Chapter 98 - Sounding out each other (1/2)

The next day, when they got out of Mian Fu Palace, Yun Fenghuang walked close to the Empress’s sedan and whispered, “Your Highness, I want to tell you something.”

At this time, the weather was very hot. Although in the Empress’s sedan there was an ice basin, the Empress could not take this anymore after walking from the entrance of Mian Fu Palace. She said, “You can tell me in my palace.”

A moment later, Yun Fenghuang’s sedan following the Empress’s sedan stopped at Chong Chang Hall. They walked in one after the other. The maids had already prepared to give them cool hand kerchiefs and the ice-cold drink which was made by soybean, sugar and ice. They felt refreshed.

Yun Fenghuang couldn’t help but said, “How clever and capable the maids are in your palace! My maids are not like them. When I go back in such a hot day, they are so busy that they don’t even know what to do, let alone giving me cool handkerchiefs and the ice-cold drink.”

“So you come here to enjoy this treatment?” Empress Ji smiled and made fun of her, “You go to my place just for this kind of thing. When it is spread out, people will say that you are wronged by me.”

“I know you cherish me.” Yun Fenghuang said, “Or, I dare not to behave like this.”

After chatting and laughing, she said with a severe countenance, “Your Highness, I think Jie Yu Yue does not have many other blessings.”

Empress Ji raised her eyebrows, felt unexpected, and said, “What do you mean?”

“How can she give birth to an imperial heir?” Yun Fenghuang snorted and showed her disdain upon Yuan Lianniang. “Otherwise, how did she have a miscarriage? Furthermore, His Majesty handles ruling affairs personally. If Jie Yu Yue gave birth to a boy, His Majesty would be more powerful. Therefore, Hu Zhu Palace should not continue to be peaceful!”

Empress Ji took a sip of sugar and ice drink, and said with a kind and pleasant countenance, “I can feel that you are loyal to me when you say this. It’s just… Tell you the truth. His Majesty seems to be gentle and harmless and hold himself aloof from the world over the past eight years, but actually he has deep thoughts. He must have taken measures to protect Jie Yu Yue and his unborn child. He didn’t say anything, but I know he is always on guard against me. It is inconvenient for me to do it.”

“As for asking others to do it… Muzi is… I even don’t want to mention her. She is muddleheaded. She can’t even tell between people on our own side and outsiders! She hurts you a lot!”

She made an apology for Ji Muzi politely and said, “I think you are the most suitable person, but…”

The Empress sighed and whispered, “You have to think about it! Although the concubines all belong to His Majesty, everyone knows that Yuan Lianniang is his sweetheart!”

“Your Highness, because of this, we can’t allow her to give birth to an imperial heir!” Yun Fenghuang said firmly, but her heart sank. “Otherwise, it would not matter if she gave birth to a girl. If she gave birth to a boy, no one would gain a firm footing in this palace.”

Although she was not free when she was detained in Small Ying Zhou before, she was not badly treated.

At that time, she thought it was because the Empress was her patron. She also thought although the Empress was sophisticated, she still trusted and protected her.

However, after she came out, she knew the whole story. Especially Duchess Ye, the Empress’s grandmother, died tragically in front of Empress Dowager. Emperor Chunjia took over the reins of power in a hurry, while the Empress’s cousin, Ji Muzi, was degraded to Pin Ji… After such a disastrous defeat, the Empress had no doubt about her who directly certified Emperor Chunjia’s innocence, and she even trusted her more than before…

Yun Fenghuang was totally frightened.

After thinking about it, she decided to use Yuan Lianniang to sound out the Empress. The Empress had said that when she tried to sound out the Emperor, she should not do it so clearly, because there were few people for her to use.

It was not dangerous to sound out the Emperor who has a good temper and was not be able to act arbitrarily. However, it was much more dangerous to plot against a pregnant concubine, especially Yuan Lianniang, the Emperor’s childhood sweetheart. Moreover, if she made it, the Emperor and Queen Mother Yuan would not let her go.

If the Empress didn’t doubt her, she would not ask Yun Fenghuang to do it even if she wanted Yuan Lianniang to have a miscarriage.

After all, as the master of the Imperial Harem with strong foundation, the Empress had many ways to deal with Jie Yu Yue who was unwise. What’s more, there were so many people in the palace who resented Yuan Lianniang, and there might be no need for the Empress to do it herself.

Why let her confidant take risks?

However, now Empress Ji not only agreed, but meant that she would leave it to Yun Fenghuang…

Yun Fenghuang thought quickly, but she didn’t change her expression. She said with a firm look, “Moreover, Jie Yu Yue was a consort before. Although she is now at the same grade with me, she is favored by His Majesty and His Majesty will give her a promotion to be a consort, or even a Noble Consort once she gives birth to an imperial heir. At that time, even if you are willing to protect me, I cannot always be under your protection.”

Empress Ji pondered over this for a while. She had discussed with her maids to sound out Yun Fenghuang with Yuan Lianniang’s pregnancy. But now Yun Fenghuang took the initiative to put forward it, so she was a little hesitant. Yun Fenghuang was so cunning and she was not a person of principle. She never hesitated when she betrayed people. Now she vowed solemnly, but the Empress doubted her honesty.

“What are you going to do?” The Empress thought for a while, and finally did not directly take a clear-cut stand, but asked, “Although you are now at the same grade with Jie Yu Yue, since you moved out of Hu Zhu Palace, it is difficult and conspicuous for you to go back.”

Yun Fenghuang smiled and said, “Your Highness, I have moved out of Hu Zhu Palace, so what happened there has nothing to do with me or with you!”

Seeing Empress Ji frowning slightly, she blinked, “I used to go to Ning Bi Hall when I was in Hu Zhu Palace!”