After paying her respects to the Queen, Fu Qianyu hadn't even sat down when she saw Concubine Xu opposite her holding a teacup and speaking in a sarcastic tone to Gao who was standing beside her.
"Gao Liangdi, you've been in the Eastern Palace for quite some time now. The Crown Princess is already pregnant, so why is there no movement in your belly?"
The reason why Concubine Xu targeted Gao was simply because the emperor had intended to send her niece into the Eastern Palace.
But because the Gao family's ancestors had made great contributions and it was the Duke who personally spoke up, the Gao family was replaced.
This matter has always been a thorn in Concubine Xu's heart, so every time she met Gao, she would use it to provoke her.
But Gao Shi was no pushover. She simply smiled faintly while holding her teacup, unconcerned: "Your Highness, Your Highness, has been in the palace for twenty years and has yet to bear a child for Your Majesty. If you are not anxious, then naturally I am even less anxious."
"You!" Concubine Xu gritted her teeth and said bitterly, "I haven't seen you for a few days, and Concubine Gao Liang has become even more articulate."
"Thank you for your praise, Your Majesty. I am truly humbled and unworthy of it."
The two of them went back and forth, neither of them willing to suffer any loss.
Fu Qianyu shook her head as she listened. They were all women, so why should she be made things difficult for them?
But just as she picked up the teacup, Concubine Xu changed the subject and, since she couldn't get any benefits from Gao, she turned her spearhead towards her.
"I heard that Fu Chenghui was ill some time ago. Is he well now?"
Fu Qianyu sighed and quickly stood up. "Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty. I'm fine."
Concubine Xu leaned back in her chair and shook her head slightly, defending Fu Qianyu. "Gao Liangdi, I'm not criticizing you. After all, Fu Chenghui is the concubine bestowed upon the Crown Prince by the Empress. It's okay for you to hit her if she offends you, but after all, her last name is Fu, and she's the Empress's niece. You should give the Empress a face, and in the final analysis, you hit the Empress in the face."
The fact that Fu Xiyu was caned by Gao some time ago was no secret in the harem, but due to the face of the Gao family and the queen, no one dared to bring up the matter.
Now Concubine Xu spoke frankly in public, simply wanting to use the Queen to punish Gao.
But she seemed to have forgotten that it was only natural for Liangdi to teach Chenghui a lesson, and the Queen was not a fool, so how could she be easily provoked by her?
The queen still maintained a dignified smile on her face, but upon closer inspection, the smile did not even reach her eyes.
The bustling hall suddenly became quiet, and the concubines and ladies-in-waiting all looked back and forth between Gao and Fu Qianyu.
Gao felt like something was stuck in her throat. Just as she was about to stand up to reply, she saw Fu Qianyu stand up first and apologize to the Queen.
"Your Majesty, some time ago, it was my words and actions that offended Sister Gao. Sister Gao followed the palace rules, and I have no complaints. During my recovery, I have reflected deeply on this and feel extremely regretful. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."
The words were spoken with great sincerity, and not only Gao, but even Concubine Xu opposite was stunned.
Everyone looked at each other.
Only the Queen showed a look of satisfaction. She waved her hand and signaled the maid to help Fu Qianyu up. "Admitting one's mistakes and correcting them is the greatest virtue. Since Gao has already punished you and you have expressed remorse, this matter should end here. No one is allowed to mention it again."
Fu Qianyu knelt again and said, "Thank you for your grace, Your Majesty."
Gao also stood up, took Fu Qianyu's hand, and said sincerely, "I was so angry that day that I hit her too hard. Please don't be angry with me."
Fu Qianyu shook her hand back and said softly, "Sister, you are too kind. I feel ashamed to accept your words."
Seeing this, the Queen was even more satisfied. "Seeing you sisters getting along so well, I am relieved. Someone, go to the storehouse and get my two jade ruyi and give them to Gao Liangdi and Fu Chenghui."
The two knelt in gratitude, "Thank you, Queen, for the reward."
Fu Qianyu had long seen through Concubine Xu's intentions. If she followed Concubine Xu's words and took the opportunity to complain, then in the eyes of these people, it would seem that the Crown Princess was incompetent in managing her subordinates, and it would also imply that the Queen was not good at judging people and mistook fish eyes for pearls.
In doing so, she offended the two most powerful women in the harem.
How could she have a good life in the harem in the future?
She could still see this truth clearly.
As soon as they sat down, a palace maid came in to report, "Your Majesty, the Emperor has already left for Yuqing Palace."
The queen nodded and looked at everyone with a smile on her face: "Let's go too."
"yes."
After the queen got into the phoenix sedan chair, the rest of the people got into their respective sedan chairs.
After Qi came out, she accidentally stepped on the hem of her skirt. Xia, who was walking behind her, quickly helped her up and asked, "Are you okay, sister?"
"fine."
After saying that, Qi took the hand of the maid and got into the warm sedan chair.
Xia was the last one to come out. After the large group in front of her left, she turned around and gave her maid a look.
The maid nodded, and when no one was paying attention, she quietly slipped away along the palace wall.
Yuqing Palace is where state banquets are held.
When Fu Qianyu arrived, the east side of the hall was already filled with court ministers and princes of the royal family.
He found his seat and sat down. Not long after, the emperor and empress walked in hand in hand.
Everyone hurriedly stood up and saluted.
This was the first time that Fu Qianyu had seen the emperor of the Dajing Dynasty after traveling through time for so long.
Emperor Qiyuan was only fifty years old, but he looked much older than his peers. Even the Grand Tutor Kang, who was over sixty years old and sitting opposite him, looked much younger than him.
It seems that the rumor that the old emperor will die soon is not groundless.
After the emperor and empress ascended the high seats and excused themselves from formalities, everyone stood up.
"Today is New Year's Eve, and it's also a family dinner. Don't be too formal, just share the joy."
"Yes, I will follow the emperor's order."
The old emperor looked quite energetic, but his foundation was completely drained. He started panting after just a few words.
Seeing this, the eunuch who was serving him hurriedly reached out to calm him down. The Queen tilted her head and whispered, "Your Majesty, the weather is cold. How about I accompany you back to rest first?"
The emperor just shook his head and said nothing.
At this time, the eldest prince Zhao Yuanshou stood up and bowed to the emperor. "Your Majesty, a few days ago I found a red coral. In Buddhism, coral is considered the incarnation of Tathagata Buddha, possessing supreme Buddha nature and the ability to ward off evil and bring good fortune. I specially present it to Your Majesty. May Your Majesty be in good health and live long and long."
The emperor's eyes were filled with emotion. Among these princes, his favorite was Zhao Yuanshou. If he had not been a good person, perhaps the position of crown prince would be his now.
"My prince is thoughtful. Get up."
"Thank you, Father."
After the eldest prince presented the gift, the third prince, the crown prince, and the eleventh prince all presented the treasures they had found, but without exception, the old emperor looked indifferent and showed no interest at all.
As the banquet was drawing to a close, the Crown Prince went to a side hall to change his clothes. Not long after, a young palace maid approached Fu Qianyu and whispered, "Fu Chenghui, the Crown Prince sent me to tell you that he's waiting for you in the Imperial Garden."
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