Chapter 4 Let's see what happens
These words had a deeper meaning. Jiang Yingli suddenly realized it, her cheeks flushed, and she buried her head deep in Xiao Chenglan's shoulder, whispering:
"Your Majesty, aren't you tired of today's selection?"
She is so tired.
Xiao Chenglan didn't answer, but expressed his opinion through actions.
He walked down the white jade steps into the pool and put Jiang Yingli down.
Jiang Yingli suddenly half-submerged in the water. The warm water flowed over her fair and delicate waist, causing her to tremble involuntarily.
Before she could move, Xiao Chenglan's hot and hard body pressed down on her again, completely hugging her.
"You'll know if you're tired or not if you try it."
Between life and death, Jiang Yingli was in tears, feeling that she had really dug a big hole for herself!
Why do you have to use the bathhouse for no reason?
…
The next day, Jiang Yingli woke up at noon and suddenly felt a panic.
I didn't go to greet the Queen Mother yesterday because I had to go to His Majesty to express my gratitude. Wouldn't it be rude if I don't go today?
But at this moment, it's too late to say anything.
It’s all Xiao Chenglan’s fault for tormenting her so much last night!
But that would be fine, why didn’t any of the maids call her?
"Qiuxia!" Jiang Yingli called out anxiously.
Upon hearing the sound, Qiuxia immediately lifted the curtain and walked into the tent.
"Why didn't you call me today? I was supposed to pay my respects to the Queen Mother."
Qiuxia laughed when she heard this, "My lady, don't worry. His Majesty said that since the bride hasn't arrived yet, you don't have to go alone to pay your respects to the Queen Mother. You can go together after the bride arrives."
Jiang Yingli breathed a sigh of relief, but not completely. A hint of worry still crossed her face. "Did His Majesty say he would also explain this to the Queen Mother?"
Don’t let the situation get out of hand where one person says she doesn’t need to go, and the other one is waiting for her to go. She’ll be caught in the middle and offend both sides!
Qiu Tang knew that her master was cautious, so she repeated His Majesty's original words:
"No need to wake her up early. Let her sleep peacefully. The Empress Dowager's morning greetings will be omitted for the next few days before the new bride enters the palace. I will ask for leave on her behalf."
After hearing this, Jiang Yingli was finally relieved. She lay down again and rubbed her waist and buttocks.
They're all sour.
Perhaps because he ascended the throne one day and became the most noble man in the world, Xiao Chenglan was in high spirits and couldn't wait to show his power. He tormented her last night.
I've never seen him so excited before!
**
At this moment, Wanshou Palace.
Empress Dowager Xue sat in the main seat, holding a white teacup with a pink peach pattern in her hand, which was slowly emitting tea mist.
The atmosphere in the hall became tense after Xiao Luzi, who was standing in front of the emperor, delivered the message.
Nanny Xia, who had served the Empress Dowager for many years, saw that she was unhappy and spoke up at the right time: "This Concubine Jia really doesn't know the rules. She knew that the new bride hadn't entered the palace yet and it would be lonely, but she didn't even come to accompany you, the Empress Dowager, and show her filial piety."
The Queen Mother chuckled softly, but her face was devoid of joy. She said leisurely, "The Emperor said she was ill. If I asked her to serve him, wouldn't that be inconsiderate of me?"
Nanny Xia quickly responded, "The Empress Dowager is merciful and doesn't bother with her. However, I feel that Concubine Jia's illness is an excuse. His Majesty is probably worried that you've just moved to a new bedroom and are exhausted and too distracted to see the concubines."
After all, Nanny Xia had been serving the Empress Dowager since she was a concubine, and she knew how to please her.
The Queen Mother listened to her words and felt relieved.
What she wants most now is to get closer to Emperor Jiaqi, and to have a loving mother and a filial son.
After all, her position as empress dowager came quite unexpectedly. She was neither her biological mother nor her legal mother. She was just lucky luck.
Emperor Jiaqi was previously unknown among the princes, and she had never even spoken to him.
Four months ago, the news of the dethronement of the crown prince was spreading in secret. Three months ago, the crown prince failed to force the emperor to abdicate, and several princes who had muddied the waters were punished.
After the empress was deposed, she had the highest rank among the remaining concubines. Behind her was the Xue family, which supported half of the court of the previous emperor. So she was honored as the empress dowager by the enthroned Prince Su.
The new emperor's relationship with her was too distant, which was not good for her or the Xue family.
However, since the emperor respected her as the empress dowager, he must have known in his heart that he had just ascended the throne and his foundation was unstable. The Xue family was a family of important officials that he had to rely on.
