Empress Hua's Orchid

  I had just taken a nap and was still feeling lazy. Xiǎo Qīng led the palace maidens Pǐn'ér, Pèi'ér, Jīng Qīng and Jú Qīng to help me get dressed and out of bed. The four of them were not very old, Pǐn'ér and Pèi'ér looked like they were fourteen or fifteen, while Jīng Qīng and Jú Qīng were a bit older, probably eighteen. They followed Xiǎo Qīng to learn etiquette and how to serve their master, and they seemed quite clever.

  Just as I finished dressing, Xiao Yizi, the little eunuch, reported from outside the door that Shi Mei and Chun were here to see me.

  Shi Mei's figure was slender and elegant, with a few points of beauty, especially her nose, which was very beautiful. However, there was a hint of sadness in her eyebrows, and it seemed that life in the palace was not easy for her either. But she was very polite to me, even with a hint of flattery. Chun was still young, only thirteen years old, small in stature, naive and innocent, with a childish air on his face. Everyone politely exchanged greetings and sat down to drink tea.

  Although Shi Mei Ren's position is lower than mine, she is older than me and entered the palace earlier. I was very polite to her, calling her "Shi Jie Jie" and having someone bring over some pastries for us to eat together. Since Chun was young and had just entered the palace, she was still timid, so I had someone replace her tea with fresh milk tea and also brought out sugar packets, sugar cakes, fried dough sticks, crispy cookies, and other sweet treats that looked good. She was indeed very happy and soon became very affectionate, calling me "Guan Jie Jie" in no time.

  I truly like her, and thinking of Yu Yao and Yu Jiao at home, I feel a sense of closeness. When they stood up to leave, I especially asked Pin'er to bring a package of pastries for her.

  As I watched them return to their respective palaces, I calmly said to Xi Ze: "Shi Meiren is indeed beautiful."

  She was slightly stunned and immediately reacted. She quickly scanned the surroundings, saw no one, and walked up to me and said, "The Empress is both talented and beautiful, favored above all in the harem." I secretly praised her for being cautious with her words, this sentence seemed unrelated, but I had already understood that Shi Mei was indeed no longer favored.

  No wonder she looked at me with a strange expression just now, jealousy mixed with expectation, her tone was very humble. Most likely, she hoped that after I gained favor, she could take advantage of the convenience of living in the same palace as me to get some imperial grace. I shook my head slightly, feeling only pity for her and not wanting to think about her again.

  Dining alone in the evening, I saw Qiu Yu leading a group of palace maids and eunuchs standing by with their hands down, although there were many palace maids and eunuchs standing outside the door, but not a sound was heard, even the heavy breathing could not be heard, the secret path in the palace was very strict, it's not comparable to ordinary times.

  After finishing the meal, a small palace maid brought tea with a small black lacquer tea tray. Fang Ruo's aunt had said that the first cup of tea served after finishing the meal in the palace was for rinsing one's mouth to get rid of the greasiness from eating. Sure enough, they also brought over a mouth-rinsing bowl for me to rinse my mouth before serving the drinking water. I took a sip and smiled, saying: "Don't take away the dishes yet. And you all don't just stand there either, eat with these dishes. Don't starve yourselves from serving me."

  A few people were busy thanking and carrying off the dishes to eat.

  I walked into the warm pavilion, leaning against the rest, gazing at the stone-green chair opposite me, my mind as vast and turbulent as the tide, with countless thoughts swirling like the scattered floral patterns embroidered on the chair.

  A night without words.

  The next day, after getting up and washing, I had breakfast. Outside the door, Kang Luohai reported in a sharp and high-pitched voice that Huang Men Nei Shi Jiang Fuhai had come to deliver an imperial edict. I hastily got up and went to the main room of the Yingxin Hall to receive the edict. I knew that the Huang Men Nei Shi was a eunuch who specialized in serving the empress, so it must be an important edict.

