Chapter 26: Long Fangs "The emperor's words are more important than the nine tripods." ...

The bite wound on Lady Yang's ankle was at her ankle. She was lying on the couch at the moment. The exposed part of her stockings was half-pulled off and wrapped with two bandages. She looked pitiful and could not get up to thank him.

But after hearing the news of the promotion, she finally stopped looking so gloomy and smiled brightly:

"I thank Your Majesty for your grace."

Perhaps the emperor's attention had cheered her up. As if to encourage herself, she said solemnly, "No matter how many difficulties and dangers are encountered, I will definitely protect the baby in my belly."

Compared to Lady Yang, Qing Zan always felt that she was receiving a gift without any merit. She bowed and said, "I am of low status and have little respect. I am very satisfied to be able to accompany Your Majesty. Your Majesty does not need to make exceptions for me again and again."

The rank of Beauty was already a privilege, and now, within two weeks, she'd been promoted to Noble Lady. This was astonishing news. However, the Empress Dowager had also ascended to the rank of Grand Master within three months of entering the palace, and later, having no children, was crowned Consort. Even if there were those who complained, in comparison, the rank of Noble Lady seemed insignificant.

Because everyone was present, the emperor was not as intimate with her as they were in private. He fixed his eyes on the woman's head, where he could only see a dark cloud of hair:

"The Emperor's word is nothing compared to the nine tripods. Lady Ying, however, wants me to revoke my order. Is this an exception? Lady Ying, please be at peace and thank me."

However, what the emperor wanted most at this moment was to lift up her fair chin with his fingers and see if there was a sincere refusal in her hidden eyes, or a false pretense, trying to take advantage of her.

There wasn't much ice in Huying Pavilion to begin with. Concubine Yang, after being bitten by a cat that day, knew she might be pregnant and didn't dare to seek the cool air. Now that there were so many people, Qingzan felt that every word the emperor spoke was hot and humid, as if it would make her sweat in her nasolabial grooves.

She was helped up by her maid, still keeping her head down and brows lowered.

Concubine Hui always remembered the opportunity that had come to her as a concubine, and when there was no actual conflict, she was willing to protect Qing Zan. Seeing the emperor staring at someone without making a mistake, she thought that His Majesty was worried because Concubine Ying did not appreciate her kindness.

He stepped forward to help, saying, "Since you have done a great job protecting the heir, you deserve the promotion and reward. If Concubine Yang had really been in danger, I'm afraid she wouldn't be honored as a concubine today, but would be accused of failing to protect the heir. It's us who should be ashamed of holding such a high position but being unable to help the country."

Ming Zhaoyi watched Hui Fei's sensible behavior with her hands folded, then glanced back at Yang Fei, who was still recovering from her shock. Yang Fei was leaning on the couch, pursing her pale lips, staring at the emperor intently.

Zhaoyi spoke on behalf of Concubine Yang, saying what she was not comfortable saying at the moment: "Your Majesty has not had many children, but fortunately, Heaven blesses Daliang. Now that Concubine Yang has escaped danger from Shekou, I believe she has much to say to Your Majesty."

The rest was said to Concubine Hui and Qingzan: "I still have a sip of tea in Chaoyun Palace, which can be used to entertain Noble Lady Ying. As for Concubine Hui, please feel free to serve yourself."

Ming Zhaoyi thus decided for everyone in the room whether to stay or go. The emperor was willing to give her this favor. At this critical juncture, he had no intention of giving Yang the cold shoulder.

Since the Emperor had tacitly approved, Concubine Hui didn't want to stay any longer. "Since this is a man-made disaster, not a natural one, the person who caused it must be punished. Your Majesty has entrusted me with this task, and I should return as soon as possible to investigate the truth and give an explanation to Concubine Yang and Concubine Ying."

The emperor had already given her an order to investigate the Chengluan snake problem. Concubine Hui naturally knew that there was something fishy going on, so she was the first to walk out of Huying Pavilion.

Ming Zhaoyi then turned around and walked slowly, with the tail of her bright and elegant skirt deliberately flowing past Qing Zan.

"Aren't you following?"

