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nIn people’s eyes, although peacocks weren’t as honorable and beautiful as phoenixes, they were still beautiful. Therefore, while the imperial concubines dared not to have furniture or other utensils with phoenixes as decorative designs or phoenixes embroidered onto their clothes and shoes, they could use peacocks instead.

nThe peacock tail brought forward was gorgeous to the max. Although the drawing technique was strange, it surprised others. Took their breaths away at the beauty. The outline was clear, exaggerating the contours. The technique was different from those of the palace maids and other imperial concubines, and the only person who would use such a strange technique was Xihe Palace’s Xianrong Zhao.

n“Your Majesty, this peacock tail kite is made from top-notch Sichuan brocade. Moreover, it entered the palace as tribute last year during October. This concubine has already investigated this. Only eight imperial concubines have this type of material. Other than Consort Rou, Zhaorong Xu, and Consort Ning, the other imperial concubines have already used up their allotment,” said the empress in a tranquil manner, watching as the peacock tail fabric was presented to Consort Ning. “Just looking at the fabric won’t solve this case.”

nAt this moment, everyone realized something. The empress wanted to use this occasion to properly investigate this case. And they, the imperial concubines, were all present. They couldn’t leave even if they wanted to.

nThe emperor’s brows twitched. “Since nothing can be found out from just looking at the fabric, we will have to look at other places.” He turned to Consort Ning. “Consort Ning, look at this painting.”

n“Your Majesty…” Consort Ning held up the painting, hesitant. Gazed at it for a good while. Then she furrowed her brows and said with difficulty, “This concubine truly doesn’t know who drew this. But looking at the brushstrokes, it looks exactly like Xianrong Zhao’s.”

nAn insincere smile playing on Noble Consort Shu’s lips, she gazed at that peacock tail. “Consort Ning, do you know what Xianrong Zhao’s painting style is like?”

n“During the last day of the lunar new year, Xianrong Zhao personally drew a picture on a lantern. At that time, this concubine was present, so took a few more glances at it.” Consort Ning set down that fabric with the peacock tail. Turned to Noble Consort Shu. “Could it be that Your Highness Noble Consort Shu has forgotten?”

nNoble Consort Shu smiled and did not continue speaking.

n“Your Highness’ eyesight and memory is incredible. This concubine cannot compare.” Zhuang Laoyan reached out for the fabric with the peacock tail. “This peacock tail fabric uses the same paint and material as mine. If it wasn’t for the fact that this concubine made that kite myself, this concubine wouldn’t be able to tell if this was the original or a copy.

n“Your Majesty, this time, the person who harmed this concubine harbours evil intentions. Not only did they kill Noble Lady Ye, they also framed me. May Your Majesty seek justice for me,” said Zhuang Laoyan, eyes red. “This concubine doesn’t fear being framed, and only fears Your Majesty would believe that vicious person’s scheme. If that happens, if that happens…” And she could not continue, choking with sobs.

nThe emperor walked forward and held her ice-cold hand. “We know you. We already had people investigate thoroughly these past days, and will not let you receive unjust treatment in vain.”

nAt this scene, Noble Consort Shu averted her gaze. The smile on her lips dimmed significantly. “In the past, we knew that Consort Ning’s skill in painting was impressive. Now, we know her eyesight is incredible as well. On that day, for her to clearly make out Xianrong Zhao’s painting style from so far away is truly something one doesn’t see often.”

nConsort Ning’s expression did not change. “This concubine doesn’t know what Your Highness means.”

n“This palace doesn’t mean anything.” Not looking at Consort Ning, Noble Consort Shu faced the emperor and curtsied. “Your Majesty, this concubine was lacking manners just now.”

n“It’s fine.” Holding Zhuang Laoyan’s hand, Feng Jin looked at Noble Consort Shu. “You merely spoke carelessly and are not at fault.”

n“Noble Consort Shu is overcautious. In the past, Consort Rou and Imperial Concubine Lin were in disagreement due to a few careless words. Now, aren’t they also good sisters?” said the empress all of a sudden. “Consort Rou, do you think this is accurate?”

nConsort Rou stepped forward and saluted. A faint smile on her lips, she replied, “Responding to Your Majesty the empress, this concubine and Imperial Concubine Lin are sisters of the harem. How could we become hostile to one another due to a few exchanges of words? Right, Imperial Concubine Lin?”

nImperial Concubine Lin smiled fakely and curtsied. “Your Highness Consort Rou is right.”

nBut Feng Jin seemed to have thought of something, glancing at Imperial Concubine Lin before turning to look at Consort Ning. “We remember that in the past, Imperial Concubine Lin and you often drank tea and played chess together.”

n“Your Majesty actually remembers the little things between us,” said Consort Ning with a smile. “Imperial Concubine Lin’s former residence, Ruanming Palace, has the flowering crab-apples this concubine is fond of. As such, this concubine went over there often when free. Imperial Concubine Lin’s skill in chess is great. When we play together, this concubine would lose nine times out of ten.”

