Lingyun's eyes were filled with determination: "I will never be wrong."
Fu Qianyu was puzzled: "If it belonged to Liu, how did it end up with Concubine Rou?"
"I also found it strange, but I didn't dare to alert the enemy, so I returned the item to Concubine Lian. Your Majesty, I believe that Concubine Rou's identity must be more than she appears to be. During the days we were in the palace, people in the palace said that she often took the Second Prince to play. The Second Prince has such a background, and although he is now raised by the Concubine Dowager, the palace has always avoided him. Why is she willing to get close to him? There must be something behind it."
Fu Qianyu propped herself up on her arms and thought for a moment. A terrifying thought arose in her heart: "I remember that Liu had a younger sister."
Speaking of this, Lingyun also had some recollection, "She did have a younger sister, but I heard that after Liu was deposed and the previous head of the Liu family was sentenced to death, she also fell ill and passed away a few days later."
"She's gone?" Fu Qianyu snorted coldly, "Who has seen her body?"
"In this case, Your Majesty, you'd better investigate thoroughly. If Concubine Rou is really Liu's sister, then she must have entered the palace to avenge her sister, and you must be the first to bear the brunt of it."
Fu Qianyu thought about it, called Haining in and whispered a few words in his ear.
Haining frowned as he heard this, his eyes filled with surprise. He then listened to his master's instructions: "Be careful about this matter, and don't alert the enemy."
"Yes, I've made note of it."
Fu Qianyu didn't intend to let anyone else know about this matter, and she even kept it a secret from Peirong.
When Concubine Lian arrived at Yanxue Palace, she heard the palace maid say that Concubine Rou was not there, so she wanted to hand the purse to the palace maid and leave first.
Just as she was about to speak, she heard hurried footsteps outside. Turning around, she saw Roupin's gloomy face. But when she saw someone at the gate of her palace, she immediately smiled brightly.
"What a rare guest! Sister Lian is busy with the affairs of the six palaces. How come you have time to come to my place today?"
Lian Jieyu bowed humbly, briefly explained her purpose, and handed over the purse: "I thought this must be something belonging to the Majesty, and I was afraid that the Majesty would be anxious, so I hurried to send it over."
The lost and recovered thing was treasured by Concubine Rou. She held it to her heart and chanted a few Buddhist mantras before she breathed a sigh of relief: "Thank you so much."
Even Lu Zhu said, "This purse is our queen's most beloved thing. Fortunately, you found it, my lady. Otherwise, our queen would be heartbroken."
While she was talking, Concubine Rou had already put away her purse. She thought about it and walked towards the house affectionately, holding Concubine Lian's arm. "You have helped me so much, I always want to thank you very much."
Lian Jieyushi was not used to being so intimate with others. In the past, when she interacted with the Imperial Noble Consort, they always maintained the etiquette of respect and inferiority, which made her feel comfortable.
Her face was full of embarrassment at the moment, but after all, Concubine Rou was higher in rank than her, so she couldn't refuse and followed her in.
Concubine Rou was very enthusiastic and quickly ordered the kitchen to prepare many exquisite and delicious pastries. She then turned back to the house and came out holding an exquisite small jar.
A palace maid had already set up the tea stove. Concubine Rou opened the seal, washed her hands, and started to make tea, but she said, "I'm telling you, I'm not very good at making tea. If it's not good, please don't mind, sister."
Having said that, Concubine Lian didn't say anything. She just smiled and concentrated on watching Concubine Rou perform the tea ceremony.
As she said, people either burned their hands or dropped their teacups. Finally, Concubine Lian couldn't stand it any longer and said tentatively, "How about I do it instead?"
Concubine Rou seemed to know that she was not cut out for this, so she didn't force it. She sighed and handed over the tools in her hand. Although Concubine Lian's family background was not high, she was still very adept at handling these little gadgets.
After a while, the brewed tea was placed in front of Concubine Rou.
Concubine Rou took a sip and said with emotion, "As expected, with my background, even if I learned the tea ceremony, I still wouldn't be able to master the elegance of serving tea. Every move you made just now was very beautiful."
Lian Jieyu smiled politely: "Your Majesty is so polite."
Soon, a palace maid came up with exquisite and delicious cakes. The table was filled with large and small plates. Roupin smiled and said, "They all laughed at my background and didn't want to come. I'm sorry you mind. You have to eat more."
After the beginning of autumn, Concubine Lian started to cough and wheeze. The imperial physician advised her not to eat anything too sweet, but Concubine Rou was reluctant to refuse.
Lian Jieyu didn't want to offend her, so she picked up a piece of cake and slowly ate it, praising her: "The cooking skills of the queen's kitchen are indeed good."
Concubine Rou smiled and said, "Of course, there's nothing better than this cake in my palace. Even the Imperial Noble Consort loved it."
As she spoke, Lian Jieyu gradually relaxed.
Speaking of the Mid-Autumn Festival dinner, Concubine Rou stretched her chin and sighed softly, "Why did the Imperial Noble Concubine suddenly fall ill? She is an extremely intelligent and virtuous person. Her sudden illness must have left you and Concubine Xi at a loss."
"Everything has its own rules. Although this concubine and Concubine Xi are managing the affairs of the harem for the first time, we can't go wrong if we follow the old rules."
Lian Jieyu put down the cakes and said, "Besides, I went to see the Imperial Noble Consort just before I came here. Her Majesty looks good. I believe she will recover soon."
Concubine Rou was stunned and asked casually, "I wonder what the Imperial Noble Concubine's illness is? If it weren't for the Imperial Noble Concubine's protection, I wouldn't be where I am today. Now that the Imperial Noble Concubine is ill, I should go to pay my respects every day, but I'm not feeling well either. I'm afraid that my illness will spread to the Imperial Noble Concubine and make her even more uncomfortable."
"Your Majesty, don't worry. The Imperial Concubine is just suffering from the weather. It won't cause any trouble."
"Is that so?" Concubine Rou took a leisurely sip of tea and said with a smile, "If that's the case, then I'm relieved. The Imperial Noble Consort is destined to take over the Imperial Palace. Although the Emperor hasn't issued an edict yet, everyone in the harem knows this. We only hope that Your Majesty can recover soon. It would be a great joy to have a proper mistress in the harem."
"Your Majesty is absolutely right."
Not long after, Nongmei came in to report that Concubine Xi was waiting for her in the palace. Concubine Lian couldn't stay any longer, so she got up and said goodbye.
Before leaving, Concubine Rou asked Luzhu to pack a lot of exquisite pastries for her, and said with a smile that if she had time, she could come over and sit for a while, so that she would have someone to talk to.
"Yes, I'll take my leave first."
After watching Concubine Lian leave, Concubine Rou leaned against the doorway and snorted coldly, "What's going on? I'm afraid the Imperial Concubine is pregnant again."
Lu Zhu couldn't help but be curious: "It is said that this Concubine Lian was recommended by the Imperial Noble Concubine herself, so how could such a big thing as the Imperial Noble Concubine's pregnancy be hidden from her? It seems that the two of them are not completely on the same page."
"There are no such things as sisters in this palace. You are just using me and I am using you."
After thinking for a moment, Concubine Rou said coldly, "Find a suitable opportunity to spread this news. Even if others don't take action, I'm afraid Concubine Wan will be unable to hold back either."
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