Chapter 017: Benefiting from Association

An hour later,

Qiuzhi returned.

She had been in the side hall all of yesterday and had just learned about the incident at Youlan Pavilion. She was clearly frightened, her voice trembling as she spoke, "Miss, it's good… it wasn't you and her majesty…"

She was relieved, but also full of palpitations, "That Lan… I heard she is still unconscious. The Imperial Physician said her condition is not very good."

Sang Yan listened without speaking for a long time.

Actually, she had expected this.

In this era of backward medical conditions, it was very likely that Lan, who had hit her head, could not be saved.

"Alas."

She sighed deeply, lying on her bed, feeling a stifling heaviness in her heart.

Seeing her like this, Qiuzhi tried to comfort her, "Miss, don't think too much, Lan… she made a mistake herself. It's not the fault of others."

Sang Yan shook her head, her delicate eyebrows furrowed, worried and anxious, "I always feel… she knew about my plan with Sang Ruoshui, which is why she took such a risk. If it wasn't for me, perhaps she wouldn't have…"

"Miss, please don't say that—"

Qiuzhi interrupted her self-blame, continuing, "Miss didn't force her to do that with a knife, it was her own greed and recklessness. Besides, Miss only intended to get the Emperor drunk, not to poison his drink. Intentionally harming the Dragon's body is a crime punishable by the extermination of one's entire family."

Did Sang Yan not know this?

However, being kind-hearted and gentle, she always felt it was she who had disturbed the peace of the harem.

"Alas."

She sighed again, lethargic and spiritless.

Just then, a lot of people rushed in.

It was Sang Ruoshui.

She wore a pink palace dress, her makeup was stunning and her hair was adorned with tinkling pearl hairpins.

She looked dazzling and imposing.

"Why is sister still in bed?"

Her smile was as lovely as flowers, her tone affectionate as she walked over and sat by the bed, reaching for her hand.

Sang Yan felt she was more and more like a man-eating flower and did not want to get close to her.

She withdrew her hand, asking coldly, "Why have you come?"

One does not go to the Temple of the Three Treasures without a purpose.

Sang Ruoshui had definitely come to ask for something.

As expected.

Sang Ruoshui indeed had a request.

But before asking, she knew to say some pleasing words, "I heard sister did not sleep well last night, so I came to see you. Sister, were you frightened last night? I didn't expect sister to be so timid."

As she spoke, her language revealed a hint of contempt.

She had once seen her as a rival, but now it seemed she only had a bit of cleverness and was hardly fit for great things.

Listening to her disdain, Sang Yan barely smiled on the surface, but inwardly she sneered: misfortune had not befallen herself, of course, it was easy for others to speak indifferently. If she were Lan, she doubted she would have the courage to atone with death.

"Sister, don't be afraid. We have the Empress Dowager backing us. For the sake of the heir, she would also pardon our occasional transgressions."

Oh, so the Empress Dowager had given her confidence.

It seemed that her recent visit to pay respect to the Empress Dowager indeed bore fruitful results.

Sang Yan understood the implications and smiled as she saw her out, "Thank you for your concern. I understand. If there's nothing else, you should go back first."

"I also have a small matter."

Sang Ruoshui smiled, explaining her intention, "Little sister heard that the Emperor has canceled the morning court; it seems he has not recovered from illness, and I am quite worried. What about you, sister? The Emperor treats you with genuine affection and thorough care, aren't you worried?"

Sang Yan remained silent.

She truly did not know how Sang Ruoshui could tell that the Emperor treated her with genuine affection and thorough care!

Wait a minute—

Wasn't this the legendary 'hate-flattery'?

If she weren't clear-headed, such instigation might indeed make her foolishly believe that the Emperor held deep feelings for her and thus become arrogant!

Was this Sang Ruoshui's unintentional behavior, or was she always pretending to be a pig to eat a tiger?

Thinking, she feigned sadness, managing a bitter smile, "Sister is joking. I am a married woman; how can I worry about another man?"

No matter what, she couldn't let the persona of a lovelorn widow collapse.

"Since little sister is worried, you should go ahead. I am devoted to my late husband and should not be going."

She was now more afraid of the Emperor, how could she actively seek him out?

"Sister should speak less of these words in the future; the Emperor may know and be angry again."

Sang Ruoshui was emotionally complex: both sympathetic to her tragic fate and envious of her having caught the Emperor's eye.

She did not insist on them going together, only saying, "Then you rest well, sister."

And she left.

She went to visit the Emperor.

Only when she arrived at Qingning Palace did she realize that many concubines had come already.

There were beauties of all sorts, each with her own charm.

