After Becoming a Concubine, I Took Down the Princess - Chapter 8

It was early morning. Imperial Preceptor Yuande lit incense on the side table, and for a while, the smoke curled and drifted, the hazy mist slightly obscuring the features of the two people sitting opposite each other.

A woman in plain clothes sat across from Yuande. Neither had spoken, and the room was so quiet that a dropped pin could be heard.

After a long while, Yuande, while flicking the incense ash, asked, “Princess, for what matter have you paid a visit?”

Liang Xiao poured herself a cup of tea and said, “This Princess has long heard that Imperial Preceptor is deeply learned and understands the principles of heaven and earth. It is just that my temperament was mischievous before; now I have the intention to study the Dao, and have specially come to seek your guidance.”

Yuande smiled, “Princess, please do not disparage yourself. To have the intention to study the Dao is excellent. May I ask what the Princess wishes to ask this humble Daoist?”

Liang Xiao raised her hand to smooth her hair bun, “The Imperial Preceptor is exceptionally talented, yet my Imperial Father originally did not believe in the Dao, nor did he fear ghosts or gods. How exactly did the Imperial Preceptor manage to change my Imperial Father’s mind?”

Imperial Preceptor Yuande entered the palace eleven years ago, the year Liang Xiao’s birth mother passed away. Therefore, she had not had much contact with this Imperial Preceptor, only knowing that he was immensely capable, and with his assistance to her Imperial Father, the imperial governance had improved day by day.

“Of all things in the world, nothing is constant, and a person’s will is the same. In those years, His Majesty was sick for a long time and could not recover. Prince Chen specially sought out this humble Daoist from outside the palace, hoping to treat His Majesty’s illness,” Yuande said while picking up a brush and grinding ink, seemingly about to copy scriptures.

“But the imperial physicians in the palace are all exceptionally skilled. What kind of difficult and complicated illness required the Imperial Preceptor to resolve it?” Liang Xiao pressed.

Yuande did not answer, but instead devoted himself to writing until a page was full before slowly saying, “Princess, if some matters remain without an answer after a long search, it means the matter is unsolvable.”

Liang Xiao was practically on the verge of losing her composure, but still patiently said, “What does the Imperial Preceptor mean?”

Yuande smiled and turned to ask Liang Xiao, “Princess, what is the meaning behind your visit today to inquire about this matter?”

“This Princess, like my Imperial Father before, does not believe in ghosts, gods, or the Dao. Therefore, I am curious, which is why I have visited today.”

Although she said this, Liang Xiao actually felt a little uneasy.

She said she did not believe in ghosts and gods, yet she had personally seen a fox demon just a few days ago…

Yuande set down his brush, “If the Princess is here for this matter, then this humble Daoist can only reveal one or two things.”

Liang Xiao, “Then what can the Imperial Preceptor tell me?”

Yuande did not speak, but instead handed Liang Xiao a piece of paper.

Written on it were six large characters: “The Heavenly Dao cannot be probed.”

Liang Xiao: “…………That was as good as saying nothing.”

Seeing that Yuande was extremely tight-lipped and she could not glean any information, Liang Xiao had no choice but to stand up and take her leave.

Auntie Yuehua supported Liang Xiao as they descended the steps, asking, “Did the Princess manage to ask anything?”

Liang Xiao shook her head, “I didn’t get anything out of him. He just spoke in riddles with me.”

“Auntie, could Mother’s death be related to the Imperial Preceptor?” Liang Xiao lowered her head, her voice muffled.

Yuehua sighed, “This servant does not know, only that the Empress Consort passed away suddenly, and it was too strange.”

When the Empress Consort suddenly died back then, the Imperial Father only said she was poisoned by a palace maid. All the servants around the Empress Consort were executed, and only Yuehua luckily escaped death.

“Isn’t it strange that even this servant managed to survive?” Yuehua said, “I also used the white silk cord, but somehow, I didn’t die. It must be the Empress Consort protecting this servant in secret, so that I could stay and help the Princess investigate this matter.”

Yuehua was originally named Changhua, the head palace maid serving Consort Lian. After Consort Lian died of poisoning, all the palace servants were granted a piece of white silk cord for suicide, and those who resisted were strangled to death.

