Early autumn had passed, and the flowers in the various gardens in the palace seemed to have bloomed even more, especially the big chrysanthemums. They were beautiful purple and red, and their petals were layered and curled into a beautiful arc. It was a magnificent sight to see. Fragrance wafted everywhere. In order to welcome the new batch of beauties entering the palace, the palace eunuchs and palace maids were busy enough. Every year, there would be new people entering the palace. Every year, there would be a batch of unknown souls in the palace, nourishing the seemingly flourishing flowers in the land. Although it sounded a bit scary, there was never a lack of new fertilizer — there was always no lack of people who wanted to fly up the branches and become phoenixes.
Concubine Shu lazily reclined on the chaise lounge. Her exotic silhouette was especially beautiful under the light of the candlelight. She was also aware of her advantages. She wore a short silk gown woven with gold thread, a fine gem on her forehead, and a long sapphire blue skirt. Her toes were delicate and white, as if she were carved out of jade.
This was an indescribable beauty from head to toe. It was no wonder that among the beauties entering the palace every year, this beauty was the first.
Concubine Shu looked at her small fingernails as she put the peeled grapes in the crystal bottle into her mouth one by one. The grapes were round and cute. Her cherry lips were even more exquisite, and her pink tongue was nimble. Eating grapes really had a different taste.
The unique incense of the Western Region rose from the crane-beak copper furnace. It was warm and bold, and accompanied by the warm candlelight, it made people feel as if they were in a foreign land.
Ever since Imperial Concubine Chen was banished to the Cold Palace, Concubine Shu's life became more and more comfortable. Concubine De and Imperial Concubine Chen had been fighting for a lifetime. Now that Imperial Concubine Chen had lost her power, the Fourth Prince and the Fifth Prince still had to fight for the throne.
Concubine Shu only gave birth to Princess Yi and had no children. Naturally, she did not have any other dreams that she should not have. The fight for the throne was too far away for her. Being in the inner palace, Concubine Shu valued winning the Emperor's heart more.
When Imperial Concubine Chen was here, most of the Emperor's thoughts were on her. Even though Concubine Shu had countless tricks and charm, she could not compare to Imperial Concubine Chen's gentle smile and ordinary multicolored veins. In the depths of the palace, the person Honored Consort Shu hated the most was Imperial Consort Chen. Everyone knew that Honored Consort Shu and Imperial Consort Chen were natural enemies. Now that Imperial Consort Chen no longer had the possibility of making a comeback, Shu Fei had one less formidable opponent and was naturally like a fish in water.
However, it was common for beauties to be in their twilight years in the palace. Even though Imperial Consort Chen had lost her power, it was hard to avoid the appearance of a second Imperial Consort Chen and a third Imperial Consort Chen in the new batch of beauties. The beauties were all at the age of flowers. Empress Shu was lucky enough to win against the middle-aged Imperial Consort Chen, but she absolutely could not win against the young Imperial Consort Chen.
Even so, these days, Empress Shu's days were much more comfortable than before.
Before the music stopped, a petite figure rushed in angrily and crashed into the chaise lounge without looking at it. There was a hint of anger in the woman's voice. "Imperial Mother!"
Who else could it be other than Princess He Yi with a golden dress and a pendant?
Empress Shu frowned slightly and waved her hand. The palace maid who was playing the zither immediately stopped playing and hurriedly left the hall.
Princess He Yi didn't even look and jumped onto the chaise lounge. With one glance, she saw that the palace maid playing the zither was wearing a red dress. She suddenly felt that the red dress was somewhat dazzling and said, "Stop right there."
The palace maid did not know what was going on and quickly stopped and knelt down. Princess He Yi raised her chin and said, "This palace maid looks very loathsome. Drag her away and behead her."
"Princess, spare me!" The palace maid was shocked when she heard this. She did not know what she had done wrong, but she also knew that it was impossible to reason with this domineering princess. She could only continuously kowtow and beg for mercy.
Seeing the miserable state of the red dress kneeling in front of her and kowtowing, Princess He Yi felt a faint sense of pleasure in her heart. She suddenly smiled cruelly and said, "This princess has always been benevolent. Since you are begging for mercy and you are one of Imperial Mother's people, this princess will be especially merciful. There is no need for you to die. Drag her away and cut off her hands."
When the palace maid heard the first half of her sentence, she was rejoicing. However, when she heard the second half of her sentence, she almost fainted. Looking at a pair of hands, for a musical slave who played the zither for a living in the palace, cutting off a pair of hands would not ruin her life. It would be better to just die.