They were like colorful flowers, vibrantly blooming in front of Qingning Palace.

She was neither the first nor the last.

"The Emperor said he will see no one today. All of you Ladies should return,"

Pei Muyang came out to convey the Emperor's words.

He saw Sang Ruoshui among the concubines and subconsciously looked beside her, but not seeing Miss Sang, he withdrew his gaze.

Sang Ruoshui caught the slight movement of Pei Muyang, immediately stepped forward, and whispered, "Mr. Pei, my sister is ill and could not come. She asked me to relay a few words to the Emperor."

She didn't want to return without achieving anything, so she lied under the pretense of using Sang Yan's name.

Unaware of the truth, Pei Muyang's expression changed upon hearing Miss Sang was ill and solemnly said, "Lady, wait here; I will inform the Emperor immediately."

"Thank you, Mr. Pei."

Sang Ruoshui thanked him graciously, her face filled with gratitude, but her heart was stifled.

She still had to rely on Sang Yan's influence!

How detestable!

Some of the concubines hadn't left yet.

Seeing this scene, they felt envious and resentful:

"Look, she's using her widowed sister again to catch the Emperor's attention!"

"Shameless creature! Already a widow and still can't stay put!"

"A widow daring to dream of becoming the Emperor's concubine!"

"Even if she has a husband-killing fate!"

...

Indignant voices rose and fell.

Sang Ruoshui felt both ashamed and enraged.

Her tactics for seeking favor were indeed disgraceful, which is why she especially feared being talked about.

"How dare you!"

Enraged and humiliated, she rushed to Princess Consort Li, who had started the provocation, and slapped her across the face.

"Slap."

It was very loud.

Princess Consort Li, Qu Xueli, covered her face, eyes wide with disbelief, "You dare to hit me!"

She and Sang Ruoshui held the same rank, neither inferior nor superior to each other.

In terms of family status, her father was the Minister of Revenue, a position that actually exceeded Sang Ruoshui.

"I hit you precisely!"

Sang Ruoshui, feeling confident and arrogant, retaliated, "Have you forgotten? The Emperor said not to criticize my sister. You all knowingly violate this, showing contempt for imperial authority, what should be your punishment?"

Her words had a daunting effect.

The gossiping concubines' faces changed, and none dared to speak anymore.

Qu Xueli was scared too, but being humiliated and slapped in front of so many people, if she let it go easily, she might as well cease to exist.

People live on breath.

She brazenly retorted, "I was talking about Miss Sang? Who heard it?"

Those involved immediately shook their heads and collectively said, "Not us! We didn't say anything! We know nothing!"

Those not involved watched the fight between the two tigresses in silence.

But as the glares of the two tigresses fell on them, they felt a hint of being forced to pick sides.

At this time, the Empress was in name only, without real power, Imperial Concubine Xuan had been thrown into the Cold Palace by the Emperor, and the newly promoted Noble Princess Consort Lan had faded away as quickly as she had appeared, reduced to Lan.

Looking around, Princess Consort Li, who had been in the palace the longest and was the first to be honored, was actually standing out.

As for Princess Consort Sang?

Everyone knew she was a rising star.

Just as they hesitated, Pei Muyang reappeared, flicked his horsetail whisk, and said, "Princess Consort Sang, the Emperor summons you."

This statement felt like a hard slap on Princess Consort Li's face.

Those concubines who had been undecided immediately aligned themselves behind Sang Ruoshui.

Sang Ruoshui, watching Princess Consort Li's almost twisted face, smiled triumphantly, "Princess Consort Li, you just wait!"

Qu Xueli stomped her foot in anger, glancing at the panicking concubines and trying to compose herself, "What's there to fear? The recent misfortunes of the Emperor are caused by that husband-killing widow, we are just cleansing the Emperor's side!"

"Lady!"

Her close friend, Jinpin Xie Jinhua, cried out in alarm and hurriedly covered her mouth, "Lady, be careful with your words. 'Cleansing the Emperor's side' is not something to be said lightly!"

Qu Xueli then realized her slip of the tongue and turned pale with panic.

Above the steps,

Pei Muyang watched all this silently, saying nothing.

Sang Ruoshui, holding up her skirt, walked up the steps and asked with a smile, "Mr. Pei, did you hear Princess Consort Li disrespecting the Emperor?"

Pei Muyang nodded with a smile, his glance toward Princess Consort Li already filled with a trace of sympathy.

Knowing Pei Muyang was the Emperor's new favorite, Qu Xueli completely panicked, "What should I do? Sister Jinhua, what should I do? That wretch will surely tattle!"