There was a moment of dead silence around.

Xiaoqin's face was as pale as snow and her whole body was shaking like a sieve.

Who would have thought that Zhang Miaoyu, who looked so amiable, would actually say such terrible words.

Lu Xuan's expression gradually became serious. She said calmly, "If the news of Concubine Chen punishing a palace maid in a big way gets out, people in the palace might mistakenly think that Concubine Chen is domineering."

Chen Wei smiled and said calmly, "If Concubine Shu is dissatisfied, please go to the Emperor and the Empress Dowager to plead your case."

Lu Xuan bit her lip lightly.

Harmony is the most important thing in the harem. If Lu Xuan were to spread rumors and destroy people's reputations, she would probably be punished if the empress dowager and the emperor found out.

After thinking for a while, Lu Xuan showed a relieved smile and looked at Xiao Qin: "You are indeed wrong for speaking without restraint. I will punish you to kneel in the yard for four hours as a small punishment. The Concubine Chen has always been kind and will definitely forgive your mistakes."

Xiaoqin immediately took over and took the initiative to admit her fault: "Madam Chen Fei, I will definitely repent. My mistress is pregnant and cannot stand seeing blood. I will kneel down and reflect on myself."

Shen Wei nodded: "It is a great virtue to admit one's mistakes and correct them. If you make the same mistake again next time, you will bear the consequences yourself."

Xiaoqin immediately stood up and knelt on the stone slabs in the front yard.

Xiaoqin knew the current situation. She knew that the harem was now under the control of Concubine Chen, who had the right to reprimand and punish the palace maids. If she didn't take the initiative to admit her mistake, Xiaoqin might not be able to survive today even if Concubine Shu tried to protect her.

The incident became a big deal and alarmed the Emperor and the Empress Dowager. The fact that Concubine Shu had spread rumors was exposed, and the consequences were disastrous.

The wind blew, and the gauze curtains hanging in the pavilion swayed slightly. Cailian poured another cup of black plum soup and put it in ice water to cool it down. Zhang Miaoyu couldn't wait to take a sip and praised: "It's sour and sweet, so delicious!"

Shen Wei also tasted half a cup: "It's really delicious."

Lu Xuan's eyes were dark and unclear.

Zhang Miaoyu and Shen Wei drank the black plum soup in front of her, but they were not just tasting it. The main purpose is to show that the black plum paste given by Shen Wei is non-toxic.

They both drank half a cup in public and were fine. In the future, if Lu Xuan wants to use Wumei Paste to make a fuss and slander Shen Wei for poisoning and harming Longzi, this trick will be ineffective.

Lu Xuan lowered her beautiful eyes and pinched her palms with her nails. At this time, the anxious voice of the palace maid came from the other end of the courtyard: "Your Highness, please slow down."

A delicate little boy came over clumsily, his body wobbling.

That was Lu Xuan’s son Li Chengjue.

He has a very lively personality and always likes to walk around after learning to walk. The little boy took a step with his short legs and opened his arms, which were as white as lotus roots, and walked happily towards the pavilion.

Shen Wei's eyes moved slightly, and she waved at the little boy with a deliberate smile. How could a one-year-old child understand the harem struggles? Seeing that Shen Wei looked kind, he took the initiative to come over.

Lu Xuan's heart was in her throat.

Chen Wei saw the boy and joked, "Time flies. Cheng Jue can already walk. In another two or three years, it will be time to ask the master to enlighten him. Concubine Shu, you must take good care of the child and don't let him make the master sick."

Lu Xuan's face darkened. Shen Wei seemed to be smiling, but every word she said contained a hidden warning.

Chen Wei seemed to like Lu Xuan's son very much. She half squatted down, took out a thin handkerchief from her sleeve, and gently wiped the little boy's face: "It's hot, you are sweating from running, let Empress Chen wipe the sweat for you."

Lu Xuan was secretly nervous.

Shen Wei's fingers are white and slender, and her nails are trimmed and rounded. While wiping the child's face, the slightly long nails gently scraped across the little boy's chubby face. The little boy was unaware and let out an innocent laugh.

