Translator: Dj22031
Editor: Dj22031
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Concubine Qian had been very uneasy for a while.
She diligently helped Concubine Hui to implement the plan every day. On the surface, she flattered the Empress, came to the Empress every day to pay respects and serve, but secretly practiced repeatedly, imitating the Empress and the musician’s handwriting. After nearly a year, she had practiced very effectively, and there was not much difference if you looked closely.
She planned to find a suitable opportunity after a while, secretly put the letter in the Empress’s book, and then go to Qingxin Pavilion to quietly hide the other letter under the floor, and then she would have completed the task completely.
By that time, the Empress would certainly be deposed, and Concubine Hui would certainly be established as the new Empress…
Then, Concubine Hui would have no reason not to fulfil her promise and send her out of the palace to meet Wang Yi.
When she thought of Wang Yi, Concubine Qian felt a sweet feeling in her heart.
She had lived an extremely miserable life. Although she was born in a wealthy family, she was always of low status. She was despised by her father and her brothers and sisters. She could only go with the flow and suffer. Since she could remember, she had not had many happy days.
But Concubine Hui was the eldest daughter of the family since she was a child. She was the apple of the eye of the master and his wife and the object of admiration of her brothers and sisters. She was dressed in fine clothes and fed with delicious food. No one dared to say no to her, and no one dared to disobey even half of her request.
It was impossible to say that she was not jealous. In fact, jealousy had already worn her heart to the point of bleeding.
But no matter how bloody it was, she had to endure it, depend on her, work like a cow and a horse for her, and remove obstacles for her.
Fortunately… Fortunately, there was still a Wang Yi in the world.
Wang Yi was the only light in Shan Qian’s gloomy life for more than 20 years.
Until now, Shan Qian still remembered what Wang Yi liked to eat, what he liked to wear, how he smiled, how heroic he was when he drew his bow and arrow… and his spirit of not returning until he had made achievements when he left the Shan family.
No matter what happened in the past, as long as she could meet Wang Yi again and communicate with him, there would be no regrets.
Concubine Qian put away the smile at the corner of her mouth, lowered her head, followed her face, and walked into the Empress’s Yuanheng Palace.
In the past year, no matter how she flattered the Empress, the Empress did not respond at all. She was very cold to her and did not allow her to get in touch with any secrets. She only let her embroider and serve tea every day… After all, the Empress was the Empress. She knew that she was Concubine Hui’s person, and she was always vigilant about herself.
But such vigilance couldn’t protect herself.
Concubine Qian looked at the Empress sitting on the couch with a dignified manner, and a strong sense of guilt surged in her heart.
The Empress really didn’t treat her harshly at all. She even restrained Concubine Hui when Concubine Hui scolded her.
And she actually had to help Concubine Hui to overthrow the Empress…
But… What about the guilt? As a concubine’s daughter of the Shan family, she had no choice but to do things for her elder sister… The most important thing was… Only in this way could she meet Wang Yi.
Trying her best to wipe out the tangled thoughts in her mind, Concubine Qian raised her face, stood softly in front of the Empress, and said a few auspicious words to please her.
Today’s Empress was a little different.
In the past, the Empress would not even look at her for a second, but today she looked at her for a long time and then ordered: “Go to the small study in the backyard and bring the copy of “The Doctrine of the Mean” on the desk.”
“Yes.” Concubine Qian responded softly, and under the guidance of the maid, she walked towards the small study.
The small study was very dark, and the windows were closed. When the maid arrived at the door, she made a “please” gesture.
Concubine Qian’s heart was in turmoil: Could it be… Could it be that the Empress noticed it?
Not necessarily. Maybe it’s just a test of whether she was loyal to her. Besides, it has come to this point. What’s the point of retreating?
Concubine Qian closed her eyes and walked into the small study.
With a clang, the door of the study was closed by the maid, and then with a click, a big lock was locked.
“Empress!” Seeing that the situation was not good, Concubine Qian knelt down and begged for mercy, saying to the outside of the door: “Empress, I am guilty. I must have not served you well. Please forgive me, Empress!”
The maid outside the door just stood there without any reaction. After hearing what she said, she walked away without saying a word.
Concubine Qian was more and more confused and frightened. She had no choice but to stand up and look around – the small study was just a small study. There was nothing special about the furnishings around it, but the light was particularly dim.
A woman’s voice suddenly came from behind the bookshelf.
“Consort Qian, do you still remember this old friend?”
“Who?” Consort Qian shuddered. She could tell that the voice was familiar, like that of someone from the Shan family…
“It doesn’t matter if you don’t remember.” The woman continued, “It’s just that the matter between you and Wang Yi…”
When Consort Qian heard Wang Yi’s name being mentioned, she was scared to death. All she could think of was: Did the Empress already know?