  Kneeling down respectfully, listening to the imperial edict: "By order of Her Majesty the Empress, it is decreed that newly appointed palace maidens are to report to the Phoenix Palace's Shao Yang Hall on the third day at noon to pay respects to Her Majesty and the other consorts."

  Fang Ruo's aunt had said that only after meeting the empress and concubines could arrangements be made for serving in the bedchamber. These three days were just a formality to let the newly appointed imperial concubine adapt to life in the palace.

  I hastily received the imperial decree and ordered the guards to carefully send it out.

  The eunuch who had just left returned with a report that Imperial Consort Hua was sending over some rewards.

  The leader of the inner guards in the palace of Empress Hua, Zhou Ning, stepped forward and paid his respects, then waved his hand to order the junior inner guard behind him to bring up three large boxes of gifts. Smiling broadly, he said to me: "Empress Hua has specially ordered me to present these gifts to you, young master."

  I smiled and said: "Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. Please convey my gratitude to the Empress Dowager. Sir, please have a cup of tea and take a break before leaving."

  Zhou Ning Hai bowed and said: "I will definitely convey it. I still have to hurry to another young master, really don't have the energy, disappointing the kindness of the noble people."

  I glanced at Huan Bi, and she immediately took out two ingots and handed them over. I smiled and said: "Thanks to the public. Then don't delay the public's proper business." Zhou Ninghai slightly lowered his eyes, hastily put them in his sleeve and smiled as he bid farewell.

  Pin'er and Pei'er opened the box, inside were gold and silver jewelry, silk and satin. Pin'er said with a smile: "Congratulations to our young master. Master Hua has high regards for you." I glanced at others, their faces also showed joy, then ordered the inner servants to take it in and register it in the warehouse.

  Seeing the crowd dispersing, Liu Zhu followed up and said: "I just inquired that except for the young master of Mei Zhuang and the young lady, there is no such generous reward from other young masters."

  The smile at the corner of my mouth gradually faded, and Flowing Vermilion looked at my face and whispered: "Huafeng Niangniang rewards so heavily, probably wants to win over Browning Zhuo's young master and Miss."

  I looked at the thick cotton paper pasted on the vermilion window frame and said in a low voice, "Isn't it too early to say that."

  The reward of the Imperial Consort arrived, and the rewards for Li Gui Bin and Cao Ronghua followed. I had already learned from Yi Tong that Li Gui Bin and Cao Ronghua were the confidantes of the Imperial Consort, who had carefully cultivated and promoted them all the way, and they also enjoyed some favor with the Emperor. Although they couldn't be compared to the Imperial Consort, they were much better than the other consorts.

  The rewards of other concubines also kept coming in continuously, and in the morning, the carriages and horses were flowing like a river, and the gate was as busy as a market.

  After noon, I was already feeling tired. I only instructed Qian Yu, Liu Zhu and Huan Bi to receive gifts in the main room, while I myself wore casual clothes and read books under the window of the warm pavilion's second floor. After reading for a while, I saw that the sunlight had gradually dimmed, casting golden red mottled shadows on the plum blossom lacquer small table, and people were also getting a bit lazy. Suddenly, I heard someone outside report that Shen Xiaoyi had come to see me, my heart was immediately delighted, and I put down the book and got up to welcome her. Just as I walked into the west main room, Mei Zhuang had already smiled and walked in, saying: "Sister is so leisurely."

  I smiled and said: "What's so busy for someone who just entered the palace?" Pretending to scold, I said: "Sister Mei didn't come to see me early either, it's suffocating!"

  Mei Zhuang smiled and said: "Are you still feeling stifled? I'm afraid it's because you're too used to receiving rewards."

  I smiled faintly and saw that only Mei Zhuang's personal maid, Cai Yue, was left by my side. I then said, "Sister, didn't you know? I don't want any of these things."

  Meizhuang held my hand and sat down, just whispering: "I also got a lot of rewards, this is good. But I'm afraid it's too showy, attracting the attention of other newly promoted palace ladies."

