Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
It was the first time Mu Junqi met him, but she did not know that he had already determined her fate. She moved her limbs, which had gone numb and lost all sensation, and gradually succumbed to sleep despite her body being cold and stiff.
The day after the grand wedding, Mu Junqi woke up to find that he was no longer there. The clothes that had been discarded on the floor were all cleaned up, and the vast palace was empty except for her.
As she moved her body, she felt intense pain all over. He had insisted on her throughout the night. Slowly sitting up, she saw the numerous bruises on her chest and body, causing her heart to ache painfully. She never expected to lose her status as Aixia Ziqian like this; perhaps it was destined.
She opened her mouth and hoarsely called out, "Mur, are you outside?"
Before her words fell, a palace maid dressed in a peach-red palace outfit entered, kneeling respectfully before Mu Junqi and saying, "Empress, good fortune. This servant is Ziyue, sent by His Majesty to serve you."
Seeing this, Mu Junqi coldly replied, "Where has Mur gone? This Palace needs Mur to serve."
Ziyue hurriedly knelt down and trembled as she answered, "Empress, please do not be angry. Sister Mur has been summoned by His Majesty to Yun Jin Palace."
"For what reason?"
"This servant does not know. Please calm down, Your Highness," Ziyue continued to prostrate herself on the ground as she spoke, her voice trembling as if she were about to cry.
Mu Junqi then irritably waved her hand and said, "Forget it. You come to serve This Palace in changing clothes."
Ziyue finally breathed a sigh of relief as she wiped away her tears and then bowed her head saying, "Thank you, Your Highness."
After a simple wash-up, Ziyue took out a golden-yellow silk robe from a nearby cabinet, embroidered with clusters of peonies and colorful phoenixes flying across it, trailing elegantly on the ground.
Once fully dressed, Mu Junqi looked at herself in the mirror: wearing a crown adorned with purple gold phoenix pearls and with ink-black hair styled in a five-phoenix morning hairstyle. Pearls and flower hairpins were inserted at both sides of her temples, with golden tassels swaying gently with her movements.
A light blush enhanced her delicate features even more; however, the coldness in her eyes was evident to anyone who looked closely.
After everything was ready, she had breakfast served by Ziyue and several other palace maids. With nothing else to do and feeling extremely weak and sore, she could only lean against the soft couch.
At that moment, Mur walked in and knelt before Mu Junqi, saying, "Empress, may you be blessed."
Opening her eyes, she saw Mur and Ziyue kneeling there in the same attire. She lazily waved her hand to signal them to rise.
After Mur stood up, she walked over to Mu Junqi with a smile and said, "Your Highness, the weather is particularly nice today. It must be uncomfortable for you to stay cooped up in this room. How about I take you out for a walk to get some fresh air?"
Mu Junqi finally opened her eyes. After all, she would be living here from now on, and staying locked up in the room was not a solution. So she nodded and slowly got up, walking outside with Mur's assistance.
As soon as she stepped out, she felt the warmth on her body. Exiting Jingxian Palace, they strolled along the path, stopping occasionally until they reached the Imperial Garden.
Since it was deep winter, the garden was filled with blooming plum blossoms, clustered together, and she could faintly smell their delicate fragrance. As they turned a corner, a charming voice suddenly called out from ahead, "Oh my, isn't that the Empress? Your sister is here to pay her respects."
Looking up, she saw a woman dressed in luxurious palace attire. The woman's tall figure was curvaceous and graceful; her steps were light, and her garments jingled softly. She wore a long white dress with a chest piece underneath and a sheer white silk overlay. A white sash cinched her waist, and her black hair was styled in a flowing cloud bun adorned with several pearl flowers.
At that moment, the woman was looking at her with a smile that seemed both genuine and mocking. Mu Junqi was puzzled about who this person was when the eunuchs and palace maids behind her had already knelt down in unison, saying, "Consort Qian, may you be blessed."
"Everyone rise," she said before bowing again to Mu Junqi and smiling as she added, "Sister truly lives up to the rumors; you are stunningly beautiful. I find myself envious."
Looking at that seemingly mocking face, Mu Junqi felt helpless but still responded gently, "Sister is too kind; rather, you look like a fairy—so beautiful that one cannot take their eyes off you."
Just then, Pear stepped forward from behind Consort Qian and quietly said to her, "Consort Qian, just now the Emperor sent word through someone that he will be having lunch back at Guang'an Palace soon."
The words were spoken at just the right volume for both women to hear. Consort Qian glanced at Mu Junqi before turning to Pear and said, "Haven't I told you before that such matters should be discussed privately within the palace? Why mention it in front of my sister?"
Pear immediately knelt on the ground and said, "Empress, please spare me. I simply forgot for a moment and was afraid the Emperor would blame me for it."
Mu Junqi's expression remained unchanged as she looked at the two of them and understood what was happening; this was meant to intimidate her. So she calmly replied, "Sister need not be so polite. Since we both serve the Emperor, wherever he may be is perfectly fine with me."
"Then I won't disturb you any longer, Sister. If I miss the time, I'm afraid the Emperor will blame me," Consort Qian said before leaving without waiting for Mu Junqi's response.
Mur then walked over to Mu Junqi and whispered, "Your Highness, this lady is the Emperor's most favored consort, only a rank lower than you. Moreover, her father is the Chancellor, and he has always been at odds with your family, so you must be cautious of her in the future."
Seeing that Consort Qian had already walked quite far away, Mu Junqi remained in a contemplative state. Mur called out softly with some concern; such a good young lady, if not for her status, would surely have many suitors in Xuanjian City.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking that the Emperor has it tough too," she said with a smile.
"Huh?" Mur was somewhat puzzled.
"Come on, we haven't properly explored this large garden yet," she said, no longer dwelling on the matter and smiling at Mur.
Meanwhile, the departing Consort Qian curled her lips into a cold smile. She was the daughter of the Chancellor, while Mu Junqi was merely an illegitimate daughter of a general's household, not to mention her poor reputation. The future of the harem would certainly become more interesting.
Beside her, Pear leaned in and whispered to Consort Qian, "I heard that the man whom the Empress loves deeply is Lord Xia Ziqian, the Right Court Judge from the Imperial Medical Department. If the Emperor finds out they are involved, then your position as Empress will be secured."
"In that case, Pear, help this palace with something," Consort Qian said as if struck by a thought, looking at Pear. It was clear from her expression that this was definitely a scheme.
Pear immediately smiled and vowed, "Your Highness, please speak. As long as it helps you ascend to your rightful place sooner, I will do my utmost in whatever it takes."
Thus, Consort Qian whispered a few words into Pear's ear. Pear smiled and left, while Consort Qian also looked into the distance with a cold smile.
Comment 0 Comment Count