Chapter 19: Concubine Jing's Change of Mind
"Master, Concubine Hua is here with us."
Hanzhu, the maidservant beside Concubine Jing, hurried into the room.
"What? Why is she here? Is she here to cause trouble again?"
Jingpin has always kept her distance from Hua Fei's arrogance, but she also knows that sometimes she can't avoid it just because she wants to.
After so many years, she can be considered an old hand in the palace, and she has witnessed Hua Fei's methods countless times. She tried her best to reduce her presence, but she didn't expect that she still couldn't escape after all.
"Why."
After sighing deeply, Jingpin still had to respectfully walk out the door to welcome Huafei's arrival.
"I pay my respects to Her Majesty Hua Fei. I was unaware that I had not come to greet you. Please forgive me."
"Get up."
Hua Fei looked at Jingpin in front of her with a normal expression. She noticed the uneasiness that flashed across her face. Thinking of her previous attitude towards the concubines in the harem, she could understand what she was thinking.
"May your Majesty, Concubine Jing, be blessed with good health!"
This was the first time that Zhen Huan officially met Concubine Jing. She had only met her once in Jingren Palace when she first entered the palace, and she had not paid much attention to her.
"This must be Concubine Wan, please stand up."
I have always heard that this Wan Changzai has been very close to Hua Fei during this period. It seems that the rumors are true, but I don’t know what kind of person this person is.
"Your Majesty, please come in."
No matter how many doubts she had in her heart, Jingpin still invited the two into the house.
"It's been a while since I've had this much of a chat with Concubine Jing. It just so happened that Concubine Shen invited me to taste the lotus root starch and osmanthus sugar cake today, so I took advantage of my free time to come and see Concubine Jing."
After sitting down, Nian Shilan took the initiative to start a conversation. She used to be jealous of every woman who caught the emperor's eye, and she had suppressed Jingpin a lot. Now that she let go of her obsession, she found that Jingpin had never taken the initiative to provoke her.
"It is a blessing for this concubine to have the Majesty's care. Concubine Shen is smart and skillful, so her pastries are naturally good."
Feng Ruozhao was actually very uneasy. She didn't know what Concubine Hua was trying to do, but she had to agree with her on the surface.
"I won't beat around the bush with you. For such a long time, the Emperor seems to have not even entered the gate of your Xianfu Palace. Don't you have any ideas? You should know that sometimes you have to actively strive for favor."
This is the main purpose of Nian Shilan's coming here today. If she wants to overthrow the queen, she must gather all the people she can win over to her side, and Jingpin is one of the good choices.
"Your Majesty is wise and wise. I would never dare to have such thoughts."
Feng Ruozhao was so frightened that she immediately stood up and came to Nian Shilan to pay her respects. She knew that Hua Fei's arrival today was not simple, and she wanted to accuse her of competing for favor.
"Okay, stand up and sit down."
Nian Shilan rolled her eyes helplessly. Could it be that she was really too spoiled in the past? How could she be scared like this just by saying a few words?
She came here because she knew that Feng Ruozhao had not had much ambition in these years.
"I have no other motives, Jingpin. I know you've been a concubine for so many years, since the Emperor was in the palace. You've been here since the Emperor was in the palace. Even if I give you the title of concubine, you deserve it. Do you understand what I mean?"
Although Feng Ruozhao has always been gentle and hides her edge, she also understands the way to survive in the harem. Now she understands the deep meaning of Hua Fei's words, but what she doesn't understand is why Hua Fei suddenly chose her. Is this another test from the other party?
"Alright, I know you still have doubts in your heart, but it's enough that you understand what I mean now. Let's go and see Concubine Shen. Her lotus root powder and osmanthus sugar cake should be ready by now."
Nian Shilan did not expect that Feng Ruozhao would completely trust her just this time, but she was not in a hurry. With time, she would naturally believe it.
"I thank the Empress Hua."
In the palace, Feng Ruozhao had hardly ever had such a gathering with other concubines except for the servants who served her. Now, she was invited by Concubine Hua to join them. Why did she feel flattered?
The nights in Xianfu Palace were long when the emperor never set foot there. She would always walk around the house quietly, and she could even notice a speck of dust in the corner at the first moment.
Now I can sit here and chat with so many sisters. It really feels strange, and my heart doesn’t seem so empty anymore.
Feng Ruozhao watched Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang chatting easily with Nian Shilan, and a relaxed smile unconsciously appeared on his face. He hoped it would always be like this in the future.
"Your Majesty, Eunuch Su just went to the palace to pass on the message that the Emperor will dine with us tonight."
Songzhi walked in from outside and whispered to Nian Shilan what had just been heard from Yikun Palace.
What a bummer!
Nian Shilan sighed in her heart. She had originally thought about having dinner with them again, but it really is true that man proposes, God disposes.
"I can't dine with you tonight. We'll have to wait until after New Year's Eve to make another appointment."
Nian Shilan looked at the people sitting next to her with a look of pity. The unconcealed expression on her face made Zhen Huan chuckle.
"Your Majesty, how much do you miss me? How about I take you back to the palace later?"
"Oh my, Miss Wan is so sharp-tongued and has become more and more bold. Now she even dares to tease me."
Nian Shilan couldn't help but touch Zhen Huan's cheek, but she didn't show any anger.
She is indeed at the age of youth and beauty. Look at Bai Ruoxue's skin, it feels so smooth.
Feng Ruozhao looked at the scene in disbelief.
Is this the same Concubine Hua I've met before? Has she been switched? Why is she so different from the one I remember?
But, the current Hua Fei made her feel the urge to get close to her.
"Okay, I won't argue with you anymore. I have to go back. I still need to make final confirmations for tomorrow's New Year's Eve banquet. Jingpin, please think carefully about what I just said."
"I will remember your Majesty's teachings."
This time Feng Ruozhao's answer was much more sincere, and she was willing to take another gamble.
In the long night ahead, even without the emperor's favor, it seems like a good thing to have a sister by your side.
Nian Shilan nodded, said goodbye to everyone and left Cunju Hall.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Concubine Cao has been in poor health recently and seems to be bedridden."
On the way back to the palace, Songzhi walked beside Nian Shilan and talked to her.
"Oh, it's so serious, I have to go and take a look."
Nian Shilan was not surprised by Cao Qinmo's situation. Compared with Cao Qinmo's betrayal of her in her previous life, she did not think that she was cruel now. She always wanted to nip everything in the bud before she completely betrayed herself.
"The lilies sent from the flower shop haven't stopped during this period, right?"
"Never. Concubine Cao has always loved lilies. After Princess Wen Yi left, the flower room has been sending lilies to her continuously. Perhaps seeing the flowers she usually enjoys has helped Concubine Cao's health."
Songzhi knew very well what Concubine Hua meant. Ever since Princess Wen Yi was sent to Concubine Duan to give birth, she had made arrangements according to Nian Shilan's request.
No one would have thought that the lily stamens were mixed with colorless and odorless powder every day, which would evaporate into the air when it came into contact with water. In just ten days, it would cause people to suffer from nightmares all day long.
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