  I let out a faint sigh: "I know. I can only take care of myself."

  After chatting for a while, Kang Luhai came in and asked: "The dinner is already ready, will the noble use it now or wait a little longer to send it over."

  "I said: 'Serve it immediately, while it's still hot. I'll have it with Xiao Yi and our young master.'"

  Meizhuang smiled and said: "Come take a look at you, I'll bother you for another meal."

  I looked at her and said: "Sister, it's more lively when you accompany me to eat. I can have an extra bowl of rice when I look at my sister."

  Meizhuang Qidao: "What does this mean?"

  I blinked my eyes and, imitating Confucius' manner, stroked my beard and said: "Have you not heard the ancient saying 'beauty is a feast for the eyes'?"

  Meizhuang smiled and teased me: "You don't have any of the airs of a young lady!"

  After dinner, I sat with Mei Zhuang under the lamp and looked at the embroidery patterns together.

  As soon as she looked up, she saw Ling Rong smiling and standing under the green silk curtain. She was delighted in her heart and hurriedly invited her to sit down together, while scolding the eunuchs outside for not reporting it. Ling Rong felt a little embarrassed and said: "Sister Guan, don't blame them, I didn't let them pass on the message, I wanted to surprise my sister, but unexpectedly made my sister angry, it's my fault."

  I hastily laughed and said: "Where did you get it wrong, you are kind. I just said a word to them in vain, don't worry."

  Ling Rong finally smiled and sat down. She said to Mei Zhuang, "Just now I went to Chang'an Palace to see my sister, thinking of coming over with my sister to pay respects to Sister Juan, but unexpectedly my sister's palace maid at Cunju Hall said that my sister had come first, but my younger sister was a step late."

  Meizhuang smiled and said: "Not late at all, just in time to look at the embroidery patterns together. Huan's hands are very skilled." My face turned slightly red, and I didn't respond to her words.

  Bianbi poured tea and said: "An Xuan, please have some tea. Bianbi knew that An Xuan didn't like Liu'an tea, so she specially changed to Xiangpian."

  Ling Rong smiled and said: "Thank you for remembering."

  Fu said: "The young master of Lingyuan and the young master of Meizhuang are like sisters to my family's young lady, how dare I not be careful?"

  Meizhuang smiled: "What a clever tongue! Indeed, those around you have their master and servant."

  My face grew even redder: "Elder Sister Mei has always loved to tease me. What's so clever about her? She's just served me for a long time, that's all, and has a bit more memory than others."

  Mei Zhuang said: "Naturally, the maid who has been serving us since childhood is more considerate." He also asked Ling Rong: "You didn't bring your personal maid in, how many palace maids are attending to you now? Are they serving you well?"

  Ling Rong replied: "It's fine, there are four of them. However, two of them are only twelve years old, so it's not like I can expect much from them either. Fortunately, I'm also very easy-going and that's enough."

  I frowned: "How can this few people be enough? It's not like taking them out!"

  She called in the eunuch outside and said, "First go back to report to the Empress Dowager, then point out one of the eighteen palace maids under my name to serve An Xuan."

  "Ying answered, after a while came back and said: 'The slave pointed to Ju Qing, she used to work in the Fourth Warehouse, she's still quite steady.'"

  I nodded and let her go down. I said to Ling Rong: "Later, let her follow you back. If there's anything lacking, just tell me and Mei sister."

  Meizhuang nodded and said, "There's ours naturally, and there's yours too, don't worry. Today I received some rewards, including a few pieces of brocade that would suit you perfectly, I'll have someone send them to your Mingse residence later."

  Ling Rong was very grateful: "The sisterhood of the sisters is only in my heart."

  "What's wrong with that? It is right for you and I, sisters in this palace, to take care of each other."

  The three of us gazed at each other and smiled, our hearts understanding each other, six hands tightly clasped together.

