latelenovela Chapter 1697 It's nothing more than saying a nice word to His Majesty.
Chapter 1697 It's nothing more than saying a nice word to His Majesty.
"Therefore, it is better to keep a proper distance from someone like Consort Tang than to rashly try to win her over. She has no intention of harming anyone, and we do not need to be her enemy."
At that moment, they suddenly felt enlightened.
Her Majesty is indeed far-sighted! She never looks at short-term gains or seemingly exploitable relationships, but rather at long-term stability.
"I have learned my lesson!"
Qiu Yue bowed deeply in sincere admiration: "It was my shallow thinking that led me to only see the surface and fail to see the underlying intricacies and long-term benefits."
Han Dan quickly followed suit and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty's considerations are so thorough that we servants are far inferior to you."
Shen Zhinian smiled slightly: "Good that you understand."
"It's never wrong to take an extra step or think one step further in the palace."
"You will also learn in the future to judge people and things not just by appearances, but also by their actions, their hearts, and their circumstances."
"Today's trip by Consort Tang was a mishap for her. For us, it is also a mirror, reflecting many things that deserve our vigilance."
The confidantes bowed in unison: "Your Majesty, we will obey your teachings!"
……
After leaving Yongshou Palace, walking back along the long palace road, Consort Tang's mood remained very heavy.
"The Imperial Noble Consort is indeed not easy to talk to..."
She sighed and whispered to Rui'er beside her, "I begged Her Majesty so much, but she didn't show me the slightest bit of leniency."
Upon hearing this, Rui'er could only offer a soft word of comfort: "Your Highness, the Imperial Noble Consort is, after all, a concubine in the harem. Perhaps there are indeed things she cannot interfere with in the affairs of the court."
Consort Tang, seemingly lost in thought, muttered, "Who in the harem doesn't know that the Imperial Noble Consort enjoys the Emperor's favor? To her, this is nothing more than saying a nice word to His Majesty."
"If it were the Imperial Concubine... everyone in the palace knows that the Imperial Concubine is the most kind and benevolent. If I were to go and beg her..."
Halfway through her sentence, Consort Tang shook her head and sighed.
Given the current situation, how could she dare to ask others for help so easily?
Rui'er said, "My lady, speaking of the Imperial Concubine... I heard the other day that because of the turmoil at Fatu Temple, the Imperial Concubine even closed her small Buddhist hall. Perhaps she was trying to avoid trouble."
Consort Tang quickly looked around and saw that apart from a few low-ranking palace maids and eunuchs hurrying past with their heads down in the distance, there was no one else on the palace road. Only then did she feel a little relieved and gave Rui'er a reproachful glare: "Stop talking nonsense!"
"Is this something you can just casually discuss? Be careful, walls have ears, you've broken a taboo!"
Rui'er realized she had spoken out of turn, so she quickly shut her mouth and dared not say another word.
Consort Tang's mind was in a mess.
Just as I was feeling uneasy, I suddenly heard a series of unhurried footsteps coming from ahead.
Consort Tang looked up and her heart tightened immediately; it was Consort Zhuang's entourage.
Several well-dressed eunuchs and palace maids escorted a finely crafted palanquin as it slowly approached.
Seated atop the palanquin was Consort Zhuang, dressed in an autumn-colored palace gown.
Her expression was serene, her eyes gentle, and she possessed an air of natural elegance.
Consort Tang hurriedly stopped and pulled Rui'er to the side of the palace path, bowing deeply: "This concubine greets Your Highness, may Your Highness be blessed with good fortune and peace!"
The sedan chair stopped.
Consort Zhuang's gaze fell on Consort Tang, noticing her slightly red eyes, panicked expression, and pitiful appearance.
Consort Zhuang smiled with pity and said gently, "So it's Sister Tang. Please, no need for formalities."
"Where did you come from, little sister?"
Consort Tang rose, still bowing her head, and respectfully said, "Replying to Your Highness, I just went to Yongshou Palace to pay my respects to the Imperial Noble Consort and have just returned."
"Oh? You went to pay your respects to the Imperial Noble Consort?"
Consort Zhuang's gaze lingered on Consort Tang's face for a moment longer, taking in her forced composure: "Your Highness the Imperial Noble Consort is six months pregnant, so it is only right that Sister Tang goes to pay her respects."
"However... I noticed that Sister Tang doesn't look too well. Is she unwell? Or is she facing some kind of difficulty?"
The question was asked tactfully, but it struck right at Consort Tang's most vulnerable spot at that moment.
She was already filled with worries and had nowhere to confide in. When Consort Zhuang asked her gently, her nose tingled and she almost burst into tears again.
Consort Tang raised her head and looked at Consort Zhuang's face, which was full of kindness and care, as if a drowning person had seen a piece of driftwood.
"The royal concubine..."
She pleaded, "Your Majesty... Your Majesty has something that terrifies me, and I don't know what to do..."
Seeing this, Consort Zhuang's expression of pity deepened. She gently raised her hand to signal the sedan chair to be lowered and, with Ruoji's help, stepped down.
When they reached Consort Tang, Consort Zhuang took her hand, only to find it ice-cold.
"Look how cold Tang's hands are."
Consort Zhuang said with pity, "If you have any difficulties, you might as well tell me. We are sisters in the palace. If you can help me out, I will definitely not stand idly by."
"If Sister Tang doesn't mind, would you like to come back to Changchun Palace with me for a seat, have a cup of hot tea, and talk slowly? Is that alright?"
These words and gestures stood in stark contrast to the Imperial Noble Consort's polite refusal in Yongshou Palace.
Consort Tang nodded repeatedly with gratitude on her face, tears glistening in her eyes: "Thank you for your mercy, Your Highness!"
"How could this humble concubine dare to complain? I'm only afraid of disturbing Your Highness's peace and quiet..."
Consort Zhuang smiled and said, "What do you mean by disturbing me? I was feeling rather bored, and it's perfect to have Sister Tang here to chat."
After she finished speaking, she turned around and got back into the sedan chair.
Consort Tang followed behind with Rui'er.
At that moment, a glimmer of hope arose in her heart.
Perhaps there really is a turning point in my father's situation.
Changchun Palace.
Consort Zhuang led Consort Tang to an inner room and ordered hot longan tea and several delicate pastries to be served.
"Sister Tang, have some tea first to warm yourself up."
Consort Zhuang personally pushed the teacup in front of Consort Tang, her attitude warm and friendly, as if she were treating her own sister.
"Thank you, noble concubine."
Consort Tang was flattered and quickly expressed her gratitude.
She composed herself and, under Consort Zhuang's questioning, recounted her worries about her father's situation and how her plea to Yongshou Palace had been politely refused, with a hint of grievance.
"...His Majesty only gave us three days. No matter how capable Father is, the rumors are baseless and unsubstantiated. How can we investigate them?"
"This concubine is truly terrified. What if, three days later, Father..."
As she spoke of her worries, Consort Tang couldn't help but shed tears again: "I know I shouldn't be bothering Your Highness, but I'm truly at my wit's end..."
"I dare not go to the Imperial Noble Consort's place again..."
Consort Zhuang listened quietly, her face showing understanding and sympathy.
After Consort Tang finished speaking, she sighed softly, picked up a handkerchief, and personally wiped away Consort Tang's tears.
"Poor thing..."
“Sister Tang, I understand your predicament.”