Chapter 6 The Virtuous Imperial Concubine
Meng Yan, before him, wore her hair in a ponytail bun, devoid of any hairpins or rings, save for a single jade butterfly hairpin slanting diagonally. The jade, though of high quality, was rather pale. She wore only a smoky-colored, chest-length skirt, covered by a light, autumn-colored gauze jacket. Her delicate, pretty face was pale, devoid of color, giving off a somewhat frail, sickly air.
Meng Yan, whom Liang Chengbi knew well, was extremely competitive. Even if she was not feeling well, she would not lose face in front of others. She also loved luxurious and gorgeous attire. No matter what the occasion, she would always wear heavy makeup, jingling jewelry, and a magnificent and grand appearance.
Is this pitiful, elegant, and frail beauty really Meng Yan?
This time she was sick, she developed some new symptoms!
However, Liang Chengbi had been immersed in the palace for a long time and was extremely shrewd. Although he was very surprised, he still put on an expression of surprise and pity on his face, stepped forward and held Meng Yan's hand.
"Oh, sister, how come you're so ill after just a few days? Please take care of yourself. We are sisters who came from the Qiandi Palace together. Over the years, we have worked together to serve the Emperor. This friendship is priceless. When I heard that you fainted in the Yangxin Palace, I was extremely worried. I wanted to come and see you immediately, but I was busy with other things and only came now. I hope you won't blame me, right?"
As he spoke, Liang Chengbi's eyes turned red and he wiped his eyes with his sleeves.
Who is your sister!
Meng Yan couldn't help but roll her eyes in her heart and spat fiercely.
Liang Chengbi has been acting pretentiously and artificially ever since she came to the Qiandi Palace. She has tears and sorrowful eyes every day, as if everyone owes her eight hundred dollars. She is young but always dresses in plain clothes, like a young widow. Lu Haozhi is not afraid of being cursed to death by her.
When the Crown Princess was in the palace, she was ill, so these concubines would take care of the household affairs from time to time.
Once, when it was Meng Yan's turn to manage the accounts, she discovered that Liang Chengbi had embezzled public funds to give rewards to servants. It seemed she was using public funds to do favors for herself. No wonder everyone in the mansion called her a bodhisattva.
This matter fell into the hands of Meng Yan. Meng Yan was a straightforward person who could not tolerate any sand in her eyes. She immediately confronted Liang Chengbi face to face and even brought the matter to Lu Haozhi, who was still the prince at that time.
He explained the whole thing in detail with evidence, but Liang Chengbi kept crying and rambling on about all sorts of things, but he couldn't explain why he had embezzled public funds.
At that time, Lu Haozhi was troubled by the factional struggles in the court and had no time to pay attention to the gossip of the women in the harem, so the matter was left unresolved.
Meng Yan thought she was just doing her job and didn't take it personally. Later, however, she accidentally learned from the maid in the study that Liang Chengbi had often, in a sarcastic tone, complained about her to Lu Haozhi. Furious, she went to Liang Chengbi again to demand an explanation. In front of a room full of servants, Liang Chengbi acted out her usual routine, crying and panting, one heartbreaking scene after another, as if she had bullied her.
Since then, the two have had a grudge against each other.
When they met every day, Meng Yan certainly would not give her a good look. However, after a while, she ended up getting a reputation for bullying the Imperial Concubine.
Such a two-faced character could actually be given the title of virtuous concubine in that storybook.
Then author, you are also blind.
Meng Yan complained in her heart, a weak smile appeared on her face, and she shook Liang Chengbi's hand.
"I'm so grateful that you came to see me, so how could I blame you? You sound like I'm narrow-minded."
It’s just acting, who can’t do it?
Meng Yan coughed twice more and smiled softly, "It's just that you came at an unfortunate time. The Emperor just left. If you had come earlier, you could have seen the Emperor and let him know that our sisterly love is not as deep as the rumors say."
This move was beyond Liang Chengbi's expectation. She had known Meng Yan's temper well and knew that she would be furious and kick her out on the spot.
As a result, Meng Yan's reputation became even worse.
Unexpectedly, Meng Yan didn't fall into the trap at all, but instead became intimate with him, which was unusual for her.
The way he said it sounded as if he was not really there to visit the patient, but was there to see the emperor because he heard the news.
Liang Chengbi's face froze, and he glanced at the hall from the corner of his eye. As expected, everyone had a look of disdain on their face.
If it were any other concubine, she would either not care about those servants, or she would go back and punish them severely to vent her anger.
But Liang Chengbi couldn't do that. Who told her to be the "virtuous concubine"? Who told her to regard this title as more important than anything else?
She could only bear it.
This was the first time she was humiliated in front of Meng Yan.
Meng Yan smiled and affectionately pulled her to sit on the chair. She asked the palace maid to replace the hot tea and snacks. She leaned sideways and gently leaned on the soft pillow. Her delicate and boneless body and pale face made her look very sick and pitiful in the eyes of others.
This further reveals that Imperial Noble Consort Liang Chengbi has no tact.
Even though he was so sick, he still came here. He was not really here to visit the patient. He wanted to see the emperor but couldn't see him.
Even the palace maids who followed Liang Chengbi felt a little disapproving.
"Sister, what you said is really outrageous. It's all those little villains in the palace who are spreading rumors and stirring up trouble. In fact, we are the best of friends. Sister, you came here today because you are really worried about your illness."
Liang Chengbi took the colorful porcelain teacup that the palace maid had just brought over, took a sip, and spoke concealingly.
The purpose of her trip had not yet been achieved, so of course she couldn't leave. She had to sit down despite herself.
This is what it means to make things worse by explaining it.
Meng Yan smiled silently and looked at her quietly.
She knew that there was a big drama going on underneath.
It was this scene that provoked the dispute between her and the heroine of the novel, Lin Yanrong, and made Lin Yanrong deeply hostile to her.
But now she will not fall into this trap again.
"Sister, you came here today because you have something difficult to ask me about."
After taking a few sips of tea, Liang Chengbi put down the teacup and began to speak. "Although my sister is ill and I shouldn't bother you anymore, this matter concerns the harmony of the six harems, and I dare not take the initiative. Before the late queen passed away, she held your hand and mine, asking us sisters to work together to manage the harem well. If I make a mistake in any way, wouldn't I be going against the late queen's trust?"
Meng Yan couldn't help but curl her red lips slightly when she heard this.
The former queen had been very kind to her Meng family, and bringing up the former queen was to prevent her from shirking responsibility on the grounds of illness and using other people's influence to try to gain an advantage.
"Sister, what are you talking about? Not to mention that I can still struggle now, even if I am sick and can't get out of bed, I have something to discuss with you. Even if I am sick to death, I will definitely come."
Meng Yan knew what Liang Chengbi was going to say, so she wouldn't refuse.
Liang Chengbi only thought that his words worked and Meng Yan was already in the trap.
"It's about the accommodation for the newly selected concubines entering the palace. It's fine for others, but where should we place that Lin? Although she is a concubine, she is still in the same position as the emperor... It's not good to be lower than her, and it's not good to be higher than her, so I wanted to ask your opinion, sister."
As soon as he finished speaking, Liang Chengbi stared into Meng Yan's eyes, and the smile on his lips became deeper.
She waited quietly for Meng Yan's reaction.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
