RPAGF Chapter 507 The Empress Pleads for Help
Chapter 507 The Empress Pleads for Help
As soon as these words were spoken, the hall suddenly fell silent.
The concubines exchanged glances, their eyes filled with schadenfreude... and sympathy.
Su Wan's face instantly turned ugly, and she gripped the armrests of the chair tightly.
She hadn't expected that news from the court would reach the inner palace so quickly, and she certainly hadn't expected anyone to bring it up to her face.
"What do you mean by that, Consort Zhen?" Su Wan tried her best to suppress her anger, keeping her voice calm.
Seeing the change in Su Wan's expression, Consort Zhen was secretly pleased, but on the surface, she pretended to be innocent.
"Your Majesty, I have no other intention than to worry about Your Majesty. After all, if such words were to spread, it would be somewhat unpleasant for Your Majesty's reputation."
“Yes,” another concubine chimed in, “Although the official who made the remonstrance was severely punished by His Majesty, he has already spoken his mind, and I’m afraid the entire court is now filled with doubts.”
"Your Highness is new here and likely not yet familiar with palace rules. If anything goes wrong..."
These words were extremely malicious, implying that Su Wan was not only unworthy of her position, but also ignorant of palace etiquette.
As Su Wan listened to these veiled remarks, her anger burned even brighter.
She thought of Chu Ruohan, and how Chu Ruohan had faced the etiquette matron at the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion that day.
What did Sister Ruohan say at the time?
Yes, she said that you must never show weakness in such situations, because the more you show weakness, the more you will be bullied.
Su Wan took a deep breath and slowly stood up.
Her face was as cold as frost, and her eyes flashed with an air of authority.
"I don't know what Consort Zhen means?" Su Wan's voice was no longer gentle, but carried a hint of coldness.
"Are you questioning my virtue, or Your Majesty's judgment?"
Consort Zhen was caught off guard by Su Wan's sudden change of expression and panicked for a moment: "Your Majesty, I dare not, Your Majesty, I only..."
"But what?" Su Wan interrupted her, walking step by step toward Consort Zhen. "His Majesty will decide my background and character."
"Does the nonsense of a mere censor have the right to criticize me?"
"I ask you, where is that censor now?"
The concubines looked at each other, not daring to answer.
Su Wan sneered: "He was flogged eighty times by His Majesty and almost lost his life. This is the consequence of speaking ill of the Empress!"
She turned and looked around at everyone, her voice as cold as ice.
"I tell you, the reason I was able to sit in this position is because of His Majesty's trust and love, because His Majesty thinks I should be the Empress!"
"As for the nonsense of those clowns, I never take it to heart. But if anyone dares to spread rumors or sow discord in front of me..."
Su Wan walked up to Consort Zhen and looked down at her:
"I wouldn't mind letting them see what the majesty of an empress is all about!"
Consort Zhen was so intimidated by Su Wan's imposing presence that her legs went weak and she almost knelt down.
She had never seen Su Wan so imposing, that oppressive aura emanating from someone in a superior position... How could a commoner dare to do that?
"Your Majesty, please calm your anger. I know I was wrong." Consort Zhen lowered her head.
Su Wan ignored her pleas for mercy and turned to look at the other concubines.
"Today is the first time that you have paid your respects to me. I had hoped to get along well with you all and address you as sisters."
"But since some people don't know what's good for them, then I won't be polite."
"From this day forward, my word will be law in the harem. Anyone who dares to disobey me or spread rumors will be met with my ruthless displeasure!"
There was silence in the hall.
Su Wan returned to her throne and sat down, her expression softening slightly.
"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can all go back. Remember what I said today, and behave yourselves."
The concubines, feeling as if they had been granted a pardon, bowed and took their leave.
Just as they were about to leave, Su Wan noticed that a woman in the crowd did not leave in a hurry, but instead gave her a long, quiet glance.
The woman was extremely beautiful, with an indescribable charm in her eyes and brows, and her temperament was different from that of the other concubines.
Most importantly, there was no fear in her eyes, but rather a sense of scrutiny and contemplation.
The moment their eyes met, Su Wan felt a sudden tightness in her heart.
This woman gave her a dangerous feeling, like a venomous snake lurking in the shadows, ready to strike at any moment.
The woman smiled slightly at Su Wan, then gracefully left, leaving Su Wan alone on the phoenix throne, lost in thought.
Inside the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, Chu Ruohan was sitting in the flower hall, flipping through account books.
Since returning from Pingzhou, she has been overwhelmed with affairs of state, and has not even had time to attend to her own shops.
"Madam, the revenue of our shops this month has been quite good."
Qin Fang stood aside and respectfully reported, "Especially that rouge shop, its newly launched cosmetics are quite popular among the noble ladies in the capital, bringing in three thousand taels of silver in a single month."
Chu Ruohan nodded, her gaze still fixed on the ledger: "How's the caravan doing?"
"Reporting to Madam, the silk and tea that the caravan purchased in Jiangnan have arrived and are being counted and stored. However, the journey was delayed by a few days, making it a little later than expected."
Yu Ling stood quietly to the side, holding a teacup in her hand, but her eyes always avoided Qin Fang's direction.
Qin Fang occasionally looked up at Yu Ling and saw that she had her eyes downcast. He felt a mix of emotions.
Since the day they had their conversation, they have never met in private again, and they even deliberately avoid eye contact.
Chu Ruohan noticed the awkward atmosphere between the two and sighed inwardly.
She knew all too well about these two people... but these things can't be forced; it could only be said that their love was deep but their fate was shallow.
Just then, a young maid rushed in: "Madam, someone from the palace has arrived!"
Chu Ruohan raised her head: "The palace?"
"Yes, they said that Her Majesty the Empress has summoned you urgently and requests that you come to the palace immediately."
Upon hearing this, Yu Ling's expression changed, and she quickly asked, "Why does Her Majesty the Empress suddenly want to see you, Madam? It's only the second day of the Emperor and Empress's wedding, has something happened?"
Chu Ruohan closed the ledger and stood up: "You'll find out when we get there."
Chu Ruohan changed into her palace attire, simply styled her hair, and hurriedly walked out.
Yu Ling followed closely behind, seeing her all the way to the carriage.
"Madam, please be careful on your journey," Yu Ling said with some concern, standing by the carriage.
"I know you're doing well in the manor, don't overthink it." Chu Ruohan glanced at her through the carriage curtain. "If there's anything important, send someone to the palace to deliver a message."
The carriage slowly drove away, and Yu Ling watched it disappear at the end of the street before turning around to return home.
But then they saw Qin Fang holding the account book, standing alone at the gate of the mansion, seemingly hesitating about something.
Yu Ling's heart stirred, and she was about to speak.
She saw Qin Fang glance at her, then turn and leave with the account book in his arms, without looking back.
"You!" Yu Ling stomped her foot in anger, her eyes welling up with tears.
This stubborn man clearly has something to say, but he just won't open his mouth.
Isn't she the same?