"Your Majesty, the Emperor hasn't sent anyone to keep an eye on you, so why are you taking it so seriously?"
Qianwei came in to serve tea and water. Seeing Concubine Jin hunched over the desk copying scriptures, she couldn't help but speak to comfort her.
"It's not unprecedented for the Emperor to punish me in the past. He usually did it to deal with other people, and would soon come to Chengqian Palace to appease me. But this time is different! Even though I've prepared the props to pray for Princess Zhaohua and set up the incense table, he won't even give me the chance to watch my performance!"
After saying this, Concubine Jin put down the brush, blew gently on the ink that had not yet dried, and then rolled it up carefully.
"Qianwei, I've crossed the emperor's line. If I continue to be perfunctory and he finds out, there will be no chance of recovery."
"Alas, Your Majesty, you have suffered so much!" Qian Wei handed over a cup of fresh tea. "That Jia Wanrong was clearly plotting against Your Majesty! I haven't slept well these past few days. I always feel like she was misleading Your Majesty, leading her into traps step by step, which led to all the things that happened later."
"No matter what, defeat is inevitable. There's no point regretting it any longer." Concubine Jin rubbed her swollen and aching wrist. "Chinese Valentine's Day is in half a month. I must win the Emperor's forgiveness before then. Otherwise, all my efforts will be in vain!"
"Yes, I will help you find a solution."
Just at this time, Noble Lady Wen came uninvited.
With her pregnant belly, she walked into the side hall of Chengqian Palace without waiting for the palace servants to inform her.
After witnessing his eldest sister copying scriptures, he couldn't help laughing: "Until now, except for the Empress Dowager forcing her to worship Buddha, I have never seen her like this!"
"What are you doing here?"
"Father heard about what happened in the palace and is worried about you!" Concubine Wen placed a letter next to her. "Look, most of the letter is about you. Father also said that if you need help, just ask him. My eldest sister offended the emperor, and he made father save face for her. It's really..."
"No need for that. I will handle the trouble I caused myself."
Noble Lady Wen took the cup of fresh tea and drank it in one gulp. "Are you absolutely sure, elder sister? Father sent me to the palace hoping that you and I would unite and defeat the other lesser-known concubines. But what happened? The two sides fought each other, and Sang Yuxuan actually gained the upper hand! When elder sister was punished, Jia Wanrong was the most outstanding, almost the exclusive favorite!"
"Don't mention that bitch to me!"
"What's the point of just sulking in the palace?" Noble Lady Wen toyed with the cup in her hand. "I lost my daughter, and this time I vowed to destroy the royal offspring, preferably a prince who could inherit the throne. What about you, elder sister? Is your belly comparable?"
"If you came here today just to make indirect accusations, then I can only send you back to Yanxi Palace in the name of the Imperial Concubine, and impose on you the punishment of copying Buddhist scriptures!"
Concubine Wen smiled and took her arm, softly and coquettishly saying, "Oh, elder sister, why are you still so easily teased? Am I deliberately saying all this to provoke you? Is it for my own sake? I didn't come to visit you today to make fun of you. We are all daughters of the Qu family. I understand the principle that we all rise and fall together."
"What do you want to say?"
"Based on my understanding of my elder sister, you must want to finish copying the scriptures peacefully, be released from house arrest, and then go to please the emperor, right?"
Concubine Jin did not answer, and she felt even more wary of her sister who was extremely good at judging the situation.
Noble Lady Wen clearly guessed what she was thinking!
"It's better to do it now than to wait for a day. My elder sister met the emperor first and has been favored by him for many years. Why would she be afraid of Wanrong, who has only a short time in the palace?"
"What's the meaning?"
"Sister, copying scriptures is just a way to strengthen your character. The Emperor won't actually count how many times you copy, so as long as he doesn't send him off with a single page, that's all that's needed." Concubine Wen glanced at the courtyard. "When I came here just now, I noticed some flowers were wilting. Didn't the Emperor accompany you to admire the Epiphyllum flowers yet? Then have the gardener prepare some more. There's no need to wait until Qixi Festival."
Imperial Concubine Jin was persuaded, but she remained unyielding: "In the past, you have often made things difficult for me. Now you suddenly come offering advice, how can I be convinced?"
"Eldest sister, I'm just expressing my thoughts. After all, we are family. As for whether you want to listen to me or not, it's up to you!"
Noble Lady Wen stood up to say goodbye without even saying a few more words of advice.
Qian Wei heard everything and immediately took the cup away: "This noble lady Wen really doesn't know the rules. It's clearly the imperial concubine's tea, but she insisted on snatching it!"
"She liked it this way when she was at the mansion. I'm used to it."
"Then... Your Majesty, will you follow her advice?"
Concubine Jin stared at the blank paper, her arm still aching. "Go call the people from the greenhouse. I have something to say."
"yes!"--
Concubine Xu's health hadn't improved since she fell into the water. Besides catching a cold, she'd also been ill for several days due to a poor heart. By the time she'd found the strength to get up, she looked incredibly haggard.
In contrast, there is Zhen Changzai.
Following Wei Shuyi's instructions, she began to practice the dance skills she had mastered long ago. Tong Jun was by her side, keeping an eye on the details and giving guidance from time to time, and her life was quite comfortable.
"Is the sun really rising from the west?" Concubine Xu heard a strange noise as she passed by. She followed the sound closer and saw Concubine Zhen dancing gracefully. She deliberately said sarcastically, "Isn't Concubine Zhen not keen on seeking favor? You're secretly practicing dancing. You can't be dancing for the servants to see, right?"
"I think Miss Xu is already well again, and she still has the energy to come and mock me."
"Heh...pretending! Even if I'm bedridden, the Emperor still won't remember you, so just save yourself some worry!"
Zhen Changzai was not annoyed: "Xu Xiaozhu is deeply loved by the emperor. When you were seriously ill, did the emperor come to visit you once?"
"you?!"
Lady Xu took a deep breath and felt dizzy.
This feeling is a bit familiar, and the tone of the retort always sounds like another woman.
"Young Master Xu is not feeling well. Huayan, why are you still standing there? Why don't you quickly help your young master back to the East Wing Hall?" Zhen Changzai bowed and said goodbye, "I have to go to lunch. I'm sorry I can't accompany you."
After returning to the main hall, Tong Jun couldn't help but smile.
She was surprised: "What's wrong? Since entering the palace, you always look worried. This is the first time I see you smile."
"I am so happy. My lady's spirit has returned! This is the behavior of a legitimate daughter of a second-rank provincial governor! How dare a woman from a humble family like Xu step over your head and act so arrogantly?!"
"Yeah?"
Zhen Changzai's expression did not change. She was still recalling the detailed movements of the dance in her mind.
Hopefully, it will attract the emperor's attention.
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