Qingzan walked up and turned back, only to see the emperor sitting beside the couch, holding Yang Pin's hand that was stretched out from the thin quilt with his head down, his back slightly tilted, and talking to Yang Pin with his head down.

The brows that had been furrowed to the tips of her hair relaxed slightly, as if they were relaxed by the sight that they would sooner or later see. Then the spring mountains became more mellow, the frosted skin more beautiful, and she didn't hesitate a step.

Ming Zhaoyi was a little surprised by her behavior. If it were someone like Wang Shurou, who was in the prime of her favor, and another woman was found to be pregnant, she would probably be jealous to the point of being disgusted.

After all, everyone knew that Concubine Zhen really loved the emperor, to the point of being angry and crazy.

In order to marry into the Eastern Palace, she was beaten so badly by her father's second wife that her legs were almost lame. So although she was only a concubine, she had the privilege of traveling in the palace with a ceremonial guard.

Now, this noble lady Ying has become more patient and has not become arrogant because of her favor.

The Chaoyun Palace where Ming Zhaoyi lived was more luxurious and elegant inside than outside.

This kind of nobility is not the superficial splendor of gold and jade inlays, but more like a royal aura that is ingrained in the bones and blood.

The high hall beams were made of century-old nanmu wood, with a pattern of carp painted on them. Beneath them, the maids were in an orderly manner, their figures coming in and out were brisk and graceful.

In the center of the hall stood a square ice jar, from which cool air was emanating, while a fragrant mist was wafting out from the ice that had not yet melted.

Unlike the thick and sweet taste of grease and sesame oil, it is more like freshly brewed tea.

Qingzan discovered it as soon as he entered the door.

"The smell in this palace of the Queen is so refreshing and refreshing."

Seeing that she knew her stuff, Ming Zhaoyi smiled and said, "I don't like the scent of cosmetics, so I have someone put tea leaves in ice every day, and the cool air that comes out will naturally carry the fragrance of tea."

Qingzan couldn't help but think of the pastries that Concubine Xue sent to Fengzao Palace that day, which also had a similar ingenuity.

"So it turns out that the Queen likes tea."

Ming Zhaoyi heard the hidden meaning in her words: "Behind the pine windows of the thatched cottage, I am intoxicated and forgetful. Not only me, but Concubine Xue also likes tea."

Ming Zhaoyi leaned over in front of the ice jar and fanned the fragrant mist with her hands twice, leaving a long aftertaste.

She didn't mind telling people openly, "Tea aroma is purest and won't tolerate even a hint of impurity. Fumigating tea instead of scenting it is also a precautionary measure. Don't let Huaixuan smell anything that's bad for a child."

Speaking of Huaixuan, she missed him so much after not seeing him for a moment that she ordered the palace servants, "Go and carry His Highness out."

Qingzan heard a childish voice coming from far away, crisp and clear:

"Mother, Mother! Don't let Aunt Liyun hold me. I'm already that old!"

At the same time, a little fat boy came in from the door on the side of the hall. He took one step steadily and fell another, not much better than a newborn puppy.

Zhaoyi burst out laughing: "How old are you?"

Several wet nurses and palace maids followed the eldest prince, but they did not restrain him, just following closely. The eldest prince noticed the only unfamiliar face in the hall with his sharp eyes, and his pace quickened a lot, rolling in front of Qingzan like a snowball.

He raised his chubby arms, which were as thick as lotus roots, and just managed to grab Qingzan's skirt. "Who are you? Are you the new maid in Mother's palace?"

Qingzan squatted down so that the eldest prince could see her clearly, and said slowly, "I am Lady Ying, your mother's sister."

When the palace maids first saw the eldest prince approaching Qingzan, they were a little wary, but after Zhaoyi gave them a look, they did not step forward to stop him.

The eldest prince's little head almost rubbed against Qingzan's skirt: "Is it the same as Sister Xuepin?"

Qingzan was a little surprised that the title following the word "Pin Xue" was "sister".

But I think this is probably one of the ways children express their love.

She touched the back of the eldest prince's round head.

The eldest prince's round eyes suddenly turned more clever, like black grapes with spots of light: "Is Huaixuan right?"

