Now that there were two queens and empresses in the harem, Ling Shumo would stay in Fengyi Palace on the first day of every month and in Chenyou Palace on the fifteenth. Every three to five days, Ling Shumo would also have meals with Lu Jinshu, Ling Xi, and Shangguan Xu.
Therefore, despite Pei Jiu's excessive favor, Lu Jinshu, as the Empress of the Central Palace, was able to remain calm. However, while he was able to remain calm, the other men in the harem did not have the same composure. Because the emperor was unwilling to treat everyone equally, they would inevitably complain when they came to pay their respects at the Chenyou Palace.
Pei Jiuyan has now become the target of public criticism, and he has a spoiled temper. If it weren't for Ling Shumo's protection, he would have died countless times.
Ling Shumo said, "The songs and dances are all the same old routines, nothing new. However, Shu Rongze is truly charming and attractive, and I can't forget him. Most importantly, being with him allows me to talk about old times together, which is quite interesting."
"Old people and old things" was referring to the long-deceased Pei Jiusheng. Lu Jinshu had already guessed this, but hearing Ling Shumo speak it in person was a completely different experience. He simply smiled gently, "Then Your Majesty, please hurry to the Biluo Palace. Don't wait for Xihe to change clothes. Otherwise, you'll be late. What if Shu Rongze thinks we're deliberately stopping Your Majesty and not letting you go? That would be bad."
Thinking of Pei Jiuyan's temper, Ling Shumo couldn't help but laugh and said, "He is indeed petty and jealous of everyone. Well, since you are so considerate, I will leave first. When Xihe comes out of the room later, remember to explain everything to her."
Lu Jinshu personally escorted Ling Shumo out of the gate of Chenyou Palace before returning the same way.
Shangguan Xu complained somewhat dissatisfiedly, "That Pei Jiuyan, relying on his favor, is even more arrogant and domineering than I used to be. I've been waiting for you to find a chance to teach him a lesson, but I never thought you were so easy to talk to. You just let him stir up trouble everywhere in the harem. One day he's snatching this person's new clothes, and the next day he's taking that person's beautiful jewelry. He's a hundred times more annoying than when he was first brought back to the harem."
Lu Jinshu sighed lightly and smiled helplessly, "Your Majesty can be with whoever he likes. I'm just a husband, how can I control these things? No matter how much he jumps around, he can't ride on our heads. Let's just live our own lives."
Shangguan Xu pulled the towel off his hair and threw it to the ground, saying unhappily, "He really can't do anything to me, but I just feel upset just looking at him, is that okay?"
Lu Jinshu took another fresh towel and wrapped it around Shangguan Xu's head, his tone full of soothing intent. "Okay, okay, I know you're upset. I'll definitely find a way to teach him a lesson, is that okay? However, if you want to teach a servant like him who is so favored by His Majesty a lesson, you need to wait for the most appropriate time, and now is not the time."
Shangguan Xu stepped on the towel on the ground, twisted it vigorously, and said through gritted teeth, "Wait, wait, wait, every time I bring this up, you make me wait. When will the right time be? I've been waiting for almost a year, and it seems like you're just putting me off!"
Lu Jinshu was choked by Shangguan Xu's words. He coughed dryly, smiled, and didn't say anything else. Because he was really just trying to appease Shangguan Xu and had never intended to take action against Pei Jiuyan. Pei Jiuyan was just annoying, but she didn't pose a threat to them. There was no need for them to take the initiative to provoke a dispute. Shangguan Xu actually understood this in his heart; he was just complaining.
The two chatted on this topic for a few more sentences, then moved on to other things. Neither of them noticed that Ling Xihe, standing behind the door, had a serious face and a thoughtful look in his eyes.
…
Biluo Palace.
As soon as Ling Shumo stepped in here, a warm breeze blew towards her. The warm breath of spring mixed with bursts of fragrance was extremely intoxicating.
After finishing lunch, Pei Jiuyan stood under the white wall covered with blue ivy, waiting for Ling Shumo. Seeing her from a distance, he held up the hem of his skirt and trotted over, saying in surprise, "Your Majesty, I've finally waited for you. I missed you so much that I ate two bowls less at lunch."
Ling Shumo helped Pei Jiuyan, who had been kneeling in greeting, to his feet. He was wearing a snow-blue robe adorned with gold beads, and his ears were adorned with smooth, white deep-sea pearls, which made his skin appear whiter than snow. Just looking at him quietly was a delight to the eyes.
Ling Shumo asked with a smile, "What about Xijie? Does she miss her mother?"
Before Pei Jiuyan could answer, Ling Xijie rushed over like a joyful calf and fell directly into Ling Shumo's arms, "Mother Queen, I miss you so much."
Ling Shumo picked up the little girl, and the two of them, one small, walked through the corridor covered with dense green vines above their heads. Along the way, they saw rows of rockery and strange rocks, and the shimmering water in the pool. The three of them walked left and right among the green and flowery paths, passed through five plum blossom moon doors carved from golden nanmu, and finally stopped in front of the door of the main house of the Biluo Palace.
Looking around, there were more than ten servants waiting for orders in the courtyard. When they saw the three masters coming, they all knelt down and saluted.
Pei Jiuyan was already accustomed to such a large group of servants. He personally lifted the crystal curtain made of glass beads for Ling Shumo and said, "I have learned a few new dances from the folk musicians who were just invited from outside the palace. When you enter the house, I will immediately change into my dance dress and perform for Your Majesty. You will no longer have to endure those old tunes."
Ling Shumo smiled and agreed. As she stepped through the threshold, the house was filled with the same delicate scent of camellias as outside. Strangely, there were no incense burners or camellias planted inside.
She carefully recalled the way she had come and asked in confusion, "I remember walking all the way here. It seems that there weren't any camellias planted in the Biluo Palace, yet the air was filled with the fragrance of camellias. What's so strange about this that I haven't noticed?"
Pei Jiuyan let the servants tighten the vanilla-colored corset adorned with colorful beads around her waist, and said with a smile, "I ordered the servants to sprinkle camellia powder throughout the palace every half hour, so the entire Biluo Palace is filled with such fragrance."
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