The news that the fifth daughter of the Qu family captivated the emperor with a dance and was named Concubine Wen the next day spread like wildfire.
Everyone speculated whether she would be the next favorite in the imperial concubine's palace. Only Wei Shuyi was too lazy to participate in the speculation. She went to visit Liang Cairen early in the morning with her belly bulging.
The palace servants outside the gates dared not be as lazy as before, fearing that their superiors would find out and mistreatment of the pregnant concubine would result in her body being thrown into a mass grave. However, no one dared to enter the inner hall to serve constantly. The talented people always liked to isolate themselves in a corner, like a lonely person.
"Sister, is your morning sickness still severe these days?"
"Better." Liang Cairen was sitting by the window in a daze. When he saw her coming, the dullness in his eyes was replaced by light. "Minmin, didn't I tell Wen Yu not to come over? I have a rash again, and I'm afraid of infecting you."
"Did you eat something unclean? Why did it relapse again when you were fine?"
"It's an old problem I got when I was a child. I'm afraid of the cold and the heat. It will flare up if I'm not careful. I can handle it." Liang Cairen didn't want to talk about himself anymore, so he asked, "I heard the maids at the door chatting all morning. The emperor has a new bride, and she's Concubine Jin's younger sister?"
Wei Shuyi nodded and agreed: "Yes, it is said that her dancing skills are famous in the capital. She is able to charm the emperor, so she must have some ability."
"Tsk, I only like to watch Minmin dance." Liang Cairen held his chin and looked into the distance. "It's a pity that, given my current situation, I'm afraid I won't be able to go to the family dinner at the end of the year. It's still a bit boring not being able to watch them bicker."
Wei Shuyi sized her up. Compared to her early days, she hadn't even gained weight. Aside from the soft cotton wrapping around her abdomen, she didn't look pregnant at all.
"I really envy your physique. I used to change every day, and was even murdered by the common people of Song. I was almost too fat to be seen in public. But you have a good figure. Now you have slender fingers, and it doesn't bother you at all."
Liang Cairen was slightly stunned, then explained: "I heard from my mother that it was the same when she was pregnant with me. Maybe it's because of her constitution?"
"How dare you two sisters gossip together without even asking me!" Suddenly, the Queen walked in with a large group of people, her face full of energy. "If you weren't pregnant, I would have brought you along to watch the show just now!"
Wei Shuyi could not think of any other reason that could make the Queen so excited except that Concubine Jin was humiliated.
It was estimated that during the morning and evening visits just now, Concubine Jin was unhappy because her sister became a concubine, or she had a verbal argument and lost.
As expected, the Queen spoke with the air of a victor: "Today is the first time that Noble Lady Wen has come to see the Emperor. I feel that Noble Concubine Jin should have a gentler expression, just like when she's with His Majesty! Her face is downcast, her tone is gloomy, and if you don't know better, you might think Noble Lady Wen has offended her. Really..."
"After all, the Imperial Concubine was not informed in advance. It's understandable that she couldn't react immediately and couldn't accept such an outcome."
"Telling her in advance, what's the point?!" The Queen rolled her eyes and sat down. "She has always been intolerant, so when I arranged for the Changyin Pavilion to perform, I had to be very careful, for fear that the news would leak out."
Wei Shuyi suddenly mentioned the key point: "I wonder how Concubine Wen got out at night when she was imprisoned in Chengqian Palace?"
"Well, I'm not sure about that. She came wearing the clothes of a palace maid. Maybe she bribed someone inside?"
Probably not?
The previous trip to Shoukang Palace had already caused Concubine Jin to increase her vigilance, and the palace servants under her should not be so tactful as to let them continue to pass.
However, it's hard to say.
Qu Yuexi's eloquence is even more wonderful than her dancing. She will surely succeed in coercing and bribing the short-sighted servants.
——
"Your Highness, please calm down. If you get sick from anger, the Queen will be even more pleased." Qian Dai patted Concubine Jin's chest as she brought the medicine. "I've already warmed it up. Your Highness can take it directly."
"..." She was angry, and when she saw the brown medicine juice and smelled the disgusting smell, she couldn't help but wave away the medicine bowl and dropped it to the ground!
"Mother?!"
"Drink, what's the point of drinking! The harem has been sending good news one after another, why am I so quiet?! Now that my father has sent her to the palace, does that mean... does that mean I've been abandoned by the Qu family?"
Qian Dai quickly comforted her, "Your Majesty, it's because of you that the Master and the others are qualified to come to the capital. Otherwise, they would still be serving as fifth-rank officials in that small town back home!"
This sentence made her feel a lot better.
What followed was an even deeper hatred: "Yeah... They all climbed up the ladder because of me, and took advantage of me, yet now they're repaying kindness with hatred?! Do they really think I'm still the same coward in the backyard who didn't fight back or say anything when I was beaten or scolded?"
"How did the tonic medicine specially developed by the Imperial Hospital for my eldest sister get spilled?" Qu Yuexi appeared outside the door at an inopportune time and ordered, "Qiandai, go clean this up. I have something to say to my eldest sister."
"yes."
As a palace maid, of course I cannot offend my master who is in the limelight.
Especially, she is such a cunning woman.
After everything was settled, Qu Yuexi sat down next to Concubine Jin and said, "Sister, the Queen is really going too far. She embarrassed you several times in front of everyone today. Why didn't you resist?"
"Isn't it all because of you that she ridiculed me?" Concubine Jin looked at her with a half-smile. "I heard that the encounter at Changyin Pavilion was also due to her. You are really amazing! Empress Dowager, Empress, you won't let anyone go!"
She didn't deny it, but took a sip of the tea on the table. "Tsk, are the people below not paying enough attention? This tea is not brewed well. If you have time, elder sister, you can come to my Yanxi Palace. I will serve you tea myself. How about that?"
"Qu Yuexi! What on earth are you going to do?!"
"Eldest sister, your belly isn't working well, so how come your brain isn't working well either?" She blinked innocently. "As early as the first day I entered the palace, I told you that father asked me to help you. Have you forgotten?"
Imperial Concubine Jin laughed in anger, "Help me? You mean you want to conceive an heir before me? If that happens, the entire Qu family will be your supporters, and I'll be abandoned?!"
"Eldest sister, you must not feel sorry for yourself! Father said that we are sisters and we must support each other in the palace." Qu Yuexi held her hand, saying sincerely, "My child is my child, isn't he? What's the difference between us?"
"I hope you don't keep your promises!"
"How come?"
Concubine Jin lowered her head to glance at the red nail polish on her long nails and quickly withdrew her hand.
Qu Yuexi didn't get angry, but stretched out five fingers and waved them in front of her eyes: "Eldest sister, I am now a noble appointed by the emperor himself. Others have sent gifts, and you have the heart to let me leave empty-handed?"
"What do you want?"
"I think the Goddess of Childbirth is a good one."
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