Chapter 32: Becoming enemies?

Xue Youli smiled slightly, "Thank you very much, Madam Concubine Li, for your kindness. I am deeply honored."

In fact, when the newcomers entered the palace this time, many people tried to curry favor with Concubine Li, but they were all rejected by her.

Now Concubine Li took the initiative to invite Xue Youli.

Everyone was guessing that Concubine Li wanted to take this opportunity to criticize Xue Youli.

However, Xue Youli knew very well that this was not the case.

She had checked in the Book of Heaven's Secrets and found out that the reason why Concubine Li was favored was because she was Murong Che's person.

Murong Che placed her in the harem in order to use her to cover up the secret of his misogyny.

Concubine Li did not know about Murong Che's physical condition. She thought Murong Che was just frail and sickly, which limited his male sexual function, so she needed to help cover it up.

Seeing that Murong Che favored Xue Youli, which was exactly the same as when she entered the palace, she thought that Xue Youli was also a chess piece used by the emperor to deceive others, just like her.

Xue Youli felt that it was good to be misunderstood by Concubine Li.

Not only did she keep Murong Che's secret, but she also gained an ally on her side.

In the future, Concubine Li will definitely treat her as her own.

If she were to be in trouble one day, maybe Concubine Li could help her.

As for Murong Che's secret, the fewer people who know it, the better.

As expected, Concubine Li was very happy to hear her reply, "Sister Xue, if you encounter any difficulties in the future, you can always come to me. In the past, there were only me, Concubine Rong, Concubine Ning, and Concubine Chun in the palace, which was really deserted."

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty. I will come here often when I have time."

Many people in the harem stretched their necks to stare at Yongchun Palace, wanting to see how Concubine Li would teach the newcomer.

However, to everyone's surprise, Concubine Li and Xue Youli had a very pleasant conversation and Concubine Li even gave Xue Youli two large bags of fine tea.

When Concubine Ning heard the news, she was so angry that she broke off a branch of plum blossoms in her hand on the spot.

There were only four people in the harem before, and she was afraid of exposing herself, so she didn't dare to act rashly.

Now that there are so many new people in the harem, she wishes these women would turn the harem upside down.

Concubine Li used to be so powerful in front of them, so why is she so scared now when facing a mere sixth-rank beauty?

She thought that Concubine Li asked Xue Youli to go to Yongchun Palace to set rules, but it turned out that she overestimated Concubine Li.

It turns out that Concubine Li is also a coward!

Well, let her organize a plan and provide an opportunity for sisters who have ideas.

"Lingxiu, the peach blossoms in Yu Garden are in full bloom. Please inform everyone that the Japanese palace is holding a flower viewing banquet in Yu Garden and invite the sisters in the harem to visit the garden together."

"yes."

A few days ago, the little princess Murong Xi was unwell, so Concubine Rong asked Concubine Ning to take charge of the affairs of the six palaces on her behalf.

It was perfectly legitimate for Concubine Ning to host this flower-viewing banquet, as it could be used as an opportunity for the new concubines to get acquainted with each other.

In Minghua Palace, Xue Qingyao received the news and called her personal maid, "Lianxin, go and ask if Concubine Rong will bring the little princess to the flower viewing banquet tomorrow?"

"yes."

The next day, when Xue Youli brought Banxia to Yu Garden, most of the concubines had already arrived.

They gathered in twos and threes, some chatting and laughing, others drinking tea and playing chess.

Xue Youli walked over and bowed to the concubine who was of higher rank than herself, greeting her.

"Sister Xue, please get up quickly. We are all sisters. There is no need to be so formal."

Rong Qingyue smiled kindly when she saw Xue Youli. "I heard from Xier that you saved her in Yu Garden before. I haven't had the chance to thank you yet."

Although her daughter Murong Xi had only met Xue Youli once, she had mentioned Xue Youli several times in front of her, which showed that the little girl really liked Xue Youli.

Xue Youli said quickly, "You are too polite, Concubine Rong. It's just a small favor."

"Xi'er was spoiled by me. She always likes to run around. She said that if you hadn't been there that day, she would have fallen off the rockery. I was terrified to hear that."

Xue Youli replied, "Even if I didn't do anything, the emperor was there that day and would definitely be able to protect the little princess."

"Don't tell me Xi'er likes you. I feel like we are very compatible when I see you."

Rong Qingyue took Xue Youli aside and talked to her about her daughter. Her voice was gentle and soft. "Xi'er just kept saying that she wanted to fly a kite with you when you came."

Xue Youli was surprised, "The little princess is here today too?"

"Well, Caixia took her to swing."

Rong Qingyue nodded slightly, paused, and said, "I'll send someone to call her over. She will definitely be happy to see you."

After her daughter came back from Yu Garden that day, she often mentioned "Sister Beauty". Rong Qingyue sent people to inquire about her and found out that the "beauty" the little girl was talking about was Xue Youli.

When Xue Youli went to pay her respects with other concubines, Rong Qingyue met Xue Youli and her first impression was that she was beautiful.

During the conversation between the two, Rong Qingyue developed a new fondness for Xue Youli.

At this moment, Xue Qingyao was sitting at the table next to them.

While she was chatting and laughing with the other concubines, she kept tilting her ears to eavesdrop on the conversation between Xue Youli and Concubine Rong.

When Congrong Qingyue confirmed that Murong Xi also came to Yu Garden today, her eyes flickered, and the hands folded in her sleeves quietly grasped the things hidden in her palms.

That day, she witnessed Xue Youli rescuing the little princess in Yu Garden, and also saw with her own eyes how Xue Youli seduced Murong Che.

If Xue Youli had not entered the palace, the credit for saving the little princess would have been hers, and she would have been the only one attracted to Murong Che.

Xue Youli had taken away the favor that should have belonged to her, and today at the flower viewing party, she was going to make Rong Qingyue and Xue Youli become enemies!

Just as Xue Qingyao was thinking, he raised his head and saw a small figure running towards Rong Qingyue.

When Murongxi passed by Xue Qingyao, Xue Qingyao flicked her sleeves without leaving a trace and deliberately reminded her, "The corner of the table is sharp, Princess, go slower."

Murongxi ignored her, ran to Xue Youli in one breath, and called sweetly, "Beautiful sister!"

Xue Youli liked Murong Xi very much. Although she was not Murong Che's biological daughter, the little girl was well-behaved and polite, especially her smiling eyes, which made people feel better.

"You are such an unruly girl."

Murong Xi reached out and tugged at her clothes, and said softly, "Mother, I know I was wrong, please don't be angry with me."

"You're sweating all over from running."

Rong Qingyue's heart softened and she took out a handkerchief to wipe her daughter's sweat.

Who knew that when he looked up, he found Murong Xi grabbing the collar with her little hands and falling straight down.

Rong Fei's expression changed immediately, "Xi'er!"

Lying on the ground, Murong Xi's face turned purple, his breathing was rapid, and his whole body was shaking.

Rong Qingyue listened to the roar coming from her daughter's throat, her pupils tightened, and she shouted, "Caixia! Quick! Call the imperial physician!"