Chapter 299: For Inviting Favor

Volume One, Chapter 299 For Inviting Favor

Gou Jing saw that Su Virtuous Consort's expression was off, and realized the Ten‑Thousand Mile Landscape Painting must hide something; after a moment she gathered her courage and asked, "Madam, is there something wrong with this painting? Please point it out for me."

Su Ying hesitated, then thought the matter had little to do with her; after all, Consort Hui of Song had lost face before, though not publicly. Still, she didn't mind offering a little explanation.

Thus, Su Ying looked at Gou Jing and smiled, "Since you're not an outsider, this will go from my mouth straight to your ears."

Gou Jing immediately nodded, "Madam, rest assured, I won't speak carelessly."

Su Ying nodded and said, "Back then, Consort Hui of Song also embroidered a Ten‑Thousand Mile Landscape Painting."

Gou Jing was startled and blurted, "Really?"

"Of course it's true. Consort Hui of Song's needlework is quite famous in the capital, as you know. You also know why she embroidered this painting, don't you?"

The Ten‑Thousand Mile Landscape Painting—just by its name you can tell it's a gift for His Majesty, meant to invite favor!

Gou Jing felt a jolt; suddenly she understood why the Empress had her embroider such a painting—it was aimed at Consort Hui of Song.

But that's not right; outwardly she's still a follower of Su Virtuous Consort. Even if she says externally that it's by the Empress's order, Song Consort Hui might not fully believe it.

In that instant, Gou Jing's whole body tightened; the Empress's move was truly deceptive, and even while she was in the middle of the scheme she could sometimes be led astray.

Moreover, now that Su Virtuous Consort knows this, she doesn't intend to first send a message to Consort Hui; instead she idly watches the drama. The two guard against and use each other, so this painting can serve its greatest purpose.

Gou Jing understood in an instant; her heart thumped, but she dared not show any sign. Looking at Su Virtuous Consort, she asked, "Virtuous Consort, is that painting still around?"

Su Virtuous Consort smiled lightly and replied slowly, "I don't know about that."

Having gotten the information she wanted, Gou Jing no longer wished to dally with Su Virtuous Consort and said, "Madam, this Ten‑Thousand Mile Landscape Painting is extremely hard to embroider; I fear even working through the night it would take over a month to finish. If you have no other orders, I will take my leave."

Su Virtuous Consort, now in a good mood, looked at Gou Jing and said, "You may go. If the Empress has any other tasks for you, remember to inform me."

Gou Jing agreed, smiling, "Rest assured, Madam."

As soon as Gou Jing left, Su Ying turned to Rui Xue and said, "It seems the Empress intends to act against Consort Hui of Song. Should I inform her?"

Rui Xue whispered, "Madam, although you and Consort Hui are said to be allies, Consort Hui keeps many defenses against you. I think letting her suffer a setback would be fine; only after a setback does one realize that cooperation must be sincere."

Su Ying looked at Rui Xue; the words struck a chord. She had always been irritated by Consort Hui's attitude of treating her as if she had entered the palace earlier and held deeper seniority; now she could make her suffer a setback and learn a lesson, so that she might be more modest toward herself in the future.

"Let's do it that way. Keep this matter secret, and wait to see what the Empress will actually do."

"Yes."

On the other side, Gou Jing returned to Yongyan Hall. After a day of emotional ups and downs, she finally felt settled.

She was still a bit uneasy; the Empress had asked her to keep it secret, but she felt guilty toward Ruan Shurong, causing some anxiety. Yet she dared not act rashly—if she angered the Empress and disrupted her plan, all her previous efforts would be wasted.

Fortunately, the Empress promised that as long as Sister Ruan is willing to return, she won't hold past grievances.

Now, she must first faithfully embroider the Ten‑Thousand Mile Landscape Painting as the Empress ordered; what the Empress intends, she does not know.

Gou Jing, locked in Yongyan Hall, focused solely on embroidering the Ten‑Thousand Mile Landscape Painting. After not seeing her for several days, Ruan Shurong grew worried and came to visit. Seeing her darting needles and threads before the loom, she was stunned for a while.

Gou Jing, a bit tired from stitching, stood up to stretch her muscles and sat down with Ruan Shurong to talk.

Ruan Shurong was stunned by Gou Jing's words, "The Empress had you embroider this?"

Gou Jing nodded, "The Empress heard that my embroidery skill is superior, so she asked me to stitch this picture."

Ruan Shurong recalled Gou Jing's earlier desire to seek the Empress's patronage; her expression shifted several times, and she couldn't help asking, "Are you…"

"Sister Ruan, let's not talk about that," Gou Jing cut her off, looking at her earnestly. "Sister Ruan, I am now at peace, doing what I want to do. I hope that one day you can also live as you wish."

Gou Jing said nothing directly, but Ruan Shurong understood and sighed softly, "These past days I've been pondering your words, but I can't achieve that now."

Gou Jing smiled, "Sister Ruan, as long as you don't assist Consort Hui of Song in any harmful deeds, that's enough."

Ruan Shurong caught the meaning in Gou Jing's words, her eyes fixed on her, "You…"

"Sister Ruan, you have treated me kindly and cared for me everywhere; I also wish to treat you well, that's all." Gou Jing's eyes held a cheerful smile; she now felt truly at ease.

Ruan Shurong felt relieved, seeing Gou Jing happy and sharing her joy, and whispered, "These days, entering or leaving the palace requires a Fengyi Palace token. Contact with the outside world is difficult, and we can't know what's happening out there. However, I have heard that Prime Minister Su and Marquis Ningyuan's relations with His Majesty are currently very strained, and I don't know the present state."

"Whether it's good or bad, we can't do much. Now that it's harder to pass messages, it's even better; we can finally relax." Gou Jing sneered, "It also spares us from being like a filled pastry—working hard without reward, constantly offending others."

Ruan Shurong was both amused and exasperated; Gou Jing's resentment seemed great, and there were things she couldn't help with, so she soothed her, "As long as you're happy in the future, that's enough."

"Sister Ruan, I will strive, strive to live well, to live for myself. I hope one day you will also see clearly. Some people aren't worth us fighting for," Gou Jing said earnestly.

Ruan Shurong was slightly startled, then after a long pause sighed, "I understand. I will think it over carefully."

Gou Jing felt happy; as long as one is willing to think, there's a chance, right?

"Did you know? The Weaving Workshop says they're short of staff, and the Empress may select more people from the Hou Gong. I heard earlier the Empress quarreled with the Empress Dowager because the Dowager wanted to place Su Virtuous Consort there, but the Empress refused," Ruan Shurong said to Gou Jing.

"And that's the case?" Gou Jing's eyes widened. "No wonder Su Virtuous Consort's temper was so bad those days, and why she asked me to hide the Ten‑Thousand Mile Landscape Painting."

Ruan Shurong looked at her and asked, "Hide what?"