Chapter 1576: Chapter 1576: Unusual

At midnight, snowflakes began to drift from the heavy sky, and the sound of firecrackers rose and fell in every household. The new year arrived amidst the swirling snow.

The old year had passed, and those keeping the New Year’s Eve vigil gradually fell into silence, yet there were always some who found it difficult to sleep.

Just like in the Prince Zhou Mansion, where the Concubine’s courtyard was locked. She stood alone by the window, lost in thought, her expression desolate.

The past year in the Prince Mansion had been oppressing, slowly wearing down her pride and adding a touch of melancholy and light sorrow between her brows.

"Concubine, it’s time to rest," her close maid stepped forward and reported softly.

The Concubine replied, "I will stand a little longer."

Concubine, concubine—a mere prefix of a word—since then, she could not have the favor of the official red color. Even on a reunion day like New Year’s Eve, she could not share the bed with her husband.

According to the rules, on such grand occasions and the first and fifteenth of the lunar month, he must spend them with the Official Wife.

The Concubine felt increasingly resentful and recalled Princess Li’s reprimand today upon returning: it was nothing but her grandmother causing disturbances at Cining Palace, resulting in several newcomers to the Prince Mansion.

"...Sister, you’d better work harder, with new people entering, I’m afraid the Prince won’t have much time to come by," Li had said then.

The Concubine bit her lip and touched her lower abdomen, wondering why it was not giving her any good news.

...

During the New Year’s Eve palace banquet, the matters of Kunning Palace and Cining Palace had long been spread by various Madams, discussed as an entertaining topic.

Madam Lu, who had the fortune to accompany Song Madam, naturally witnessed the whole event and expressed to Mama Zhou, "In the past, I didn’t feel it, but now I see how much the Great Madam is truly favored by the Empress Dowager. It is indeed good fortune and luck."

If she weren’t favored, why would she speak on her behalf and protect her everywhere?

With such a capable close friend without any worldly interests involved, what is that if not good fortune for Song Ci?

Mama Zhou said, "This is also a blessing for later. Madam, you will have it in the future too."

Madam Lu smiled self-deprecatingly, "I hope so, but I do not expect to have as much good fortune as the Great Madam. I would be satisfied to have half of half of hers."

"You certainly will."

Madam Lu no longer continued the topic and asked, "Did you send someone to ask at the front if the master has not yet returned to the mansion? It’s already past midnight. The courtyard gate should be locked."

Mama Zhou went to the door and instructed a woman to go out and inquire.

Madam Lu was somewhat discontented and said, "Why must he meet a colleague today of all days, causing me such embarrassment? What sort of colleague is so urgent?"

Mama Zhou had no suitable response. Although she too found Song Zhiqing’s actions unusual, agreeing would only inflame her anger further.

Shortly afterward, a maid returned to report that Song Zhiqing had not yet returned to the mansion.

Madam Lu’s face darkened, "I bet he’s lingering somewhere, drinking so much he can’t even find his way home."

"Madam, should we send someone out to look for him?"

"Look for what? We don’t even know where he’s meeting. How can we find him? Don’t look. Lock the door and let him sleep in the study!"

Mama Zhou advised, "If you lock the door now and the master returns, he’d have to knock, which would alert the Great Madam and the Main Courtyard. It wouldn’t look good."

Madam Lu, her chest heaving with anger, said, "Then wait a little longer. I’ll go settle down first."

Does it matter whether he returns or not?

Mama Zhou, helpless, had no choice but to have Madam Lu tended to for settling in while she waited.

Just as midnight was about to pass, Madam Lu awoke from a dream with a start and urgently called for Mama Zhou, "Has the master returned? I just dreamt that something happened to him."

Mama Zhou was about to respond when noise from outside the courtyard erupted. Someone rushed in, reporting through the curtain, "Madam, there’s trouble."

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