Chapter 20: Falling Ill

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“Since they are all the emperor’s cherished beauties in the harem, why not grant them a chance to earn the emperor’s favor tonight? His Majesty shall dine with the victor, how does that sound?” The Empress Dowager smiled slyly as she made her suggestion.

Ye Yancheng glanced over the game board, smiling as he said, “As you wish, Mother.”

The Empress Dowager nodded with satisfaction.

The emperor was still giving her some face; after today, Shen Rushuang’s rank would be rightfully elevated by several degrees.

Yet, half an hour later, no one could have anticipated that Shen Rushuang, renowned throughout the capital for her Go skills, would unexpectedly lose to the seemingly unremarkable Kong Ya.

When Kong Ya stood to bow, the weary Empress Dowager still thought Shen Rushuang had won.

“Has Rushuang won?” she asked drowsily, looking at the attendant beside her.

“Your Majesty, it seems... it’s actually Lady Kong who won,” the attendant said, lowering her head and trembling.

“What?!” The Empress Dowager’s face instantly darkened.

In the flower bed’s center, Shen Rushuang hadn’t expected to lose. She stared at the board, motionless for a long moment.

“Sister Shen?” Kong Ya’s voice came as if from underwater.

Shen Rushuang’s gaze was sharp as a blade. “Did you lose to me on purpose before?”

“Of course not. I was just lucky today,” Kong Ya replied with a faint smile, as if truly so.

Shen Rushuang bit her lip and stood up. “I lost.”

She almost used all her strength to utter those four words.

A eunuch quickly transmitted the news to the display board, and the white flag lit up: White wins! Kong Ya, playing white, is victorious!

“Lady Kong wins!”

The Empress Dowager’s expression was sour but she maintained her composure. “Truly worthy of the Grand Secretary’s lineage, skilled in music, chess, calligraphy, and painting.”

Ye Yancheng glanced carelessly. “Indeed. Seeing her today, Lady Kong is both beautiful and wise. Without name or rank, it is truly a shame for her talents. Let her be granted the position of imperial lady.”

His decree was announced, and both Kong Ya and Shen Rushuang knelt to listen.

Shen Rushuang knelt on the ground, her fingers digging into the soil of the flower bed.

“Since the outcome is decided, let Lady Kong go to the Palace of Mental Cultivation to dine. I leave the rest to Mother,” Ye Yancheng said, standing and walking away without regard for the Empress Dowager’s expression.

Thus ended this Go match in such an unexpected manner.

Lin Ruo was dumbfounded. “Shen Rushuang didn’t win?!”

It was simply unbelievable.

Although Kong Ya had a reputation for virtue, her unremarkable appearance kept her from much fame.

“Well, now there’s something worth watching,” Zhang Xinwei remarked casually.

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Lu Shuyao was nibbling on some pastries and nodded slightly for once.

Zhang Xinwei glanced at her. “Why are you eating so much?”

Each person had fruit jellies on their tables, but aside from the greedy little princesses, who else would truly savor them like Lu Shuyao?

“It’s not that much, is it?” Lu Shuyao said helplessly. She had only eaten a little; how was that considered a lot?

The Go gathering soon dispersed. Kong Ya was escorted to the Palace of Mental Cultivation, and Shen Rushuang was taken away by the Empress Dowager.

Everyone else naturally returned to their own places.

Back in Yuyue Hall, Lu Shuyao received a letter sent from outside the palace by her father.

“My lady is pregnant,” Lu Shuyao said, stunned, sharing the good news with Peilan.

Peilan was also taken aback but quickly congratulated her. “If the concubine is expecting, the master will surely take good care of her. Baolin can rest easy now!”

Lu Shuyao often thought of Aunt Liu; Peilan knew this well.

“I so wish I could return to the Lu estate for a visit,” Lu Shuyao sighed. “If only I could go back, Aunt’s life would surely be better.”

At least everyone would know her daughter was always thinking of her and wouldn’t mistreat her.

“Now that Baolin is favored in the palace, I believe no one dares to bully Aunt at home,” Peilan reassured her.

“Favored?” Lu Shuyao shook her fan. “Not for long.”

After all, she had married the emperor and was mentally prepared for the inevitable.

The sun slowly set, and the stifling palace air cooled gently.

A soft breeze stirred the rustling leaves.

After dinner, Lu Shuyao sat beneath the corridor of Yuyue Hall, watching the brilliant sunset.

With the good news about her aunt, she even ate half a bowl more.

“Baolin, I heard something,” Xiao Xizi suddenly approached Lu Shuyao, bowing with a mischievous smile.

He was well-informed but rarely seen in the palace.

Yet when ordered, he managed affairs thoroughly.

So Lu Shuyao let him do as he pleased, as long as the tasks were done well.

“What now?” Lu Shuyao looked at him.

“After the meal at the Palace of Mental Cultivation, His Majesty granted Lady Kong a residence. Guess where?”

“Could it be here?”

“Don’t be silly. You are His Majesty’s favorite.” Xiao Xizi whispered, “She’s staying with Lady Shen.”

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Tsk, this man really knew how to stir trouble.

Now Shen Rushuang probably didn’t care much about little Baolin anymore.

Kong Ya had snatched away her piece of the pie; this grudge was serious.

The Go gathering had been prepared for so long; everyone knew the Empress Dowager had arranged for Shen Rushuang to shine.

“Tonight, did His Majesty have Lady Kong serve him?” Lu Shuyao asked, shaking her fan as she spoke to Xiao Xizi.

“I... don’t know,” he replied.

Night deepened, stars twinkled overhead.

After a thorough bath, Lu Shuyao was about to sleep.

Before she could drift off, Nurse You hurried in with a message.

“Baolin, Xiao Xizi just sent word,” Nurse You said, supporting herself as she spoke, “The Empress Dowager is ill.”

“The Empress Dowager is ill?” Lu Shuyao got out of bed.

“It’s said to be sudden; His Majesty has already gone to see her.” Nurse You quickly instructed Peilan to prepare clothes for her.

Lu Shuyao dressed simply, arranged her hair, and rode in a small sedan chair to the palace.

The Empress Dowager was truly kind to her niece Shen Rushuang.

To prevent Kong Ya from gaining favor, she even feigned illness!

Just today she had looked radiant and full of energy.

Lu Shuyao’s suspicions were indeed correct.

To the Shen family, a mere Lu Baolin was insignificant.

Though beautiful, without family status, and a concubine’s daughter at that, even with the emperor’s great favor, she could never become Empress.

But Kong Ya was different.

Her family was illustrious, with three generations of the Kong family holding important court positions. If the Kong family allied with the emperor, the Shen family would surely not accept it.

Among the five imperial ladies, the only one the Shen family truly cared about was Kong Ya.

Lu Shuyao was the second consort to arrive at Cining Palace but was soon sent back: “The Empress Dowager’s condition is stable. Lu Baolin, you may return.”

Lu Shuyao showed concern. “Does the Empress Dowager need attendants?”

“There are maids attending her. You need not worry, Baolin.”

Lu Shuyao was already sleepy. After hearing this, she bowed and left.