SFS Chapter 494 Power
Chapter 494 Power
A few days later, the long and agonizing period of house arrest finally ended and An Lingrong regained her freedom.
In Yonghe Palace.
"Your Majesty, it's time to check your pulse." Wei Lin knelt respectfully in the inner room, holding the medicine box.
An Lingrong placed her wrist on the pulse pillow.
Wei Lin examined her intently for a moment and said, "Your Majesty is in good health."
"Hmm," An Lingrong asked, "Did you go to Yongshou Palace? How was it there?"
Wei Lin lowered his voice and said, "I just went to take his pulse yesterday. All supplies in Yongshou Palace are as usual. The Ministry of Internal Affairs dare not neglect them."
He paused, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes, "The Imperial Concubine specifically asked me to convey a message, saying that the two ladies do not need to worry. In addition..."
He looked around cautiously, and lowered his voice a little: "I have diagnosed that the Imperial Noble Consort seems to be pregnant."
"Really?" An Lingrong's eyes suddenly lit up with surprise.
"Yes! However, the pulse is shallow and unstable, probably because it is less than a month old. I will keep an eye on it."
Shen Meizhuang was also very happy and advised, "This is truly a great joy! Doctor Wei, you must visit Yongshou Palace more often these days and make sure to take good care of her."
"Your humble servant obeys!" Wei Lin was about to take his leave when he suddenly remembered something and turned around and said, "Your Majesty, there is one more matter. Imperial Physician Wu, who was assisting Concubine Shun with her pregnancy, suddenly wants to resign and return home."
An Lingrong's eyes glared. "Resigning? Can you tell me the reason?"
"He said his mother was old and he wanted to go back to his hometown to show his filial piety."
An Lingrong sneered at this. Since Mu Jingqiu had the nerve to blame the Emperor for the miscarriage, Imperial Physician Wu must have known some secrets he shouldn't have. He was so anxious to leave the capital now, perhaps because he sensed danger.
Then Mu Jingqiu probably wouldn't let him leave so easily.
"Doctor Wei, find a few reliable people to follow him secretly. If anything happens, make sure to save his life."
Wei Lin understood and bowed, saying, "I understand."
After Wei Lin left, Shen Meizhuang asked, "Will the Emperor release Huan'er just because she's pregnant?"
An Lingrong shook her head: "Even if he is released, he will still be suspicious."
A few days later, a light snow fell quietly, silently announcing the arrival of winter.
When the sky finally cleared up and the warm sun shone again, An Lingrong took Juqing to the Imperial Garden to relax.
The master and servant walked slowly along the winding path. On both sides of the road, only dead branches and leaves were shivering in the cold wind. Only a few winter plum trees with newly sprouted buds stood stubbornly in the silver-white, adding a different kind of vitality to this bleak and silent winter.
An Lingrong took a few deep breaths, and the cold yet fresh air rushed into her lungs, slightly easing her originally depressed and gloomy mood.
The two of them walked aimlessly. When the palace maids and eunuchs passing by saw An Lingrong, they would still bow respectfully with sincere respect in their eyes, instead of the usual contempt shown to concubines who had fallen from power.
After turning an intersection, I saw a figure standing tall in front of me.
When I got closer, I found out that it was Sun Heyin.
An Lingrong stood where she was.
Sun Heyin took the initiative to walk over.
The two stood facing each other, silence filling the air.
After a moment, Sun Heyin spoke first, her voice cold and direct: "Are you still investigating?"
An Lingrong nodded, looked directly at her, and after a moment's silence, asked, "Does this matter have anything to do with you?"
Sun Heyin did not answer immediately, but lowered her eyes slightly, avoiding An Lingrong's sight.
In just this moment of silence, An Lingrong had already gotten the answer.
She raised her head and looked at the person in front of her with complicated eyes. Although she had been mentally prepared, she still felt a little uncomfortable at this moment.
Sun Heyin sensed her emotions, sighed softly, and whispered, "Could you please stop investigating? The matter has been settled. Although she is under house arrest, she is still the Imperial Consort."
An Lingrong didn't even think about it and shook her head: "No! This matter is not as simple as you think."
Sun Heyin's brows furrowed, her voice trembling. "You've been implicated by her and demoted to a concubine. How much ability do you have left to get to the bottom of this? Besides, the Emperor doesn't want you to investigate. If you anger him, you won't even be able to keep your promise. How can you continue to live in the palace?"
Just as he finished speaking, a burst of light footsteps came from not far away.
The two looked in the direction of the sound and saw Concubine Zhen and Concubine Kang walking slowly along the path.
The two people over there also noticed them.
Concubine Zhen suddenly widened her eyes, as if she had seen something she shouldn't have seen, and hurriedly turned around to leave.
Seeing this, An Lingrong called out, "Empress Zhenpin!"
This call forced Concubine Zhen to stop. She turned around stiffly, a forced smile on her face, and walked quickly with Concubine Kang.
When she came closer, Concubine Zhen bowed politely, her voice revealing a hint of discomfort: "Greetings to the Majesty. What is it that the Majesty wants to call me for?"
An Lingrong smiled and shook her head: "Now you are a concubine. I only agreed, but I cannot bear the title of 'Madam'. According to the rules, it is my turn to pay my respects to you now."
Having said that, she stood there without even moving.
Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhen felt even more embarrassed and touched her nose unconsciously: "How can I be worthy of your courtesy? Then... can I call you sister?"
"Whatever you say." An Lingrong's eyes flickered between the two of them, her tone softening. "Are you and Sister Kang here to enjoy the scenery?"
"Yes." Concubine Zhen was relieved. "Sister Kang and I were bored in the palace, so we went out for a walk. I didn't expect to meet you and Sister Sun by such a coincidence."
An Lingrong nodded: "We still have some things to talk about. You should go somewhere else for a while."
"Yes, I'll take my leave!" Zhenpin was as if she had been pardoned. She took Kang Guiren and hurriedly bowed and retreated.
After the two walked away, An Lingrong said meaningfully, "In this palace, status is sometimes important, and sometimes not so important. It all depends on whether you can win people's hearts!"
Sun Heyin understood what An Lingrong meant.
There are two kinds of power in this deep palace.
One is given by the golden book and precious seal. When it is in the limelight, it is sought after by thousands of people, but when it loses its influence, it becomes like yesterday's flower.
The other kind is accumulated bit by bit from kindness as tiny as dust. Although it is not conspicuous, it is more reliable than an imperial edict.
Sun Heyin's fingertips unconsciously clenched the embroidery on her cuffs. After a while, she raised her chin, a hint of stubbornness flashing in her eyes: "Since you insist, then let's each rely on our own abilities!"
She turned around and wanted to leave, but just as she took a step, a voice came from behind her -
"Ayin."
An Lingrong's call was so soft, but it tripped her up.
Sun Heyin had her back to her, and her shoulders trembled slightly.
"You and Sister Zhen can fight it out openly and squarely. I will never interfere," An Lingrong's voice came from behind. "But if you're willing to be used as a pawn... no one has ever escaped unscathed from the vortex in this palace."
Sun Heyin's back stiffened, but she didn't turn around.
"Ugh!"
An Lingrong sighed softly.