Chapter 88
Chapter 88
At the Jiang estate–
“Madam, did you see that bird?”
Xiujuan supported Madam Jiang, who remained stunned by Zhiyu’s removal by palace servants. Something was wrong with the maid’s voice.
Madam Jiang snapped, “What about the bird?”
Xiujuan’s voice trembled. “It looked rather like the one you imprisoned.”
Madam Jiang’s pupils contracted.
“What did you say?”
She seized Xiujuan’s arm, nails digging into flesh.
“Did you see where it went?”
Xiujuan winced but did not dare struggle.
“This servant saw it land on the maid beside the Third Young Miss. Then it disappeared.”
Madam Jiang’s breathing quickened. She slapped Xiujuan to the floor.
“Wretch! Why did you not say so earlier?”
Xiujuan covered her face and wept.
She had only just remembered.
* * *
Xiyuan Duanmu remained completely bewildered. She spent every day inside the Jiang estate. How could she not know which traitor she had exposed?
Shengsheng followed behind Zhiyu with her head lowered. The imperial palace was practically her own home, and she feared someone might recognize her.
They reached the familiar Qianyi Palace. Shengsheng lowered her head even farther.
The eunuch leading them asked Xiyuan and the others to wait outside.
Soon, another eunuch emerged and looked over the four women.
“Are you Madam Duanmu?”
As a concubine, Xiyuan could not use the Jiang surname, so Xiaopingzi addressed her this way.
Xiyuan nodded.
Xiaopingzi smiled. “His Grace is unwell and cannot receive guests. This servant will present the rewards directly.”
Xiyuan hurried forward and whispered, “Eunuch, may I ask which traitor I exposed?”
Which traitor had been careless enough for her to uncover?
Xiaopingzi paused.
Why did the supposed heroine seem ignorant of the entire matter?
Fortunately, they stood inside his own palace, where he did not fear loose ears.
He stepped closer.
“Madam, did you not report that Noble Consort Xi was committing adultery? Your eyes are truly keen. The Empress Dowager caught Noble Consort Xi with a guard and followed the trail to an entire group of rebels behind her.”
Under Xiaopingzi’s admiring gaze, Xiyuan forced a strained laugh.
“Hahaha. So that was it.”
There truly was a Noble Consort Xi?
My dear Huanhuan, was that you?
Even her toes could guess that Liu Ruyi, that wretch, had spread the words to harm her. Yet the scheme had accidentally struck the truth.
Hahaha! Xiyuan truly was heaven’s chosen child.
When she returned, she would teach Liu Ruyi a lesson. Give a person face and they refused it. The woman had dared bully her.
If Xiyuan still possessed her old equipment, she would make the wretch yowl.
Hearing the explanation, Shengsheng paused.
Something remained wrong.
Why had Fusheng bestowed the reward rather than the Empress Dowager? And why had Yan not summoned Xiyuan herself to clarify?
How could a woman secluded in a general’s rear court know an imperial consort was committing adultery?
No one questioned that?
Or was there another scheme beneath it?
While Shengsheng pondered, Xiyuan cheerfully accepted the rewards and prepared to return.
The instant the women turned, Shengsheng lowered her head.
Xiaopingzi’s steps paused.
Why did that maid look so familiar?
Before he could examine her, the group had already passed through the palace gate.
Xiaopingzi scratched his head.
Who did she resemble?
Unable to remember, he quickly put the matter aside.
Shengsheng stroked the bird hidden inside her sleeve, her thoughts churning.
Even if she racked her brains to pieces, she could not guess what the Empress Dowager and Fusheng were planning.
*A-Pang, how much leeway will His Lordship the World Law allow with the marriage-proposal plot?*
A-Pang had been dozing inside her hair. At Shengsheng’s question, they instantly woke.
*Let me check,* they mumbled.
A moment later, they said, *It’s one of the original story’s climactic plotlines, so we can’t muddle through it like before. The proposals from Siran Ming and Weiqing Song have to happen.*
Shengsheng wanted to howl on the spot.
*Good heavens! Can you make Siran Ming and Weiqing Song temporarily lose their minds and send proposals to the Jiang estate?*
The bird inside her sleeve lowered his head and preened his feathers.
He could answer on heaven’s behalf.
No.
* * *
When Xiyuan Duanmu strode through the gates of the Jiang estate, her back could not have been straighter.
In all the years since her transmigration, she had never enjoyed such glory.
“Mother, I don’t think this is the way back to our courtyard.” At Shengsheng’s prompting, Zhiyu tugged on Xiyuan’s sleeve.
Xiyuan turned and affectionately patted her darling daughter on the head, then pointed to the palace attendants carrying a procession of rewards behind them.
“Eldest daughter, do you see that?”
Zhiyu nodded. “Yes. Those are rewards from the Noble Consort.”
Xiyuan nodded too. “Exactly. If we don’t let Madam have a look while we’re passing by, it’ll make our branch seem petty.”
Shengsheng fell silent.
Only now had something occurred to her.
Hadn’t *she* been the one to say, “I wish to report Noble Consort Xi for committing adultery”?
Xiyuan swaggered into the courtyard of the main residence. The moment she stepped over the threshold, she cried out with wild exaggeration, “Wow! When did you redecorate? Copying the Jiangnan style while living in the capital–it’s neither one thing nor the other. Suits you perfectly, Sister!”
A maid came forward. “Concubine Duanmu, Madam has already retired.”
Xiyuan nodded. “I see. I didn’t really come to visit her anyway.”
“It’s only that the Noble Consort bestowed so many rewards. If I don’t share a few treasures with Sister, who knows what people outside might say about me?”
The maid’s smile stiffened.
“Concubine Duanmu, Madam truly is unwell. This servant will convey your filial concern. Please leave the gifts and return to your courtyard.”
Xiyuan glanced at her. “Naturally, I should give the gifts to Sister in person. But judging by this *magnificent* courtyard, she surely wouldn’t care for my paltry things. In that case, I shall leave.”
With that, she turned on her heel and strutted away.
The courtyard full of maids stared after her, dumbfounded.
So she had never intended to give Madam anything at all.
“A petty woman drunk on success!” someone cursed.
“What exactly did she do to earn a reward from the Noble Consort?”
“Haven’t you heard? It concerns the previous Noble Consort Xi.”
“Surely not. Did she truly commit adultery? How did Concubine Duanmu know?”
“Who knows? The third branch is rising now. We had better steer clear of them.”
* * *
Meanwhile, Siran Ming, who had never traveled far alone, faced the second-greatest setback of his life.
“Do you know how to get to the Zhu Kingdom?”
After surveying the strange pointed buildings around him, Siran stopped a passerby.
“What are you talking about?” The blond, blue-eyed man stared in confusion at the handsome stranger in peculiar clothing.
Siran fell silent.
Never mind.