Jian Yang respectfully replied, "Your Majesty, I was displeased with my previous inappropriate remarks. Today, I have brought several pots of flowers that I have grown to add some color to Weiyang Palace. I hope Your Majesty will not find them offensive."
Upon hearing this, not only Consort Yu, but also the other concubines showed expressions of surprise.
Some people despised her, while others admired her for being a wise and opportunist. Some even secretly plotted to follow her example and curry favor with Consort Yu.
Of all these people, the most pleased was Consort Yu.
When Jian Yang was still the Empress, she used her status to humiliate and belittle her. She had always held a grudge against her and found it hard to let go.
But seeing this submissive and obedient demeanor, Consort Yu was overjoyed, but her expression became even more serious.
"Do you think my palace is missing these few pots of flowers?" Consort Yu mocked mercilessly.
Jian Yang had already guessed that she would make trouble, so she immediately said the lines she had prepared in advance.
"Although Your Majesty's palace is not lacking in beautiful flowers, my few pots of flowers are different from the others."
"What's the difference?"
Jian Yang cleared her throat and said loudly, "This flower is called 'Two Joys,' and as the ancients said, 'A famous flower that can bring joy to a nation is often seen by the emperor with a smile.' Keeping this flower in the palace would be a very auspicious sign."
Upon hearing this, everyone looked as if they had suddenly realized something.
If the king could look at them with a smile, that would be a wonderful thing.
Everyone then showed expressions of envy.
Consort Yu was clearly moved by Jian Yang's words, but she still voiced her doubts.
"But why have I never seen this flower before? And why have I never heard of that saying from the ancients?"
Jian Yang remained calm and composed. "I learned about this flower from a rare book. After searching for many years, I finally found the seed and cultivated it myself. The phrase in the book was also found there."
Jian Yang spoke frankly on the surface, but in her heart she kept repeating: Bai Juyi, I'm sorry!
Fortunately, Consort Yu quickly accepted her suggestion and said with an air of superiority, "Well, you're very thoughtful. Put it in the corner."
Jian Yang wasn't annoyed at all, and smiled as she had several potted plants placed in the corner of the wall.
In the days that followed, she became exceptionally attentive, never missing a morning or evening greeting, and obediently listening to Consort Yu's admonitions.
The previous confrontational attitude is gone.
Consort Yu was naturally very satisfied with her attitude.
They never held back when bullying her.
After all, she's so weak and vulnerable right now, it's perfect for venting my anger on!
December arrived in the blink of an eye, and heavy snow began to fall in the capital city.
After one night, the land was covered in a blanket of white.
Because she slept so well last night, Jian Yang woke up a little later than usual.
After quickly washing up, she took a hot water bottle, put on a fox fur coat, and went to Weiyang Palace to pay her respects.
Before even entering the palace, they saw the Empress leading a group of concubines standing in the courtyard admiring the snow.
"Looks like I'm late. Let's hurry up," Jian Yang said, quickening her pace.
Lianxia said with heartache, "Your Majesty, whether you are late or not, she will always find a way to punish you, so why bother?"
Jian Yang raised a finger to her lips, signaling Lian Xia to stop complaining.
Sure enough, as soon as Consort Yu saw her, she put on a long face and said, "You are so precious. All the other sisters arrive on time, but you are the only one who dawdles."
Jian Yang quickly apologized, "Your Majesty is right, I will definitely pay attention in the future."
Consort Yu rolled her eyes and pointed to the snow on the road, saying, "Since you're late, you have to be punished. Go and sweep the snow so that the sisters won't slip on it when they go back to the palace later."
After saying that, she asked Jingyue to bring Jianyang a broom.
The other concubines fell silent upon hearing this.
Those who sweep and clean in the palace have the lowest status, so Consort Yu did this naturally to humiliate them.
Although Jian Yang has been deposed, she is still a concubine. It is unknown whether the two will fight later.
However, Jian Yang was not angry at all. She not only smiled and took the broom, but also smiled and said to Jing Yue, "Thank you."
This thank you made Jingyue feel a little embarrassed.
Just as she was about to pick up the broom to sweep the floor, she heard Consort Xian suddenly say, "Your Majesty, Consort Jian has always been in poor health. If she stays in this snowy ground for a long time, she may fall ill."
Jian Yang was a little touched.
See, when it really matters, it's still your sisters who you can rely on.
She quickly gave Consort Xian a reassuring look, and before Consort Yu could make her move, she said in a very obsequious tone:
"I appreciate Consort Xian's kindness, but how can I disobey the Empress's decree? Besides, the Empress is doing this for my own good, and I understand that."
Everyone looked at her in surprise.
Holy crap, that's so obsequious!
It seems they need to keep up the good work!
Consort Yu sneered and said, "You're the most sensible one, Consort Xian. You should learn from this."
Consort Xian could only lower her head in frustration.
Just as Jian Yang was sweeping the snow, she saw Eunuch Zhang walk in carrying a food box.
His eyes met Jian Yang's quickly and then looked away immediately. He then ran quickly to Yu Fei's side.
"Your Majesty, this is a lotus seed paste cake bestowed upon you by the Emperor. Please eat it while it's hot."
The concubines standing nearby immediately cast envious glances and began to fawn over him.
"His Majesty truly dotes on you."
"Your Majesty the Empress is truly blessed. The Emperor never forgets to send you a portion of his breakfast every day."
"Yes, Your Majesty, I am very envious."
Yu Fei became increasingly arrogant amidst the flattery of the other concubines.
She had Jingyue take the food box, and in a rare good mood, thanked Eunuch Zhang.
After bowing with a smile, Eunuch Zhang turned and left Weiyang Palace.
Jian Yang took the opportunity to observe Yu Fei's complexion, and her mood became even more pleasant.
After more than a month of preparation, it's time to close the net!
Sure enough, the next day, when Jian Yang went to Weiyang Palace to pay her respects, she received the news that Consort Yu had fallen ill.
The concubines who came to pay their respects early looked at each other in bewilderment, wondering how someone who was perfectly fine yesterday could suddenly fall ill today.
Jian Yang was too lazy to join them, so she sat down and started eating sunflower seeds by herself.
"Crack, crack, crack..."
The rhythmic cracking of sunflower seeds echoed through the quiet hall.
Everyone couldn't help but look at her.
When she noticed everyone looking at her, Jian Yang's sense of public responsibility finally returned.
She smiled apologetically at everyone: "I'm so sorry, I felt bad when I saw that Her Majesty the Empress was sick. When I felt bad, I couldn't help but eat sunflower seeds. It's a habit I've had since I was a child. I'm really sorry to everyone."
As she spoke, she gathered the sunflower seed shells scattered all over the table into a pile, scooped them into her palm, looked around, and then got up and walked towards the flowerpot in the corner.
Then she casually sprinkled the sunflower seed shells into the flowerpot.
Her series of actions completely stunned the concubines.
The way everyone looked at her seemed to say three words—
Lack of manners.
Before entering the palace, everyone here was a young lady from an official's family, and no one had ever littered fruit peels and scraps of paper like her!
At this moment, Jingyue rushed over with the head of the Imperial Medical Academy.
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