Chapter 8 Cao Qinmo's Test
"Noble Lady Shen, the Emperor has chosen you to serve tonight. This is a first-of-its-kind favor among all the new ladies! Please get ready quickly."
The eunuch from the Jingshifang came to tell Shen Meizhuang the good news with excitement, and after receiving the reward from Shen Meizhuang, he started to say a lot of good things.
Shen Meizhuang's face was full of shyness. Her family had made special preparations for her selection before she entered the palace. She had learned all the etiquette and rules thoroughly, and her heart was full of longing for the future.
The facts were indeed as she wished. In the following period of time, she was treated differently by the emperor. Among all the new concubines, she was not only summoned the most times, but also received the most rewards.
"The Emperor has arrived!"
One day, when Shen Meizhuang and the maids were admiring the chrysanthemums in the courtyard of the palace, the emperor suddenly came here.
"How are they? Do you like these chrysanthemums? There are some green chrysanthemums in the greenhouse recently. I spent a lot of effort to get them. I have asked someone to send them to you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your gift. I am very happy. I admire the unique pride and integrity of the chrysanthemum."
After hearing this, the emperor looked at her meaningfully, then turned his attention to the name of the hall in the courtyard. He felt that the name of the hall was not in line with her temperament, so he directly changed the name to Cun Ju Hall.
"By the way, I came here to tell you something. I've noticed that you're a very steady person these days, and I thought since you're idle anyway, why don't you learn some housekeeping stuff from Concubine Hua? The Queen is always unwell, so this way you can help Concubine Hua share some of the responsibilities."
Although Shen Meizhuang said that she had never been involved in these things and did not know how to manage palace affairs, after the emperor's repeated consolations, she finally accepted such an arrangement.
What happened in Cunju Hall soon spread to Yiku Palace.
"Empress Hua, that noble lady Shen is so ignorant of her own limitations that she took on this matter. She doesn't even consider her own weight. The management of the six palaces has always been handled by the Queen and Empress Hua. How can a noble lady like her, who has only recently entered the palace, have such a say?"
Cao Qinmo, who was sitting aside in Yikun Palace, had an indignant look on her face, and her words showed that she felt sorry for Concubine Hua.
If it were me in my previous life, after knowing the emperor's decision and with Cao Qinmo's constant whispering in my ear, I would have already regarded Chen Meizhuang as a thorn in my side.
Seeing the calculation hidden deep in Cao Qinmo's eyes, Nian Shilan did not fly into a rage as she had wished, but just sat there quietly listening to her constantly listing all the faults of Shen Meizhuang.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Office has sent this month's records. Please check them."
Songzhi walked in from outside holding a thick account book in her hand.
After taking it, Nian Shilan flipped through it casually. As expected, Shen Meizhuang was very favored during this period. Now she was asked to learn about the affairs of the harem. It seemed that the emperor wanted to find someone to check her position.
She sneered in her heart. Fortunately, she had seen the reality clearly and would not fall into these love affairs again. But her heart was still a little cold, and she felt sorry for her previous life.
"Your Majesty, that Concubine Shen has slept with you quite a few times this month, right?"
Cao Qinmo asked tentatively.
Since she arrived at Yiku Palace, she chatted with Concubine Hua as usual, but she always felt that Concubine Hua's attitude towards her was a bit strange. Also, when she mentioned Concubine Shen, Concubine Hua didn't lose her temper. This was really too abnormal.
"Why? Do you have any ideas?"
Nian Shilan gave her a cold look.
Don't think that she doesn't know what Cao Qinmo is thinking. In her previous life, she did many things that were considered cruel by others. Although she was jealous, Cao Qinmo's instigation was also indispensable.
"Empress Hua, how dare I have any thoughts? I just feel that Concubine Shen is so highly regarded by the Emperor. If we don't restrain her now, will she..."
She gave Hua Fei a meaningful look, and her words revealed that she was completely considering Hua Fei.
"Alright, I'm a little tired today, please leave first."
Nian Shilan didn't want to waste any more words with her. She had not forgotten that in her previous life, it was the person in front of her who had dealt her a heavy blow when she was down and out, and this hatred would always be repaid.
"Yes, I'll take my leave."
Even though Cao Qinmo was very dissatisfied in her heart, she did not dare to show it on her face.
After Cao Moqin left, Nian Shilan sat there in deep thought for a while, then suddenly stood up.
"Songzhi, follow me to Suiyuxuan."
She decided not to wait any longer, she had to take the initiative, otherwise she didn't know how long it would take for her to get closer to Zhen Huan. This ally must be brought to her side as soon as possible so that it would be easier for her to do what she was going to do next.
? Suiyuxuan?
Songzhi thought she had misheard. When did her master have contact with the one from Suiyuxuan?
"Songzhi?"
Nian Shilan took two steps and found that there was no one around her. She turned around and looked at the little girl behind her.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I will come right over."
Songzhi came to her senses and quickly took two steps to catch up. Fortunately, Nian Shilan was not angry about her behavior.
"My lady, my lady, Concubine Hua is here with us."
Liu Zhu was the first to notice Nian Shilan heading towards Suiyuxuan. She was so scared that she quickly ran into the house. Her mistress was still in poor health according to what she had said to the outside world.
"Hua Fei? Why is she here?"
"Hurry, Huanbi, help me put on some makeup on my face."
Zhen Huan had no time to think about Nian Shilan's purpose in coming to Sui Yuxuan. She quickly sat in front of the dressing table and asked Huanbi to quickly put some makeup powder on her face to make her complexion look less rosy.
"Court Lady Hua is here at this time to inquire about your condition?"
It just so happened that Shen Meizhuang came here not long ago, and unexpectedly met Hua Fei here.
"Ever since I announced that I was unwell, only you and Sister An would come to Suiyuxuan. I didn't expect that others would either not come or such a powerful figure would come."
Zhen Huan had been mentally prepared for the flattery and bullying of those people in the palace. Originally, everyone thought that she would gain power overnight because she was given a title before she even entered the palace. During those days, the Sui Yuxuan was packed with people.
It has only been a few days, and now even some of the servants here have started to have second thoughts.
Soon, Nian Shilan and others stepped into the threshold of Suiyuxuan.
"This concubine greets Her Majesty Hua, may Her Majesty be well and safe."
"Get up, I heard that Consort Wan is not feeling well, and I have nothing to do today so I thought I'd come over to check on her."
Nian Shilan felt that if she guessed correctly, Zhen Huan's so-called illness this time should be a way of avoiding favor, just like in her previous life.
But she also knew that no matter what she thought in her heart, she couldn't directly expose the other party's intentions.
"Noble Lady Shen is also here. I have learned the Emperor's will. I want Noble Lady Shen to learn how to manage the affairs of the harem with me. If Noble Lady Shen has nothing to do, you can come to my palace tomorrow."
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang looked at each other, both feeling a little confused.
The emperor asked Chen Meizhuang to learn how to manage the harem. To put it bluntly, he wanted to divide Hua Fei's power. According to Hua Fei's personality, she would never let it go after learning about this. But what is going on now?
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