The two men looked at each other, crouched forward, their hands on the swords at their waists, looking as if they were facing a formidable enemy.
With a "click" sound, Eunuch Cao hurriedly protected the emperor.
The guards behind him also drew their swords and stood in front of the emperor.
"It's okay," the two guards who came forward smiled back, "I just accidentally stepped on a dead leaf."
The emperor pushed Eunuch Cao away and frowned, "All of you, go up and knock on the door."
This Concubine Shu is really something. She is a concubine after all, but there is no one at the palace gate.
The guards took orders and stepped forward. Just as they reached the steps, ropes suddenly flew out from both sides of the palace gate and tied up the guards who were on alert. Finally, a net fell down and trapped them all.
The trapped guard lay on the ground and couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Fortunately, Concubine Shu had changed the trap to a non-lethal one.
Before the emperor could speak, a very impatient and slightly irritable voice came from the closed palace gate.
"Is it that reckless person who has trespassed into my chambers again? Do you think he has lived too long?"
As soon as the words fell, the tightly closed palace gate suddenly opened, and the Concubine Shu, dressed in a blue dress, walked out. She was not wearing any makeup, and her black hair was tied in a bun. There was no head ornament on it, but it was covered with some sawdust.
"My Lady, it seems to be the Emperor."
The palace maid Tao Ye beside her carefully reminded the unhappy Concubine Shu.
Concubine Shu followed Tao Ye's gaze and saw a familiar bright yellow figure and Eunuch Cao standing together.
"Your Majesty, I am sorry for not coming to greet you in person." Concubine Shu said as she walked up to the emperor and gave a very perfunctory salute.
Without waiting for the emperor to tell him to stand up, he stood up straight on his own, looked at the guard who was caught in the net and struggling like a silkworm cocoon, and shook his head.
"A bunch of losers, they even fell for such a simple trap. Taoye, untie them."
"Shufei, I came to see you for something."
Concubine Shu smiled and said, "Your Majesty, please come in."
The two followed Concubine Shu inside. Concubine Shu's bedroom was different from that of other concubines.
The bedrooms of other concubines are as luxurious as possible, and are filled with the scent of flowers, fruits, or incense.
Her bedroom was particularly unique. There were tools scattered on the floor that the emperor and eunuch Cao could not understand, and the floor was covered with sawdust.
The wind blew outside, and the air was filled with the smell of sawdust and wood chips.
"Your Majesty, please sit wherever you like."
The emperor nodded and sat down at the round wooden table beside him. Fortunately, the bedroom was big enough and there was no sawdust on the floor.
"Shufei, I remember your bedroom wasn't like this before."
Concubine Shu poured him some tea, poured herself a cup, and looked around her bedroom, saying nonchalantly, "It's a bit messy, but it's okay, just clean it up."
The emperor took a sip of tea, realizing that he didn't understand what he meant, and continued, "I'm talking about those valuable ornaments you had in there before. How come they're all gone?"
Eunuch Cao discovered it as soon as he entered the room. If this was not the imperial palace, he would have mistakenly thought that Concubine Shu's bedroom had been robbed.
Nothing of value is left, it is as shabby as it can be.
"Oh," Concubine Shu understood and said shockingly, "They were all sold by me."
She made some things, but the materials were too expensive and her salary was not much, not enough for her to spend.
"You said you sold them all?" The emperor's face was full of disbelief. "The palace didn't pay you a salary?"
Concubine Shu answered as a matter of course, "I made it, but it was spent."
As she spoke, she seemed to remember something. "Your Majesty, those things are mine in my chamber. If I sell them, you won't punish me, right?"
emperor:"……"
Not wanting to argue with her, the emperor remembered the purpose of this and changed the subject.
"Are you used to managing the harem these days?"
Tao Ye beside her hung her head. Her queen never took care of the harem. She locked herself in the bedroom all day long, doing nothing. The few times she went out was to withdraw money.
"It's a habit. Everything remains the same. No one else said anything to me, right?" Concubine Shu glanced at Eunuch Cao.
Eunuch Cao forced a smile and shook his head.
The emperor was very pleased.
"Luo'er's full moon banquet is coming soon. Since you, Concubine Shu, are now able to manage the harem with ease, I will leave this matter to you."
"Your Majesty, I am not familiar with this either. Why don't you hand it over to the Minister of Rites or the Empress?"
Letting her organize the banquet, wouldn't that ruin the little guy's full moon party?
After Concubine Shu finished speaking, she felt that Eunuch Cao's expression seemed not right, and she raised her eyebrows slightly.
I didn't say anything wrong. Could it be that something interesting happened outside and she didn't know about it?
"Empress Shufei, there is no queen now." Eunuch Cao reminded softly.
Concubine Shu glanced at the emperor secretly. She didn't know the reason and didn't ask any further questions.
I plan to ask Tao Ye to go out and find out later.
"The Emperor can ask the Minister of Rites to do it, so you can rest assured."
......
at the same time.
When the other concubines in the palace heard that the emperor had come to Shufei's palace, they all came to Feiyu Palace with angry faces.
They planned to let the emperor make the decision for them.
Normally they were afraid of the traps set by Concubine Shu and did not dare to come, but today they finally got the chance.
The emperor discussed with Concubine Shu and decided to let the Minister of Rites organize Yu Yiluo's full moon banquet.
Just as I was about to get up and leave, I heard hurried footsteps coming from the door.
The footsteps were getting closer and closer, and a group of concubines, both plump and thin, came in one after another, holding up their skirts.
"Your Majesty, you must make the decision for me, wuwuwu."
A huge group of people knelt on the ground, crying and asking the emperor to make the decision.
"What's going on?" The emperor frowned. "Don't cry, anyone who cries again will be banished to the cold palace."
The crying stopped abruptly and the bedroom became quiet in an instant.
"Your Majesty, Sister Shufei has withheld our monthly salary. You must take action for us."
Concubine Shu held her forehead, caught the emperor's gaze, regained her composure, and said calmly, "They are talking nonsense. They took the initiative to give it to me."
The Emperor glanced at the people on the ground and asked uncertainly, "Is it really as Concubine Shu said?"
Just as they were about to speak, they saw Concubine Shu take advantage of the emperor's inattention, with a threatening look on her face, raise her hand and make a gesture of wiping her neck towards them.
Then, with a forced smile, he said, "Sisters, please be careful with your words. The little princess's full moon banquet is coming up, and I intend to give her a gift. You knew I was short of money, so you gave me your own monthly salary. How come you are now accusing me of withholding your monthly salary?"
The kneeling concubines exchanged glances with each other, trying to recall when they had said they would give their monthly salary to Concubine Shu?
"Why aren't you talking? Have you remembered everything? Or do you think I shouldn't spend your money on a gift for the little princess?"
Everyone: “…”
Shufei continued to speak with an understanding smile on her face.
"If you think this money shouldn't be given to the little princess, I'll go get the gift back. I can't let you sisters bear a grudge against the little princess, right?"
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