Chapter 4: Learning from Yu Meiren

Fengyang Palace is exquisite, luxurious, solemn and dignified.

The palace maids all stood on both sides with their heads bowed, and not even a sound of noise could be heard.

Many concubines were already sitting in the hall. They had all heard that His Majesty had gone to the grand court meeting this morning, contrary to his usual practice, and they couldn't help but gather together and whisper to each other.

When Shen Zhaoyi and Jiang Ronghua entered the palace, they heard Li Jieyu say, "Last night, it was Concubine Yu who served His Majesty, but His Majesty left early this morning. Could it be that Concubine Yu has angered His Majesty?"

Shen Zhaoyi glanced at her sideways and spoke slowly, "Li Jieyu, do you think it's wrong for His Majesty to attend court?"

Li Jieyu was stunned and said awkwardly, "That's not what I meant. Please don't slander me, Your Majesty."

Shen Zhaoyi's expression remained unchanged, and her voice was gentle: "That was my misunderstanding of Concubine Li. I thought Concubine Li was dissatisfied with your Majesty going to court."

"Concubine Yu was able to persuade His Majesty to attend court. Concubine Li should learn from her next time."

Li Jieyu's face turned red and white. What was there to learn? She couldn't learn the behavior of the skinny horses in Yangzhou.

The concubines of lower rank rarely saw Zhaoyi Shen scolding anyone, so they all quickly shut up.

The hall was quiet for a while. Concubine Jin sat in the first seat on the right, admiring her nail polish casually, but in her heart she cursed Yue Li hundreds of times.

That idiot even pretended to be sick in order to win favor. I thought His Majesty had ignored her for a few days and must be tired of her, but who knew that she ran to Linde Palace and stayed overnight. What a good trick.

Seeing that Concubine Li suffered a loss at the hands of Concubine Shen, some people wanted to add fuel to the fire against Concubine Jin.

Yipin said, "This Concubine Yu is really bold. She even dared to claim illness to intercept the favors of Concubine Jin and the eldest prince. As a result, His Majesty has not been able to see the eldest prince for many days. Concubine Jin must not tolerate such things."

Concubine Yi thought she was helping Concubine Jin to fight for justice, but Concubine Jin ignored her completely and even gave her a cold look. She was at a loss for what to do.

Concubine Jin withdrew her gaze and frowned irritably. Why are you shouting so loudly?

Is it glorious?

It’s so annoying. Nothing goes well.

Yue Li arrived at Fengyang Palace on time. As soon as she entered the palace, the queen came out from the inner hall with the help of a palace maid.

"Lady Yu is here early." Li Jieyu sneered.

Yue Li bowed and sat down in her seat. She looked at Li Jieyu who was standing in front of her and said, "I am quite early. It's still a quarter of an hour before the morning."

"I wonder why Sister Li came so early?" She glanced at the empty plate on Concubine Li's table and said with a smile, "Could it be that she's craving the Queen's cakes?"

"Sis, you're already so plump, you should eat less."

Li Jieyu choked, feeling angry and embarrassed: "What nonsense are you talking about?"

The Queen just smiled upon hearing this and said, "Well, you two start arguing as soon as you meet. Do you think you can leave me alone in peace?"

"If the cakes here suit Concubine Li's taste, I'll have your servants take some back later."

"Thank you, Queen."

The Queen was rescued, and Concubine Li stood up and bowed gratefully. When she sat down again, she glared at Yue Li fiercely.

Yueli glared back.

Li Jieyu: “…”

I'm so angry!

The Queen listened to their bickering for a while before slowly speaking, "You should all learn from Concubine Yu and persuade His Majesty to pay more attention to state affairs when serving him."

As soon as the words fell, the expressions of everyone in the hall became somewhat awkward.

Learn from Miss Yu?

Everyone knows that she is very good at vying for favor in all kinds of ways. Ever since she entered the palace, she has bewitched His Majesty to the point of losing his mind.

