Soon, it was the Empress Dowager's birthday again. Since her major milestone birthday had been celebrated lavishly the previous year, Her Majesty the Empress Dowager felt it inappropriate to be extravagant again. She decided to simply set a few banquet tables at the "Wanchun Pavilion" in the Imperial Garden and invite a few imperial clan families for a lively gathering.
On the day of the celebration, the Grand Princess, Prince Sheng, Prince Jin, Prince Huai, Prince Jing, Princess Yanping, Princess Yanqing, and others all arrived with their families. The younger generation gathered around the Empress Dowager, offering auspicious well-wishes that kept her smiling broadly.
The Emperor and several princes went to another area for an archery competition, while the princess consorts and princesses chatted with the Empress and imperial consorts. People gathered in small groups of twos and threes, creating a very lively and harmonious scene of imperial family joy.
Qin Saizhu also chatted for a while before her expression subtly changed. She said to Qi Daiyu beside her, "I need to freshen up."
During pregnancy, the need to freshen up becomes more frequent. Qi Daiyu looked at her and asked, "Shall I accompany you?"
Qin Saizhu shook her head. "Her Majesty the Empress seems to want you to converse more with the princess consorts. I'll go by myself. Don't worry, I'll have someone with me."
Just then, the Empress waved to Qi Daiyu, signaling her to come over. Qi Daiyu had no choice but to say, "Alright then, be careful on your way."
"You have absolutely nothing to worry about!"
Qin Saizhu left the Wanchun Pavilion with Xiangchun. After freshening up, she was in no hurry to return.
She had rarely gone out since becoming pregnant. Today, for the Empress Dowager's birthday, she had to make an appearance. Now that she was out, Qin Saizhu wanted to stroll a bit more in the garden, admire the flowers, and breathe in some fresh air.
It was the season when roses were in bloom. Qin Saizhu walked slowly, appreciating them as she went.
"Mistress, perhaps we should head back now?" Xiangchun supported Qin Saizhu, her expression cautious and careful.
Seeing Xiangchun's nervous look, Qin Saizhu reassured her, "The imperial physician said my pregnancy is stable now. Moderate walking is beneficial for the delivery later." Her figure was full, and although she was only three months along, her belly was already noticeably rounded.
Qin Saizhu placed a hand on her abdomen, a gentle smile on her face.
She cared deeply for this child and was willing to stay indoors for ten months for its safety. However, she was naturally someone who loved bustle and excitement. Two days prior, during her pulse reading, the imperial physician had mentioned she seemed somewhat melancholy and suggested it would be good for her to go out for walks.
"I won't wander for long. Let's just pick a few roses and then go back." The roses were beautiful, and she wanted to pick some to arrange in a vase.
Xiangchun, sharp-eyed, pointed in a direction. "Mistress, let's go over there. It's quieter, with fewer people!"
The Imperial Garden was crowded today. To avoid any accidental bumps, it was better to go where there were fewer people.
The place Xiangchun pointed to was near an artificial rockery landscape. Beneath the rockery was a patch of roses blooming in fiery red.
The mistress and maid walked towards the rockery. As Qin Saizhu approached, she noticed another cluster of roses behind it, blooming even more splendidly.
"Let's pick from here!" Qin Saizhu lifted her skirt and walked behind the rockery, standing on tiptoe to look for the best blooms. When she spotted a desirable one, she would point it out to Xiangchun, who would then pick it.
Soon, Xiangchun held an armful of roses, lovely shades of pink and red. Qin Saizhu, moved by a sudden thought, plucked one from the bunch and tucked it into Xiangchun's hair. Just as she was about to speak, a voice suddenly came from the other side of the rockery.
"Is Consort Ning truly determined to proceed with this?"
That voice... Qin Saizhu recognized it as Princess Yanping's voice.
Were Princess Yanping and Consort Ning on the other side?
Qin Saizhu covered Xiangchun's mouth, signaling her to stay silent.
Xiangchun nodded.
"My doing this aligns perfectly with Your Highness's wishes, does it not?" Consort Ning's tone was indifferent.