However, Princess He Yi did not have the slightest sympathy for the palace maid's crumbling expression. She waved her hand and a few imperial bodyguards dragged the palace maid away.
When the other palace maids and eunuchs in the hall saw this, they all lowered their heads and pretended not to see the scene in front of them. No one wanted to be the next plaything that this temperamental princess took a fancy to.
From the beginning to the end, Empress Shu leaned on the chaise and watched the scene in front of her. She did not make a sound to stop them. There was even a faint smile on her lips. It seemed that she was very satisfied with this cruel game and even felt that it was somewhat interesting. For such an expression to appear on a beauty, it was really somewhat frightening.
"What's wrong with you?" She opened her mouth and asked Princess He Yi, "Who provoked you again?"
It would have been better if she had not asked, but once she did, Princess He Yi's expression immediately changed. Biting her lip in hatred, she said, "Imperial Mother, can you kill Jiang Ruan for me?"
These words were shocking, but Empress Shu only frowned and said, "Hong 'an Princess? Why, did she make you unhappy? "
"It's more than that." Princess He Yi said, "Last time, she spoke up for that little bastard Xuan Pei and threatened me. This time, I actually heard from the people in the Imperial Study that Jinying Wang has asked the Emperor to bestow a marriage and wants to marry that slut! The little eunuchs outside all heard it. Imperial Mother, how do you expect me to swallow this! "
Princess He Yi's resentment towards Jiang Ruan had long been born. From the first time she had seen Jiang Ruan, Jiang Ruan's charming appearance had left a shadow in Princess He Yi's heart. Unfortunately, due to a freak combination of factors, she had become some Hong 'an Junzhu. In Princess He Yi's eyes, Jiang Ruan was no more than an unfavored daughter of the Minister's fu. How could she be compared to a golden branch and jade leaves like her? Previously, because Empress Shu had warned her not to cause trouble for the time being, she did not get entangled in the matter of Xuan Pei. If she could still tolerate this, then the matter of Xiao Shao asking the Emperor to marry Jiang Ruan had touched He Yi's bottom line. As long as she thought of this, He Yi could not wait to hack Jiang Ruan into a thousand pieces, so that she would never be able to reincarnate!
"Xiao Shao asking to marry Hong 'an Princess?" Empress Shu's expression froze, "Is this true?"
"It's absolutely true." Princess He Yi said aggrievedly, "Imperial Mother, how can such a slut be worthy of Jinying Wang? Why should Jinying Wang marry her? Imperial Mother, why don't you go and kill her for He Yi? "
Empress Shu looked at Princess He Yi. Princess He Yi's facial features were similar to hers, and she was born with a kind of exotic beauty. At this moment, the expression on that beautiful face was distorted, destroying that beauty. Although a daughter could not be used as a bargaining chip in the fight for the throne, Princess He Yi had grown up under her care. No one understood Princess He Yi's feelings for Xiao Shao better than Empress Shu.
Empress Shu could see how much the Emperor valued Xiao Shao. Although the Emperor also doted on Princess He Yi, Empress Shu was clear that the Emperor would never bestow Princess He Yi to Xiao Shao. Princess He Yi's feelings would probably never be realized.
Now that Xiao Shao had someone he liked, Princess He Yi was really excited. Empress Shu's beautiful red lips curled up. Xiao Shao's sweetheart was actually Hong 'an Princess. She looked at her daughter and sighed in her heart. She should have kept a respectful distance from this matter and told Princess He Yi to stay far away. However, looking at Princess He Yi's expression, she hesitated to say those words.
This was because she had experienced what Princess He Yi was feeling at this moment. She watched helplessly as the person she loved flew away with her sweetheart, but the one in her arms was not her. That kind of jealousy, loss, madness, hatred, and the desire to perish together with the other party swelled in her heart, and she felt like she was about to explode.
At that time, she had endured it. Did she want her daughter to follow her old path?
"Without Hong 'an Princess, there are others." Empress Shu reminded He Yi, "He will have to take a wife eventually, and that person will not be you." As a mother, Empress Shu was more willing to clearly tear apart the truth for Princess He Yi to see than to weave a dream that could never be realized.
"Then I will think of a way to kill them. Whoever he likes, I will kill. "Princess He Yi's expression flashed with a kind of frightening madness," His wangfei can only be me. "
Empress Shu stared at Princess He Yi for a while before her lips curled up mockingly. It was unknown who she was laughing at, but she said in a soft voice, "You really like him."