  Three days later, she got out of bed at the fourth watch, bathed and changed her clothes, combed her hair and made herself up. This was the first time she had an audience with the imperial concubines after entering the palace, it was not a trivial matter. The servants in the palace were all somewhat nervous, serving with extra care and attention to detail.

  Liuzhu hastily applied rouge and powder to my face, while Pei'er held a tray of hair ornaments beside me, saying: "For the first time meeting the Empress, Young Master must dress up more magnificently, in order to surpass all the beauties." Liuzhu turned her head and gave her a silent glance, and she immediately lowered her head, not daring to speak again.

  I casually pulled my hair back and said, "Just do a simple high bun." This is the most common hairstyle in the palace. Pei'er brought over some accessories, and I chose a pair of tortoiseshell hairpins shaped like chrysanthemums, which were both seasonal and modestly colored. Behind the bun, I added a small silver-gilt grasshopper-shaped pin. Then I put on a light red cloud-patterned palace dress with a subtle floral design, which was festive yet understated, and impossible to find fault with. I knew that among the newly appointed palace ladies-in-waiting, I had already drawn attention to myself, and this time, with Empress Huai in attendance, it wouldn't be suitable to draw too much attention to myself, so the more low-key and humble I was, the better. When Xi'er came in and saw me dressed like this, she smiled at me knowingly. I knew that she thoroughly approved of my outfit, and her intelligence far surpassed that of others. I had intended to promote Xi'er, but since we hadn't been together for long, I didn't know her well enough yet, so I didn't dare trust her with important tasks.

  The sedan chair had been waiting at the gate, and Chun Chang was already dressed up and waiting for me. The two of us got into the sedan chairs separately, with Kang Luohai and Qi Suo following behind. After a while, I heard a sharp voice outside the sedan chair shouting: "Fengyi Palace has arrived, please ask Guiren to get off the sedan chair." Then an imperial guard lifted up the curtain, Kang Luohai came forward to hold my hand, and we entered the Zhaoyang Hall together.

  Fifteen beautiful women have arrived, and the imperial consorts are also arriving one after another. They take their seats in order of rank, solemnly silent. Only the sound of footsteps can be heard, a ring of jade pendants, a gentle breeze, and the empress has been escorted to sit on the throne. Everyone hurriedly kneels down to pay respects, saying in unison: "Long live Her Majesty the Empress."

  The empress wore a crown with purple gold and phoenix pearl, dressed in a crimson red golden silver pheasant bird auspicious phoenix embroidered ceremonial robe, with a calm and dignified demeanor. The empress smiled and said: "Sisters, you've come quite early. Please, take your seats!"

  Jiang Fuhai led a group of newly appointed palace ladies to pay their respects to the empress with a grand ceremony. The empress accepted their greetings and ordered the eunuchs to bestow gifts upon them, which everyone thanked her for.

  The first seat on the left side of the queen was empty. The queen slightly lowered her eyes and Jiang Fuhai said, "Princess Duan's body is not feeling well, she can't come today either."

  The Empress said with a hum: "Consort Duan's body has never been seen to be good, after the ceremony you send someone to take a look."

  Jiang Fuhai stepped forward to the right of the Empress and said, "The young masters pay their respects to Consort Hua."

  I took a quick glance at the Imperial Consort Hua, her phoenix eyes slightly raised, exuding an indescribable charm and sharpness. The Imperial Consort's attire was luxurious, second only to that of the Empress, with a slender yet proportionate figure, delicate skin, and a face like a peach blossom with dew, lips as red as spring onions, and ten thousand strands of black silk styled into an intricately beautiful coiffure adorned with only ruby and gold hairpins, making her even more radiant. Indeed, she was a beauty born of heaven, shining brightly and unmatched by any other.

  The Empress Hua nodded and said "En", but did not call out to her, nor did she speak. She simply languidly fiddled with the jade inlaid gemstone ring on her finger, looked at it for a while, then smiled and said to the Queen: "This year's jade sent by the Imperial Household Department isn't very good, the color is not even close to being as green as jade."