After pretending to be calm, Consort Qian scolded, “You slandered the concubines in the harem without any reason. You must know the consequences!”
“Forget it, I’m not here to blame Consort Qian.” The woman finally appeared from behind the bookshelf. She was wearing the clothes of a palace maid, without any makeup, and her hairstyle was simple, but she could still be recognized as the Shan family’s maid, Chun Tao.
“Chun Tao?” Consort Qian said in surprise.
“It’s me.” Chun Tao had a blank expression on her face. She bowed and said, “I came here not to accuse Consort, but to tell Consort two things, two things about Wang Yi.”
“I have nothing to do with him.” Consort Qian denied coldly.
“So what if you have a connection? So what if you have no connection?” Chun Tao’s expressionless face showed a bitter smile, and her eyes were slightly red: “Anyway, Wang Yi is dead.”
Consort Qian said lightly: “Do you think such a clumsy trick can fool me?”
She was convinced that Chun Tao said this to get her reaction. As long as she reacted violently, it would be seen that she had an affair with Wang Yi… Therefore, she did not move at all.
“It’s true.” Chun Tao took out several pieces of evidence from her arms. They were all brought back by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and the zither player from the northwest. Among them were letters from Wang Yi’s subordinates, a list of the dead with the seal of the Northwest Army, and so on…
Consort Qian took the evidence and looked at it carefully but still did not move at all.
“Has Concubine Qian never doubted it? Why did General Shan come back after the last great victory, but Wang Yi didn’t?” Chun Tao asked.
“…”
“Besides, even if Wang Yi was still alive, he wouldn’t marry you.” Chun Tao said coldly: “The person he loved was Concubine Hui.”
Chun Tao had really followed Shan Hengxin to the Northwest Army and had personal experience of military affairs. Moreover, she grew up in the Shan family since she was a child and knew Wang Yi and Concubine Hui very well. Consort Qian didn’t believe the truth she told at first, but the more they talked, the more complete and detailed the information she revealed was. In addition, Chun Tao had evidence in her hands, and Consort Qian had no chance to deny it no matter how much she wanted to.
Chun Tao emphasized the fact that Wang Yi had a crush on Concubine Hui – the intuition between women was the most accurate, and all the signs were obvious. Consort Qian was just confused by Shan Hui, but everything would be clear as long as she was revealed a little bit of it.
The two talked for two and a half hours, until dusk came, and the palace maid outside unlocked the door and let Consort Qian out.
Consort Qian had already put away all the sad, desperate and angry expressions, and restored her usual pale and indifferent appearance, as she walked out step by step.
“Ding!” The system prompted: “Host, Concubine Qian’s trust in Concubine Hui… has dropped to 0%”
“Got it.” Li Yuebai nodded.
Before returning to her own palace, Concubine Qian went to see Concubine Hui as usual.
There was no change in her expression, and her emotions did not fluctuate. She only said that the Empress left her in the small study to copy books for two and a half hours. Concubine Hui asked a few more questions, and Concubine Qian answered them all fluently. She also dismissed the palace maids and quietly took out her calligraphy to show Concubine Hui. The calligraphy was so exquisite that it was indistinguishable from the real thing.
Concubine Hui was satisfied, so she nodded and let Concubine Qian go back to rest.
Concubine Qian did not dare to show a gnashing expression until she returned to her bedroom and hid behind the bed curtain.
Shan Hui had status, beauty, the love of her parents, the support of her brothers and sisters, and the favor of the emperor… She had become numb to all these, accustomed to them, and could tolerate them, but… why? Why did Shan Hui take away the only person she loved? Not only did she take him away, but she also treated him like a worn-out shoe. Not only did she treat him like a worn-out shoe, but she also used him as a chess piece and herself as another chess piece to play a game leading to the position of Empress…
When she thought that Wang Yi was obsessed with Shan Hui before his sacrifice and had no concern for her, Concubine Qian’s eyes almost dripped blood.
She hated Shan Hui so much that she wanted to pierce Shan Hui’s face with her nails, bite off every piece of Shan Hui’s flesh with her teeth, and chop Shan Hui into pieces with a knife…
…Of course, these bloody things could only be thought of.
However, killing people did not necessarily require nails, teeth or knives.
Not long after, Concubine Qian put away her gnashing expression and replaced it with an indifferent smile.
Who said that chess pieces could only be manipulated by others? If chess pieces got angry, they were enough to destroy the entire chess game and even bite back the person playing chess.
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