After Becoming a Concubine, I Took Down the Princess - Chapter 43

Consort Yu’s nightmares have been tormenting her for days, leaving her utterly miserable.

Ji Xing held a bowl of medicine and said to her, “Niangniang (Your Ladyship), this is the tranquilizer prescribed by the Imperial Physicians’ Academy. Please drink a little.”

Consort Yu waved her hand, knocking the bowl to the ground, “I have to drink this stuff every day, but it never gets better at night. Might as well not drink it.”

Ji Xing tried to persuade her again, but seeing Consort Yu’s expression, she finally held her tongue.

Since seven days ago when Niangniang suddenly dreamt of something unholy, it has continued every night since.

Consort Yu rested her head on the small couch, her face pale and extremely haggard.

Ji Xing bowed, “This servant will go to the Imperial Household Department to request some more tranquilizing incense.”

Consort Yu nodded, signaling her to hurry.

Now, as soon as she closed her eyes, the scene from the dream would reappear before her.

Her heart was filled with dread, afraid that these things would all turn into reality.

As the saying goes, “He who does no wrong fears no ghost knocking on his door.” The wicked deeds she had committed over the years were too numerous to count with two hands, so it was natural for her to be extremely fearful.

Now that Liang Shu was busy with court affairs, Consort Yu couldn’t see the Emperor, and no one knew the anguish in her heart.

She clutched the corner of her clothes tightly.

She had spent years to achieve her current status. She absolutely would not be affected by some false dream.

With this thought, her mood calmed down a little.

Yan Heng leaned against Liang Xiao, laughing happily upon hearing the news of Consort Yu’s miserable state from being frightened.

“Evil people meet their just desserts,” she said triumphantly.

In fact, Consort Yu’s incessant nightmares were entirely their doing.

Yan Heng had tampered slightly with the tranquilizing incense sent to Consort Yu’s palace, adding an illusion spell that could cause nightmares.

As long as Consort Yu never noticed the problem with the tranquilizing incense, she would continue to be troubled by the things in her dreams.

“This matter requires a long-term approach; we cannot rush it,” Liang Xiao embraced her, gently kneading the soft flesh around Yan Heng’s waist.

Yan Heng was puzzled, “Now that Consort Yu is having nightmares, what should we do next?”

Liang Xiao thought for a moment, “When she is unable to sleep peacefully day and night due to this matter, we will pretend to be ghosts and gods and teach her a lesson.”

Yan Heng, “Pretending to be ghosts and gods?”

“Exactly,” Liang Xiao paused, “However, this must wait until she complains to Father Emperor about it.”

Yan Heng was even more confused, “Why wait until then?”

Liang Xiao smiled, “Consort Yu believes she gained her current status by being favored by Father Emperor. But if Father Emperor knows that the death of Mother Consort back then was a complete deception, will he still favor Consort Yu?”

Yan Heng sincerely praised, “Your Highness has been in the court for a long time; your strategy has also improved.”

They have now found the connection between Consort Yu and the Imperial Preceptor through the gold-sprinkled fan. Coupled with the matter of Cui Xing, all they need now is to pry other information from Consort Yu’s mouth, and everything will be completely clear.

Having investigated since July last year, it seems a result will be reached soon.

**

“Has the Emperor made a decision on the matter of the Crown Prince?” The Empress poured a cup of tea for Liang Shu and occasionally brought up the matter.

The Empress had once given birth to the Second Prince, but he unfortunately died young. Although she would be the Empress Dowager regardless of who became the Emperor, she still needed to know some things to have support in the future.

Liang Shu took a sip of tea and remained silent for a long while.

Just when the Empress thought her words had angered Liang Shu, she heard Liang Shu slowly say, “The Third Prince has no interest in governing, and the Fifth and Sixth Princes are the same, only thinking of playing and are completely unsuited for the role.”

The Empress listened to his words and pondered silently for a moment.

