CH 50

“Noble Consort Liang!”

“Your Highness, Noble Consort!”

“….”

Several panicked screams suddenly sounded from behind them.

Liao Qing Qing and He Xiang turned around to look.

It was Worthy Consort, Lady Li of Fragrant Ceremony and the others.

They hurriedly ran over towards the water pavilion.

Worthy Consort even leaned over the parapet and shouted, “Your Highness, Noble Consort! Your Highness, Noble Consort!”

Both Liao Qing Qing and He Xiang stared blankly at them.

For a moment, they didn’t quite understand what was happening in front of them.

Worthy Consort turned her head and snarled, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance! You actually pushed Noble Consort Liang into the water!”

Liao Qing Qing said, “This imperial concubine[1] did not.”

“Bengong[2] saw it clearly!” Worthy Consort said.

“Uh… “Although Liao Qing Qing didn’t understand Noble Consort Liang, she had respect for life and didn’t have the fetish of watching people struggling between life and fade away before her eyes. So she said, “Your Highness, Worthy Consort, Noble Consort Laing is still in the water.”

Only then did Worthy Consort immediately react and turn around, shouting, “Quickly save Noble Consort Liang!”

Several palace maids hesitated for a moment.

They didn’t know how to swim, so jumping into the water would be sending them to die.

Worthy Consort yelled, “Hurry up! Quickly save her!”

At this time, Noble Consort’s palace maid arrived. They tossed the tray on her hand aside and shouted, “Your Highness, Noble Consort”. Then, she jumped into the water quickly. As she dragged Noble Consort Liang towards the shore, the junior eunuchs nearby had already been informed and went into the water together, dragging Noble Consort Liang towards the shore.

Worthy Consort bellowed, “How about the Imperial Physician? Where is the Imperial Physician?”

A palace maid responded, “Your Highness, Worthy Consort, the Imperial Physician has not arrived.”

“Quickly chase him!”

“Yes.”

Worthy Consort quickly squatted down in front of Noble Consort Liang and called out with a concerned look, “Your Highness, Noble Consort. Your Highness, Noble Consort.”

Noble Consort Liang was dripping wet. Her face was pale, and her eyes were tightly closed.

Worthy Consort ordered the palace maids around her to give urgent help.

The palace maid pounded her chest and strangled her.

Noble Consort Liang slowly woke up.

Worthy Consort and the others were overjoyed.

Worthy Consort called out to her, “Your Highness, Noble Consort. Your Highness, Noble Consort.”

But Noble Consort Liang was so exhausted that she collapsed into the arms of the palace maid, ignoring everyone.

Worthy Consort then remembered Liao Qing Qing. She got up in anger and glared at Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing looked at Worthy Consort in bewilderment.

Worthy Consort said through gritted teeth, “Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, I didn’t expect you to be so vicious!”

Liao Qing Qing asked in confusion, “What’s wrong with this imperial concubine?”

“You almost killed Noble Consort Liang!”

“How did this imperial concubine harm Noble Consort Liang?” Noble Consort Liang is already strange, but here comes another strange Worthy Consort.

“How dare you speak of such sophistry?!” Worthy Consort yelled, “So many eyes watched you push Noble Consort Liang into the water. Do you think everyone is blind?”

“Your Highness, Worthy Consort.” Seeing that her mistress was being falsely accused, He Xiang spoke up and explained, “My mistress only came over to greet Noble Consort Liang. She didn’t push her. It was Noble Consort Liang herself who jumped into the water.”

""

Worthy Consort turned around and rebuked, “Who do you think you are? Do you have the right to speak here?” Just when she was about to hit He Xiang as He Xiang shivered in fear, Liao Qing Qing stretched out her arms and brought He Xiang behind her. She looked at Worthy Consort and said, “Your Highness, Worthy Consort, this imperial concubine did not push Noble Consort Liang.”

“Save all these talks when His Majesty and the Empress Dowager arrive.”

“This imperial concubine will say the same when I am in front of His Majesty and Empress Dowager.”

“Fine!” Worthy Consort said angrily, “Bengong wants to see how you will turn right from wrong when the evidence is all present!”

He Xiang’s heart tightened as she listened. She turned to face Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing did not respond.

But she knew that this was a ploy by Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort.

They had deliberately led her here to pay respects.

Purposely chat with her.

Deliberately jumped into the water to frame her…

She was aware of that!

She knew Noble Consort Liang and Worthy Consort didn’t have good intentions!

What should she do now?

Her eyes reflexively darted around.

There is no suspicious person or thing to be found.

There isn’t any way to prove her innocence.

Must she be defeated by this?

All of a sudden, Fu Sheng’s announcement sounded, “His Majesty has arrived, the Empress Dowager has arrived—”

Liao Qing Qing’s heart tightened.

