Chapter 111 - Meeting at late night

“My Lady, I’m Jian Tao.” Jian Tao gave another salute, and smiled slightly, “Following the order of Noble Consort Gui, I come to convey her intention of forming an alliance with you.”

“Forming an alliance?” Yun Fenghuang murmured, “This is really a surprise for me. Noble Consort Gui is the legitimate niece of General-in-chief of the Cavalry, and has a noble status. In the Imperial Harem, her status is only below Her Highness. Besides, she is now pregnant, so her prospect is beyond measure… With such a noble status, why is she willing to condescend to form an alliance with me?”

She added, “Since Noble Consort Gui has the intention to form an alliance with me, how does she explain the matter this morning? Now that no someone else is here now, don’t tell me that the matter of elsholtzia was really made by Rong Hua Yun!”

Yun Fenghuang was very clear that Yun Qingman was wronged in this matter. After all, if she had no ability to know what Yun Qingman had done under her nose, was it necessary for her to let Yun Qingman live in Xuan Qing Palace?

Of course, she didn’t care much about the accusation against Yun Qingman. It could even say that Yun Qingman’s demotion was exactly what she wanted.

The first reason why she had been defending this so-called sister before was mainly that she was not sure about the intentions of people behind the scenes, and she was worried that she would be involved in the matter; and the second reason was that she had to continue to maintain her image that she had a harmonious relationship with Yun Qingman and Yun’s Family, and regarded them as her real families.

As for the real culprit in this matter, Yun Fenghuang guessed that even if Noble Consort Gui hadn’t done this matter alone, she must be one of the important participants.

Otherwise, how dared Jie Yu Jia take Happier as a tool in this matter?

Moreover, why did Noble Consort Gui who had been in Yan Lan Palace suddenly go out to pay respects to the Empress, and happen to see that Yun Fenghuang and Jie Yu Jia were in a big fight?

Yun Fenghuang could understand Noble Consort Gui’s behaviors. After all, Noble Consort Gui had been very low-key during her pregnancy. Especially, contrasted with Yuan Lianniang who had been making troubles, she seemed more virtuous. It was rare for her to ask for two people. However, the Empress didn’t agree to her, and even directly distributed the two people to Yun Fenghuang. It was normal for a pregnant woman to vent her great anger.

After Yun Fenghuang returned from Yan Fu Palace, she summoned her servants to discuss. When she was thinking about how to get her revenge, Jian Tao suddenly appeared. Now, Yun Fenghuang could not really understand the intentions of Noble Consort Gui.

“Of course, the matter of elsholtzia was not done by Rong Hua Yun. Noble Consort Gui means that this matter shows the sincerity of Yan Lan Palace.” Jian Tao said respectfully, “As for the details, although His Majesty came to Xuan Qing Palace tonight, he would not sleep at Huan Hua Hall. If you are inclined to form an alliance, Noble Consort Gui can come in person to talk with you.”

“Oh?” Yun Fenghuang raised her eyebrows slightly. She was just about to ask what kind of sincerity it was to deal with the people in her palace. But if Noble Consort Gui who was pregnant came to Xuan Qing Palace in person at late night, she was indeed sincere…

After a few thoughts, she nodded, “Then I will wait for Noble Consort Gui in Huan Hua Hall.”

After all, Yun Fenghuang didn’t come up with a solution to the matter of the prescription yet.

No matter what Noble Consort Gui planned to do or wanted, she couldn’t avoid it directly.

Sending off Jian Tao, Yun Fenghuang recalled the servants and asked about the surveillance to Yun Qingman. She was very dissatisfied with Chen Zhu, “You didn’t even know that the elsholtzia was mixed into the facial cream of Rong Hua Yun giving to all Cai Nv!? The side hall is only a few steps away from Huan Hua Hall. Since Rong Hua Yun is framed this time, will tricks be done on my food, clothing, housing and transportation next time?!”

Chen Zhu admitted his error and asked for punishment fearfully, and repeatedly promised that similar things wouldn’t happen again… Yun Fenghuang cooled down at this time, waving her hand to let him go, “Think carefully about how did you do the tasks I instructed to you. If you’re really stupid, then you’ll be replaced by someone who can do things for me!”

Before, she thought that she could plan slowly. Chen Zhu’s ability was a little bit worse, but his advantage was that he had no other backers and had to rely on her to keep his position. Therefore, his faith could be guaranteed.

