Chapter 20: The Legend of Zhen Huan – Summer, Winter, and Spring

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Xia Dongchun was too weary to dissect the meaning behind her words; it was either sowing discord or tarnishing her reputation—nothing good, in any case. So she simply responded with a noncommittal “Hmm” and stayed silent.

The Empress gritted her teeth; every time she tried to jab at Xia Dongchun, the blow seemed to rebound upon herself. She truly could not stand Xia Dongchun—her life was just too perfect, provoking a deep-seated envy. A flawless lineage, an impeccable husband, exquisite beauty, and a loving family. If only she had possessed even one of these, she would not despise her so vehemently.

Glancing back, she caught sight of Noble Lady Fucha’s belly and her emotions surged. If she couldn’t touch that, she would strike at something else she could.

Consort Nian could not bear to see the Empress comfortable for even a moment and immediately launched into a tirade on the merits and rivalry between principal wives and concubines, even dragging out Empress Chun Yuan to parade around, taunting the Empress until her face flushed crimson and her neck strained.

Everyone present watched with amusement; not a single soul wished to speak in the Empress’s defense. After all, no one was a fool. The relentless attacks from Consort Nian and Consort Chen were not baseless. Especially Consort Chen—didn’t she always maintain civility towards Consort Nian? Why then was it the Empress she disliked so openly? It was only because she had provoked them first.

She deserved this.

Some even speculated whether the Empress had wronged Consort Nian in some way. After all, Consort Nian, who usually cherished imperial favor above all, treated Consort Chen with warmth and kindness. The newcomers were relatively unbothered, but among the old residents of the inner court, one by one, they firmly placed the blame on the Empress and began to distance themselves from her.

Even the naïve Consort Qi, who once only knew that Consort Nian was arrogant and overbearing and at odds with the Empress, had started to guard herself against the Empress after hearing Xia Dongchun’s words clearly. The Empress noticed but did not care much for Consort Qi, so she let it be.

Xia Dongchun found the flower-bedecked scene dull and was about to return to the palace when suddenly a cat’s meow rang out.

“Meow!”

She barely paid it any mind.

Then another, fiercer meow followed. Xia Dongchun’s drowsiness vanished instantly. She looked toward the sound and suddenly saw the cat pounce on Noble Lady Fucha’s belly. Immediately afterwards, two people collapsed—Lady Yue and attendant Shen.

“Ah!”

“Sister!”

“Ah, blood, there’s blood.”

Chaos erupted. Xia Dongchun was stunned into silence.

Regardless of the commotion, the trio immediately became alert, ordering attendants to secure the area. Ye Yun hurried forward to examine, while Pao Zhu and Pao Mo tried to soothe Xia Dongchun’s nerves.

Pao Zhu glanced at Pao Mo and said, “I told you, something’s going to happen today. The Empress never hosts these flower-viewing banquets without reason.”

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Pao Mo sighed helplessly, “Where there are women, there’s bound to be trouble. The inner palace is the most entangled and fraught place with rivalries in the world. It’s impossible to avoid. If not this time, it will happen next.”

Xia Dongchun wanted to go over and take a look, but Pao Zhu pulled her back. “Your Highness, please don’t go. It’s too chaotic over there; we don’t want you to get hurt.”

However, recalling what she had just seen, Xia Dongchun insisted on going. Pao Mo also tried to dissuade her, “Your Highness, please wait a moment longer. The Emperor will arrive shortly, and then you can go.”

Xia Dongchun paused and sat back down, thinking, ‘Yes, wait for Yinzhen.’

Soon the Emperor arrived, accompanied by the Empress Dowager. The Dowager went to check on Noble Lady Fucha, but the Emperor headed straight for Xia Dongchun.

Since entering the palace, Xia Dongchun had been showered with the Emperor’s utmost favor, and in recent times, he had indulged her to the point of spoiling her. Now, seeing him, tears sprang immediately to her eyes.

“Yinzhen~”

His heart clenched. He embraced her tightly and blindfolded her eyes with his hands. “Don’t be afraid, I am here.”

Nestled in his arms, Xia Dongchun whimpered softly, “I saw it... that cat was aiming straight for Noble Lady Fucha’s belly. It was no accident.”

Yinzhen tightened his arms around her. “I know.”

“Dinner time is almost here. Let me escort you back. Don’t let your mind run wild.”

“Hm?”

He wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes. When she responded, he lifted her into his arms and walked away.

The Empress Dowager: “...”

That scoundrel.

The inner court: “...”

Consort Nian, unable to contain her sorrow any longer and lacking the heart to quarrel with the Empress, excused herself to the Dowager and left.

Consort Xiang noticed her mood and hastened after her to offer timely persuasion.

Meanwhile, Lady Li stood frozen in place, frightened by the recent events. When no one was watching, she touched her own belly.

Once Consort Nian had left, Lady Li hurried after her, seeking protection.

The Empress Dowager looked at the three injured people in the room, feeling utterly dismayed. This Yixiu was truly hopeless—utterly unlike Empress Chun Yuan.

Just then, the imperial physicians arrived. The Dowager immediately ordered, “Examine all three.”

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Two imperial physicians came and conducted separate examinations.

Physician Li reported, “Your Majesty, Noble Lady Fucha’s child cannot be saved. She will need careful recuperation and must not conceive for at least a year.”

The Dowager had long anticipated this and responded calmly, “Bring Noble Lady Fucha back. It’s inappropriate for her to remain in the Empress’s quarters.”

Then she asked, “What happened? How did the child just… die?”

The Empress immediately stepped forward, mourning dramatically and quickly blaming a cat, also implicating Consort Qi.

But this time, Consort Qi—perhaps influenced by Xia Dongchun—rebutted sharply, “Isn’t this all because the Empress insisted on holding the flower-viewing banquet? Noble Lady Fucha didn’t want to come, but the Empress sent Jiang Fuhai to fetch her. What does my cat have to do with any of this?”

The Dowager’s brow furrowed so deeply it looked as if it could pinch.

‘How utterly despised is Yixiu? No one defends her, and even Consort Qi has openly accused her.’

The Empress’s face stiffened; she looked on the verge of tears—an utterly pitiful sight.

“What about the other two?”

Physician Yang replied, “Congratulations, Your Majesty. Both ladies are pregnant. Lady Yue is three months along but experienced some fetal disturbance just now; two courses of medicine should help. Lady Shen is a little over two months pregnant, and her fetus is stable.”

The Dowager was speechless for a moment, then turned with a broad smile, showing her teeth. “Good, very good, excellent.”

The Empress nearly lost control and wanted to rush forward to attack from both sides. She knew Lady Yue was pregnant and had planned to kill two birds with one stone today; but what about Lady Shen?

Consort Xiang of Yikun Palace thought, ‘You don’t know, but I do. I now have an extra hand to make things difficult for you.’

After smiling, the Dowager turned to Yixiu, who wore a face as if she had lost her mother. The Dowager’s expression softened somewhat—after all, she still cared for the Ulanara family.

“You must also take good care of the Empress. The children of the two ladies call you ‘Imperial Mother.’”