Chapter 5: Long Live the Lord

The head of Changqiu Palace is Concubine Xiang Guipin.

Concubine Xiang Guipin came from a prominent family. Her ancestors were all founding heroes, and her grandfather was the Emperor's confidant.

The most crucial point is that the elder sister is the late Imperial Noble Consort Dunhe, who was extremely favored when she was alive.

Imperial Noble Consort Dunhe died of complications during childbirth, leaving behind her third prince, who was still an infant. As the biological sister, Xiang Guipin entered the palace legitimately.

I have to say, some people are just lucky.

They are nothing like them, who have to start from the lowest position and work their way up. Ke Xiang Guipin was the main concubine when she entered the palace. This favor was unprecedented.

Shen Qingru sat at the door for more than half an hour before someone from the main hall slowly let her in.

As soon as I entered the room, I saw Concubine Xiang lying on the couch, embroidering flowers leisurely.

Compared with the stunning beauty of Concubine Dunhe, Concubine Xiang was only born with a pretty appearance.

Therefore, what she hated most were extremely beautiful women. Glancing down with disgust, Xiang Guipin stretched out her hand and yawned.

"What do you want from me?"

Shen Qingru sat in the chair and took a sip of tea calmly. She had lived under Xiang Guipin's roof for many years, so she naturally knew Xiang Guipin's temper.

He hates pretty women the most, and for the same reason, he is also the most jealous of them.

Even her appearance has been a thorn in Xiang Guipin's side for many years. If she saw Chen Fu's.

Putting down the teacup, Shen Qingru raised her head. Her eyes fell on Xiang Guipin's face: "I am here to bring you a message."

"What news do you have?" Xiang Guipin said as she put down the needle and thread in her hand. When she looked down, her body involuntarily sat up straight.

I have to say that Shen Wanyi is still extremely smart. Even though I've been living under her nose for all these years.

But occasionally giving her some advice can definitely bring you benefits.

Therefore, although Xiang Guipin hated Shen Wanyi's charming face, she still let her stay in Changqiu Palace safely.

"I know that Your Majesty has always disliked women who are too beautiful." Shen Qingru thought of the stunning glimpse she had yesterday, and her eyes were still a little dazed.

In fact, she had just seen Shen Fu’s face yesterday.

She had always been the eldest daughter in the Shen family before, but she had heard that the Shen family had a younger sister who was raised in Suzhou.

But she had neither seen nor known what her younger sister looked like.

But she never expected...

Shen Qingru thought of the face she saw yesterday and clenched her palms:

"There is such a person in the Chuxiu Palace now. She is as beautiful as a crabapple, pure and flawless. Her face is like a carefully carved jade. Every part of her is exquisite and beautiful."

But with so many words, it is difficult to show Shen Fu's beauty.

Shen Qingru took a deep breath and stood up: "Your Majesty, do you know what kind of uproar would be caused if a woman like this entered the harem?"

Concubine Xiang narrowed her eyes, then gradually relaxed.

"Yesterday, the Qiongzhou Night Banquet just ended, and the concubine just moved to Chuxiu Palace. How did you know about this?"

The selection of concubines is held every three years, and a large number of new people will enter the harem. It would be a lie for Xiang Guipin to say that she didn't mind.

But she is just a pretty girl after all.

No matter how much he treated her, His Majesty only loved her a little bit.

"Your Majesty, please don't worry about how I found out." Chen Fu has already passed the preliminary selection. As long as nothing goes wrong this month, the day of the palace selection after July will be her time to make a splash.

Shen Qingru's hand holding the teacup trembled slightly.

She would not, and did not want to, watch this happen right under her nose.

"If your Majesty does not believe it, I will bring the person here and you will know it at a glance."

*****

The days are short in summer, so the Ministry of Internal Affairs sent people to the Chuxiu Palace to teach these concubines the rules.

The houses where the concubines lived were arranged according to the status of their family.

The Shen family's family background is not low, but it is not too high when looking at the entire harem.

There were four people living in the house with Shen Fu. Except for Chen Fu, the remaining three are all daughters of fourth-rank officials.

The one with the most prominent family background was Zhou Shuyun, the daughter of the Minister of Rites. But the most beautiful and noisy one was Wang Ruer, the youngest daughter of the Dali Temple Secretary.

Chen Fu had not gone to learn the rules these past two days, using the excuse of being sick. The nanny who taught her the rules came to check on her and saw that she did look very sick, so she didn't force her to get out of bed.

He just warned her that if she failed to learn the rules by then, she would not be allowed to participate in the palace selection.

Shen Fu had never had the chance to participate in her previous life, so she didn't have much expectations.

But the three people living in the same room knew about this. As if they were certain that she would not stay, Wang Ruer and others lost their curiosity about her.

Although they lived in a dormitory, there was a curtain next to each bed. The people who lived in the same room with her for a few days still didn't know what she looked like.

Shen Fu finally breathed a sigh of relief.

