OBS Chapter 298 Geisha
Chapter 298 Geisha
Yan Wan watched the banquet coldly, and seeing the emperor's intoxicated look, she realized that the time was almost right.
She calmly winked at her confidant beside her and quietly gave instructions to convey the matter subtly to Ruyi.
The affection that the emperor and Ruyi pretended to have in the past has long been shattered.
Now that the emperor is openly entertaining prostitutes in the palace, if I were in his shoes, I would probably be furious and would want to overturn his imperial boat immediately to vent my hatred.
Ruyi also witnessed the emperor's loss of composure at the banquet. Although she and the emperor had been estranged and the rift between them had deepened over the years, they were husband and wife after all, and the years of affection and bondage still lingered in her heart.
In the end, she could no longer suppress her curiosity and concern, so she sent people to find out what had made the emperor so infatuated.
There were only two old maids following Ruyi. At this moment, one of them hurriedly received the order and left, quietly approaching the emperor's bedroom.
She happened to meet a young palace maid sweeping the floor at the corner of the corridor. The old nanny was extremely worried and quickly pulled the young palace maid aside to ask in a low voice.
The little maid was a little scared at first, but after being coaxed and threatened by the old nanny, she told the news she knew.
When the old nanny understood what had happened, her face turned pale as paper in an instant.
She hurriedly pulled the little palace maid and came to Ruyi.
"What did you say? Say it again!"
Ruyi had suffered from the palace disputes and the erosion of time over the years, and her face had become haggard and aged. At this moment, she slammed the table hard, and the sound echoed in the silent palace, startling everyone.
She opened her eyes wide and stared at the little palace maid, her eyes full of shock and anger, and her expression looked particularly terrifying.
The deep furrows carved by the years on her face were crisscrossed, and the makeup was unevenly applied on them. In her rage, she looked like a ferocious old ghost with bared fangs and claws.
The young maid was so frightened by Ruyi's appearance that she trembled all over, her legs weak and she could hardly stand. She repeated it again tremblingly.
"The Emperor has been enjoying nighttime boat rides and listening to singing and dancing lately. I once secretly saw those girls out of envy. They loved to wear daffodils on their hands and bodies, saying it's the latest fashion in Hangzhou... Empress, please spare my life. I know nothing. Please, Empress, spare my life!"
The little palace maid was terrified. She begged for mercy while kowtowed to Ruyi. Tears and snot flowed uncontrollably. After a while, her forehead became red and swollen, and she looked very miserable.
Ruyi raised her hand weakly and said weakly, "Send her back."
Then, as if she had lost all support, she slumped down in the chair, her eyes empty and confused, her thoughts tangled like a tangled mess.
The little palace maid fled from Ruyi's bedroom, fearing that she would be implicated by accident.
Ruyi sat there in a daze, her face full of disbelief.
How did the emperor become like this?
When did he become so foolish and unreasonable?
If this matter were to get out, wouldn't it completely destroy the reputation that the emperor has painstakingly built over the years?
The people have always respected the emperor. If they knew what the emperor did, it would definitely cause an uproar. At that time, how would the emperor face the doubts and accusations from all the civil and military officials in the court?
How can we calm the gossips of people all over the world?
Ruyi felt dizzy, as if the whole world was spinning. Her heart felt like it was being tightly grasped by an invisible hand, and it ached faintly.
She felt mixed emotions, and for a moment she couldn't tell whether she was angry at the emperor's absurdity, sad because of the disappearance of her former love, or hateful because of knowing that her husband was so unbearable.
So many years have passed quietly. Although her heart for the emperor has gradually cooled down due to repeated disappointments, the tenderness and love she had with the emperor in the past were not completely false.
Deep in her heart, she still had a trace of attachment and expectation for the emperor. She could not watch the emperor fall into depravity and let him destroy his reputation.
Ruyi finally convinced herself, and an unexpected person appeared in front of her.
Yan Wan came hurriedly with quick steps, looking extremely anxious, followed closely by several trusted people.
She carefully covered her belly with one hand, and when she came to Ruyi, she didn't even bother to greet her, completely losing her usual calmness and reserve.
