Chapter 68 Chapter 68 Palace Maid's Sixty-Eight Days (Edited)...

When I walked into Songhezhai, I saw the queen mother sitting at the head of the table, her eyes half closed and her face gloomy and angry.

Beside her stood Lady Jiang.

Shen Qing lowered her head and walked to the Queen Mother, knelt down and kowtowed, saying: "Your servant greets the Queen Mother, may the Queen Mother be blessed with good health."

Lady Jiang's gaze fell on Shen Qing's waist, her eyes flashed. The jade pendant seemed to be a pair with the one the emperor wore at the New Year's Eve banquet last year. Judging from the color and carving, there was no mistake.

Her eyes fell on Shen Qing's bun again. The bright pearl and jade hair accessories, each piece was luxurious and unparalleled. As a beauty, she had never enjoyed many pieces of such quality.

The emperor actually took it out and piled it on a palace maid.

It is not unfair to say that she seduced the emperor from entering the harem.

Lady Jiang was so focused on Shen Qing's outfit that she even forgot that Shen Qing had not greeted her.

Lady Jiang didn't say much, and the empress dowager didn't bother to mention it either. She had seen a lot of good things, but what was on Shen Qing alone was not enough to move her.

The Queen Mother said, "Raise your head and let me have a look."

Shen Qing stood up, but he still kept his brows lowered, his mouth straight, and he never looked directly at the empress dowager from beginning to end.

The empress dowager swallowed the words "petty" that she was about to scold, and thought to herself that it was no wonder that the prince would take action against this palace maid. It was really a good meal that was right here, and it would be a loss if she didn't use it.

She looked even better than she did a few months ago, quiet and delicate. Just standing there, she had a fragrance of her own.

The little girl doesn't look coquettish or charming, but rather has the appearance of a quiet and gentle woman.

She might be very pampered in front of the emperor, but she was quiet and obedient in front of her. It seemed that she would not refuse anything she asked, let alone use the emperor to pressure her, the empress dowager.

The Queen Mother looked at Shen Qing, wondering what kind of trouble could she have caused that would warrant Concubine Jiang asking her to seek justice?

She could help Concubine Xian with the affairs of the Emperor's harem because Concubine Xian's surname was Yan. Concubine Jiang had already obtained the title of beauty, but it was really inappropriate for her to bother her with trivial matters in the harem.

Nanny Xianghui stepped forward and whispered something to the Queen Mother.

"The emperor is already busy with government affairs, yet you keep pestering him all day long, asking him to accompany you in riding and archery. Do you know you are in the wrong?" The empress dowager's eyes swept across Shen Qing's face, with a majestic look on her face.

The Queen Mother has been in a high position for a long time, and her vision is not something that ordinary people can bear, but Shen Qing has been with the Queen and the Emperor for a long time, and has also been trained.

Besides, the empress dowager's power is not as great as that of the emperor, so her aura is not as strong.

She thought quickly and responded.

Shen Qing lowered her head with guilt and sorrow, and quickly admitted: "Reporting to the Queen Mother, I know I was wrong."

Concubine Jiang was anxious. Seeing that the empress dowager seemed to be hesitant to speak, she thought to herself that Shen Qing should not stay in the emperor's bedroom any longer. Riding and shooting arrows were just the emperor's hobbies, otherwise he would not have held a hunting event.

After hearing Shen Qing's answer again, he was shocked. He didn't understand why she didn't argue with her eloquent voice. It was too easy to understand what the Queen Mother said.

The emperor is not busy with state affairs, otherwise he would not have such elegant taste.

The Queen Mother was wrong.

If the emperor doesn't like riding and archery, no matter how you try to persuade him, it will be useless.

The Queen Mother said coldly: "Since you know you are wrong, then kneel down before the Bodhisattva and confess your mistake. I have a bowl of mixed beans here. Are you willing to use chopsticks to carefully divide it into three portions?"

Shen Qing: "I am willing."

The Queen Mother looked at Xiang Hui and said, "Xiang Hui, take her away. Don't let her bother me."

Nanny Xianghui said yes, and Shen Qing stood up, backed away with Xianghui, and walked to the ear room according to her instructions.

There is a small Buddhist temple in the side room of Songhezhai. The smoke from incense curls around a statue of Guanyin at the back.

In front of the incense burner is a round cushion.

Madam Xianghui whispered, "The Empress Dowager also often recites scriptures and chants Buddhist scriptures here."