That day, the three people in the house went to the Imperial Garden to learn embroidery. After seeing everyone leave, Shen Fu dared to come down to get some fresh air.

But just after she came down, someone came from Changqiu Palace and said that Shen Wanyi was worried about her health and asked her to go over there.

The windows in the house were open, and a light breeze blew in occasionally.

The beauty was half-lying on the purple jade mat, her clothes half-covered, revealing her slender waist.

The plaster had been applied on the front side, and Zi Su held her hand and applied it to the other side. Her flawless skin is as white as snow and as tender as the finest silk.

But now, there are bright red spots on that fair skin, like red plum blossoms in the snow, so beautiful that one can hardly take his eyes away.

Shisu gasped as she watched.

The girl was already pretty, and now even she felt a little embarrassed looking at her.

Her cheeks were burning hot and she didn't dare to look any further. She applied some of the jade cream on her hands and rubbed it on her body. The bruises were gradually covered up.

The fingers with the plaster fell on the thighs, and the fingertips were gently placed on them, rubbing small circles.

As Zi Su stroked the finger, she couldn't help but mutter in her heart: How much strength did His Majesty use?

Three bottles of ointment were used from the neck to the calves, but the tooth marks on the neck were so deep that the purple bruises were visible around them.

The ointment was applied on it, covering it layer by layer, but it couldn't be covered no matter how hard he tried: "It's been two days, and it's not fully healed yet."

Chen Fu skillfully picked a dress with a high neckline and looked into the bronze mirror: "How can it be so easy?"

The aqua-blue silk skirt was so plain that only a few white magnolias were embroidered on the hem. The belt made her waist look so slender that she could hold it in one hand, making her look light and agile.

The only thing hidden behind the figure is the green spots.

When Shen Fu thought of that night, her face turned pale and she looked away as if to hide it.

When Zi Su saw this look, he knew that the girl must be unhappy.

Yes, although the girl was raised in Suzhou since she was a child, she was loved and pampered. How could she have experienced such hardship?

He was raised by the old lady since he was young and was loved by everyone.

Now I have just arrived in Kyoto, and I have encountered this incident as soon as I entered the palace. How can I not feel aggrieved?

"Miss, please take a look at which hairpin to use." Zi Su quickly changed the subject and brought the jewelry box over like presenting a treasure.

The eight-treasure box made of rosewood sparkles with golden light once it is opened.

The Shen family is not considered powerful in Kyoto, and they follow a clean and honest style.

But Chen Fu’s grandfather, the Gu family, is different.

The Gu family is one of the most powerful families in Suzhou. Their ancestors have been engaged in business for generations, and now, this generation has become the largest imperial merchant.

It is precisely because of this that Shen Fu was raised in Suzhou. Not to mention being better than the princesses and princesses in the palace, but it is no exaggeration to say that she was raised in a world of luxury.

Shen Fu lowered her head and glanced at the jewelry box. Because this palace selection was not suitable for being too high-profile, she did not bring much with her.

But even so, each piece of jewelry inside is worth a fortune.

She glanced at the gold and jade hairpins and picked up a plain white jade hairpin: "This one."

The jade hairpin is plain and simple, and the least eye-catching among the gold, silver and jade.

Zi Su didn't expect that she would choose this, and was stunned for a while before putting it on her: "Why are you dressing so plainly, girl?"

"Chen Wanyi was adopted by the Shen family. After entering the palace, she was dressed up in fancy clothes. Miss, you are the legitimate daughter, why are you dressed so plainly? You are inferior to her..."

Zi Su muttered to herself, wishing she could give the best things in the jewelry box to the girls.

Shen Fu shook her head, only finding it funny: "Comparison or non-comparison, where is the point in these aspects?"

She turned her head from the bronze mirror and looked at Zi Su with a chuckle. Her long black hair was slanted with a jade hairpin, and her palm-sized face was not made up at all, but she was so beautiful that people could not take their eyes away.

"Miss...Miss." Zi Su muttered twice and then fell silent.

Yes, with my girl's face, even if she is bare-faced, she is still beautiful enough to outshine all the other girls.

"The eldest lady invites you to have dinner later, so you must be careful." Zi Su checked again carefully and only breathed a sigh of relief after making sure that there was no trace of any marks on the girl's body.

She looks innocent, but she is not stupid.

Even though Shen Fu didn't say a word, she guessed about 70% of it in her heart. How come something happened to these girls just after they entered the palace?

If this matter were discovered, not only would her status as a concubine be ruined, but her reputation would be ruined for the rest of her life.

Chen Fu looked in the bronze mirror. She was wearing a plain silk dress with a high neckline that just covered her slender neck.

Even that trace of absurdity is hidden in it.

Shen Fu's hand fell on it and stroked it. Seeing that things didn't work out, Shen Qingru was sure to plot against her a second time.

She wanted to see what Shen Qingru was planning by inviting her over today.

*******

Changqiu Palace was quite remote, and it was almost dark when Chen Fu arrived.

Since it was Concubine Xiang who had given the notice, the well-mannered nanny let the person go without hesitation.

