Qin Guiren nodded. Holding Cai Ju's hand, she slowly walked towards the palace gates. From afar, she could see the Emperor's sedan approaching. Behind her, the Jubilee, who had been ordered to bring people to receive the gifts, was also approaching.
Cai Ju saw her master suddenly stop and asked in a low voice, "Little Master, what's wrong?"
Qin Guiren stroked the agate hairpin in her hair, as if talking to herself, "If I had known, I would have used that jade phoenix buyao."
The Jubilee brought people to receive the gifts. She turned her head and noticed Qin Guiren standing to the side. She was a bit confused and was about to go forward to greet her when the Emperor's sedan arrived outside the gates. Along with the announcement, "His Imperial Majesty has arrived — —"
Everyone in the courtyard quickly knelt down and shouted, "Long live the Emperor". Consort Wang received the report and hurriedly got up to help Yan Shi out of the palace hall to welcome the Emperor.
As soon as they arrived at the palace gates, Consort Wang's smile froze on her face. She personally saw Luoshuanga leaning over to help Qin Guiren up. Although he didn't have the usual gentle smile on his face and was even frowning, the helplessness and warmth in his eyes were something she had never seen before. The bright smile on Qin Guiren's face was also something she had never seen before.
"Yan Shi, in this harem, you really can't relax for even a moment," Consort Wang said through gritted teeth. Her hand that was supporting Yan Shi unconsciously tightened, leaving a half-moon mark on Yan Shi's arm.
Yan Shi didn't dare to cry out in pain. She took a few deep breaths and cautiously advised, "Niangniang, be careful of your body. Giving birth to a dragon child is the most important thing. This lowly one will be at your mercy."
When Luoshuanga looked over and let go of Qin Guiren to walk towards her, Consort Wang said with a smile, "Yes, it's normal for a man to have three wives and four concubines."
Qin Guiren and the others watched Luoshuanga walk in with Consort Wang, then left.
Winter Solstice saw that she had returned to her usual indifference, as if the smile just now had been an illusion. She sighed inwardly. Which one of the people in the palace would be simple in their schemes?
After bidding farewell to Qin Guiren, she led the two little palace maids back to Ying Palace to report on her mission.
When Qin Guiren and the others returned to Green Tapestry Hall, Zhe Man came to greet them. "Niang niang, are you tired? Lord Zhang's department has just sent over the Mount Lu Cloud Mist. It's the first of its kind this autumn. This servant has brewed a pot of it and is waiting for Young Master to return! "
"There's no need. Don't send this kind of thing next time. If it gets caught, even if His Majesty doesn't care, it'll be a source of gossip." Qin Guiren walked into the inner room. "I'm tired. I want to sleep."
Cai Ju and Zhe Man gently helped Qin Guiren remove the pearl hairpin, untie her hair, and wash her face clean. Only then did her pale complexion show. Her lips were pale, and her breathing was short and labored.
Cai Ju asked worriedly, "Young Master, is your old illness relapsing? Do you need this servant to call the Imperial Physician Of Qin? "
"You can't." Qin Guiren raised her hand to stop her. "You can go invite uncle in the evening. You can't do it now. Otherwise, it'll be a real conflict with Consort Wang."
Zhe Man hurriedly took out the pills she always kept in her makeup box and helped Qin Guiren take them. Seeing Qin Guiren's breathing gradually return to normal, Cai Ju asked, "Young Master, why do you have to do this today? It's not like you don't see His Majesty normally. Why do you have to do this in front of Consort Wang … "
Zhe Man was listening and also felt that something was wrong. "Young Master, are you trying to protect Consort Yan?"
Qin Guiren put her hand on her chest and took a few deep breaths. "There are too few people in the palace. Consort Wang's pregnancy is not stable yet, but she still has the energy to meddle in the affairs of the imperial harem and scheme. His Majesty is a man and knows too little about the affairs of women. The affairs of the imperial harem should be settled by the imperial harem."
"Your Highness, you should sleep for a while and rest. The Imperial Physician Of Qin said that you shouldn't waste your energy."
Qin Guiren felt her heart palpitate a little and let out a sigh. "Help me lie down. Remember to invite uncle in the evening when it's time for dinner. If it's a little earlier or a little later, all my planning will be in vain."
As Qin Guiren expected, Consort Wang's attention was slightly distracted by Consort Yan, but she didn't immediately pay attention to Qin Guiren. She accompanied Luoshuanga for lunch and only tested him halfway through.
Consort Wang picked up a piece of fish with her chopsticks, personally removed the bones, and put it on the small plate in front of Luoshuanga. "I didn't expect Your Majesty to come today, so I didn't prepare Your Majesty's favorite food. I was in a hurry. Sorry for the inconvenience." Although she said this, most of the dishes on the table were Luoshuanga's favorite dishes.
Luoshuanga smiled and patted Consort Wang's hand. "Feifei is pregnant now. As long as it's something you like, I like to eat it too."
Consort Wang immediately said, "Then what Feifei hates, does Your Majesty also hate?"
Luoshuanga took back his hand, still smiling. "Of course."
Consort Wang was overjoyed. Her face was flushed and her eyes fluttered. She looked extremely shy, but what she said was, "I don't believe it. Today, Your Majesty was looking at Qin Guiren. I'm afraid that you forgot that I was beside you."
Luoshuanga raised his eyebrows. "So sour. Feifei is going to give birth to a son for me."
Consort Wang pouted playfully. "Your Majesty, don't joke with me. What if it's a girl?"
Luoshuanga said, "As long as it's your child, it's fine. But when I saw Yiren today, I was shocked."
Consort Wang didn't understand. "Why?"
