The empress dowager delayed the summons, claiming to be considerate, but in reality it made Mu Ci special. Other concubines would go to pay their respects obediently the next day after entering the palace, but Mu Zhaoyi was so different. It was said that on her first night in bed, the emperor ordered the Zhaoyang Palace to be decorated like a bridal chamber, which made the male concubines very jealous. The Queen Mother's move simply solidified the hatred for Mu Ci. All the people in the three palaces and six courtyards who could show their faces in front of the Queen Mother flocked to Changle Palace. They all wanted to take advantage of Mu Zhaoyi's visit to see with their own eyes the person who made the Emperor and the Queen Mother look at her differently.
"Zhaoyi, there are many people in Changle Palace, please be careful when you go there..."
No matter how smart Wang Xingren was, he had never experienced such a situation. He could only ask Mu Ci to be more alert. In addition, as soon as Zhaoyang Palace received the news, he delivered a letter to the emperor. I don’t know whether the emperor will come to Changle Palace in person to rescue Zhaoyi and him.
Wang Xingren was worried, but Mu Ci was choosing clothes. This trip must be to the Hongmen Banquet. Since Mu Ci decided to stay and be a palace concubine, she had to respond to the Queen Mother's summons. She had to change into the formal palace dress of the Zhaoyi rank first.
Ye An had packed several large boxes and sent over his clothes, all made of the finest materials and in various colors. Mu Ci usually wore simple and neat clothes before, but he couldn't wear them when he was going to meet the empress dowager. Among the many fancy robes that were very much in Ye Xiaoan's style, he chose an ivory brocade robe with red embroidery.
Mu Ci changed his clothes by himself and tied his hair with a white jade hairpin. Wang Xingren brought over a flower ornament. Mu Ci remembered that Ye An had insisted on wearing it these days and never got tired of it. He couldn't help but smile and picked up the red lotus and stuck it on.
Wang Xingren racked his brains and wrote down several words of praise. The emperor asked him to stay in Zhaoyang Palace and gave him some incredible tasks, such as asking him to write down Mu Zhaoyi's daily clothes and give different compliments, and report to the emperor regularly.
Wang Xingren privately felt that the Emperor was not just doting on Zhaoyi, he was crazy about her.
After packing everything, Mu Ci went to Changle Palace to pay his respects accompanied by Wang Xingren.
The Queen Mother and several male concubines were already waiting.
Mu Ci knelt down and saluted meticulously; his movements were as smooth as flowing water and there was no fault to be found.
However, the Queen Mother did not ask him to stand up. Mu Ci was a martial artist, so kneeling for a little longer was not a big deal. But in front of all the concubines, the Queen Mother's embarrassment was obvious.
The Queen Mother drank a cup of tea before she said, "Now that you have entered the palace, you should serve the Emperor wholeheartedly. You must not be arrogant."
Mu Ci nodded and thanked him.
The Queen Mother had gotten over her anger from the day of the beauty pageant and ordered Mu Ci to stand up and look up. Seeing that he was calm and composed, and was not surprised by praise or criticism, she was somewhat impressed. Thinking that her son might be pregnant with an heir, the Queen Mother did not want to find fault with him in public and pointed out a seat for Mu Ci.
After entering the palace, Mu Ci had not visited any palace and did not know the other concubines. He sat down when the empress dowager asked him to. However, just as he sat down, a male concubine who was nearby smiled at him. He was a handsome young man about the same age as Ye An, with a flowing cloud between his eyebrows. He was wearing a lake blue gauze robe with clusters of black bamboo embroidered on the cuffs and belt.
The eyes of the people in the room all looked at him with calculation, only this young man was somewhat friendly. Mu Ci nodded, and Wang Xingren behind him said fearfully: "Zhaoyi, this one is Concubine Wen."
If Ye Xiaoan were present, he would definitely beat his chest and stamp his feet. These past few days, whenever he saw Brother Aci, he only thought about asking for meat and forgot to introduce his good partner Ranmei!
Mu Ci didn't know yet that Wen Ziran was his favorite concubine before he came, but Wen Ziran knew Master Mu. One was unaware, and the other was unintentional. For a while, the two concubines were in perfect harmony.
The Queen Mother deliberately put the two together, obviously with the intention of watching a show. The male concubines who came to Changle Palace to watch the fun all knew it tacitly. They didn't know what kind of person Mu Zhaoyi was, but Concubine Wen was known as the crazy concubine, and she would probably not be able to hold herself back. They were just waiting to see Concubine Wen tear Mu Zhaoyi apart.
Who made the Emperor treat Concubine Wen differently and not summon anyone else for a long time? Even the two concubines, Qiao and Yang, who had powerful backgrounds, one had been out of favor for a long time, and the other had been staying in the bedroom until now. The male concubines once thought that Concubine Mu was also here to sit on the bench, after all, she couldn't even get the position of a concubine, and was not as good as Concubine Qiao and Yang. But who knew that as soon as she appeared on the stage, she could share the same status with Concubine Wen!