When we arrived at Changqiu Palace, the moonlight was already hazy.

As soon as Chen Fu walked into the side hall, someone quietly slipped towards the main seat.

"I told you that you have been feeling unwell these days and have lost some weight." Shen Qingru watched the young eunuch running towards Concubine Xiang in the main hall.

He retracted his gaze and looked at Shen Fu carefully for a few times.

Chen Fu's outfit today looked casual, but even so, she was still eye-catchingly beautiful.

The last time they met, Shen Qingru knew that Shen Fu must be her mortal enemy. But the casual way Chen Fu dressed today made her realize that she had to be eliminated.

"Sister." Shen Qingru gently and warmly pulled Shen Fu's hand, and retracted her gaze from a distance: "Come into the house."

It was hot and humid in the summer, and two basins of ice were placed in the Changqiu Palace, which immediately dissipated the heat.

Shen Qingru's face was full of courtesy.

With a gentle face, he placed a bowl of rock sugar bird's nest soup in front of her and said, "You have lost so much weight in just a few days since entering the palace. I am worried. I will ask the imperial physician to check you out later."

Shen Fu raised her head to meet her face.

Shen Qingru was very beautiful and had been carefully dressed after entering the palace for many years. At this moment, his face was full of concern and worry.

There is no sign of the vicious heart hidden in secret.

"Thank you, elder sister." Shen Fu smiled at Shen Qingru, and her profile was as gentle as water when she lowered her head.

Shen Qingru was stunned for a moment.

It was only after she saw Shen Fu that she understood why the Shen family wanted to adopt her.

Her profile and back profile are exactly 70% similar to Shen Fu.

It’s just that Chen Fu grew up in Suzhou, and has some of the tenderness and gentleness of a Jiangnan girl.

Even though she looks similar to Shen Fu, her temperament is different after all.

Shen Qingru thought about the beauty recipes she had used over the years. She wondered if it was because she had suffered in her childhood, but she had been carefully taken care of in the Shen family for so many years. Even though her appearance was 60% to 70% similar to Shen Fu, it was still far from being as delicate as Shen Fu's.

If the face in front of her was hers, she wouldn't have to think so much...

Thinking of this, Shen Qingru clenched the silver chopsticks in her palm.

Shen Fu caught a glimpse of it from the corner of her eyes, and her lips curled up to smile more charmingly: “Eldest sister is so good to me.”

She lowered her head and took a sip of soup before blinking: "It's just that the window was not closed a few days ago and I got caught in the wind. I will be well by the time the imperial physician comes. Don't worry, elder sister."

Shen Fu's smile was full of innocence. Shen Qingru looked at her carefully for a few times and didn't see anything wrong, so she breathed a sigh of relief.

To be honest, she had been worried these past few days, fearing that she would find out what happened that day.

Thinking of that ridiculous night, Shen Qingru was still panicked.

It was she who personally delivered the person to the Emperor's bed.

Although Shen Qingru knew that this was dangerous, she did not regret it. Although she has been in the palace for five years, the Emperor still dotes on her.

But as time went on, she felt that the love and affection she felt was obviously fading.

Shen Qingru thought of countless ways, but there were too many women in the deep palace. Although she is very beautiful, there are people who are more beautiful than her.

Before she entered the palace, her beauty was unmatched, but after entering, she discovered that there is always someone better than her.

Shufei of Yikun Palace, Rong Zhaoyi of Yonghe Palace, and the legendary Concubine Wan, all of these concubines were more beautiful than her.

Even if she puts all her effort into her makeup and appearance, she can't beat their natural beauty.

Gradually, she could only focus on her belly.

Throughout history, a mother’s status has always been determined by her sons.

In order to regain the emperor's favor, Shen Qingru wanted to get pregnant as soon as possible. But I never expected...

Shen Qingru thought of what the imperial physician said to her while kneeling on the ground, and her fingertips trembled slightly.

Seeing the young lady's expression, Fengchun quietly stepped forward and couldn't help but remind her when his chopsticks fell, "Young lady, the food is getting cold."

When Shen Qingru heard this, she clenched her palms, and then released them.

She looked up at the person opposite her and couldn't help but take a deep breath.

"Why are you looking at me like that, elder sister..." Shen Qingru's eyes had been on her face just now, but Shen Fu pretended not to know.

With an innocent look on his face, he asked, "But is there something on my face?"

Shen Qingru's eyes flickered slightly. She knew very well what such a face and figure meant to the harem, to this deep palace.

Once His Majesty has tasted it once, there is no way he can let it go.

"No..." She chuckled and shook her head, glancing behind her.

Just then, footsteps were heard at the door.

The young eunuch trotted in and said excitedly, "Congratulations, young lady. Congratulations, young lady."

Shen Qingru turned her head and raised her eyebrows. She didn't look surprised at all, but she still pretended to be surprised and asked, "What's the good news?"

The young eunuch didn't notice Shen Qingru's expression, he knelt on the ground and said happily: "My lady, the emperor is here."