Without waiting for Qingzan to nod, he suddenly grabbed Qingzan's sleeve with his chubby little paws and said, "Sister Ying Guiren, do you want to go see Huaixuan's new clay sculpture?"

Ming Zhaoyi stood by and watched, not wanting to stop him. Qingzan just let the little girl pull her along, through the side corridor, to the three-year-old's little territory.

In the center of the bright and clean palace, a sand city was formed, with red flags of varying heights erected on the dunes. It looked as if someone was playing a sand table game with the eldest prince.

Next to the sand city stood a clay doll and a tiger.

Qing Zan bent down to admire the child's masterpiece, then tilted her head and asked, "Your Highness, do you like tigers?"

The emperor was so anxious to go over and show it to others that he accidentally fell to the ground. He simply crawled over on his hands and knees and held up the clay sculpture: "It's not a tiger, this is my father, and this is the tiger talisman!"

After saying that, the little girl sat on the ground and looked at Qingzan hopefully: "Father is very busy. He hasn't come to play with Huaixuan for a long time. Can sister play with Huaixuan?"

Qingzan suddenly felt a little guilty. It seemed that the emperor had spent most of his free time on her recently.

*

After coming out of Guanju Palace, the day was almost over.

The eldest prince was a smart boy. He lost quickly, learned quickly, and was very addicted. He lost several plates of snacks to Qingzan and almost lost his newly made tiger talisman and his father, but he still refused to let Qingzan go.

If she stayed any longer, she would have to have dinner in Guanju Palace, and Ming Zhaoyi had sent people in, so Qingzan might not be able to escape now.

On the palace road, he had only taken a few steps when he met Concubine Zhao.

Concubine Zhao had long wanted to come and check on the situation on Yang's side.

She thought about it over and over again, but she couldn't figure out why it was really a mud snake that bit Yang.

Could it be that there were indeed mud snakes in Chengluan Palace, and the white flower snakes she had thrown in were so useless that they hadn't even surfaced yet? Could such a coincidence actually exist?

But when she heard that the emperor was in Guanju Palace, her thoughts became active again. Yang was pregnant and injured, so it was impossible for her to sleep with the emperor. If she went at this time, perhaps after visiting him, she could naturally accompany the emperor on his journey.

Therefore, when Concubine Zhao saw Qingzan appear outside Guanju Palace at this time, she always felt that she had the same idea as herself, otherwise why would she stay until this time?

However, it's also possible that the snake she released actually injured someone, and the injured concubine was pregnant with the emperor's heir. The emperor's heir is so precious, so perhaps this is why she is being punished to kneel until now.

Concubine Zhao slowly swayed past Qingzan, sneering as she spoke to the maidservant, "Concubine Ying saved Concubine Yang once, and then harmed her again. What a coincidence! Could it be that she didn't benefit from her kindness, so she wants to take it back?"

Everyone could tell that she said it on purpose for Qingzan to hear.

At this moment, Doukou followed Qingzan to Guanju Palace. Doukou was not a pushover. Upon hearing this, she immediately walked up to Lady Zhao and bowed to her: "Lady Zhao, when you meet my master, why don't you come to greet her and instead speak rudely to her?"

"Who the hell do you think you are?" Lady Zhao pushed her aside, but she wasn't in a hurry to leave. She turned back to Qingzan and said, "This is how Lady Ying usually teaches her servants. How come, just because you have one more title than me, you really think you're above me?"

Still not satisfied, she continued, her words growing more and more fierce: "Although we are all beauties now, who knows if I will be a noble lady tomorrow, and it's still uncertain who will greet whom. Concubine Ying is different, though. You nearly killed the heir to the throne, yet His Majesty didn't even deprive you of your position. Why don't you just live one day at a time?"

Today, when Concubine Zhao heard that there was a pregnancy in Huying Pavilion, she scolded the eunuch who delivered the news so harshly that no one dared to approach her and tell her that Concubine Yang and Noble Ying had been promoted, for fear that it would make the situation worse and bring disaster to themselves.

Seeing Qingzan remained silent, Lady Zhao grew even more elated, slowly smoothing her glittering gold sleeves. "Lady Ying, you may not know this, but my family has donated a considerable amount of silver to aid the drought in the southwest. So, between the two of us, who will be crowned the noble lady?"

