HBWnovel Chapter 218 Salute
Chapter 218 Salute
Supported by Mingyue, Concubine Cen slowly walked along the path of Wuqiu Palace. Her gaze swept across her surroundings. This once familiar place now exuded an indescribable sense of desolation and loneliness. The palace walls remained mottled, and the flowers and plants in the courtyard seemed to have withered and yellowed from lack of careful care, losing their former beauty.
Mingyue carefully supported Concubine Cen, keeping an eye on her steps, fearing that she might get hurt. She could sense that Concubine Cen was feeling a bit complicated, a bit melancholy about revisiting this old place, and perhaps also a bit of a hidden concern about her upcoming meeting with Concubine Zhang.
Soon, they arrived at the palace where Concubine Zhang lived. The doors and windows of the palace were tightly closed, exuding a dull and oppressive atmosphere, as if imprisoning the occupants within this small world, completely isolated from the outside world. Concubine Cen paused in front of the palace, raised her head slightly, and looked towards the closed palace door. A subtle glint flashed in her eyes, and a faint smile curled the corners of her mouth.
With a creaky sound, the hall door was pushed open, and the tranquility within was instantly shattered. The slightly dull sound echoed in the silent space, as if lifting a mysterious veil, about to reveal all that was hidden within.
Inside the palace, Concubine Zhang sat on an old carved chair, dressed in plain palace attire. Her once ornate ornaments were now gone, leaving her looking both elegant and lonely. Qiu Wen was not beside her at the moment, having probably gone to a side hall to prepare food.
After so many days, Concubine Zhang still hadn't received the Emperor's order to lift her confinement. She tried to bribe the Imperial Guards to contact the outside world. Unfortunately, no one was willing to connect with her. She had already vaguely guessed that her father and his men hadn't used their connections in the palace to rescue her.
Hearing the sound of the door opening, she slowly raised her head, her eyes first falling on the ray of light coming through the door, and then moved to the person who came.
When she saw clearly that it was Concubine Cen, a hint of surprise flashed in Zhang Pin's eyes, and then she regained her composure, but beneath that calmness seemed to be hidden endless complex emotions.
She didn't rise to greet him, remaining seated silently, like a statue forgotten by time. Only the trembling of her fingers betrayed her inner composure. Her face had become significantly thinner than before, her once round cheeks now sunken, her eye sockets slightly sunken. Yet, her eyes still shone with a stubborn determination, a light never completely extinguished even in this predicament.
Supported by Mingyue, Concubine Cen slowly walked into the hall. Her eyes were always on Concubine Zhang, as if she wanted to see every detail of her appearance at the moment.
When they got closer, Mingyue first bowed to Concubine Zhang, and then Concubine Cen said softly, "Noble Concubine, it's been a long time." Her voice was soft, but it was particularly clear in this empty hall, as if every word carried a different weight, especially the word "Noble Concubine", which fell heavily on Concubine Zhang's heart.
Concubine Zhang pursed her lips slightly and was silent for a moment before she slowly responded: "It's indeed been a long time since we last met. I'm no longer a noble concubine. Doesn't Concubine Cen know? It seems that Concubine Cen is in good health now. She can come to my Wuqiu Palace today?" Her tone was flat, but the slightly rising tone revealed a hint of imperceptible sarcasm, as if questioning the purpose of Concubine Cen's visit.
"Empress Zhang, according to etiquette you should bow to our Empress Cen." Mingyue bowed to Concubine Zhang again and said softly.
As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the hall became extremely solemn, as if the air had solidified. Only the faint light coming in from the door sprinkled on the two of them, outlining a patchwork of light and dark, which seemed to also reflect their complicated mood at the moment.
Zhang Concubine secretly clenched her fingers on her knees, her eyes coldly looking at Mingyue. After a moment, her gaze slowly moved away from Mingyue and turned to look at Concubine Cen standing beside her. Her eyes were full of complex emotions, including resentment, contempt, and a hint of loneliness that was difficult to conceal.
After a while, she slowly said: "Bow? Humph, now I, Zhang, am in a prisoner-like situation. Even a lowly servant like you can lecture me. I'm afraid no one cares about the etiquette in this palace anymore." Her voice was a little hoarse, and her words were full of self-mockery and disdain.
Concubine Cen stood there, her expression still calm. A hint of mockery played at the corner of her mouth, though it didn't reach her eyes. She gently patted the dog in her arms, and the dog, as if sensing its owner's emotions, whimpered twice. Concubine Cen then slowly spoke, "What Concubine Zhang said is wrong. The etiquette in the palace is the rules set by our ancestors. No matter what situation you are in, you should follow it. Could it be that Concubine Zhang has forgotten even this most basic rule because she is under house arrest?"
Concubine Cen's voice was neither hurried nor slow, and her tone was as steady as the surface of a tranquil lake, yet the sense of oppression contained within it was like an undercurrent surging beneath the lake, drilling straight into one's heart. She raised her eyes slightly, and her gaze fell coldly on Concubine Zhang.
"How dare you! What? I've only temporarily lost my position, and yet you're so arrogant! Do you really think I, Zhang, will never recover?" Concubine Zhang abruptly rose from her carved chair, her eyes wide and bloodshot. Her cheekbones, already prominent from her weight loss, were now slightly flushed with anger. Her hands were clenched into fists, and her body trembled slightly.