Seeing Concubine Xian's methods, Concubine Shu couldn't help but sneer. In the past, Concubine Xian behaved like a kitten, obeying her orders only, but it turned out that she had the heart of a tiger and a wolf. It really made people look at her in a new light.

She wanted to find an opportunity to explain this matter to the emperor. Even if she had an explanation, it would be nothing more than how Prince Kang was seduced by An Yanran, or fell into her trap. However, the emperor did not give her this opportunity at all. He even ignored her request for an audience, causing her to return in disgrace, which made many people laugh at her.

The emperor was angry with the mother and son because this pregnancy incident reminded him of his suspicion of Concubine Shu. This was evidence that the mother and son had killed Queen Yun. They were so happy that Dongfang Ye even went out to look for prostitutes (yawning again).

Thinking of Queen Yun's dissuasion to him, he couldn't help but sigh. He was impressed by Queen Yun's magnanimity and thought that she must not want him and his son to fall out with each other.

Because of this incident, the emperor thought of Queen Yun again, and his heart ached. He fell ill the next day.

When the concubines found out about this, they all blamed Concubine Shu. The emperor had changed a little and had even come to the harem several times and met with several concubines. Although they had only chatted, this gave them hope. Who would have thought that such a thing would happen after just two days of good times.

Queen Mother Murong was sitting on the couch at this moment, drinking tea leisurely. Murong Lanxin had already told her what had happened. Queen Mother Murong did not say anything, but just said "stupid".

Obviously, she was referring to Concubine Shu. Although she was her niece, she did not approve of this matter. And she was very disapproving of it. It was stupid for a man to fall into trouble over a woman, not to mention a worthless woman.

She is just a concubine's daughter of a general. Has Dongfang Ye never seen a woman before?

Murong Lanxin was also very disdainful of this new thing. She didn't expect Dongfang Ye to be such a person. It really disappointed her. Although they were from the same family, she and Concubine Shu were not from the same mother, and she didn't have any good feelings towards this sister.

Fortunately, everyone is keeping to themselves now.

Empress Dowager Murong was very happy about what happened in the palace. The more chaotic it was, the better. She could win in the chaos and get what she wanted. However, this time it was not Concubine Xian who got into trouble, which vaguely made her disappointed.

At this time, Concubine Shu came to ask for a meeting.

Murong Lanxin retreated.

Concubine Shu looked worried: "Aunt, please help me think of a solution. I'm afraid that my mother and I can't turn things around this time. If you don't save us, we really have no way to survive."

The expression on Queen Mother Murong's face did not change. "You, what can I say to you? You only want the emperor to forgive you, but you don't want to save yourself. The emperor believes that you killed Queen Yun, how could he forgive you all of a sudden? You should think of something else to do now, and don't let Ye'er down."

Hearing this, Concubine Shu's eyes lit up: "Aunt, you mean..."

"What I mean is that you don't need to worry about this matter now. You have watched Concubine Xian hold power in her hands for such a long time without doing anything. You will let her prestige in the court and the harem become higher and higher. In the end, everyone only knows Concubine Xian and not Concubine Shu. Is this what you want?"

"But aunt, the emperor only trusts her now..."

"Then you don't want the emperor to trust her?" Queen Mother Murong sneered, "Think about it, if the virtuous concubine is no longer in power in the harem, who will be in power? At that time, the emperor will have no choice but to choose you. You can't use a concubine to manage the six palaces, right? That would be a joke."

After coming out of the Empress Dowager's palace, Concubine Shu felt refreshed and reassured. She hated herself for not discussing it with her aunt earlier. After all, the experienced are the most experienced, and she was her aunt after all, so she was biased towards her.

**********

March 3rd.

On the birthday of Concubine Shu, a banquet was held in the palace. Although it was not on a large scale, the officials of the previous dynasty were still hesitant, but the concubines in the harem naturally did not dare to neglect it. Some gave gifts, some helped. The palace where Concubine Shu lived was also spruced up inside and out by the palace people. Concubine Xian also sent people to deliver flowers and plants that had just been moved out of the greenhouse. Concubine Shu's face was particularly radiant. An Yanran and An Ranyue also entered the palace early from Prince Kang's Mansion. They each gave gifts, and there is no need to go into details.

The day of the palace banquet.

All the concubines in the harem gathered together. The two daughters-in-law and several princes saluted and toasted to Concubine Shu. Concubine Shu was wearing a bright red jacquard brocade skirt, which made her look even more rosy. She didn't look like someone who had a child at all. Instead, she looked about the same age as the concubines who entered the palace later.

The virtuous concubine also presented a great gift: "Today is my sister's birthday. My sister has always taken good care of me, and I have no way to repay her. Therefore, today I specially asked the imperial chef to prepare a table of dishes according to my sister's favorite tastes. I hope my sister likes it."

"My sister is thoughtful. We don't need to be so polite to each other, right?" Concubine Shu said with a smile. It seemed that the entanglement with Concubine Xian these days had completely disappeared.

They returned to their old lives.

The virtuous concubine also had a rosy look on her face.

