Chapter 67: Her Highness the Crown Prince, His Highness the Crown Prince

“Your humble servant pays respects to the Empress.” Qiu Shuzhi knelt on one knee and performed a salute.

Qin Zhengya had now become the leader of all the consorts, naturally attracting extra attention with his every move. As he stood up, the other consorts also hurried to pay their respects to her.

“Sir Qiu has just returned to the capital and has been tirelessly guarding the imperial city. You must be exhausted,” Qin Zhengya said, suppressing his excitement after not seeing Qiu Shuzhi for a long time.

“Thank you for your concern, Empress. Your humble servant is not weary of serving Her Majesty.”

The consorts surviving in the palace were all shrewd individuals. They knew that Qiu Shuzhi had the merit of capturing the assassin at the hunting grounds and was due for rewards. Now that the Empress was being so warm and attentive to her, perhaps she had received advance notice. Tomorrow, when the imperial edict was issued, she would rise through the ranks. That’s why they were trying to build a good relationship with her in advance. Therefore, the other consorts also stepped forward to flatter her.

“Sir Qiu, you are too modest. You have the merit of capturing the assassin at the hunting grounds, making you a meritorious official.”

“Indeed, Sir Qiu passed the spring examination and became the commander of the Yulin Army in less than a few months. You are truly young and promising.”

The consorts, adorned in gold, silver, and fine fabrics, had their clothes infused with various fragrances—sandalwood, floral, herbal—creating an overwhelming scent. Their charming and delicate voices surrounded her, and the golden hairpins, silver pendants, and pearl hoops decorating their hair swayed in the evening glow, resembling Tang Sanzang who had mistakenly entered the Kingdom of Women.

These were all the little emperor’s consorts. How dare she casually engage in conversation with them? She didn’t even dare to raise her head.

For some reason, while the little emperor remained calm and unperturbed when surrounded by a group of male consorts, no matter how depraved and unrestrained he was, Qin Zhengya felt particularly irritated seeing Qiu Shuzhi being flattered by these meticulously dressed male consorts. The pearl plum branch in his hand was almost snapped.

“Enough.” Qin Zhengya suppressed his unsightly expression and reprimanded in a low voice, “Sir Qiu still has important matters to attend to. You consorts should enjoy the flowers by yourselves and not delay Sir Qiu’s official duties.”

Seeing Qin Zhengya, who usually had a good temper, reprimanding them for the first time with the lofty demeanor of an empress, the consorts tactfully withdrew. They formed pairs of two or three and appreciated the flowers in the garden.

With the people around her suddenly dispersing, Qiu Shuzhi abruptly let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you, Empress, for rescuing your humble servant.”

Qin Zhengya’s clear eyes curved slightly. “Sir, there’s no need to be polite. I— This palace originally thought that with the Mid-Autumn Festival approaching and the perfect weather tonight, I invited the consorts to the imperial garden to enjoy the flowers and the moon. I didn’t expect to be able to wait for you here.”

Cai Er kept his head lowered, not daring to speak. Wasn’t it because you had inquired about the Yulin Army’s nightly patrol route in advance and specifically arranged this location?

However, with his reminder, Qiu Shuzhi suddenly realized that the Mid-Autumn Festival was approaching soon. Time had passed so quickly.

“Empress—” A palace servant came running over, holding a broken bowl in his hands. “Empress, Consort Rong still refuses to eat anything. He hasn’t been seen eating much throughout the journey back from the hunting grounds. If he doesn’t eat soon, I’m afraid he won’t last.”

Upon hearing that it was about Lan Xuezhao, the consorts who were appreciating poetry and flowers immediately became interested. When Lan Xuezhao was favored, he was arrogant and unrestrained, offending many with his lack of self-control. Now that he had fallen from grace, who knows how many people would kick him while he was down?

“Won’t last?” A consort with blood-red painted nails sneered. “He has the strength to smash bowls, so how could he not last?”

“He’s probably deliberately using a pitiful act, wanting the news to reach Her Majesty’s ears and gain her pity, hoping to regain favor,” another consort added, harboring jealousy and resentment.

“You servant, you’re brainless. How dare you bother the Empress with such a trivial matter? Hurry and go down!” The consorts targeted Lan Xuezhao in unison, wishing for him to starve to death and never be able to turn the tables.

Qiu Shuzhi felt a tinge of pity. Although Lan Xuezhao was domineering and insufferable, he had a simple nature and was used as a pawn by the King of Dian without any scheming. His crimes did not warrant death.

“Consort Rong, after all, is a man who has served Her Majesty. You are all brothers serving Her Majesty together. Don’t be too narrow-minded,” Qin Zhengya said slowly, twirling the pearl plum branch in his hand.

The consorts had displeased expressions but didn’t dare to contradict the Empress.

“Cai Er, instruct them to prepare another meal. This palace will personally visit Consort Rong. Sir Qiu should be heading in the same direction. Why don’t we go together?” Qin Zhengya walked up to Qiu Shuzhi, his voice gentle and almost pleading.

He originally didn’t want to get involved in Lan Xuezhao’s matter, but if he didn’t help now, Sir Qiu might think he was too cold-hearted. Suddenly, he remembered that Qianxi Wusuo, where Lan Xuezhao was confined, was located on the west side of the imperial garden, coinciding with the direction Qiu Shuzhi had to leave. The two of them could spend more time together.

Qiu Shuzhi nodded.

The two walked together on the quiet official road as the night gradually darkened. Palace servants carried lanterns to light their way.

Although there were many servants around them, monitoring their every move, Qin Zhengya was still unable to contain his excitement. Even if they didn’t exchange any words, just standing under the same sky, feeling each other’s steps in the same space, and occasionally catching a whiff of her cold fragrance, he was already content. Like a cat that had stolen a fish, every moment spent together was a stolen luxury.

Before even approaching Qianxi Wusuo, Qiu Shuzhi smelled an unbearable stench. The palace corridor was narrow and deep, and the dilapidated palace gate was securely locked with an iron chain and golden lock. Peering through the gaps in the door, one could see the overgrown weeds inside, showing a state of desolation and decay. The wind blowing through created gusts of eerie winds.

“Is this where Consort Rong is confined?” she asked.