91 Alone In The Cold Palace (1/2)
GRAND CONSORT SHU
THE DRAGON PALACE
”What do you mean by His Majesty does not wish to give me an audience?” Grand Consort Shu snapped. ”I am his mother, does a son have a say in regards to when he can see his parent?”
”Your Highness I'm incompetent.” Court Lady Nam fell on her knees.
”No. Get up.” Grand Consort Shu pulled Court Lady Nam. ”You go back and tell him that if he doesn't let me in then I shall kneel here instead, to repent for my sin for being an incompetent mother.”
”Mother, why would you do that? Please get up,” Yang Liu was quick to refute from behind. She had insisted on paying a visit with Grand Consort Shu rather than coming later, alone.
The princess shared that when she followed her brother to YiYuan she fought with Li Lian. According to Yang Liu, Li Lian wanted to seduce Yu'er just as she had once tried the same with General Feng.
Li Lian was not like that. She was a hard working girl that served Grand Consort Shu best. Her palace maid was different, she cared for all her needs, taught her how to better herself and unlike the rest, she never waited for instructions but anticipated her mistress' needs before her mistress was aware of them, herself.
”Yang Liu you should leave. I will relay your apologies when my son decides to respect filial piety.”
Yuwen Hong was not pleased with the princess' behavior, thus Yang Liu wanted to apologise and also request an edict stating her true gender, to be officially announced on Grand Consort Shu's birthday celebration.
”But mother, remember I want to ask him about Li Lian too, because I need her.” Part of Yang Liu's plan was to learn how to dance with Li Lian so that they would dance together at the celebration, this would make the reveal to the world elegant for Yang Liu. If they saw her being graceful, gentle and breathtaking, no one would doubt that she was indeed a woman and deserving to be a princess.
The problem though, was that Li Lian was missing, a big part of the reason why Grand Consort Shu was there. 'Where was her maid?' She did not come back with the rest of the crew that went to YiYuan. Rumors had it that she indeed seduced the emperor which is why she was then cast out.
They said that Yuwen Hong would visit her sleeping room, take her to private bathing places and even his bed chambers. But if it was so that her son had an interest in her then why not take her in as his concubine? Grand Consort was in need of the friendship she had with Li Lian.
”I shall take my leave,” Yang Liu resigned. ”Please ask for me if you need anything mother.”
Once Yang Liu had left, Grand Consort Shu instructed Court Lady Nam, ”Kneel with me.” She gave the entourage a nod, that they may give them space by stepping back a little.
”Go and tell Eunuch Nam to report that Grand Consort Shu has resigned to kneeling down outside, till His Majesty grants her permission to see him.” Court Lady Nam ordered one of the Dragon palace maids, before sending them away as well. This left Court Lady Nam alone with the Grand Consort Shu, kneeling side by side.
”What is wrong with my son Court Lady Nam?”
”Your Highness, this servant―”
”Quit the formalities, you know that does not stand with me.”
”This servant wouldn't dare.” Court Lady Nam always chose to be proper and to honour etiquette. ”This servant is not aware of what took place in detail. His Majesty only lets on Eunuch Nam on his most private affairs.”
”Eunuch Nam is your brother, couldn't you ask him for the details?”
”Not when it comes to being a servant. He fears His Majesty and I doubt he is willing to lose His Liege's trust just because of gossip.”
”Leave it, then. Just tell me what happened to my maid.”
”This servant is not aware. Li Lian just disappeared and no one knows where to. On the night she vanished she was not on night duty, so it is reasonable that she may have run away on the same night.”
”That is not possible. Why would my Li Lian run away when I treated her so well?”
”I'm sorry, Your Highness. This servant is unworthy. That night was weird itself, if anything vital took place. I wouldn't know.”
”My Lady,” the maid sent to Eunuch Nam was back, ”His Majesty asks Grand Consort Shu to come in, not to make a scene by kneeling.”
Grand Consort Shu whispered as she stood, ”Send someone to my quarters if you hear anything else.”
The only person that entered with Grand Consort Shu was Lady Park. The palace maid that delivered the message was the one that led them to where her son was. They passed through the halls of gold and grandeur before they got to his bed chambers. It was the place she had never entered before, not counting the time he was sick.