Concubine Shu had been sitting there waiting, but she received no gift from the emperor, and didn't even say a word.

Her heart sank.

She didn't dare show it on her face. Then Concubine Xian arranged for everyone to attend the banquet. An Qingran, An Yanran, An Ranyue, Murong Lanxin and others were in the outer room. Dongfang Ruoxue also came. Lou Wanyue did not attend, probably because she was a new bride. Qin Xiangning was pregnant, so Concubine Xian had expressed her respect on her behalf. There were also several little princesses at the table. Concubine Xian and other concubines in the harem accompanied Concubine Shu inside, and there were also male guests in the side hall, separated by a curtain.

Dongfang Jin did not come.

He said he was out on important business and asked An Qingran to convey his message.

But An Qingran thought that he did this because he really didn't want to face Concubine Shu.

During the banquet, everyone was very lively. Concubine Xian even prepared songs and dances. In this beautiful atmosphere of graceful songs and dances and flute ensembles, Concubine Shu suddenly covered her stomach and frowned. At the same time, Concubine Ru and Concubine Yu also looked uncomfortable. Soon, they also dropped their chopsticks and cried out that their stomachs hurt. An Qingran was invited in first, and then someone went to ask for the imperial physician. An Qingran initially judged that there was something wrong with the food, because the symptoms of these three people were almost the same. While she was feeling the pulse, Murong Lanxin also began to get sick, and even she herself, her stomach was churning. The originally harmonious birthday party was in chaos in an instant. All the people in the Imperial Hospital came to treat her, and Dongfang Jin heard that An Qingran was poisoned, and immediately rushed over from somewhere and carried her back to the East Palace...

Soon, the cause was found out. It was the people in the imperial kitchen who used the wrong ingredients and mixed in fish gall. The entire palace was shocked. Such a thing had never happened before. Fortunately, everyone just had stomach problems. After the Imperial Hospital prescribed medicine, the symptoms stopped, but everyone was panicked, wondering if such a thing would happen again.

And Concubine Xian was pushed directly to the forefront.

She angered the emperor because of her negligence.

The very next day, when An Qingran and the concubines were paying their respects to the Queen Mother, the Emperor arrived.

Empress Dowager Murong was somewhat surprised, but secretly delighted at the same time.

She naturally had her own plans. When she told Concubine Shu that she was looking for trouble with Concubine Xian, she was not thinking about letting Concubine Shu take power at all, because she knew the emperor's temper. Before he forgave Concubine Shu, it was impossible for him to show weakness to Concubine Shu just because of the situation.

Even the possibility that he would forgive Concubine Xian was greater than that of forgiving Concubine Shu.

After all, food gone wrong was a much lesser sin than murdering his sweetheart.

Everyone paid their respects to the emperor.

The women in the harem had not seen the emperor for a long time and did not expect to meet him here. Some of them secretly regretted that their makeup was not delicate enough, while others did not dare to get too close for fear that the emperor would be furious. However, Concubine Shu looked at the emperor with shining eyes. It was the first time she felt that she was so close to the emperor without feeling embarrassed. If something like this happened, the one who should be embarrassed should be Concubine Xian.

The virtuous concubine was indeed a little uneasy.

An Qingran discovered that she was probably the calmest one among these people.

Empress Dowager Murong immediately had someone offer the emperor a seat, with a kind expression on her face: "Your Majesty is busy with state affairs. Didn't I tell you not to come and pay your respects?"

The emperor curled his lips indifferently: "It is my duty to pay respects to my mother. Besides, something like that happened in the harem yesterday, and I want to take this opportunity to resolve it."

Xian Fei became even more embarrassed, and Shu Gui Fei smiled: "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."

The emperor didn't mention her at all, and everyone was laughing in their hearts.

Concubine Shu is really thick-skinned.

An Qingran sat there quietly. She didn't know whether she should stay at this time. After all, the emperor was dealing with his family affairs.

At this time, the Empress Dowager said, "Yes, there has never been such a mess in the harem. If this gets out, it will make the people worried. The Emperor should also take care of it."

The emperor nodded and looked at Concubine Xian: "Concubine Xian, you are in charge of the harem, but you made such a big mistake. You can't escape the responsibility of negligence. Hand over the golden seal."

"Your Majesty, I am indeed responsible for my negligence. I know my crime, but I still hope Your Majesty will give me a chance. I promise that such a thing will never happen again..." Of course, Concubine Xian knew the importance of this power. She had a deep understanding of how much glory it had brought to herself and her son in the past few months. If she wanted her power back now and gave it to Concubine Shu, she would probably have no good days in the future. Not to mention the glory, she would not even be able to protect herself.

The emperor frowned impatiently: "Do you want to influence the emperor's will?"

As soon as these words were spoken, Concubine Xian immediately stopped talking.

This crime is much more serious than the crime of negligence.

Soon, a palace servant brought the golden seal and placed it on the rosewood table in front of the emperor. Empress Dowager Murong nodded slightly and said, "Since the emperor has already seized the power of Consort Xian, does he have a suitable candidate in mind?"