In Lu Xuan's eyes, this scene seemed like a cruel demon about to devour a weak child.

It's disturbing.

Before Shen Wei returned to the palace, Lu Xuan was almost the most favored one in the six palaces. In order to pave the way for her own son, she killed the queen's eldest son, suppressed the sons of palace concubines, and secretly caused concubines to have miscarriages. She used every possible means.

Lu Xuan prides herself on being smart and always looks down on the stupid concubines in the harem. She also liked to admire the frightened looks in the concubines' eyes.

But now, she is the one being oppressed!

The whip that had hit others before, now hurts so much when it hits me.

Zhang Miaoyu saw that the time was right, so she stretched lazily and said, "It's getting late, Sister Chen Fei, let's go back first and let Sister Shu Fei take good care of her pregnancy."

Shen Wei nodded happily.

Zhang Miaoyu and Shen Wei leave Changxin Palace. Before leaving, Shen Wei showed Lu Xuan a bright smile and said, "Come visit Concubine Shu another day. You must take good care of your body and give birth to a child safely."

Under the sunlight, Shen Wei's face was radiant, and her eyes were a little cold, like a sharp thorn piercing Lu Xuan's heart.

Lu Xuan stood at the door, watching the two people leave, her nails digging deeply into her palms.

When Lu Xuan returned to the palace, Cheng Jue, who was over one year old, came over happily and threw himself into Lu Xuan's arms. Lu Xuan hugged her son tightly, her violent heartbeat still not subsiding.

She called the two palace maids who were taking care of the child and scolded them, "I will not keep useless fools. Go to the palace and do hard labor."

The two palace maids kowtowed and begged for mercy, but it was of no avail.

Xiaoqin was still kneeling.

Lu Xuan said bitterly: "For today's humiliation, I will repay you double."

Xiaoqin knelt on the ground, tugged at Lu Xuan's skirt, and said earnestly: "Master, please don't be impulsive. It's okay for me to suffer a little. You are pregnant now, so you should focus on the dragon child in your belly. The imperial physician said that you must keep a calm mind during pregnancy. Wait until the child is born, then talk about revenge."

Lu Xuan felt angry and stroked her already bulging belly. She was the daughter of a duke, but in just a few months, she was suppressed by a peasant girl and could not even raise her head.

In the harem today, the emperor still favors Concubine Chen the most. The Empress Dowager raised the Concubine Chen's children, and because she loved the Concubine Chen and her children, she was partial to her.

Lu Xuan looked at the crabapple blossoms that were withering one after another in the yard, and her heart was boiling with grief. She could only comfort herself that the emperor was not a loyal person, and his favor for Concubine Chen would not last long. The Emperor dotes on Concubine Chen only because he wants something new.

The path that Concubine Chen is taking now is the same old path that Lu Xuan took before, just different paths leading to the same destination.

But... Lu Xuan closed her eyes tightly, she was really unwilling.

...

...

On the other side, Shen Wei and Zhang Miaoyu were walking on the palace road.

Zhang Miaoyu's fat face was excited, and she laughed, "We are like the bad women in the picture book, who specifically bully Concubine Shu. Look at Concubine Shu's face, it's so long."

Shen Wei raised her eyebrows and said calmly: “The enemy is unkind, and I am unjust.”

Shen Wei is very vindictive.

Lu Xuan has repeatedly targeted her, both openly and covertly, and Shen Wei will not swallow her anger. In this harem, for the emperor's favor, for the future of their children, to save their lives, and for the honor of their family, the concubines all fought in their own ways, openly or secretly.

No one can protect himself.

Zhang Miaoyu shrugged: "After our warning today, I think Concubine Shu will behave herself for a while. Seeing her being humiliated makes me feel really happy. I'm going to go back and have a big meal to celebrate!"

Zhang Miaoyu's tone could not hide her gloating. Shen Wei was quite curious: "Has Concubine Shu ever harmed you?"