Chapter 6

Chapter 6

Imperial Father was delighted as well. For several days in a row, he sent rewards over, and even came in person to dine with Beauty Lin.

With a gentle look in his eyes, he promised her, “Once the child is born, I will promote you to pin. When the child is a month old, I will promote you again to zhaoyi. I will make sure our child has everything their heart desires.”

This was already the best promise he could give.

Beauty Lin came from humble origins. For her to be made a consort in one leap was impossible.

To be promoted two ranks in succession was already an enormous grace.

He did treat Beauty Lin somewhat differently.

Beauty Lin accepted with a smile.

But after Imperial Father left, her smile faded, and she became indifferent.

She asked me, “What kind of person was your Imperial Mother Consort? She… and His Majesty… were they in love?”

In that instant, there was a veiled shame in the way she asked, and for once, I sensed something strange.

It seemed she had fallen for him.

In that case…

I would have to pour cold water on her.

Calmly, and as emotionlessly as I could, I began to tell her my Imperial Mother Consort’s story.

My Imperial Mother Consort was named Kong Yushu.

She was the daughter of the Grand Tutor, born into an upright scholarly family.

The moment she entered the palace, she was granted the title Consort Shu.

She and Imperial Father shared something of a childhood bond, and she entered the palace with joy in her heart. Imperial Father treated her very well too.

I was born amid their love. When I grew old enough to understand a little of the world, I always believed Imperial Father belonged to my Imperial Mother Consort, because he always came to dine with her.

But when I grew a little older, I saw Imperial Father less and less. Each time he came, he and Imperial Mother Consort mostly ended up arguing.

As time passed, I gradually understood.

Imperial Father wanted to enact reforms in court, but my maternal grandfather was of the old guard. Together with the Empress’s father, the Secretariat Director, he opposed those reforms, and they quarreled fiercely in the imperial court.

Because of this, a rift grew between Imperial Father and Imperial Mother Consort.

During one argument, Imperial Mother Consort became so agitated that she miscarried.

She had not even known she was pregnant. A child she had long hoped for was gone just like that.

Out of guilt, Imperial Father bestowed many rewards upon her. But in the palace, such rewards were the most useless things of all. They could not be eaten or drunk, nor could they truly be used. They could only be put on display, and incidentally draw others’ resentment.

What Imperial Mother Consort wanted was companionship.

But she never received that companionship. Instead, what came was the accusation that she had poisoned Her Majesty the Empress.

That day, the Empress lost her child as well.

Imperial Mother Consort was ordered to be cast into the Cold Palace.

She wept and said she had been wronged. She asked Qilang to investigate, and if it turned out she really had administered the poison, she would immediately die before the Empress.

Unfortunately, her Qilang did not see her.

In the Cold Palace, she proved her innocence with her death.

I looked at Beauty Lin and said coolly, “After Imperial Mother Consort died, my maternal grandfather fell gravely ill and left the capital. The Empress’s father also became ill and no longer had the strength to involve himself in court affairs. Lady Lin, do you think that was a coincidence?”

The heat in Lady Lin’s eyes vanished completely.

She took my hand and apologized softly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked you about these things.”

Her fingers were icy cold.

Mine were icy cold too.

Our hands clasped together, each feeling the chill coming from the other.

I thought that perhaps a person’s heart ought to be a little colder. Only then could their mind remain clear.

Beauty Lin’s belly grew bigger by the day.

She had kept her doors closed for two months. Recently, however, her birthday arrived, and she had no choice but to go out and make the rounds.

After thanking the various palaces for the gifts they sent, she only planned to hold a small celebration in her own palace.

In the kitchen, I personally made her a bowl of longevity noodles.

The momo smiled happily. “The princess is truly filial. No wonder Beauty Lin dotes on you.”

I pressed my lips together lightly, the corners curving faintly. “Beauty Lin is good to me too.”

Beauty Lin ate the noodles, but very soon, she clutched her belly, her face deathly pale as cold sweat broke out over her skin.

She reached out a hand and looked helplessly toward me.

“Ah Zheng, Ah Zheng!”

I hurriedly supported her. “Someone, come quickly! Go summon the imperial physician, hurry!”