Hu Yue 'er was taken to Daohua Courtyard. When she got off the sedan chair and saw the garden full of rare plants, she felt a sting in her eyes. She had never seen the flowers and plants here before. She was complacent because of a few chrysanthemums in Xiuhe Palace. Little did she know that the Empress disdained to appreciate any chrysanthemums at all. The Emperor had already selected more gorgeous flowers from nowhere and planted them all over the courtyard.
What else could she compare with the Empress?
"Empress Shu, this way please." Hong Ling came out, lowering her eyes and not looking at Hu Yue 'er. She called Hu Yue' er 'Empress Shu' reluctantly.
Hu Yue 'er didn't want to argue with the palace maids around the Empress. Today, she came to see Lu Yaoyao, not for other things.
Ye Zhen walked several laps in Daohua Courtyard this morning. Her legs were a little sore and her stomach was heavy. Qi Jin let her lean against the soft couch, saying that she was about to give birth in a few days. If she walked too long, she would have a stomachache. She told her not to walk too long at a time and to walk occasionally.
She was uncomfortable sitting now, so she could only lie on her side and use a pillow to cushion the back of her waist.
"Empress, Empress Shu is here." Hong Ying whispered to her.
Ye Zhen opened her eyes slightly. "Let her in."
The rustling of footsteps could be heard from outside. Following that, Hong Ling walked in. Behind her was a woman wearing a light green satin round-collared gown and a white skirt. It looked simple and plain, but in reality, it was very exquisite. The skirt was made of fine brocade, and anyone with a discerning eye could see it.
Compared with Ye Zhen's leisure, Hu Yue 'er was so nervous at this time that her fingers clenched into fists.
How long had it been since she had seen the Empress? It seemed that it hadn't been long, but it felt like years. She had thought that no matter if the Empress was left out or not, living alone in Cheng De Villa, she would definitely be depressed. At least, when she saw her, she would show some hostility, and would not be like before, looking at the women in the inner palace with a haughty gaze, as though no one could shake her noble position.
She was disappointed!
Lu Yaoyao still didn't pay any attention to her. In fact … Lu Yaoyao didn't seem to be disappointed at all. Not only was her face glowing, even her skin was as white as porcelain. She had never seen a pregnant woman as beautiful as Lu Yaoyao. The difference between Lu Yaoyao and Lu Yaoyao was like the difference between heaven and earth. No matter how much effort Lu Yaoyao put into her makeup, she still seemed dull and insignificant.
"Honored Consort Shu, why are you standing there and not speaking?" Hong Ling saw Hu Yue 'er in a daze and couldn't help but frown and remind her.
Hu Yue 'er finally came back to herself. She hurriedly curtsied, "Chen qie greets Empress. May niangniang be blessed."
Ye Zhen looked at her for a while, "Empress Shu, please rise. You've been working hard all the way here. Sit down and talk."
Hong Ling could only move a stool over for Hu Yue 'er to sit on.
"It's not tiring at all. How could it be tiring for me to come and pay my respects to Your Highness?" Hu Yue 'er said with a smile, her eyes unconsciously skimming over Ye Zhen's belly. Thinking that Ye Zhen could not get pregnant in the future, she inevitably felt sad.
"You all go out first." Ye Zhen said to Hong Ling and the others.
Hong Ling frowned slightly, her eyes filled with worry. How could she rest assured that her Highness and Honored Consort Shu would be alone together?
Ye Zhen raised her eyes and looked at her. Hong Ling saw the warning in her eyes and had to bow her head and retreat.
Only Ye Zhen and Hu Yue 'er were left in the room. She waved to Hu Yue' er, "This consort will take a look for you."
"Your Highness?" Hu Yue 'er looked at her in confusion.
"Your voice is caused by the poisoning last time, isn't it?" Ye Zhen asked in a low voice. It seemed that the other party's medicine was still very poisonous. It was said that Hu Yue 'er only ate two mouthfuls of the blood swallow. Fortunately, she didn't eat much, otherwise she would have died long ago.
Hu Yue 'er was embarrassed for a while. She hoped to make Lu Yaoyao a little jealous of her. It seemed that the other party knew her situation in the palace very well.
"Your Highness knows everything." Hu Yue 'er said with a wry smile.
Ye Zhen took her pulse and sighed softly, "The poison is too strong. Go back and take some medicine later. Even if it can't cure the rest, at least it can restore your voice."
Hu Yue 'er whispered, "Your Highness's medical skills are excellent. You must know that this concubine can no longer have children in the future, right?"
"Even if you have no children, no one in the palace will treat you badly." Ye Zhen said.
"Can this concubine ask your Highness a question?" Hu Yue 'er lowered her eyes, refusing to look at Ye Zhen's exquisite picturesque face.
Ye Zhen nodded gently, "Ask."
"This concubine is actually still … a virgin, right?" She couldn't find someone else to check her in the palace, but she believed that with Lu Yaoyao's medical skills, she should be able to see it from her pulse.
"Why do you ask?" Ye Zhen didn't answer. She looked at Hu Yue 'er faintly, "Empress Shu, why do you want to see this consort?"
Hu Yue 'er slowly raised her head. Lu Yaoyao didn't answer her, but the answer was already obvious. It was sad. It turned out that she was still the same as before. The emperor wouldn't touch her at all.
"This concubine just wants to see your Highness." Hu Yue 'er said in a low voice, "Do you believe me?"
Ye Zhen said, "This concubine believes you. So, what else do you want to say after seeing this concubine?"
Hu Yue 'er looked at Ye Zhen with a self-deprecating smile, "This concubine has always envied your Highness. Not only do you have a good family background, but you can also get the Emperor's wholehearted love. There are so many sisters in the palace, who doesn't envy you? You are the demon in our hearts. Because of you, the Emperor can't put anyone in his eyes. When I heard that you were sent here, this concubine was secretly happy. It seems that this concubine has really become the Emperor's favorite concubine. Others look at this concubine with envious eyes, but in reality, only I know …"
"If I wasn't poisoned, I wouldn't believe that my suspicions were true. Your Highness, this concubine was poisoned for you. The Emperor wants others to think that I have become the Emperor's favorite concubine. He wants me to stand in front of you. He wants to protect you, right?"
Ye Zhen looked at Hu Yue 'er silently. "The person who poisoned you will be punished."
Hu Yue 'er smiled sarcastically. She glanced at Ye Zhen and said, "The Empress is really well protected. However, it is not easy to survive in the palace. Can it be that the emperor can only place you here in the future? How many substitutes do you have to find? Won't you be discovered?"
"This concubine will not always be in Chengde Villa." Ye Zhen said lightly.
Hu Yue 'er questioned sharply, "Yes, I don't know how many people will be poisoned for the Empress. In the past, this concubine thought that the Emperor was ruthless, but now I know … the Emperor is too affectionate. If it is not for you, why should he worry so much? An Empress who can't fight side by side with the Emperor, how can you have the face to stand beside him and let so many women die in your place?"
...
(Tianjin)
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