Princess He Yi bit her lip and did not speak. Since the first time she saw Xiao Shao, she had liked that cold and cheerless youth. She had followed in his footsteps for so many years, but Xiao Shao had never looked back at her. She was a princess that the Emperor doted on. She was born with golden branches and jade leaves. She was beautiful beyond compare. How could she not be compared to an unfavored official's daughter? What was so good about Jiang Ruan that Xiao Shao had decided on her? When she thought of the scene of Xiao Shao and Jiang Ruan together, Princess He Yi was so jealous that she wanted to rush over and tear Jiang Ruan's face and trample her into the dust.
"There is no need to be so depressed." Empress Shu played with her nails, "Although that old thing, the Empress Dowager, is protecting her, it is not that there is no way. Hong 'an Princess has been in the limelight for too long. When one person's limelight reaches its peak, she will go downhill. "
"Imperial Mother …" Princess He Yi's eyes brightened.
"Isn't there an opportunity right now?" Empress Shu smiled, "Jiang Xin's whereabouts are unknown after his defeat. If he really becomes a captive, Hong 'an Princess will have reached the end of her life. Her current position in the palace is also awkward. At this time, it is best to make a move. "
"Imperial Mother, what should we do?"
"Colluding with the enemy and committing treason." Empress Shu looked at the grapes on the crystal plate in front of her and laughed happily, "This crime is not small."
…
Xuan Li's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly. A few drops of tea splashed out and spilled on the table in front of him.
"Xiao Shao asked the Emperor to bestow a marriage?" He raised his voice.
"Reporting to Your Highness, it is absolutely true." The people below lowered their heads.
"What a good Jinying Wang!" Xuan Li snorted coldly and slammed the teacup heavily on the table. Suddenly, an indescribable rage rose in his chest. This depression came inexplicably. Even when he had been rejected by Jiang Ruan earlier, he had not been this angry. Originally, he had thought that Jiang Ruan was young and ignorant. Now that she had repeatedly rejected his good intentions, he felt that it was strange. Among the princes in the palace, he was the most gentle and outstanding. Why did Jiang Ruan treat him coldly every time? Now, it seemed that she had long been secretly with Xiao Shao!
When he thought that Jiang Ruan and Xiao Shao already had a beginning and ending, Xuan Li's heart became extremely depressed. In fact, if he could use Jiang Ruan to exchange for Xiao Shao's support, as long as he said a few words on behalf of Xiao Shao's marriage proposal, perhaps in the future, Xiao Shao would sell him a few favours. When he did things, he always considered the greatest benefit. This was the best method. With Xiao Shao's support, what was there for Xuan Hua to fear?
But he did not know why, at the moment, his heart was very upset. It was reasonable to say that Xuan Li did not have much contact with Jiang Ruan, so there was no reason for him to have deep feelings for her. But for some reason, now that he heard the news of Xiao Shao's marriage proposal to the Emperor, it was as if something that originally belonged to Xuan Li had been snatched away. His heart was filled with unwillingness. It was as if Jiang Ruan was born to be his, as if the development of the matter should not have been like this.
After a pause, Xuan Li slowly tightened his grip on the teacup, "Stop him."
"This …" The advisor was somewhat hesitant, "If there is nothing else, it is best not to fall out with Jinying Wang."
Although Xiao Shao was known as a rebel and did not have much to do in the court, the civil and military officials were well aware that Xiao Shao was the Emperor's confidant. Otherwise, why would the Emperor protect him in every possible way for so many years? The Jinyi Guards under Xiao Shao were enough to make people fearful. Currently, Xiao Shao had not indicated which faction he was on, so it was best to remain neutral. If Xiao Shao was angered, whichever faction he chose, it would have a huge impact on the structure of the court.
"Stupid." Xuan Li said, "Start with Hong 'an Junzhu." His gaze fell on the floating tea leaves in the teacup in front of him, and a trace of darkness suddenly flashed in his eyes, "Jiang Xin's army has been defeated, and Jiang Ruan's position is already awkward. The slightest mistake could lead to death." He seemed to have thought of something, and his expression gradually relaxed, "If a crime is charged, with Imperial Father's temperament, wanting to marry Jinying Wang again would be wishful thinking."
…
When Empress Dowager Yi De heard that Jiang Ruan was highly respected by the servants of Jinying Wang's fu, she was naturally very satisfied. When she was chatting with Yang GuGu about this matter, she said, "Ah Shao has always done things in a dependable manner. Presumably, he usually has some intentions, otherwise, how can the servants see the situation clearly?"