  The queen smiled slightly and said: "If the jade color of your ring is not good, whose is better? Let the younger sisters get up first."

  The Empress suddenly seemed to remember something, turned her head and said to us: "I was so busy talking to the Queen that I forgot you were still bound by etiquette. Don't blame me, sisters. Get up."

  The young master finally dared to stand up, and I said "dare not" in my mouth, but in my heart: what a big shot! Forcing all the concubines except the empress to be careful with her everywhere.

  Suddenly, Hua Fei laughed and asked: "Who are Shen Xiao Yi and Guan Gui Ren?"

  I immediately knelt down with Mei Zhuang and said: "Your humble servant Xiao Yi Shen Mei Zhuang"

  "Your humble servant Zhen Huan pays her respects to Imperial Consort Hua, wishing Your Highness all the best."

  The Empress Hua smiled and nodded in greeting, saying: "Both of you sisters are indeed stunning beauties, no wonder the Emperor has taken notice."

  I and Mei Zhuang's facial expressions both changed slightly, Mei Zhuang replied: "Your Majesty is as beautiful as a flower, elegant and noble, truly eye-catching."

  The Empress smiled lightly: "Shen's little mouth is so sweet, but when it comes to national beauty and imperial elegance, isn't it more suitable for the Empress?"

  I silently thought to myself: This Empress is really formidable, she's already raising an eyebrow at the mere mention of it. So I spoke up and said: "The Empress is a model for the entire nation, Your Majesty is elegant and noble, we concubines can't even compare." Only then did the Empress smile slightly and turn to chat with me and the other consorts.

  The position below the Imperial Noble Consort Hua is that of Imperial Noble Consort Yan. The Emperor has many inner favorites, but among those ranked below the Empress, only Imperial Noble Consort Hua, Imperial Noble Consort Duan, and Imperial Noble Consort Yan have the highest ranks. Not only are the positions of the four consorts of the first rank of Guishu De Xian empty, but even the ladies of the first rank are nominal. Imperial Noble Consort Duan is Qi Yuebin, the daughter of General Qi Fu, who entered the palace to serve the Emperor earliest and was the first imperial consort by the Emperor's side. She was also enfeoffed as a consort on the same day as the current Empress, with seniority far above that of Imperial Noble Consort Hua and even two empresses. For over ten years, she has remained in her position as a consort, mostly due to having no children. It is also said that she is weak and often ill, rarely seeing the Emperor more than three times a year. Imperial Noble Consort Yan is the mother of the Crown Prince, but although she was promoted to the rank of consort because of her son, she has not been favored by the Emperor for many years due to the Crown Prince's mediocre talent, which also affects his mother. In just three or four years after entering the palace, Imperial Noble Consort Hua is already ranked first among these three consorts, which is a great honor.

  The current empress was the former noble consort, ranking only below her sister, Empress Chunyuan. In one family, aside from the empress dowager, there was also an empress and a consort, with great power and prestige unmatched in the world. The De Consort and Xian Consort, who were on par with the Noble Consort back then, have both passed away. It is said that the deaths of the two consorts are related to Empress Chunyuan's ascension to heaven. On one day, the emperor lost an empress, two consorts, and a prince who died shortly after birth. After the pain subsided, he unintentionally did not establish any more high-ranking consorts, and among the palace ladies who received his favor, aside from those who gave birth, their ranks were not high.

  Having finished paying respects to all the consorts, her legs were a bit sore. The empress said kindly: "All of you sisters are clever and quick-witted, in the future when we are together in the palace, we must serve the emperor with all our hearts and minds, for the prosperity of the imperial family's descendants. Sisters also need to be united and harmonious." Everyone respectfully replied "yes". The empress then asked Jiang Fuhai: "What did the Empress Dowager say?"

