Chapter 88: Usurpation
After a few days of peace and tranquility, the capital entered deep autumn and the weather gradually became colder. Yueli didn't like to go out much anymore.
That afternoon, the Shangfu Bureau delivered the fox fur that Yueli had been longing for. It was the red fox that was hunted during the last spring hunt. It had been kept in the Shangfu Bureau waiting to be tailored. Everyone in the palace knew that Yu Zhaorong was favored, so they sent the fur as soon as the weather got cooler.
Yueli felt very comfortable touching the soft fur.
However, red foxes are small in size and their furs are relatively thin, so they can only be worn in late autumn and early winter. They are not durable during the coldest months of winter.
After getting the new clothes, Yueli wanted to go out for a walk.
She took Lianqiao for a walk near the lotus pond.
The osmanthus flowers have withered, and the chrysanthemums by the lake have become wilted, but small buds are beginning to emerge on the branches of the wintersweet.
"Your Majesty, His Majesty's birthday is coming soon. When I went to the Shangfu Bureau yesterday, I heard the palace servants there say that the Empress was making clothes for His Majesty. And that Concubine Jin has been frequently summoning people from the Shanggong Bureau since her house arrest was lifted. I don't know what she's been tinkering with."
Lian Qiao is well-informed. All the palaces have been preparing gifts for He Yanchen's birthday recently, so some big news can't be kept secret.
Yueli frowned in distress, "What should I give you?"
Lian Qiao said, "I'm sure many people can make clothes, sachets, and belts. Your Majesty must give you something new and unique to refresh His Majesty's eyes."
"You say that easily, Your Majesty, what new and wonderful things have you not seen?"
At this time, Zi Su came up cautiously and said, "Your Majesty, I know a palace maid from the Shangfu Bureau. I heard that she can make very novel clothes."
"Fresh clothes?" Yue Li thought for a moment and shook her head. "Your Majesty has to meet with ministers every day, so he has to wear a dragon robe to look impressive. What else can he wear that's new?"
Zi Su shook her head mysteriously: "It's not for His Majesty, it's for you?"
"Give me?"
Yue Li didn't know what she was thinking about, her eyes sparkling. "Go and bring that person to Zhuoyu Palace. I'll go back to see her now."
"yes!"
Lian Qiao looked innocent and didn't understand what they were talking about in riddles.
Yueli took a walk and wanted to go back, but at this moment, someone called her from behind.
"Where are you going, sister Yu?"
Shen Zhaoyi took the hand of the palace maid and walked forward slowly, her eyes falling on Yueli's red fox fur.
"Sister, this fox fur is so shiny and smooth, it's really good quality. No wonder I heard so many people talking about it when I paid my respects today."
Talking about her fox fur?
Yue Li knew that the color was a bit presumptuous, but this was hunted for her by He Yanchen himself. She had said at the time that she wanted to make fox fur, and he didn't refuse, which meant he agreed.
Even if it was an usurpation of authority, she was doing so under imperial order.
Yue Li now saw Shen Zhaoyi and her expression was not good: "Is Shen Zhaoyi okay?"
Shen Zhaoyi was very keen to detect the impatience in Yueli's tone.
Her eyes dimmed. He was fine when they separated that day, but she had tried to invite him out several times afterwards but failed. Now that they finally met, he still had this attitude.
what happened?
Shen Zhaoyi's heart was in turmoil, but she didn't show it on her face: "I haven't seen my sister for a long time. I wonder if I can have the honor of walking with my sister today?"
"I'm not free today, Zhaoyi Shen, please go by yourself."
Speaking of which, they both hold the same second-rank rank. In the past, Yue Li only called her sister because she was older, but now she doesn't want to even put on a show.
In her mind, there are only two types of people: bad people who covet He Yanchen, and good people who do not covet He Yanchen. Obviously, Shen Zhaoyi now belongs to the first type.
She was too lazy to talk nonsense and just turned around and left.
Behind her, Shen Zhaoyi's expression gradually became gloomy.
She didn't know what had happened in those days, but she knew that Yueli had a grudge against her and was out of her control.
"My queen, are we still leaving?" Yin Die saw her standing still in the wind and was afraid that she would get hurt by the wind, so she asked.