However, Noble Consort Gui knew her weakness now, which gave Yun Fenghuang a sense of crisis. She realized that the ability was more important than just loyalty.

Not only Chen Zhu was influenced by her change of consideration, but also the four close maids including Xi Jing, Xi Le, Liu Hong and Nian Xuan were rebuked hard!

Therefore, all the servants were suspicious that Jian Tao must say something very important. However, Yun Fenghuang didn’t tell them at all, and they didn’t dare to ask too much. They had to admit their mistakes while thinking about it in their minds.

It didn’t take long for the Imperial Kitchen to deliver dinner. In fact, the concubines in the grade of Jie Yu or above were eligible to set up a kitchenette, and Yun Fenghuang was no exception. However, she just moved here and had lots of things to deal with, so this matter was delayed. Besides, even if she had cooks now, they probably couldn’t compare with the imperial chefs who specialized in serving the Emperor. Of course, she wouldn’t let the chance of eating the Emperor’s dinner slip.

Yun Fenghuang asked Yan Yin and other trusted attendants of the Emperor to watch the servants to set the meal, and she went into the inner room to awaken Emperor Chunjia.

The reason why the Emperor said that he wanted to take a nap before was that he wanted to shun her. However, he really fell asleep on the bed because these days he was really exhausted. Yun Fenghuang went in at the moment and saw the sleeping face of Emperor Chunjia. When this man was awake, he was almost gentle, cultivated and calm. Only when he fell asleep, could he show his annoyance from his frown.

Yun Fenghuang opened the bed-curtain and saw the scene at a glance. She didn’t say anything, quietly admiring it for a while. She felt more comfortable because she knew that she was not the only one who lived a hard life in the Imperial Harem. After a while, she pushed the Emperor with a smile, “Your Majesty, it’s time to have dinner. Please get up!”

Before her hands touched Emperor Chunjia, his eyelashes had moved slightly, and he noticed the anomaly, which made Yun Fenghuang more comfortable. Probably the Emperor had never slept well in the past few years, right? Or why was he so alert?

She comforted herself in this way. Accompanying the Emperor to have dinner, she chatted with him while drinking tea, and then sent him to sleep with Yi Xing’en. Thinking about Noble Consort Gui she needed to face next, Yun Fenghuang finally felt a little bit relieved.

Maybe there were less than five people who really lived a little more relaxed life in the Imperial Harem.

She lived hard, so was the Emperor. Presumably Nobel Consort Gui… would not be better. Otherwise, why would she seek an alliance with her explicitly?

In this case, although she fell into a passive position because Noble Consort Gui knew her weakness, she still had the initiative.

As a result, when the night came, Nobel Consort Gui who was in disguise appeared in Huan Hua Hall and saw Jie Yu Mao who was casual, “My Lady, bother you to come at late night.”

Nobel Consort Gui wanted to say “Jie Yu Mao, you don’t need to worry…”, but it was stuck in her throat. She couldn’t say it.

In addition to not allowing Yun Fenghuang to refuse the meet, Noble Consort Gui wanted to take the initiative to crack down on Yun Fenghuang psychologically, so she asked Jian Tao to mention the prescription for contraceptive. In this way, she could easily take the upper hand.

Although Noble Consort Gui knew that she had the upper hand regardless of status or power, she thought Yun Fenghuang was not a person who would easily bow her head according to her behaviors after she joined the Imperial Harem. Originally, Noble Consort Gui felt that such a big thing as the prescription for contraceptive was enough for ordinary people to panic. Even if she thought highly of Yun Fenghuang and thought Yun Fenghuang might not panic, she did not expect that the woman would be so calm.

Not only didn’t Yun Fenghuang candidly admit defeat, but she was confidently on an equal footing with Noble Consort Gui!

Nobel Consort Gui thought for a while and sat down with a smile, “Jie Yu Mao, I have been liking you since you just joined the Imperial Harem.”

Yun Fenghuang replied in surprise, “My Lady, I am dull, so how dare I deserve your deep affection?”

“You don’t need to think too much. These are my true words.” Noble Consort Gui said softly, “From you, I see my uncle’s characters when he was young.”

The uncle she said was of course Zheng Ju, General-in-chief of the Cavalry, the pillar of the school of powerful eunuchs today.

“My Lady, you make a wrong praise. How dare I compare with General-in-chief of the Cavalry?” Yun Fenghuang frowned slightly. “My Lady, you think too highly of me. I don’t know what to say.”

