Chapter 208 Seeking Help from the Queen
Sun Jieyu put on her coat and shoes and planned to set out under the cover of night, but just as she opened the door, the cold night wind blew on her face, instantly extinguishing her impulsiveness.
"Jieyu? Why did you come out? I accidentally fell asleep. Damn it!"
The sound of the door opening made the young palace maid standing guard outside kneel down with a look of unease on her face. She felt that she had followed a master who was easy to serve. Although she was not favored, her position as a concubine was there, and usually no one would come to pick a fight with her.
As the days of peace and comfort grew, Jieyu rarely called for help at night. She fell asleep without realizing it and was caught red-handed.
"It's nothing. I just couldn't sleep, so I planned to go for a walk in the yard. But it's getting darker and the dew is heavier, so I'd better forget it."
Concubine Sun's eyes flickered slightly. She gazed at the nearby palace with lingering fear and breathed a sigh of relief. It was a good thing she hadn't stepped out yet. In the middle of the night, the palace had guards patrolling the palace, and who knew how many more spies were secretly operating.
Ever since Concubine Sun found out what her father was doing, she has deliberately distanced herself from the emperor, fearing that she would not be able to hide the truth and cause trouble for her family.
But being in the harem, there was no way to completely circumvent it, so she bribed the imperial physician and claimed to be sick all year round. After pretending for a long time, the people who were greedy for profit and forgot their principles simply removed her name card.
Unless the emperor took the initiative to think of it, the cat would be happy and comfortable in this corner of the palace. But everything has its pros and cons. For example, now, her actions have blocked her retreat.
Traveling in the dead of night would inevitably attract attention, so even if she wanted to seek help, she would have to find an inconspicuous way. As a concubine in the harem, the most direct and effective way to get close to the queen was to pay her respects every morning.
"Call me early tomorrow. I've counted on my fingers and it's been quite some time since I've paid my respects to the Empress. The Empress has been kind to me, and now that she's feeling better, it's natural for me to go visit her."
Concubine Sun had made up her mind. She gave the little palace maid a word of advice and when she turned back to her bed, she felt much more at ease.
The next day, early in the morning, in the Queen's bedroom, in the inner hall.
When the first ray of sunlight shone through the window, Jiang Mengyuan had already opened her eyes on the bed. She was the mistress of the six palaces and the empress of the imperial court. She had to dress up and prepare to receive the respects of the concubines every day.
"Your Majesty, please wash up. When I came in, I took a look and saw that there is a rare guest today. A concubine has been waiting outside..."
The maids who attended to her quietly gossiped while she was styling Jiang Mengyuan's hair. The Empress had already gotten up early, and Concubine Sun was a recluse who rarely showed up. She must be a rare guest...
As the saying goes, there is no early rise without a reason. I got up early this morning to visit you, probably because you have something to ask for.
"Jieyu..."
Jiang Mengyuan paused, her hand still sifting through her drooping eyes. There were only two or three imperial concubines in the palace, and the fact that someone had come to her for help, especially since it was so early in the morning and she hadn't had the time, made the answer obvious.
But from what she knew, Concubine Sun was a quiet person with almost no desire to compete for power or favor. Could it be that this visit, unable to bear the loneliness of the deep palace, had opened her eyes?
"I understand. On ordinary days, these sisters rarely see each other. Even if they meet every day, it's unlikely that the Emperor will come to admire them. So let's keep it simple today."
Jiang Mengyuan was confused and naturally had no intention of dressing up. She simply asked the palace maid to keep things simple so that she could give Concubine Sun some time to talk alone.
As the Empress, she could certainly leave him alone after paying her respects, but such an unusual action would inevitably draw attention. Within the deep palace, cunning and scheming were commonplace. This Concubine Sun was someone she had been told to protect before she even entered the palace.
Jiang Mengyuan doesn't want Sun Jieyu to be targeted because of a little disturbance. After all, things like falling into the water and accidentally getting pollen poisoning are common things in this square world.
Concubine Sun clutched her handkerchief and sat on a pearwood chair in the outer room, waiting. She wasn't sure if the Empress would help her, but she had heard in her father's letter that she could seek the Empress's help. Her trepidation had driven her to take the risk.
"May the Empress be blessed with good health."
Hearing the sound of the beaded curtain in the inner room, Concubine Sun stood up from her chair almost reflexively, and her legs went limp as she knelt on the ground with her head lowered.
"Okay, everyone, go out. I want to talk to Sister Sun alone."
Jiang Mengyuan was a little confused by Concubine Sun's kneeling. She nodded slightly to signal her personal maid to take everyone out. After everyone had left, she quickly stepped forward and gently helped Concubine Sun up.
The word "sister" is actually a humble title. Sun Jieyu actually entered the palace earlier than Jiang Mengyuan. When the emperor was still a prince, she was already a concubine in the prince's mansion. She was just a low-key person, so her presence was not strong.
"I, a humble concubine, dare not address myself to the Empress as her sister. But I beg the Empress to save my life!"
Concubine Sun's tears fell as soon as they started, and they landed on the back of Jiang Mengyuan's hand with a plop. She didn't dare to hope for the opportunity to see the emperor, and this time she came to learn a little about the emperor's attitude from the queen.
After all, according to the letter, the emperor might already be suspicious of his father. He had never competed for favor, so showing up at this time would inevitably arouse the emperor's suspicion.
Secondly, his acting skills were really poor, and if he revealed any mistakes, it would only bring trouble to his family. On the other hand, the Empress and the Emperor were in love, so it would be easier for him to spread rumors and gather information.
Jiang Mengyuan had initially thought it was a major event, but she was relieved to find out he was just asking her to sound out the situation. She rarely interfered in the affairs of the previous dynasty and wasn't particularly sensitive to the direction of the wind.
Since my father specifically asked the caregiver to come to me, it's not impossible to do a favor...
The concubines greeted each other one after another, exchanged a few pleasantries, and soon dispersed like the tide. Before leaving, Concubine Sun looked back worriedly, and only after receiving a reassuring look did she go back with a heart full of peace.
"Send someone to keep an eye on it. If the emperor finishes his morning court, invite him over. Just say that I'm free and have been thinking of some snacks, and I beg the emperor to accompany me..."
Jiang Mengyuan rubbed her temples, made arrangements for the follow-up, and then turned around and went into the small kitchen to prepare. Although she was a noodle master with a purpose, she still had to be sincere in her preparations.
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