Li Jieyu glanced at Yue Li coldly, and said with a slight smile: "After all, Lady Yu is from a different background than us. We concubines can't learn her methods."

Before Yueli could retort, Concubine De smiled and changed the subject: "The Empress is right. The New Year's Eve palace banquet will be held in a few days. Now that the court and the harem are in harmony, the Empress Dowager will surely be happy."

After chatting for another half an hour, the Queen left to pay her respects.

The Queen left behind several high-ranking concubines to discuss the New Year's Eve palace banquet, and Shen Zhaoyi also stayed.

As Yue Li walked out of Fengyang Palace, someone called her from behind.

She turned around and saw Choi So Won and Kang Yong Hwa.

"Is there something wrong, my two sisters?" Yueli knew that Jiang Ronghua didn't like her, but Jiang Ronghua had a good relationship with Shen Zhaoyi, and Shen Zhaoyi was the only person in the palace who had a good relationship with her, so Yueli was also polite to Jiang Ronghua.

As for Cui Zhaoyuan, she is Concubine Jin's minion.

"Can't you just take a walk with your sister if you have nothing to do?" Jiang Ronghua has complicated feelings towards Yueli.

I hate her, but I can't help but be amazed every time I see her face.

As long as she stayed away from Shen Zhaoyi, Jiang Ronghua felt that he could still endure it.

"What Li Jieyu said today was really annoying. Don't take it to heart."

Don’t go to Shen Zhaoyi to complain later.

Yueli was stunned. To be honest, she really didn't take it to heart. She wouldn't bother with those ugly people.

Isn’t Li Jieyu just jealous of her beauty and favor?

What happened to the skinny Yangzhou horse? It was still trampled underfoot.

Trample her to death!

Yueli rolled her toes hard on the ground.

"Don't worry, Sister Jiang, I don't mind."

Jiang Ronghua glanced at her secretly, but really didn't see anything wrong on her face.

Cui Zhaoyuan also smiled: "Yumei is open-minded by nature, there is really no need to worry about these trivial matters."

"But the New Year's Eve Palace Banquet is coming up soon. The Empress Dowager will also be in attendance. How are the gifts prepared for you two sisters?"

Jiang Ronghua nodded and said, "I asked my father to find a good thing outside the palace."

In her previous life, Yue Li asked a palace maid to help her embroider a screen with scriptures on it. She didn't have any good things, and all she had were gifts from He Yanchen.

She plans to do this in her life.

"Sister Yu, if you have no idea, do you need my help?" Cui Zhaoyuan's words interrupted her thoughts.

Yue Li smiled and shook her head: "I already have an idea, I dare not bother Sister Cui."

"That's good."

Cui Zhaoyuan twirled her hair and said, "Sister, do you know there's a jewelry store in the capital called 'Linglong Pavilion'?"

"Of course I know." Jiang Ronghua continued, "I often went there when I was still in my boudoir. It's the largest jewelry store in the capital."

"Why does my sister say this?"

"I heard that a batch of jewelry from the Western Regions recently arrived there, including a rare enamel tea set. I thought it would be a great gift to present to the Queen Mother."

Jiang Ronghua nodded: "The Queen Mother loves drinking tea, she will definitely like it."

Choi So-won seemed to have just mentioned it casually and soon started chatting with Kang Yong-hwa about other topics.

Yueli suddenly remembered that at the New Year's Eve banquet in her previous life, Yipin seemed to have presented a set of tea sets.

She remembered this because Concubine Yi was scolded by the Queen Mother in front of everyone.

Even with so many royal relatives present, the empress dowager didn't give Concubine Yi any face at all.

If Concubine Yi had not fainted from anger and was not diagnosed with pregnancy, she would have been really embarrassed this time.

Yueli's not-so-smart brain rarely moved.

Is Choi So-won talking to her?

Knowing that you are not very knowledgeable, you want to persuade her to buy this tea set?