The four imperial concubines came to pay their respects to Chu Xiang. Imperial Concubine Xi, who had always been arrogant and despotic, put away all of her arrogance in one night. Instead, she became gloomy. Even her personal palace maid did not dare to get too close to her. She lowered her head and trembled as she followed.
However, the other three concubines were not afraid of her. Her father had been removed from his official position. Even if she was a tiger, she was a tiger whose teeth had been pulled out. What was there to be afraid of?
Imperial Concubine Li was not that smart. After sitting down, she was the first to lose her cool. Using a handkerchief to cover her mouth, she laughed and said: "What is it with Imperial Concubine Xi today? Like a sawed-off gourd, he did not utter a single word. Isn't Imperial Concubine Xi the most capable? "
Imperial Concubine Xi's sharp gaze shot towards her, but the mocking expression on her face became even stronger. She giggled and said, "I almost forgot. Imperial Concubine Xi's family has a few bastards that caused Minister Qi to lose his official position. Imperial Concubine Xi naturally wouldn't be happy. Oh, that's not right. Look at my mouth. I can't call you 'Minister Qi' anymore. I can barely call you 'Lord Qi'. "
Imperial Concubine Li slapped her own mouth in an exaggerated manner, using very little force. It was as though she feared that people would not know that she was deliberately teasing Imperial Concubine Xi.
Imperial Concubine Xi abruptly stood up and snapped, "Even if my father doesn't have an official position, he's not someone you can mock! Who do you think you are? If it weren't for the fact that you have a face that's comparable to a courtesan's, you wouldn't even be able to touch the door of the palace! "
"You! You've got guts! Even now, you still dare to humiliate me. Do you really think that you are still the most favored sister in the Minister's Mansion? " Imperial Concubine Li's face was bright red with anger, as she turned to look at Chu Xiang with an aggrieved expression, "Your Highness the Imperial Noble Concubine, you must support this concubine. Imperial Concubine Xi's words are too excessive. This concubine is His Majesty's imperial concubine, yet she actually dares to compare this concubine to that filthy girl. She is insulting His Majesty!"
Chu Xiang deeply agreed. The emperor's concubines were like courtesans. If this wasn't an insult to the emperor, then what was?
She reclined on the soft couch and ate the grapes that Zi Yue fed her. She faintly said, "It seems that the Qi family really doesn't have any rules. From top to bottom, no one understands etiquette, justice, integrity, and shame. Imperial Concubine Xi has been in the palace for so long and has even deliberately learned the rules from Mama Qin, but she still can't learn how to speak."
Concubine Xi abruptly turned around to glare at her. She was so angry that her entire body was trembling. "Chu Xiang! How dare you humiliate me in public? His Majesty dotes on you for a few days, do you really think you can dominate the harem? "
Chu Xiang was puzzled. "Can't I? Ben gong still needs to thank Xi Fei. If it weren't for your Qi family's foul atmosphere, the position of Minister of Revenue wouldn't have been vacant and my father wouldn't have gotten such a good job. Since that's the case, this consort will not punish you for your crime of offending your superiors. You may withdraw. "
Imperial Concubine Xi stood there with her back straight. Her imposing manner frightened many palace servants into silence. However, she didn't have the slightest advantage over Chu Xiang, who was casually lying down. She even felt that Chu Xiang didn't put her in her eyes at all, which made her feel even more humiliated.
In the past, it was always her who taunted Chu Xiang, and Chu Xiang did not say a word. Since when did their roles become reversed?
It seemed that after the Emperor had been attacked by an assassin, Chu Xiang had saved the Emperor and obtained the Emperor's favor. She knew that she should keep a low profile and wait for an opportunity to contact the Prince Regent before making any plans. But Chu Xiang had called for the spies that she had planted this morning to be transferred to the cold palace. She no longer had anyone that she could use. This was clearly Chu Xiang seeing that her father had lost his power, and she was allowing Imperial Concubine Li to humiliate her.
Who didn't know that Imperial Concubine Li spent all day dancing and singing for Chu Xiang, and she had obtained quite a few rewards from Chu Xiang? Imperial Concubine Li had already stood on Chu Xiang's side. Wasn't Imperial Concubine Li's intentions the same as Chu Xiang's intentions? Imperial Concubine Xi hated that she could not return to when she had just entered the palace and trample the two of them to death. If she knew earlier that Chu Xiang had hidden herself so deeply, she would not have placed so much effort on Imperial Concubine Jin and Imperial Concubine Hui, which allowed Chu Xiang to unknowingly obtain favor.
