The disaster in Liangzhou has been alleviated, but Yu Huai has no plans to return to the palace.
The Emperor had deliberately given him a way out out of consideration for their past friendship. If he had resolved the matter hastily and rushed back to the palace, he would have only added to his suspicions.
"Master, someone from the astrology department sent a letter."
"What's wrong?" "Please look."
Yu Huai pulled the thin rope loose, and just a few words made him frown.
Is there a demon causing trouble in Yonghua Palace?
How is that possible?
And the person who said this was actually Concubine Jin!
"Master, is there something serious happening in the palace?"
"No."
In his impression, Concubine Jin was particularly disgusted with such matters because she was often scolded by the Empress Dowager and forcibly dragged to the Buddhist temple to pray to the gods.
It is really not easy to get her to say in person that it was the evil spirit that was causing the trouble.
What's more, the emperor is in charge of Yonghua Palace, so what demon would dare to break in?
"Master, the situation in Liangzhou isn't too bad right now. When do we plan to return to Beijing?"
"What? Are you anxious?" Yu Huai replied irritably, "Do you think the conditions here are too bad and you can't wait to return to the palace to enjoy life?"
"No, that's not the case. Master, I just think that the Emperor should know about your dedication to the people. If you keep hiding the good things you've done, and then someone frames you, the Emperor might even…"
"You speak so sincerely. Then, could you please tell me the truth? Is returning to the capital right now really the right decision?"
The man shut up instantly and stopped trying to persuade her.
Yu Huai found some peace and quiet and closed the door.
He hadn't been in such a bad environment for a long time: the tea leaves always had a musty smell, and the water had to be filtered through white gauze several times before it could be barely heated enough to drink.
Although the room was a "premium wing" prepared by local officials, it was infested with mosquitoes. Especially after dusk, the windows couldn't be opened for ventilation. Otherwise, after a night, they would suck a lot of blood from my body.
"Your Majesty, I have suffered. Are you satisfied?"
He looked up at the scorching sun and asked, and when he saw a vulture flying by, he took the fortune-telling tools from the table and prepared to find out the truth about the palace.
Obviously, that is a fabrication.
Perhaps Concubine Jin was frightened and deliberately said such a funny thing.
As he continued to reason, his right eyelid began to twitch wildly: "How could this be?!"
"Master, you called me?"
The apprentice heard the sound of a teacup falling to the ground, and hurriedly pushed the door open, waiting for instructions.
Yu Huai did not blame him, but gently reminded him: "Pack your luggage and prepare to return to Beijing to report on your work."
"Ah?! Didn't Master just say that it wouldn't be a good idea to go back now?"
"In an emergency, follow the rules and don't ask questions."
——
After Xie Yanci woke up from Sang Yuxuan, he remembered what he had promised Concubine Jin. He sent Yang Mingrui to reward her with jewelry and to have lunch with her as an apology.
Qianwei comforted her all night, and after much persuasion, she finally understood the situation.
During the banquet, not a single word was mentioned about Wei Shuyi. Instead, she gently advised the emperor not to blame himself too much.
"The short bloom of a flower is not a good sign. Perhaps it is God's way of reminding me not to always think about showing His Majesty these things, which is why I miss them again and again."
Concubine Jin said this with mixed emotions. She had a smile on her face, but her heart was bleeding.
Xie Yanci was quite pleased with what he heard, and after coaxing him for a while, he returned to Changsheng Palace to review memorials.
"Your Highness, you have behaved very well. Please do not be sad anymore..."
"Qianwei, I'm so lucky to have someone as close as you by my side." She sighed. "It turns out that the maids my father gave me at the Qu family mansion were all spies around the mistress, just to keep an eye on me. I finally cultivated a confidant, but she turned out to be so foolish. Not long after entering the palace, she lost her life because of her selfishness."
"Yes, Aunt Qiandai?"
"It's her." Referring to the woman who took the blame for her, Concubine Jin's tone was filled with impatience. "Think carefully, when she was with me, she was never like you, always considering me in everything. If it were my old temper, I would have had a big fight with the Emperor about what happened yesterday! If you hadn't persuaded me, I'm afraid I would have fallen into Jia Wanrong's trap!"
Qian Wei lowered her head and responded modestly, "Your Majesty, your compliments are too kind. Honestly, in this palace, everyone prospers together and suffers together. If I help Your Majesty, I'm helping myself. Who would want to cross me?"
"Then, in your opinion, what should I do next?"
"Shouldn't the date for your most cherished wish, Qixi Festival, be set?" Qian Wei continued to offer advice. "Instead of dwelling on Jia Wanrong, why not practice your dance? First, it can help you dispel unnecessary sadness. Second, diligent practice will prevent mistakes. If the Emperor remembers their past, will he still be worried about Jia Wanrong continuing to steal his favor?"
Imperial Concubine Jin nodded and drank the ginseng soup reluctantly: "Okay, I will listen to you."
"How rare! When has Eldest Sister ever been willing to condescend to listen to a palace maid?"
Whenever she was in trouble, this fifth sister would always show up at the right time.
"Why are you here?"
Noble Lady Wen glanced at the food on the table. "I heard that my elder sister was wronged, so I came here to comfort her! I can faintly smell the scent of ambergris, and look at all these delicacies. Has the Emperor been here?"
"You are well-informed."
"Alas, it's also my fault for underestimating Jia Wanrong's strength." Concubine Wen pretended to be resentful. "I thought that my elder sister had more experience and was the exclusive favorite of the Emperor, so she could just go and apologize to the Emperor and the matter would be over. I didn't expect that I would still lose to her."
Concubine Jin was filled with resentment: "When did I become inferior to her?!"
"Eldest sister, the emperor is not someone who speaks without thinking. You and I both know this. But he broke his promise twice in a row, both because of Jia Wanrong. What does this mean?"
She didn't respond immediately.
Noblewoman Wen gently stroked her swollen belly. "This shows that my elder sister's importance in the Emperor's heart is gradually becoming less important than Jia Wanrong's. Perhaps, Daddy sent me to the palace in anticipation of a day like this! My dear sister, please stop treating me as an enemy. Now that the enemy has come out to confront you openly, you won't want to get rid of me first, will you?"
"What do you mean?!"
"Now that I'm ill and unable to sleep with you, other women have taken advantage of the situation. Sister, I've been writing to my family and have mentioned my wish for a child many times. Daddy recently gave me a prescription. Would you like to try it?"
Imperial Concubine Jin suppressed her inner excitement and said, "Who knows who gave me this recipe? I dare not use it carelessly."
"Here, I'll put it here."
Concubine Wen seemed to have guessed this outcome long ago. After a chuckle, she left the main hall with the palace maids and ran to the courtyard to appreciate the flowers.
Unable to resist the temptation of having an heir, she secretly glanced at the prescription. Was it really Qu Wenhe's handwriting?!
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