The Fearless Empress - Chapter 18

The words “no illness, no insight” struck Chengsang Yi deeply.

A woman raised in a noble family, yet her speech was filled with vulgar language, utterly lacking in refinement.

Frowning, Chengsang Yi signaled the palace attendants not to announce her presence. She wanted to hear how Gu Yunchu would further slander her.

Outside the hall, the cold wind flushed Chengsang Yi’s cheeks. Just a wall away, the inner hall was warmed by a blazing charcoal fire. The four consorts had long since removed their heavy cloaks, holding cups of hot tea as they waited for the juicy gossip to land in their laps.

The young Empress continued, “His Majesty truly has no illness. Like all of you, he is simply indifferent to worldly desires.”

“I am not indifferent to worldly desires,” the Noble Consort retorted playfully. “I’ve merely grown disillusioned with love. To hell with love! But when I see a beautiful woman, my heart still stirs.”

The Virtuous Consort shot her a glance. “The most beautiful women in the capital are right here in front of you. Why hasn’t your heart stirred for them?”

“They’re not appealing. Besides, with His Majesty being so unapproachable, who would dare make a move?” The Noble Consort scoffed. “Someone like him? I’d rather retreat to a nunnery, chant scriptures, and live on a vegetarian diet. Amitabha.”

The Wise Consort joined in the mockery. “Even if you wanted to fancy him, it wouldn’t matter. His Majesty has a white moonlight in his heart. By the way, I’ve heard something: Lady Li was chosen by the Empress Dowager as a substitute because she resembles Rong Han. I wonder if it’s true.”

“Oh, you’re only finding out now? We’ve known for ages. Look at Lady Li’s delicate, tearful appearance, it’s exactly like Rong Han’s,” the Noble Consort whispered. “But a substitute is just a substitute. Could His Majesty really be so blind?”

The Noble Consort chuckled softly, elegantly brushing back a strand of hair by her ear. She couldn’t help but speak up for Chengsang Yi: “Even if His Majesty can’t tell them apart, he wouldn’t be interested. In his eyes, all of you look the same, am I right?”

“Exactly! Your Highness speaks the truth. Otherwise, if we stood together and you asked him, would he even be able to tell us apart?” The Brilliant Consort finally spoke up. “Every time I see him, he asks, ‘Which palace are you from?’ He personally brought me into the palace, yet it seems he never even remembered me.”

This was the most infuriating part. It had nothing to do with love, it was about basic recognition. What were his eyes even for? Had he eaten?

The young Empress listened with delight, tilting her head. Suddenly, she caught a familiar scent and tensed, peering outside once more. A graceful figure stood just beyond the door.

The dignified and proper Empress, sneaking around in the middle of the night to eavesdrop?

Her eyes darting mischievously, the young Empress spoke up, “Actually, His Majesty is quite handsome. Just one more glance, and your heart will feel at ease.”

“Your Highness, you’ve been spending days with His Majesty lately. Any progress?” The Brilliant Consort smiled slyly, scrutinizing the Empress like a fox. “You’ve stayed with him for several days in a row, after all.”

“It’s been quite pleasant. Though I accidentally got poisoned, ran a high fever, and nearly lost half my life. But that’s neither here nor there. You should all consider how captivating His Majesty’s face is,” the young Empress deliberately raised her voice, casually fabricating, “He even kissed me.”

The Noble Consort paused mid-sip of her tea.

The Virtuous Consort’s fingers, adjusting her sleeves, trembled slightly.

The Wise Consort’s bright smile froze abruptly.

The Brilliant Consort’s amused expression stiffened.

The young Empress swayed her legs triumphantly, so carried away that after four or five swings, she finally remembered she was now the Empress, not a fox lounging in a tree. She discreetly pressed her legs together, though the smile on her face remained.

Radiating with pride.

The Noble Consort was the first to snap out of her shock. “Why did Her Majesty kiss you?”