He Xiang became afraid.

Noble Consort Liang forced herself to get up, but she couldn’t.

When Worthy Consort heard this, she felt overjoyed inwardly, and she glanced at Liao Qing Qing from the corner of her eyes. She saw Liao Qing Qing’s gloomy face and became even more delighted.

She turned her head to look at Emperor Jing Li and Empress Dowager.

The Empress Dowager was indifferent as usual.

Emperor Jing Li’s face showed anxiety, and his steps were steady and fast.

“Greetings, Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in great health. Greetings, Empress Dowager. May the Empress Dowager be in good health.” A group of people paid their respects respectfully.

“You may rise,” Emperor Jing Li casually responded. He quickly walked to Liao Qing Qing and took Liao Qing Qing’s hand. His eyes surveyed Liao Qing Qing’s body from top to bottom and asked worriedly, “Beloved Concubine, are you alright? Are you hurt?”

Worthy Consort, “???”

Noble Consort Liang, “???”

The palace maids, “???”

The one who fell into the water was Noble Consort Liang, not Lady Xi of Bright Countenance!

Liao Qing Qing said somewhat awkwardly and apprehensively, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine is fine. It was Noble Consort Liang.”

Only then did Emperor Jing Li shift his gaze and ask, “What happened to Noble Consort Liang?”

“She fell into the water.”

Emperor Jing Li turned his head to look at Noble Consort Liang, who was still lying in the palace maid’s arms. He asked, “Noble Consort Liang, why did you fall into the water for no reason?”

Noble Consort Liang, “???” What kind of question is this? She doesn’t want to speak a word.

Worthy Consort responded, “Replying to Your Majesty, it’s Lady Xi of Bright Countenance who pushed Her Highness Noble Consort Liang into the water.”

Before Liao Qing Qing could refute, Emperor Jing Li furrowed his eyebrows and asked, “Where is the evidence?”

“This concubine[3] sat it with her own eyes,” Worthy Consort replied confidently.

“What you saw does not count.”

“???”

“Who else saw it?”

“This maidservant saw it.” Several palace maids bowed at the same time.

“You only saw Lady Xi of Bright Countenance. Why don’t you see that Her Highness Noble Consort is still sitting on the floor?!” Emperor Jing Li raised his voice and said, “Why don’t you help Her Highness Noble Consort return to Linhua Palace? What kind of mess is it now?”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Worthy Consort and the others were startled.

The palace maids hastily helped Noble Consort Liang up and headed towards Linhua Palace.

Emperor Jing Li said, “All of you follow me.”

Liao Qing Qing and Worthy Consort replied in unison, “Yes.”

Emperor Jing Li looked towards Empress Dowager.

Empress Dowager swept her gaze across the group of imperial concubines and said, “This grieving one[4] will also follow you.”

“I have to trouble Queen Mother.”

A group of people arrived at Linhua Palace.

The Imperial Physician following them. After reading Noble Consort Liang’s pulse, he said to Emperor Jing Li, “Your Majesty, although Noble Consort Liang fell into the water, her body is fine since the weather is hot now.”

“Understood. You may leave.” Emperor Jing Li said.

The Imperial Physician left.

Emperor Jing Li said, “Invite Noble Consort Liang over.”

Worthy Consort hurriedly said, “Your Majesty, Elder Sister just fell into the water….”

“Worthy Consort, I[5] haven’t seen you for a long time. You can’t even understand the words of the Imperial Physician?”

Worthy Consort was instantly silenced.

“Go and invite Noble Consort Liang!” Emperor Jing Li ordered.

A palace maid hastily went to invite Noble Consort Liang over.

A newly dressed Noble Consort Liang arrived in the hall in a short while.

Emperor Jing Li and Empress Dowager inquired about the condition of Noble Consort Liang.

Noble Consort Liang replied softly, “Thank you, Your Majesty and Empress Dowager. This concubine is fine.”

“It’s good that you are fine.” Emperor Jing Li did not say any further.

Noble Consort Liang gave a slight sideways glance at Worthy Consort.

Worthy Consort quickly said, “Your Majesty, Noble Consort’s fall was the work of Lady Xi of Bright Countenance, so please return justice to Noble Consort Liang and also to the imperial harem.”

“What? The imperial harem is not fair?” Emperor Jing Li questioned.

“This concubine didn’t mean that. It’s just that many people witnessed Lady Xi of Bright Countenance inflicting harm on Noble Consort Liang. Without a result, it’s hard to convince the masses.” Worthy Consort said.

Emperor Jing Li glanced at the other imperial concubines in Linhua Palace and then at the Empress Dowager, who looked as if she was not concerned. Finally, his eyes landed on Liao Qing Qing, whose head was lowered and remaining silent. He asked, “What do you think is the motive for Lady Xi of Bright Countenance to push Noble Consort Liang into the water?”

