Chapter 111 Concubine Hui
The concubines in the harem knew that their purchase of things from Eunuch Guo had been exposed, and they were in a panic, fearing that the emperor would punish them. Later, they heard that the queen had interceded for them and the emperor handed the matter over to the queen to handle. They were all grateful to the queen.
Now the queen's words were so serious, and they were all heavenly sounds to them. If it weren't for the queen's intercession, the medicines they bought would be found out, which would not only be a real shame, but also the whole family would be executed. The queen saved their entire family.
After the queen finished scolding, she said earnestly, "I entered the palace before you, and I have always treated you as my sisters. There is only the emperor in the palace. You are jealous of each other, and as long as you don't make too much noise, I always pretend not to see it. But you actually learned from Concubine Zhou to do such inappropriate things. How can you still look like a lady from a noble family? Although the emperor has forgiven you now, how can there be no grudge in your heart? You are stealing chickens and losing rice. Today, I am setting a rule here. If you want to fight for favors, I won't stop you, but there is one thing, you can't do anything that harms the emperor's body, or harm the heirs of the emperor, or frame the concubines. Otherwise, you will be beaten to death. Do you understand?"
"I understand. Thank you, Her Majesty!" All the beauties in that courtyard knelt willingly and sincerely. The Emperor even banished Concubine Zhou, whom he had favored for many years, to the cold palace. They didn't even know how these little rascals died. It was thanks to the Empress's righteousness that they would no longer compete for the Emperor's favor, but for her instead.
After the empress sent everyone away, she kept only Concubine Hui. She looked at Concubine Hui and said, "Why are you still dressed so plainly? You look listless. Madam Zhang, take out my emerald green dress and give it to Concubine Hui, and also bring out the sapphire headdress."
Concubine Hui hurriedly knelt down to refuse, "The Empress has given me enough gifts on a daily basis. This is too expensive. I can't wear it out. It's a waste of God's gifts."
The queen smiled and said, "You are beautiful, with fair skin and good looks. You should dress more lively. Go now and let Madam Zhang change for you!"
She said to Concubine Hui's maid, "Taohong, why are you still standing there? Go and help your master change clothes!"
Concubine Hui could not refuse, so she had to go and change. When Huipin dressed up like this, she looked prettier.
The queen's eyes lit up: "I said it suits you. Wear it like this in the future. If you need anything, come to me!"
Huipin thanked her repeatedly. The queen held her hand and said: "You are indifferent and don't fight or compete, but I know that among the sisters in this palace, you are the most sincere to the emperor. It's not easy for the emperor. You should spend more time with him."
Huipin looked puzzled: "Your Majesty, this..."
I have never seen an empress push the emperor to someone else.
The Queen patted Huipin's hand and said, "The palace has prepared ginseng soup. I am too tired today. Please take it to the Qinzheng Palace for me."
Taohong followed Huipin with the ginseng soup in her hand and asked in confusion, "Your Majesty, what do you think the Queen means? Isn't she giving you a chance to see the Emperor directly?"
Huipin had already figured it out. The Queen wanted her to serve the Emperor on her behalf. No one in the palace should be unaware of her feelings for the Emperor, except the Emperor.
Huipin felt warm in her heart and said, "The Queen is a good person."
On the way, Huipin met Gu Huaiyu, who was sending Su Xiaoxiao home. Gu Huaiyu politely greeted Huipin, "Your Majesty Huipin!"
"It turned out to be the Crown Prince. The Queen asked me to take the ginseng soup to the Emperor." Huipin was afraid that the Crown Prince would misunderstand, so she hurried to explain.
The prince nodded slightly at her, with a smile on his face that made people feel like spring breeze.
[Empress Hui really likes the emperor. When the palace was broken, she committed suicide in front of the emperor. She hopes that the emperor can treat her better in this life. ]
After hearing this, Gu Huaiyu respected Concubine Hui a little more. He said, "Father is worried today, so I have to trouble Concubine Hui."
When Concubine Hui heard this, tears were about to fall out. The prince was so sensible. He had not yet received the emperor's favor, but Concubine Hui was already a die-hard fan of the empress and her son. The emperor
was sulking in the Qinzheng Hall, angry that he was fickle and neglected the empress who was his first wife because of Concubine Zhou. The women in the harem said one thing to his face and another behind his back. On the surface, they were all devoted to him, but in reality, they all wanted to suck his blood out of him.
No wonder his health was getting worse day by day. It turned out that they had drugged him. He would never enter the harem again.
The emperor was thinking resentfully when Eunuch Yang came to report: "Your Majesty, Concubine Hui is here!"
"Concubine Hui?" The emperor asked back. Concubine Hui had an average appearance and was quiet. He favored her once after three years in the palace. Because of her good family background, she was given the title of concubine.
Xiaojiu said that she always looked at herself at banquets. In the whole harem, except for the queen, she was the only one who didn't think of plotting against him. Although the emperor was not interested, he still let her in.
Huipin, who usually wears plain clothes, is wearing something eye-catching today. The sapphire headdress on her head is delicate but not coquettish. She is dignified but also has a hint of cuteness, which makes people's eyes light up.
Huipin bowed respectfully: "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother said that the Emperor has worked hard, so she asked me to bring you ginseng soup."
The emperor's face froze: "The Queen Mother asked you to come, what else did she say?"
Huipin still lowered her head: "The Queen Mother said that the Emperor is suffering, and asked me to serve him well."
The emperor felt sad, the Queen Mother is still blaming me!
The emperor said expressionlessly: "Since it is sent by the Queen Mother, bring it to me for a taste!"
Huipin presented the soup and held it in front of the emperor with both hands.
The emperor accidentally touched her slightly cold fingers and felt a slight tremor.
The emperor saw her as red as peach blossoms, and her expression was nervous. Thinking that someone else had seen him being so shy, his heart softened a little. He held her hand and said, "Why are your hands so cold? Yang Shun, let the imperial physician take a good look at Huipin tomorrow and take good care of her body."
Eunuch Yang immediately agreed, and Huipin thanked him repeatedly. After
the emperor finished drinking the ginseng soup, he said to Huipin, "You look very good in this outfit. In the future, wear more gorgeous clothes, and you will look more energetic."
Huipin talked with the emperor for a while, rubbed his shoulders, and asked to leave when it was time to light the lights. The emperor did not keep her, but as soon as she left, the emperor sent many gifts to her palace. When the queen heard
the news, she seemed to let go.
While combing the empress's hair, Nanny Zhang said, "Your Majesty, I have something to say. You have been waiting for the emperor for so long, and now you have such a rare opportunity, why did you give it to Huipin?"
The empress smiled indifferently, "Some things, once in the past, can never go back to the beginning. Huipin has the emperor in her heart, and I am relieved to have her serve him."
Nanny Zhang sighed and said nothing more.
As soon as Su Xiaoxiao arrived at the gate of the Zhenguo Marquis's mansion, she found that the door was blocked and she didn't know what happened.