Thinking of this, Queen Mother Xue's face became less worried and more proud.
"I heard that the Emperor granted his former lover from the Qiandi Palace a place to live in Zhaohua Palace?"
"Yes, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, I heard that he also had a nanny, an aunt, four maids, and four eunuchs."
Empress Dowager Xue immediately shook her head and sighed, "He truly isn't a prince who has been carefully educated since childhood. He's overstepping the bounds and failing to observe etiquette. Concubine Jia's rank is too low for her to be the head of a palace, and she's even less qualified to have a nanny or aunt serving her, yet the Emperor made an exception for her."
Nanny Xia nodded in agreement, "Your Majesty is not a crown prince after all. He ascended the throne directly without the supervision of the Eastern Palace. It is not uncommon for him to omit many etiquette and laws."
He added, "However, fortunately, the Empress Dowager is here. With your reminders and advice, Your Majesty will gradually develop the model of a benevolent ruler."
"Talking about the emperor is a taboo. Don't say that in front of outsiders."
Although it was a reprimand, Empress Dowager Xue's tone was not harsh.
Nanny Xia pretended to slap her lips and said, "It was my fault. The Queen Mother was just worried that Concubine Jia would become spoiled because of her favor. These are just my own words."
Empress Dowager Xue's eyes flashed with contempt. "Why should I worry about Concubine Jia's affairs? I was once a newcomer to the harem myself, and I understand firsthand that the emperor's favor is fleeting. Concubine Jia has no one to lean on. Today she can live in Zhaohua Palace, but tomorrow she will be expelled from Zhaohua Palace to make way for the new favorite. I'm afraid she won't have the chance to become arrogant."
Nanny Xia echoed, "The Queen Mother has a keen eye and can see that this woman's relationship won't last long."
Empress Dowager Xue didn't take Jiang Yingli seriously. Her tone was dull yet firm: "The Emperor still cherishes the past and wants to compensate the old lady who has endured hardships with him. But when a new beauty enters the palace, the old relationship will be worthless. Let's wait and see what happens to her."
When the newcomer entered the palace, there were three thousand beauties and a dazzling array of flowers. For Emperor Jiaqi, who had once been so poor that he had only one concubine, it was like falling into the land of beauty.
Besides, he is the emperor, and sooner or later he will understand that favoring noble ladies from aristocratic families is the most important thing to secure his throne.
In particular, he favors the girls from aristocratic families, headed by the Xue family.
**
After a day of studying palace etiquette, Jiang Yingli felt a little tired. She sat on the couch, hugging her knees, and letting her mind wander, while trying to comfort herself and cheer herself up.
Although Xiao Chenglan is cold most of the time, he is not indiscriminate.
At least, she had been in Prince Su's Mansion for four years and had done many wrong things, but the heaviest punishment she had received was being beaten... uh, twice.
As long as she doesn't do anything bad, even if someone in the palace deliberately frames her and harms her, he will still be able to see through her even if she desperately grabs his dragon robe and cries loudly to protest her injustice!
Jiang Yingli patted her face.
Forget it, now that we are here, let’s make the best of it!
Just do what a concubine should do and don't let your imagination run wild.
Scare yourself.
Jiang Yingli, who had just coaxed herself into submission, heard a loud voice outside.
"Your Majesty has arrived, Concubine Jia is here to receive you—"
Jiang Yingli, who had been prepared, went to the outer hall in an orderly manner, lifted her skirt, and knelt down properly.
"Your Majesty, I welcome you."
Xiao Chenglan glanced at the soft carpet in Zhaohua Hall before lowering his eyes and saying, "Get up."
Jiang Yingli always kept in mind the elegant and graceful manners that the nanny had mentioned. She lifted the hem of her skirt slightly with her fingertips and stood straight up in front of Xiao Chenglan.
After standing firmly, she looked up at Xiao Chenglan with her sparkling eyes, as if she had demonstrated a new skill and was waiting for praise.
Xiao Chenglan didn't praise her, he just took her hand and walked towards the inner hall.
Jiang Yingli, wearing a light blue palace gown, followed Xiao Chenglan, who was wearing a black and gold dragon robe, with small steps.
After entering the inner hall, Xiao Chenglan stopped, opened his arms, and looked down at Jiang Yingli.
Jiang Yingli was stunned by his actions, and the words of the nanny flashed through her mind -
No matter how strange your majesty's request is, as long as it does not harm the emperor's body and it happens privately in the bedroom with no outsiders around, the concubine should satisfy it.
So Jiang Yingli quickly opened her arms and hugged Xiao Chenglan around his waist.
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