Zhong Li had never imagined she would be drawn into courtly disputes.
During the day, Old Ma Tou had taken her to the mansion of Wang Yuanwai, Wang Mei’s father, as she had requested. Initially, Wang Yuanwai had not been welcoming, which was understandable. After all, they belonged to opposing factions within the court, serving different masters, and thus should not associate.
However, upon hearing that she wished to discuss Wang Mei, Wang Yuanwai grudgingly received her.
To her surprise, their conversation lasted the entire afternoon. By the time she left, it was past mealtime. Fortunately, Old Ma Tou had waited for her outside; otherwise, she might have had to walk back, cold and hungry.
“My Lady, shall I escort you back to the separate residence now?” Old Ma Tou asked as he drove the carriage.
Zhong Li lifted the curtain and glanced at the moonlit sky. Just as she was about to agree, she suddenly felt something was amiss and changed her mind. “No, we’re not going back. We’re going to the palace.”
“To the palace?” Old Ma Tou was very surprised. One could not enter the palace so late without an summons.
Zhong Li said, “I still have the Emperor’s hand token with me. I’ll return it to His Majesty.”
“Oh, I see,” Old Ma Tou replied casually and turned the carriage toward the imperial palace.
On the way, Zhong Li bought two steamed white buns filled with meat. She gave one to Old Ma Tou and ate the other herself.
By the time they finished eating, the carriage had arrived at the palace gate.
As Old Ma Tou had said, the guards at the palace gate initially refused her entry. However, upon seeing the Emperor’s hand token, they naturally let her pass.
After instructing Old Ma Ma Tou to return, Zhong Li followed a guard into the palace.
The guard led her to the vicinity of the Imperial Study, offered a few cautionary words, and then busied himself elsewhere.
Zhong Li glanced at the Imperial Study, where the candles were still lit. She took out the hand token and looked at it, then turned and headed towards the inner palace.
Having previously thoroughly investigated Consort Rong’s case, she was familiar with the inner palace. Before long, she arrived at the entrance of Consort Nan Gong Xiao Die’s palace.
Inside, the candles had already been extinguished. It appeared the lady of the palace was likely asleep.
As she was contemplating how to enter, a young eunuch standing in a patch of light called out to her, “Who’s there? If you don’t speak, I’ll raise an alarm!”
Zhong Li emerged from the darkness. Upon recognizing her, the young eunuch hurried forward and said, “Lord Zhong, aren’t you on leave? Why are you in the palace at this hour?”
Zhong Li recognized the eunuch as Xiao Cha Zi, who served Consort Nan Gong Xiao Die. She asked, “Is Consort Nan Gong asleep?”
Xiao Cha Zi replied, “Lately, His Majesty has been worried day and night due to the matter of the Bei Tian Nunnery. The Consort has been accompanying him. It was only two days ago that the case was solved, and seeing His Majesty’s spirits lift, she finally felt relieved. Today, she slept a bit earlier.”
Xiao Cha Zi’s answer, though seemingly straightforward, clearly conveyed a desire for her to leave.
Zhong Li was not foolish and understood the underlying message.
Under normal circumstances, she might have left. However, this matter concerned not only Hua Yao but also the future of the entire Southern Yue Kingdom. If the Empress succeeded, Nan Gong Xiao Die might never have another peaceful night like this.
“Please trouble yourself to announce my arrival, Eunuch. Say that Zhong Li requests an audience.”
Xiao Cha Zi seemed hesitant. Having been in the palace for a long time, he was adept at reading people. He knew it was best not to disturb the Consort tonight. After a moment of hesitation, he politely refused, “Lord Zhong, perhaps you should return. If there’s anything, you can come tomorrow…”
“His Majesty is still in the Imperial Study. There is still time. I just need to say a few words to the Consort. Please facilitate this for me,” Zhong Li interrupted Xiao Cha Zi.