“What about the Fourth Prince, Liang Yan? Although this concubine doesn’t inquire about court affairs, I’ve heard the Fourth Prince is quite capable.”

Liang Shu shook his head, “Although the Fourth Prince is capable, he is too shrewd, and his ambition is written all over his face. Others can see it at a glance.”

Listening to Liang Shu’s meaning, it seemed he was dissatisfied with all of them, “Does the Emperor perhaps want to establish Princess Yong’an?”

Liang Shu did not directly answer her, but instead talked about something else, “I originally thought Xiao’er was the same as her fifth and sixth brothers. I never expected her to help me so much in the court.”

The Empress smiled, “The Princess had nowhere to show her talent in the inner palace; naturally, she has shone brightly now that she is in the court.”

Liang Shu nodded, then continued, “The Eighth and Ninth Princes are still too young. Although the matter of establishing a Crown Prince is pressing, I still need to consider it carefully.”

As soon as he finished speaking, he suddenly coughed violently a few times.

The Empress quickly handed the tea cup to him again, “The recent late-winter cold snap means the Emperor must pay more attention to his health.”

Liang Shu waved his hand and said, “It must be the old ailment.”

He picked up the tea and took a big gulp, “It’s nothing, I know my own body well.”

**

In Consort Yu’s bedchamber, Ji Xing pushed open the door, “Niangniang, the Imperial Physician is here.”

The man who followed her was invited into the room, carrying a medicine chest, and walked up to Consort Yu.

Ji Xing said, “My Niangniang has been having nightmares for days. I beg the Imperial Physician to examine what the trouble is.”

Consort Yu’s face looked increasingly worse, completely devoid of her former arrogance.

She stiffly presented her wrist to the Imperial Physician for a pulse diagnosis.

It had been a month; the nightmares had been with her for a month.

But under the effect of the tranquilizing incense, although her heart was fearful, she would feel sleepy every night when the time came.

The Imperial Physician said some things, but she didn’t hear any of it, her expression blank, like a walking corpse.

Ji Xing saw the Imperial Physician off and comforted her, “The Imperial Physician has prescribed a new formula. Niangniang, don’t worry, it will surely be effective.”

Consort Yu nodded, her eyes empty, as if possessed.

In March, the spring flowers gradually awakened, and the gardens of the Princess’s residence became lively.

Yan Heng sat in the pavilion, drinking spring tea with Liang Xiao.

She put down her teacup, “Yesterday, Yan Qiu sent me a message, saying that the clan has welcomed many new little foxes.”

Liang Xiao asked with concern, “Are you homesick?”

Yan Heng lowered her head, “A little. I didn’t go back during the New Year, and I wonder if my parents miss me.”

Liang Xiao picked up her hand from the table, “When all this trouble is over, I will take you back to Liuyun Mountain.”

Yan Heng was radiant, “My parents haven’t met Your Highness yet. I’ll introduce you properly when the time comes.”

This sparked Liang Xiao’s curiosity, “How will you introduce me? Tell them who I am to you?”

Yan Heng smiled, “I’ll tell them that the person in my heart is a woman, and it’s the one right before their eyes.”

That surprised Liang Xiao, “You are so frank, aren’t you afraid they’ll be angry?”

Yan Heng, “Afraid of what? They can’t eat us, can they? In any case, she is the person I love; they can’t manage me.”

A warm current flowed through her heart, and Liang Xiao squeezed Yan Heng’s hand, “When the matter of Mother Consort is resolved, I will accompany you back, and I will also prepare some gifts…”

Yan Heng felt sweet inside, “There’s no need for such trouble. They are all very easy-going people; as long as Your Highness is there, it’s enough.”

The two smiled at each other, their eyes conveying an unspoken affection.

After a long while, Liang Xiao suddenly said seriously, “Aheng, I want to formally marry you with the three letters and six rites, to make you the Princess’s wife.”

This statement slightly stunned Yan Heng, “We are both women, how will you marry me?”

Liang Xiao stated firmly, “Regardless of how others view it, I will definitely make this happen.”