Princess Yanping gave a light laugh. "I just didn't expect you to come to me. They say Consort Ning is as tranquil as a chrysanthemum, detached from worldly affairs, immersed only in poetry and painting. It seems that's not entirely accurate." She thought of something and tentatively asked, "Could it be... that your younger sister's passing was not as straightforward as it seemed?"
Otherwise, she truly couldn't understand why Consort Ning would want to cooperate with her to deal with Zeng Qiming.
Consort Ning's face turned cold. "That has nothing to do with our cooperation."
Princess Yanping wasn't one to pry unnecessarily and smiled dismissively. "Very well. However, I still need to confirm: can you guarantee that the Emperor will definitely dismiss Zeng Qiming? While Zeng Qiming's character may be mediocre, he is utterly loyal to the Emperor and possesses some capability. Without absolutely solid evidence, the Emperor might not necessarily remove such a trusted aide. I don't want to waste my efforts."
Thinking of her plan, Consort Ning affirmed, "He will."
"Are you certain?" Princess Yanping still seemed somewhat skeptical. As far as she knew, Consort Ning was not particularly favored. Did she truly understand the Emperor?
Consort Ning saw the distrust in Princess Yanping's eyes and felt displeased. She might not understand the Emperor, but she was certain that no man could tolerate another man coveting his woman.
She couldn't reveal the specific plan to Princess Yanping. Consort Ning simply said, "Even if I cannot succeed, there is still my father."
Invoking Grand Councillor Yang's name, Princess Yanping's expression visibly relaxed.
A flicker of mockery passed through Consort Ning's eyes—whether mocking Princess Yanping for being so easily convinced, or mocking herself for having to rely on Yang Heng's reputation to gain credibility.
Princess Yanping said, "Since it's Grand Councillor Yang's idea, my interest in this cooperation is truly piqued."
Consort Ning stated, "My responsibility is only to see Zeng Qiming dismissed. I will not involve myself in anything beyond that, and neither will the Yang family."
Princess Yanping replied, "That is sufficient!"
The voices gradually faded into the distance. Xiangchun saw her mistress frowning deeply. "Mistress?" she mouthed silently.
Qin Saizhu shook her head, signaling to wait a little longer. Only after confirming the others had left did the mistress and maid walk back around to the front of the rockery.
"Mistress, was that Consort Ning and Princess Yanping just now? They seemed to be discussing something..."
"Shh!" Qin Saizhu's gaze turned sharp. "Bury this matter in your heart. Do not speak of it!"
Xiangchun: "Yes!"
After warning Xiangchun, Qin Saizhu herself felt restless and uneasy.
Although Consort Ning and Princess Yanping hadn't spoken much, the meaning in their words was clear: for some reason, Consort Ning had developed hostility towards Zeng Qiming and intended to cooperate with Princess Yanping to deal with him.
Who was Zeng Qiming?
The Commander of the Capital Guards, a third-rank official, a trusted confidant of the Emperor.
The Imperial Forest Army, the Capital Guards, and the Tiger Guard Camp in the capital's outskirts were the Emperor's personal troops. The importance of their commanders was self-evident. Consort Ning, as an imperial consort, actually dared to target a high-ranking court official...
Leaving aside why Consort Ning was doing this, what was Princess Yanping's motive?
Having learned of this matter so suddenly, Qin Saizhu found it difficult to sort through her thoughts. What troubled her more was the dilemma: should she tell the Emperor about this?
As an imperial consort, it was her duty to share the Emperor's burdens. However... Qin Saizhu bit her lip and stroked her belly. If Consort Ning's schemes were even greater, how would the Emperor treat her, who possessed this knowledge?
Heavy-hearted, she returned to the Wanchun Pavilion. Subconsciously, Qin Saizhu searched the crowd for Consort Ning and saw that she had already returned. Standing beside the Empress with a perfectly normal expression, she was conversing with the other princess consorts. It seemed no one had noticed her brief absence with Princess Yanping earlier.
"Sister Zhu." Qi Daiyu came over. "You're finally back. What took you so long?"
Qin Saizhu withdrew her gaze and pointed at the flowers in Xiangchun's arms. "On the way back, I saw the roses were lovely, so I picked a few."
"I see."
"Yu'er, after I left, did anyone else go out?" Qin Saizhu suddenly took Qi Daiyu's hand.