Imperial Concubine Xi was not stupid. If the Prince Regent had protected the Qi family, her father would not have shut himself away to reflect on his mistakes. It was very likely that the Prince Regent had already given up on them out of anger. She had no one to rely on, and she feared that Chu Xiang would not let her off.
The Chu and Qi families had already become enemies, and there was no way for the two to be reconciled. As for Chu Xiang, she was also the Emperor's favored imperial concubine. The one that would fail could only be her.
She had thought through all of this and was ready to throw caution to the wind. She looked at Chu Xiang's relaxed appearance and thought of how Chu Xiang had her copy sutras, had her learn the rules, and had shamed the entire Qi family for not knowing any sense of propriety. Her heart was filled with anger, but she forcefully suppressed it.
Right now, she only had one path, and that was to have the Emperor die!
As long as she caused the Emperor's death, the Prince Regent would definitely reward the Qi family after ascending to the throne. He would also give her a way out. She would still be rich and would definitely be much better off than she was now.
Imperial Concubine Xi gritted her teeth and left without saying a single word, which caused the other three imperial concubines to feel very shocked.
Imperial Concubine Li walked over to Chu Xiang's side and said in disbelief: "Your Highness the Imperial Noble Concubine, you're letting her go just like this? She was disrespectful to you, so she should be punished to kneel outside for two hours to serve as a warning to others and establish your might. "
Chu Xiang smiled, "What need is there for this One to establish my might? There's no need to chase after a stray dog. "
Imperial Concubine Hui and Imperial Concubine Jin looked at each other and suddenly felt a bit of sorrow. Minister Qi had been brought down by the Chu family. Today, it was Imperial Concubine Xi's father. Would it be their father tomorrow?
Chu Xiang had cut off all of Imperial Concubine Xi's claws today. Was it a casual act, or was it for them to see? Could it be that she wanted them to take a side before expanding the imperial harem? They glanced at Imperial Concubine Li and subconsciously began to think a bit more. Chu Xiang wanted to become the empress, right?
The two had yet to figure out what to do. After chatting with Chu Xiang for a bit, they bid farewell and left. It was Imperial Concubine Li that had recently tasted some benefits from Chu Xiang, thus she was very happy to stay and relieve Chu Xiang's boredom.
Xiao Yuanzhao was concerned about Chu Xiang leaving the palace, thus he headed over to Taihe Palace after court was dismissed. Upon entering Taihe Palace, he heard the very beautiful sound of a zither and a mellow voice. That voice caused people to feel very comfortable; however, it could not compare to the sound of the zither at all. It was truly capable of causing people to become immersed in it, and they did not want to wake up.
Xiao Yuanzhao stopped to listen for a while then gestured for everyone to keep quiet. Quietly walking in, he saw Imperial Concubine Li standing in the yard and singing. As for the person playing the zither, it was the always lazy Chu Xiang!
Xiao Yuanzhao could not help but stare at Chu Xiang in shock. Even Chu Ze, who had come with him, was very surprised. Chu Xiang's zither skills were actually this good? They had never known.
Chu Xiang had suddenly become interested while listening to Imperial Concubine Li's singing, thus she personally played a song. The palace servants at the front were all mesmerized. It was only when Xiao Yuanzhao got closer that they saw him and quickly kneeled to salute.
Imperial Concubine Li also saw Xiao Yuanzhao and saluted with her chest raised; however, Xiao Yuanzhao waved his hand and excused her salute. Walking past her, he stood in front of Chu Xiang.
Chu Xiang did not even raise her head, as she continued to leisurely play. She did not pay any attention to Xiao Yuanzhao at all, which caused Chu Ze to break out in a cold sweat.
Chu Xiang finished playing the entire song before raising her head and saying to Xiao Yuanzhao with a smile: "Does it sound good?"
Xiao Yuanzhao looked at her with a complicated expression. Exactly how many sides did she not show? The four imperial concubines of the palace all had their own strengths. They were proficient in the zither, chess, calligraphy, painting, singing and dancing. Only the imperial noble concubine did not have any talents. She was just beautiful, and she was even more beautiful than Imperial Concubine Li.
