si-mexico Chapter 262 Consort Fucha
Chapter 262 Consort Fucha
Zhen Huan carefully examined the account books.
The more I looked at her, the more her brows furrowed.
After a while, she raised her head, her gaze falling on Fucha Peiyun, and then cautiously began to speak:
"Your Majesty, Yu Rao is still young and inexperienced, so she is bound to make some mistakes in her work."
In my humble opinion, it would be better to let me handle this matter.
Your Majesty, I will be extra careful to ensure that no mistakes occur.
Fucha Peiyun's lips curled up slightly, revealing a faint smile.
But her eyes held a scrutinizing quality, making her difficult to read.
She said softly:
"Consort Wan, I know you are always shrewd and capable."
However, I specifically arranged for Consort Zhao to do this, and there is a reason for it.
Consort Zhao is intelligent and quick-witted; I believe she is certainly capable of handling the task.
Could it be that Consort Wan thinks I'm too easy to talk to, so she has to haggle over even things she does?
Zhen Huan's heart tightened; she knew that Fucha Peiyun was implying she shouldn't meddle. She quickly explained:
"Your Majesty is too kind. I had no such intention."
However, I am worried that Yu Rao is still very young, and if anything happens to her...
This will not only affect the progress of the matter, but will also likely cause trouble for Her Majesty the Empress.
Standing to the side, Zhen Yurao also came to a deep understanding of Fucha Peiyun's methods.
If I anger the Empress, it will not only be detrimental to myself, but may also implicate my sister.
So she quickly said:
"Your Majesty, I will do my best to handle this matter and will never let Your Majesty down."
Seeing Zhen Yurao agree so easily, Zhen Huan felt extremely anxious.
She knew this matter was fraught with danger and far beyond what Yu Rao could easily handle.
This matter itself isn't difficult to handle; the difficulty lies in dealing with those people's scheming against Yu Rao after it's all over.
Yu Rao's exposure of this matter affected the interests of those people.
Those people probably want to devour Yu Rao.
"Your Majesty, please be lenient and let me handle this matter."
Having served in the palace for many years, I am far more prudent in my actions than Yu Rao.
Yu Rao is still young and inexperienced; a slight mistake could lead to a serious disaster.
Zhen Huan pleaded with Fucha Peiyun again with earnest words, hoping that she would change her mind.
Fucha Peiyun merely smiled slightly, a smile that conveyed an unfathomable meaning.
She slowly placed the teacup on the table, making a soft sound.
It stood out starkly in the silent palace, like a thunderclap.
This gave both Zhen Huan and Zhen Yu Rao a sudden shock.
Fucha Peiyun's words, like a cold wind, blew straight into Zhen Huan's ears:
"Zhen Huan, you are always so self-righteous."
When you and Shen Meizhuang first entered the palace, you looked down on me.
I still vividly remember the way you looked at me like I was an idiot.
Not only me, but you also looked down on the Empress and Consort Hua back then.
You believe that Consort Hua used her beauty to please men, while the Empress was merely a concubine's daughter.
As for me, in your eyes I'm nothing more than a fool who relies on her family's power to be arrogant and willful.
Look at you two best friends, one of you comparing yourself to the emperor's wife, constantly talking about the wedding night and the dragon and phoenix candles;
The other one, though merely a nobleman, dared to so brazenly interfere in palace affairs.
Upon entering the palace, she mercilessly struck at the sore spots of Consort Hua and the Empress.
They'll hate you to the core and wish they could get rid of you immediately.
But that's precisely how it is; when the two of you confront Consort Hua and the Empress,
They even want to drag me into this.
Using such despicable tricks as charlatanry in the palace, they first picked on me, the easy target.
Aside from making a few sarcastic remarks to An Lingrong and exchanging a few words with you all, I was able to do so at the time.
There weren't many grudges between them.
If you want to scheme against Consort Hua, then do it yourselves. Why drag me into this?
I have been terrified of demons and monsters since I was a child.
That time, Xiao Yunzi scared me so badly!
Since then, I have been unable to sleep soundly every night, always filled with fear and anxiety, and I can't even get a good night's rest.
In order to get a good night's sleep, I drank a calming soup for a long time.
That's how we barely managed to pull through.
You always say how vicious Consort Hua is, but how kind are you yourselves?
This has happened more than once! I remember it all!
Not long after your first miscarriage, you once pulled me aside for a chat.
On the surface, it seems normal, but in reality, you're just trying to repeat the same old trick.
