Chapter 62 Don’t Forget Your Name

Hanlu, standing behind Song Zhaoyi, was also admiring the painting. She agreed, "Yes, the Fifth Miss is exactly the same age as the person in the painting, thirteen or fourteen, at the peak of her innocent and lively years."

The usually arrogant Song Zhaoyi's expression softened a little.

After staring at the person in the painting for a while, Song Zhaoyi suddenly thought of the scene on the palace road just now.

When Jiang Yingli saw His Majesty and Concubine Shen walking together, she could clearly see the helplessness and sadness in his eyes, as well as the tears that he was trying hard to hold back.

She used to think that His Majesty doted on Jiang Yingli, but she overlooked the fact that Jiang Yingli also liked His Majesty very much.

Because of love, so many grievances and sadness arise.

Later on, Song Zhaoyi realized that sending her into the palace was the best choice for her parents and uncles.

If it were the third, fourth, or fifth sister, I'm afraid we would never see a smile like the one in this painting on their faces again.

Being confined in the deep palace and trapped by love, it is easy for one's beauty to fade away.

Only someone like her, who has no feelings for His Majesty, can thrive in the palace.

but....

Song Zhaoyi changed her mind.

Wasn't Noble Lady Shen in the emperor's bedchamber yesterday? This painting also looks like it was painted by Your Majesty last night.

Your Majesty would not be sitting in this Jiangxue Pavilion painting for half the night like she did in her Roufu Palace, right?

Just as the doubts arose, the bead curtain of the inner hall was rolled up, and Cuisheng walked out supporting the weak Chen Zhuxin.

Seeing Song Zhaoyi standing in front of the painting with a strange expression on her face, Chen Zhuxin's heart was alarmed. Without caring about anything else, she said:

"Empress Zhaoyi, that is His Majesty's calligraphy, please be very careful!"

If the painting was damaged, she would be in big trouble.

Song Zhaoyi naturally knew what she was worried about, but seeing Chen Zhuxin's fearful look, she became playful and pretended to reach out to the painting.

Seeing this, Chen Zhuxin didn't know where he got the strength from, but rushed forward to protect the painting.

Song Zhaoyi raised her eyebrows and retracted her "devil claws" that were stretched out to the painting.

Chen Zhuxin was stunned. She wanted to stop but couldn't. When she was about to fall to the ground, Song Zhaoyi took pity on her and helped her up.

Chen Zhuxin raised her eyes in doubt and looked at Song Zhaoyi who was so close to her?

She wanted to stand up quickly, but was held tightly by Song Zhaoyi.

Song Zhaoyi looked down at her and said coldly, "I have something to ask you. If you answer truthfully, I will let you go."

Chen Zhuxin felt a little guilty when she looked at him, and nodded slightly.

"I wonder...what Empress Zhaoyi wants to ask."

"You didn't actually sleep with me, did you?"

Chen Zhu was startled.

Even Song Zhaoyi was still unclear about the identity of the enemy and friend, so in principle, she shouldn't have known about this matter. However, since she asked this question, she must have guessed it, and perhaps, she herself had not slept with the emperor either.

Chen Zhuxin had no choice but to nod and admit, "Yes."

Song Zhaoyi showed an expression of "as expected", let go of Chen Zhuxin's hand, and pointed at the painting with her chin.

"Since you know this painting is a treasure, why are you still laying it out here? Put it in a box and send it to the Emperor."

Chen Zhuxin said in a daze: "But, Your Majesty's painting, I dare not move it without permission."

Song Zhaoyi said indifferently, "The purpose of placing this painting here has long been achieved. It is to warn you not to have other thoughts. If you have the ability to understand, please quickly send it to the emperor to show your loyalty."

Chen Zhu was startled. When she saw the painting, she only saw His Majesty's feelings for Jiang Yingli, but she didn't expect that His Majesty deliberately alerted her to this.

She suddenly had a new understanding of Song Zhaoyi.

She is indeed a woman from the Song family, a family of high rank and noble ambitions.

Even though she looks ostentatious and arrogant, she is different from people like Su Qingrong.

Song Zhaoyi is very insightful and intelligent. Although her emotional intelligence is a little low at times, her merits outweigh her flaws.

Chen Zhuxin immediately bowed in gratitude and said, "Thank you, Her Majesty, for your advice. I will send someone to deliver the painting right away!"

