Chapter 6: The Virtuous Lady

Chapter 6: The Virtuous Lady

The days flickered by. Huo Qiu became increasingly occupied with affairs of state, and Tang Zhuozhuo saw no sign of him for several days.

At noon this day, Tang Zhuozhuo was reclining on an ivory-inlaid Arhat couch for a nap when she saw An Xia lift the pearl curtain and whisper, “My Lady, Zhong Liangdi has arrived.”

Tang Zhuozhuo slowly opened her eyes, which were filled with the cold clarity of a winter frost. She cast an unreadable glance at An Zhi, who stood stiffly nearby, before speaking slowly: “Invite her in.”

As she finished, she sat up halfway. The Xiangfei-colored silk quilt slid down her graceful curves to the small of her back. Her palm-sized face was the picture of indolent charm.

Zhong Yuxi. In her past life, she was the only woman who managed to climb her way up to the rank of Consort. She had presented herself as a woman who never vied for favor, possessing an ethereal, celestial air and a most submissive disposition. The Zhong family was powerful, and Zhong Yuxi’s elder brother was highly valued by Huo Qiu. He had risen through the ranks like a meteor to become a pivotal figure in the imperial court, and consequently, she had flourished in the inner palace like a fish in water.

People said she was easy to get along with, yet no one in the palace was ignorant of the true nature of those from Yili Palace. In her previous life, this woman had dared to visit her in the Cold Palace three times to “talk heart-to-heart,” repeatedly “assuring” her that Wang Yi’s feelings for her had never changed. She had fed Tang Zhuozhuo those lies, making her believe they were true as she endured one miserable day after another.

Such deep, calculating schemes.

Recalling this, a faint smile played in Tang Zhuozhuo’s lovely almond eyes, though it did not reach the icy depths. She didn’t even bother to stand, merely propping herself up with her jade-white wrist as she heard the sound of light, slow footsteps entering.

“This concubine pays respects to Your Ladyship.” Upon entering and seeing Tang Zhuozhuo in such a state, Zhong Yuxi froze for a moment before smoothing her expression, her smile remaining ethereally perfect.

Tang Zhuozhuo waved a hand dismissively. “Rise.”

Perhaps because the change in Tang Zhuozhuo was too stark today, Zhong Yuxi was momentarily dazed. However, she was no ordinary woman; she gracefully accepted the fragrant tea handed to her by An Zhi and took a seat on a soft stool.

“What brings Zhong Liangdi to Yiqiu Palace for a visit today?” Tang Zhuozhuo asked casually. The question caused Zhong Yuxi’s body to stiffen slightly, before she replied with measured caution, “This concubine naturally comes to pay respects whenever time permits.”

“To be honest with Your Ladyship, I have come today with a request.” Zhong Yuxi bit her lower lip, and two lines of tears suddenly rolled down her cheeks. She set down the hot tea and knelt directly upon the freezing floor.

Tang Zhuozhuo’s temperament was well known; she traditionally disliked being disturbed by outsiders. Thus, Zhong Yuxi felt she had no choice but to get straight to the point, bypassing any gradual introduction.

Seeing this, An Zhi hurriedly exclaimed, “What is Her Ladyship Liangdi doing? Please, stand up quickly!”

Tang Zhuozhuo’s gaze instantly sharpened. She sat up further, her expression becoming subtle.

She had not forgotten that in her previous life, An Zhi had detested the bitterness of the Cold Palace. Within less than three days, she had used silver to buy her way out, and the place she had gone was precisely Zhong Yuxi’s Yili Palace, where she remained a first-class personal maid.

If anyone believed Zhong Yuxi was so broad-minded that she would employ someone from the Empress’s side without ulterior motives, they were a fool.

Thinking of this, Tang Zhuozhuo slowly closed her eyes, and her expression turned cold.

An Zhi could no longer be trusted.

Even An Xia, who was standing to the side preparing to assist, darkened her face, inwardly cursing An Zhi for being overstepping and ambitious.

Zhong Yuxi unobtrusively avoided An Zhi’s hand, stubbornly remaining on her knees. It was only then that Tang Zhuozhuo noticed her shy, peach-blossom face was deathly pale, devoid of any blood, and even her garments were a plain, stark white.

Tang Zhuozhuo turned her attention to the silver bells on her wrist. She gave them a flick, and a crisp, faint chiming echoed through the room. She let out a soft chuckle before finally lifting her eyelids. “What are you saying, Liangdi? What matter could you possibly need to ask of me?”

She asked with great interest, but to Zhong Yuxi’s ears, it sounded like pure impatience and mockery. This caused the habitually high-and-mighty Zhong Yuxi to bite her lip.

If it weren’t for the mess her brother had made, which had caused His Highness to grow loathing toward her by association, why would she ever degrade herself to beg a Crown Princess who was known for her unchaste heart?

His Highness was such a paragon; how could a woman like Tang Zhuozhuo, whose heart belonged to an outsider, ever be worthy of him?

Despite her thoughts, she eventually spoke. Her long black hair veiled her expression, and her voice rose low and soft: “A few days ago, this concubine’s elder brother committed some foolish acts that displeased His Highness. For several days now, I have wished to apologize to His Highness, but I have been unable to see him…”

“Zhong Liangdi, your brother’s troubles are a matter of state. The inner palace must not interfere in politics. Are you trying to make me bear a criminal charge for no reason?”

Tang Zhuozhuo interrupted her impatiently. Hearing this, she quickly recalled exactly what Zhong Yuxi’s brother had done to make Huo Qiu fly into such a rage.

The Zhong family had sent their daughter into the Eastern Palace, so they were naturally aligned with Huo Qiu. However, while this brother, Zhong Yu, was talented, his character was muddled and foolish. He had actually hounded his legitimate wife to death because he wanted to take a courtesan as a concubine. The faction of the Sixth Prince, Huo Qi, had seized upon this and refused to let go. The already weakened Emperor Qiongyuan was furious, demoting Zhong Yu several ranks and transferring him away from the capital.

Because of this single incident, the position of Commander of the Infantry Division was handed over to rivals, and eighty to ninety percent of their carefully placed hidden agents were rendered useless. No wonder Huo Qiu hadn’t been seen for days; he must be beyond livid.

Tang Zhuozhuo pursed her lips, and Zhong Yuxi’s voice rang out mournfully, “May Your Ladyship appease your anger… I… I only wish to see His Highness once.”

In Zhong Yuxi’s estimation, Tang Zhuozhuo did not care for Huo Qiu anyway. If she spoke a few flattering words, it shouldn’t be a problem.

Tang Zhuozhuo felt a wave of irritation, and her words became blunt. “If you wish to see His Highness, then go see him. If he does not wish to see you, what power do I have?”

Whenever Huo Qiu’s face darkened, it was more terrifying than anything. Tang Zhuozhuo felt a chill down her spine just thinking about it.

She hadn’t realized before that this Zhong Yuxi was so thick-skinned. She was trying to use Tang Zhuozhuo as a shield. Once she agreed, a quarrel between her and Huo Qiu would be inevitable, and Zhong Yuxi would just happen to step in as the tender, white “understanding flower” to soothe him.

The Zhong family members truly were all calculating.