Yang GuGu also praised her, but suddenly thought of something and shook her head, "I just don't know what His Majesty thinks. This servant heard that His Majesty is still somewhat dissatisfied with Junzhu."
"I also don't know what happened in his previous life." Empress Dowager Yi De said, "Aijia also understands his intentions, but since Ah Shao has come to Aijia, even if the Emperor resents Aijia, Aijia will still grant this marriage. It's just that with Ah Shao's temperament, he will definitely arrange things properly. I'm afraid that before Aijia can explain things clearly to the Emperor, Ah Shao will think of a way himself. "
Empress Dowager Yi De's expectations were correct, but the next day, when the Emperor invited Governor-General Yao over for a 'casual chat', Governor-General Yao's expression immediately changed. A few days ago, the Emperor had hinted at the marriage alliance between the Yao family's daughter and Jinying Wang. At that time, Governor-General Yao's face had been full of joy, but today, he repeatedly shook his head, saying that his little daughter was lacking in talent and learning, and was not worthy of Jinying Wang's outstanding youth. He even made up an excuse that Miss Yao was bedridden and would not recover within a year or two.
Such an obvious refusal and fear was naturally seen by the Emperor, and he was annoyed that it must have been Xiao Shao's doing. To be able to frighten the dignified Governor-General of Binhai to such an extent, who else in the Great Jin Dynasty could do besides Xiao Shao, who had more guts than the heavens? His actions were as neat as ever, without any sloppiness. With such an attitude, Governor-General Yao would certainly not change his words in the future.
The Emperor was depressed. The Yao family's daughter was the most suitable one, but Xiao Shao had gone to ruin it. If he still had other ideas in the future, Xiao Shao would certainly do the same. As for what method Xiao Shao had used to change the Yao family's mind, the Yao family would certainly not say.
Binhai Governor-General Yao wiped the sweat from his forehead. Seeing the Emperor's expression change again and again, his heart couldn't help but tighten. It was said that accompanying the Emperor was like accompanying a tiger. Originally, one should go along with the tiger's hair, but today, he had refuted the tiger's intentions. However, he really had no other choice. In reality, the Yao family's daughter was the pearl of his palm, and was indeed his pride. He felt that no man in this world was worthy of his daughter. After the Emperor proposed the marriage alliance between the Yao family and Jinying Wang's household, Governor-General Yao was immediately tempted.
Firstly, the Yao family and Jinying Wang's household were the same. They were both loyal to the Emperor and did not take sides. Now that the court was in a state of chaos, if they were to ally by marriage with Jinying Wang's household, even if the Fifth Prince or the Eighth Prince seized the throne in the future, they would not dare to easily act against their two families. Secondly, Governor-General Yao could be considered a person with foresight. Naturally, he could see that Xiao Shao was not an ordinary person. Although the things he did now were hidden in the dark, there would finally be a day when he would amaze the world with a brilliant feat. Moreover, talent and military strategy were rare in the Great Jin Dynasty. He was a good match for his daughter.
When the Emperor had proposed such a good marriage, Governor-General Yao had been secretly delighted. However, the night before yesterday, someone had placed a letter in his study. There was nothing else, only some of the secretive things that Governor-General Yao had done since he had taken office. Who didn't have a secret in the family of an official? However, the ingenuity of this letter lay in the fact that the events described were all vague and intermittent. It just happened to intercept the most fanciful and fanciful parts. Originally, it wasn't a big deal. However, following the arrangement of this letter, it seemed that it would take someone's life. Governor-General Yao believed that if this letter flew to the Emperor's study, even if the Emperor spared his life on account of his many years of service, the Yao family would no longer have a foothold in the court.
This was an excellent framing, but what was written on it was the truth. Accurately grasping the Yao family's secret, Governor-General Yao could only be trampled on without the ability to retaliate.
There was only one request in the letter, and that was for Binhai Governor-General to give up on the idea of ally by marriage with Jinying Wang's household.
Governor-General Yao was not a fool. He had a rough idea of who the person who did this was. Thinking of this, on one hand, he was angry, but on the other hand, he was helpless. Forget it. Since the other party did not like his family, there was no need for Miss Yao to suffer grievances when she went to the fu. Governor-General Yao could only express in front of the Emperor that he would not marry Miss Yao to Jinying Wang. After all, he could find another in-laws. If a disaster really happened in the fu, then everything would be lost.
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