books44 Chapter 23 Rumors about Consort Fucha
Chapter 23 Rumors about Consort Fucha
The joke at Jingren Palace cheered Consort Hua, Nian Shilan, and she was able to sleep well, a rare occurrence, while the Emperor was away at that vile woman Zhen Huan's palace.
The next day, Nian Shilan's smugness was even more pronounced.
Nian Shilan couldn't wait any longer and summoned Consort Li and Noble Lady Cao to her palace.
The three sat together, each offering their own words of mockery and ridicule of the old woman, the Empress.
Nian Shilan mocked the Empress without restraint, venting her resentment over the years as the Empress repeatedly framed her.
Just as they were immersed in this pleasure, something even more delightful happened to Consort Hua.
Rumors about the Empress began to circulate quietly within the palace.
When rumors quietly spread through the palace that the Empress was immoral and plotted to harm the Emperor's children,
Consort Hua's eyes lit up instantly; she believed it without a doubt.
Over the years, Nian Shilan has never laid a hand on the Emperor's son.
The emperor's sons are so few; besides the empress taking action, Nian Shilan couldn't think of anyone else with that ability.
Then, Nian Shilan had a flash of inspiration and immediately came up with an idea.
She secretly instructed Consort Cao to arrange for people to add fuel to the fire in the inner palace, so that these rumors would spread rapidly like wildfire.
She wanted the Emperor and the entire harem to know the Empress's true colors.
Consort Jing, Consort Xin, and Noble Lady Cao, all of whom had served the Emperor since his time as a prince, were all elderly women who had been by his side.
He already harbored suspicions about his former wife, now the Empress.
Now, these vague rumors seem to be a key.
It instantly opened the door to the long-standing doubts deep within their hearts.
This seemed to confirm their suspicions without a doubt.
All three of them had experienced infertility or miscarriage over the years, and they all knew in their hearts that someone was tampering with their bodies.
They felt resentment and couldn't help but add fuel to the fire of the rumor.
Consort Qi was already incredibly foolish, and over the years she had been mentally controlled by the Empress through various means.
Consort Qi had absolute faith in the Empress, and even when faced with doubts from others, she remained steadfast in her support for the Empress.
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang both thought themselves exceptionally intelligent.
Little did they know that they were blinded by the Empress's seemingly virtuous appearance.
Whenever something happened in the palace, they suspected that Consort Hua was behind it all, slandering the Empress.
They were completely unaware that the Empress had already tricked them many times.
Perhaps, deep down, they were jealous of Consort Hua's favor with the emperor, her powerful family, and her unbridled arrogance.
That's why they so blindly believe that everything is Hua Fei's doing.
They never bothered to think carefully about the truth of the matter.
After dealing with the complicated and trivial affairs of state, the fat orange king still had the composure of an emperor on his face, but his eyes could not hide a trace of fatigue.
He frowned slightly, then waved his hand, and Su Peisheng beside him immediately understood.
They hurriedly followed his steps, and the two rushed together to the Shou Kang Palace where the Empress Dowager resided.
Upon entering Shou Kang Palace, the chubby orange cat first bowed respectfully and said softly:
"Your subject greets Your Majesty the Empress."
The Empress Dowager nodded slightly, a kind smile on her face.
After the chubby orange cat paid its respects, it slowly sat down opposite the Empress Dowager, its posture upright and dignified.
At this moment, the Empress Dowager was constantly turning the Buddhist prayer beads in her hand, which made a slight sound as they turned.
The Empress Dowager's face was somber, and her tone revealed deep worry:
"Your Majesty, there is no peace in the palace these days."
Those utterly absurd rumors were able to spread so easily and widely.
If such rumors are allowed to spread, they will severely damage the reputation of the royal family, leaving us utterly disgraced!
The chubby orange cat looked guilty and said, "It is your unfilial son who has worried Mother Empress."
I've already sent Su Peisheng to quell this matter, but the rumors spread so quickly; the Empress is utterly incompetent."
Upon hearing this, a barely perceptible hint of displeasure flashed in the Empress Dowager's eyes.
The Empress Dowager frowned slightly, shook her head slowly with a hint of disapproval, and said softly:
"Over the years, the Empress has diligently and wholeheartedly managed this vast harem for you."
The hard work involved, even if it wasn't a groundbreaking achievement, was certainly indelible.
She herself was injured in this incident, not to mention that so many loyal palace servants in her Jingren Palace also suffered as a result.
They were all caught in this predicament for a time, and it was inevitable that they would feel somewhat powerless.
You can't be too harsh and heartless towards her just because of this little accident; you need to remember your past relationship.
The chubby orange cat stood quietly to the side, but inwardly he was not satisfied with the Empress Dowager's words.
He has always been the type to love someone so much he wants them to live, and hate someone so much he wants them to die.
He now harbors thoughts of deposing the Empress, regardless of whether the Empress has actually laid a hand on the Emperor.
Just her current ominous appearance was enough to make Big Fat Orange feel a strong sense of unease.
However, he also knew that with the Empress Dowager watching him closely, it would not be easy for him to depose the Empress. This matter required careful consideration.