They're trying to scare me with the story of Empress Lü and the human pig.
Do you think I'd fall for your tricks again?
What were you thinking at that time?
I didn't kill your child back then!
You dare not lay a hand on Ulanara Yixiu.
Yet you come here to scheme against me. Aren't you just jealous that I was able to give birth to my child safely?
Fucha Peiyun's lips curled slightly as she watched Zhen Huan's extremely unpleasant expression with great interest.
These things weren't originally meant for her sisters to do.
She was just too lazy to look for other suitable candidates.
Unexpectedly, Zhen Yurao's life was firmly in her hands.
I never expected that Zhen Huan would dare to be so arrogant as to try and bargain with me. How ridiculous!
Fucha Peiyun gracefully picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and then said slowly and deliberately:
"I am indeed not as smart as you, and I was indeed a bit spoiled back then."
However, this cannot be blamed on me, since my family had not originally intended for me to enter the palace.
During the struggle for the throne among the nine princes, the Fucha family chose the wrong side. For the sake of the family's future...
Only then did they think of selecting women to enter the palace.
There were no suitable women on the main branch, so they chose me.
When I entered the palace, my family didn't have any high expectations at all.
They only thought that as long as the Fucha family had a daughter in the palace, it would bring some protection to the family.
After all, given my background, it shouldn't be a problem for me to attain the rank of concubine or imperial consort in the future.
But who could have imagined that the waters of the inner palace would run so deep!
When I entered the palace, I was too naive. I thought this place was like home, so I didn't have many precautions.
As a result, I almost got killed by your treacherous and cunning schemes!
Fortunately, after that flower-viewing banquet, I finally realized my mistake and saved Hongchang in time.
From that moment on, I knew all too well that survival in the harem was not easy, and that the slightest misstep could lead to utter ruin.
Therefore, I have always been cautious and prudent over the years.
Only by proceeding cautiously step by step could they remain standing in the treacherous imperial harem.
Unlike you and Shen Meizhuang, who only know about love and romance all day long,
Thinking about that false sisterhood
Speaking of which, Shen Meizhuang did become smarter later on, and was no longer as naive as before.
Otherwise, if she had continued to fight for you, her best friend, it's questionable whether she would still be alive today.
Fucha Peiyun raised the corners of her mouth slightly, looking at Zhen Huan with a half-smile, a hint of mockery flashing in her eyes.
Zhen Huan listened as Fucha Peiyun recounted these past events.
I felt as if my face had been ripped off mercilessly, and it burned with pain.
Her face turned pale and then red, filled with shame and anger, yet she couldn't refute it.
She never expected that Fucha Peiyun would remember these old stories so clearly.
And they said it so bluntly.
Zhen Yurao stood to the side, equally stunned by Fucha Peiyun's words.
Standing there, completely at a loss for what to do.
Fucha Peiyun slowly put down her teacup, her previously gentle gaze suddenly turning sharp.
Fucha Peiyun stared straight at Zhen Huan and said coldly:
"Consort Wan, what you did back then..."
The reason I didn't hold it against you is not because I have a good temper.
It's not because I'm keeping you around, but because you still have a use to me.
Zhen Huan felt a surge of emotion, as if a metallic taste was stuck in her throat, making it almost impossible for her to breathe.
It felt as if she had been struck hard in the chest by a heavy hammer.
The pain was unbearable, but the sweet, metallic smell grew stronger, making her want to cough.
Her health was already poor, and she had been barely managing to get by these days thanks to the medicine Wen Shichu gave her.
However, this sudden surge of emotion made her already fragile body even more vulnerable.
Zhen Huan clenched her fists tightly, her nails digging deep into her palms.
She tried her best to calm herself down and suppress the shame and anger in her heart.
She took a deep breath, composed herself, and then looked up.
Looking directly into the Empress's eyes, he slowly said:
"Your Majesty, I would like to ask, is my current predicament your doing?"
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly, a faint hint of mockery playing at the corners of her lips, and said directly:
"I am merely standing by and watching you fight with Ulanara Yixiu."
Zhen Huan felt as if a bucket of ice water had been poured over her, chilling her to the bone.
Zhen Huan's face grew increasingly pale, and her lips trembled slightly.
He seemed to want to say something, but ultimately didn't.
A complex emotion flashed in her eyes—disappointment, anger, and a hint of helplessness.
However, she couldn't dwell on these things anymore. Thinking about them would be pointless.
All she could do was try her best to protect Yu Rao.