But today, he found that Chu Xiang's zither skills were so good. Just as he felt that he had more or less understood her, he found a new side to her.
Xiao Yuanzhao held her hand with a normal expression and pulled her to his side, "Beloved concubine, We actually did not know that you were so good at playing the zither. You have never played for Us before."
Chu Xiang held his hand and tilted her head, "I just recovered from my injuries. How could I have had the energy to do this before? If you like it, I will play it for you in the future, but it can't be just me performing. You will also need to perform for me. "
Chu Ze and Imperial Concubine Li immediately held their breaths, as they became worried about Chu Xiang's boldness. Xiao Yuanzhao, however, heard Chu Xiang's thoughts. Don't do unfair things, otherwise, wouldn't I become a performer?
Xiao Yuanzhao laughed and said: "Alright, We want to see just how many more things beloved concubine is hiding. Sooner or later, We will dig them out one by one."
His words had a double meaning, but Chu Xiang only treated it as him teasing her, as she turned to greet Chu Ze.
Chu Ze's heart returned to its original place, but he still felt a bit of lingering fear. He never thought that his younger sister and the Emperor would interact like this in private. It was even more casual than when his parents interacted. The Emperor had just reprimanded Minister Qi because of the rules, and he was worried that the Emperor would also be dissatisfied with Chu Xiang. Who knew that the Emperor would not show any signs of being displeased.
He suddenly recalled what Chu Xiang had said to his mother. The Emperor liked her like this. At this moment, it seemed that it was true.
Xiao Yuanzhao did not pay attention to what the people around him were thinking. He was certain that they were loyal, so he did not listen to what they were thinking. He also did not rely on reading minds. The only person that he could not help but listen to was Chu Xiang.
It was not good for him and Chu Xiang to be too intimate in front of outsiders, so it was not convenient for him to listen to what she was thinking. He immediately wanted to have Imperial Concubine Li and the others leave.
Chu Xiang tugged at him: "Your Majesty still hasn't seen Imperial Concubine Li dance. How about having Imperial Concubine Li dance today."
She turned to look at Imperial Concubine Li, who was a bit jealous of her: "Quickly go and prepare. If you dance well, it won't just be this One that will reward you. His Majesty will also reward you greatly."
Imperial Concubine Li's eyes lit up, as she happily complied and went to prepare. Xiao Yuanzhao was not too happy, and he then heard Chu Xiang's thoughts. Try using a beautiful woman that can sing and dance. If the Emperor is interested, it would be best to leave the palace a bit earlier. Otherwise, if the Emperor was in the mood to favor a palace maid, she would not know.
Xiao Yuanzhao maintained a smile on his face. Holding Chu Xiang's hand, he walked over to the pavilion and sat down; however, he was feeling unhappy. She was going to leave again. It was as if the imperial gui concubine leaving the palace was something that could be done easily. She even wanted to test whether or not he was interested in other women. Did she really think that he was a pervert? If he had this sort of heart, he would have favored each of the four imperial concubines long ago!
She was still afraid that he would casually favor palace maids. Did he look like he would be that easily aroused?
Xiao Yuanzhao did not know why he felt unhappy. Was it because she was going to leave, or was it because she was looking down on him, or was it because she was becoming more and more mysterious? But what surprised him was that he did not feel any fear that he should have. This made him very vigilant. If an Emperor was this confident in a person, it definitely would not be a good thing.
Xiao Yuanzhao chatted idly with Chu Xiang, and Chu Xiang glanced at him. She thought to herself, this Emperor wouldn't be absent-minded after hearing that she was going to dance, right?
Xiao Yuanzhao's heart trembled, and he quickly focused all of his attention on Chu Xiang. He had thought it through. Before he clearly understood Chu Xiang's situation, he would still come to see her every day to dote on her. Otherwise, she might disappear without a trace if he was careless.
For the first time, Imperial Concubine Li performed a beautiful dance in front of Xiao Yuanzhao. She did her best and performed the best dance of her life. Who knew that when she looked up, she would see Xiao Yuanzhao personally feeding Chu Xiang grapes. His eyes were filled with doting love, and he did not even look at her.
Instead, it was Chu Xiang who was very satisfied. This Emperor could be doted on. This caused Xiao Yuanzhao, who had heard her thoughts, to nearly lose his composure. She doted on him? What was she thinking???
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