Chapter 634: Chapter 191 On the Way
After the incident of assassins killing civilians on the streets of Yanjing City had stirred up public unrest and the culprits were not apprehended, another major event occurred in the palace just two days later.
Consort Li was speaking with Ji Wan, a young and beautiful maiden recently sent by the Ji family. Ji Wan was charming, although not as outstanding as Consort Li when she first arrived, yet now was in her pri, vibrant like a newly blossod bud—crucially, she was only sixteen years old.
If Consort Li had a child, this girl could well be her own. Therefore, even though Consort Li was always graceful and beautiful, when compared with Ji Wan, she seed like a flower that had already blood; despite her efforts to maintain her beauty, her color had faded, not as fresh as the younger. Even though Emperor Hongxiao doted on her regularly, and Consort Li appeared calm and confident, as if she feared no one could take her place, the unease and doubt in her heart were known only to herself.
Ji Wan’s replies to Consort Li were soft and careful, with a cautious flattery in her tone, as well as a hint of the confidence and pride that ca with youth. This sentint, though she endeavored to conceal it, couldn’t escape the seasoned eyes of those who had struggled and survived in the palace for many years. Ji Wan herself was completely unaware.
Consort Li, smiling, took her hand and comforted her tenderly as if she had only the best intentions for this family mber. Just a few days ago, Emperor Hongxiao had ntioned Ji Wan, and Consort Li knew she could no longer keep her avoidance; it was only a matter of ti before she would et Ji Wan, so it was better to et her sooner and show the emperor her “gentle generosity.” Acting petulant occasionally might seem cute, but doing so often could beco annoying and irritating. Especially for an emperor who was second to none, he did not need to accommodate anyone, and there would never be a shortage of replacents waiting behind him.
That’s why Consort Li specifically sought out Ji Wan for a talk. Although both of them knew what ga the Ji family mbers were playing, which was nothing more than cultivating another Consort Li—who was younger and perhaps likely to bear children.
Ji Wan was full of longing for the future life painted by Consort Li, who subtly inford Ji Wan about the comfortable life she currently led in the palace. As long as Ji Wan could hold tightly to the emperor’s heart, she too could lead such a life. After all, there were not many in this palace as endowed with youth and beauty as Ji Wan.
Just a few words had made her sowhat elated, and Consort Li, seeing this, held her in contempt. The Ji family had picked and chosen, yet they had settled on such a person. Of course, it might not be that Ji Wan was foolish, but rather that she was new to the palace, while Consort Li had already survived there for many years.
Surviving one more year always ant so progress. No matter how young and endearing Ji Wan was, she had to go through this process step by step.
While the two were engaged in lively conversation as if they were the closest of sisters, soone suddenly burst into Consort Li’s sleeping quarters. Consort Li thought it was the emperor and had just called out “Your Majesty” when she froze.
Her palace maids, Hong Zhu and Luwu, had their mouths gagged with cloth and were being pinned to the ground by two hefty old won, unable to move. They shook their heads at Consort Li repeatedly.
“What is going on?”
An Imperial Attendant walked in from outside, his voice cold and indifferent, “Consort Li, Your Majesty has learned of your secret communications with Prince Cheng.”
“What… what?” Consort Li felt as if she had been struck by lightning, almost blacking out. She managed to keep her composure and still smiled, “What is the Imperial Attendant talking about? There’s no such thing!”
“The evidence of your correspondence with His Highness Prince Cheng has already been found.” The Imperial Attendant seed unwilling to speak another word to Consort Li and simply signaled to the old won, “Proceed!”
Before Consort Li had a chance to speak, she was pinned down by the old won, her mouth gagged like Hong Zhu and Luwu, looking towards her maids in fear and panic. Seeing the despair on their faces, Consort Li felt a jolt of realization—indeed, the secret was out.
Ji Wan was in the midst of a warm conversation with Consort Li when this unexpected developnt occurred, startling her into kneeling quickly on the ground. When she understood the charges against Consort Li, she was terrified out of her wits. A concubine’s affair in the palace was a serious cri that could lead to execution, and she was a person sent by the Ji family; could she escape this?
None could escape!
Ji Wan almost fainted as she watched the group escorting Consort Li and others out of the sleeping quarters, leaving her behind. But Ji Wan knew very well that even if no one attended to her now, sooner or later they would rember her. The cri committed by Consort Li was chilling even for her to hear.
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