"I hope my visit has not disturbed Concubine Xi's peace."
Inside Sangyu Pavilion, Qu Yuexi was courteous and polite. Despite being the legitimate daughter of a second-rank official, she seemed to be acting in a subservient and subservient manner. Her every move was extremely restrained and cautious.
Wei Shuyi changed into her usual palace dress. The latest sizes had not yet been delivered by the Shangyi Bureau. Therefore, her abdomen was particularly round, which caught her eye again.
"The Empress also has matters to attend to in the six palaces, so she doesn't have much time to chat with me. My sister's arrival is just in time, so consider it a way to entertain me."
"When I was still in the mansion, I heard that there was a young lady in the palace who was promoted above her rank. Although she was born in a humble family, she was blessed." Qu Yuexi changed the subject and stopped the topic in panic. "Oh, I am presumptuous! Why mention the young lady's family background in front of her!"
"It's okay. I've heard this little thing so many times that I don't mind it anymore."
"That won't do! As the saying goes, a hero's origins are not important. My eldest sister is only of a better background than you, but she also became a concubine, didn't she?"
When mentioning this, Qu Yuexi's eyebrows curved, as if she was talking about something interesting, and a smile climbed up her face from the bottom of her heart.
Wei Shuyi shook his head: "I don't have the good fortune of the imperial concubine. I just hope that the child will be born safely."
"And then? Was he taken away to be raised by my eldest sister?"
The sudden question made the atmosphere on the scene quickly become tense.
Jing An coughed and said, "Fifth Miss, the matter of the heir to the throne is of course decided by the Emperor. You are not allowed to make comments behind his back."
"Is that so? But I heard it with my own ears. My eldest sister cried to the emperor, saying that she had no children to keep her company and needed Xi Changzai's heir to fill her loneliness!" Qu Yuexi responded with a smile, turning to look at Wei Shuyi again, "I risked betraying my eldest sister and secretly revealed this to her. Xi Changzai just took it as a joke."
How could it be possible to just let it go after hearing it?
Although she had already prepared herself mentally, and the heir in her belly was already a thorn in everyone's eyes, she still felt anxious when she learned that the imperial concubine had indeed had such thoughts.
Seeing she remained silent, Qu Yuexi moved closer. "Xi Changzai, we first met at the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner. I know they all think their father is selling his daughter for fame and fortune, and they all look down on me, treating me coldly. Especially after being refuted by the Empress Dowager, they even had a look of gloating written all over their faces! You are the only one who is different. We looked at each other several times that night, and I didn't find any trace of dislike in you."
"What exactly does Fifth Miss want to say?"
"Actually, I have committed the crime of deceiving the emperor." Qu Yuexi sighed softly, "The bond between me and my elder sister is not that deep! If it weren't for my father's request, I wouldn't want to enter the palace to serve her!"
Wei Shuyi pretended to be confused: "Why?"
"Eldest sister's wife is a bitch! Instead of being a good servant to my mother, she's trying to get into my master's bed! The grudges between the previous generation are fine, but who knew she's also such a proud and arrogant woman. From childhood to adulthood, she's bullied me countless times, both openly and covertly, and my father always just brushes it off. It's truly hateful!"
Is this true?
If Qu Wenhe loved his concubine as well as her family, he would definitely not have driven the mother and daughter to the backyard to suffer.
Why then would he favor the eldest daughter born out of wedlock and completely ignore the children of his first wife?
"Since you are enemies, why do you pretend to be sisters in front of the emperor?"
"Alas, it's all because of my eldest sister's disappointing pregnancy! Father specially asked me to be an informant and deliver the medicine from outside the palace to Chengqian Palace!"
Wei Shuyi looked into those lively and charming eyes and said, "What you mean is that the imperial concubine is pregnant, your mission is completed, and you can return home?"
"The more I look at Concubine Xi, the more familiar I feel to her." Qu Yuexi smiled but did not answer. "Compared to that eldest sister who is related to me, I would rather accept you as my sister."
"I am just an ordinary maid. To be the fifth lady..."
"In the Yonghua Palace, apart from the initial positions given to relatives to save face, who will ask about birth and position in the future?" Qu Yuexi saw her thoughts and immediately interrupted her, saying, "I have loved children since I was a child. Unfortunately, I am the youngest in the family and have never held a sweet and soft child in my arms. If you are willing, I promise to stand behind you!"
Wei Shuyi laughed dumbly: "Shouldn't it be in front of me?"
"Sister, you're smart. You can dodge the spears in front of you. But it's hard to deal with the arrows from behind!"
Qu Yuexi spoke with sincerity, clasping her right hand that was resting on the table. "I simply cannot bear to be trampled upon by the daughter of a lowly servant! I beg you to have pity on me and help me with this! I will definitely remember this and repay you with all my heart!"
She curled her fingers and said, "I said that I am only a concubine. How can I convince the emperor to take you into the palace?"
"Sister is a concubine, yes, but didn't you persuade the Empress Dowager a few days ago?" Qu Yuexi replied in a low voice, "I don't ask for an imperial decree, I just need an opportunity. Sister was once praised by the Emperor for her intelligence and wisdom, so it shouldn't be difficult to do it, right?"
Yes, it is not difficult.
That evening, Wei Shuyi went to the main hall of Fengluan Palace to pay homage to the Queen.
"Xi Changzai? Why are you here?"
"There is something I need to discuss with Her Majesty." She carefully stepped over the threshold. "It's about the fifth young lady of the Qu family."
When the Queen heard that it was Concubine Jin's mortal enemy, she immediately became excited and had no appetite for dinner. She directly took her to the couch beside her.
"What's the matter?!"
"I heard that the Fifth Young Lady is a skilled dancer, which is why the Minister of the Central Secretariat, Qu Da, dared to arrange that somewhat risky performance." She stood up and walked to the window, pointing to a nearby spot. "Your Majesty, no one has watched a play in Changyin Pavilion for a long time. Why not vacate it and lend it to her for one night?"
The Queen immediately understood her intention. When it came to "how to make Concubine Jin restless", the Queen had always been quick-witted and understood it immediately.
"That's easy to say! I'll come tomorrow... No! Jinhan! Come here!"
The senior palace maid hurried forward and asked, "Your Majesty?"
"Who's in charge of Changyin Pavilion? I remember that the former female official has already left the palace. Go check it out now! In a few days, I'll invite His Majesty to enjoy singing and dancing, so please make sure the stage is set up properly!"
"Yes, I'll go right away."
Leave the palace!
Wei Shuyi inexplicably recalled herself a year ago, who had longed for life outside the palace. She toiled day after day just to get out and reunite with her younger brothers and sisters.
However, the matter is done and it is too late to do anything now.
The Queen breathed a sigh of relief, her appetite flaring. She turned around and picked out a few dishes to continue enjoying. While eating, she called out to her vaguely, "Xi Changzai, the red dates and blood swallows in the kitchen are delicious! Would you like to sit down and dine with me?"
"I have already had my dinner, so I won't bother you any more."
Wei Shuyi took Wen Yu away and stood on the high platform outside the door, just in time to see the Changsheng Palace in the distance.
Xie Yanci...
She was going to use him again.
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