The Emperor loves Mu Zhaoyi very much. It is said that she personally selected all the furnishings for the Zhaoyang Palace. Even Concubine Wen did not have this honor. Her status is approaching that of the late Imperial Noble Concubine Su. Moreover, the emperor, who once did not want to have children after losing his memory, publicly expressed his desire to have a child with Mu Zhaoyi during the selection. The male concubines were so jealous that they were almost smoking. If they were Concubine Wen, they would not be able to sit still either!
But after waiting and waiting, Concubine Wen was not angry at all? ?
Wen Ziran waved an ivory fan calmly. Not only was he not angry, he was in a very good mood. He knew very well what the Queen Mother and the other male concubines were thinking. He was just a fake concubine. Now that the real concubine was here, he naturally would not stand in Master Mu's way. It was not easy to use him as a knife.
The male concubines felt a little awkward after waiting for so long, but they couldn't leave rashly without the Queen Mother's order. They didn't dare to jump out and provoke Mu Zhaoyi. After all, Mu Ci's status as the son of one of the Three Dukes was there, and most of the male concubines didn't dare to do anything directly except secretly envy and hate him. Concubine Wen remained unmoved, and the others in higher positions had their own concerns, fearing that they would displease the emperor. They all expected others to take action first, but surprisingly, no one took action.
At this moment, Concubine Yang from Chengming Palace arrived.
The concubines' eyes lit up. Concubine Yang had a bad temper and a high position. It would be good for him to take the lead and step on Concubine Mu.
Yang Shuxuan had been under house arrest for a long time and could have been released, but he caught a cold not long ago, so the empress dowager took the opportunity to extend his stay in Chengming Palace to recuperate. However, Mu Ci was so favored as soon as he entered the palace. The empress dowager had suppressed Concubine Yang before, but now she has to release Concubine Yang to balance Mu Ci.
Yang Shuxuan was supported by two eunuchs into the palace today. She was still wearing a bright red shirt, but she gasped for breath with every step she took. Her fair face was now covered with a thick layer of powder to hide her sick appearance. Her once lively eyes had become cloudy and lifeless. She had not been seen for several months, but she looked emaciated. There was a strong smell of herbs on her body. It seemed that she was really ill.
Yang Shuxuan knelt down and saluted with great difficulty. The empress dowager saw that he was in such a state, how could he still compete for favor, so she let him sit aside and rest for a while.
"Yang Fei, are you feeling better?"
The empress dowager was a little frightened by Yang Shuxuan's sickly appearance, and only after the imperial physician assured her that she was not seriously ill did she release Concubine Yang from her confinement.
Concubine Yang said with a weak breath, "Thank you, Queen Mother. I am much better now. But I feel guilty for not being able to serve the Emperor."
Concubine Yang finally made the first move. Li Guiji smiled and said, "Now that the emperor has Mu Zhaoyi by his side, we can all rest assured. I heard that Mu Zhaoyi is both civil and military, and has been praised many times by the late emperor. I am very envious of her. I am afraid that all of us combined are not as good as her..."
"Really?"
The Queen Mother gave Li Guiji an ambiguous look, and Li Guiji immediately lowered her head.
He deliberately mentioned the late emperor just to let everyone know that Mu Ci could be considered a candidate back then. Even though he was later ordered to guard the border and failed to enter the palace, he was still suspected of seducing the late emperor and the emperor. With this stain, it doesn't matter if he is both a civil and a military talent. For the sake of the emperor's reputation, the empress dowager will definitely deal with Mu Ci.
Li Guiji was just waiting for the Queen Mother to make a move, but Mu Ci had already stood up and said to the Queen Mother with a smile: "The late emperor held a civil and military test and allowed all men in the world to participate. I was lucky enough to win the first prize. The late emperor asked me what my wish was. I wished to fight on the battlefield. The late emperor loved his people like his own children and granted me my wish. I am deeply grateful to him."
Mu Ci was good at fighting and had great insight. In his eyes, the intrigues in the palace were nothing but trivial tricks. Li Guiji's ambiguous words were nothing more than an attempt to link him with the late emperor. Mu Ci did not hide anything, but explained everything that happened in just a few words, which made Li Guiji seem petty.
"...Indeed." The Queen Mother nodded and said, "I have also heard of Master Mu's talent in the past when I was in the palace."
The Queen Mother looked a little unhappy, but she didn't attack Mu Ci. Li Guiji was secretly shocked. The Queen Mother deliberately delayed summoning Mu Ci, wasn't it just to give Mu Ci a warning? Why didn't the Queen Mother accept the olive branch he threw out?