“Kissing is kissing, why does there need to be a reason?” The Virtuous Consort patted the Noble Consort’s shoulder. “Isn’t it wonderful that Her Majesty has taken a liking to someone? Soon, we’ll be allowed to leave the palace. I’ve already saved up money, just waiting for the day I can go.”

The Wise Consort, more level-headed, held back the overjoyed Virtuous Consort. “A kiss is just a kiss. What if she was just coaxing a child? In front of Her Majesty, Her Highness is like a child only ten years old, after all.”

This felt like a bucket of cold water poured over the Virtuous Consort’s head, and her enthusiasm deflated. The Brilliant Consort, never one to miss a chance to stir the pot, chimed in, “Have you two consummated the marriage?”

“We have. It was quite soft,” the young Empress replied without hesitation. It was the truth, after all, even if it had been a mistake.

Before the four consorts could say another word, the palace door creaked open. In the darkness, the Empress stood at the entrance, her demeanor noble and her expression icy.

The four consorts hurriedly rose to bow. In her panic, the Virtuous Consort accidentally knocked over a teacup on the table. The sharp clatter of the cup hitting the floor made everyone’s hearts skip a beat.

Only the young Empress remained seated in her spot, smiling brightly as she waved at Cheng Sangyi. “Your Majesty.”

Utterly fearless.

Cheng Sangyi was furious, clenching her fists tightly to suppress her rage. “Get out.”

The four consorts, quick to indulge in gossip, were even quicker to flee. In the blink of an eye, they had all retreated from the hall.

Once outside the Pepper Chamber Palace, the Noble Consort’s heart nearly leaped out of her throat. She glanced back at the brightly lit, majestic hall and patted her chest, saying, “Since when did Her Majesty develop a habit of eavesdropping in the middle of the night?”

The Virtuous Consort, sweating from her frantic escape, had lost her cloak somewhere, but this was no time to worry about that. “You’re missing the point. Why would Her Majesty come to the Empress’s chambers? What was she doing here at this hour?”

It was the middle of the night, what else could she be here for? Anyone could guess.

The Brilliant Consort, panting from the run, leaned against the Wise Consort, her eyes fixed on the Pepper Chamber Palace. “Did they really consummate the marriage?”

The four consorts had been in the palace long enough to have some understanding of Cheng Sangyi’s temperament. Her visiting the Pepper Chamber Palace was strange enough, but coming in the middle of the night? That was downright unheard of.

The Wise Consort remarked, “Her Highness just returned, and Her Majesty came right over. Are they already this inseparable?”

“Did they know each other before?” the Virtuous Consort speculated, leaning toward the idea of a past connection.

The cold night wind howled, cutting like knives against their faces, yet the four consorts felt no chill instead, their blood raced with excitement.

After a long moment of contemplation, the Noble Consort shook her head. “The Empress and Her Majesty didn’t know each other before. But in just over half a month, the Empress managed to capture Her Majesty’s heart. That speaks volumes about her cunning.”

Outwardly, the Empress seemed carefree and guileless, but how could such a woman have won Cheng Sangyi’s affection?

As the gossip reached its peak, the atmosphere grew strangely tense. The Wise Consort could no longer stand it and was the first to leave.

The Brilliant Consort followed suit, casting one last deep glance at the Pepper Chamber Palace before trudging away on her frozen feet.

Only the Noble Consort and the Virtuous Consort remained. The Virtuous Consort broke the silence first. “Her Majesty’s thoughts are truly unfathomable.”

“The Empress is no less cunning,” the Noble Consort sighed softly. “Things are going to get lively from now on.”

Inside the Pepper Chamber Palace, two figures faced each other, one seated, one kneeling.

The Empress knelt with her legs tucked under her, her cheeks flushed and her eyes sparkling like stars. “What are you so angry about? We’ve consummated the marriage.”

Cheng Sangyi gazed at the kneeling girl. The floral adornment on her forehead only enhanced her striking beauty, outshining even the brightest pearl of the night.

She quietly unclenched her tightly balled fist. “The Empress has recovered quite quickly.”

“Quickly?” the Empress echoed in confusion.