  Jiang Fujun replied: "The Empress Dowager understands the intention of all of you. However, calm your minds and pay respects to Buddha, let Her Majesty and the various consorts and young masters not have to go to the Yining Palace to pay their respects."

  The queen nodded and said to everyone: "All of you sisters are tired, kneel down and take a rest first."

  For a moment, everyone dispersed, and I walked with Mei Zhuang and Ling Rong. Someone behind us laughed and said, "Just now, the two sisters were eloquent, and my sister admired them." The three of us turned our heads to look back, and it was Liang Cairen, who entered the palace in the same year as us. We saw her walking up with a gentle step, her words containing a provocative tone: "The two sisters let us servants carry so many rewards, can the palace still hold them?"

  Meizhuang smiled and said in a gentle tone, "I and Guigui think that all the sisters should share the blessings of the imperial family. We were just thinking of sending some good things to each of the sisters' palaces after returning to the palace. Unexpectedly, Liang sister arrived first, so please pick out what you like and take it away." As she spoke, she instructed the eunuch to bring the things bestowed by the empress in front of Liang Cairen.

  Unexpectedly, Liang Cai Ren didn't even glance at her, and slightly sneered: "Sister is indeed virtuous, no wonder the emperor praised you during the selection. It seems sister really knows how to win people's hearts!"

  Even Mei Zhuang, who was normally gentle and refined, couldn't help but blush with embarrassment upon hearing such a brazen remark. She looked flustered, her face burning with indignation. I felt a surge of anger in my heart - how could someone like this be chosen to enter the palace? What a waste of her beautiful appearance! But I had already drawn attention to myself by interacting with Mei Zhuang, and if I were to cause another scene, I feared it would only lead to more trouble. Just as I was hesitating, Mei Zhuang grasped my sleeve tightly, signaling me not to act rashly.

  Only then did the usually timid Ling Rong emerge from behind, walk up to Liang Cairen and smile: "I heard that Sister Liang comes from a family of scholars? I truly admire you!"

  Liang Cairen said proudly: "My family is a renowned literary family from Xunyang, how can you, the daughter of a small county magistrate, compare to us? It's really too common and unbearable!"

  Her expression remained unchanged, still wearing a dignified smile, she said calmly: "Sister has long been admired by me, unfortunately, hearing is not as good as seeing. I really suspect that the rumors about sister's family background are false."

  Liang Cairen still didn't understand, and muttered: "If you don't believe me, go ask around in Xunyang...". I and Ling Rong couldn't help but burst out laughing, even the eunuchs and palace maids behind us were covering their mouths to stifle their giggles. There's actually someone as stupid as this who can be appointed as a Cairen, it's really laughable! Liang Cairen saw us laughing so unceremoniously, only then did she realize what was going on. Suddenly her face turned red with anger, and she raised her hand to slap Ling Rong in the face. I quickly stepped forward and raised my hand to block hers, but unexpectedly she reacted extremely fast, raising her other hand high and swinging it over. Just as I thought I couldn't dodge it and was about to be slapped, someone grabbed her hand from behind, rendering her immobile.

  I took a glance behind Liang Cairen and immediately knelt down to pay my respects: "Greetings, Your Highness!" Ling Rong's eyebrows were stern and calm, and the other palace servants were all startled by Liang Cairen's actions, only reacting after they saw me paying my respects, and then they all went to greet Huafei.

  Liáng Cáirén was firmly grasped by Huá Fēi's personal eunuch, Zhōu Níng Hǎi, who held her hands tightly, unable to see what was happening behind her or struggle free. Seeing us pay our respects had already frightened her out of her wits, and she went limp all over. The Empress Huá shouted: "Let her go!"

  Liang Cairen's legs were unstable, and he suddenly fell to the ground, kowtowing like a pounding garlic, unable to speak coherently, only knowing how to desperately say "Madam Huafei spare my life."