Yan Heng felt as sweet as if she had eaten honey. She interlocked her index finger with Liang Xiao’s, and the myriad of feelings were all reflected in the other’s eyes.

It was the Spring Equinox, and the Empress invited the palace women from all the palaces to enjoy the flowers in the Imperial Garden.

“These winter jasmine flowers are blooming so beautifully,” the Empress pointed to the clusters of small yellow flowers and turned to smile at everyone.

Consort Yu claimed to be ill and did not attend, so everyone was a little more relaxed today. After all, without Consort Yu, no one would proactively cause trouble.

The concubines chatted and praised the winter jasmine. Liang Xiao accompanied the Empress, occasionally sharing some private words with her.

“Xiao’er is no longer young,” the Empress suddenly brought this up while everyone was sitting in a pavilion.

Liang Xiao smiled, “I can still accompany Mother Empress for a long time.”

The Empress, however, shook her head, “Considering your age, it is time for you to marry. Your Father Emperor mentioned this to me not long ago.”

“This daughter has no intention of marrying,” Liang Xiao rose and bowed to the Empress, “This way is quite good.”

The Empress sighed softly, “But I always feel that a man should be found to take care of you. Being alone is inevitably lonely—”

“Isn’t this daughter doing well in the court now?” Liang Xiao uncharacteristically interrupted her, her tone seeming slightly displeased.

The Empress had never seen her angry and was slightly taken aback, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes, “So be it.”

Liang Xiao sat back down and lowered her head to take a sip of tea.

Her destiny was definitely not to marry a husband and raise children; her ambition was greater.

**

“Why did Your Highness suddenly think of going to have a look at Wanyi Pavilion?” Yue Hua supported Liang Xiao with one hand, asking curiously.

Liang Xiao said slowly, “Mother Consort keeps appearing in my dreams these days. Counting the days, it has been a few months since I last went.”

Wanyi Pavilion was Concubine Lian’s residence before she died. It has been vacant since her death. Liang Shu ordered that no one was allowed near it, except for Liang Xiao.

She would sometimes sit in Wanyi Pavilion, look at the old objects of yesteryear, and recall the time spent with her Mother Consort.

However, she had been preoccupied with the case for the past few months, and it was indeed a long time since she last visited.

Since she had been dreaming of her Mother Consort continuously while sleeping, Liang Xiao missed her dearly.

Wanyi Pavilion was not far from her Liuyang Palace, about the time it takes for half an incense stick to burn.

Due to Liang Shu’s command, the place had been neglected for many years.

However, Liang Xiao had people clean it every month, so there was not much dust.

The palace was ornately decorated and dazzling, vaguely showing the splendor of its owner’s immense favor back then.

The heavy door was pushed open, emitting a thick creaking sound.

Liang Xiao slowly stepped inside and turned to instruct Yue Hua, “You may wait outside the door. I will go in and look around myself.”

Yue Hua quietly said “Yes” and stopped to wait in place.

Liang Xiao’s steps were very light. She did not go to the main hall but went directly to the bedroom where her Mother Consort slept.

This is where many scrolls and books that Mother Consort liked during her lifetime were still kept, as well as some letters that Liang Xiao had not taken away.

Mother Consort loved reading during her lifetime and was always seen with a book in hand. Even the bedroom had two large bookshelves filled with old books.

Father Emperor knew her nature and always ordered people to search for rare and strange books among the common folk to offer Mother Consort and please her.

Liang Xiao walked to the bookshelf, her fingers stroking the rows of book spines, her fingertips catching a little dust.

She casually pulled out a copy of the “Book of Songs” and flipped through it.

Tiny dust particles floated in the air, drifting everywhere in the projection of the sunlight.

Liang Xiao covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and coughed a few times. She wanted to put the book back, but due to being choked by the dust, her cough became severe, making her a little unsteady.

She accidentally knocked over a stack of books on the desk, and a letter pressed underneath slowly floated to the floor.

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