The news of the emperor's return to the palace spread like a spring breeze to all the palaces. After hearing it, the concubines were moved.
All the gifts originally sent to Concubine Yi's palace were returned intact, and many concubines who were eager to try gave up the idea of pleasing the Queen.
Before the emperor did not return to the palace, the queen was the only one in power in the harem. Now that the emperor has returned to the palace, the situation has changed immediately.
The beauties in Cangzhu Palace have become more exquisite. Those who did not wear makeup before are now starting to put on makeup.
Those who didn't diet before now started to diet. Even people like Qi Gengyi, who were like a dead tree before, started to practice dancing secretly.
In the huge Cangzhu Palace, except for Gu Yinwei who was planting flowers and raising grass, everyone else was hiding in deserted places to hone their skills.
The time spent on daily greetings was also shorter than before. The concubines would sit for a while and then leave.
The emperor has been resting in Jingyang Palace these few days since he came back. The empress, the imperial concubine, and the concubine Yi wished they could eat her alive.
Zhenfei was holding a circle of beads in her hand as she looked at the cat squatting in front of the queen. The cat had amber eyes, whiskers of varying lengths on its mouth, pointed ears, and thick fur.
A pair of flawless snow-white paws, squatting on the ground, looks like a white rabbit.
Zhenfei sighed, saying that although the cat was beautiful, it had no soul and was not even as smart as the tabby cat that Gu Gengyi raised.
Concubine Jin had her hands on the back of the chair. She didn't hear a word the Queen said, and her eyes were fixed on Concubine Rou. The Emperor gave Concubine Rou a chess manual from the previous dynasty. Concubine Jin was itching to see Concubine Rou's chess manual, but she couldn't bring herself to talk to her.
The emperor is really something. He didn't even give the chess manual to Concubine Rou. Concubine Rou doesn't know chess, so giving her the chess manual is a waste of talent.
Concubine Rou had long noticed Concubine Jin's wolf-like eyes and invited her, "Concubine Jin, would you like to go to Jingyang Palace for tea and chess?"
Just as Concubine Jin was about to agree, Concubine Zhen glared at her. Feeling a little guilty, Concubine Jin gave Concubine Zhen a guilty smile. Concubine Zhen looked proud and arrogant. Concubine Jin leaned over and whispered, "I'm just going to look at the chess manual. I'll be back soon. Wait for me."
Concubine Zhen stood up and walked out. "I recently acquired a copy of Mr. Yanzhai's 'Bamboo Temple Chess Manual' and wanted to invite you to Changning Palace to take a look, but I didn't realize you already had an appointment."
"Do you really have the 'Zhu'an Chess Manual'?"
"Why would I lie to you? Forget it if you don't want to read it. I'll give it to Gu Gengyi. It just so happens that she also likes playing chess."
Concubine Jin lifted her skirt and walked quickly to Concubine Rou. Concubine Rou smiled happily and said, "Sister Jin, please come with me. I have already asked someone to prepare wine and food."
As she spoke, she held Concubine Jin's hand affectionately and said, "Let's eat and watch later. I can also play chess with you."
"No need. I have something important to discuss with Concubine Zhen. See you later."
Concubine Rou stood there like a stone statue, her smile disappeared in an instant. She took the initiative to give a posthumous title, but Concubine Jin actually went back on her word.
Ning Heyu came forward and said, "Empress Roufei, I happen to be free today. Why don't I go to the banquet at Jingyang Palace?"
Concubine Rou frowned, thinking to herself, "Who are you to be worthy of me preparing a banquet and personally entertaining you? You don't even consider yourself. You are a Shuyi, what can you possibly do that is worthy of my flattery?"
Concubine Rou took a deep breath and said calmly, "I'm a little tired recently. Let's meet again another day."
Ning Heyu followed Concubine Rou closely and wanted to reach out to pull Concubine Rou, but Concubine Rou got on the sedan chair and left quickly.
Ning Heyu ran forward two steps, and just at that moment a person came out from the corner. She had no time to stop and bumped into the person.