Noble Consort Gui praised Yun Fenghuang as soon as she came there, so Yun Fenghuang even more worried that she would come up with incredible conditions.

Noble Consort Gui noticed her implications, so she smiled and said calmly, “Jie Yu Mao, don’t misunderstand me. I am here to form an alliance with you as what Jian Tao said, so I will be naturally not harmful to you.”

Noble Consort Gui narrowed her eyes slightly, “It can be even said that I came here with goodwill towards you!”

“My Lady, I just don’t understand why you praise me.” Yun Fenghuang didn’t ask what kind of goodwill it was, but asked with humility, “Is it only because I remind you of General-in-chief of the Cavalry when he was young?”

Even if Noble Consort Gui dared to say these words, Yun Fenghuang dared not believe them!

“I am now obviously pregnant.” Noble Consort Gui understood Yun Fenghuang’s doubts, but did not answer directly. She said calmly with stroking her already swollen belly, “The imperial doctor that my uncle helped arrange for me told me some time ago that this child… either would not survive, or would be a freak even if it was born.”

“…” Although Yun Fenghuang felt she was calm, these words dumbfounded her. After a moment, she frowned and asked, “Who did it?”

She asked the question, but she felt that she had already guessed who had done it. If it was not Ji’s Family, who else could make Noble Consort Gui worried about? Noble Consort Gui had strong backers, but now she put down her status to cooperate with Yun Fenghuang…

Yun Fenghuang thought that it was really convenient for her to live in a facade of cooperating with the Empress. She was cared about by others in usual, and was highly valued when she was about to turn her coat. But… between Noble Consort Gui and the Empress, who was more cost-effective for her to betray?

When she was thinking about it, she saw Noble Consort Gui shaking her head, “I don’t know.”

Yun Fenghuang asked surprisedly, “You don’t know?”

“If I knew it, would I come to you at late night?” Noble Consort Gui asked, “Or do you think that even if Ji’s Family did this, I am unable to speak out about my grievances?”

“…” Yun Fenghuang thought that the words made sense. Was it because Noble Consort Gui had bad luck? Or was Emperor Chunjia unhealthy? When she was thinking about whether to say something to comfort Noble Consort Gui, the latter continued, “I don’t know who did it, but there must be dirty tricks! Just two months ago, the imperial doctor still said that my child is healthy and strong. But recently, not only the child, but also I feel not as good as before.”

She dipped some tea on the table with her fingers and gently wiped off the powder on her face, revealing a more yellowish and duller skin than what Yun Fenghuang saw in daytime. “Many people say that it is inevitable for pregnant women to have a bad complexion. I also thought so before. Besides, the imperial doctor and servants around me paid great attention, so I didn’t have any doubt. After the imperial doctor said that the child was no longer healthy… I made a secret investigation in Yan Lan Palace two days ago, but there was no gain!”

Noble Consort Gui exhaled, “You also heard about the previous matters in the Imperial Harem that both Noble Consort Shu and Jie Yu Yue were also pregnant, but they were not able to give birth. I originally thought that since Empress Dowager was just angry for the heirs at the beginning of the year, and my grade is also above them, I was blessed… Now it seems that I think too much.”

Yun Fenghuang pondered and replied, “My Lady, I feel pity about your experience… However, my grade is low and my words are unimportant, so I am afraid that I can’t help you.”

“You thought that I wanted you to help me find out the real murderer?” Noble Consort Gui smiled without any sarcasm, and said calmly, “The child is mine. Of course, only when I revenge in person, can I vent my anger. It’s unnecessary for me to make you in a pickle with a thing that I don’t even have any clue. Even if I have clues, it’s also a pleasure for me to revenge in person… I said that I came with goodwill, so I will never fool you like the Empress.”

She pointed in the direction of the side hall, the one where Yun Qingman lived, “I will speak directly. Jie Yu Mao, now that you have brought Noble Consort Shu’s sister to Xuan Qing Palace, maybe you also have made following plans. But I’m sure that without me, your plan will be carried out more difficultly and thrillingly. The most important thing is that you may can’t achieve your goals! After all, Noble Consort Shu and Duke Yi’s Mansion are not easy to deal with!”

Hearing that Noble Consort Shu mentioned Yun Qingman, Yun Fenghuang frowned slightly, and immediately asked, “My Lady, what do you mean?”