Chapter 42 Taking the Initiative
When the late queen was mentioned, the room suddenly fell silent.
The newcomers are still ignorant, but the old ones know the importance of it.
For a moment, everyone's eyes were on Liang Chengbi, waiting to see how she would smooth things over.
Liang Chengbi has been the Imperial Noble Consort for many years, holding the power of the palace. The Imperial Household Department works under her, and she often does things like abusing her power, embezzling funds, and even bullying her master.
However, she was in a high position with great power and came from a prominent family, and most of the concubines in the harem were not favored, so no one dared to say anything openly.
Seeing that she was frozen by Meng Yan's two words, everyone felt a little gloating.
Liang Chengbi was so angry that his teeth were itching. He glanced at Meng Yan, but saw that the culprit was leisurely holding the tea bowl and looking at it, as if it had nothing to do with him.
In front of so many newly selected concubines, she, as the imperial concubine, had to act dignified, proper, and maternal and kind. She must not lose her composure, lest she be looked down upon in the future.
She forced herself to calm herself and forced a smile, "My dear Concubine, you're teasing me. How dare I disrespect the late Empress? She was the Emperor's first wife. The Emperor always respected her and praised her for her prudence, sincerity, and filial piety. She is a role model for our generation. When she was alive, I received a lot of her teachings and kindness. Now, whenever I think of her voice, appearance, and smile, I can't help but feel sad."
As she spoke, she took out a handkerchief and wiped the corners of her eyes.
What a good actor.
Meng Yan laughed secretly in her heart. She could wipe away the tears without even a single one.
She didn't really want to cause trouble for Liang Chengbi, she just wanted to repay Liang Chengbi with an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. Seeing that she had resolved the issue herself, she smiled and said nothing more.
Liang Chengbi said some words of encouragement to the newly selected concubines and then told them to disperse.
Meng Yan was about to get up and go back, but was stopped by Liang Chengbi.
"Sister, please stay. I have something to discuss with you."
When Meng Yan heard this, she had no choice but to sit back down.
Liang Chengbi smiled brightly, looked into her eyes, and said word by word: "Sister, the newly selected concubine has settled in the palace and will be arranged to serve as an attendant in the next two days. I would like to ask what you think about the arrangements."
Meng Yan was stunned at first, but immediately understood her intention.
Lu Haozhi never paid much attention to the harem, and rarely flipped over other people's cards. Once, during a disagreement, he deliberately flipped over a concubine's green-headed card and had Meng Yan stop the carriage that was supposed to pick her up. This incident caused a huge uproar in the harem, and even the Empress Dowager questioned him. However, Lu Haozhi and Meng Yan reconciled, and the matter was ultimately dropped.
Liang Chengbi just wanted to see her get jealous and do something rash and stupid!
This person is really stupid. She no longer cares about the emperor's favor, and yet he uses this little thing to provoke her.
"Sister, you are very good at managing the harem. This little thing should be no problem for you. Why ask me?"
Meng Yan smiled at her, her eyes clear and without a trace of unhappiness.
Liang Chengbi's expression remained unchanged as she continued to smile, "Sister, you're being too kind to me. Although according to palace rules, the order of honor should be based on rank, this year's circumstances are somewhat different. That Concubine Lin had a history with the Emperor before entering the palace. When she fell ill the other day, the Emperor personally visited her, clearly showing his favor. And then there's Bai, your concubine. I heard that the Emperor personally presented her with a pot of red-crowned red ink a few days ago. She must also be someone the Emperor favors. So, I'd like to discuss with you whether we should consider moving these two to the front of the order of honor."
Looking at Liang Chengbi's bright eyes, Meng Yan curled the corners of her mouth slightly.
This imperial concubine was quite calculating, worthy of being the one who had fought with her for half her life in the previous life.
She wanted to please the emperor, but didn't want to be known as someone who flattered the emperor and disregarded palace rules. So she simply pushed herself out. If she agreed, she would be the one to bear the consequences, and the newly selected concubines who were squeezed out would naturally blame her for it.
