Chapter 142 The Red Jade Bead is in Xiaolan's Hands
Since the Ice Skating Festival, the Emperor would come to Rou Changzai's palace from time to time. Her tenderness and affection were deeply loved by the Emperor.
"Your room smells so good, it's just like you."
At this time, dinner was ready, and Xiaolan was standing by, carefully arranging all the meals neatly.
"She is indeed your personal maid. She looks as cute as you."
The emperor glanced at Xiaolan and praised her casually. Concubine Rou just smiled gently and said nothing else, but Xiaolan caught the coldness that flashed in her eyes.
"So much time has passed in a flash. I still remember that when you first entered the palace, you didn't talk much. You always stayed quietly in your own little space at every banquet. Now you have become even more peaceful and quiet."
The emperor picked up a piece of food with chopsticks and put it into Rou Changzai's bowl.
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am where I am today thanks to your grace and the care of the sisters in the harem. Now I have no other worries in the harem. I live happily every day, and naturally my temperament has become calmer."
"The noble concubines Hua and Xi are becoming more and more virtuous, and the concubines are getting along very well with each other. This is the harmony in the harem that I have longed for. Seeing you like this, I feel very pleased."
The emperor held up his wine glass and gently clinked it with Rou Changzai. Looking at her shy face, he couldn't help but feel a surge of emotion in his heart.
The night was getting deeper and deeper, and the emperor showed no intention of leaving.
"Your Majesty, I will help you change your clothes."
Rou Changzai could feel the emperor's fiery gaze on her, and the blush on her face deepened a little. The emperor's gaze towards her became even deeper.
In Jingren Palace, the queen sat in front of the dressing table, quietly combing her long hair.
"Which palace did the emperor rest in today?"
"Your Majesty, the Emperor is with Rouchang today."
Jianqiu answered cautiously. She knew that although the Queen wanted to use Rou Changzai to win over the Emperor's heart, after she truly won the Emperor's favor, how could the Queen not have any resentment in her heart?
As expected, the queen paused, looked at herself in the mirror, and a sarcastic smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.
"Jianqiu, do you think this is right or wrong? Over the years, women have come and gone in this palace, and there are more and more young and beautiful women. Does the emperor still remember which direction my Jingren Palace is in?"
What woman in the world is really willing to let her husband share his love with other women? But some things cannot happen as she wishes.
"Tell me, if my sister were still alive, after all these years, she would have lost her beauty just like mine. Would the Emperor still love her as much as before? I really regret it. I should have let my sister see what she looks like now."
Jianqiu was so frightened by the queen's words that she immediately looked around, then waved her hand to let the other maids in the room leave.
"Your Majesty, we must never say such things again. No matter what, the Emperor still has some feelings for Queen Chunyuan, and this will be useful to us in the future."
Jianqiu knew that this was the deepest pain in the Queen's heart. Although she felt distressed, she knew better that she had to remain calm at this time.
"Your Majesty, the Fourth Prince is increasingly favored by the Emperor. You still have more important things to do in the future. You must not give up all your previous efforts."
Speaking of the Fourth Prince, he is a very capable person. He knows how to seize every opportunity to interact with the Emperor. Now the Emperor is much more patient with him than before.
"Although the Fourth Prince's marriage did not go according to the Empress's wishes, I heard that he is now very much favored by his teacher, and his studies have been praised several times by the Emperor."
Jianqiu gently massaged the queen's forehead.
"I was right in my initial judgment, but I also know that this Fourth Prince has his own little thoughts. As long as he doesn't go too far, I won't be unwilling to tolerate him."
How could the Fourth Prince be a simple-minded person when he has been able to survive on his own without the protection of his maternal family?
"My lady, there is one more thing I need to tell you."
Jianqiu thought about the news she had just received today, pondered it for a long time, and decided to report it to the Queen.
"Tell me, what's the matter."
"It's about Concubine Rou. Today, I heard from the servants of Chuxiu Palace that Concubine Rou's personal maid, Xiaolan, recently acquired a string of exquisite red jade beads. They're said to be very precious. Perhaps because they were so precious, she deliberately showed them off to others."
"Exquisite red jade beads?"
"According to the servants' description, it looks very similar to the one that Her Majesty bestowed upon Concubine Rou before. But for some reason, it appeared in Xiaolan's hands."
The queen had nothing to understand after hearing this.
"It seems she is dissatisfied with my arrangement for her. She may have forgotten that if it weren't for my help, she would still be a small promise, and the emperor would not take her seriously."
The queen never expected that Rou Chang, who looked so well-behaved on weekdays, would actually be so courageous in secret.
There are already annoying people like Nian Shilan and Zhen Huan in the palace, and now this Rou Changzai is so useless. The queen feels more and more uncomfortable.
"Jianqiu, my head hurts so much."
"My lady, please don't worry too much and take care of yourself."
The next day, everyone came to Jingren Palace to pay their respects. As per custom, the queen simply chatted with everyone for a few minutes and then let them leave.
"Rou Changzai, the Queen wants to see you."
Just as Rou Chang was about to follow everyone out of Jingren Palace, Jianqiu came over and blocked her way, her eyes lingering on Xiaolan beside her for a moment.
"Okay, thank you, Aunt Jianqiu."
Although Rou Changzai didn't know why the Queen summoned her, she still followed Jianqiu back to the inner hall.
"This concubine pays homage to Her Majesty the Queen."
"Sit down."
It was impossible to tell what the Queen's mood was from her voice; she just spoke in a very calm tone.
"By the way, where is the string of red jade beads that I gave you before? Why haven't I seen you wear it before? Don't you like it?"
The queen looked at Rou Chang and said something calmly.
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