Compared to the rapid exchange of words at this moment, Qing Zan was more concerned about whether Concubine Hui could find out who was behind the scenes. Perhaps secretly, she still hoped that Concubine Hui could find out who was behind the scenes, not only for the truth and justice, but also because of the goodwill that Concubine Hui had repeatedly shown.

Moreover, it would not be bad for Concubine Hui if she could continue to be in charge and not let the palace power return to the hands of the Queen.

But now, the addition of the mud snake that bit Concubine Yang has undoubtedly added a lot of trouble to the matter.

Perhaps alerting the snake would make the investigation smoother. Qing Zan smiled and said, "Your Majesty sees through everything and will never tolerate treacherous people. As the beauty said, those who truly let the snake harm others should enjoy their life for as long as they can from now on."

"What do you mean, Lady Ying?" Lady Zhao's heart began to pound. She felt that she was hinting at something, as if she knew something.

Qing Zan smiled and shook her head: "I didn't mean anything. If the speaker doesn't mean anything, why should the listener think too much? It's just that the name of beauty seems to be wrong."

Lady Zhao was irritated by this calm and smiling look: "What did I yell wrong?"

Doukou stepped forward and said, "My beauty, are you confused? My master has been promoted because of his meritorious service in protecting the heir. Now, you should call the master, Noble Lady Ying!"

At first, Lady Zhao thought it was just a ridiculous lie told by this wicked slave and his master, but then she realized that no one would do such a ridiculous thing.

She suddenly felt completely confused and couldn't believe that the situation had turned out like this overnight.

Even though the snake hurt people, your position has not risen but fallen. I'm afraid that Your Majesty's heart has turned to the sea?

Doukou saw the expression on the man's face, which was as brilliant as spilled ink, and felt relieved. She then used up her remaining courage to pursue the enemy and continued, "Now that the beauty knows that you are in front of Noble Lady Ying, shouldn't you bow to my master?"

Lady Zhao looked up with a servile gaze. She had never been humiliated like this before. Anger burned through her, and she raised her hand and said, "You slave, do you want a fight?"

Qingzan hurriedly called Doukou behind her in a gentle voice. If Zhao was really so angry that she beat a palace maid, it would be a small matter. But if a beauty beat a nobleman, it would be no small matter.

At this moment, Lady Zhao was in a dilemma whether to put her hand down or not. She wished she could just stop caring about anything and fight to the death!

Qingzan simply took a small step forward, as if intending to personally deliver Yingying's smiling cheeks to the person.

Concubine Zhao immediately realized that she was favored by the emperor, and she was fearless. The veins on her forehead bulged, but her hands, which were held high up, did not make the next move. She gritted her teeth, flapped her hands in the air, and then dropped them heavily.

"Your Majesty, do you know that you are such an ugly villain who has achieved success behind your back? If he knew, do you think he would still favor you?"

Qingzan's face showed no sign of shock: "If beauty doesn't want to fight, then, please let me pass."

*

At the turning point of the palace road, the emperor's ceremonial procession has been lingering for a long time with majestic canopies and fluttering green flags.

"Why hasn't the noble lady come out yet?" Xu Delu had already heard the entire argument nearby, but he pretended to look around and asked, "I clearly sent someone to talk to Consort Ming. I wonder why Master Ying hasn't come out yet? I'll go and see."

If we don't take a look now, the situation may become irreversible.

It seems that Master Ying can still handle it now, but Concubine Zhao is not a person who knows her limits. If a fight really breaks out, and Concubine Zhao hits someone right after the Emperor rewards him, it is hard to say whose face will be slapped.

The emperor on the chariot smiled slowly, did not respond, and only said that Xu Delu needed to think about it carefully.

"Teething."

"Forget it," he asked someone to come back, his slender, cold white fingers tapping slowly on the robe on his knees, "This is a place where thunder and clouds are treacherous, where you can hold a snake and ride a tiger. It's good to sharpen your teeth."

This time Xu Delu understood what he meant. He was saying that Lady Ying was in danger. He smiled apologetically and said, "Isn't it that you are protecting me?"

The emperor leaned back in his seat and remained silent for a long time.