Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1625 If the Imperial Noble Consort is still close to me

Is there anyone in the world who is not greedy?

Monks are human beings too.

The downfall of a high-ranking Buddhist monk may be a topic of conversation, but it is ultimately a matter outside the palace and has nothing to do with the women inside.

Only a few people with keen minds, or those who were already connected with Fatu Temple, sensed something unusual.

Chuxiu Palace.

Consort Kang is drinking a medicinal soup to treat her aversion to cold.

A young palace maid returned from hearing gossip outside and told Consort Kang about it to amuse her: "...Your Highness, do you think it's funny or not?"

"I've heard that Master Huichen usually appears dignified and imposing, and when he reprimands his disciples, his glare is enough to make the young monks tremble. Who would have thought that he's actually a greedy man who craved money!"

"Well, that's bad. They were caught red-handed by the people sent by the palace. I heard they had packed several boxes of silver and jewelry!"

Consort Kang was listening absentmindedly when her hand suddenly trembled, and she almost dropped the medicine bowl.

"Miss!"

The young palace maid and Caiju, who was standing next to her, exclaimed in surprise at the same time.

Caiju quickly stepped forward and took the medicine bowl from Consort Kang's hands.

Consort Kang stared intently at the young palace maid: "Who...who did you just say? Master Huichen? Master Huichen of the Fatu Temple's Vinaya Academy?!"

The young palace maid was startled by Consort Kang's reaction and nodded timidly, "Yes, yes...it's all over the palace."

Consort Kang's face turned pale instantly, but she couldn't utter a word.

Caiju's heart was pounding, but she forced herself to remain calm and said to the little palace maid, "Alright, this has nothing to do with us."

"Your Majesty's medicine has gone cold. Go to the small kitchen and see if there's any left. Brew another bowl."

The young palace maid honestly replied, "Yes."

As soon as the door closed, Consort Kang collapsed, leaning against Caiju in great fear: "Caiju... Huichen, Master Huichen has been arrested!"

"Would he...would he tell us about that?!"

Caiju panicked as well, and helped Consort Kang up, saying, "Your Highness, please don't panic..."

"How could I not panic?"

Consort Kang's eyes were filled with terror: "Caiju, I'm afraid... I'm afraid that if they interrogate me, Master Huichen will reveal the old stories..."

When Bahargul was banished to the Cold Palace, Consort Kang was threatened by her and had no choice but to find a way to rescue her.

Because Bahargul possesses a secret about Consort Kang from her early years that no one else knew about.

Consort Kang feared that Bahargul would suffer a desperate situation, but she was even more afraid that her intentions would be exposed, tarnishing Master Xingchen's reputation and bringing disaster upon herself.

In desperation, she thought of Fatu Temple.

Consort Kang secretly instructed Caiju to contact Master Huichen.

Master Huichen was greedy for money and had a reputation for taking bribes to do favors in the backyards of officials in the capital, though he did so discreetly.

Consort Kang offered a large sum of money and hinted that if the matter succeeded, he would receive many benefits in the future.

Therefore, Master Huichen took the opportunity of praying for blessings to say that he observed the celestial phenomena at night and, combined with the intuition of Buddhist teachings, sensed that resentment was accumulating in a certain place in the palace, which was a sign that it might disturb the peace of the imperial heirs.

Upon careful calculation, the location pointed to the Cold Palace.

To ensure the safety of the imperial heirs and to pray for blessings and the elimination of disasters, it might be advisable to pardon or relocate some of those who committed minor offenses in order to resolve the resentment.

Later, Nangong Xuanyu casually agreed and moved Bahargul out of the Cold Palace.

With the matter resolved, Consort Kang breathed a sigh of relief.

Caiju secretly delivered the remaining silver coins and a few inconspicuous but valuable pieces of jewelry to the place designated by Master Huichen.

I thought the matter was over, but who would have thought that after so long, Master Huichen would actually be arrested!

"...What if, what if Master Huichen can't withstand the torture and confesses to taking money to do things for me? Then we'll have to investigate further..."

Consort Kang grew increasingly fearful: "Even if we can't find out what dirt Bahargul had on me back then, what would His Majesty think if he brought up that I had secretly contacted Master Huichen?"

"A concubine secretly bribed a monk outside the palace to stir up trouble in the harem..."

Even the chrysanthemum is afraid.

But she knew that the Empress was already in a state of confusion, so she couldn't afford to be.

She grasped Consort Kang's cold hand, trying to keep her voice steady: "Your Majesty, please try to think positively."

"How long has Bahargul been dead? Her bones have probably already decomposed!"

"That matter was done discreetly back then, and very few people knew about it. Even if Master Huichen confesses, he might not be able to clearly explain what exactly he did for it."

"We're probably not the only ones in the palace who need monks to 'do favors'..."

At this point, Caiju paused before continuing, "Besides, we were forced into this situation to protect ourselves."

"If it really comes to that... His Majesty, for the sake of the Fifth Prince, perhaps... perhaps he will be lenient?"

At the mention of the Fifth Prince, a faint light appeared in Consort Kang's eyes, but it quickly dimmed again: "The Fifth Prince..."

"Ha. His Majesty has more than one prince."

"The Fourth Prince is robust and intelligent, and the Sixth Prince is also pleasing to the eye. My daughter, Sui'an, was born prematurely and is weak; Your Majesty is afraid..."

As she spoke, Consort Kang suddenly choked up: "If the Imperial Noble Consort were still close to me, this matter would be nothing at all. She would always find a way to handle things, and His Majesty would listen to her."

"But now, there is no one behind me..."

These words revealed Consort Kang's deepest fear and regret.

At one time, although the Imperial Noble Consort did not treat her with complete sincerity, she was still kind and caring.

Her sensitive and suspicious nature was never taken lightly by the Imperial Noble Consort; on the contrary, she received some protection from her.

But ever since she developed a secret jealousy and distance from the Imperial Noble Consort because of that unspeakable feeling... and because she missed the investiture ceremony, the two became completely estranged.

Now, Shen Zhinian is a high-ranking Imperial Noble Consort, enjoying the Emperor's favor and managing the harem with boundless glory.

She remained a powerless and unfavored Consort Kang, barely holding on to her position thanks to her prematurely born prince.

When trouble comes, there's not even anyone to talk to or rely on...

"Consort Xuan... she certainly knows how to please the Imperial Noble Consort."

In Consort Kang's tone, there was a hint of bitterness and envy that she herself did not realize: "Both of us are old people who came from the Prince's residence, but Consort Xuan is favored and often goes to Yongshou Palace to sit and chat and laugh."

"The sixth prince was often carried over to play with the fourth prince."

"If only I had..."

If only she hadn't distanced herself from the Imperial Noble Consort because of that secret concern.

If she were willing to let go of her unnecessary timidity and inferiority complex, and visit Yongshou Palace more often...

Perhaps today, she wouldn't have to face the raging storm alone.

Caiju felt bitter as she listened to Consort Kang's words.

"Your Majesty, now is not the time to talk about these things."

Caiju took a deep breath and said, "The most urgent thing is to think about what to do right now."

"We can't do anything about Master Huichen. We can only hope that he's smart enough to know what to say and what not to say."

"The Chuxiu Palace must clean out all the old items that might be discovered! Especially... anything related to the Fatu Temple!"