The chubby orange cat frowned slightly, a hint of anger flashing in his eyes, and slowly said:
"I know that the Empress is the Empress Dowager's niece, so I usually take good care of her and have high expectations for her."
However, many of my concubines who were pregnant have mysteriously disappeared within the deep inner palace.
Such strange occurrences, are they not the result of the Empress's incompetence?
Back in the day, when Father Emperor was alive, many princes were born one after another, how prosperous it was!
But now, even including the princesses, there are only five women in my harem.
With such a small number, tell me, isn't that enough to demonstrate the Empress's incompetence?
As the mistress of the six palaces, she should have taken meticulous care of all matters concerning the harem.
He is supposed to protect the safety of his concubines and their offspring, but now such heartbreaking things are happening again and again. How can I not have doubts and be dissatisfied with this?
Empress Dowager, what exactly makes you, as an empress, capable of shouldering the heavy responsibility of 'ruling the world as the mother of the nation'?
At the last flower-viewing banquet at Jingren Palace, everyone at Jingren Palace was injured this time.
This series of changes has truly made even me begin to have doubts.
Perhaps this is a hint given to me by my ancestors in the unseen realm.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager's heart skipped a beat. She knew that this emperor was truly determined to depose the empress this time.
If it weren't for the fact that the Ulanara family currently lacks suitable women of marriageable age, Yixiu would really want to abandon her.
After all, Yixiu has done too many heartbreaking things over the years.
The Empress Dowager had repeatedly and earnestly advised her not to harm the Emperor's offspring.
But she just wouldn't change her ways, remaining stubbornly unrepentant.
It seems she still needs to make more preparations before waking up.
No, the Ulanara family must not have a deposed empress, otherwise the Ulanara family will be ruined.
The Empress Dowager sighed softly and said, "Emperor, do you still remember Chun Yuan?"
The chubby orange cat said, "Of course I remember Chun Yuan."
Empress Dowager Chun Yuan was gentle and kind throughout her life and never made a single mistake, yet she left us at a young age.
Although Yixiu was negligent, she is, after all, Chun Yuan's younger sister.
"Aren't you afraid that by treating her so harshly, Chun Yuan will be heartbroken in the afterlife?"
The chubby orange cat listened to the Empress Dowager's words, his mind filled with countless thoughts. He slowly closed his eyes.
Memories of his time with Chun Yuan flooded his mind; those sweet moments seemed to be right before his eyes.
Chun Yuan's every smile and frown was deeply imprinted in his heart, making him unable to forget her.
Recalling Chun Yuan's lingering gaze and final words, Da Pang Ju's heart was gripped with even greater sorrow.
He knew that Chun Yuan had always been the most precious person in his heart, and her image would always linger in his mind, no matter when or where.
Now, facing Yixiu, who has a close connection with Chunyuan, he really doesn't know what to do.
Seeing this, the Empress Dowager secretly breathed a sigh of relief. She knew that her words had had an effect, and the Emperor was beginning to waver.
She seized the opportunity to continue persuading him: "Your Majesty, you should think about Chun Yuan's deep affection for you."
Don't do something you'll regret because of a momentary impulse.
Although Yixiu is not as sensible as Chun Yuan, she is Chun Yuan's only sister. Please be more tolerant of her; it's a way of giving Chun Yuan an explanation.”
The chubby orange cat remained silent for a long time, as if time itself had frozen. A deep aura permeated the air, enveloping him like a thick fog.
Finally, he slowly opened his deep, slightly weary eyes.
His eyes gleamed with a complex light, like a tangled mess.
The light was interwoven with helplessness, struggle, and entanglement, as if countless thoughts were churning and surging within it.
He now felt an inexplicable sense of unease towards the Empress.
The feeling was like having a thorn stuck in his throat, making him feel uncomfortable all over.
He was not particularly willing to see such a person sitting alone on the throne of the empress.
However, whenever he recalled the look of concern and entrustment in his wife's eyes before she passed away,
A feeling of guilt welled up in his heart; he knew he couldn't easily betray that deep affection.
So he could only suppress his dissatisfaction and reluctantly speak:
"What happened at Jingren Palace that day was far too strange and too ominous."
An ominous shadow seemed to hang over the place, making people uneasy.
Upon hearing this, the Empress Dowager felt a pang of unease; she understood that the Emperor was implying that Yixiu's fate was unfavorable.
If such a reputation were to spread, how would the women of the Ulanara family ever be able to get married in the future?
The Empress Dowager was anxious, but she kept a straight face and forced herself to remain calm, saying:
"The events of that day were indeed somewhat strange. In my opinion, it was all caused by that maid Jianqiu. The misfortune should have beenfallen Jianqiu."
It seems this servant girl, relying on the Empress's name, has been acting recklessly and arrogantly in the palace.
He oppressed those innocent palace servants, which is why he attracted so much resentment.
"Once this servant girl is dealt with properly, everything will naturally return to normal."
As she spoke, she secretly observed the emperor's expression, trying to discern his true thoughts.