Last night, Ji Yunhuan claimed to have a stomachache and was able to drive the emperor away. Otherwise, he would have missed the chance to pay his respects today.
"I'm late, please forgive me, Your Majesty."
The queen laughed. She finally understood why the emperor came. She could see the expression between the two of them clearly.
The rumor that the emperor had sex with Concubine Shu is probably true.
"Since Concubine Shu lives far away, it's normal for her to arrive later than the other sisters. Besides, you're not too late. Some people haven't arrived yet, so I'm afraid we'll have to wait a little longer. Someone, please give me a seat!"
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Ji Yunhuan sat down somewhat stiffly, his eyes slightly lowered, quietly.
Except for the Queen, no concubine present could surpass Concubine Shu, and they even had to salute her in return.
Ji Yunhuan immediately stood up and turned sideways. "You are all sisters who entered the palace first. Huan'er dare not accept such a great gift. Let's forget it."
The queen was even more satisfied. She was a sensible and not arrogant girl, and she also had the emperor's favor. With time, she would definitely be able to suppress Concubine Liu's arrogance.
"In that case, let's forget it. The sisters in the harem are of one mind and one heart. If we keep bowing to each other, it will only make things more distant."
When Ji Yunhuan sat there, the emperor didn't show it on his face, but the empress could see that His Majesty seemed very happy.
"Shufei is very polite and has learned the rules well. No wonder the Empress Dowager likes her. I like her too."
The queen started talking, and the concubines below took the opportunity to praise Concubine Shu.
"Those favored by the Empress Dowager are naturally the best. The Concubine Shu is young and delicate, with a beautiful face. We are ashamed to be inferior to her."
"I've heard that Her Majesty Shufei is renowned for her talent. I wonder if I can obtain a piece of her calligraphy. I'd also like to share in the joy."
"The Empress Shufei is a beautiful lady with a kind personality. She is truly a role model for us."
"Humph! What's with the 'national beauty and heavenly fragrance'? I want to see what kind of person dares to call herself the 'national beauty and heavenly fragrance'. How noble can the daughter of a minor official be?"
Everyone in the palace spoke in a low voice, except for Concubine Liu, who was bright and flamboyant, and whose voice could be heard before she even arrived.
Concubine Liu was dressed in gorgeous palace clothes, with a headband decorated with auspicious clouds and kingfisher feathers, and adorned with gold hairpins. She was extremely gorgeous and wealthy.
She entered the house supported by Shi Liu, with an arrogant attitude and a look of contempt. Not to mention a new concubine who had just entered the palace, she didn't even take the empress seriously!
"Your Majesty? I pay my respects to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, you are finally free today. I go to the Qianqing Palace to pay my respects every day, but you are never free to see me."
As soon as she saw the emperor, Concubine Liu immediately changed her expression, her tone was filled with affection and resentment, and there was no trace of arrogance left.
The emperor did not make any response, not even a glance at Concubine Liu.
He seldom showed his affection for any concubine in front of others, but he went to Concubine Liu's palace more often in the past. In addition, Concubine Liu had a high position and a prominent family background, so she was particularly eye-catching in the harem.
Concubine Liu had long been accustomed to the emperor's attitude. The emperor's majesty was like this. It would be strange if the emperor greeted the concubines in the harem with a smile and tried to please them in every way.
"Your Majesty, are you blaming me for being late? I was entrusted by Your Majesty to manage all matters in the harem, and I am always careful and cautious, fearing that I might make any mistakes and betray Your Majesty's trust."
"I was busy teaching the new concubines yesterday and slept late, so I came late today. I hope Your Majesty will not blame me."
The Queen smiled indifferently, "Normally, Imperial Concubine Liu wouldn't explain so much, but today is unusual. We are all sisters, Imperial Concubine, please don't be polite. Please take a seat."
Concubine Liu sat in the frontmost seat. From beginning to end, the emperor did not respond to her. Instead, his eyes vaguely fell on Concubine Shu opposite him!
This bitch! She hooked the emperor as soon as they met! She's really a restless woman!
"Shufei, why don't you show respect to me? Could it be that you've become arrogant because you're favored by the Empress Dowager?"
Upon hearing this, Ji Yunhuan stood up and said softly, "I dare not, but the Empress just instructed that it would be awkward for the sisters in the harem to greet each other."
"Since the Imperial Concubine is so particular about etiquette, I must naturally pay my respects." Ji Yunhuan bowed and said, "I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine. May the Imperial Concubine be blessed with good health!"
Ji Yunhuan dressed very simply today, but she did not deliberately conceal her appearance.
Even without makeup, her face is still fair and delicate, with rosy cheeks and the innocence unique to young girls.
But her figure is very full, and her breasts are even more proud. When she bends over, a large area of white comes into view, which is hard to ignore.
Concubine Liu touched her chest and felt even more indignant. Ji Yunhuan had obviously bowed obediently, but she still couldn't swallow this anger!
This woman was clearly showing off! She was showing off her youth and beauty, and her voluptuous body, attracting the emperor's attention!
"Kneel down! Your hasty gesture clearly doesn't mean it! You've only just entered the palace, why are you so unruly?"
Ji Yunhuan was surprised. Was Concubine Liu really stupid or just pretending to be stupid? How could she embarrass her in front of the Emperor and Empress?
Or is it that the Liu family has become so powerful that they have no scruples, which is why Concubine Liu is so arrogant and openly deals with the concubines in the palace?
Ji Yunhuan's body trembled as if she was frightened. She looked timidly at the queen above, her eyes filled with fear.
The emperor's lips formed a line, and he felt very unhappy! He was such a grown man sitting here, wouldn't Ji Yunhuan ask him for help? What was he looking at the queen for?
At this time, the emperor had forgotten that Ji Yunhuan was still the "unfavored" concubine on the surface, and the two were not familiar with each other at all.
The Queen understood that this Concubine Shu was really smart and clever. She knew whose power to borrow, and she didn't mind helping a smart person.
"Noble Consort Liu, you scared Consort Shu. Why haven't I seen you so respectful of rules on other days? If we're serious about it, shouldn't you also pay respect to me?"
Concubine Liu was so blocked that she was speechless. The Queen was really showing favors everywhere and did not miss any opportunity to make things difficult for her.
Ji Yunhuan returned to his seat, his eyes filled with gratitude, "Thank you, Queen."
Concubine Liu snorted coldly, looking at Ji Yunhuan with undisguised disgust. "Since the Empress has interceded for you today, I will not punish you. But if you dare to disrespect me again in the future, I will never forgive you!"
At this time, a palace servant came in and asked, "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, the new concubine has been waiting outside the palace for a long time."
The emperor remained silent as usual. He never cared about the affairs of the harem. He came today only because he was worried that Ji Yunhuan would be bullied.
But this girl didn't even look at him. It was obvious that she had a big fight last night and was angry today. She was really getting angrier and angrier!
"We were so busy talking that we forgot about them. It's getting hot outside. Come in quickly."
At the Queen's command, the concubines quickly lined up to enter.
Ji Yonglian stood at the front. Her eyes caught sight of the bright yellow figure at the top, and her heart was filled with excitement.
The other concubines also looked happy. The emperor was there too. This was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
Ji Yonglian knelt down and performed the ritual of three bows and nine kowtows. In a corner where no one was paying attention, her fingers quietly untied the sachet on her body.
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