It has been a few days of peace after that night Imperial Consort Lan sent her letters to her father. She read books, played the qin and passed her time enjoying walks in the garden. The days were getting colder as autumn is approaching. With her weak body, her maidservant made sure to cover her with as many clothes as possible. Although she understands their sentiment and their worry, it was hard to walk with so many clothes. Today she managed to win the argument against her maidservant to wear only one thick coat and a normal dress out for her walk.
"The weather is hotter today. If I were to wear so many layers, it would be hard to walk later." Imperial Consort Lan told her maidservant who begrudgingly followed her mistress's orders.
"Although the weather is hotter than yesterday, your body is still weak and it would not be good to expose it to the cold. Please allow this servant to put on this coat for you." One of the maidservants stepped up while holding onto beautiful red silk with flowers embroidered with silver threads.
Imperial Consort Lan recognized the coat immediately. It was a gift from the Emperor when she first married into the Imperial Household and she has never worn it. Looking at it now, it seems brand new. Noting the maidservant that stepped up, Imperial Consort Lan reluctantly nodded and wore the coat.
Feeling nothing out of the ordinary, she stepped out with her servants in tow. When Imperial Consort Lan reached the gardens, she saw a few concubines gathered around the pavilion. She observed from afar as she identified the concubines and understood the situation at once.
The low-ranked concubines were gathering around a figure of authority in the Imperial Harem, Imperial Consort Su. It looks like they were having a tea party but Imperial Consort Lan could not help but have a bad feeling that something will happen. Either way, she is already here. If someone has set up a play for her then she shall play along and see how it turns out.
Slowly walking towards the pavilion, Imperial Consort Lan captured all the attention of the concubines and Imperial Consort Su. Imperial Consort Su is known to be extremely kind and warm. She also comes from a noble family background, the second princess of a neighboring country. She married in as part of the peace treaty and has survived well in the Imperial Harem.
All concubines bowed towards Imperial Consort Lan and paid their greetings while Imperial Consort Su stood up from her seat and went towards the approaching Imperial Consort Lan.
"Sister Lan, are you here to view the flowers as well?" Imperial Consort Su had a bright smile all along and it became brighter at the sight of Imperial Consort Lan.
"What Sister Su said is indeed correct. Please raise, sisters." Imperial Consort Lan replied indifferently, a huge contrast against Imperial Consort Su's warm and welcoming tone.
"Recently there are some rare flowers that have bloomed and will wither after this season. I have come to witness their beauty before it fades. Some sisters saw me and joined me earlier, would Sister Lan join us as well?" Imperial Consort Su seemed to not notice Imperial Consort Lan's tone as she hooked her arms around hers and guided her towards the pathway.
"You are already pulling me along so I don't have a choice do I?" Imperial Consort Lan eyed the hand on her arm with a frown. Although it can be said that Imperial Consort Su's reputation is pristine but when she was still a noble lady and was bullied, nobody helped her. Not the Emperor nor the kind Imperial Consort Su.
But then again, was Imperial Consort Su always this impatient? Something feels wrong about this but Imperial Consort Lan cannot put a finger into it.
Let's wait and see then.
As Imperial Consort Su pulled Imperial Consort Lan along, the other lower-ranked concubines followed behind them and like this, they toured around the garden. It was until when they were near the floating water platforms that Imperial Consort Lan unconsciously felt that her life was in danger.
"Look here Sister Lan, look at these water lilies. Aren't they beautiful?" Imperial Consort Su pulled her near to the edge of the pond and gently pulled one water lily closer to let Imperial Consort Lan look at it better.
Imperial Consort Lan leaned in slightly to look at the water lily when she felt someone moved behind her. Rolling her eyes internally, she waited for it. One of the concubines standing behind her gave her a strong push, wanting to push her into the water but she did not expect Imperial Consort Lan to move slightly which made the concubine fall forward as she lost her balance. Imperial Consort Su widened her eyes at the unexpected failure but when she saw that the concubine knocked onto Imperial Consort Lan as she fell, bringing both of them into the water, she hid a smirk behind a mask of panic and worry. She was about to act out her part of the plan when she felt a strong tug on her sleeve and Imperial Consort Su fell into the water as well.
All the concubines stared at the situation in shock until someone regained their senses and called for help. With two Imperial Consorts in the water, the eunuchs wasted no time to pull them out of the water before pulling the lower-ranked concubine out. Seeing that the lower-ranked concubine's body was lifeless and heavy, the eunuch pulling her out knew that she was already dead.
Imperial Consort Su was visibly shaken as she trembled. With her clothes sticking to her body, her coat lost in the water and her pale form, the Emperor immediately went to her side when he arrived at the scene. The Emperor was not too far from the garden as he was accompanying his mother who is on the way to the water platforms as well.
When they heard that two Imperial Consort fell into the water, they quickly rushed over. While the Emperor is fussing over Imperial Consort Su, the Empress Dowager glanced at the calm Imperial Consort Lan who quickly made herself presentable before paying her respects to the Emperor and Emperor Dowager.
"Imperial Consort Lan must have suffered a fright, be at ease." The Empress Dowager nodded in approval at Imperial Consort Lan's quick wit before she threw a glare at the crying Imperial Consort Su in the Emperor's arms.
"It seems like Imperial Consort Su is far too weak compared to Imperial Consort Lan. Becoming like this after falling into the water? Have the Imperial Physician prescribe some tonics and take good care of the Imperial Consort." The Empress Dowager snorted in contempt as she flicked her sleeves.
"Lian-er, I'll bring you back to your room. Imperial Mother, please excuse this son." The Emperor quickly carried Imperial Consort Su back to her palace without giving Imperial Consort Lan or the dead concubine a glance. The other concubines that were following Imperial Consort Su quickly made an excuse to follow the Emperor and hastily left the scene. Seeing that she was being ignored, she turned away from the retreating Emperor and glanced at the dead concubine.
It can be said to be a stranger since she has never seen this person before. The deadly pale skin and the bulging stomach were hideous but Imperial Consort Lan did not shy away from it. Instead, she ordered a servant to prepare the funeral and compensation for the dead concubine's maternal family before she turned towards the Empress Dowager.
"This Consort has shown something unsightly and has sullied the Empress Dowager's eyes. This Consort will accept any punishment deemed fit by Empress Dowager." Imperial Consort Lan kneeled and kowtowed to the Empress Dowager whom she had unknowingly gained the approval of.
"Be at ease Imperial Consort Lan. This is also not the first day I enter the Imperial Harem. All those petty tricks, schemes and whatnots, where have I not seen any of them during my time? The Emperor might be blinded but this Imperial Mother of his is not." The Empress Dowager personally helped her up but Imperial Consort Lan shook her head.
"This Consort's clothes are wet, they would dirty the Empress Dowager's hands. This Consort shall get up on her own, I thank Empress Dowager for her kindness." Imperial Consort Lan stood up slowly with the help of her maidservant who was also trembling slightly from shock.
"Imperial Consort Lan is considerate. Tomorrow, I am having a tea session with the second princess and the fourth princess. Do join us," Imperial Consort Lan widened her eyes in mild surprise before she smiled at the Empress Dowager.
"It would be my honor," Imperial Consort Lan replied with a bow. The Empress Dowager smiled at her and nodded before she turned around and left. She is beginning to like this Imperial Consort Lan more and more.