Because of this incident, Concubine Xu was disliked by the emperor. Not only was she confined to the East Wing Palace, she was also strictly forbidden to attend the Qixi Festival banquet. Wei Shuyi pushed Concubine Zhen Changzai in this matter, allowing her to easily skip the level and sit on the position of noble lady.
After learning the whole story, Concubine Jin couldn't sit still anymore: "What on earth does that bitch mean?! Is she going to get rid of all my people one by one?"
"Your Majesty, please don't be angry." Qian Wei patted her back gently. "Anyway, that Concubine Xu is stupid and doesn't know what to do. Sooner or later, she will cause trouble for Your Majesty. Instead of letting us tear each other apart and sell her off, it's better to hand her over to someone else."
"That way, Concubine Zhen will consider their relationship and befriend her. She's the legitimate daughter of a second-rank official!" Concubine Jin gradually realized Wei Shuyi's intentions. "Could it be that this bitch, without any family background, wants to turn all the wealthy families into her backers?!"
Qian Wei shook her head: "I wouldn't think so, it's just a coincidence. Concubine Zhen is an exception. Who would care about other people with good family backgrounds?"
"It's all because the Emperor has no interest in selecting the best candidates. The few who have come through are either simple-minded or from poor families. It's hard for me to even choose someone to be my confidant!"
"Your Majesty, I think that with the Emperor's temper, it's too long to wait for the selection every three years. By then, who knows, there might still be similar concubines. Why don't you think of a way to promote someone you like and give her to the Emperor? Wouldn't that kill two birds with one stone?"
Just as Concubine Jin was about to nod in agreement, her gaze suddenly grew fierce. "Why, do you think Chengqian Palace isn't good enough and you're anxious to move into Changsheng Palace?!"
Qian Wei's expression changed, and she quickly waved her hands in denial: "No, Madam, look at my face, how can I serve the Emperor? I just want you to select someone from the palace or outside the palace, even through the Qu Mansion."
"Daddy favors the fifth girl, why would he send someone to me at this time?"
"Your Highness naturally cannot tell the truth, so tell the Master. The situation in the palace is not good right now, and you are in a difficult situation. You need a smart maid to accompany you."
Imperial Concubine Jin didn't understand: "I don't need to tell my father that maids also need to be dignified and beautiful?"
"No need. I don't think the Master would send such ugly girls to Your Majesty to be perfunctory. At least they should be outstanding in appearance. The most important thing is that they have to be kind and thoughtful to be able to help Your Majesty. Otherwise, sending a few wooden beauties into the palace will only cause Your Majesty to worry."
Seeing Qianwei's clear and logical analysis, Concubine Jin felt uncomfortable.
She couldn't help but ask, "Is there any news about the Imperial Master returning to the palace?"
"No, I haven't heard any such rumors yet."
That's strange.
In the past, Yu Huai was the one who protected her the most. Now, she received a letter via carrier pigeon, but there was no response. Did something happen?
——
Wei Shuyi specially chose a cloudy day to come to Yonghe Palace to appreciate Concubine Zhen's dance.
Her efforts were not in vain!
Zhen Guiren was extremely talented. After carefully studying the contents of the picture album she gave her, she practiced day and night, added a few movements based on her personal understanding, and finally perfected the dance.
"Jia Wanrong, what do you think of my dancing?"
"Very good! Even better than the old friend."
Concubine Zhen smiled shyly and said, "What a pity, I haven't met Miss Wei in person yet."
"I was just lucky and happened to see it."
"Come to think of it, Jia Wanrong has been at the laundry department so early?"
Wei Shuyi did not deny it: "Yes, everyone thinks that I was born as a maid in the palace of Prince Lian. In fact... I only told this secret to my sister."
"I am deeply honored and will never tell anyone."
"It doesn't matter. Being a slave in the palace is essentially the same as being a servant in the palace." She didn't mind and continued to recall, "It seemed like it was a festival that day, or maybe an envoy had arrived, and the late emperor held a grand banquet. The maid from the laundry department was being lazy and secretly ran off to watch the fun, so I took the opportunity to slip away."
"Then what?"
"As I passed the stone bridge in the Imperial Garden, I saw a girl dancing solo. She was young, but her movements were quite powerful. I didn't understand anything at the time, but it was a novelty to see someone dance for the first time. I hid in the bushes and watched for a long time. Until the prince arrived."
Concubine Zhen was fascinated by what she heard: "That is, the current emperor?!"
"Yes, I saw the prince admiring the scene by the bridge, and he even took the initiative to walk over and start a conversation. I was too far away, so I naturally couldn't hear clearly. However, I could see that they were both smiling and in a good mood, so I guess they have a good relationship."
"If the Emperor really favors me because of this dance, I will feel uncomfortable."
Wei Shuyi frowned and asked, "Why are you uncomfortable?"
"It feels like I've become a thief, stealing someone else's identity from the emperor's memory and enjoying the benefits it brings. In the emperor's mind, I'm most likely a replacement, no longer the original Bai Yu. It always feels weird."
"What you said does make some sense, but that awkwardness is more likely to come from someone you love," she emphasized. "I came up with this idea after hearing your confession. I didn't mean to embarrass you."
"Forgive my rude words, but it seems I have indeed been worrying too much."
The atmosphere finally returned to normal.
After Wei Shuyi gave a few more instructions, he took Wen Yu away from Yonghe Palace.
She didn't say a word along the way.
She recalled her first encounter with Xie Yanci over and over again: the stone bridge under the moon, the modest gentleman, the warm and kind treatment of the imperial family, and the bamboo leaf flute given to her before leaving.
She did not deceive Zhen Guiren too much, but just split herself into two, one half stayed on the bridge to dance, and the other half hid in the bushes and looked up.
"Miss, are you in a bad mood? Your face looks..."
"Just now I saw a few lotus leaves withering in the Imperial Garden, and I thought of my Zhaohua, which is why I became like this."
Wen Yu sighed softly, "Young lady, things are going very smoothly these days. Speaking of which, it must be because of the protection of Her Royal Highness the Princess. You can rest assured."
"Yes... My daughter will naturally protect me."
Wei Shuyi stood in the Imperial Garden, gazing at the stone bridge in the distance. Suddenly, she felt as if she had rewinded years, to the time when she was still the carefree daughter of the Duke's mansion, accompanying her father to a banquet at the palace.
In the hazy moonlight, she sneaked out from the banquet and started dancing here impromptu. She happened to meet the prince who was leaving the banquet, and the two of them had a very pleasant conversation.
When Xie Yanci was young, he loved to laugh. His eyes always took on a crescent shape, which made her feel happier.
"Miss Wei, will you come to the next palace banquet?"
"That depends on what Father wants. If it involves important state affairs, I might not be able to come."
"Is that so?" Xie Yanci took out a bamboo leaf from somewhere, "Next time, if you come, I'll teach you how to play this."
"Huh? Can leaves also play music?"
She wanted to study it further, but her father stopped her in time and took her back to the mansion.
As they walked forward, she actually heard the music coming from his mouth.
Later, she named it "Bamboo Leaf Flute".
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