vrcanaries Chapter 1454 Shen Maoxue earnestly requests an audience with the Imperial Noble Consort
Chapter 1454 Shen Maoxue earnestly requests an audience with the Imperial Noble Consort
"I have sworn that I will never harm any child again!"
That was an unhealable scar in Consort Kang's heart, her deepest nightmare in the dead of night.
She might scheme to protect herself, and use underhanded tactics to gain favor. But to murder an innocent toddler—she couldn't live with herself...
"But what about Bahargul..."
Caiju said worriedly, "She only gave us three days. If we don't do as she says, she definitely won't let it go."
Concubine Kang remained silent.
Her gaze shifted from struggle and hesitation to coldness and determination.
Finally, it coalesced into a fierce killing intent!
"Since innocent young children are not being harmed..."
Consort Kang spoke slowly, her voice carrying a chilling undertone: "Then eliminate the one who forced us to take action!"
Caiju looked up at Consort Kang: "Your Majesty, what do you mean..."
Consort Kang took a deep breath: "Bahargul was sent to the palace by Prince Jin. She has stirred up trouble in the harem for so long. She must have some backup plans and hidden agents to protect herself. She is indeed not easy to deal with."
"But things are different now..."
She is now just a lowly official's wife, without favor or power. If it weren't for the protection of the eldest princess, she would have died countless times already.
But Consort Kang was, after all, a consort of the highest rank. To make a palace maid disappear silently in the deep palace... there are always more solutions than problems!
Caiju understood what Consort Kang meant.
Although she was still somewhat uneasy, she knew that this might be the only way to completely get rid of the threat and eliminate future troubles.
"Your Majesty is right."
"Only by getting rid of Bahargul can we truly rest easy!"
……
Yongshou Palace.
Shen Zhinian was reviewing the records of the affairs of the six palaces.
Fuqu quietly ground ink on the side.
Xiao Mingzi entered, bowed, and reported: "...Your Majesty, after I gave Bahargul the clues as you instructed, she did not make any significant moves."
"However, the person in charge of keeping watch last night said that she went to the northwest corner of the Imperial Garden under some pretext and met with Consort Kang. The two talked for about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, but the specific content... could not be ascertained."
Shen Zhinian put down her pen, a dark glint flashing in her eyes.
From the moment Consort Kang secretly helped Bahargul escape from the Cold Palace, she knew that the two were colluding.
"It's not hard to guess what Mr. Ba is thinking."
Shen Zhinian said, "She hates Consort Dun to the core, but she is restrained because she is now just a palace maid and it is inconvenient for her to take action. She is also afraid of getting herself into trouble."
"Having obtained clues about Consort Dun's plot to harm Prince Jin, how could Madam Ba be content to just be a bystander? Naturally, she would seek out a ready-made knife so that she could both vent her anger and clear herself of any wrongdoing."
“Consort Kang…is the most suitable candidate.”
Let them be.
Xiao Mingzi bowed his head and said, "Yes."
Han Dan walked in with light steps, holding an exquisite carved box in her hands, with a bright smile on her face: "Your Majesty, this was just sent in from outside the palace. It is a small token of Miss Xia's appreciation."
After the lotus-viewing banquet, the noble ladies who harbored ambitions to marry into the Shen family became even more attentive and enthusiastic towards Shen Zhinian.
Every few days, gift boxes with name cards of various colors would be delivered to Yongshou Palace.
It might be trendy Suzhou embroidery and Hangzhou satin, exquisite Western gadgets, or rare ancient books.
Every single one of them went to great lengths to make their work unique, hoping to leave even the slightest good impression on the Imperial Noble Consort.
Shen Zhinian looked at the intricately carved box.
Handan understood and gently opened the box.
Inside was not some dazzling jewel, nor an overly ostentatious treasure, but a simple and elegant kesi (silk tapestry) round fan.
There was also a thin booklet next to it. When I opened it, I found that it contained the latest popular brocade patterns in Jiangnan.
These things may seem ordinary, but they are made with care.
Shen Zhinian nodded lightly: "Put it away."
Han Dan curtsied and said, "Yes."
……
Consort Zhuang was always mindful of her image and treated her servants with kindness, so she naturally wouldn't make things difficult for Bahargul in public.
In addition, the eldest princess was kind and loved her, so Bahargul's days in Changchun Palace were much more comfortable than she had expected.
In the afternoon, the eldest princess fell asleep in her bedchamber, her breathing even and her sleeping face serene.
Bahargul gave Yingxiang a wink, and the two quietly retreated to the outer room.
Yingxiang's brows furrowed with worry as she lowered her voice and said, "Master, you've already returned the Buddhist scriptures. Will Consort Kang distance herself from us and stop listening to us?"
Upon hearing this, Bahargul's lips curled into a cold smile: "Her hands are already tainted, how can she possibly absolve herself of responsibility?"
"Besides, we're all barefoot now, so what do we have to lose? And Consort Kang's rank is what it is, and she's supporting the Fifth Prince. Would she dare to fight me to the death?"
Yingxiang was still somewhat uneasy: "I'm afraid that Consort Kang might act rashly and do something to us..."
"She didn't dare."
Bahargul scoffed, "We're with the Grand Princess every day. How capable is Consort Kang that she could harm me in Changchun Palace right under Consort Zhuang's nose?"
"And I'm only giving her three days. If she still doesn't show me the results I want, then don't blame me for being ruthless!"
Yingxiang nodded in agreement: "In that case, obediently completing the last task for her mistress is the best option for Consort Kang."
"Otherwise, she can't afford the consequences."
……
The Hall of Nourishing Heart.
Several senior officials had just finished their discussion and were bowing to take their leave.
Shen Maoxue lagged behind, his steps slightly hesitant.
Nangong Xuanyu sat behind the imperial desk, his gaze falling on Shen Maoxue, taking in his hesitation.
"Is there anything else, Minister Shen?"
Shen Maoxue quickly turned around, bowed deeply, his Adam's apple bobbing before he spoke as if gathering his courage: "Your Majesty, this old minister... this old minister wanted to say that the Imperial Noble Consort has been in the palace for nearly three years, and this old minister and the Consort have rarely had the opportunity to speak... I really miss her very much."
At this point, Shen Maoxue paused, then knelt on the ground and said, "This old minister dares to humbly request Your Majesty's permission to pay my respects to the Imperial Noble Consort and have a family reunion."
A hint of mockery flashed in the emperor's eyes.
He remembered very clearly that Nian Nian and Shen Maoxue's father-daughter relationship was not close.
Shen Maoxue's current behavior...
When Nangong Xuanyu thought about his plans to remarry, Niannian even held a lotus-viewing banquet to see the noble ladies.
"That's right."
The emperor did not expose Shen Maoxue, and said calmly, "Father and daughter are bound by family ties, which is only natural. Minister Shen, you may go to Yongshou Palace."
Shen Maoxue's face showed barely suppressed excitement, his eyes even reddened, and he bowed deeply again: "This old minister thanks Your Majesty for your grace!"
Gu Jinxiao was walking away slowly with his colleagues, his official robes neat and his steps steady, when he overheard the words behind him pleading for an audience with the Imperial Noble Consort.
He paused for a moment.
Sunlight streamed down, casting Gu Jinxiao's shadow long and slender. But he didn't turn around, not even to the side, his face remaining as stern and dignified as ever.