Shen Qing understood what she meant. Even the Queen Mother knelt down to worship the Buddha. So why should she feel wronged for kneeling here when she was still young?

Xianghui asked someone to bring the things and handed a pair of thin chopsticks to Shen Qing.

Picking beans is the most demanding thing, especially when the beans are not full and wrinkled. If you are not careful, they will slip off the chopsticks. And the chopsticks used are thin and long. They can no longer be called chopsticks, but two long sticks.

A large bowl filled with mixed beans and three identical small bowls were placed in front of Shen Qing.

Without even taking a breath, she began to sort them.

She picked up a bean and put it in the bowl, then counted silently.

I was thinking to myself, I want to see which bean Ji Chen will come.

Outside, the atmosphere became quiet after Shen Qing left. After a few breaths, the Queen Mother stroked her forehead impatiently: "What do you want to say?"

Concubine Jiang became nervous. Although she was dissatisfied with the Queen Mother's intensity of torture, she did not dare to say anything.

When the Queen Mother asked this, she mustered up her courage and asked tentatively: "Queen Mother, are you going to let Shen Qing stay by the Emperor's side as a maid?"

Concubine Jiang thought the same as most of the concubines. It would be great if she could prevent Shen Qing from becoming a concubine. But since she couldn't prevent it, she thought it was better to prevent it. Rather than continuing to be a maid beside the emperor, it would be better for her to become a concubine early.

"Your Majesty, why don't you issue an imperial decree to promote Shen Qing to Baolin? This will not only not wrong her, but also preserve the emperor's reputation, and it sounds legitimate."

The Queen Mother glanced at Concubine Jiang, who was hiding something in her mind, and shook her head inwardly.

Concubine Jiang told her that the emperor's reputation was damaged because of Shen Qing and there were many rumors. That's why she summoned people over. She was indeed angry in her heart.

A mere palace maid who obstructed the emperor should be executed.

But after seeing Shen Qing, her mood slowly calmed down.

Is it wrong for the emperor to favor someone?

As the empress dowager, she would target whoever the emperor favors. Concubine Yan and Concubine Yu would not be so comfortable. In the long run, are they afraid that the emperor will become alienated from their mother?

The most important thing is that Shen Qingchang is indeed not a domineering and trouble-making person.

Besides, the emperor already has three sons. Didn't the emperor have a harem before? But these concubines and noble ladies are all pregnant but don't have any good news.

Even if Shen Qing did not monopolize the emperor and distributed his favor to these concubines, how many good news could they get in a few months?

If you haven’t gotten pregnant for a year and a half, it’s probably a waste.

The Queen Mother glanced at Lady Jiang and said, "Li Jieyu's favor is less than yours, how come she can get pregnant but you can't?"

Lady Jiang's face suddenly turned red, and she was speechless.

The Queen Mother added: "I don't ask for a prince, but even if it's a princess, it can make the palace lively, you, you."

The Queen Mother shook her head regretfully, admiring Concubine Jiang's face which was changing from red to white.

How dare someone like her instigate her to confront her prince?

The Queen Mother continued to poke at Lady Jiang's sore spot: "Your appearance is not as good as the favored concubines, so you are not the one who should be anxious. You are a lady from a noble family after all, why are you so impatient?"

The Queen Mother didn't want to admit that she was the one who lost her composure at first after listening to Concubine Jiang's words.

At this time, Concubine Jiang had already covered half of her face with an embroidered handkerchief. She vaguely thought that the Queen Mother must have done it unintentionally.

Otherwise, why would he always gouge her heart?

Concubine Jiang relied on the Empress Dowager, and immediately her nose felt sore and tears fell, she vented her grievances and said: "Empress Dowager, the Emperor has raised my status, and it is time for me to be favored."

How could she not feel angry and anxious when such a good opportunity was ruined?

The Queen Mother said calmly: "You can't be favored."

Concubine Jiang cried even harder and looked at the Queen Mother in confusion.

"Your position is due to me. Even if you are favored, it will only last for a day or two. Ask yourself, can you keep the emperor?"

Concubine Jiang recalled the indifferent look the emperor once gave her, and shook her head slowly and unwillingly.

The Queen Mother thought Concubine Jiang was a fool, but in this palace, only Jiang was truly with her, so she didn't mind breaking things down and telling her: "The Emperor's favor is limited. If Shen Qing is given more, there will be less favor from Concubine Yu, Concubine Yan, and Concubine Chu. Some people can survive without favor, such as Concubine Chu, who has her father, brother, and Concubine De to rely on. Some people must hold on to favor to keep up with others, such as Concubine Yu, Concubine Yan."

