Wei Yingluo smiled and said: “That is also true.” But there was more doubt in her mind.
The Empress often called upon the Consort Chun to speak and when she did so, she dismissed the court, no secret in the palace.
In the Chuxiu Palace, Zhilan spoke in Noble Consort Hui's ear.
Noble Consort Hui said in surprise: “Really?”
Zhilan nodded her head.
Noble Consort Hui laughed and said: “These two women are strange, Consort Chun is always ill and does not serve the emperor but the Empress treats her like a sister, she is obviously a rival and yet she has no hard feelings!”
Zhilan also looked surprised and said: “Yes, Consort Chun serves the Empress, more than the Emperor! And the Empress Niangniang is generous but not as affectionate to anyone as Consort Chun, these two are so odd.”
Noble Consort Hui, hit on a melon seed, said idly: “What could be odd about two women?” At this point, Noble Consort Hui suddenly stopped: yes, there is no such thing as impossible, on reflection, all the wrong things are clear!
Zhilan was also frozen: “Niangniang, you mean,”
Noble Consort Hui was so happy that she threw the melon seeds out of her hand and laughed: “This is their own way of giving me a clue to destroy them, it would be a pity to give it up and not use it! Zhilan, you put out a message for this Palace Mistress!” She beckoned Zhilan to come forward and whispered a few words.
Zhilan, startled, said: “Niangniang, is this true?”
Noble Consort Hui laughed lightly and said smugly: “To build up a good reputation, you have to do good deeds all your life, if you have the slightest stain, the building will fall down before you know it! Remember one thing, no matter how ridiculous, if someone believes it, it's true!”
For several days, the Consort Chun reported daily from the Changchun Palace of the Empress and a strange rumour grew up in the Palace.
Last night Hongli stayed at the Changchun Palace, when it was time to go to court, the Empress arose and the Empress herself dressed the Emperor.
The Empress dresses Hongli, Hongli looked at the gorgeous face of his beloved wife and suddenly said: “Does the Empress know that rumours are being spread in the palace?”
A rumour that the emperor could bring up of his own accord, certainly not an unusual one, the Empress tied the sash and asked softly: “Oh? What are the rumours?”
Hongli was silent for a moment, “They say the Empress and Consort Chun are too close, something is wrong.”
The Empress burst out laughing and couldn't help but say: “Your Majesty, you believe such rumours?”
Hongli thought for a moment and also laughed: “On reflection, it is indeed absurd, you and I may as well be kind.”
The Empress took the jade crown from the eunuch, put it on the Emperor and said softly: “Don't worry, Your Majesty, this humble woman will investigate those who spread the rumours and will make sure that the palace rules are fixed.”
Hongli nodded and said: “But, the Empress will have to discipline those around you as well, Zhen is talking about that Wei Yingluo.”
The Empress heard the emperor's tone of displeasure and said helplessly: “Your Majesty, you are prejudiced against Yingluo.”
Hongli said impatiently: “All right! Zhen doesn't want to argue with you, people like this are always up to no good.”
The Empress smiled bitterly and said: “Yes, this humble woman will pay more attention.”
As soon as the Son of Heaven had left, Consort Chun came again to the Changchun Palace to report, Wei Yingluo was about to leave with the others, when the Empress suddenly said: “The rumours in the palace today are growing, this Palace Mistress and Consort Chun are only gossiping, they have aroused much suspicion, so, Yingluo, you stay and serve.”
All were surprised, Mingyu was jealous, Wei Yingluo nodded and said: “Yes, Niangniang.”
There were only three people left in the hall, Consort Chun looked at Wei Yingluo with a hesitant look on his face.
Wei Yingluo stood with her eyes lowered, the Empress said: “Yingluo, raise your head, many are wondering what this Palace Mistress and Consort Chun were up to, are you curious?”
Wei Yingluo said truthfully: “Yes.”
The Empress asked again: “If this Palace Mistress really has something to do with Consort Chun, what do you think?”
Wei Yingluo was shocked but remained calm and replied: “Outwardly, I do not know but secretly, I will protect you.”
The Empress was astonished: “This is a crime of deceit, you will protect this Palace Mistress too?”
Wei Yingluo replied solemnly: “The Empress Niangniang has taught Yingluo to read and write and to behave in the world, she is one of the rare good people in the world, whatever Niangniang chooses, as long as Niangniang say so Yingluo is willing to give her life for Niangniang.”
The Empress and Consort Chun both moved, the Empress sighed softly and said: “Consort Chun, show her.”
Consort Chun nodded, took a set of moxibustion tools from the cupboard and places them in front of Wei Yingluo. Wei Yingluo is stunned and said: “What is this?”
The Empress' brow was tinged with light sorrow, she said: “This Palace Mistress, since giving birth to Second Brother, the coldness in her body has spread and after this winter, it has become more and more severe. All night I feel pain in my bones, I cannot sleep, I sweat constantly, I have to change my clothes every half hour.”
The Consort Chun spoke continuing: “So, the Empress Niangniang asked this humble woman to treat her with acupuncture. But acupunture is forbidden in the harem, it has to be done away from people. I just didn't expect-”
The Empress frowned and said angrily: “I didn't expect to see such a rumour spread in the palace, it's ridiculous! How can a woman with a cold body have children and be secure in her position? So, this Palace Mistress does not dare to work for the Imperial Hospital, she has to ask Consort Chun for help. Yingluo, from this day on, you and Erqing together, guard the Changchun Palace for this Palace Mistress!”
Wei Yingluo answered firmly: “Yes.”
