Chapter 60: Stop pretending in front of me

"Hmm? Who's here to see me?"

As a favorite concubine, Concubine Zhang would definitely accompany the emperor on the Autumn Hunt. Many women from the harem came this time, and only the Empress Dowager stayed in the harem to take charge. All the other concubines who had a bit of face in front of the Emperor came.

Then the princesses and princes also came, and it was very lively.

Apart from the Empress, Concubine Zhang was the only concubine who had a palace to herself, which showed the Emperor's preference for her.

"To answer your Majesty, it's Miss Xu from the Duke of Chengguo's mansion."

Concubine Zhang's eyes lit up, but she quickly recovered, looking completely indifferent, but her tone was a little anxious, "Oh, let her in!"

Didn't that stinky girl say that after the cousin's matter, they would pretend not to know each other and keep their distance? Why did she come to her door now? Humph, did she finally realize her status and power as a favored concubine, so she regretted it and decided to curry favor with her?

If that was the case, it was not impossible for her to give her another chance.

Concubine Zhang raised her chin arrogantly, sat on the large huanghuali armchair with the airs of a favored concubine, and waited for Xu Muhua to come in.

Originally, Concubine Zhang was thinking about how she would tease Xu Muhua after she came in, but Xu Muhua didn't give her a chance at all!

After coming in, she just bowed hastily and stood up without waiting for her to say anything, saying, "Your Majesty, please dismiss the attendants. I have something very important to tell you."

When Concubine Zhang heard this, she had the urge to kick her out, because she knew it was not a good thing.

But... She stretched out her left hand to support her forehead, and waved her right hand, signaling the servants to leave.

Soon, Concubine Zhang and Xu Muhua were the only ones left in the room.

Xu Muhua sat down next to Concubine Zhang in a very familiar manner, and said in a low voice: "Your Majesty, I found something very strange. It is a serious matter, and I have no other way for the time being, and I can't think of anyone who can help me, so I came to find Your Majesty. At this time, I am afraid that there is no one else who can help me except Your Majesty."

Concubine Zhang raised her chin modestly and glanced at Xu Muhua: "Tell me, what do you want me to help you with?"

She said that Xu Muhua would need her help one day. She had vowed not to do so before, and now she is slapped in the face, right?

How could Xu Muhua not see what Concubine Zhang's eyes meant? She also knew what she had said before, and she also knew that coming to Concubine Zhang at this time was a bit of a slap in the face...

But, a slap in the face was nothing, she was flexible! She was a person who did great things, how could she be defeated by such a small matter?

So she just pretended not to see the mockery in Concubine Zhang's eyes.

She lowered her voice even more, and said, "I accidentally ran into something. It seems that someone is plotting to make trouble during the autumn hunt! Your Majesty, you know that in addition to the nobles in the capital, the more important one is the emperor! There can be no mistakes!"

Concubine Zhang's expression was serious and solemn. She looked at Xu Muhua and said, "Do you know what you are saying? Do you know what these words mean?"

If someone really wants to take advantage of the opportunity to make trouble, or even plot something more terrible, and she finds out, she is likely to get into trouble and eventually be implicated in the Duke of Chengguo's Mansion.

If it's a lie, it will be even more serious and will still be implicated in the Duke of Chengguo's Mansion.

"Of course I know, that's why I came to see your majesty! I am dedicated to the country, the king, and the people!" Concubine

Zhang's heart skipped a beat.

If she hadn't met him before, she would have really believed her lies!

"Are you sure this is true? Could it be that you misunderstood?"

Xu Muhua glared, "Your Majesty, do I look like the kind of person who doesn't know the importance of things and makes a fuss? For such an important matter, I must have been sure before I came to discuss countermeasures with your Majesty!"

Of course, Concubine Zhang believed her. After a moment of silence, she asked, "Then what can you do? If I go directly to the emperor, he may not believe it."

It is also very likely that he will think that she is too pampered and is just talking nonsense.

Xu Muhua pretended to think for a while before saying, "I think the best way to deal with this matter is to secretly reveal it to a certain prince, and let this prince come forward. In this way, this prince will have to accept the favor of the queen, and the queen will have more protection in the harem in the future. And I don't have to worry about being implicated in the Chengguo Mansion. It's a win-win situation!"

Concubine Zhang's eyes flashed, and asked, "Which prince do you think is better to tell?"

Xu Muhua looked at her innocently: "Your Majesty, you must know which prince is more reliable and can be a good partner. How can I know about these princes? I have never met them!"

Then she smiled honestly, "But I heard that among all the princes, the fifth prince is the best in every aspect, including ability, reputation, appearance, and character. What do you think, Your Majesty?"

The fifth prince is the hero in the book!

Concubine Zhang looked at her deeply, her eyes fixed on the distance, "The Fifth Prince is indeed the most famous among the princes. He is the adopted son of the Empress, and can be considered half of the legitimate son of the harem. But he is humble, low-key, and motivated. He has some friendships with the ministers, but not too deep. He has always been filial and respectful to the Emperor, sincere and kind, and he cares about the people and has done a lot of good things for the people."

In fact, the Emperor had praised the Fifth Prince in front of her more than once in private. Although it seemed to be just a casual remark, she could also keenly perceive that the Emperor had a preference for the Fifth Prince. Especially after the incident with the Third Prince, this preference seemed to be more obvious.

The Empress did not give birth to a legitimate son. Although the Fifth Prince was adopted, his mother died when he was born. The Empress raised him single-handedly. He is not her biological son, but he is more like her own. He is not the son of the Empress, but it makes no difference.

She is the favorite concubine in the harem, so it is not surprising for her to know these things, but Xu Muhua... Was what she said just now really just unintentional? Did she happen to hear about the Fifth Prince's reputation? Or...

Concubine Zhang always felt that Xu Muhua was not so honest.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty?"

Xu Muhua saw that Concubine Zhang was distracted, and couldn't help but wave her hand in front of her.

At such a tense moment, how could Concubine Zhang be distracted?

"Since you think the Fifth Prince is trustworthy, then let him be the one!"

Xu Muhua was stunned for a moment, then came to her senses and explained hastily: "Your Majesty, it's not that I think the Fifth Prince is trustworthy, I'm just making a suggestion! I think it's still up to Your Majesty to make the decision on this matter!"

Concubine Zhang snorted, "Come on, stop pretending in front of me. How could I not know what you are planning?"

Isn't it because you are afraid of making a big mistake and getting into trouble that you are pretending to be stupid?

Xu Muhua did not deny it and laughed, "Your Majesty is really smart. You can't hide anything from her."

"Leave this matter to me. I will handle it well and will not involve you. Can you rest assured?"

"Don't worry, absolutely! How can I not be assured of your Majesty's character?"