FBC – Chapter 244 Caught in the Act

A palace maid led Gu Hua into a small, secluded chamber off the West Second Hall.

“Madam Mu, there happens to be a new third-rank court gown that’s just your size,” the maid said.

Gu Hua brightened. “That would be wonderful.”

The maid asked obligingly, “Would you like me to help you?”

Gu Hua smiled. “No, it’s all right — I can manage. You may go about your duties.”

The festivities on the first day of the third month were so crowded that many people had come inside; the women were not allowed to bring their own attendants. All the serving inside were palace maids, eunuchs and the imperial guards.

The maid was profuse in her gratitude. “Madam Mu, you are too kind. Please go in.”

Gu Hua pushed the door and stepped inside. The room was elegantly appointed and scented with incense.

Behind a screen there was still a couch, and three clothing racks stood there, each bearing a brand-new court gown.

As soon as the door closed, Gu Hua quickly pulled a pill from her pouch and swallowed it.

The incense in the room was overwhelmingly strong — it made her quite uncomfortable. She hurriedly took a handkerchief from her sleeve and covered her nose and mouth. From her pouch she took a small white bottle and shook a single black pill into her mouth.

Footsteps sounded outside.

Gu Hua pressed her ear to the crack of the door and peered out: it was Jiang Ruoxi.

Following her was the same palace maid from earlier.

Jiang Ruoxi asked in a low voice, “Has she gone in?”

“She did. I’m keeping watch — she hasn’t left.” the maid answered.

Jiang Ruoxi curved her lips. “Ha — she’s already limp, can’t get up.”

She moved to the door and pressed her ear against the crack to listen. Faint moans came from within; a pleased look crossed her face and she sneered, “Wench — you’ll get what’s coming to you.”

She pushed open the neighboring room’s door and instructed the maid, “In two quarters, go fetch my second sister-in-law and have her bring the other ladies over to watch.”

The maid clicked her tongue in a smile. “Yes, mistress — I understand.”

Two quarters later, Qian Peiqin and a group of noblewomen were laughing and chatting as they came this way.

Qian Peiqin beamed. “Ruoxi said she had something splendid to show us and insisted we come right away. I wonder what surprise she has.”

Yuan Jieying gave a helpless smile. “Ruoxi is always mischievous.”

“The Empress just said the cherry blossoms are all in bloom — while the sovereign hasn’t arrived yet, we might as well go look.” Qian Peiqin added.

“Good. Let’s take Ruoxi with us in a bit and see what her surprise is,” said Qian Peiqin.

At that moment Zhao Yuxuan and Zhao Yuwen arrived, escorting Prince Anping, the Duke of Jingguo, and several marquises. Behind them came the princes preparing for the dragon boat race, the heir of the Duke of Jingguo, Sun Chongyang, and a number of high-ranking officials — the whole party talking as they walked.

This path led directly toward the dragon-boat docking area by Jinming Pool.

Qian Peiqin was delighted — the more people, the better.

If that little bitch were exposed in front of this large gathering of imperial relatives and top nobles, the Mu family would be utterly ruined.

If she didn’t take her own life, they could sentence her to be dunked in a pig cage!

Seeing them about to turn the corner, Qian Peiqin hurried forward with a smile and made a courtly bow.

“My lady greets the prince, the Duke of Jingguo, the princes and the ministers,” she said.

The men looked toward the women; both sides returned polite bows.

Prince Anping asked, “What are you all doing here?”

Qian Peiqin replied with a smile, “Father, Ruoxi said there’s something amusing for us to watch — she insisted we come see the fun.”

Prince Anping’s face soured. He had not long been widowed; and the woman in question was the wife of a disgraced man. Here she was, dressed in such splendid clothing, parading about — and now she had the gall to drag him into public shame as well.

Qian Peiqin, noticing his dark expression, immediately dampened her smile.

“Why are you all gathered here?” someone asked.

At that moment the crowd turned; the Empress herself, accompanied by a group of concubines and noblewomen, was approaching. Zhao Chufei supported the Empress while Zhao Chuyu walked arm in arm with Consort Jiang.

Everyone exchanged bows again.

The once-spacious clearing quickly filled with people.

Qian Peiqin was inwardly thrilled but kept the expression off her face.

The Empress smiled faintly. “The sovereign will not arrive for another half hour. Since everyone is just sitting around, I thought we might go see the cherry blossoms. Prince Anping, are you accompanying the princes to the dragon boats?”

Prince Anping replied, “Your Majesty, yes. I and the Duke of Jingguo and these marquises wish to cheer the princes on.”

“That’s splendid. Today the princes must perform well.” the Empress said.

The princes bowed. “We will not disappoint His Majesty.”

Qian Peiqin saw two groups preparing to walk away and, feigning curiosity, cupped her ear. “Oh — do you hear that strange sound? Can you hear it?”

The crowd, who had been talking and jostling, froze when she said that; human curiosity instantly took over and the space fell silent as everyone strained to listen.

Qian Peiqin looked toward the two closed room doors and, not knowing which one Gu Hua had entered, drew closer to distinguish the noise. “It seems to be coming from one of the rooms — how strange.”

Those standing before the rooms all heard it and their faces changed drastically.

Wasn’t that the sound of a man and woman at their pleasures?

And it was getting louder, more frantic.

The young men’s expressions were a study; the older men’s faces darkened. But it wasn’t easy to walk away now — the Empress was present.

The women were stupefied, wishing for a hole to hide in.

The noblewomen flushed scarlet. Many of them began to back away, intending to slip away quietly.

The Empress’s expression hardened. “Who is so brazen? To commit such indecency here!”

Consort Jiang sneered and ordered her maid, “Go open the door and see who dares so much!”

The Empress glanced at the group of men. “Let the eunuchs and female attendants deal with this. We will go see the cherry blossoms, lest our eyes be offended.”

Consort Jiang gave a derisive laugh. “Your Majesty, you’re presiding over today’s festivities — if something like this occurs, you cannot just let it slide.”

The Empress’s face darkened; she was about to speak.

Qian Peiqin could not contain herself any longer and rushed straight toward the room from which the sounds came, raising a hand to push the door.

At that moment the neighboring door opened.

Gu Hua emerged. She was startled to find a large crowd standing before her, and she nearly jumped.

She hurriedly made a kowtow to the Empress. “Your Majesty, why are you all gathered here?”

Qian Peiqin stood there dumbfounded. “You — how did you come out?”

Her eyes darted to the open door beside Gu Hua — if Gu Hua had been in the other room, who was inside this one?

Gu Hua looked baffled. “My skirt was dirtied by County Mistress Jiang; I came in to change. Weren’t you here just now? Why are you pretending not to know?”

From inside the room a woman’s voice rose in a heightened moan, with cries of, “Big brother, no — big brother, stop — stop!”

Qian Peiqin went pale; her hand that had been on the door seemed to be burned and retreated as if from a flame.

Colours of shame and guilt flashed across everyone’s faces.

Prince Anping, Qian Peiqin, Yuan Jieying and Consort Jiang could all recognize the voice inside.

It was clearly Jiang Ruoxi.

Qian Peiqin spun and hurried in front of the Empress. “Your Majesty, let us go view the cherry blossoms.”

Consort Jiang recovered and echoed, “Yes, yes — let us go see the cherry blossoms.”

Prince Anping trembled all over. If he had his sword, he would have liked nothing more than to cut down everyone present.

The Empress arched an eyebrow. “I think Consort Jiang is quite right. I am hosting today’s celebration — if anything occurs, I would be to blame.”

Before they could respond, the Empress raised her voice, “Go open that door and see exactly who is so brazen as to disturb the festival!”