124 Elimination (1)

Lu Ning and the imperial concubines have been away on a pilgrimage for two days, during which the Emperor has stayed at the Cuiwei Palace every night. They are expected to return in two more days.

For some reason, the Empress was in a particularly spirited mood today. Zhang Bitong, having feigned the need to attend to the Emperor, had risen late and missed paying her respects to the Empress for two days. The Empress, however, had offered no reprimand. Shortly after waking that morning, as Zhang Bitong was enjoying a bowl of bird’s nest congee, she saw Minghe arrive at the Cuiwei Palace.

Noticing her, Zhang Bitong hurriedly signaled for Yunqing to hide the congee, wiped her mouth with a handkerchief, and rested her chin on her hand, feigning a look of lethargy.

"This servant pays respects to Your Ladyship," Minghe said upon entering, bowing respectfully.

Zhang Bitong replied in a languid tone, "So it is Aunt Minghe. I was serving the Emperor yesterday and am quite exhausted today, having only just risen."

"You have worked hard, Your Ladyship."

Zhang Bitong asked, "Why has Aunt Minghe come today? Does the Empress have some instruction for me?"

Minghe replied, "The Empress, mindful of how hard you have worked serving the Emperor—and considering the palace is rather quiet with all the other concubines away at Yunfeng Temple—saw that the sun is bright today and wished to invite you to sit in the Imperial Garden. She has specially ordered the Imperial Kitchen to prepare some fine pastries for you to enjoy together."

Zhang Bitong smiled sweetly. "The Empress is truly considerate. Please go ahead, Aunt Minghe; I shall follow shortly."

"As you wish!"

Once Minghe had withdrawn, Zhang Bitong immediately had Yunqing bring out the bird’s nest congee again, muttering, "The Empress Dowager kept me waiting for so long last time, so I shall make the Empress wait a while now. I must finish this congee to preserve my beauty. Who cares for those pastries from the Imperial Kitchen?"

Yunqing ventured from the side, "Your Ladyship, although you currently enjoy the Emperor's favor, you must still act with caution. It is better to avoid unnecessary trouble; there are already many concubines in the palace who envy you, and the Empress has never been particularly fond of you. It would be ill-advised to give her any excuse to find fault."

"Alright, alright, I know. I will be there after a few more bites."

"Your Ladyship is wise!"

Zhang Bitong hurriedly finished a few mouthfuls, wiped her mouth, and had Yunqing and me attend to her as she departed for the Imperial Garden.

Upon arriving, she saw the Empress sitting in a chair, slowly and methodically eating a pastry.

"This concubine pays respects to the Empress. May you be blessed with eternal fortune."

The Empress set the pastry on its plate and said, "Ah, it is Consort Tong. Please, sit. Minghe, bring Consort Tong some pastries and a cup of Biluochun tea."

"Yes!"

"Thank you, Your Empress Ladyship." Zhang Bitong sat down.

"Have you felt bored in the palace these past few days?" the Empress asked.

"How could you say that, Empress? Whether the other concubines are here or not, I remain in the Cuiwei Palace. As long as I have the Emperor's company, I never feel bored." Zhang Bitong wore a look of triumph as she spoke.

The Empress said calmly, "I know you have been working hard these past two days. That is why I specifically invited you out today to enjoy the flowers and the sun; moving about is good for your health."

"I thank the Empress for your concern."

"There is no need for such formality; we are all here to serve the Emperor. You have truly worked hard. A few days ago, when the Empress Dowager suddenly acted as she did, I was quite puzzled. Upon reflection, I realized it must have been due to the matter of Empress Xiaoren. You were truly wronged in that affair. Who would have thought the Empress Dowager would still hold onto such things!"

At the mention of this, Zhang Bitong felt as though she had found an ally and immediately cried out, "Indeed! I was truly wronged. My only intention was to bring joy to the Emperor, never imagining I would offend the Empress Dowager. Is it a sin to make the Emperor happy? But since she is the Empress Dowager, I could only remain confined here in the Cuiwei Palace. In truth, I feel quite guilty that I cannot offer prayers for the Emperor and the Great Jin."

"You are truly gentle and thoughtful. However, remaining in the palace to serve the Emperor is a merit in itself."

"Thank you, Empress!"

It was rare to see such harmony between the Empress and Zhang Bitong, though one could only guess what hidden agendas they each harbored. The two conversed pleasantly in the garden, laughter ringing out occasionally.

Just then, Gong Wu'e came running over and threw herself at the Empress's feet.

"Wu'e, what has happened now?"

"Aunt, you must seek justice for the Crown Prince!"

"What? Has something happened to Yun'er? Get up and speak clearly!"

Gong Wu'e rose and said, "Last night, I couldn't sleep, so I went to sit in the courtyard. To my surprise, I saw Han Feiyue..."

"Wu'e—"

"I saw the Crown Princess go out in the middle of the night, and out of concern, I followed her. From a distance, I saw her embracing a man. I was terrified, and they must have sensed someone behind them, for they left immediately. I thought about it all night and decided I had to tell the Crown Prince; I could not let him be kept in the dark. I intended to speak with him today, but he left early. Aunt, you know I cannot keep secrets, so when I ran into the Crown Princess just now, I confronted her. She not only denied it but tried to strike me! Aunt, it matters little that I suffer, but this concerns the dignity of the Imperial family. You must seek justice for the Crown Prince!"

"Such a thing actually happened? Wu'e, you cannot speak loosely of such matters. Did you see clearly? Who was the man?"

