Story of Yanxi Palace, Chapter 158: The Promise of That Year

   Wei Yingluo actually brought Yuan Chunwang to Chengqian Palace, where the Step Empress resided.

Chengqian Palace was solemn and dignified. Unlike other palaces that were always filled with pleasant incense, here the fragrance came mostly from fruits. The Step Empress had people place many seasonal fruits in basins—serving both as a form of natural fragrance and to satisfy the appetite. This practical yet non-extravagant measure had earned great praise from Hongli.

Perhaps because of the fresh fruit scent, the Step Empress appeared to be in an excellent mood; her complexion looked particularly good: “Consort Ling, why do you look so much more haggard after just one day?”

In comparison, Wei Yingluo’s face was wan and pallid, like a flower battered by wind and rain, slowly withering and drying up. She gave a pale smile: “Your Ladyship, let’s not speak in riddles in front of a clear-sighted person. Everything has been your planning all along, hasn’t it?”

“Consort Ling has truly lost her senses, saying such strange things?” The Empress smiled sweetly. “Was I who instigated you to take contraceptives?”

Wei Yingluo: “No.”

“Was I who I ordered you to fight with Noble Consort Chun?”

Wei Yingluo: “No.”

“Was I who I commanded you to kill Xitara woman?”

“No.” Wei Yingluo looked at her. Beneath the disgust in her eyes lay a trace of admiration. “Everything was done of my own volition. From beginning to end, Your Ladyship never said an extra word, never stained your hands with a single drop of blood. Effortlessly, you eliminated your mortal enemy Noble Consort Chun, and then — delivered the fatal blow to me!”

The Empress gently stirred the edge of her teacup with the lid, her movements elegant and impeccable — just like her character. Every gesture, every smile or frown, was flawless, giving others no fault to find.

“Consort Ling, you are not ill — you are suffering from hysteria.” She continued stirring the cup rim unhurriedly. “Listen to what you’re saying; I’m growing more and more confused.”

Wei Yingluo suddenly raised her hand and pointed. “Him!”

The Empress followed her finger and smiled. “Isn’t he the most trusted chief steward by your side?”

“No.” Wei Yingluo sneered coldly. “From today onward, he will be the most loyal dog at your side!”

Yuan Chunwang exclaimed in shock, “Consort Ling, what are you saying?”

Wei Yingluo looked at him — the person she once knew best, now the most unfamiliar.

“I should have realized it earlier,” she said slowly. “Merely the death of Erqing was not enough to shake my position. How could the Emperor be made to utterly despise me? Only by exposing that I had been secretly taking contraceptive decoctions. But that was my greatest secret. How did you; Empress come to know of it? Unless… there was an informant right beside me.”

“Yingluo, you’re not suspecting me, are you?” Yuan Chunwang looked somewhat hurt.

“The only people who knew I was taking the contraceptive soup were Ye Tianshi and you. I didn’t even tell Ming Yu — I was afraid her impulsive nature might cause her to let it slip by accident.” Wei Yingluo paused; the fist hidden in her sleeve trembled faintly. “…I entrusted everything to you without reservation. Why would you do this to me?”

Yuan Chunwang looked at her. The corners of his lips slowly curved upward into a smile as gorgeous and menacing as a snake’s.

“Are you very angry? The day I heard you were entering the palace to become a consort, I felt exactly the same anger.” There was not a trace of guilt on his face; he smiled cheerfully. “Remember the vow we made back then? Share blessings together, share hardships together. You promised to stay with me at Yuanmingyuan as my companion, yet you betrayed me. Naturally, I had to betray you once in return — so as not to break our original oath.”

You don’t know… I had already prepared to return to Yuanmingyuan together with you… Wei Yingluo sighed silently in her heart, then asked aloud: “…When exactly did you become the Empress’s person?”

Seeing that she did not erupt into hysterics on the spot, Yuan Chunwang seemed somewhat disappointed and unsatisfied.

