si-mexico Chapter 306 Consort Jing's Reprimand
Chapter 306 Consort Jing's Reprimand
The palace walls stand tall, and the glazed tiles reflect a cold, piercing light in the afternoon sun.
Chu Ruohan walked along the palace path, surrounded by obedient palace servants.
Inside Qing'an Palace, the air was filled with warm fragrance, and the furnishings were incredibly luxurious.
Consort Jing leaned against the cushioned chaise lounge, her skin appearing as white as snow against her deep purple palace dress.
With her phoenix eyes slightly lowered, she was slowly and deliberately fiddling with the bright red nail polish.
Chu Ruohan curtsied in accordance with the rules.
"Your humble servant greets Your Highness the Imperial Concubine. May Your Highness enjoy boundless blessings and peace."
Consort Jing did not tell her to get up, and Chu Ruohan remained in a half-squatting position.
Time passed slowly, and a tingling numbness spread through my knees.
Consort Jing seemed not to see her at all, remaining focused on her nails and not even lifting her eyelids.
The palace was eerily quiet, with only the faint sound of breathing and the occasional scraping of Consort Jing's fingernails against the table.
Chu Ruohan's body began to sway uncontrollably, just as she was about to give up.
That languid voice finally rang out.
"Get up."
"Give me a seat."
The palace maids quickly brought over an embroidered stool and served tea.
Chu Ruohan thanked him and sat down, only sitting on half of her buttocks, her back ramrod straight.
Consort Jing finally raised her eyes, her gaze falling on Chu Ruohan with scrutiny, yet devoid of warmth.
"Mrs. Gu."
She put down her hand, picked up the teacup, and gently blew away the foam.
"Prince Su has always been virtuous and has never had a concubine in his household."
"I have long had a plan in mind for his choice of wife."
Consort Jing put down her teacup, her eyes sharp as knives, piercing straight at Chu Ruohan.
"Instead of getting entangled with a married woman."
I knew it as expected.
Yesterday, she dined with "Prince Su" at a restaurant. Although it was done in secrecy, it could not escape the eyes of the palace.
Chu Ruohan's heart tightened, but she dared not show it on her face.
Consort Jing's voice carried a hint of barely perceptible coldness as she continued to tap.
“I watched Junze grow up.”
"He is now far away on the frontier, fighting for his country and shedding blood in battle."
"As his wife, Madam Gu should behave herself and uphold the virtues of womanhood."
The warning in those words couldn't be clearer.
Chu Ruohan immediately rose from the embroidered stool, curtsied again, and bowed with a humble and respectful demeanor.
"Your Majesty, I am completely innocent with His Highness Prince Su, and there has been absolutely no transgression between us."
"It was just a chance encounter yesterday. Your Highness was simply being considerate of my wife and asked a few questions about my husband's situation at the border."
"This humble woman would never dare to do anything wrong, much less allow Your Majesty to misunderstand."
She adopted an extremely humble posture and spoke earnestly, trying to sever ties with Prince Su.
Consort Jing's lips curled into a barely perceptible smile, seemingly satisfied with her reaction.
Of course she knew that Chu Ruohan and Gu Junze had a deep relationship, and now that she was pregnant, how could she possibly seduce Prince Su?
It was nothing more than using a warning to Chu Ruohan to remind her of her son, whom she found increasingly difficult to understand.
My son is growing up and has become more thoughtful.
There are some things that she, as the mother, finds difficult to say directly.
Finding a smart person like Chu Ruohan and knowing when to stop might be more effective.
"Alright, I was just giving you a hint."
Consort Jing softened her tone and picked up her teacup again.
"I understand your thoughts."
Chu Ruohan secretly breathed a sigh of relief, but dared not completely relax.
She carefully considered her words before tentatively speaking.
"Your Majesty, I dare to speak out."
"I feel that His Highness Prince Su seems to be... somewhat different from before these days."
She carefully observed Consort Jing's expression, capturing any subtle change.
"He seems...more composed and more dignified."
This is a very clever way of putting it; it sounds like a compliment, yet it also subtly points out the change.
However, Consort Jing's reaction was beyond her expectations.
A satisfied smile appeared on Consort Jing's face, a smile that even carried a hint of self-satisfaction.
"Oh? You noticed it too?"
"Yunheng used to be too soft-hearted, but now that he's been gaining experience in the court, he's changed a lot, which is a good thing."
"I am very satisfied with the changes in him now."
Chu Ruohan's heart sank little by little.
satisfaction?
Consort Jing was actually satisfied with the changes in this imposter?
Did she really not notice anything amiss?
A mother and son are of one heart and spend every day together. How could she not even realize that her own son had been replaced?
Was it Gu Chengyan's excellent disguise, or was it Consort Jing...?
Consort Jing seemed unwilling to discuss the matter further and waved her hand.
"Alright, you must be tired today. You may leave."
"Yes, this humble woman takes her leave."
Suppressing her unease, Chu Ruohan bowed respectfully and slowly withdrew from Yongning Palace.
Stepping out of the palace gates, the afternoon sun shone on her, but it couldn't dispel the chill in her heart.
It's clear that the path of pursuing Consort Jing is not viable.
Chu Ruohan felt a deep sense of powerlessness.
The only possibility has been dashed.
She walked out along the palace path, her mind heavy with worries, her steps unsteady.
Is there really no other way?
Just then, a gentle voice came from behind.
"Madam Gu, please wait."
Chu Ruohan paused, turned around, and saw the Third Prince dressed in monk's robes.
At this moment, alarm bells were ringing in Chu Ruohan's mind.
Why are they all coming to her, one after another?
First it was the "Prince Su," and now it's the Third Prince.
"Meet the Third Prince."
The third prince held his prayer beads, his face expressionless.
"Madam Gu, there's no need for such formalities."
"I am about to go and recite scriptures to pray for the Empress Dowager. Would you like to come with me and offer incense to the Empress Dowager?"
His invitation sounded perfectly reasonable.
"This……"
Chu Ruohan hesitated for a moment.
The Third Prince seemed to see through her concerns.
"It's just a small favor, a way to show filial piety to my grandmother. If it's inconvenient for you, Madam Gu, it's fine."
Even so, Chu Ruohan couldn't refuse directly.
"It is my honor to be able to pray for the Empress Dowager."
She eventually agreed.
The two walked side by side toward Cixi Palace, where the Empress Dowager resided.
They remained silent the entire way, the atmosphere subtly tense.
Upon arriving at the Buddhist hall in the side hall of Cixi Palace, the palace servants had already prepared incense and candles.
The third prince, with a solemn expression, first offered incense and muttered incantations.
Chu Ruohan also stepped forward and lit three sticks of incense.
She silently prayed for Gu Junze's safety and also prayed that she could uncover the truth as soon as possible.
Wisps of smoke rose, carrying a faint sandalwood scent.
Just as Chu Ruohan finished lighting the incense and was about to leave...
The third prince beside him suddenly spoke in a low voice, which carried an undeniable warning.
"Mrs. Gu."
“Prince Su… is not someone you can afford to offend.”
Chu Ruohan suddenly looked up.
The Third Prince still wore a gentle smile, but deep in his eyes lay a cold warning.
"Stay away from him."
"For your own good, and for General Gu's good as well."