Wei Yingluo smiled and said: “That is also true.” But there was more doubt in her mind.
The Empress often called upon the Consort Chun to speak and when she did so, she dismissed the court, no secret in the palace.
In the Chuxiu Palace, Zhilan spoke in Noble Consort Hui's ear.
Noble Consort Hui said in surprise: “Really?”
Zhilan nodded her head.
Noble Consort Hui laughed and said: “These two women are strange, Consort Chun is always ill and does not serve the emperor but the Empress treats her like a sister, she is obviously a rival and yet she has no hard feelings!”
Zhilan also looked surprised and said: “Yes, Consort Chun serves the Empress, more than the Emperor! And the Empress Niangniang is generous but not as affectionate to anyone as Consort Chun, these two are so odd.”
Noble Consort Hui, hit on a melon seed, said idly: “What could be odd about two women?” At this point, Noble Consort Hui suddenly stopped: yes, there is no such thing as impossible, on reflection, all the wrong things are clear!
Zhilan was also frozen: “Niangniang, you mean,”
Noble Consort Hui was so happy that she threw the melon seeds out of her hand and laughed: “This is their own way of giving me a clue to destroy them, it would be a pity to give it up and not use it! Zhilan, you put out a message for this Palace Mistress!” She beckoned Zhilan to come forward and whispered a few words.
Zhilan, startled, said: “Niangniang, is this true?”
Noble Consort Hui laughed lightly and said smugly: “To build up a good reputation, you have to do good deeds all your life, if you have the slightest stain, the building will fall down before you know it! Remember one thing, no matter how ridiculous, if someone believes it, it's true!”
For several days, the Consort Chun reported daily from the Changchun Palace of the Empress and a strange rumour grew up in the Palace.
Last night Hongli stayed at the Changchun Palace, when it was time to go to court, the Empress arose and the Empress herself dressed the Emperor.
The Empress dresses Hongli, Hongli looked at the gorgeous face of his beloved wife and suddenly said: “Does the Empress know that rumours are being spread in the palace?”
A rumour that the emperor could bring up of his own accord, certainly not an unusual one, the Empress tied the sash and asked softly: “Oh? What are the rumours?”
Hongli was silent for a moment, “They say the Empress and Consort Chun are too close, something is wrong.”
The Empress burst out laughing and couldn't help but say: “Your Majesty, you believe such rumours?”
Hongli thought for a moment and also laughed: “On reflection, it is indeed absurd, you and I may as well be kind.”
The Empress took the jade crown from the eunuch, put it on the Emperor and said softly: “Don't worry, Your Majesty, this humble woman will investigate those who spread the rumours and will make sure that the palace rules are fixed.”
Hongli nodded and said: “But, the Empress will have to discipline those around you as well, Zhen is talking about that Wei Yingluo.”
The Empress heard the emperor's tone of displeasure and said helplessly: “Your Majesty, you are prejudiced against Yingluo.”
Hongli said impatiently: “All right! Zhen doesn't want to argue with you, people like this are always up to no good.”
The Empress smiled bitterly and said: “Yes, this humble woman will pay more attention.”
As soon as the Son of Heaven had left, Consort Chun came again to the Changchun Palace to report, Wei Yingluo was about to leave with the others, when the Empress suddenly said: “The rumours in the palace today are growing, this Palace Mistress and Consort Chun are only gossiping, they have aroused much suspicion, so, Yingluo, you stay and serve.”
All were surprised, Mingyu was jealous, Wei Yingluo nodded and said: “Yes, Niangniang.”
There were only three people left in the hall, Consort Chun looked at Wei Yingluo with a hesitant look on his face.
Wei Yingluo stood with her eyes lowered, the Empress said: “Yingluo, raise your head, many are wondering what this Palace Mistress and Consort Chun were up to, are you curious?”
Wei Yingluo said truthfully: “Yes.”
The Empress asked again: “If this Palace Mistress really has something to do with Consort Chun, what do you think?”
Wei Yingluo was shocked but remained calm and replied: “Outwardly, I do not know but secretly, I will protect you.”
The Empress was astonished: “This is a crime of deceit, you will protect this Palace Mistress too?”
Wei Yingluo replied solemnly: “The Empress Niangniang has taught Yingluo to read and write and to behave in the world, she is one of the rare good people in the world, whatever Niangniang chooses, as long as Niangniang say so Yingluo is willing to give her life for Niangniang.”
The Empress and Consort Chun both moved, the Empress sighed softly and said: “Consort Chun, show her.”
Consort Chun nodded, took a set of moxibustion tools from the cupboard and places them in front of Wei Yingluo. Wei Yingluo is stunned and said: “What is this?”
The Empress' brow was tinged with light sorrow, she said: “This Palace Mistress, since giving birth to Second Brother, the coldness in her body has spread and after this winter, it has become more and more severe. All night I feel pain in my bones, I cannot sleep, I sweat constantly, I have to change my clothes every half hour.”
The Consort Chun spoke continuing: “So, the Empress Niangniang asked this humble woman to treat her with acupuncture. But acupunture is forbidden in the harem, it has to be done away from people. I just didn't expect-”
The Empress frowned and said angrily: “I didn't expect to see such a rumour spread in the palace, it's ridiculous! How can a woman with a cold body have children and be secure in her position? So, this Palace Mistress does not dare to work for the Imperial Hospital, she has to ask Consort Chun for help. Yingluo, from this day on, you and Erqing together, guard the Changchun Palace for this Palace Mistress!”
Wei Yingluo answered firmly: “Yes.”
