Traveling through the Tang Dynasty: The Concubine Goes to War

Last time we talked about Concubine Mei holding an embroidered handkerchief and asking Yunxi and his servant whether the handkerchief belonged to them.

Concubine Mei slowly unfolded the embroidered handkerchief, and saw on it two gorgeous peonies blooming like real flowers. A small and delicate butterfly lightly landed on the stamen of one of the flowers, as if sucking nectar.

The handkerchief is brightly colored, eye-catching, and in the lower right corner, there is a small word "Ling" carefully embroidered on it.

Seeing this, the two turned pale as paper, and for a moment they didn't know how to respond. Their eyes showed astonishment and disbelief, as if they were shocked by what they saw and couldn't speak.

Mei Yingluo was keenly aware of the reactions of the two people. She smiled slightly, stuffed the handkerchief into Yunxi's hand, and said softly: "Sister, you may have left some beloved things in my palace, so don't miss them." Her tone was calm, but there was a hint of imperceptible cunning and pride in her eyes.

Yunxi tightly grasped the handkerchief, her knuckles turning white from the force. She took a deep breath and tried to calm herself down.

"Sister, you are so thoughtful, but this handkerchief is not mine. Maybe it was dropped by another palace maid accidentally." She forced a smile, trying to hide her inner uneasiness.

A hint of doubt flashed across Mei Fei's eyes, but she soon returned to her smile.

"I see. Then I'll send it to the Ministry of Internal Affairs to see if anyone claims it." After saying that, she turned around and prepared to leave.

Yunxi's heart tightened and she quickly called out to Concubine Mei.

"Wait, sister. This handkerchief is so delicate, it must be some lady's favorite. Why don't you leave it with me first? If someone looks for it, I will return it." She looked down at the handkerchief, a trace of determination flashed in her eyes.

Mei Fei hesitated for a moment, then smiled and said, "Okay. I'll trouble you, sister." After that, she handed the handkerchief to Yunxi.

Yunxi held the handkerchief tightly in her hand and walked quickly out of Yime Garden with the help of Xiaocui.

After they left, Mei Yingluo carefully questioned the palace maids and wet nurse who were serving her, and whispered some things to them.

However, Yunxi did not realize that this handkerchief would bring her great trouble. It was like a hidden fuse that ignited the conspiracy and disputes deep in the palace...

In Xiuzhen Palace, Ye Ling'er and Xiao Cui had just returned from outside. As soon as they returned to the bedroom, Ye Ling'er collapsed on the cushion.

"Master, it was a close call just now. I was almost recognized..."

"Hush!" Ye Ling'er lowered her voice and said, "Be careful that there are ears on the other side of the wall. Don't make this public. Now I have no name or status. The palace people all complain about following an unlucky master like me. If they knew about it, there is no guarantee that someone would betray me for the sake of benefits."

Xiao Cui nodded and said, "I understand."

"However, Concubine Mei obviously noticed something." Ye Ling'er frowned and fell into deep thought.

"Master, what should we do now?" Xiao Cui asked worriedly.

Ye Ling'er was silent for a moment, and a trace of determination flashed in her eyes, "If an enemy comes, we will fight him with our troops, and if a flood comes, we will block it with earth. From today on, we must be more cautious."

As they were talking, there was a commotion outside the door. Ye Ling'er and Xiao Cui looked at each other, and a bad feeling welled up in their hearts. Ye Ling'er motioned Xiao Cui to go out and check the situation. Xiao Cui opened the door and saw several guards standing at the door.

"What do you want?" Xiao Cui asked.

"We have come to search Xiuzhen Palace at the order of the Empress Dowager," said the leading guard.

"How dare you! Why is the Queen Mother searching my bedroom?" Ye Ling'er stood up and said loudly.

"Someone reported that the queen was hiding forbidden items, and we were just following orders." The guard replied coldly.

"As a concubine in the harem, how could I have forbidden items? You are falsely accusing me!" Ye Ling'er said angrily.

"Whether it is a false accusation or not, we will know after searching." After the guard said that, he led people into the room. Ye Ling'er was shocked, she knew that this must be Mei Fei's doing. She prayed secretly, hoping that the handkerchief would not be found.

The guards were searching in the room, and soon one of them came over with the embroidered handkerchief.

"Your Majesty, I found it." He handed the handkerchief to Ye Ling'er.

"Why is this handkerchief here?" Ye Ling'er pretended to be surprised.

"Your Majesty, there is no need to quibble. Your name is embroidered on this handkerchief," said the guard.

"This handkerchief does not belong to me. Someone must have deliberately framed me." Ye Ling'er said.

"Come here, take Ye Ling'er to the cold palace and wait for the emperor's decision." said the leader of the guards.

Ye Ling'er was taken away by the guards. She looked back at her bedroom, her heart filled with despair.

She knew that it would be difficult to escape Mei Fei's plan this time. On the way to the cold palace, Ye Ling'er kept thinking about how to get out of the predicament. She decided to find an opportunity to confess everything to the emperor, hoping to get his forgiveness.

In the cold palace, Ye Ling'er found the eunuch who had helped him in the past and said, "Eunuch, please take a message to the emperor for me and tell him that Ye Ling'er is very regretful and misses him day and night."

"You are so destitute now, how can our family help you?" Upon hearing this, Ye Ling'er understood that the Eternal Palace Manager was unwilling to help because he saw that there was no benefit to be gained.

"I was once the emperor's favorite concubine. Although I have fallen into poverty, I am the concubine who gave birth to the little prince. If I can be favored again in the future, I will definitely remember your great kindness. Are you willing to do this small favor? For you, it is just a matter of convenience." Ye Ling'er threw out favorable conditions.

After hearing this, the steward of the palace thought for a moment and then went to get pen and ink, "Just write down what you want to say to the emperor. We'll help you with this." After writing the letter, Ye Ling'er asked the steward of the palace to pass a message to Concubine Xi in Changle Palace.

For Ye Ling'er, the wait for the emperor's arrival was long.

Finally, the emperor came and looked at Ye Ling'er with a serious face.

Ye Ling'er knelt down, told the emperor everything that had happened, and presented him with the handkerchief.

The emperor took the handkerchief and looked at the embroidery on it carefully. His expression gradually became gentle.

"I believe you, Ling'er. The handwriting on this handkerchief is not yours." said the emperor.

Ye Ling'er burst into tears of gratitude, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for your wisdom! It must be that Concubine Mei who wanted to frame me."

The emperor nodded and said, "I will find out the truth. In the meantime, you will stay in the cold palace."

Soon after, the emperor found out the truth and Mei Fei's conspiracy was exposed. The emperor was furious and punished Mei Fei to be confined to her house for three months. The little prince was given to Xi Fei to raise.

Ye Ling'er walked out of the cold palace and regained her freedom. She knew that the struggle in the harem would never end, but she had learned to protect herself. From then on, she lived in this palace more cautiously.