"And you, you have an aunt, and it's not a bad thing to have less favor. Is there anyone in the palace who dares to treat you badly?"

"It's not you who should wade into this muddy water, but someone else. Just wait and see, among the three of them, which one will make it to the end."

Concubine Jiang was in tears. She thought too highly of herself. In fact, she had no right to be jealous of someone who would be favored by the emperor for a long time.

Concubine Yan and Concubine Yu took advantage of this and wanted her to fight with Shen Qing.

Concubine Jiang was ashamed and did not dare to mention this matter to the Queen Mother. Otherwise, if the Queen Mother knew that she was so easily used as a knife, she would think she was useless.

The Queen Mother had already called her "idiot" several times in her mind, and then she felt relieved. Seeing this, she waved her hand and told Concubine Jiang to leave.

When Concubine Jiang came out of the house, she met the Emperor who had dismounted from his horse and was walking quickly towards the Empress Dowager's residence. From the corner of her eye she caught a glimpse of the Emperor's slightly disgusted look at her, and her body stiffened, but she still bowed her head to greet him.

She was complaining in her heart, and she was afraid that the emperor had already determined that she was the one who instigated the empress dowager.

While Lady Jiang was complaining about Concubine Yan and Concubine Yu, she was already overwhelmed by regret. Ji Chen walked into Songhezhai and took a quick look. He didn't see Shen Qing and couldn't help wondering.

"Mother." He looked at the Queen Mother. His expression remained calm, but he pursed his thin lips slightly, revealing that his heart was not as calm as he appeared.

The Queen Mother was delighted to see the Emperor. Although she knew who he came for, she was in no hurry to mention it.

She asked the palace servants to serve tea to Ji Chen: "This is your favorite drink in the past. I have always asked someone to prepare it for you."

Ji Chen had no mood to drink tea. He had just finished meeting with the ministers when he heard the news. He hurried here from the government hall. Only before he came in did he look a little more calm.

If he didn't meet Shen Qing earlier, he would feel uneasy and would be blamed later.

You don't have to think about how Shen Qing would blame him: You are so annoying. You came so late and made me suffer for so long.

He also had some understanding of his mother. If he valued Shen Qing too much, more than his mother, she would definitely vent her anger on Shen Qing in her heart even if she didn't say anything.

Ji Chen picked up the tea in front of him, took two sips, and quickly put it down: "Mother, I have already drunk it."

The empress dowager felt Ji Chen's earnest anticipation and anxious gaze, and could not bear to meet his gaze, so she lowered her eyes.

When Ji Chen was young, he loved to play and did not pay attention to his studies. She was very angry at the time and ordered him to complete a certain amount of homework before he was allowed to play with his little bow and arrow or be taken to the imperial garden by the palace servants.

After returning from the study, Ji Chen just took a few bites of rice and looked at her intently without telling her the purpose, because he knew that playing too much would make her unhappy.

She was always soft-hearted and couldn't refuse him.

Gradually, Ji Chen grew up and no longer showed any desire for anything, nor did he neglect his studies because of playing around.

Although Ji Chen did not say it explicitly, the empress dowager also knew that Ji Chen liked that palace maid.

I love her so much that I use the same methods I used when I was a child on her.

The Queen Mother's past memories were awakened, and she raised her chin slightly: "In the small Buddhist temple."

When Songhezhai was being renovated, Ji Chen scanned the layout on the blueprint and knew where the small Buddhist hall was. He was delighted and said, "Thank you, mother!"

Then he walked quickly towards the ear room.

Here, when Shen Qing counted to the 199th bean, she faintly heard Ji Chen's voice. Before she could pick up another one, she heard the sound of the curtain being lifted.

She turned around and saw Ji Chen as expected. She glared at him with a mixture of joy and resentment, but then she remembered that Nanny Xianghui was beside her and lowered her head uncomfortably again.

When Ji Chen saw Shen Qing, the corners of his lips curled up unconsciously, and he felt sweet when he received her resentful look.

He took two or three steps forward and pulled Shen Qing up. He put his hands on Shen Qing's knees and frowned, "Why are you kneeling? Why did Mother treat you like this?"

He was reluctant to let Shen Qing kneel, and even in special circumstances, he quickly changed the posture.