It was said that when they were thrown into the mass grave, they had all stopped breathing, but Yuehua alone salvaged her life.

She disguised herself and re-entered the palace, finding every way to return to Liang Xiao’s side. After Liang Xiao grew up and became sensible, the two began to investigate the events of that year.

But too much time had passed, and the clues had been erased, whether intentionally or unintentionally, so they had no leads at all.

Until Yanchun, whom they found not long ago in the spring, was the only person they had found so far who might be related to the matter.

Yanchun was merely a tea-serving palace maid and a mute, so the trail ended there. They could only think of other ways to continue the investigation.

Liang Xiao looked despondent, “There will always be more news. If Mother was truly harmed by a villain, they will definitely expose themselves.”

Yuehua nodded in agreement. The mistress and servant walked in silence, and it was nearly noon by the time they returned to the palace.

“My Lady, the Imperial Household Department sent some ice over. I’ll get some for you and bring it to cool you down,” it was a scorching noon, and Huazi, seeing Yan Heng sweating profusely from the heat, asked with concern.

Yan Heng nodded, signaling her to go quickly.

Yan Capital was located in the north, with dry and hot weather. Yan Heng’s hometown, Liuyun Mountain, was in the southwest, so she was really unaccustomed to the climate here.

If she were at home, she would assume her true form and wash herself in the river; that would be truly cool. Now, cooped up in the palace, it was both boring and stuffy.

“My Lady, Jixing, the attendant of Imperial Consort Yu (Yu Guifei), has arrived,” Huazheng, Yan Heng’s other maid, ran in to announce.

“Imperial Consort Yu?” Yan Heng questioned.

Since she entered the palace, this Imperial Consort Yu had been elusive, and the two had not yet met. She only heard that the Consort had been favored for many years and held the authority to manage the Six Palaces, sometimes even making the Empress defer to her.

Yan Heng straightened her clothes, “Then please invite her in.”

Shortly after, Huazheng led Jixing in.

“This servant greets Beauty Yan,” Jixing immediately curtsied to Yan Heng upon entering.

“Our Lady said that she has been unwell these days since the Beauty entered the palace and has not been able to meet you. Now she has specially sent me to invite you to the Imperial Garden to admire the flowers,” Jixing rattled off a series of words, appearing sincere.

Yan Heng thought, who is she trying to fool? Looking at flowers at noon? Is she looking for trouble?

Before becoming a concubine, the governess who instructed her had cautioned her that every woman in the palace came from a noble family, and offending any one of them would surely make her future life in the palace difficult.

Yan Heng was in a difficult position. Imperial Consort Yu’s rank was only below the Empress. She was just a mere Beauty. Now that the Consort had sent her personal maid to invite her, if she did not go, there would be plenty of grounds for gossip.

She reluctantly stood up and said, “Thank you, Auntie, for making the trip. I will go now.”

I’ll meet her first, then we’ll see.

The sun outside was blinding. Yan Heng fanned herself with one hand and followed Jixing to the Imperial Garden.

She had been in the palace for some time, but had not really explored the garden. The flowers were blooming profusely now, but she was not in the mood to admire them.

Anyone who can become a Guifei (Imperial Consort) must have some tricks up her sleeve. I’m just a wild fox. How can I possibly outwit her? I’m definitely going to suffer a loss in a moment.

After walking for about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Jixing led Yan Heng to a stop outside a small pavilion.

Yan Heng first curtsied, and then squinted her eyes to size up the person sitting inside.

It was an extremely graceful and noble woman, leaning casually on a stone chair covered with a soft couch.

The silk robe lightly gathered on the woman’s body, revealing some fair and delicate skin. Jade-inlaid kingfisher feather hairpins adorned her hair, and the tassels of the side hair ornament (buyao) hung down, but even as she fanned herself with one hand, the tassels remained absolutely still.

Judging by her age, Imperial Consort Yu should be over thirty, but she was still full of charm, no wonder she was favored by the Emperor.

She had previously heard Huazheng say that no matter how many pretty girls entered the palace, none could compare to Imperial Consort Yu’s favor, especially since the Consort gave birth to the Ninth Prince, Liang Mu, five years ago, her prestige and favor were greater than ever.