If he didn't agree, he would be known as narrow-minded, jealous and intolerant. Lin Yanrong would naturally hate him for blocking her way, and Lu Haozhi might also have some opinions about it.
There was another complication in this life. Bai Yuxin was her Changchun Palace servant. If she agreed to this, then she was intentionally cultivating her own wings and forming a clique for personal gain. If she disagreed, needless to say, it must be because she was jealous of Bai Yuxin's favor and wanted to suppress her.
If it were the old Meng Yan, she would have fallen into this trap. Liang Chengbi's arrow could probably kill seven or eight eagles.
However, things are different now. After all, Meng Yan in front of him doesn't care about the emperor.
She smiled innocently, "The Emperor has his own ideas. How can we concubines possibly know His Majesty's likes and dislikes? Are you trying to guess His Majesty's intentions?"
Liang Chengbi's face changed drastically, and she was even more frightened than when Meng Yan accused her of disrespecting the late queen.
It is extremely disrespectful for concubines and ministers to guess the emperor's intentions and harbor rebellious thoughts.
This was a taboo in the harem of the previous dynasty. When the late emperor was alive, two concubines who were in great favor were banished to the cold palace because of this crime, and even their families were implicated.
Meng Yan's brain seemed to be getting smarter and smarter, but also more and more difficult to deal with!
She clutched her handkerchief tightly in both hands, and after a long moment she managed a forced smile. "Sister, you're joking. I wouldn't dare to have such an intention. As concubines, we are only fulfilling our duties and serving the king."
Seeing that she had given in, Meng Yan didn't want to argue anymore. She stood up and said, "Princess He'an is still waiting for you at Changchun Palace, so I won't talk to you. Since you are the Imperial Noble Consort, I hope you will take care of the affairs of the harem."
She said this lightly, said her goodbye, and turned to walk out.
Watching Meng Yan's slender waist swaying as she walked out the door, Liang Chengbi leaned back in his chair and relaxed.
The wind blew in from the window, and she felt cold all over. Only then did she realize that she was sweating all over.
When did she become so passive in front of Meng Yan?
No matter how she provoked her, Meng Yan remained unmoved, and even played her around.
Is this still the stupid, jealous, and brainless Meng Yan that she is familiar with?
Chun Qing instructed the little palace maid to clean up the tea tray, and looking at her master's dazed look, she stepped forward to comfort him.
"Don't be discouraged, Madam. Since Concubine Lin has caught the Emperor's eye, she will surely be greatly favored in the future. As the saying goes, it's easy to change a country, but it's hard to change one's nature. Concubine Meng is just being patient for the time being. After all, the whole palace is here to see the Emperor, so she won't make a scene too embarrassing. Even if things don't work out, there are still the two Grand Concubines who will not let her go to extremes."
Liang Chengbi rubbed his temples, closed his eyes, and said softly, "It's just that the emperor has doted on her too much over the years, and her family background is good. There's no guarantee of what will happen in the future."
The throne of Queen has been vacant for three years. During these three years, she has been diligently managing the harem and working tirelessly as the Imperial Noble Consort, all for the purpose of sitting on the throne of Queen one day.
If the crown was worn by someone else, wouldn't she be a scapegoat?
"Your Majesty, now that Concubine Meng and Concubine Lin and Bai Ying are in the palace, she is no longer the only one in power. If she loses her sense of propriety, the Emperor's favor towards her will naturally fade."
Liang Chengbi listened and looked up at her, "Do you have any ideas?"
Chun Qing smiled lightly, "Mrs. Lin is very sensitive about her family background. Even though she's impoverished, she's still from a noble family. That Concubine Bai is a commoner. Noble Concubine Meng is very powerful, and she must have been bullied a lot in Changchun Palace."
Liang Chengbi immediately understood and couldn't help but smile.
Meng Yan left the Yiku Palace and seeing that the weather was fine today, she suggested taking a walk and asked the sedan chair to follow behind.
Just as she reached the corner of the long street, she heard a quarrel coming from the front.
"You can't even properly greet people properly, so it's obvious you've learned all these rules in vain. I really don't know how people like you managed to get into the palace!"
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