was it because she was usually too kind?
Xia Dongchun forced an unpleasant smile and said, "Your Majesty, you have never been pregnant before, so you naturally don't understand the hardships of pregnancy. Since Your Majesty cannot empathize with me, I don't want to explain any more. Please forgive me!"
These words were like jumping wildly on Concubine Hua's minefield.
Nian Shilan sneered and said, "Forgive? So what if I don't forgive you?"
"If Your Majesty wants to embarrass me, then please ask the Emperor and the Empress to uphold justice!"
Nian Shilan laughed disdainfully, as if she had heard something ridiculous. "Hmph, do I need the Emperor and Empress to trouble me to deal with a mere concubine like you? Although I no longer have the power to assist in managing the six palaces, I am still the head of all the concubines. I still have the qualifications to deal with you! Just kneel here for half an hour, just like Concubine Wan did that day!"
Seeing this, Song Zhi hurried forward and said, "Your Majesty, she's just a little concubine. It's really not worth your anger! Besides, she was just diagnosed with pregnancy by the imperial physician, and the pregnancy may not be stable yet! Your Majesty, please be magnanimous and forgive her this time!"
Seeing her plan succeed, Xia Dongchun was delighted, but then she heard Songzhi's voice again. Her mind raced. It was too late to back out now. Although the Queen had ordered her to blame Concubine Hui and Noble Lady Wen for the miscarriage, she couldn't find an opportunity. All she needed to do now was to anger Concubine Hua!
Seeing that the anger on Concubine Hua's face showed no sign of abating, Songzhi spoke again to persuade her, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is still angry about the incident with Concubine Wan. You must be considerate of him!"
Upon hearing this, Nian Shilan frowned slightly, and a hint of hesitation flashed in his eyes.
These words seemed to remind Xia Dongchun: "Are you jealous of the emperor's favor? Don't worry, the next time the emperor comes to see me, I will definitely speak well of you!"
His tone was full of provocation and sarcasm, which was equivalent to telling Nian Shilan that she was the emperor's favorite.
Nian Shilan had already calmed down a little bit of her anger through Songzhi's persuasion, but after hearing these words, her body immediately tensed up, her face turned ashen, and her chest heaved violently, obviously she was extremely angry.
"Come here, Xia Changzai has committed insubordination and must kneel for half an hour."
Songzhi wanted to persuade her again, but Nian Shilan suppressed her anger and said impatiently, "Didn't you hear just now? An Lingrong said her pregnancy was safe and it wouldn't be a big deal if she knelt for half an hour. Didn't Zhen Huan kneel for so long that day and it was fine?"
Immediately, a young eunuch led Xia Dongchun to the six-sided gravel road and stared at her kneeling down.
On the other side, An Lingrong and Liu Zhu had already hurried back to Yonghe Palace.
Shen Meizhuang was looking at the account book. Seeing An Lingrong sitting on the couch breathlessly, she quickly poured her a cup of tea and handed it to her: "What's wrong?"
After saying that, he looked towards the yard curiously, but there was no dog chasing Rong'er!
"I met Concubine Hua in the Imperial Garden..."
Hearing the words "Noble Concubine Hua," Shen Meizhuang felt as if she were facing a formidable enemy. She interrupted An Lingrong and hurriedly stood up, pulling her up and looking her up and down. "How are you? Did Noble Concubine Hua hurt you?"
"Sister, I'm fine, don't be nervous, just listen to me."
Seeing that she was fine, Shen Meizhuang felt relieved and sat on the couch.
"Sister, if nothing unexpected happens, we will hear news of Xia's punishment soon. Sister, take the Sixth Prince to the Empress Dowager's palace now. If the palace servants can't find you, they will report it to the Emperor and Empress. The Empress will handle this matter, and we will stay out of it."
Regardless of whether Xia Dongchun had a miscarriage this time, Shen Meizhuang could not be involved in any way.
Shen Meizhuang did not dare to delay and took the Sixth Prince to the Cining Palace.
A moment later, a palace servant came to report. Seeing that Shen Meizhuang was not there, he went to Jingren Palace.