n“Indeed that is the case. Even We cannot compare with her in that.” Feng Jin led Zhuang Laoyan by the hand to sit at the side. But his attention was on Imperial Concubine Lin and Consort Ning. “Speaking of which, it has been a while since We have played chess with Imperial Concubine Lin.”

nConsort Ning smiled. “Recently, this concubine has been assisting Her Majesty the empress in managing the harem, and hasn’t played chess with Younger Sister Imperial Concubine Lin in a while too.”

nAs Zhuang Laoyan heard the emperor and Consort Ning reminiscing, she looked down at the clasped hands of the emperor and herself. Afterward, controlled the trembling of her hand. The emperor strengthened the hold of his grasp.

nThe situation of events suddenly grew strange. They obviously were investigating the peacock tail feather, so why did they suddenly start reminiscing?

nWith a cold gaze, Noble Consort Shu watched this scene. Consort Ning always acted like she was good at understanding others in front of the emperor. Thus, the emperor liked talking to her. As for whether Consort Ning was truly as considerate and calm as she seemed on the surface, only she herself would know.

nEver since Imperial Concubine Lin had been demoted, the emperor did not flip her name tag. Now that the emperor suddenly paid attention to her, her expression was more happy than before. However, once she saw that the emperor was holding someone else’s hand, the happiness in her expression disappeared. No imperial concubine would like seeing someone who had caused her to be demoted.

nNoticing Imperial Concubine Lin’s gaze, Zhuang Laoyan smiled a hint. Following that, she looked away, as if she had never seen the hatred in the other’s eyes.

n“Talking to Consort Ning always makes one relaxed.” Feng Jin smiled, patting Zhuang Laoyan’s hand. As though he wanted to stop the conversation. “We usually like talking to you.”

n“To make Your Majesty even a bit more relaxed and cheerful is this concubine’s fortune,” said Consort Ning, a smile blooming on her lips.

n“We also thought like this, and as such spoke to you about many things. For example, seeing an acrobatic performance back in my youth. For example… using phosphor to ignite blue flames. Or about telling you that the kite that flew away was made personally by Xianrong Zhao.” Feng Jin released Zhuang Laoyan’s hand, expression normal. He picked up the teacup on the table and took a sip of tea. “Right now, We feel like talking to you isn’t relaxing. “

n“Your Majesty.” Consort Ning’s complexion changed. “Your honored self suspects this concubine?”

nFeng Jin did not look at Consort Ning. He set his teacup back down. “Men, summon Luyi.”

nAfter Luyi was dragged to the area, Feng Jin said expressionlessly, “We remember that Consort Ning had once pleaded leniency for a palace maid that lost manners in front of Us. Is it this person?”

n“Your Majesty, the matter has happened so long ago. This concubine cannot remember.” Consort Ning looked at the emperor with a tranquil expression. “If Your Majesty suspects this concubine, then this concubine has nothing to say.”

n“Consort Ning likes painting the most. The paints and painting brushes in your palace are the best. And We specially informed the Department of the Palace to give those paints to you.” Feng Jin faced Consort Ning, brow arched. “If it wasn’t for the fact that all the imperial concubines painted today, We would have forgotten this. Since you are innocent, let’s have people test it out. That way, we can prove your innocence.” Then, without letting her say anything, he had people summon a painting master to examine the fabric with the peacock tail feathers.

nDon’t support theft; read this as sleepchaser’s wordpress.

nThe paints in Consort Ning’s palace were brought over. And with the peacock tail in question around, the painting master came to his results incredibly quickly: the paint used for the peacock tail was the same as the paints found in Consort Ning’s palace.

nConsort Ning widened her eyes in disbelief. “Your Majesty, this concubine is not aware of this at all. The paints in my residence were not deliberately stored away. Somebody definitely stole my paints to do this…”

n“Even you didn’t know that We had people specially prepare this type of paint for you. So how could other people know?” said Feng Jin with a cold voice. “You and Imperial Concubine Lin get along. Imperial Concubine Lin and Consort Rou have always been hostile toward one another. And there are old grudges between Imperial Concubine Lin and Xianrong Zhao. That’s why the palace maid who died in Xihe Palace’s lotus pond was from Consort Rou’s palace!”

nConsort Ning’s legs grew weak, causing her to overturn the containers of paint before her. All sorts of colors splashed onto her body. But she looked at the emperor as if she didn’t realize this happened to her. “Your Majesty, just relying on this conjecture is enough to prove my guilt?

n“Whether or not you’re guilty, you are probably more clear than Us.” Expressionless, the emperor looked at the Consort Ning who cut a sorry figure. “Noble Consort Shu was right. In the imperial harem, who can compare to you in imitating other people’s drawing technique?”