His right hand still bore old scars — tooth marks and bruises from impacts. During the days and nights after she entered the palace as a consort, he had often been unable to sleep from hatred. Sometimes he pounded the wall; sometimes he sank his teeth viciously into his own hand, turning the unbearable pain in his heart into physical agony.

The wounds never healed. Neither did his rage.

“From the very first day I decided to return to the Forbidden City, I secretly paid my respects to the Empress.” Yuan Chunwang deliberately tried to provoke Wei Yingluo — hoping to make her feel the same heart-rending pain he had felt, so that she would rush at him, the two of them tearing into each other until their blood splashed and mingled.

“I treated you like my own elder brother, and you turned around and stabbed me in the back!” Wei Yingluo finally exploded in fury. “Very good. Very much in character for you.”

Yuan Chunwang looked at her expectantly: “Likewise!”

Wei Yingluo gave him an extremely disappointed glance, then turned her gaze to the Empress. “Your Ladyship Empress — what exactly did you offer him in return?”

Yuan Chunwang blamed every fault on her, but she refused to believe he had acted with absolutely no personal ambition. Both of them understood clearly: he was an ambitious man, his blood coursing with the instinct to climb ever higher — like a snake forever gazing up at the fruit hanging at the top of the tree.

The new Empress watched this delightful spectacle of sibling rivalry with great relish. Now that Wei Yingluo no longer posed any threat, she generously granted her a quick end and announced with mock benevolence: “Consort Ling, I am quite taken with this steward of yours. From today onward, he shall take over Wu Shulai’s duties!”

Wei Yingluo was momentarily stunned, then let out a mocking laugh. “Wu Shulai has served in the palace for thirty years before climbing to his present position. Yuan Chunwang’s qualifications are far from sufficient!”

“Yuan Chunwang has handled his duties in the Guangchu Division and at the Yuanmingyuan with exceptional skill. Or Consort Ling, have you forgotten?” Only now did the Empress finally reveal her true desire for control in front of others. Beneath her dignified and virtuous facade lay another side. “With my support, he is the most suitable candidate!”

Cultivating loyal followers, eliminating rivals, and silently taking control of the entire inner palace—even of Hongli himself—without leaving a trace: that was the real her.

Having finally seen her true face, Wei Yingluo could not help but burst into loud laughter. “How pitiful—I exhausted every effort, only to clear the path for Your Majesty the Empress. How pitiful Wu Shulai was, flattering and pledging loyalty, only for Her Majesty to use the opportunity to remove him and install her own confidant! A single move that attacks and defends at once, every link perfectly connected—impressive, truly impressive!”

The Empress gave a soft smile. “Consort Ling, you should return and rest.”

There was no need for her to say it—Wei Yingluo would leave on her own. What was the point of staying? To kneel and beg for mercy? Or to let the Empress enjoy the sight of her utter defeat?

“No matter what plans Your Ladyship has, at least I have avenged myself. I sought benevolence and obtained it; I have no regrets.” Under the Empress’s surprised gaze, Wei Yingluo gave her a formal curtsy. “From this day forward, I wish Your Majesty the Empress every success, good fortune, health, and longevity.”

After the bow, she straightened her back once more, turned, and walked away.

A trace of regret—and a trace of admiration—flashed in the Empress’s eyes. Smiling toward her departing figure, she called out, “Wei Yingluo, you are the most graceful loser I have ever seen in my life!”

“And you are the most patient hunter I have ever encountered.” Wei Yingluo did not look back. She laughed loudly as she stepped through the door—a free, unrestrained laugh that brought to mind the famous line of poetry:

I laugh aloud to the heavens as I stride out the gate—

   How could men of my kind ever be mere tumbleweeds?

“What’s wrong?” The Empress turned her head with a smile. “Having second thoughts?”

Yuan Chunwang withdrew his complicated, unreadable gaze. He turned around, dropped to his knees before the Empress, and kowtowed deeply, his forehead touching the ground. “This servant swears to serve Your Majesty the Empress unto death—”

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