"Empress, I would like you to persuade the Emperor not to continue like this!"
Yanwan's voice carried just the right hint of urgency and worry, and her long, slender eyebrows were slightly furrowed, forming a beautiful arc.
Her cheeks looked even more radiant and charming against the backdrop of the extremely gorgeous and exquisitely embroidered clothes. It seemed that time had not left many traces on her face.
Over the years, she has been like a fish in water in the palace, deeply favored by the emperor, and good at taking care of herself. She looks no different from a young woman in her early twenties.
On the other hand, Ruyi's life in the palace was quite difficult due to the emperor's dislike. The emperor only retained her title of empress, but was extremely cold to her in many aspects.
The people in the Imperial Household Department were all opportunists. Seeing the emperor's attitude, the clothes they sent to Ruyi were all made of old and outdated materials, with old styles and dull colors.
When Ruyi put on these clothes, she looked even more old-fashioned, and her whole spirit seemed to be suppressed by these clothes.
Standing next to Yan Wan, he looked a bit older than the Empress Dowager.
If you didn't know, you would think that the emperor was so kind that he could even bring the concubines left by the previous emperor to Jiangnan to enjoy the good life together.
Yan Wan was the most powerful Imperial Noble Consort. All the good things except those from the Empress Dowager were sent to Yongshou Palace. Looking at the two, it was hard to tell who was the real master of the harem.
Ruyi shifted her gaze from her clothes to her face, suppressing her displeasure.
It turns out that this is what it feels like to watch others take over your business.
Ruyi's voice was hoarse, a hint of fatigue and resentment barely concealed in her words. She slowly replied, "How dare you say that all this has nothing to do with you? The Emperor is so obsessed now, he's completely lost. If the Emperor insists on having his own way, I, who hold no weight in his heart, how can I stop him?"
After saying that, Ruyi stared at Yanwan closely. Her eyes, which usually seemed dull and numb to everything, now revealed a chilling cruelty, as if she wanted to see through Yanwan's thoughts.
Seeing Ruyi's aggressive look, Yanwan raised her chin slightly, holding a delicate handkerchief tightly in her hand.
Although her face showed anxiety, her words were still clear and logical.
"Your Highness, why is it that you are targeting me like this? You know, I am pregnant with the Emperor's own flesh and blood. I am filled with joy and only hope to give birth to a heir. Why would you do such a treasonous act to tarnish the Emperor's reputation? Those women were all presented by local officials. This involves matters of the previous dynasty. Although I have been favored by the Emperor in the palace, how could I have the power to reach out to the previous dynasty and arrange all this?"
"You do have some self-awareness."
Ruyi snorted coldly, her eyes casually glancing over her bulging belly.
Wei Yanwan is now pregnant and in great favor. Her position in the harem is stable. There is really no need for her to take risks and plan such things just to win favor.
Thinking of this, Ruyi's suspicion of her dissipated a little.
Seeing that Ruyi's expression had eased a little, Yanwan's mouth corners rose slightly, which was hardly noticeable. Then she swept a sharp look to the left and right, and the trusted palace maids and eunuchs on both sides retreated quickly and silently.
At this moment, Yan Wan was wearing a cheongsam of orange gauze and gold thread, embroidered with peony patterns. The gauze was soft and flowing, swaying slightly with her movements, and the peonies meticulously embroidered with gold thread on it came alive. She stood tall and straight in the hall, like a beautiful flower in full bloom.
Her face was gloomy, and she began to speak in a serious and casual manner: "Empress, although we have had many conflicts in the harem in the past, no matter what, we all hope for the best for the Emperor, right? Just think about it, if the Emperor's health is affected by these things, then this palace and its surroundings will be in chaos."
"I am pregnant with the heir of the Emperor. If I become an orphan and a widow, wouldn't it be difficult for me to survive in this deep palace? I know my status is low, and I am just a small concubine in this harem, but the relationship between you and the Emperor is different after all..."
"You and the Emperor have been married since childhood. How can anyone compare to the love you have shared since childhood? Only you, the Empress, hold such a place in the Emperor's heart. Only you can persuade the Emperor..."