Considering the time he spent on the road, his knees must have turned red.

Nanny Xianghui pretended not to hear Ji Chen's complaints to the Queen Mother.

Shen Qing's lips curled up, but she didn't respond. Knowing that this was not addressed to her, she mentioned another matter in a resentful tone: "You came when you had the 199th bean."

Ji Chen's hands gently rubbed her knees, and the numbness and soreness were relieved a lot.

Ji Chen's eyes fell on the bowl of mixed beans. He understood the Queen Mother's method of torturing people, and felt indescribably heavy in his heart: "I am late."

Shen Qing still felt aggrieved, and the main thing was to let Ji Chen know her grievances.

Otherwise, it will happen again and again. This time it's the Queen Mother, and next time it's someone else who takes advantage of Ji Chen's absence to use his position to suppress her. Then she will really suffer endlessly.

She was supposed to be a concubine and enjoy life, she couldn't suffer like this.

Ji Chen pulled the unhappy Shen Qing to the couch nearby. He was not in a hurry to leave, but said to Xiang Hui: "Mammy, bring some ointment to dissolve the bruises and relieve the pain."

Xianghui went to get it for the emperor personally.

The Empress Dowager had a lot of good things here, most of which were gifts from the Emperor, so Xianghui would not fool people with ordinary ointments, but took out the only bottle of medicine.

Ji Chen asked the others to turn their backs, then he pulled up the pants under Shen Qing's skirt, exposing one knee first.

Shen Qing's skin was delicate, and as he expected, it turned red.

Shen Qing watched Ji Chen apply the medicine to her calmly and seriously, so he didn't say anything to spoil the fun, saying that the red mark would disappear on its own after a while.

Ji Chen loves Baogui, so let her do it. She even wishes for it.

After applying medicine to both knees, Ji Chen was still not in a hurry: "Rest for a while, then go see the mother."

He sat on the couch and held Shen Qing in his arms.

Shen Qing took advantage of Nanny Xianghui's inattention and quietly hit Ji Chen, then blinked and waited for Ji Chen's reaction.

If Ji Chen indulges her, she will become more and more aggressive. If he keeps a stern face, her attitude will naturally soften.

Ji Chen grabbed Shen Qing's hand, put it to his lips and kissed it.

He felt that this was Shen Qing's restrained reaction. It would be surprising if Shen Qing didn't make trouble with him after suffering so much injustice because of the Queen Mother.

It can't be said to be indulgence. Ji Chen felt that he would rather Shen Qing had a worse temper, so that if she met other concubines and was wronged, she could let the palace people teach her a lesson.

After this incident, Ji Chen deeply felt that being domineering is good, and being a little domineering is great.

If Shen Qing caused a big fuss today, he would be confident enough to handle it.

When Ji Chen came, he had anticipated all kinds of possibilities, but he never expected that Shen Qing would obediently accept the punishment. However, when he thought of her past appearance, he was left with only heartache.

Ji Chen looked at Shen Qing, but Shen Qing turned his face away without giving him any face and snorted.

Seeing this, he couldn't help but feel depressed. He was angry at Shen Qing's incompetence. What was the point of throwing a tantrum in front of him? However, this also showed that his love gave Shen Qing the confidence to lose her temper in front of him, so this kind of anger was not so strong.

I was actually a little proud of it.

Ji Chen gently scratched Shen Qing's nose.

Shen Qing softened his attitude and started playing with Ji Chen's hand.

After a while, Ji Chen asked Nanny Xianghui to take the bowl of mixed beans and take Shen Qing to meet the Queen Mother.

Shen Qing silently changed his expression and pretended to be docile and well-behaved.

After thinking about it carefully, she felt relieved that she had not complained to the Queen Mother just now.

Before Ji Chenren came up to the Queen Mother, he said, "If you are short of people to distribute the beans, I will do it myself. How do you think?"

Although Ji Chen's words seemed like an ordinary inquiry, the serving palace servants heard something was wrong and knelt down silently. They could almost foresee the serious situation between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor that was about to break out.

When the Queen Mother heard this, she immediately understood that this guy was very confident.

Shen Qing looked at Ji Chen in shock. If Ji Chen hadn't held her hand tightly, she would have wanted to kneel down as well, as she had to give Ji Chen face.

She looked at the Queen Mother in panic, her eyes filled with the desire to survive.

Queen Mother, please understand! I am not exaggerating!