Luoshuanga put down his golden chopsticks and thought for a moment. "I haven't seen her for too long. For a moment, I didn't know who she was. When I saw her today, I realized that this is my Yiren. She was the first to serve me, but I … Feifei, do you think that I'm fickle?"
"How could that be?" Consort Wang subconsciously replied. When she met Luoshuanga's deep eyes, she couldn't help but lower her head shyly. "At least Your Majesty treats me very well."
Luoshuanga asked, "Really?" Under his repeated questioning, Consort Wang responded in a small voice and nodded lightly.
Luoshuanga picked up his golden chopsticks again. "That's good. Alright, let's not talk about other people. If we continue, the food will get cold."
For a moment, warmth filled Youhuang Palace. Consort Wang sneered in her heart. This Qin Guiren was really anxious. He actually used such a despicable method in her territory. Although he was pitiful, he still needed to be taught a lesson.
When Winter Solstice returned to Youhuang Palace, Xia Zhi was in front of a bronze mirror and painting. Her disguise technique didn't use a mask to fit on her face. Instead, she used the original foundation to draw and change the proportions of her facial features. A person's facial features had a myriad of changes, but in the end, they were all arranged in a basic way to form a different face.
The advantage of her disguise technique was that she only needed a brush and some rouge and face powder to easily transform into another person. She also wouldn't always feel out of place when wearing a human skin mask.
At the same time, the drawbacks were obvious. It didn't last long and couldn't be in contact with water for too long. For example, if a basin of water poured down on her head, she would immediately find a place to replenish it. However, if she soaked in water, it would be completely ruined.
Seeing that Winter Solstice had returned, Xia Zhi, who was wearing Bai Suyan's appearance, heaved a sigh of relief. She put down her makeup tools and got up to pull her. "Elder sister, you've been gone for half a day. Did Consort Wang make things difficult for you?"
Winter Solstice didn't answer. She pulled her to sit on the couch and told her everything that had happened in the morning.
Xia Zhi was also puzzled. "If this Qin Guiren is siding with our imperial concubine, she must have some ulterior motive. We don't have anything to help her with right now."
Winter Solstice was close enough to see Qin Guiren's sweet smile clearly. Only she knew how much sincerity there was in it. However, the surprise in Cang Huang's eyes was very real.
Winter Solstice said, "Maybe we're thinking too much. Qin Guiren just wants to take the opportunity to make a name for herself?"
"That's not impossible." Xia Zhi frowned. "In the past, Qin Guiren was suppressed by Consort Wang and Lady Wen Yu, so she had to keep a low profile. However, our imperial concubine entered the palace and immediately attracted their attention. Naturally, Qin Guiren would take advantage of this opportunity. In addition, there will be an election in three years. There are many noble daughters from the aristocratic families. Even if His Majesty sealed the harem next year for his birthday, she would at most be made a concubine. When the time comes, it will be too late for her to play tricks."
Winter Solstice still felt that something was wrong. She had been a little concerned when she met Qin Guiren at the bridge. Although Wang Wen had suppressed Qin Guiren in the past, Qin Guiren was still made a sixth-rank noble lady. She didn't come from a high family and had no children. This rank didn't match her.
The late emperor's concubine, Dun Ji, was also a tongfang. She gave birth to a concubine's eldest son. The current King Xiaoyao was only made an Chang Zai at most. After that, he didn't have any children.
Until the late emperor ascended to heaven and became an Chang Zai for more than 30 years in fear and trepidation. In the end, he made Dun Ji a concubine and let King Xiaoyao take her out of the palace to raise her. However, in the residence of her biological son, even though Consort Xiaoyao was kind and filial, she lived carefully.
Although they were biological mother and son, as soon as he was a month old, he was directly given to Empress Yun, who was still alive at that time. After her death, he was posthumously given the title of Empress Dowager Jin Yue. After Empress Dowager Jin Yue passed away, the current Empress Dowager Wang was born. At that time, Imperial Noble Consort Yan didn't interact with her son in private for more than 20 years, except for major festivals.
The concubines of the North Court and the Nanyuan were never on the same level. Even until death, the difference was like heaven and earth. The concubines of the Nanyuan said that they couldn't bear to love their concubines. Even on the day of their death, they didn't see the scenery of their hometown, so they sent their concubines back to their hometown and gave them a grand funeral. In fact, it was because the aristocratic families couldn't bear to see a commoner sleeping in the same cemetery after death and sharing the incense of their descendants.
Sometimes, reality was so unfair. The emperor said that all living things in the world were his people and treated them equally. Not only did he have to recruit talents without distinction, but he also had to recruit talents in his harem. However, he set up the North Court of the Nanyuan.
Winter Solstice's scattered thoughts were called back by Xia Zhi's voice. After thinking for a while, she turned to the front hall and asked the little palace maid below to invite Green Waist.
Green Waist arrived. She first greeted Xia Zhi and put on a show in front of others. Xia Zhi sat at the head of the table and softly said that she was excused. She waved her hand and dismissed all the palace servants on duty.
Winter Solstice led Green Waist to a seat and poured tea. Xia Zhi subconsciously stood up and massaged her shoulders, but she was brushed away. Green Waist solemnly said, "What kind of person is this servant? How dare this servant make my master tired? This servant is a servant. Every word and action of mine should be like a servant."
Xia Zhi wasn't stupid. She understood that Green Waist was hinting that she was no longer Xia Zhi, but "Consort Yan". Every word and action of hers should be like a concubine. Thus, she turned and returned to her seat.
Although Green Waist was given a seat, her upper body was upright. She slightly leaned towards "Consort Yan" to show her respect. "May I know why Your Highness summoned this servant?"
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