Chapter 166 Gift Giving
Upon hearing this, Han Susu curled up her lips into a smug smile, but a barely perceptible ruthlessness flashed in her eyes.
"Killing a husband is a serious crime. It's all over at last."
Shuang'er echoed.
"Congratulations to the Dong family for finally getting their revenge. Sun Hao is overconfident and doesn't even think about who he is. He even dares to covet the Dong family."
Han Susu stroked the teacup and said after thinking for a moment.
"Once Sun Hao dies, the Sun family will inevitably be in chaos. Liu Qingqing killed Sun Hao, which is also a capital crime. Get ready. Tomorrow, I will carry Xixi and go to take over Sun Hao's shop."
"It is only natural for the son to inherit the father's business."
In the palace.
Because Concubine Shu was pregnant, Emperor Xuanyuan seemed to be in a much better mood after mourning the Crown Prince, and he came to have dinner with Concubine Shu today.
"How have you been feeling these past two days? Have you had any morning sickness?"
Concubine Shu looked at the food on the table. Half of it was the emperor's favorite food, and the other half was the food prepared by the kitchen according to her pregnancy period.
"I was a little uncomfortable at first, but the Queen was very considerate and attentive to me and the baby in my belly. She even hired a chef to prepare meals that suited my appetite."
Emperor Xuanyuan looked at the food on the table. The ones in front of him were all his favorites, while the dishes in front of Concubine Shu were very different.
"The Queen is indeed thoughtful."
At this time, Bing'er walked in and bowed respectfully.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Imperial Concubine Yao requests an audience. She said she has prepared a gift for Your Majesty."
Why is Concubine Yao here? Concubine Shu was slightly startled, then revealed a gentle smile.
"Your Majesty, look at this..."
The emperor spoke slowly after hearing this.
"This is your Yongchun Palace. You and he are both imperial concubines. If you want to see him, you can see him. If you don't want to see him, then I will refuse you."
I definitely can't refuse. The emperor is still here, and I can't let him think that I'm being arrogant because of his favor.
"We are all sisters in the harem. It's rare for Sister Yao to come and care about me, so I'm naturally willing to see you."
Emperor Xuanyuan glanced at the dishes on the table and was almost done eating.
"In that case, remove these and let someone else take the stage."
Soon, the palace servants cleared the food from the table and served snacks.
Imperial Concubine Yao, dressed in gorgeous attire, walked gracefully into the palace. A polite smile graced her face, but a subtle cold glint flickered in her eyes.
"Your Highness, I pay my respects to you."
He bowed to Concubine Shu again.
"Sister Noble Concubine Shu."
Concubine Shu stood up and returned the greeting.
"Meet Sister Noble Concubine Yao."
Concubine Yao stepped forward and took Concubine Shu's hand.
"Sister Shufei, congratulations! We sisters haven't sat together and chatted for a while, and I just learned that you have double happiness. You are pregnant with the royal heir, and you have been promoted to imperial concubine. It is really a cause for celebration."
Concubine Shu pulled her hand back calmly.
"Thank you, Sister Yao."
Then he sat next to the emperor.
"I haven't seen Sister Yao for some time."
Concubine Shu looked at the emperor with a smile on her face.
"Your Majesty, I learned that my sister, Concubine Shu, is pregnant, so I specially selected some gifts."
Then he signaled the palace maid to come forward and open the gift box.
I saw several palace maids holding gift boxes, each of which contained some valuable gifts.
Concubine Shu continued to speak with a smile.
"Your Majesty, this Concubine Shu is pregnant, and we don't know if it's a prince or a princess, so I prepared some extra gifts."
"This is a top-quality pigeon blood ruby. If it's a princess, I can make jewelry for her in the future."
"This is the finest imperial green jade. If it's a prince, you can make a jade pendant for him."
"Also, I know that pregnant women need nourishment. This is the thousand-year-old ginseng my family gave me. It is a life-saving thing in critical moments. I specially brought it to my sister."
These things are indeed good things. It seems that Concubine Yao is still as gentle and virtuous as before. Emperor Xuanyuan looked at Concubine Shu.