Worthy Consort replied, “That’s something we’ve to ask Lady Xi of Bright Countenance.”

“Whoever is accusing another person would have to provide the evidence,” Emperor Jing Li stated.

Worthy Consort had no choice but to say, “Noble Consort Liang has always been the most respected member of the imperial harem. Lady Xi of Bright Countenance uses the fact that His Majesty favoured her to inflict harm that may cause death because she dislikes Noble Consort Liang.” She wanted to say that Liao Qing Qing wanted to be the Empress, but it was not appropriate to bring up the matter of the Empress as it was still being debated.

Initially, she intended to gather the power of the imperial concubines to destroy Liao Qing Qing’s image in Emperor Jing Li’s mind. Then, she would publicise Liao Qing Qing’s evil deeds to influence the imperial subjects to delay the establishment of the Empress. Finally, she would continue pouring dirty water on Liao Qing Qing so that Liao Qing Qing would not be compatible to be an Empress.

Emperor Jing Li asked in response, “Killing in broad daylight?”

“Whether it is broad daylight or in the middle of the night, as long as there is no one around, it is a good opportunity for Lady Xi of Bright Countenance to kill someone. This concubine did not expect to witness Lady Xi of Bright Countenance’s bad deeds when this concubine and the other sisters arrived.” Worthy Consort finished speaking. From the corner of her eyes, she looked towards the other imperial concubines behind her. Then, she knelt and said righteously, “Your Majesty, please do justice to Noble Consort Liang.”

“Please do justice for Noble Consort Liang!” The other imperial concubines followed suit.

They had the intention of forcing Emperor Jing Li.

Emperor Jing Li pressed his forehead. He was really frustrated by Worthy Consort and the others. When he was about to speak, he heard Liao Qing Qing call out, “Your Majesty.”

Emperor Jing Li’s eyes immediately fell on Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing said, “Your Majesty, this imperial concubine did not push Noble Consort Liang.”

Emperor Jing Li immediately responded, “I believe you.”

Liao Qing Qing, “….” Your Majesty, you shouldn’t have replied to this.

Empress Dowager coughed loudly at this point, signalling Emperor Jing Li to pay attention to the occasion.

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Emperor Jing Li’s words made Worthy Consort jealous and even more pertinacious. Worthy Consort said, “Your Majesty, you can’t just believe in Lady Xi of Bright Countenance’s words casually just because you favour her. It’s unfair to this concubine and the others.”

“Worthy Consort—”

“Your Majesty,” Liao Qing Qing called him again.

Once again, Emperor Jing Li looked towards Liao Qing Qing.

Liao Qing Qing spoke calmly, “This imperial concubine can prove my own innocence.”

Prove her own innocence?

Noble Consort Liang’s and Worthy Consort’s hearts tightened. They knew that Liao Qing Qing appeared to be lazy, but she was actually very intelligent. However, they had not left any traces today, so Liao Qing Qing would not be able to prove herself even if she wanted to.

With this in mind, they set their minds at ease.

Let’s see how Liao Qing Qing makes a joke of herself.

Emperor Jing Li had a ‘Be obedient. You can step down and let me do it.’ look.

Liao Qing Qing repeated, “This imperial concubine can really do it.”

Emperor Jing Li had no choice but to say, “Tell me, how are you going to prove your innocence?”

The author has something to say: —

Emperor Jing Li: I’ve already brewed it up. Let me do it!

Liao Qing Qing: No, let this imperial concubine do it!

Emperor Jing Li: Then I will be your skills instructor.

Liao Qing Qing: =口=！

[1] 嫔妾(pín qiè)- This imperial concubine. It is a self-appellation that can only be used by Lady of Talents (才人), Noble Lady (贵人), etc to the Emperor and Empress Dowager.

[2] 本宮 (Běngōng) – I, the one who owns this palace. Such as the queen will call herself ‘the palace’, and the princess with the official title can also call herself ‘the palace’.

[3] 臣妾(chénqiè)- this concubine/I, your servant (self-appellation of a lower-rank female). The literal meaning is ‘this subject and this concubine’.It is a self-appellation used by the ranks including and above Consorts. They are used by Consorts, Noble Consorts and Empress, etc. in front of the Emperor, Empress Dowager and Consorts, Noble Consorts that have a higher rank.

[4] 哀家(āijiā)- This grieving one/ I (self-referring by a widowed empress etc, used in historical novels and operas)

[5] 朕(zhèn)- I (imperial) or we (imperial use).

Translator’s Note: Regular update + a bonus chapter. Thank you once again to the lovely reader for the Kofi. Wishing everyone an amazing weekend! See you next Friday/Saturday!