Shen Zhaoyi took a deep breath and said, "Let's go."
She walked absentmindedly around the lotus pond, unable to understand why Yueli, a person with a dull mind, shouldn't be fooled around by her, just like Jiang Ronghua.
what is going on?
When passing by Merlin, Shen Zhaoyi suddenly stopped and looked inside.
In the plum forest are the eldest prince and Concubine Zheng.
Today was the day off for the study, so Concubine Zheng went to the prince's residence to pick up the eldest prince to play. Several young eunuchs were playing Cuju with the eldest prince, and Concubine Zheng was watching from the side.
After playing a game, the eldest prince was sweating and stopped playing with a lack of interest. Concubine Zheng walked over with a smile on her face, wiped his face, and bent down to talk to him.
"Cheng'er, you're having a great time. What else do you want to play? Mother will play with you."
The eldest prince glanced at her and lowered his head again, which made Concubine Zheng very anxious. She kept asking what was wrong with him.
Concubine Zheng had a low rank, so the eldest prince was given to Concubine Jin to raise since he was born, and had never been raised by Concubine Zheng.
Now that Concubine Jin has been demoted, the eldest prince has been temporarily taken to be raised by Concubine De. Concubine De has a gentle personality and has no objection to Concubine Zheng, her biological mother, wanting to see the eldest prince. Therefore, Concubine Zheng often takes him out during her days off.
The eldest prince was a little annoyed by the questions. He looked up and said, "I want to see my mother..."
"Isn't my mother here?" As soon as Concubine Zheng finished speaking, her smile froze on her face.
He wants to see his mother? Who is the mother he is talking about?
The atmosphere cooled down for a moment, but the eldest prince looked at Concubine Zheng eagerly: "I want to see Concubine Jin's mother..."
Lady Zheng felt as if her heart was being cut by a knife.
Shen Zhaoyi didn't read on. She was helped out of Meilin by the palace maid.
Yin Die glanced at her face and said, "I'm afraid Lady Zheng is heartbroken now."
Concubine Shen curled her lips and said, "The eldest prince has been raised by Concubine Jin since he was young. Concubine Jin has spoiled him since he was young. In his heart, his adoptive mother is naturally better than his biological mother."
"It's a pity for Lady Zheng."
*
Jade Palace.
The person Zi Su found was called Huan Niang, who had worked in the Clothing Bureau for more than ten years. She was a good painter and drew all the clothes that Yue Li wanted.
Yueli looked at the clothes on the paper and her face almost turned red.
When Lian Qiao wanted to stretch her head to take a look, she quickly turned it over and scolded her, "Don't look around, kid."
Lian Qiao snorted, "I am not young at all. I am two years older than the Empress."
"If you say you're a child, then you're a child."
Huan Niang put the things away and said with a smile, "Don't worry, Your Majesty. I will definitely be able to finish it within five days."
"Thank you, Aunt Huan."
Just as they sent the people away, the announcement of the arrival of the Holy Chariot was heard outside.
Yue Li hurriedly stuffed a few pieces of waste paper under her pillow, got up from the couch and walked out in a hurry.
He Yanchen almost bumped into her as soon as he entered the hall: "Why are you so irritable?"
Yueli's face was rosy, with a hint of red at the corners of her eyes. When she raised her eyes, there was a charm flowing in her eyes, just like the afterglow of that incident.
He Yanchen narrowed his eyes and asked, "What were you doing in the palace just now?"
Yueli thought she was quite playful, but Huanniang was even more playful. Seeing her drawings made Yueli blush. I wonder what He Yanchen would think when he saw them...
Seeing the woman in front of him staring at him intently, He Yanchen became more suspicious: "Do you want me to search?"
Yue Li shook her head repeatedly and threw herself into his arms: "I am preparing a birthday gift for Your Majesty. Your Majesty must not rummage through it. If you find out in advance, there will be no surprise."
He Yanchen raised his eyebrows: "Really?"
"Really, really, Your Majesty will know when that day comes."
Yueli raised her fair little face and said to him coquettishly, "I promise to satisfy His Majesty!"
He Yanchen chuckled and scratched her nose: "Then I will wait and see."
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