am-books Chapter 529 - 389: A Rare Peace
Chapter 529 - 389: A Rare Peace
Chapter 529: Chapter 389: A Rare Peace
Peaceful and stable?
Zhou Yi, upon hearing these words, suddenly remembered the time when he first entered the palace.
He had eaten three big bowls of white rice in one go, the sweet taste still fresh in his memory. But at some point, no matter what he ate, it had lost its flavor.
Every day was spent pondering over human nature, every night spent in contemplation and scheming.
His ears were always pricked for conspiracies and deceptions, and before he knew it, he had become a different person.
...
Forget about having a full stomach, even if tens of thousands of silver were laid before him, there would be no sense of satisfaction, only a craving for more!
Zhou Yi simply stopped standing upright and, imitating the old deer, lay down on the steps, looking up at the sky. It was a clear day with blue skies and white clouds, which suddenly made his heart feel more open.
“Old Deer, is there really nothing you want in this lifetime?”
“When I was young, I wanted everything.”
Old Deer seemed to reminisce about the past, murmuring, “When the Retired Emperor had yet to abdicate, I served in Qianqing Palace. If not for the siege by foreign tribes, I might have become a high-ranking eunuch.”
Zhou Yi, curious, asked, “And then what happened?”
Old Deer continued, “After the Retired Emperor returned to the palace, he constantly clashed with His Majesty, trying to regain the throne several times. Watching His Majesty’s tactics, I realized that the Retired Emperor could not compete, so I secretly sent a message!”
“...”
Zhou Yi was astonished. He had thought he was a trusted follower of the Retired Emperor, never expecting him to be a traitor, an insider.
Trust no one in this palace!
Old Deer went on, “After the Retired Emperor passed away, His Majesty, remembering my meritorious service, granted me the leisure of living out my old age in the Cold Palace.”
Zhou Yi frowned and said, “You consider this a reward?”
“Initially, I didn’t think so either, and I cursed His Majesty for not rewarding me for my accomplishments.”
Old Deer said, “Later, the eunuchs I knew, one by one, died off. Then new eunuchs came, and they also died off one by one, leaving only me, without worries for food or drink, alive.”
“Would you say that is a reward?”
“I suppose so.”
Zhou Yi wasn’t sure at heart, but perhaps living a carefree life like Old Deer really was a reward.
Old Deer stated, “In the prime of youth, even if one understands, one cannot see through everything. When you are old, you will naturally realize that living... is more precious than anything!”
“Is that so.”@@@@
Zhou Yi wanted to retort that he wouldn’t grow old, but changing his tone, he asked,
“Are there any books to read in this Cold Palace?”
Old Deer was surprised and asked, “Why read books?”
“With such boredom, one has to find something to do.”
Zhou Yi replied, “When I was a kid and saw those scholars, passing the imperial examinations meant having food and drink. I was very envious and swore that if I ever had the chance, I would also study and take the exams!”
“You might as well not bother packing up.”
The red-clothed eunuch did not get angry but instead said, “This Cold Palace is really too shabby. How about we move you somewhere else? Working at the Temple of Qing Tian, overlooking the incense, it’s relaxing and comfortable!”
Old Lu retorted, “Is what you say more effective than the emperor’s orders?”
Emperor Hongwu had personally promised that Old Lu could live in peace in the Cold Palace until his death, and his word was incontrovertible, no one dared to violate it.
The red-clothed eunuch, looking embarrassed, didn’t dare to argue with Old Lu and turned to Zhou Yi, scolding.
“The emperor has decreed that Consort Yuan be confined to the Cold Palace, and you must guard her strictly, not allowing her to take even half a step out of the palace gates!”
“I shall obey the order.”
Zhou Yi pondered to himself why Consort Yuan had been cast into the Cold Palace.
The most likely reason was related to the rebellion of the second prince, which angered the emperor to the point of guilt by association, and with Consort Yuan’s loose tongue, it was easy for her to stir up trouble.
Noon.
Four eunuchs escorted Consort Yuan into the house of the Cold Palace.
Zhou Yi looked at the consort, who half a year ago had been smooth and radiant, now with vacant eyes, a sallow face, and stiff movements, resembling a soulless zombie.
I’m really unlucky. The Cold Palace has been tranquil for over twenty years, and just as I start my duty, someone is brought in!
With Consort Yuan confined to the Cold Palace, Zhou Yi could no longer afford to be lazy or careless, nor dare to let the sound of reading be heard.
If Consort Yuan had any devoted eunuchs or palace maids, they could report to Emperor Hongwu, and it would surely be a death sentence. The lives of servants were as inconsequential as the cups from which nobles drank water!
Old Lu seemed to see through Zhou Yi’s thoughts and said dismally, “This one, won’t stay long.”
“How so?”
Zhou Yi’s eyes sparkled with interest; in the past, some consorts had left the Cold Palace and regained the emperor’s favor. Seizing this opportunity to kindle a cold stove, he might rise with the wind.
Old Lu replied, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
Three days later.
Consort Yuan took her own life by swallowing gold.
Zhou Yi was the first to see Consort Yuan’s corpse and nearly used his cultivation technique to flee the palace.
Fortunately, after consulting Old Lu, he was relieved. Few who were confined in the Cold Palace, consorts or princes, lived long, and those who sought death could not be watched over by anyone.
“The emperor is magnanimous, he will surely not blame.”
Indeed.
Emperor Hongwu decreed a grand funeral for Consort Yuan and, apart from the eunuchs and maids required by law to be buried with her, no one else was implicated.
The Cold Palace once again became serene.
Zhou Yi looked at the empty room and said, “Old Lu, I’m beginning to understand what you meant by peace.”
“Heh heh heh!”
Old Lu chuckled strangely, shaking his head slightly.
“In times of turmoil, this Cold Palace can’t remain quiet. Just watch, soon there will be new arrivals!”