Liang Cairen had never been to Yongshou Palace before. When he saw the glittering decorations and spacious courtyard for the first time, he couldn't help but feel deeply moved.
"Sister, Consort Rong is the daughter of a general from Humen. She might not be easy to get along with. She's different from the Empress, the Imperial Concubine, and even Consort Song in our palace. If you feel unhappy later, don't express it. She..."
"I understand." Liang Cairen nodded. "She is very strict with the palace servants under her command! Naturally, I dare not act presumptuously in front of her. I understand this principle."
After entering the front hall, the chief palace maid Qingtan ordered two chairs to be brought in, one on each side of the main seat, and arranged snacks, cakes and tea before taking the others away.
Hidden behind the pearl curtains, Rong Zhaoyi's figure appeared and disappeared among the countless colored glazes. As sunlight streamed in, the dazzling pearl light made them instinctively turn their heads and look away.
"Xi Changzai, are you feeling better?"
"Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. The imperial doctors come to treat me regularly, and I am now much better."
"That's a good thing." Rong Zhaoyi looked to the other side again. "Since the emperor has allowed you to share Sang Yuxuan, you must shoulder this responsibility and take good care of the unborn royal heir. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I understand."
Wei Shuyi chewed some pastries to relieve his tension. He didn't understand how much the palace maid knew about the "incident outside the capital" that she mentioned.
During those two days, only the imperial guards provided close protection, and even the reinforcements from the capital arrived last. Could it be that Concubine Rong had some special ability to send someone to investigate the scene before they did?
"Is Xi Changzai worried about something?"
"No, why do you say that, Madam?"
"Look at the jade plate beside you. How could you put down two cakes after just one bite?" Rong Zhaoyi said with a smile, as if she was just chatting casually. "I know you are a polite person. You would never do such a thing intentionally."
Wei Shuyi stole a glance at the beauty behind the curtain, but was still dazzled by the light and had to give up.
She chose to take advantage of the situation and said, "Your Majesty is very discerning. I really don't understand why Your Majesty summoned us both here. It's because I can't figure it out that I'm distracted."
"Heh... Concubine Xi is someone who knows how to repay kindness. During this trip to the outskirts of the capital, neither the Empress nor the Imperial Concubine got anything good, but I, the palace, have a lot of free time! After thinking it over, I have to thank you."
Wei Shuyi couldn't help but feel startled: "Your Majesty, you are too kind. Why are you thanking me?"
"Thank you for not splashing the dirty water on me, but instead splashing it somewhere else." Rong Zhaoyi played with her folding fan, opening and closing it again and again. "Tell me, should I reward you?"
When Liang Cairen heard this, he looked over in astonishment, but it was not appropriate for him to interrupt and ask more questions, so he could only stare blankly.
Wei Shuyi softened her tone and pretended to be relaxed: "I don't understand. I can't accept rewards without merit. Naturally, I can't accept the reward from Your Majesty."
"The Emperor returned from the interrogation in the Heavenly Prison and went straight to the Imperial Concubine. Not long after, he had an argument with the Empress, which alarmed Lord Meng, who was far away in the Prime Minister's Residence, to come before the Emperor. After this, the favors bestowed upon Chengqian Palace also decreased. Do you think this is a coincidence?"
Rong Zhaoyi is very observant!
She didn't dare to make excuses and quickly explained, "Perhaps those thieves revealed something. I was still recuperating in Sangyuxuan at the time and didn't dare to speak carelessly in front of the emperor."
"Although the old scoundrel Meng is pedantic and constantly talks about his disciples, he only covets the power of the Great Zhou Dynasty. It's impossible for him to collude with the remnants of the small kingdoms to destroy them! As for Qu Wenhe, who has only recently taken office, now is a good time to show his loyalty and not get involved in such a major matter as assassinating the monarch! Perhaps the assassins really did reveal something, but I suspect they were instructed long ago... What the emperor heard was intended for him to hear."
Rong Zhaoyi gathered her folding fan and stood up. Using the end of her fan, she parted a beaded curtain and walked over to her. Suddenly, she raised her hand and exerted force, lifting her chin and forcing her to look at her.
"Xi Chang is here. Since the two of them have temporarily lost their power, your life should be the best, right?"
"Why?"
"The Queen took the initiative to send someone to help you with your pregnancy. I don't know what she's thinking. As for the other one, she's also a smiling tiger. With just a flick of her finger, someone will do things for her." The fan gradually moved down to her abdomen. "You are worried about the heir to the throne. The best way is to make them lose their composure and have no time to worry about Sang Yuxuan's affairs."
Wei Shuyi finally understood: the general who assists the country has three legitimate daughters and several beautiful concubines' daughters, so why did he choose this girl to enter the palace?
At the same time, it also becomes clearer: Rong Zhaoyi, who is rumored to be unsociable and a transparent figure in the harem, actually understands the situation better than anyone else.
The other party is smart and quick-witted, and has more twists and turns in his mind than anyone else. He deliberately pointed out this old incident at this moment, and he must be planning something more.
"Don't be alarmed, Concubine Xi. I've loved listening to storytellers since I was little. Whenever I have nothing better to do, I also like to make up stories and tell them to others." Rong Zhaoyi turned to look at Liang Cairen. "Tell me, did I tell a good story?"
“Naturally it’s excellent.”
"That's right! I was right when I asked you to come here today!"
Rong Zhaoyi retracted her folding fan and slowly squatted, approaching Wei Shuyi's side. Her previously sharp and shrewd eyes transformed into a soft, doting look that could drown someone, leaving her completely lost.
Liang Cairen stood up in fear, fearing that Rong Zhaoyi would do something to her unborn child. However, when she stood on tiptoe, she saw a completely different scene—
The flowers on the high hills bow to the dust below.
The eyes are full of affection and the movements are gentle.
"Mother?"
"That's wonderful... Concubine Xi has such good fortune, which is what all of us concubines envy the most." Rong Zhaoyi gently stroked her abdomen and even removed her long armor. "I am not favored, so naturally I dare not dream of being an heir to the throne. Since you have helped me invisibly, this reward must be given to you!"
Wei Shuyi felt inexplicably uneasy, subconsciously thinking that this "reward" was not a good thing.
As expected, her red lips moved as she announced her decision: "From now on, you don't need to worry about the safety of the royal heir. With me taking care of him, he will be born safely! You are only a concubine now. Even if you give birth to a prince, he will at most be a sixth-rank noble. You are not qualified to raise a child! It is better to hand him over to me..."
"Your Majesty! How can you allow Xichang to separate her child from the one she carried for ten months? If Your Majesty truly wishes to reward her, why not ask the Emperor for grace on her behalf, so that she can make an exception and raise the child!"
Liang Cairen's sudden interruption obviously made Rong Zhaoyi unhappy!
"I thought the talented lady was at least intelligent, but I didn't expect her to be so clueless!" She sneered and began a barrage of questions. "Can a mere noble really raise an heir to the throne? If the empress or imperial concubine comes to snatch the child away, what do you think are his chances of survival? Even if he grows up, and is instigated by others to become an enemy of his biological mother, this..."
"Your Majesty is absolutely right!" Wei Shuyi immediately knelt on the jade steps. "My status as a concubine is low, and I am not qualified to raise an heir. I beg Your Majesty to have mercy on me!"
“Minmin!”
A smile finally appeared on Rong Zhaoyi's face. She handed her one end of the folding fan and motioned her to use it to help her get up.
Wei Shuyi reached out and held it, memories flowing.
She remembered: There was another man who liked to use this method to help others.
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