Yan Wan's words pleased Ruyi just right.
The thing that Ruyi is most proud of is her childhood sweetheart relationship with the emperor. The story of "looking at each other from afar on the wall and on the horse, and knowing that I know you are my heart is broken at the first sight" is the pride that she always holds on to in her heart when facing the emperor's many women.
In her understanding, she is unique and different from the emperor.
Now, even Yan Wan, whom she usually regarded as a love rival, admitted it in person, and Ruyi couldn't help but feel a sense of superiority in her heart.
Still quite self-aware.
After hearing this, Ruyi raised her chin slightly, her brows relaxed a little, and she said in a deep voice, "The Emperor may not listen to me."
"If the Emperor won't listen to the Empress, then who else in the palace can persuade him? Your Majesty, you are the only one who can make the Emperor sober up. Please go and persuade him, and don't let him continue to be stubborn and rebellious! If the Empress Dowager knew about this, I'm afraid the consequences would be disastrous."
Yan Wan urged urgently, a smile flashing in her eyes.
Her pretended panic contrasted with Ruyi's calmness.
I am still a concubine after all. I will be timid when encountering such things and will never be able to show my worth in public.
Ruyi thought with some disgust.
"Let me think about it."
Ruyi raised her head slightly, with a hint of hesitation in her eyes. She pursed her lips lightly in a reserved manner, then slowly lowered her head and immersed herself in deep thought.
"Only," this simple yet weighty word, was like a magic key that quietly opened the long-closed door deep in her heart, allowing her to instantly forget all the torture and pain that the emperor had inflicted on her in the past few years.
Those long lonely nights, the grievances of being misunderstood, and the sadness of being coldly treated all disappeared at this moment. She seemed to have turned back into the Ruyi who once thought wholeheartedly about the emperor and whose heart and eyes were full of love.
"It's too late. If we don't stop it, the news will spread all over Hangzhou." Yan took advantage of her hesitation and gave her a push at the right time.
There was a barely perceptible cunning glint in her eyes, but her voice was still filled with anxiety and worry, as if she was really worried about the emperor's reputation and face.
As expected, Ruyi was persuaded and decided to save her lost young man.
The poor treatment she received over the years made her eager to prove to everyone how special she was in front of the emperor in order to satisfy her vanity.
She wouldn't have survived all these years without this fantasy.
"Why are you panicking? I will advise the emperor. You all should wait on the shore and don't follow us."
Ruyi slowly stood up from her seat, with a hint of helplessness and determination on her face, and she sighed softly.
She took a step forward. Although she was wearing simple clothes without gorgeous decorations or dazzling jewelry, it still couldn't hide the stubbornness in her bones.
"Yes, your majesty, please rest assured. I will have people guard the place strictly and what happened today will never be spread out."
Yan Wan bowed slightly, with a meaningful smile on her lips, and just stood there quietly watching Ruyi leave.
She knew Ruyi's temper very well. Ruyi was a person who would respond to soft words but not hard ones. After so many years of struggling in the palace, only by praising her as the first wife, whom she cared about the most, and surrounding her like the moon surrounded by stars, and adding a few well-placed compliments, could she be made to take action.
Go ahead, Ruyi, and don’t waste this “big gift” that I carefully prepared for you.
Yan Wan sneered secretly in her heart, with a hint of pride and viciousness flashing in her eyes.
Go ahead and walk on this road of no return that I have personally chosen for you.
Yanwan strolled leisurely behind, her lotus steps light and her eyes casually gazing at the vast moonlight.
The cool moonlight, like a gentle silver veil, fell upon her gorgeous garment, causing the gold threads of the delicate embroidery to shimmer and gleam. A gentle breeze blew, and her skirt swayed gracefully, her embroidered robe fluttering slightly like ripples on water.
Although the years have quietly passed, and she is nearly forty years old, the charm she exudes in her every move is still as prosperous as before. This matter is extremely secretive. She is cautious and careful, and has not discussed it with anyone. Only she and Jinzhong know the inside story.
Even Princess Hejing was kept in the dark and had no idea about this.