He thought he understood the Queen Mother, but little did he know that at this moment the Queen Mother disliked him much more than Mu Ci. In the eyes of the Queen Mother, Li Guiji's tricks were not enough. If it only involved Mu Ci, the Queen Mother would be happy to stand by and watch. However, Li Guiji should not have dragged the late emperor into this. Besides, Mu Ci was already the imperial concubine. If the late emperor really had something with her, wouldn't the emperor be involved as well? The Queen Mother wished she could slap Li Guiji on the spot. Who gave this person the courage to throw dirty water on the late emperor!
The Queen Mother said directly: "The late emperor loves talents, which is a blessing for our Great Wei. You must remember your status and do not make irresponsible remarks about the late emperor."
The Queen Mother did not say anything, but only gave Li Guiji a warning glance. Li Guiji was so scared that she broke out in a cold sweat. He had made a mistake and offended the Queen Mother. The Queen Mother said this to him, asking him to remember his identity...
What is his status? He is just the son of a wet nurse. He was promoted by the empress dowager to get his current position. Only he himself knows whether the emperor has ever favored him from the beginning to the end.
Li Guiji knelt down and stammered, "Your Majesty, I spoke out of turn... Please forgive me, Queen Mother."
The Queen Mother turned a deaf ear to him and just talked to other concubines, leaving him kneeling there.
No one asked Li Guiji to stand up, and no one cared about him.
Mu Ci even felt a little sympathy for this man - he was hopelessly stupid and tried to suppress him through the Queen Mother, but he had to first see clearly whether the Queen Mother would help him.
Sympathy is sympathy, but he will not show mercy to the enemies who come to his door.
"Mu Zhaoyi."
Concubine Qiao stood up suddenly. Mu Ci looked up at this person. Qiao Yunting said loudly: "To be honest, I have heard of your name and even admire you. But I have a question, please answer it..."
Qiao Yunting said: "Since you are devoted to guarding the border, why do you suddenly come back to be a male concubine? Remember, Mu Li, the son of the Grand Tutor, is the one who should be chosen."
Mu Ci's eyes fell on the golden sword on Qiao Yunting's waist and asked, "Why did you enter the palace?"
Qiao Yunting said as a matter of course: "I am the son of the Third Duke, and according to the rules, I should serve in the palace."
"I think so too." Mu Ci smiled slightly. "This old rule does not specify who it is. Mu Li cannot enter the palace for some reason, so I resigned from my position to fulfill this old rule on his behalf. The Queen Mother and the Emperor both agreed. Do you still think there is something wrong with it?"
Qiao Yunting's breathing stagnated, but he still said stubbornly: "But you are too old to enter the palace..."
Concubine Yang coughed and laughed, "Qiao Yunting, you are really a piece of crap. Isn't Imperial Concubine Su several years older than the Emperor?"
Concubine Yang seemed to be scolding Concubine Qiao, but her implication was that the Emperor particularly favored older men, and was simply transferring his favor from Imperial Concubine Su to Mu Ci.
The concubines fell silent all of a sudden. The empress dowager also remembered that the emperor had contradicted her for Su Qinghuai. Thinking about the emperor's words and deeds when Mu Ci entered the palace, the empress dowager's expression became subtle.
Concubine Yang is smarter than Li Guiji. She knows that the Queen Mother dislikes Concubine Su and Mu Ci is already the target of public criticism. If the Queen Mother regards Mu Ci and Concubine Su as the same kind of people, Mu Ci's future life will never be easy. Isn't that the reason why Concubine Su died early?
Concubine Yang's mention of Su Qinghuai had angered Mu Ci. Mu Ci's eyes were cold and he said indifferently, "So what? I entered the palace to accompany the emperor. What happened to the previous person has nothing to do with me."
Mu Ci glanced coldly at Concubine Yang and Concubine Qiao, and said, "Instead of thinking about how to belittle others all day long, you might as well reflect on why you can't catch the emperor's eye."
Qiao Yunting, Yang Shuxuan: "..."
Wen Ziran, who had been watching the excitement, was thinking: How come Mr. Mu is even crazier than me? !
Concubine Qiao's face turned the color of liver, and she said impulsively: "Don't talk nonsense, this golden sword of mine was given to me by the emperor when I first entered the palace. Compared with me, what do you have?"
Mu Ci smiled faintly and said no more to him.
Qiao Yunting thought that this had shocked Mu Ci, but suddenly he saw a red gold hollow purse hanging on the jade belt around the other's waist. He had never seen the patterns carved on it before, but he recognized the craftsmanship. This exquisite thing must be used by the emperor. Since ancient times, purses have been tokens of love...
Qiao Yunting was speechless for a moment. He knew what the other party had compared to him.
He only had a golden sword as a routine reward, while the other party had the emperor's favorite.
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Thank you to the little angels who cast their votes for me or irrigated me with nutrient solution~
Thanks to the little angel who cast [mine]: When you smile, you look like a younger brother;
Thanks to the little angel who irrigated [nutrient solution]:
Mo Xiaobei Beibei Beibei? 20 bottles; Red Spider Lily and Lu Guo 5 bottles;
Thank you very much for your support, I will continue to work hard!
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