Chapter 50: Summer Palace
Xiao Heng said gently, "You always waited for me before, so it's okay for me to wait for you once."
"By the way, every year in mid-to-late May I go to the palace to escape the summer heat. You will come with me then."
Liu Yuetang was surprised: "It's only been ten days, how come I haven't heard a single word?"
Xiao Heng's big hands held her slender waist.
"In previous years, concubines resorted to all sorts of tricks to get into the imperial palace, so the queen deliberately waited until the accompanying list was finalized before announcing it."
Liu Yuetang's expression was filled with anticipation, her eyes gleaming with the light of snow. "Except for my childhood in Zhuangzi, I have never left the city."
"The palace has beautiful scenery, nestled between mountains and water. Tang'er can enjoy it to his heart's content when he goes there."
Liu Yuetang raised her head and gently kissed Xiao Heng on the cheek with her delicate lips.
She smiled sweetly: "Thank you, Your Majesty, for taking me there."
Ten days passed in a flash.
The entourage list inevitably includes high-ranking and favored concubines.
Among the concubines who entered the palace with Liu Yuetang, only she and Su Nanqing were fortunate enough to accompany the emperor.
Later, no one knew what tricks You Yunv used to get the eldest prince to speak for her, and only then did the queen agree to let her go.
Naturally, those who went this time were not only the empresses and princes, but also relatives and court officials, and the guards accompanying them were countless.
The emperor and empress were in one carriage in front, while Liu Yuetang and Su Nanqing were in the other carriage.
Su Nanqing's eyes were also filled with joy and curiosity. "This is the first time I've gone on a summer vacation since I was a child."
"Tang'er, I never thought that one day I would be favored and have the honor of accompanying the emperor to the palace. This is the opportunity you gave me."
"You have to seize opportunities yourself. My sister is as gentle as water, quiet and dignified, which is why she has won the emperor's favor."
When mentioning Xiao Heng, Su Nanqing lowered her head and smiled, with her eyes flushed with joy.
"Your Majesty... treats me very well."
Liu Yuetang had long expected that Su Nanqing would give Xiao Heng a refreshing feeling.
Emperors all like gentle and understanding women. Su Nanqing has the gentleness and grace of a Jiangnan woman.
She has a quiet temperament, and sometimes she just stands there quietly, looking as beautiful as an elegant ink painting.
That kind of beauty is not the beauty of birth, but lies in temperament and demeanor.
This is something that none of the concubines have.
"But Tang'er, I heard that the rules in the temporary palace are no more complicated than those in the palace. There will be many officials who will send beauties to the emperor, and maybe when they return to the palace, there will be two more sedan chairs."
After saying that, she pursed her lips gently and bitterly.
Liu Yuetang gazed at the scenery outside the curtains. "There are three thousand beauties in the harem, and countless have never seen the emperor's face. The emperor's favorite concubines are replaced in waves, so sister, you don't have to worry about how many new faces there are around the emperor. Being able to turn new faces into old faces that will stand firm is a real skill."
A woman’s greatest rival is not another woman, but the emperor.
So what Liu Yuetang has to do is to control men, not just deal with every woman who appears.
The women in this harem can never be eliminated.
The sedan was shaking, and Liu Yuetang took a short nap. When the sedan stopped again, they had arrived at the palace.
Wanqiu helped Liu Yuetang get out of the sedan chair. The concubines had been sitting for more than an hour and their waists were sore and their faces were tired.
"Zhao Fei is a foxy woman!" Ming Fei's jealous voice sounded not far away, and Liu Yuetang looked up.
Xiao Heng was seen walking towards Concubine Zhao. Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, his expression was exceptionally gentle and concerned.
"You're not feeling well, are you tired?"
Concubine Zhao's face was calm, and she pursed her lips lightly: "I am not feeling unwell anywhere. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
Xiao Heng extended his hand: "Follow me back to the bedroom."
Concubine Zhao placed her hand in his palm, walked gracefully, and the tassels on her temples emitted a fine halo of light.
Su Nanqing's eyes flickered for a moment.
"Now I understand why they always say that if Concubine Zhao wants to compete for favor, no other concubine can do it."
“The people you loved when you were young are the most unforgettable.”
Liu Yuetang held the round fan above her head and just smiled lightly.
The most unforgettable thing about the love in youth is just those innocent memories.
Otherwise, why do so many young loves end up with mutual dislike?
She turned to look at the queen, who just smiled calmly and walked up the stairs slowly.
When Mingpin saw Liu Yuetang standing there, she knew that she was as sad as she was.
She raised her head, a sneer on her red lips: "Isn't Talent Liu the most favored?"
"But why did I see... Concubine Zhao standing there just now? It seemed like you, Concubine Liu, were just a foil. The Emperor didn't even look at you."
Liu Yuetang was about to look away from Xiao Heng, but as luck would have it, Xiao Heng turned his head inadvertently.
For a moment, their eyes met.
The corners of Liu Yuetang's eyes were red, and her delicate face was like a broken jade, sad and fragile.
Xiao Heng frowned slightly, but did not stop for a moment, and walked forward with Concubine Zhao.
Mingpin was unaware of the situation and smiled awkwardly at Liu Yuetang's expression, "I just said a few words to you, and you're already crying?"
"You're so useless."
After saying that, she curled her lips, took the palace maid's hand and walked forward.
Su Nanqing held Liu Yuetang's arm and said softly, "Are you okay, Tang'er?"
"I'm fine."
Liu Yuetang looked up and forced back the tears.
This damn emperor is not worth my tears.
Liu Yuetang's residence is in Liuyin Palace.
According to the Queen, this is where the Empress Dowager once lived.
So even though the Liuyin Hall is a little small, the furnishings inside are all gorgeous.
The most important thing is that the scenery around Liuyin Hall is beautiful, and it is not far from the Lotus Garden and Chengguang Hall where Xiao Heng lives.
After dinner, Liu Yuetang saw a guqin placed nearby and became interested, so she sat down to play it.
Wan Qiu smiled and said, "The young lady can also play the zither."
Liu Zheng smiled brightly: "Our young master's zither skills are superb, and today is a good opportunity for you to witness them."
"Listen first. I'll go get you some tea."
Liu Yuetang's delicate hands gently plucked the strings of the guqin, and the sound was as clear as pearls falling into a jade plate. It was indeed a fine guqin.
The sound of the zither flowed slowly and gently like the gurgling of water. Just as she was finding her rhythm, Liu Zheng, holding a cup of tea, came in in a panic: "My lady, this servant saw the emperor coming this way."
Liu Yuetang was stunned. Xiao Heng didn't keep Concubine Zhao in Chengguang Palace?
"I don't know whether the emperor is coming to our place or just passing by." Liu Zheng continued.
Liu Yuetang's fingers moved skillfully and seamlessly, changing to a more sad and beautiful song.
Whether it is true or not, she must keep Xiao Heng.
The graceful sound of the piano reached Xiao Heng's ears, and he opened his eyes slightly and looked up.
"Who's playing the piano?"
Zhou Defu quickly said, "Your Majesty, this is Miss Liu's residence."
Xiao Heng was stunned. Can she play the piano?
Thinking of the sad and lonely look of the woman in the daytime, Xiao Heng hesitated for a moment, but finally couldn't bear it and walked through the door.
"Go tell Concubine Mi that I will visit the eldest prince another day."
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