Chapter 1870: 1858: Bi Zhu? Green Tea?

Chapter 1870: Chapter 1858: Bi Zhu? Green Tea?

Wang Yongzhu naturally saw the Princess Consort’s momentary lapse but remained silent, placing the gold medal on the table and leisurely took a sip of tea.

After a while, the Princess Consort spoke with a trembling voice, “Lady Dingguo, could… could you lend me this gold medal to take a look?”

Wang Yongzhu did not say a word but slightly pushed the gold medal towards the Princess Consort’s seat.

The Princess Consort almost snatched the gold medal and clasped it in her palm, taking a deep breath before carefully inspecting the medal.

She especially brushed her fingers over the character on the medal numerous times.

Then she slowly spoke, “Master, no, is His Majesty well nowadays?”

Wang Yongzhu did not reply but instead asked, “Princess Consort, I do not understand your words. Who is your master? And whom do you refer to as His Majesty?”

The Princess Consort’s expression changed, her face darkening.

She was deeply loved by Prince Muhal and supported by Queen Ah Lan, making her a prominent lady in the Grasslands King’s Court. Except in front of Queen Ah Lan, where she would lower her head, other royal women revered her.

No one had spoken to her so bluntly for many years!

However, facing Wang Yongzhu’s gaze, her discomfort quickly dissipated, and she composed herself, standing up to give a very proper curtsey in the style of a Great Chu woman to Wang Yongzhu, “Miss Bi Zhu meets the Emissary! Salutations to the master! Is the master well?”

Indeed, it was Bi Zhu! From her first glance at the Princess Consort, Wang Yongzhu had suspected, considering her identity, having reportedly been brought to the grasslands by Queen Ah Lan from Great Chu as a maid, greatly trusted by Qi Le, growing ever certain.

Thus, he had brought out the gold medal to test things, and sure enough, the Princess Consort jumped out immediately.

However, recalling Qi Le’s methods, would Bi Zhu, who followed her for years, not also be under her control?

Whether she remained loyal to the Emperor was truly uncertain.

Therefore, even though Bi Zhu promptly revealed her identity, Wang Yongzhu did not relax his guard.

He merely nodded slightly, indicating to Bi Zhu to rise, and finally said: “His Majesty is well in every aspect, though the Princess Consort’s concern is not unwarranted.”

A hint of reminiscence flashed in Bi Zhu’s eyes, her smile more sincere: “In a foreign land, Bi Zhu thinks of the master all the time, praying daily for the master’s health, and knowing all is well brings me peace!”

She simultaneously inquired about the recent situation of the Emperor of Great Chu, carrying an air of reminiscence: “It’s said the master has now established an Empress and even rejoiced at the birth of a princely son; hearing of this brought me great joy. Initially, the master’s relations with Madam were not harmonious; after ascending to the throne, although the Madam was established as Empress, she soon passed away afterward. For many years, there was no Empress, and I thought…”

Wang Yongzhu blinked, feeling that this Bi Zhu, the Princess Consort, should probably be called “green tea” instead.

Listen to those words, they indeed have that tone!

Regardless of whether Bi Zhu and the Emperor truly dallied, should such matters even be told to him?

How was he supposed to respond?

Should he tell Bi Zhu, “Oh dear, forget it; the Emperor is quite happily occupied with his many consorts, and you’re insignificant by comparison. He’s likely forgotten you by now!”

“You might as well be at ease here as Princess Consort; don’t fret over the Emperor of Great Chu!”

Thinking again, Wang Yongzhu reached out, retrieving the gold medal, stashing it back in his sleeve pocket, before speaking: “I think His Majesty knows Miss Bi Zhu is now of regal status and feels quite gratified! Before I left the Capital City, His Majesty instructed me, should I come to the grasslands someday, to find out how the young lady is faring.”

“But likely did not expect Miss Bi Zhu would now be so elevated—”

Bi Zhu, hearing this, revealed a trace of a bitter smile, “The Emissary misunderstood; Bi Zhu’s loyalty is towards the master, unchanged for life—”

To demonstrate her purity, she voluntarily explained: “Seeing the gold medal and confirming the Emissary’s identity, Bi Zhu feels relieved. Since following the former Miss Qi from the Qi Family into the grasslands, I’ve never forgotten my identity—”

Through Bi Zhu’s recounting, Wang Yongzhu came to understand.

Turns out the so-called elopement of Qi Le and the King of the Grasslands from the Capital City and Great Chu was merely a play enacted by the former Emperor and Qi Le in concert.

Otherwise, given Great Chu’s strength, how could they have let the King of the Grasslands and Qi Le escape to the grasslands without capture?

The Emperor was likely among the insiders who meticulously schemed to have Bi Zhu saved by Qi Le, becoming her personal maid, and journeying with her to the grasslands.

Although the journey was but a play, danger loomed ever-present; Qi Le was accompanied by four maids, and due to illness and injury along the way, upon reaching the grasslands, only she remained.

The entourage and maids Qi Le initially brought were decimated except for their master and maid.

Upon entering the grasslands initially, despite Qi Le’s ingenuity, she faced numerous adversities unfamiliar with the land and its people.

Qi Le had the protection of the King of the Grasslands and her own prowess, preventing others from taking action against her.

The malice, jealousy, and treachery were all directed towards Bi Zhu, Qi Le’s only close maid from Great Chu.

Although Bi Zhu was clever and had Qi Le’s protection, she suffered numerous grievances.

During that period, master and maid were truly struggling, relying on one another, supporting each other through hardships.

To completely earn Qi Le’s trust and to establish their presence in the grasslands, Bi Zhu became a favored concubine for Prince Muhal.

Prince Muhal was a top-tier noble in the Grasslands King’s Court; once Bi Zhu entered his household, with her youth and beauty, coupled with empathy, she swiftly gained Prince Muhal’s favor.

She quickly rose from concubine to side consort. Her womb flourished soon after her elevation, leading to the birth of Bayar.

Prince Muhal, increasingly fond of her and their child, especially after an assassination attempt where Bayar’s timely cries alarmed everyone.

The assassin exposed their presence, and despite their determined attempt to harm Prince Muhal, Bi Zhu shielded him, taking the knife meant for him. The blade was poisoned, nearly taking her life; it was only through Muhal’s plea for miracle medicine that her life was saved.

Due to this poison, Bi Zhu no longer had the ability to bear children, but she became Prince Muhal’s treasured gem thereafter.

Prince Muhal believed Bi Zhu and her son to be his lucky stars; without Bayar’s cries, he wouldn’t have awakened them, and were it not for Bi Zhu taking the knife, even a scratch might have been fatal poison.

Because of this, Bi Zhu was directly promoted to Princess Consort, esteemed above others in Muhal’s household.

In the Royal Palace, Qi Le’s situation gradually improved, thanks to Bi Zhu’s efforts.

The master-maid duo combined forces, with Qi Le gradually transitioning from the inner chambers to the forefront, aided significantly by Bi Zhu.