c23 (1/2)
Chapter 23: Released from Prison
“Concubine Qing?!” The hand that was carrying the white porcelain cup trembled and spilt hot tea out. Xin Yue Ning was scalded by it that she immediately released her hand and as the tea fell onto her lap, a pale hand steadily caught the falling cup in time before it landed. Seeing that Shui Xin managed to catch the tea cup and that not even a drop of tea was spilt onto her, Xin Yue Ning gave a sigh of relief. But once she thought of how the Emperor actually confer a woman from an external nation as a Concubine, Xin Yue Ning’s fury raised again as she glared at Shui Xin and asked in annoyance, “The Emperor truly confer her the t.i.tle of a Concubine?”
The tea cup was still in her hands but the hot tea has almost spilt completely. The fair hands was scalded red but Shui Xin only frown lightly and place the tea cup on a shorter table beside her before whispering back, “Yes, the Emperor also bestowed Shu Yun Palace as Qing Feng Hall.”
The Emperor changed the Palace name for Qing Feng?! Is Qing Feng that charming, or is it… Xin Yue Ning’s face darken, “Is it Imperial Concubine Hui who request the Emperor to confer Qing Feng as a Concubine?”
“Imperial Concubine Hui did indeed plead for Qing Feng, but…” Shui Xin have not yet completed her sentence but once Xin Yue Ning heard that Imperial Concubine Hui did get involved in the matter, she no longer could carry on listening and in a feat of anger, started knocking the entire tea set onto the ground.”Bengong knew it was her! In order to curry favour to the Emperor, she can do anything!”
The breaking sound of the tea set startled the palace maids standing outside the hall and despite their trembling, their heads hanged lower and no one dared to look into the house. However, only Shui Xin stood alone by Xin Yue Ning’s side and her expression did not change one bit.
“Why are the things that Bengong gotten you to do is not accomplished till now?” If Qing Feng at that time died in the Imperial Prison, then there will not be any Concubine Qing today! Xin Yue Ning has already spoken in a lowered voice but the tone was still obviously unpleasant. Shui Xin did not show any trace of panic while she slowly bow and whispered back, “Even though Qing Feng has been held in the Imperial Prison, there was still someone who requested Imperial Physician Huang to treat her. This servant thinks that as she still have someone secretly protecting her, before verifying who was protecting her, we must wait for changes and it would be unwise to act rashly before
“Is it Imperial Concubine Hui that is interfering?”
Two of them have been fighting for five or six years already, just how much Imperial Concubine Hui is capable, wouldn’t she be clear? As long as it involves Imperial Concubine Hui, the Empress will be in disarray. A faint look of helplessness crosses Shui Xin’s eyes and she could only reply, “This servant will continue to investigate.”
Seeing that she has yet to find out any news, Xin Yue Ning impatiently said, “Retreat.”
“Yes.” Shui Xin quietly retreated out. Once she is out of the hall, Shui Xin pulled out her hands that was scalded swollen red by the hot tea and headed toward the Imperial Medical Inst.i.tute.
In the hall, Xin Yue Ning coldly look at the tea stains with her lips pursed. Chen Zhen, you put up such an act. You think you can depend on the Emperor’s love of seeking novelty to gain more of his pampering? Or is it that you think that a disfigured woman will not pose a threat to you? Humph! Bengong wants to see you shoot yourself in the foot!
*****
Night came as scheduled. In the darkness of the prison, Qing Feng’s body curled up and kept s.h.i.+vering. It was already the start of summer but she still felt as though her surrounding is ice. The only motivations to keep her going were her kind-hearted Elder Sister and her young and timid Youngest Sister. She will not and dare not close her eyes.
There was sudden noisy shuffling of feet outside the door but Qing Feng had no more energy to bother about it and only heard a “hua” sound. The tightly shut main doors were opened up suddenly and Qing Feng could felt that there stood a number of people outside. The bright torches made her eyes hurt and it was only after a period of time could she then adapted to the brightness. Qing Feng saw a male grinning as he stepped in the prison cell and clamoured, “Congratulations to Miss! No, no, it should be Your Ladys.h.i.+p Concubine Qing. Please come here, Gao Daren is waiting for you outside.”
He is… “Zhang Daren” which the guards were eager to please when she first came to the Imperial Prison. He should be the highest ranked here. What did he just call her as?