Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1613 Consort Kang visits Chu Shuxian in the Cold Palace

The Xiongnu delegation had just left the capital, and Princess Yun'an's wedding procession had only recently set off. The attention of most people, both in the imperial court and the inner palace, was drawn to them.

This was a time when guards were relatively lax and morale was low.

Consort Kang, who was known for her gentle, timid, and trouble-avoiding image, used the pretext of visiting old acquaintances to make a trip to the Cold Palace. As long as she didn't go too far, she wouldn't attract any special attention.

Although the Cold Palace was heavily guarded, it wasn't too difficult to get in as long as you bribed someone with some money.

Caiju whispered a reminder: "Your Highness, the courtyard where Chu Shuren is being held is just ahead."

The place was too gloomy; she didn't want to stay there a moment longer.

Consort Kang stopped, took a deep breath of the cool air, composed herself, and looked at what Caiju was holding.

Inside were the gifts she had prepared for her visit.

A bag of ordinary pastries, a few thick cotton-padded coats, and some medicinal herbs commonly used by women.

Consort Kang had a very good reason for coming to the Cold Palace.

Lady Chu had once been a concubine in her palace, but she had also suffered a miscarriage and fallen out of favor while in her palace. She couldn't bear it and spared no effort to maintain their old friendship.

As for the deeper reasons... only Consort Kang herself knows.

The two guards outside looked unfamiliar, but they still bowed respectfully to Consort Kang.

Caiju stepped forward and, as instructed beforehand, slipped two rather heavy silver ingots over, whispering, "Consort Kang is kind-hearted and remembers our past relationship, so she came to visit Madam Chu, bring some gifts, and say a few words."

"Please do me this favor, gentlemen."

The guard weighed the silver in his hand, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, then glanced at Consort Kang's imperial concubine attire. After a moment's hesitation, he finally unlocked the door and stepped aside.

"Consort Kang is kind and benevolent."

"However... it's filthy inside, Your Highness, please don't stay too long or get too close, lest you be offended."

"I'll save that."

Consort Kang gave a curt reply and stepped into the courtyard.

The interior was even more dilapidated, with weeds growing on the ground and unknown junk piled up in the corners, exuding a rotten smell.

The house facing the courtyard gate had its doors and windows tightly shut, the window paper tattered and torn, with some rags barely used to stuff the gaps.

Caiju went up and knocked on the door, but there was no response from inside.

She gently pushed it open, and a strong musty smell wafted out.

Consort Kang covered her nose with a handkerchief and adjusted her eyes to the dim light before she could see the situation inside the room.

The place was small and the furnishings were extremely simple, with only a dilapidated wooden bed, a table with a missing leg propped up by bricks, and two crooked stools.

A figure in an old cotton robe was curled up on the bed with her back to the door. She stirred slightly at the sound, but did not turn around.

Caiju called out loudly, "Chu Shi, Consort Kang has come to see you!"

Chu Shuxian's figure stiffened for a moment before she finally slowly turned around.

Even though Consort Kang was mentally prepared, she still almost cried out in surprise when she saw Chu Shuxian.

Where is the charming and bright Chu Changzai from before?

In just over a month, she became extremely thin, her once round cheeks sunken deeply. Her complexion was an unhealthy sallow, her eyes were bloodshot and dark circles were prominent, and her lips were dry and cracked.

Her hair was disheveled and loose, like withered grass.

The drab gray cotton robe he was wearing looked rather empty.

The most jarring sight was Chu Shuxian's eyes. Once bright and sparkling, they were now utterly lifeless.

Upon seeing Consort Kang, a flicker of disbelief crossed Chu Shuxian's bewildered eyes, which quickly turned wary.

She held onto the edge of the bed, struggling to stand up and bow, but her body swayed.

"No need to be polite."

Consort Kang took a few steps forward and stopped not too far from the bed, looking at Chu Shuxian with a complicated expression: "Are you... alright?"

Chu Shuxian raised her head and stared blankly at Consort Kang, as if she found the words utterly absurd.

How can this godforsaken place be any better?

But she didn't dare to ask back. She just forced a smile that looked worse than crying and said hoarsely, "Thank you... thank you for your concern, Consort Kang. This sinner... is alright."

Consort Kang gestured for Caiju to place the food box and bundle she had brought on the broken table, and said gently, "I have brought some food and supplies, please make do with them."

"Your health... you should take better care of yourself."

She paused, her gaze sweeping across the room. Aside from the simple furniture and a few broken bowls piled in the corner, there were no other valuables, let alone books or writing implements.

"It's a poor place here; I doubt there's even a book to keep you entertained."

Chu Shuxian lowered her head, staring at her fingers that were red from the cold, and mumbled an "Mmm".

Consort Kang gave Caiju a wink.

Caiju understood and turned to the two eunuchs who followed her in, and the maid who had been standing at the door looking around curiously, and said, "Her Highness wants to have a private talk with Madam Chu. You two go and wait outside the courtyard."

As she spoke, she took out some loose silver coins and handed them to the old woman and the little eunuch who had followed her in.

Having received the silver, the men were happy to have some peace and quiet. They meekly withdrew and closed the broken door behind them.

Caiju retreated to one side inside the door, standing with her head bowed, so that she could hear the noise but would not disturb the Empress's speech.

This was her duty as a trusted palace maid.

But in truth, Caiju was also quite apprehensive, not understanding what intimate things the Empress could have to say to this commoner who was already finished.

The room was suddenly left with only Consort Kang, Chu Shuxian, and Caiju in the corner.

Chu Shuxian was clearly even more uneasy, and subconsciously shrank back, her back against the cold wall, looking at Consort Kang warily: "Consort Kang... what exactly are your orders?"

She couldn't believe that Consort Kang, with whom she had never had a deep relationship and who might even be dissatisfied because she had concealed her pregnancy, would actually come to visit her out of pity.

Consort Kang did not answer immediately. She took two steps closer and looked at Chu Shuxian's panicked face, as if trying to find some clue.

"Chu Shuxian".

Consort Kang called her by her full name and said, "I came here today not only to deliver some things, but also because I have something I want to ask you."

Chu Shuxian's heart sank, and she became increasingly uneasy: "I don't know, I don't know what Consort Kang wants to ask?"

Consort Kang took out the Heart Sutra with a blue cloth cover from her wide sleeves and gently placed it on the rickety, broken table.

"This was compiled by someone I ordered at the Snowflake Pavilion."

Consort Kang looked at Chu Shuxian's face and said directly, "I find this handwriting quite special, elegant and refined, with a touch of Buddhist nature. It's like... it's like the calligraphy of a high monk that I had the honor of seeing many years ago at Fatu Temple."

When Chu Shuxian heard the words "Fatu Temple" and "high monk", her body trembled violently, her face turned ashen, and even her lips lost their color.