Chapter 118 Substitute
Liu Yuetang knew very well that the reason Xiao Heng could pamper her like this was not only out of pity, but more importantly, out of his understanding.
The most important point is that he has no family background and no children.
He can pamper himself without any scruples, without having to worry about other factors.
The two of them didn't say anything more and returned to the palace to avoid being seen.
Unfortunately, he met Concubine Zhao walking towards the Imperial Garden again.
She was wearing a rouge-red dress, and the warm sunlight reflected on her cheeks, making her look bright-eyed and white-toothed, delicate and graceful.
Concubine Zhao rarely wore such bright clothes. In this outfit, she looked like a red plum blossom blooming in the snow, especially her eyebrows and eyes, which were elegant and cold.
On the other side, Concubine Zhao also saw Liu Yuetang.
When their eyes met, a sharp hostility quietly emerged in each other's eyes.
Liu Yuetang bowed and said, "This concubine greets Her Majesty Zhao Fei."
Concubine Zhao walked up to her with light lotus steps and looked at Liu Yuetang with drooping eyelids.
At this moment, she seemed to be standing on a high place looking down at an insignificant ant.
Liu Yuetang didn't need to look up to feel the contempt and disgust in her eyes.
Since the superior did not tell her to stand up, she naturally could not do so. She could only keep her knees bent and maintain a dignified posture.
Seeing that she had not lost her composure at all, Concubine Zhao looked at her headdress and bun, but found that she had not done anything out of line.
"It's already February, and Concubine Xi is still wearing a skirt with wind fur."
After looking at Liu Yuetang for a long time, she said this sullenly.
Her legs were sore and weak, and Liu Yuetang didn't want to endure it any longer, so she raised her hand to stroke the snow-white hairs on her shoulders and smiled: "It's my body that's not good enough. I'm afraid of the cold and can't stand the heat. This dress was made by the Imperial Household Department under the order of the Emperor. I must wear it as soon as possible because of the Emperor's kindness. Otherwise, once it's put in the warehouse, only my younger generation can wear it."
When Concubine Zhao heard her words, her expression changed slightly, and her cold eyes fell on Liu Yuetang's delicate face: "Are you telling me how much the emperor loves you?"
Liu Yuetang said calmly, "I dare not. I am only answering the words of Concubine Zhao truthfully."
After saying that, she lowered her hand from Fengmao, but before she could lower it, Zhao Fei grabbed her wrist.
Liu Yuetang was confused and stood up to look at Concubine Zhao.
Concubine Zhao stared at the bracelet on her hand, staring at Liu Zizi: "Is this a reward from the Emperor?"
Liu Yuetang pulled her hand away, stroking the bracelet on her hand, which was moist and translucent, and said, "It was a gift from the Emperor."
Concubine Zhao narrowed her eyes slightly, her expression was unfathomable, and a smile slowly blossomed at the corner of her mouth for a long time.
"Do you think that the Emperor has given you these honors because he loves you so much?"
Liu Yuetang showed a hint of doubt as she continued, "Do you know that the pattern on your bracelet is the plum blossom that I love so much?"
"So what?" Liu Yuetang replied calmly.
Her calm demeanor caught Concubine Zhao's eye, and her smile deepened. "What does the Emperor call you in private, Tang'er?"
Seeing that Liu Yuetang didn't answer, she raised her eyebrows slightly: "In the past, the emperor also called me Tang'er."
There was a glint of pride in her eyes: "Tell me, when the emperor calls you Tang'er, will he think of me?"
Liu Yuetang gave her a faint smile: "Your Majesty, you should ask the Emperor this question."
After saying this, she pretended to suddenly realize something and said, "Oh!" "I forgot, Your Majesty, you haven't seen the Emperor for a long time, right? Then, Your Majesty, would you like me to ask the Emperor if he still remembers you?"
The smile on Concubine Zhao's face gradually faded, and her eyes became sharp and angry: "Concubine Xi, you don't understand what I'm saying, right?"
"What I mean is that the reason why the Emperor favors you so much is because of me."
Liu Yuetang looked at her blankly.
Concubine Zhao curled her lips and looked at her leisurely. "Your figure and demeanor are very similar to my former self. And because your name also contains the character 'Tang', the Emperor's favor towards you is nothing more than treating you as my former self in my youth."
Liu Yuetang frowned slightly, and she suddenly remembered that when she first entered the palace, many concubines had said that they were somewhat similar to Concubine Zhao.
Seeing Liu Yuetang's dazed expression, Concubine Zhao raised her chin slightly and held up the handkerchief in her hand: "See, I love red plums, so most of the jewelry the emperor gave me are engraved with red plums. And your bracelet... hehe."
She sneered twice: "The emperor really treats you as my concubine."
Liu Yuetang's dazed expression changed slightly, and she looked directly at her: "Your Majesty, are you so sure that I am your substitute?"
"Substitute?" Concubine Zhao sneered.
"You will never be able to replace me. It's just that you look a bit like me, so the emperor favors you a little more."
She stepped forward, glaring at Liu Yuetang with cold contempt, and spoke word by word, "I'm telling you, if I want to compete for favor, no one in the palace can match me. Don't try to flaunt the Emperor's affection for you in front of me."
After saying this, she turned around and left with an imposing manner.
Liu Yuetang looked at her back, a slight smile on her lips: "Confidence is good."
Liu Zheng's frown relaxed slightly. "My lady, are you saying...that what Concubine Zhao said shouldn't be taken seriously?"
Liu Yuetang raised her foot and walked forward slowly, saying softly, "I only believe eight out of ten of her words at most."
The other two points are, when Xiao Heng called Tang'er, did he really think of Concubine Zhao?
When you first saw yourself, did you feel that you were somewhat similar to the former Concubine Zhao?
It was naturally impossible for him to become Zhao Fei's substitute.
Why would you rush to find a replacement when the person you love is still alive?
As for why Concubine Zhao asked Xiao Heng why he favored her so much, only she knew how much effort she had put in behind the scenes. Every word, every expression, and even every tear was based on the emperor's preferences.
However, she could not tolerate the emperor thinking of other people through her.
Didn’t Concubine Zhao just say that if she wanted to compete for favor, everyone else in the palace would have to stand aside?
She also wanted to test what position she held in Xiao Heng's heart and whether she had any connection with Concubine Zhao.
So, Liu Yuetang returned to the palace and reported her letter date to the Jingshifang.
Liu Zheng was apprehensive: "My lady, we are deceiving the emperor...what will we do if we are discovered?"
Liu Yuetang closed her eyes slightly and leaned back on the couch with a relaxed look on her face, doing her skin care.
"My period should have come today, maybe in the next two days."
"If the Emperor comes, you will say that I am ill and cannot see him."
"Why?" Liu Zheng was puzzled.
Liu Yuetang touched the fairy light powder on her face and slowly spoke with her cherry lips: "Because... I am hurt by love and don't want to see him."
Women cannot always obey everything.
In the past, she would listen to whatever Xiao Heng said.
I suffered injustice for him, shed tears for him, and considered the overall situation for him.
I'm afraid that after a long time, men will feel that everything is what women should do.
Lovers bow their heads for love, but not too much.
Be gentle yet firm, and be close yet distant.
Now, it's his turn to guess what he's thinking.
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