Chapter Fifty-Nine: Thoughts of Departure

With the issuance of this command, the inner palace was filled with joy, the ladies gathered together, chatting away merrily.

“To think that Consort Rong once enjoyed the emperor’s favor, yet now finds herself imprisoned—truly, she got what she deserved!”

“Indeed! She’s just the daughter of a fallen official family, yet she dared to contend with us. I can’t imagine where she found such courage!” Noble Lady Jia fluttered her fan before her face, her attire today especially flamboyant.

Clearly, she believed that with Hua Rong’s fall from grace, she could now outshine the rest and become the emperor’s new favorite. Yet, alas, when she went to pay her respects to the emperor today, she wasn’t even granted an audience. All she could do now was relish the pleasure of gossip among her peers.

Peach blossoms bloomed riotously in the courtyard, filling the grand pavilion with the laughter of the concubines.

But amidst this scene of schadenfreude, a melodious voice suddenly rang out, “I didn’t expect all the elder sisters to be here—what a coincidence.”

At these words, everyone turned in unison, only to see Noble Lady Yu approaching!

With her exotic features, Noble Lady Yu was strikingly beautiful—her face delicate, her eyes large and fringed with long lashes, her upturned lips lending further refinement to her looks. Even without lavish attire, she could still take everyone’s breath away at a glance.

In that instant, Noble Lady Jia’s elaborate dress seemed ordinary, even vulgar by comparison. Her expression changed as she muttered under her breath, “Why is it her? She received the emperor’s favor last night—could she be here to flaunt it?”

The others curled their lips as well. If they disliked Hua Rong, they liked this dazzling newcomer to the palace even less.

Yet before their scattered remarks could take shape, Noble Lady Yu had already reached them and greeted them with a courteous bow. “Greetings, elder sisters. It seems you are enjoying tea and good company—might I perhaps join you?”

Noble Lady Jia let out a cold laugh. “Little sister, you’re currently enjoying the emperor’s favor. I fear drinking and making merry with us is beneath you. Why not seek out His Majesty instead?” Her words were laced with sarcasm and unmistakable jealousy.

The others wore expressions of haughty disdain, practically looking down their noses at her, and the atmosphere grew awkward.

Just then, Consort Wen suddenly rose, a gentle smile on her lips, and walked over to Noble Lady Yu. Taking her hand lightly, she said, “Don’t mind their jesting. The more, the merrier, and we are all sisters in the inner palace now—there’s no need for such formality.”

With that, she drew her to a seat beside her.

“Consort Wen, you really are too kindhearted!” Noble Lady Jia sneered, clear irritation flickering in her eyes.

Consort Wen said nothing more, but beside her, Yulu was especially warm. “Since we are all sisters now, I have prepared some gifts for everyone—please, accept them as a token of my goodwill!”

At her signal, several maids approached, each bearing a tray laden with precious items. When uncovered, the treasures dazzled the eyes.

“My, Noble Lady Yu is truly generous! These must be rewards from the emperor—how impressive!” Though inwardly pleased, they took care to accept the gifts with dignity, for accepting a foreign woman’s offerings might otherwise feel like a slight.

Yulu shook her head. “You jest, sisters. Since that night, His Majesty’s attitude toward me has been lukewarm at best. These are items from my dowry, all of them exceedingly valuable, and just a small token of my regard—please accept them.”

At this, the others breathed a sigh of relief, and their impression of Yulu improved at once. They eagerly tried on the gifts without hesitation.

“This bracelet is lovely—it looks so unique on my wrist!”

“Yes, and the jade ring is of excellent quality. You truly are considerate, sister Yu!”

The concubines didn’t stand on ceremony, slipping on the jewelry at once. After all, they rarely enjoyed the emperor’s favor themselves, so these gifts provided a small measure of comfort.

Seeing their lack of restraint, Noble Lady Jia snorted. “It’s just a few meaningless trinkets—look at how happy you all are.”

Though she seemed dismissive, she still accepted the gift, putting on a show of indifference.

As night fell, Hua Rong indeed tried to leave several times, only to be turned back each time, growing increasingly agitated.

“Xuánjī Palace is already so small—do you truly mean to imprison me here for life?” Hua Rong shouted at the top of her lungs, hands cupped as if to amplify her voice, desperate for someone to take notice.

But there was no response.

“My lady, let it go. Without the emperor here, no one cares what becomes of us.” Suxin pursed her lips, her face full of worry, making Hua Rong feel helpless. “I’m not even anxious myself—why do you look more distraught than I do?”

“Have you forgotten, my lady? The Hua family sent you to the palace to revive our household’s fortunes. Now, not only have we failed, but you’ve ended up under house arrest…”

The more she thought about it, the more distraught Suxin became, looking as if she were about to throw herself into the river out of shame.

Hua Rong shot her a look. “Look at you, so spineless. Since the emperor has abandoned us, we might as well do something bold!”

Clenching her teeth, Hua Rong gazed up at the round moon outside, a longing she could not quite name stirring within her. “Rather than remain trapped here for life, why not take a chance and escape far away?”

After all, she was merely a soul inhabiting this body—being forcibly confined was simply too stifling.

Suxin, alarmed, shook her head frantically. “My lady, you mustn’t! If you run away, the entire Hua family will be implicated!”

Tears welled up in Suxin’s eyes, terrified that Hua Rong, acting on impulse, would risk everything and abandon all restraint.

Hua Rong sighed heavily. “But I can’t simply spend the rest of my life imprisoned here…”

Exhausted, Hua Rong sat on a stone bench in the courtyard, propping her chin in her hand and sinking into thought.

Occasionally, the wind sent shivers through her, a chill seeping into her bones, and she could not help but tremble.

Watching the distant flicker of candlelight, always on the verge of going out, inspiration suddenly struck her. She rose abruptly. “That’s right—if I die, perhaps I’ll finally be able to leave this place!”