Seeing that Chen Zhuxin was very perceptive, Song Zhaoyi's tone became less impatient. "I remember, your name is Chen Zhuxin?"

Chen Zhuxin lowered her head and answered, "Yes, my concubine's maiden name is Zhuxin."

Song Zhaoyi lifted her sleeves and said meaningfully, "It's a nice name, but in this palace, people will call you 'Young Lady' and 'Madam'. If this continues for a long time, don't forget your own name."

After saying this, Song Zhaoyi took Hanlu away from Jiangxuexuan.

Chen Zhuxin looked at Song Zhaoyi's back, with a myriad of thoughts in her eyes.

The name Chen Zhuxin was changed by her father before she entered the palace.

Bamboo heart, bamboo heart, but bamboo is empty and has no heart.

It seems that Song Zhaoyi, like her father, was warning her not to be tempted once she entered the deep palace.

It seems that Song Zhaoyi was thoughtful enough to remind her in this way. Although she could not be considered a friend, she was definitely not an opponent.

This is a great thing.

After all, Concubine Song and Concubine Xin were rivals. As long as she didn't become enemies with Concubine Song, then this high-ranking concubine could be considered a potential ally.

Chen Zhuxin breathed a sigh of relief, her knees aching, and she staggered slightly.

Cui Sheng quickly stepped forward to support her, "My lady, you are still weak. Please go back to the inner hall and rest."

Chen Zhuxin nodded and said, "Bring my stack of account books here too."

**

In Wanshou Palace, Empress Dowager Xue unconsciously clenched the Buddhist beads in her hand upon hearing the news.

"Did Your Majesty really go to Qixiang Palace?"

"Empress Dowager, it's absolutely true. This morning, the court officials discussed the matter of appointing a new empress with Your Majesty. Your Majesty became irritated and declined all requests for an audience with the ministers, instead going to Qixiang Palace."

Nanny Xia moved closer and whispered, "That little maid also heard His Majesty admonish Concubine Xin not to be jealous and to be gentle and virtuous."

Queen Mother Xue couldn't help but frown.

She had been a concubine for more than 30 years and understood the emperor's heart best.

The emperor would be delighted to see a group of women vying for his favor. As long as the jealousy did not cause much noise, he would turn a blind eye and treat it as just watching his pets fighting.

But now the emperor actually warned Su Qingrong like that...

Gentle and virtuous...the emperor would only have such requirements for the queen.

"Could it be that the Emperor really intends to make the Su family's daughter his empress..."

Thinking of this, Empress Dowager Xue's face turned grim.

This time it was originally the turn of the Su family's daughter to become the queen. The aristocratic families jointly submitted a petition, and the support was definitely very high. If this matter was finalized during the morning court in the past two days, what would happen to her Ning'er?

The tricky thing is that concubines can be deposed at will, but the queen cannot be deposed easily. Even if the queen does something wrong, for the sake of the country, people will generally try their best to whitewash the queen's mistakes.

Therefore, once Su Qingrong really ascends the throne, with the support of the aristocratic families behind her, it will be difficult for her to dethrone her, and her Ning'er will no longer have a chance.

Empress Dowager Xue could no longer eliminate her fear of Su Qingrong, and her logic was running rapidly in her mind.

The position of queen should be held by the most capable person, not by whichever family takes the turn.

Her Xue family is the head of aristocratic families, so what if there are a few more queens?

Su Qingrong is too ostentatious and stupid to hold such a high position.

Empress Dowager Xue made up her mind and said immediately, "I must quickly test the Emperor's attitude."

She rubbed her forehead and ordered, "Madam Xia, tomorrow when the court is dismissed, go to the Imperial Court and tell them that I have a severe headache."

Nanny Xia responded, "Yes."

At dusk, Fu Wanquan handed the painting box sent by Jiangxuexuan to Xiao Chenglan and asked tentatively:

"Your Majesty, would you like me to be taken to Changyang Palace?"

Xiao Chenglan glanced at it calmly and said, "Put it down. I'll hang myself."

Fu Wanquan didn't dare to say anything more and quickly put the painting down.

Yes, His Majesty would not easily let others enter his bedroom, Changyang Palace, which is almost full of paintings.

At night, Xiao Chenglan summoned Doctor Zhang to go to Zhaohua Palace with him.