"You want to die? How dare you hit me!"
Gu Yinwei supported Bian Tao's hand and slowly stood up. Bian Tao silently complained, "Don't you understand when turning to give way to those going straight?" Ning Heyu didn't look at the road and bumped into someone first. Not only did she not apologize, she also cursed.
"It's not that I want to die, but that you are about to die."
Ning Heyu felt that Gu Yinwei's voice was eerie and she subconsciously took a step back.
"Get out! Get out of the way."
Ning Heyu had just been supported by Gu Yinwei so that she would not fall. Now she asked Gu Yinwei to make way, and Gu Yinwei immediately let go of her hand. Ning Heyu's body swayed, and she finally managed to stand steady by holding on to the palace wall.
Then he hurriedly chased after Concubine Rou, shouting as he ran. Concubine Rou felt embarrassed and ordered the people carrying the sedan chair to speed up.
Chuchu held the tabby cat in her arms and stroked its fur: "Miss, why is Ning Shuyi not close to Concubine Yi, but to Concubine Rou instead?"
"Because she's stupid."
Gu Yinwei continued walking towards the imperial garden. Recently, the little tabby cat suddenly liked to eat tender grass, so she planned to pick one or two fresh grass leaves.
Ning Heyu chased Concubine Rou all the way. Although Concubine Rou was unwilling, she still patiently talked to her.
Ning Heyu asked, "Empress Roufei, why didn't you wait for me just now?"
"Just now, Concubine Yi was here too. You and Concubine Yi grew up together, and I was worried that Concubine Yi wouldn't allow you to be friends with me."
"Don't worry, Concubine Rou. I have no contact with Concubine Yi for a long time."
"Oh, we don't keep in touch. What happened?"
"Concubine Yi always insults me. I don't like her."
"Ning Shuyi, how do you think I treat you?"
Ning Heyu looked up at the palace maids serving on the side. Concubine Rou flicked her sleeves and the palace maids left one after another.
"Empress Rou treats me like a sister. I am willing to sacrifice my life for you."
"Really? Sister, if you are really willing, you will die for me."
"I am willing."
"Empty words cannot represent my sincerity. If you dare to do one thing for me, I will completely trust you."
"As the Queen commands."
Concubine Rou gestured for Ning Heyu to come closer, and then whispered into her ear.
Ning Heyu listened attentively, not even blinking. Before leaving, she vowed, "Don't worry, Concubine Rou. I will definitely take care of this matter for you."
"Thank you so much, sister. My future success depends entirely on you."
Concubine Rou kept calling her "sister" like a series of firecrackers. Ning Heyu was dizzy from the explosions. Concubine Rou had set a trap for her with just a few words, but she had no idea.
Ning Heyu clenched her hands and walked towards Chunxi Palace with firm steps. She wanted to steal a medical book to cure Concubine Rou's chronic illness. Once Concubine Rou's illness was cured, Concubine Rou would recommend her to serve the emperor.
Once she gains the emperor's favor, she will be confident that she can trample everyone under her feet. Concubine Yi often says that the emperor is heartless, but Ning Heyu doesn't believe it at all. She thinks that the emperor is heartless only because he hasn't met her yet. Once she meets the emperor, she will definitely be able to change this shortcoming of the emperor's promiscuity.
Ning Heyu walked straight to Chunxi Palace, but Wen Qin stopped her, "Ning Shuyi, Concubine Yi is ill and won't see any outsiders."
"A stranger, how can I be considered a stranger? My cousin and I have been close friends since childhood."
"this……"
"Sister Wenqin, I couldn't sleep or eat after the quarrel with my cousin last time. Please let me go to my cousin, kowtow to her and admit my mistake."
Wen Qin refused to give in, and Concubine Yi did not express her opinion either.
"Okay, if you don't like me, forget it. I can go to the flower hall over there to eat something."
Wen Qin stopped the palace maid behind Ning Heyu: "Ning Shuyi can go through, but you can't."
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