Chapter 26: Legend of Zhen Huan, An Lingrong

"Your Majesty the Empress speaks so beautifully."

Consort Hua rolled her eyes. "This plum blossom banquet was organized by the Empress. If any accident occurs, it has nothing to do with me. Furthermore, the food and drink for the concubines were not prepared by my people, so don't even think about coming to me for trouble if something goes wrong."

After tossing these words aside, she did not bother to look at how unsightly the Empress’s expression had become. Consort Hua turned and walked away. As she left, she deliberately cast a glance at Li Siqi. Li Siqi responded with a brilliant, sunny smile. Consort Hua gave a light huff and headed off in her own direction.

"You sisters need not worry," the Empress said, suppressing the anger in her heart as a faint smile touched her lips. "Everything was prepared by the Imperial Household Department; there will be no mistakes. Everyone, feel free to enjoy yourselves."

"Understood!" the concubines replied in unison.

The Empress’s face returned to a gentle smile. "Go on and explore. Have a pleasant time."

"We take our leave!" The concubines bowed, then immediately began pairing off with one another to depart. The trio from Yanxi Palace also left quickly, leaving Noble Consort Qi to stay by the Empress’s side so she wouldn't be left alone.

"It really is quite nice," Noble Lady Fucha remarked as she walked, admiring the surrounding plum blossoms. The beauty of their defiance against the frost was truly a sight to behold.

Li Siqi smiled slightly. "Viewing plum blossoms is only interesting when it's quiet. Too much noise only diminishes their beauty."

"What beauty? What are you talking about?" Xia Dongchun couldn't help but complain. "All I know is that it's freezing to death. If I weren't required to come, I certainly wouldn't be here. If one wants to appreciate plum blossoms, why not just send someone to pluck some branches and put them in a vase? How much better it would be to be warming oneself by the fire in the hall, eating snacks. Instead, we have to run out here and suffer."

"Shut your mouth," Li Siqi couldn't help but shoot her a glare. "You're bundled up like a ball and holding a hand warmer; you won't freeze to death. Since you can't resist what must be done, you might as well enjoy it. Stop saying such dampen-spirited things."

"Lingrong is right," Noble Lady Fucha said with a smile. "For things we cannot avoid, let us simply go through the motions quietly. As long as we don't provoke others and look after our own safety, it will be fine."

"I say one thing, and you two have a pile of words to snap back at me," Xia Dongchun grumbled, glaring at them in displeasure, though she knew better than to continue complaining while out in the open.

As they walked and chatted, they gradually drifted away from the sight of the other concubines.

"Little Pot, what is the situation now?"

"Master, they are fine for the time being. Two days ago, Consort Hua sent people to inspect the Yimei Garden, and other concubines have sent people to check as well. Of course, no one is foolish; as long as they have people at their disposal, they will send them to scout ahead."

"The small traps set by the Empress have mostly been cleared away."

"These were merely appetizers. The Empress never intended to rely on such small schemes to make the concubines suffer."

"Indeed. The Empress is truly ruthless. Just before we left, she ordered people to bring hibernating snakes into the Yimei Garden, and with the main force—the feral cats—the show that is about to unfold will be exceptionally lively."

"Ah!"

A scream instantly interrupted the exchange between the person and the spirit. A shrill cry came from another direction: "A snake! There's a snake! How could there be a snake!"

"That is Noble Lady Hui's voice." Xia Dongchun's face turned slightly pale, and she could not help but show fear. "How could there be snakes?"

"There are indeed snakes. There are snakes here, too!" This was the voice of Noble Lady Yu. She didn't sound particularly afraid—truly a child raised in Mongolia. Her voice betrayed only confusion: "Shouldn't snakes be hibernating at this time of year? How could so many have come out?"

The Yimei Garden was neither large nor small. As long as a voice was loud enough, and with the wind carrying the sound, everyone could hear at least something. Thus, the news of snakes in two locations reached all the concubines.

"Lingrong, should we go and see?" Noble Lady Fucha looked at her companion. Since the Yanxi Palace group was always led by her, she naturally followed her lead.

Xia Dongchun was full of refusal. "It's chaotic there; we'd better not go."

"I'm afraid we cannot avoid it," Li Siqi replied. "We are all in the Yimei Garden. If we don't show up, we will certainly attract attention. If someone were to cast mud on us or label us as having a guilty conscience, it would be too unjust."

"Very well, let's go," Noble Lady Fucha said directly. "Be careful, don't get too close, just observe from the periphery."

The three quickly changed locations. At a glance, they saw Noble Lady Yu, who had twisted her ankle, and Noble Lady Hui, who was being supported while clutching her stomach. Zhen Huan, with a look of shock on her face, was leaning against Wanbi. Although an accident had occurred, it did not seem too severe. Everyone was staring at a few eunuchs nearby who were busy dealing with the snakes.

The Empress and Consort Hua arrived one after the other.

"It is fortunate that you are all unharmed," the Empress said, looking at the startled group. She quickly ordered, "Quickly, clear the surrounding area. It is the dead of winter; how could hibernating snakes have been startled awake?"

"The Empress's words are laughable," Consort Hua said, already suspecting that the Empress had orchestrated the scene herself. "Even if there were snakes hibernating in the Yimei Garden, there couldn't possibly be this many. Look—over a dozen snakes appearing in the Yimei Garden at once. Surely there is something suspicious about this?"

"Since Consort Hua has suspicions, then send someone to investigate thoroughly and find out what happened," the Empress responded dismissively, though her gaze fell upon Zhen Huan with concern. "Noble Lady Wan, how are you? Are you alright?"

"Replying to the Empress, this concubine can still manage," Zhen Huan said. A vague sense of discomfort emanated from her abdomen; she felt it was due to the shock. Instead, she was more concerned about Shen Meizhuang. "I wonder how Sister Mei is. Sister Mei, should we summon an imperial physician, or would you like to return first?"

"Return?" A mocking thought echoed in Li Siqi's mind. "She won't be able to leave. How could the Empress let anyone leave? The real show hasn't even begun yet."

"It should be starting now," Li Siqi responded. "If those cats don't come soon, the concubines will find an excuse to leave."

"They are here, Master. Be careful."

"Good, act accordingly."

"Understood!"

After Little Pot's voice faded, cat screeches immediately erupted from all sides. Li Siqi pulled her companions and retreated. The other two, who were still watching the spectacle, sensed her movements and immediately understood that something was about to happen. The maids beside them supported them as they slowly backed away.

"Meow!"

A sharp cat screech instantly startled everyone. Looking toward the sound, they realized that more and more cats were gathering toward them.

"Ah, so many cats!"

"How could there be so many cats?"

"No, it's charging this way!"

"Run!"

"Get out of the way!"

"Ah, you damned beasts!"

"Help! Someone, come quickly, help me!"

The scene immediately descended into chaos. Aside from the trio from Yanxi Palace who had already retreated, Consort Hua—who had been prepared—was startled, though fortunately, those around her looked after her in time. However, the panicked concubines, maids, and eunuchs were running everywhere in a state of alarm. Consort Hua and the others, who had not yet left the site, were also caught in the fray.

"Scoundrels! Are you blind?"

"Get away from me!"

Consort Hua's exasperated voice rang out. At this moment, although the Empress wore a look of panic, it was not difficult to see the flicker of amusement in her eyes.