In Chengqian Palace, Concubine Jin was "reviewing" the programs reported. When she saw the familiar dances, she couldn't help but frown.
"The Music Department is really something. It's fine if they just perform 'Autumn Harmony' at every banquet, but even for this rare birthday party of mine, they're using old stuff to perfunctorily handle it!"
Qian Wei quickly comforted her, "Your Highness, what's the big deal about the Music Department? You mainly look at the Emperor's attitude, don't you? He's able to hold a banquet for you, which is comparable to the Empress's. Isn't that good? You must not get angry over insignificant people."
"Alas, I have quite a few maids around me, but you are still the most considerate."
Concubine Jin continued to flip through the pages and suddenly saw a familiar name.
"Lady Xu?" "Your Majesty, what's wrong?"
"I've already made it clear that I don't need her to serve me anymore. Why is she still spending her energy rehearsing a dance just to celebrate my birthday?"
Qian Wei saw the words above and poured a fresh cup of tea. "It shows that in the eyes of the concubines in the palace, the Imperial Concubine is the one who is most worthy of trust. Otherwise, she would have run away to Fengluan Palace long ago!"
"Is that really the case?"
"Yes, Madam, you know the truth yourself. It seems to me that Lady Xu is going to all this trouble just to curry your favor. You've seen the performance, so just send her off casually."
When Concubine Jin heard Qian Wei's words, she nodded slightly, put the booklet on the table, and rubbed her waist.
During this time, she strictly followed the imperial physician's instructions. She knew when to rest and when to go out for a walk, never slacking off. She was afraid that a moment of laziness would affect the hard-earned heir to the throne.
However, doing the same repetitive things all the time would definitely be boring.
She suddenly thought of Wei Shuyi: "Qianwei, today, let's go for a walk around Lin'an Palace. I haven't seen Jia Wanrong for a long time, and I miss her very much."
"Yes, I will arrange it."
When she approached the stone bridge outside Sang Yuxuan again, she recalled the night when the charming woman hooked her arms around Xie Yanci's neck for a kiss and teased her with her eyes.
What a changing world!
Now, it's her turn to show off.
"I didn't know that the Imperial Concubine was coming, and I didn't go out to greet her. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."
"Get up, it's just a small matter."
Imperial Concubine Jin looked around at Wei Shuyi and said something with a hint of meaning: "Alas, if you haven't been a mother, you won't understand the hardship. When Jia Wanrong was pregnant with Princess Zhaohua, she rarely had morning sickness. She is a blessed person, unlike me..."
As he said this, he pretended to vomit at her feet.
Wei Shuyi did not dodge, but because he heard his enemy calling Zhaohua's name, he felt a dull pain in his heart, which led to hatred.
"Since the Imperial Concubine is feeling unwell, she should have stayed in Chengqian Palace. Why did she have to walk such a long way and vomit in my palace?"
"Jia Wanrong, you don't seem to understand the situation yet."
"What situation?" she replied with a smile. "I, your concubine, have offered some very pertinent advice out of consideration for the Imperial Concubine's health. Is there anything wrong with that?"
Imperial Concubine Jin glared at her: "You are so sharp-tongued, and that's the look I hate the most!"
"Qianwei, there's something you haven't told the Imperial Concubine yet?" Wei Shuyi suddenly looked at the palace maid beside her. "Pregnant women shouldn't get angry. Staring at someone you hate will only cause miscarriage sooner or later. So, for the sake of your master's safety, you should have spoken up to stop the Imperial Concubine when she was about to enter Lin'an Palace."
"Your servant..."
"Jia Wanrong, since when have the maidservants around me been forced to obey your orders?!"
She still maintained a proper smile: "I am just giving you a gentle reminder to help you avoid possible dangers in advance."
"you!"
Concubine Jin raised her hand to hit her, but she held it firmly!
"Your Highness, you came all the way here just to beat me up, didn't you? I'm a proper mistress after all, and I've done nothing wrong. I just said a few words of concern and greeting, and you're getting beaten? Even if the Emperor heard this, he wouldn't punish me!"
Concubine Jin couldn't guess what Xie Yanci was thinking. What if she got angry again and ended up making things worse? Wouldn't that let others take advantage of her?
"Qianwei, return to the palace!"
Wei Shuyi watched them leave with a smile, then turned around and wiped his hands with a wet towel: "Anyone who wants to use Zhaohua to hurt me will not end well."
This time, the sharp blade she chose was Concubine Xu.
——
"My dear, are you sure you want to use such a dangerous animal? If you get bitten, then..."
"What are you afraid of?" Concubine Xu stood near the palace gate. "During the performance, they must be tied with iron chains. Besides, before officially entering the palace, I have experience in taming animals, so I won't let this happen."
Huayan was still trembling with fear: "But, but...snakes and wolves are not like raccoons. Even if they are scratched, they will only leave a few marks. They..."
"Don't worry, just get the main props into Yonghe Palace, and you don't need to worry about the rest."
Lady Xu played with the bone flute, thinking about the past.
The second daughter of a concubine, Xu Jing'an.
No one probably remembers her name.
No one in the Xu family cared about such a daughter, so she sneaked out to learn performing arts from an old man on the street, and used the pocket money she earned to support her aunt.
For her, the most unforgettable skill is animal taming.
The more ferocious and vicious the beast, the more people like to watch it and the more rewards they give.
At first, she was so frightened that she hid behind the old man, afraid to approach. It wasn't until he taught her the technique several times and handled it with care that she finally found the key. In the end, she was able to play the bone flute with such skill that the snakes danced to the beat.
"My lord, someone is coming!"
A fat little eunuch came over, stuffed the black sack in his hand into Huayan's hand, took the reward money, and left.
Huayan was so frightened that her face turned pale: "My lady, there seems to be movement inside... there seems to be movement inside!"
"Bring it here, I'll carry it."
Lady Xu wasn't afraid of snakes. Despite her delicate and charming exterior, she possessed a tougher heart. She became especially calm after meeting her "old friend."
There were no more people from the Music Department around the stage of Yonghe Palace, and only she was left standing in the center.
Huayan could only hold the torch and watch from a distance. She had already made up her mind: if she saw something was wrong, she would throw it out immediately. Even if it meant burning down the palace, she would burn all these venomous snakes to death!
Lady Xu strung the bone flutes together with a thin chain and hung them around her slender neck. Halfway through the dance, she picked them up and played them softly.
The things in the sack responded and crawled out, arching their upper bodies and spitting out their tongues in her direction, waiting for the next instruction.
"My lady! My lady, please don't get into any trouble!"
Huayan's cries were all stuck in her throat.
After seeing the poisonous snake "dancing" around Concubine Xu with her own eyes, her fear had reached its peak.
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