Only in this way could she face her father and mother in the afterlife.
She took a deep breath, trying to appear calm and composed.
But there was a barely perceptible tremor in his voice:
"Your Majesty, I understand."
Your Majesty, your humble servant and Yu Rao will do our utmost to handle this matter well and will never fail to live up to Your Majesty's expectations.
They are now pawns in the Empress's hands, left to be manipulated at her mercy.
Otherwise, they'll only have one way out: death.
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly and said:
"That's more like it. Once Consort Zhao has been under house arrest for a full month, this matter can begin."
She paused, then continued:
"These days, Consort Wan should still spend more time in front of the Emperor, so as not to make the Emperor feel lonely."
Zhen Yurao and Zhen Huan exchanged a glance and quickly agreed, indicating that they would definitely follow Fucha Peiyun's instructions.
Fucha Peiyun nodded in satisfaction, then slowly said:
"If you handle this matter well, I will consider arranging for Consort Zhao to leave the palace once everything is settled."
As soon as she finished speaking, Zhen Huan showed an incredulous expression, as if she couldn't believe what she had heard.
After a long while, she came to her senses and asked with a look of surprise:
"Your Majesty, are you truly willing to release Yu Rao from the palace? You yourself promised, you cannot go back on your word."
Zhen Huan's voice carried a hint of urgency and anticipation; she knew what this meant for Yu Rao.
All she prayed for now was Yu Rao's safety; if Yu Rao could leave the palace alive...
Then she can do anything.
Zhen Yurao did not want to leave the palace.
What could she do after leaving the palace?
Although this inner palace is full of intrigue and deceit, at least I still have my sister by my side.
Zhen Yurao grasped Zhen Huan's hand tightly, looked at her with unwavering eyes, and said without hesitation:
"Sister, Yu Rao doesn't want to leave the palace."
Zhen Huan felt a pang of sorrow upon hearing Yu Rao's reply.
She held Yu Rao's hand tightly, looked at her with gentle yet firm eyes, and whispered:
"Yu Rao, you must listen to your sister."
Leaving the palace is the best choice for you.
Within these high walls, Yu Rao could never truly escape the intrigues and schemes.
Yu Rao's body could not withstand such torment.
Zhen Huan continued:
"After leaving the palace, you can stay away from these conflicts."
To live a free and unrestrained life, no longer at the mercy of anyone.
You can pursue the happiness you truly desire.
A hint of hesitation flashed in Zhen Yurao's eyes. She knew her sister's words made sense, but she still felt a little reluctant.
She whispered, "Sister, I'm afraid of leaving you..."
Zhen Huan: "Alright, that's enough."
Fucha Peiyun watched the two sisters coldly from the side.
A slight upturn at the corners of her mouth revealed her indifference to their sisterly bond.
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly, her eyes revealing a hint of certainty:
"What I say goes."
As long as you sisters handle this matter well, I will naturally keep my promise.
However, I must also remind you,
This is a matter of great importance to me. If I mess it up, don't blame me for not showing any mercy.
Zhen Huan felt a chill run down her spine; she knew that Fucha Peiyun's words were true.
She quickly stood up, bowed slightly, and spoke in a respectful yet firm tone:
"Your Majesty, I understand. Your Majesty and I will do our utmost and will never let you down."
Seeing Zhen Huan's sincere attitude, Fucha Peiyun nodded slightly, then turned to Zhen Yurao:
"Consort Zhao, you must understand that this opportunity has not come easily."
If you can handle this matter well, I will naturally give you a good way out.
But if you mess it up, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Although Zhen Yurao felt uneasy.
But remembering her sister's instructions and her own situation, she gritted her teeth and said:
"Your Majesty, I understand. I will do my best to live up to your expectations."
Fucha Peiyun smiled slightly, seemingly satisfied with their answer.
She picked up her teacup, took a small sip, and then slowly said:
"Alright, then I'll be waiting for your good news."
Ye'er, take the medicine that I bestowed upon Consort Zhao back to her.
"Send Consort Wan and Consort Zhao out."
Ye'er responded and respectfully walked to Zhen Huan and Zhen Yu Rao's side, indicating that they could leave.
Zhen Huan and Zhen Yu Rao stood up, bowed to Fucha Pei Yun, and then followed Ye'er out of Kun Ning Palace.
After leaving Kunning Palace, Zhen Huan and Zhen Yu Rao walked side by side.
Both remained silent, pondering what to do next.