  The three of us also lowered our heads, not knowing how the Empress would deal with us. The Empress sat on a chair brought by the palace people and said leisurely: "The autumn scenery in the palace is very good, why didn't Liang Zai Ren appreciate it well and instead acted so recklessly in the Upper Forest Garden?"

  Liang Cairen burst into tears and sobbed: "An Xuan spoke out of turn, I just wanted to reprimand her."

  The Empress didn't even glance at her, and smiled gently: "I thought the Imperial Palace and I were already gone, yet you had to trouble yourself, Liang Cairen, to come and reprimand the palace maid. How tiresome." She glanced at Liang Cairen, who was trembling all over on the ground, "But I'm afraid you can't bear such hardship, why not let Imperial Guard Zhou take you to a better place?" Her voice was inexplicably charming, yet in this situation, it made one feel that every word was terrifying, as if the unspoken charm concealed unspeakable danger.

  She gazed leisurely at the bright red maple trees in Shanglin Garden, and said slowly: "This year's maple leaves are so red, let's reward Liang Cairen with 'One Zhang of Red'."

  I was shocked to hear this, "One Zhang Red" is a kind of punishment for the concubines and palace maids who made mistakes in the palace. It involves using a two-inch thick and five-foot long board to beat the lower body of the female offender until her muscles and bones are broken and her flesh is bruised, without counting the number of strokes. From a distance, it looks like a patch of bright red, hence the name "One Zhang Red". Such a cruel punishment has rendered Liang's legs useless!

  Zhou Ninghai responded with a sound, and together with several strong and powerful inner guards, they dragged Liang Cairen away. The surroundings were as silent as death, and Liang Cairen had already fainted!

  My heart is racing, and Queen Hua is indeed ruthless. With a smile, she crippled Liang Cairen's legs. The more I think about it, the more frightened I become. After a moment of silence, I hear Queen Hua say: "Just now, Liang committed a crime by striking a superior with her inferior body, and scared my three younger sisters. Let's take a break first."

  Everyone was overjoyed, and they hastily bid farewell and retreated. Just then, a cry of "Ah!" was heard, and it turned out that Ling Rong's legs had gone soft with fear. The Empress smiled lightly, looking very pleased with herself.

  I immediately helped Ling Rong leave with Mei Zhuang, and we walked for the time it takes to burn an incense stick before stopping. I ordered all the palace attendants who followed us to return first, and then sat down with the two of them at the "Songfeng Pavilion" deep in the Upper Forest Garden. Only then did I take out a silk handkerchief to wipe away the cold sweat on my forehead, but the handkerchief was completely soaked; I looked up at Mei Zhuang, her face was deathly pale, as if she had just recovered from a long illness; Ling Rong's body was trembling slightly; The three of us stared at each other in silence, all feeling unspeakable horror. After a long time, Ling Rong finally said, "I'm scared to death."

  I hesitated for a moment before saying: "I've long heard that the Imperial Consort Hua is deeply favored and no one dares to cross her, but I never thought she was this ruthless..."

  Meizhuang sighed: "It's just a pity for Liang Cairen, she was foolish and arrogant, but her crime wasn't that serious."

  Ling Rong hastily looked around, afraid of being overheard by the Empress's informants. Only when she was certain that no one was nearby did she whisper: "The Empress severely punished Liang Cairen, seemingly with the intention of drawing us in."

  I remained silent for a long time, and saw that Jingyuan's eyes also had a look of doubt. She said in a low voice: "In the future, we will have to rely on others for our livelihood, and life will be difficult..."

  Three people stood there, listening to the rustling sound of autumn leaves being blown away by the wind, and remained silent for a long time.

  (1) Grass insect head: A gold and jade-made grass insect-shaped headdress (2) Xue Zhuang called the Lu Lu headdress "having upper and lower wheels, meaning layered like a wheel, with the lower one larger and the upper one smaller. When decorating this headdress, there must be pillars." From the above description, it can be seen that the Lu Lu headdress is quite complex and magnificent.