"Hmm?" Qi Daiyu was taken aback. She always kept her recording on when she went out. Hearing Qin Saizhu's question, she opened her "light screen" to check. Just as she was about to answer, Qin Saizhu waved her hand. "Never mind. It's just that while I was picking flowers, I heard someone talking. I thought of returning together with them, but I was just a step too slow and they vanished. I even thought of looking for her! Now that I think about it, it's unnecessary."
Yet, Qi Daiyu still noticed her unusual expression. "Sister Zhu, are you feeling unwell?"
Qin Saizhu forced a smile. "I am a bit tired."
The matter concerning Consort Ning... it's better not to tell Yu'er for now. That person, Consort Ning... one mustn't think too deeply. It's best to have as little to do with anything involving her as possible.
Elsewhere, just as Qin Saizhu withdrew her gaze, Consort Ning looked towards her.
Lowering her eyes, Consort Ning turned her head, and Suihe immediately stepped forward.
Consort Ning said softly, "Go and find out where Lady Zhuang went just now, and which places she passed by."
If she remembered correctly, there were also roses near the rockery they had just passed.
That very night, Consort Ning received a report. After Lady Zhuang excused herself to freshen up, she headed towards the cultivated rose bushes. The specific location was not clearly remembered by the palace maid.
"With so many people today, it's normal to get confused," Suihe whispered.
Consort Ning frowned. This meant Lady Zhuang could indeed have gone to the rockery.
She stood up. "Accompany me to Qixiang Palace." She paused, then added, "Take a box of red bean cakes from the small kitchen."
Consort Ning's arrival was sudden. Qin Saizhu was startled but quickly realized she had most likely been exposed.
Xiangchun said anxiously, "Mistress?"
Qin Saizhu smiled bitterly. "Her perception has always been sharp. So be it, invite her in."
When Consort Ning entered, Qin Saizhu performed a curtsy. "Greetings, Consort Ning. I did not know of Your Ladyship's visit and failed to welcome you properly. I beg Your Ladyship's forgiveness."
Consort Ning personally helped her up. "You are with child, there is no need for such formalities."
After they were seated, Consort Ning had Suihe present the food box. "I remember you enjoy red bean cakes, so I made some and brought them."
Qin Saizhu smiled faintly. "Your Ladyship, please forgive me. Since I became pregnant, my tastes have changed greatly, and I can no longer stomach sweet, rich foods."
Hearing her mention the pregnancy, Consort Ning's posture stiffened slightly. She looked at Qin Saizhu's abdomen. "Since you don't care for them, you may give them to your maids."
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Ladyship. May I ask what brings you here so late?"
Consort Ning raised her gaze to meet Qin Saizhu's eyes. "I heard Lady Zhuang picked several rose blossoms in the imperial garden today. I've come to ask for a few."
A flicker passed through Qin Saizhu's eyes, and Consort Ning caught it.
"You heard," Consort Ning stated with certainty.
Qin Saizhu played dumb. "What is Your Ladyship saying?"
Instead of explaining, Consort Ning stood up directly and addressed the maids in the hall. "Leave us."
Suihe turned to leave as instructed. Xiangchun and the others naturally refused. Consort Ning looked at Qin Saizhu.
With an inward sigh, Qin Saizhu instructed, "Go out. I imagine Consort Ning does not intend to do anything to me."
She met Consort Ning's gaze squarely.
Once the main door was closed, Qin Saizhu expected Consort Ning to offer an explanation. To her surprise, she saw Consort Ning slowly kneel before her.
"What are you doing?" Qin Saizhu immediately stood up and moved aside, her voice filled with shock, unable to believe that the person performing this act was Consort Ning.
Consort Ning's expression remained as composed as ever, only her eyes holding scattered sparks of hatred.
"Zeng Qiming killed my younger sister, causing my mother to die with a heart full of resentment. I must avenge my mother and sister. Lady Zhuang, it is true that Zeng Qiming is an official at court. But if such a beast in human clothing abused your own younger sister day after day, could you bear it?"
"The monstrous deeds he has committed go far beyond this. Each and every one is horrifying to hear. How can such a person be fit to serve as an official, or to be employed by His Majesty?"
"Lady Zhuang, I am determined to kill him. I beg you, keep this secret for me."