Cheng Sangyi’s expression remained cold, too weary to argue with her. “Do not speak nonsense with them again.”

“It’s not nonsense, and I haven’t been rambling. Everything I said has actually happened.”

“Gu Yunchu, do you think just because I haven’t punished you, you can act smug?” Cheng Sangyi lowered her voice.

Realizing her mistake, the Empress covered her mouth with both hands, blinked her dark eyes, and nodded.

Cheng Sangyi felt a headache coming on, massaging her temples as she remained silent for a long moment.

She was exhausted.

“I’ll borrow your bed for a while. Find yourself another place to sleep,” she said, rising to her feet. Her eyelashes fluttered slightly, and her slender figure was cast into the Empress’s view. Under her fair and delicate jawline, her skin was smooth and flawless, stirring something in the Empress’s heart.

In that dazed moment, Cheng Sangyi had already walked toward her bed.

Cheng Sangyi was not a woman of many words. As the Empress watched her retreating figure, she felt a pang of bewilderment. How could someone so beautiful be so wooden?

In her memories, the young girl had been bright-eyed and radiant, full of life. How had she ended up like this?

After a moment of silence, the Empress rose from the floor, her skirt trailing behind her. She lifted the hem and followed.

The woman seated on the bed now seemed wearier than before, exuding a rare softness and elegance.

Leaning in for a closer look, the Empress offered, “You take the bed. I’ll sleep on the floor so I won’t disturb you.”

The little Empress, who usually spouted bold and unrestrained words, had suddenly become considerate. Cheng Sangyi was taken aback, glancing at her with indifferent eyes. “As you wish.”

The little Empress obediently went to the wardrobe, fetched a quilt, and by the time she returned, Cheng Sangyi had already undressed and slipped beneath the covers.

The chamber was simply furnished, warm and inviting, with the faint glow of a luminous pearl on the wall casting a soft light.

The Empress glanced at the luminous pearl she had secretly taken, pursed her lips, raised her eyebrows, and turned her gaze back to the woman on the bed.

Cheng Sangyi slept with impeccable posture exactly as she had lain down, she would rise. In her, one could see the discipline and refinement of the royal family.

The Empress couldn’t understand why such a fine daughter was not cherished. What was so great about a libertine like the Prince of Guangling?

Nor could she fathom the convoluted thoughts of the royal family. Lying down, she still felt no drowsiness.

“Are you asleep?” the Empress’s voice was soft and sticky, like a glutinous rice dessert sweet to the point of cloying.

Cheng Sangyi opened her eyes and turned to look. In the dim light, her eyes shone brightly. “What are you doing if you’re not sleeping?”

“Let’s talk. Don’t think of me as the Empress, and I won’t think of you as the Emperor.”

Cheng Sangyi’s gaze sharpened. Below, Gu Yunchu revealed only her small face, pale as jade, charming and moving, her lips curved in an innocent smile. It had to be said, this version of Gu Yunchu was strikingly beautiful.

She was like a fruit on a branch, just beginning to blush with a mix of immaturity and ripeness. One bite might taste sour, yet a hint of sweetness made it hard to let go.

With a face like that, it was difficult not to be drawn to Gu Yunchu.

Yet Cheng Sangyi chose to turn away, refusing to look at her any longer, and replied coldly, “I don’t want to talk to you. You understand nothing.”

What could such an innocent young girl possibly comprehend?

Did she understand the heartache of being plotted against and killed by her own mother?

Did she understand the daily agony of being used by her mother since childhood, serving as nothing more than a stepping stone for her brother?

The Empress spoke up, “If the Empress Dowager dislikes you, there’s no need to pay her any mind. Let her see that you are doing well. You are the ruler of the world, holding the power of life and death over all people. Why should you care about her? Look at her if you feel like it, ignore her if you don’t. There’s no need to make yourself unhappy.”

Cheng Sangyi was taken aback for a moment, and below, Gu Yunchu emerged from under the quilt, her sleeping robe wrinkled, revealing a glimpse of spring scenery.

“Fix your clothes.”

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