"Aunt, I saw there was a man, but he was too far away, and his back was turned to me. I do not know who it was. But Aunt, I saw it clearly; you must believe me."

Seeing the Empress still hesitating, Zhang Bitong interjected, "Empress, in my opinion, although the Consort is usually at odds with the Crown Princess, this is a grave matter. If she had not seen it clearly, she would not speak so wildly."

Gong Wu'e nodded quickly. "Consort Tong is right. The Crown Princess relies on the favor of the Empress Dowager and has never held me in regard, nor does she respect the Crown Prince. I followed your advice, Aunt, and endured it for the sake of the Crown Prince, but this is something I cannot tolerate. She likely feels emboldened by the Empress Dowager's favor, acting as if nothing happened even after I caught her red-handed."

Hearing this, Zhang Bitong stood up and said, "There are laws of the state and rules of the house. No matter how favored she is by the Empress Dowager, she must be punished for committing such a wrong. Even the Empress Dowager cannot directly shield her."

The Empress asked, "Then, what is your suggestion, Consort Tong?"

"In my opinion, we should take advantage of the fact that the Empress Dowager has not yet returned and go ask the Crown Princess for the truth. Without the Empress Dowager's protection, perhaps the Crown Princess will confess."

The Empress nodded. "What Consort Tong says is reasonable. I see that you are filled with a sense of justice; why not accompany me? If we can set the inner palace right and help the Crown Prince, this credit should not belong to me alone."

Zhang Bitong smiled. "How could I be of any help? But I would be happy to accompany you to see."

"Then let us go!"

"Very well!"

The group soon arrived at the Crown Prince’s Eastern Palace. Han Feiyue was in the courtyard practicing with her sword; seeing the entourage, she knew trouble was afoot. She sheathed her sword and bowed to the Empress and Zhang Bitong. "This daughter-in-law greets the Empress and Consort Tong. May I ask the purpose of this visit?"

Gong Wu'e stood by the Empress, pointing at Han Feiyue. "Do you not know what you have done?"

Han Feiyue swept a cold gaze over her and pointed her sword, causing Gong Wu'e to jump back in fear.

The Empress shouted, "Presumptuous! Crown Princess, I am still here! Do you dare draw your sword in my presence?"

I hurriedly signaled to Han Feiyue with my eyes, and she finally retracted the blade. "I have been impolite."

The Empress scanned the surroundings. "The Crown Prince is of a gentle nature, and as such, he is sometimes taken advantage of. I hope you two will serve him well and assist him properly. As his wives, your first duty is to uphold palace regulations and maintain your virtue. Crown Princess, I ask you, have you fulfilled these duties?"

Han Feiyue replied with indifference, "If the Empress has something to say, pray, speak plainly."

The Empress said, "Since that is the case, I will not mince words. I have heard from Wu'e that you were meeting with a man last night. This is a matter of great importance. I will not listen to Wu'e’s words alone, so as not to seem unfair. I have come today to hear your side."

Han Feiyue cast a chilling look at Gong Wu'e and said, "If you are determined to convict, you will always find a pretext."

"You lie! You clearly have someone else! My aunt will not be deceived by you," Gong Wu'e retorted.

"Wu'e, stand back," the Empress said coldly, then continued, "If that is the case, surely you will have no objection if I search your quarters. The innocent have nothing to fear; I am giving you a chance to prove your purity. Minghe—"

Minghe nodded, signaled to two maids and two eunuchs, and stepped forward.

"All of you, stop!" Han Feiyue brandished her sword horizontally, her skirt fluttering in the wind. "Is my room a place you can search on a whim?"

I was struck with dread. Han Feiyue was now in direct conflict with them, which could only lead to catastrophe! To point a sword at the Empress in the inner palace was a capital offense.

Zhang Bitong smiled. "Crown Princess, if you are truly innocent, why fear a search? One says you are innocent, the other says she saw it with her own eyes—the only way is to search your room. If nothing is found, there is no evidence; if something is found... well, Crown Princess, by stubbornly preventing us from entering, are you not acting out of a guilty conscience?"

"Try saying that again!" Han Feiyue’s eyes flashed with murderous intent as she glared at Zhang Bitong, who retreated a step in terror.

"Crown Princess, enough insolence!" the Empress reprimanded. "It is I who ordered the search. Do you dare defy my command? Consort Tong is right; your resistance only suggests you have something to hide!"

How could Han Feiyue stand alone against them all?

Gong Wu'e’s words were almost certainly fabricated, intended to frame Han Feiyue. But if Han Feiyue refused the search, her guilt would be confirmed. Yet, if she allowed it, how could a dignified Crown Princess, given her temperament, endure such humiliation?

I had always admired Han Feiyue, and knowing how she had been forced into this role, I felt for her struggle. Seeing them all bullying her filled me with resentment, but as a servant, I had no way to help her.

After a moment of stalemate, Han Feiyue withdrew her sword, turned away, and said coldly, "Search if you wish!"

"Search!" Minghe commanded, leading the four others into the room.

Before long, Minghe emerged with two items: a man’s robe and a wine pouch.

If Han Feiyue were to keep anyone’s belongings, it could only be Long Zhan’s. I had hoped Han Feiyue had discarded that wine pouch in the lake, but it seemed she had retrieved it. However, the robe looked nothing like anything Long Zhan would wear.

Could they have planted these?

I looked at the Empress and Gong Wu'e, suddenly realizing why the Empress had not gone to Yunfeng Temple. I had thought it was merely to manage the six palaces, but now I understood—she had stayed behind to help Gong Wu'e eliminate Han Feiyue.