nAt the sound of the emperor’s words, Consort Ning actually laughed. She lifted her head. Miserable tears flowed down her cheeks. “Yes, in this imperial harem, whose skill in painting is greater than mine? However, even if this is so, Your Majesty still kept Xianrong Zhao’s ugly lantern!”

nZhuang Laoyan seemed to have been frightened by Consort Ning’s shout, hands trembling. Upon seeing this, Feng Jin once again reached out and held her hand. “There are many lanterns kept and stored at Our side, not only Xianrong Zhao’s.”

n“Naturally, there isn’t only Xianrong Zhao’s lantern kept in Your Majesty’s palace. There are also Noble Consort Shu’s, Consort Rou’s, many, many lanterns of many different imperial concubines,” said Consort Ning, smiling as she sobbed. “Moreover, Your Majesty has mentioned many people in front of this concubine. Noble Consort Shu, Consort Rou, Xiuyi Su, Noble Imperial Concubine Yan, Xianrong Zhao, and even Noble Lady Qian. Each of them were younger than the last, were fresher than the last. This concubine watched as Your Majesty favored woman after woman, waiting for your honored self to come to my residence. But when you finally do, you only mention other people.”

nZhuang Laoyan sighed inwardly. Consort Ning had chosen to walk on the path of an understanding older sister, and perhaps she had truly grown feelings for the emperor. As such, she would grow jealous, would grow angry, and in the end, grow hateful. That’s why she framed Zhuang Laoyan, framed Consort Rou, and even schemed against the empress.

nAn originally fresh and graceful woman would grow jealous. When it was all said and done, she wasn’t a saint.

nOnce Luyi had confessed about Imperial Concubine Lin, Zhuang Laoyan found something amiss. Although Imperial Concubine Lin used to be Consort Yuan, she was only a little imperial concubine right now. In a place like the imperial harem, would there be many people willing to throw their lives for her?

nIt wasn’t a secret that in the past, Imperial Concubine Lin and Consort Rou weren’t on good terms. Therefore, it made sense that the person dead by the lotus pond would be someone belonging to Consort Rou. But she couldn’t have relied only on Luyi to place the corpse there without anyone finding out. Thus, even if that matter involved Imperial Concubine Lin, it couldn’t have only been through her own hands. At the very least, someone very powerful in the harem had helped her.

nAs for the kite case later on, it inspired even more suspicion from others. Which ordinary imperial concubine could secretly send someone to make trouble for Noble Lady Ye without anyone discovering? Although the emperor had spurned Noble Lady Ye, there was still an empress dowager backing her up. Even if she was being treated badly, it wasn’t to the point that after eunuchs pointed at and scolded her, the other people in the harem wouldn’t hear of it at all. As such, the only people who could do this were the empress and the imperial concubines who managed the harem.

nThe empress wouldn’t do anything that would harm herself. For the time being, Noble Consort Xian and the empress stood in the same faction, so it was unlikely to be the former too. The remaining candidates were Consort Ning and Noble Consort Shu. However, if it were Noble Consort Shu behind this, she naturally would have controlled Xiuyi Su. She would not have allowed her to openly humiliate the servants of Xihe Palace and attract suspicion that way. Thus, the only one left was the calm and amiable Consort Ning. Coupled with her superior skill in painting, Zhuang Laoyan’s suspicion toward her grew even more.

nIn the beginning, she would not have suspected Consort Ning so easily. Until a few days ago when she passed by Ruanming Palace, and noticed that there were many flowering crabapples in bloom. And Zhuang Laoyan remembered Consort Ning mentioning her fondness for these flowers during the past flower appreciation banquet, causing her suspicion to leap higher.

nNow, she was certain Consort Ning and Imperial Concubine Lin had conspired together. But Zhuang Laoyan didn’t feel happy at all. The imperial harem was a place where one schemed against another and got schemed against in return, and it wasn’t until one reached the highest position that one could relax. Consort Ning did such a thing because she couldn’t control her love for the emperor. She seemed like an understanding person, yet did the most unreasonable thing.

nConsort Ning shifted her gaze to Zhuang Laoyan and Noble Consort Shu. At that moment, she smiled. “You people shouldn’t be complacent. Today, you are very favored, but in the future, there will be even more favored women replacing you. A loser like me should have long since resigned myself. It was my fault, my fault…”

nAt the beginning, Feng Jin had listened calmly. But now, he said all of a sudden, “Servants, take Consort Ning away and watch her carefully. She will be dealt with later.”

nYou guys who guessed Consort Ning got it right! Any of you surprised?

nFor those of you still interested in advanced chapters, please read this post for more information. There are only two advanced chapters available this month, so if you pledge for a tier that gives three chapters, you’re basically my suga daddi.

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nFifteenth chapter of The Times Spent in Pretense is out! You can read it here.

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