"Since it is a kind gesture from Concubine Yao, then please accept it."
She is so kind. I can only take this thing and put it away. I definitely can't use it.
"Thank you so much, Sister Noble Concubine Yao."
Then he glanced at Bing'er.
"Bing'er, collect all the gifts and put them in the storeroom. Keep them safe."
Concubine Yao hurriedly spoke with a smile.
"etc."
"Your Majesty, I heard that the one who helped Sister Shu with her pregnancy was Doctor Zhang, Your Majesty's personal physician. I wonder if Doctor Zhang is available today?"
Bing'er spoke from the side.
"Here I am."
Concubine Yao spoke with a smile.
"Your Majesty, my sister is pregnant. She must be extra careful in everything. She must not suffer a miscarriage like last year. Today, let alone anything I give her, anyone else's gift must be inspected by Yiyi."
"Doctor Zhang is the emperor's personal physician. If Doctor Zhang has examined him, I think the emperor and my sister will be relieved too."
Emperor Xuanyuan nodded after hearing this.
"In that case, let's test it."
Upon hearing this, Imperial Physician Zhang immediately stepped forward and began examining each of the gifts presented by Imperial Concubine Yao. He carefully opened each box, inspected it carefully, and then tested it with a silver needle. Only after confirming that everything was correct did he report to Emperor Xuanyuan.
"Your Majesty, the gifts given by Concubine Yao are non-toxic and safe."
When Concubine Shu saw this, although her expression remained calm, ripples arose in her heart.
Concubine Yao's move seemed caring, but in fact it was a hidden edge. She showed her magnanimity and virtue, but also quietly set herself up a trap, forcing her to accept these gifts that might contain hidden secrets and examine them in public to avoid any gossip. No wonder she was so difficult to deal with.
"Thank you so much, Doctor Zhang, and thank you, Sister Yao, for your careful consideration."
After Shu Guifei finished speaking, she gently stroked her belly, with a hint of determination in her eyes. This time, she would never let anyone hurt the baby in her belly.
Concubine Yao smiled slightly, as if she had expected Concubine Shu's reaction.
"You're too polite, sister. We are sisters, and it's only natural that we look after each other. I only hope that you can safely give birth to a dragon heir, adding another bloodline to the royal family."
Emperor Xuanyuan watched this scene. Concubine Yao's sensibleness and Concubine Shu's gentleness, both concubines had their own merits, which made his harem more harmonious.
He raised his cup and took a sip of tea, then spoke slowly.
"Today's events have shown me the harmony within the harem, which is very good. I still have some memorials to review. Now that Imperial Concubine Yao is here, please chat with Imperial Concubine Shu!"
The two of them got up hurriedly.
"Your Majesty, I respectfully bid you farewell."
As soon as the emperor left.
Concubine Yao spoke in a sarcastic tone.
"Sister Shu Guifei is truly favored by the Emperor. She has just become pregnant and has been promoted to Guifei. This honor is unique in the harem."
Concubine Shu gently stroked her sleeves with a faint smile on her face and a tone that was neither humble nor arrogant.
"Sister Yao, you are too kind. I was just lucky enough to receive the Emperor's favor. How can I compare to Sister Yao's prestige and qualifications in the harem? I am truly grateful for your hospitality today."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Yao raised a meaningful smile, her eyes lingered on Concubine Shu's bulging belly for a moment, and said
"Sister, you're too polite. I still remember that a year ago, you were Zhaoyi, then Shufei, and now you're Guifei, on par with me. This speed of advancement is beyond the reach of many old people in the palace. It's truly enviable."
Then he opened his mouth with a worried look on his face.
"However, this matter of pregnancy is both easy and difficult. My sister is now the only one who has received the emperor's favor, which makes people envious. You must be careful and don't repeat the same mistake as last year."
She really couldn't stand this sarcastic tone, and Concubine Shu's expression turned a little colder.
"What do you mean, sister?"
"Why does it feel like what my sister says in front of the emperor is completely different from what she says in front of my sister?"
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