sbdcsierra Chapter 1381 The past relationship between Shen Zhinian and Concubine Kang ends here
Chapter 1381 The past relationship between Shen Zhinian and Concubine Kang ends here
"Ah……"
Concubine Kang laughed lightly, her laughter filled with endless bitterness: "So that's how it is..."
"His Majesty is not being perfunctory. He is warning me, and everyone else... From now on, anyone who dares to cross Yongshou Palace to bother him will bring disgrace upon themselves."
Caiju felt a chill in her heart when she heard Concubine Kang's cold words.
In this case, after this incident, everyone in the harem saw it, who would dare to easily bypass the Imperial Noble Concubine to ask for an audience with His Majesty?
The prestige of the Imperial Noble Consort was established, while my own wife became a chicken used to scare the monkeys...
They lost this game completely from the very beginning.
Cai Ju gently placed a cup of freshly brewed warm tea next to Concubine Kang's hand and said, "Your Majesty, what happened today...even we can see it clearly. How could someone as insightful as the Imperial Noble Concubine not understand?"
Her voice was filled with unconcealed worry: "Your Majesty is already displeased, and the Royal Noble Consort, being in her position, must feel even more..."
"Your Highness bypassed Yongshou Palace today and reported directly to His Majesty. I'm afraid... you've offended the Imperial Noble Consort..."
The word "offended" hit Concubine Kang's heart hard, making her panic in an instant.
She never thought of becoming an enemy of the Imperial Noble Consort.
The Imperial Noble Consort holds great power and enjoys the Emperor's favor. If one becomes enemies with her, he will find it difficult to move forward in the palace.
She just wanted justice, how could she have ended up in such a predicament?
Concubine Kang clenched her palms tightly, and the stinging sensation allowed her to barely maintain a trace of clarity.
Now that things have come to this, there is no point in regretting, the only thing we can do is try to make amends.
Concubine Kang took a deep breath, forcing herself to suppress her turbulent emotions. Her voice returned to its usual gentleness: "I was so anxious today that I lost my mind and acted too rashly and lost my sense of proportion."
Although the rash has not completely faded, it is no longer itchy.
She looked at Caiju with a firm gaze, "Please prepare a generous gift. I will personally go to Yongshou Palace to apologize to the Imperial Noble Consort!"
Caiju was stunned at first, then she understood.
The Queen is trying to humble herself and adopt the most humble and sincere attitude to resolve the rift caused by overstepping her authority.
She didn't dare to neglect it and immediately responded, "Yes, Madam! I will prepare it right away!"
Concubine Kang felt more and more uneasy as she watched Caiju hurriedly leaving.
In the deep palace, one wrong step can lead to a bottomless abyss.
Now she could only bite the bullet and try to save the situation.
……
Yongshou Palace.
While pouring tea for Shen Zhinian, Handan whispered about the events that happened in Chuxiu Palace today.
Finally, she couldn't help but say, "...Your Majesty, I think that maid Tao Ye is just a scapegoat. The twists and turns here are probably not that simple."
Shen Zhinian took the teacup, his expression indifferent, without a trace of emotion: "Investigating this matter is the responsibility of the Ministry of Punishment. The truth is their concern, it has nothing to do with me."
When Handan heard this, her heart trembled slightly, and she immediately understood Shen Zhinian's attitude.
Yes, although the Empress was not very close to Concubine Kang in the past, she still took good care of her.
But today, when Concubine Kang encountered trouble, she actually thought of bypassing the Empress and asking His Majesty directly for help.
The distrust behind this action is obvious.
Your Majesty is such a person, how could she not notice it?
Since Concubine Kang has drawn a clear line first, there is naturally no need for Her Majesty to bother taking on any more responsibilities.
"It's my fault for talking too much."
Handan lowered her eyes and said no more.
The right and wrong in Chuxiu Palace has nothing to do with Yongshou Palace.
At this time, Fuqiu walked in quietly and bowed to report: "Your Majesty, Concubine Kang is outside seeking an audience, and... she has brought a generous gift."
"She said that she was worried about the safety of the Fifth Prince today and was extremely anxious. She acted presumptuously and lost her sense of propriety. She has come to apologize to the Empress."
There was silence in the hall for a moment.
After hearing Fuqiu's words, Shen Zhinian's face showed no surprise, as if he had already expected Concubine Kang to come.
The charming fox eyes were slightly drooped, and the long eyelashes cast a small shadow under the eyes, covering the coldness that flashed deep in the eyes.
Finally, Shen Zhinian slowly raised her eyes, her calm gaze resting on Fuqiu. Her voice lacked any warmth, "Tell Concubine Kang that she's worried about the Fifth Prince being plotted against in the future. This is a moment of urgency, and I understand."
"Your Majesty has never blamed her, so how could I blame her?"
The corners of Shen Zhinian's lips curved up slightly, a hint of sarcasm in them. "Besides, Concubine Kang hasn't fully recovered yet, and the rash hasn't subsided yet, so it's really not suitable for her to work. Let's skip these empty formalities and let her go back and take good care of herself."
Shen Zhinian's tone remained calm and tolerant, but every word he said carried a clear sense of boundaries.
She didn't show any anger, but the alienation that emanated from her inside out was more frightening than direct rebuke.
Fuqiu had followed Shen Zhinian for many years and immediately understood what he meant.
The Queen was too lazy to even put on a show, and directly refused to see Concubine Kang enter the room, and told her clearly -
She received Concubine Kang's apology, but the affection between them ended there.
Fuqiu bowed and responded respectfully: "Yes, I understand."
She knew that from this moment on, Concubine Kang of Chuxiu Palace had become an outsider in Yongshou Palace.
Outside Yongshou Palace.
Concubine Kang stood in front of the palace gate, followed by Caiju holding a gift box, feeling uneasy.
Her face was bare, and the rash still lingering made her look even more sick and haggard. Coming in person like this was already a very humble gesture.
Fuqiu came out of the palace and bowed to Concubine Kang. Her tone was respectful, yet distant, and she said, "Concubine Kang, the Imperial Noble Concubine sent this servant to pass on a message."
"Your Majesty said you were worried about the Fifth Prince's safety, which is understandable. Since His Majesty has seen clearly and has not blamed you, Your Majesty will naturally not take it to heart."
"The Empress has specifically instructed that you are not feeling well and your rash has not yet healed, so it is not appropriate for you to travel and tire yourself out. So, please forgive me for these empty formalities. Please take care of yourself and get well soon. You can return now."
The humble smile that Concubine Kang was trying hard to maintain froze in an instant, and her fingers curled slightly in her sleeves.
The Imperial Concubine's words sounded magnanimous and thoughtful. But the coldness that seemed to distance her from her was even more chilling to her heart than a blunt rebuke...
Every word seemed to draw a clear and cold line between the two of them.
Concubine Kang lowered her eyelashes, hiding the loss and bitterness in her eyes. Her voice remained gentle, with a slight tremor: "Your Highness... Thank you for your compassion, Your Highness."
She didn't insist any longer, and was unable to step into Yongshou Palace.
When turning around to leave, Concubine Kang kept her back straight, maintaining her final dignity.
In the darkness of the night, Concubine Kang's voice was so soft that it was almost blown away by the wind, and it was filled with self-mockery: "Cai Ju, did you see that? The Imperial Noble Concubine... has finally become estranged from me."