“Sister has arrived?” Imperial Consort Yu languidly raised her eyelids.

“The weather is hot. Sister must be tired from the walk. Jixing, bring the Beauty a cup of tea.”

Imperial Consort Yu intended to make things difficult, and Yan Heng had no choice but to endure it.

She had been standing in the sun for almost the time it takes an incense stick to burn, and the back of Yan Heng’s clothes was already soaked with sweat.

Yan Heng: Why am I staying here to suffer this grievance? I really want to go back to Liuyun Mountain…

She took the item Jixing handed her, intending to quickly drink it to quench her thirst, but she did not expect it to be a cup of boiling hot tea. Yan Heng had no choice but to hold the teacup in her hands for now.

She thought to herself that this Imperial Consort Yu was truly deceptive. She wanted to roast her to death but had to resort to these convoluted tactics.

“Is Sister not thirsty?” Imperial Consort Yu propped up her body and asked, seeing no movement from her for a long time.

Her words seemed to be an inquiry about her thirst, but in reality, they were urging Yan Heng to quickly accept the gift, or she would be in trouble.

Yan Heng could only grit her teeth and say, “Thank you for the Lady’s bestowal.”

After drinking the hot tea, she felt hot from the inside out, and beads of sweat immediately flowed down Yan Heng’s forehead.

Imperial Consort Yu took a lychee from the ice tray on the table, tasted it, and then slowly said, “This Consort originally invited the Beauty to admire the flowers, but the sun is too strong, and my skin is delicate. If I bask in the sun for too long, it will turn red. Please wait here for a while, Beauty, and we will go when the sun is lower.”

With that, she did not wait for Yan Heng’s reply, but simply closed her eyes and pretended to nap.

Yan Heng: “…………Thank you very much.”

After an unknown amount of time, Yan Heng felt a little dizzy from the heat, so she clasped her hands in her sleeves, preparing to risk casting a spell to cool herself down.

Suddenly, footsteps approached from behind. Before the person arrived, a voice was heard.

“The sun is so lovely today. It’s truly a pity for Imperial Consort Yu to stay cooped up in the pavilion.”

Yan Heng turned around in confusion to look.

Liang Xiao leisurely strolled over, with one hand resting on Auntie Yuehua’s arm. However, she was not meticulously dressed or made up, wearing only a light-colored, plain outfit, with just two hairpins in her hair.

Even dressed so simply, it still could not conceal her gorgeous beauty. In contrast, Imperial Consort Yu’s attire looked rather gaudy.

Imperial Consort Yu heard the voice and finally deigned to rise from her soft couch, “The Princess also has such fine taste, taking a walk here at noon.”

Liang Xiao replied coolly, “Just happened to pass by.”

Her words were true, it really was a coincidence. She had just returned from the Imperial Preceptor’s Xiuji Temple. This road was not one of her usual paths back to the palace, but for some unknown reason, she felt like taking this route today, and unexpectedly encountered Imperial Consort Yu making things difficult for Yan Heng here.

Since Yan Heng was suffering this grievance because of her Love Knot, Liang Xiao could not ignore it.

She stopped beside Yan Heng and said, “I am thirsty. I ask the Consort to bestow a cup of tea.”

Jixing swiftly poured a cup of tea and presented it.

Liang Xiao held the base of the cup with one hand and used the lid to scrape the rim with the other, but did not drink it.

She then flipped her hand and splashed all the hot tea onto Yan Heng.

Yan Heng was startled and took a step back, but she was dizzy and almost fell onto the ground.

“It was an accident on my part. I have soiled Beauty Yan’s clothing. Please, Beauty, return to the palace with me. You may choose a garment you like as compensation.”

Imperial Consort Yu’s face turned green.

Although she was dominant in the imperial harem, Liang Xiao was still someone she could not afford to offend, so she could only manage a dry laugh and say, “Then this Consort will have to invite Sister to admire the flowers another day.”

Liang Xiao responded, “Imperial Consort Yu herself is dressed as beautifully as a flower. Why bother looking at those common, vulgar blossoms?”

If she hadn’t been so uncomfortably hot, Yan Heng would have almost jumped up and applauded.

Imperial Consort Yu was likely grinding her molars to dust.

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