“I say, Lord Zhong, you’re being rather insistent. You’re putting me in a difficult position…”
Xiao Cha Zi grew impatient. Relying on Consort Nan Gong Xiao Die’s current favor and accustomed to the flattery of other officials, he naturally spoke curtly to Zhong Li, whose official position had only recently been restored. However, halfway through his sentence, he saw Zhong Li thrust something into his face, which immediately silenced him.
“Eunuch, do you recognize this?” Zhong Li asked.
Xiao Cha Zi nodded. “This… this is His Majesty’s hand token. This…”
“Then why aren’t you kneeling!” Zhong Li demanded.
Xiao Cha Zi snapped to attention and dropped to his knees with a thud.
Zhong Li said, “Now I am going to see the Consort. Do you have anything else to say?”
Xiao Cha Zi shook his head, his body stiff with fear.
Zhong Li ignored him and walked to the entrance of Nan Gong Xiao Die’s residence. She knocked lightly a few times. Under the greeting of Nan Gong Xiao Die’s personal maid, she successfully entered.
Nan Gong Xiao Die was indeed asleep.
When Zhong Li first entered, a faint scent of calming incense still permeated the room. Nan Gong Xiao Die was seated at the table, not yet fully awake and looking drowsy.
“Zhong Li pays her respects to Her Ladyship,” Zhong Li said, approaching Nan Gong Xiao Die to perform the customary bow.
Nan Gong Xiao Die yawned and waved her hand, signaling Zhong Li to dispense with the formalities. She then gestured to the seat opposite her.
Zhong Li had been here several times before and understood. She sat down. After the tea was served and the maidservant had withdrawn, Nan Gong Xiao Die finally spoke.
“Lord Zhong, why have you come to the palace so late at this hour to see me? Is there something important?” Nan Gong Xiao Die asked after taking a sip of tea, seeming to gain a bit more energy.
Zhong Li did not beat around the bush. “Today, I heard in court that the Crown Prince wished to seek marriage with Hua Yao, the legitimate daughter of the Hua family?”
“Lord Zhong has come about Hua Yao’s matter? This Consort knows about it, but His Majesty has temporarily shelved the issue.” Nan Gong Xiao Die paused, then thought for a moment. “After the court session, I subtly inquired about His Majesty’s intentions, and it seems His Majesty does not have such thoughts. Therefore, if Lord Zhong is inquiring on behalf of Miss Hua, you can return and give Miss Hua some reassurance.”
“When did Your Ladyship ask His Majesty? And does Your Ladyship know if the Empress also sought out His Majesty afterwards?”
As soon as Zhong Li finished speaking, Nan Gong Xiao Die’s hand, holding the teacup, paused. She looked at Zhong Li in surprise and asked, “The Empress sought out His Majesty?”
“Yes!” Zhong Li nodded.
“If Eunuch Hua did not inform me… this…”
“If Eunuch Hua did not inform you, could it be that His Majesty changed his mind? Eunuch Hua feared that telling you might cause you to overthink or be hurt?”
Zhong Li’s words pierced Nan Gong Xiao Die’s heart like a precise dart. The fingertips holding the cup tightened, emitting a crisp friction sound. Having spent much time in the harem, even though she was originally from a farming family, her ability to weigh pros and cons was now profound.
Seeing her reaction, Zhong Li said, “I have come to the palace so late today specifically to discuss strategies with Your Ladyship.”
Nan Gong Xiao Die knew that apart from Lu Yuan Feng, she had no other support. She had been interacting with Lu Yuan Feng for a long time, but she was still unsure of his character. If this matter unfolded, she truly did not know who to consult. Zhong Li’s visit at this moment could indeed help her devise a plan.
“What are Lord Zhong’s thoughts?” Nan Gong Xiao Die asked.
Zhong Li did not immediately reveal her strategy. Instead, she recounted the matter of Wang Mei to Nan Gong Xiao Die.