Chapter 209 - 210: Delusion
Li Ji exchanged a few more words with Hua Manman, during which Wu Wang came in and took a look.
Wu Wang faithfully reported what he had seen to the Emperor.
"Prince Zhao was smiling the entire time he spoke with Lady Hua. He seemed to be in very good spirits."
The Emperor let out a soft sigh.
He had originally planned to send Lady Hua far away to prevent her from seeing Li Ji again, but he never expected the poison in Li Ji’s system to suddenly flare up.
Now Li Ji’s life hung by a thread, and the Imperial Hospital had yet to devise a treatment.
The Emperor had no choice but to abandon the thought of sending Lady Hua away.
All he wanted now was for Li Ji to get better; it would be enough for him to live on in peace and safety.
’As for everything else, that could wait.’
The Emperor instructed, "Since Lady Hua can make Prince Zhao happy, have her move into the palace as well. It will be more convenient for her to care for him."
"Yes."
Li Ji was settled in the Left Attendant Hall of Hanzhang Hall, and naturally, Hua Manman moved in as well.
News of Prince Zhao’s poisoning quickly spread throughout the palace.
Everyone was buzzing with discussion about it.
Many of them were secretly gloating. Having held grudges against Prince Zhao, they naturally couldn’t wait for him to kick the bucket.
However, many others were deeply worried.
Take Hua Qingqing, for instance.
Her concern wasn’t for Prince Zhao, but for what would become of her younger sister should something happen to him.
Given the Emperor’s partiality toward Prince Zhao, she genuinely feared that in a fit of immense grief, he would order Lady Hua to be buried alive with the prince.
After all, Prince Zhao doted on Lady Hua, taking her with him wherever he went.
If he were to die, Lady Hua would naturally have to accompany him.
Hua Qingqing had originally intended to wait for the Emperor to visit the Moon Viewing Pavilion and then try to glean some news about Prince Zhao from him.
Unfortunately, the Emperor had been extremely busy. Every day, aside from managing state affairs, he visited the gravely ill Prince Zhao and urged the Ministry of Justice to identify the poisoner. He was in no mood to amuse himself with his Concubines.
After waiting in vain for the Emperor to appear, Hua Qingqing had no choice but to change her strategy and take the initiative.
Though three months pregnant, she was barely showing, her figure still slender. Nevertheless, she chose a loose, light green, high-waisted gown and styled her hair in a simple yet chic bun, adorned with two green pearl hairpins.
With the help of a palace maid, she settled into a palanquin and set off for Hanzhang Hall.
As luck would have it, just as Hua Qingqing arrived at Hanzhang Hall, she saw another party approaching.
At their head was none other than Yin Meiren, who had only recently entered the palace.
The two women came face to face.
Yin Meiren glided forward gracefully, curtsied, and spoke with a smile.
"I heard you were recently with child, Hua Jieyu. I’ve been meaning to congratulate you, but I never found the right opportunity."
"Since we’ve had the good fortune to meet today, allow me to offer my congratulations now."
Hua Qingqing smiled faintly. "Are you also here to request an audience with the Saint?"
"Yes. I heard the Saint has been greatly troubled by Prince Zhao’s situation, so I personally prepared some chicken soup for him."
Yin Meiren paused, her gaze pointedly landing on the food container in the hands of the palace maid behind Hua Jieyu. She then asked, feigning curiosity.
"Don’t tell me you’re also here to bring soup for the Saint?"
Hua Qingqing didn’t answer directly. "In that case, let’s go in together."
The two entered Hanzhang Hall and were led to an antechamber to wait.
The Emperor had just finished visiting Prince Zhao. He was rather surprised to learn that Hua Jieyu and Yin Meiren had arrived together.
’When did those two get so close?’
Only when the Emperor saw them did he realize they hadn’t come together but had merely bumped into each other at the entrance.
Yin Meiren was the first to open her food container. She took out the porcelain tureen inside, presented it to the Emperor with both hands as if offering a treasure, and said in a cloyingly sweet voice.
"I was up at the crack of dawn to make this chicken soup, and I’ve been busy with it until just now. Please, try some and tell me what you think!"
Because of her youth, her eagerness came across as a naive charm, making it hard to refuse her sincere gesture.
The Emperor said gently, "You’ve gone to a lot of trouble."
Zuo Ji had someone bring a small bowl and spoon. After a taster had a mouthful to confirm it was safe, Zuo Ji ladled a small bowl of chicken soup from the tureen and placed it before the Emperor.
After tasting it, the Emperor smiled and offered a few words of praise.
A shy smile appeared on Yin Meiren’s face, her lovely eyes brimming with adoration for the Emperor as she leaned in closer.
"Your Majesty~"
The Emperor looked at her with an expression of fond helplessness, as if he didn’t know what to do with her.
Watching this, Hua Qingqing couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment, and even a strange, indefinable ache.
’She had always known the Emperor had a harem of thousands, and she was just one among them.’
’Even if the Emperor treated her with more concern than he did others, it ultimately meant nothing.’
’After all, the Emperor was always like this. He would shower someone with favor when he liked them, but the moment he grew tired of them, he would cast them from his mind completely.’
’Her rational mind told her not to get carried away, yet deep in her heart, a foolish hope had taken root.’
’She harbored the vain hope that she was special in the Emperor’s heart.’
’But now, seeing his intimacy with another of his Concubines with her own eyes, she was suddenly jolted back to her senses.’
’She knew her fantasy was just that—a fantasy.’
’The Emperor treated her no differently than he treated any other woman.’
’She couldn’t keep deluding herself.’
The Emperor noticed Hua Jieyu staring at him without a word, so he turned to her and asked.
"Are you also here to bring me soup?"
Hua Qingqing did her best to suppress the ache in her heart. Putting on a nonchalant air, she said breezily.
"Yes, I stewed some pigeon soup. I didn’t expect Yin Meiren would also be bringing soup for Your Majesty. Had I known, I wouldn’t have made a pointless trip."
She finished with a deliberate sigh, feigning a look of jealousy.
At this, the Emperor chuckled. "Listen to you. It’s as if I’ve been neglecting you on purpose."
Hua Qingqing huffed softly. "You haven’t been to the Moon Viewing Pavilion in days. Isn’t that the very definition of neglect?"
The Emperor walked over, took her hand, and pulled her down to sit beside him on the daybed, explaining patiently.
"I’ve been too busy lately and haven’t had a moment to visit you and our child. Don’t be upset. I promise I’ll visit as soon as my work is finished."
Hua Qingqing was perfectly composed now.
’She knew she couldn’t take everything the Emperor said to heart.’
’He said he would visit when he was finished, and perhaps he was sincere in that moment. But who was to say he wouldn’t forget all about it a moment later?’
’After all, sweet nothings meant to appease his Concubines were trivial to him; there was no reason for him to waste mental energy remembering them.’
Though she saw things clearly in her heart, she put on an appeased expression and softened her tone to ask.
"Really?"
The Emperor replied, "My word is my bond. Of course, it’s true."
Only then did a smile return to Hua Qingqing’s face, her lovely eyes sparkling once more.
To show fairness, the Emperor also tasted the pigeon soup Hua Jieyu had brought, praising her culinary skills as well.