Chapter 177: Assisting the Six Palaces
The second day.
After the rain, all the vegetation in the palace was clean and bright.
Fu Liu looked at the dragon chariot that had stopped in front of her and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor seems to be in the Lotus Garden. Do you want to go?"
The Queen looked up and said, "Let's go. I just want to discuss with the Emperor about letting Concubine Xi assist in managing the harem."
Fu Liu frowned slightly, "Your Majesty, are you really planning to hand over the power of assisting the six palaces to Concubine Xi?"
"You're not afraid... not afraid..." She glanced at the queen, and hesitated to speak.
"Are you saying that you're afraid she'll gain power and favor one day and surpass me?"
Fu Liu nodded.
The queen smiled lightly, and the dark black and rouge between her eyebrows complemented each other like a picture.
"Fu Liu, I am the Empress Dowager. As long as I live, no woman in the world will surpass me."
"I've always said that one can't have it all. The women in the harem are like the flowers in the imperial garden. If ordinary flowers grow side branches, I'll prune them. But if I come across a rare and exotic flower, I'll also take the trouble to carefully nurture it."
"Only in this way can the spring scenery in the garden be in line with my wishes."
Fu Liu lowered her head in embarrassment: "It is my humble opinion that is short-sighted."
The queen's brocade shoes stepped on the wet bluestone slabs, and the pearls on the phoenix crown swayed, reflecting a cold halo in the sunlight.
"You are not short-sighted. This time, I also want to test the emperor's intentions."
"What does Your Majesty mean?" Fu Liu looked at the Queen in confusion.
The Queen pursed her lips slightly, her thoughts lingering on the past: "Have you forgotten? The Emperor in the past would not allow anyone to surpass Concubine Zhao, no matter in terms of favor, status or power."
Fu Liu was stunned, and recalled the time when Concubine Zhao first entered the palace...
Because the emperor became the emperor, he broke his childhood promise and failed to give Concubine Zhao the position of wife. Therefore, Concubine Zhao was extremely unwilling and sad after entering the palace.
The emperor promised her the title of Imperial Concubine in the future and told Concubine Zhao that even if she could not be crowned as empress, the title of Imperial Concubine would remain hers forever and no other concubine would surpass her.
The Emperor also told the Empress about this matter, that no concubines should be allowed to surpass Concubine Zhao.
"However, Xipin has only been in the palace for two years... I don't think she can compare with Zhaofei."
"So I want to test it out." The Queen raised her head slightly.
"If this goes ahead, Concubine Zhao will definitely make a scene. The Emperor's patience with her is no longer what it used to be. If this continues, her importance in the Emperor's heart will only become less and less, and it will be difficult for her to regain her former favor."
Moreover, she is now somewhat unable to do what she wants. If she focuses on the harem, she will not be able to spend more time teaching and accompanying An'er.
If Liu Yuetang could help her manage the six palaces, she would have more free time.
She was not afraid that Liu Yuetang would become a tiger in the future.
She believed that even if it was a tiger, it was a tiger that knew its limits.
At least this tiger was promoted by her, so that the emperor would not have to ask Concubine Zhao or the new concubine who would enter the palace in a year to assist in managing the harem.
Fu Liu nodded: "That's good. It's time to let Concubine Zhao suffer a setback. Whenever I think of the injustice that the Empress suffered..."
"It's all in the past, why bring it up again!" The queen interrupted Fu Liu.
Fu Liu quickly closed his mouth and said "yes" in a low voice.
When the queen approached the lotus garden, she discovered that Concubine Zhao was also there.
The lotus flowers after being washed by rain become more beautiful and charming. The water droplets on the lotus leaves reflect soft light, like a gorgeous painting.
The queen stepped forward and greeted Xiao Heng.
Xiao Heng turned around and saw that it was the Queen. He immediately asked, "The Queen is also visiting the Lotus Garden?"
Concubine Zhao stood beside Xiao Heng, slightly bent her knees and bowed, but did not speak.
The Queen nodded and replied, "When I saw the Dragon Chariot just now, I knew that the Emperor was in the Lotus Garden. I came here specifically to discuss something with you."
Today, Xiao Heng was wearing a light blue suit with ink-wash bamboo leaves embroidered on the hem. The breeze blew gently, making his usually majestic features look much softer.
"What does the Queen want to discuss with me?"
The Queen raised her lips gently, "Yesterday, I asked Xipin to help check the internal affairs account books. She found the false accounts at a glance and also knew the money spent at a glance."
"I thought it would be better to let Concubine Xi take over the duties of assisting the harem temporarily, so that I can spare more energy to take care of the princes."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhao suddenly clenched her handkerchief and looked up at Xiao Heng.
Seeing his eyes sparkle, she asked, "Oh? Concubine Xi is actually capable of settling accounts?"
The Queen smiled faintly and nodded gently, saying, "Indeed, Xipin is attentive and intelligent. I believe she will be a good helper to me."
Xiao Heng nodded and was about to agree when he heard Concubine Zhao's cold voice ask beside him, "What benefit did Concubine Xi give to the Empress that makes you hold her in such high esteem?"
Upon hearing this, the Empress looked at her with her phoenix eyes. The smile on her lips remained, but a chill inexplicably settled over her. "What does Concubine Zhao mean by this? Concubine Xi has done a great job checking the accounts. Publicly, this is to relieve the Emperor's worries, and privately, it's to help me solve a problem. I did this for the safety and harmony of the harem, but Concubine Zhao sees this as selfish?"
Xiao Heng was slightly displeased and looked at Concubine Zhao: "Concubine Zhao, the Queen is the Central Palace. No matter what she does, it is for the good of the six palaces."
"Besides, Xipin is not the kind of person who would resort to trickery for her own selfish desires."
Concubine Zhao's face turned pale. "Xipin, Xipin, nowadays, whenever the name Xipin is mentioned, the emperor will believe it without a doubt as if he were possessed.
How could there be someone in this palace who doesn't use tricks?
The light in her eyes faded away, and she stared at Xiao Heng blankly: "Does the emperor want Concubine Xi to help manage the harem?"
Seeing Xiao Heng's hesitation, Concubine Zhao bit her lower lip lightly with her pearly teeth and said, "Your Majesty, please don't forget what you promised me."
Concubine Zhao's voice reminded Xiao Heng of his old promise. He hesitated for a moment and silently turned the jade ring on his hand.
A light misty purple dress came into view. The queen turned her head and saw Liu Yuetang standing not far away.
She smiled slightly and motioned Liu Yuetang to come forward.
Liu Yuetang vaguely heard the conversation between the few people, but she did not hear it all. However, she clearly heard the words "Assist in Managing the Six Palaces" and Concubine Zhao's words of obstruction.
Liu Yuetang walked forward slowly, her skirt dragging on the ground was light and flowing, and the patterns on it were like the gurgling of a mountain stream.
She stared at Xiao Heng's back. After pondering for a long time, he finally spoke: "Xipin has always been weak and has only been in the palace for two years. It is difficult for her to win the support of the public. Let's discuss this matter later."
Liu Yuetang's feet paused, and her palms clenched the handle of the white jade fan.
The moment she saw Concubine Zhao, she knew that this would not succeed.
Now that Xiao Heng refused, it was not surprising.
However, since she no longer had the power to assist in managing the six palaces, she had to recover her losses from other places.
Liu Yuetang's face was filled with a charming glow as she slowly bowed and said, "Your Highness, I greet the Emperor, the Empress, and Consort Zhao."
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