Chapter 211 If one plan fails, try another
Upon hearing this, Concubine De's face suddenly changed. She didn't expect Concubine Zhou to fight back so directly and sharply, and she couldn't find the right words to refute for a moment.
The other concubines in the palace also cast different glances at her. Some were surprised at Concubine Zhou's courage, while others were secretly glad that they were not involved in this storm.
Zhoupin is a concubine and has stayed in Jingsi Palace for so long. I didn't expect that she would dare to confront Defei directly when she came out. You know, Defei is the leader of the four concubines.
The Queen couldn't help but twitch her lips upon seeing this. No wonder Concubine Zhou wanted to go to Wangyou Palace. With his unreasonable mouth, he was indeed out of place in the harem. The atmosphere was getting colder.
In order to maintain harmony at the banquet and prevent the situation from getting worse, the queen spoke at the right time.
"Sister Zhou is right. Today is the Mid-Autumn Festival. We should enjoy the bright moon and delicious food together. It's not appropriate to talk about past unpleasantness. As for the matter of Concubine Yao, it is up to the Emperor to decide. We, the women in the harem, should still do our duties and not let trivial matters disturb the Emperor's leisure."
Then he looked at An Ning.
"An Ning, you and your brother haven't seen each other for many years. You've been recuperating and rarely attended palace banquets. I remember you played the guzheng very well when you were a child. Would you be able to play a piece for me today? Just think of it as a reunion song for your brother and sister-in-law."
Upon hearing this, An Ning stood up and bowed, then responded gently, "Your Majesty, I appreciate your kind words. I haven't played for many years, and my technique is a bit rusty. But today is the Mid-Autumn Festival, a time for family reunion, and I haven't seen the Empress Dowager and the Emperor for a long time. I would like to do my best to play a piece for the Emperor, the Empress, and all the others to entertain you."
As she spoke, a palace maid brought up a guzheng and placed it in the center of the hall. An Ning moved lightly, sat down in front of the zither, and after slightly adjusting the strings, began to play.
The sound of the piano is melodious, like a flowing spring or shining moonlight, washing away the dust and worries in everyone's hearts.
Although An Ning's playing skills cannot be called perfect, her piano sound reveals a sincerity and purity that makes people involuntarily intoxicated by it.
When the song ended, thunderous applause broke out in the palace. The emperor also smiled with satisfaction and praised.
"An Ning, the last time I heard you play the piano was in the palace of Concubine Hui. So many years have passed, and your music is still as beautiful as ever."
An Ning replied modestly, "Thank you for the compliment, Your Majesty. I am just doing my best and hope to add a little festive atmosphere to today's banquet."
Seeing this, the queen was secretly satisfied.
The reason for suggesting that An Ning play the piano was, on the one hand, to change the topic and ease the tense atmosphere in the hall.
On the other hand, I also want to take this opportunity to let all the ladies get to know An Ning. Who knows, someone might come to me tomorrow to discuss An Ning's marriage. If it cannot be clarified this year, the two families can first discuss it and then finalize the marriage after next year.
Soon, several noble ladies bravely stood up and took the initiative to perform to liven up the atmosphere, and the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet was over.
Yonghe Palace.
Yao Zhaoyi spoke anxiously.
"Cuizhu, hasn't the emperor sent someone to invite me yet?"
Cuizhu shook her head.
"Your Majesty, Lian Xin has been guarding the palace gate. If the emperor sends someone to invite you, I will definitely not miss it."
Yao Zhaoyi was filled with anger after hearing this, and the delicate makeup on her face looked a little distorted and strange because of her anger.
"What's going on with those ministers? Didn't I already ask them to take the opportunity to suggest that I leave? Why is there still no news?"
Cuizhu answered cautiously.
"Your Majesty, I don't know either. Perhaps the adults have some reservations. After all, we have only just arrived at Yonghe Palace. The Emperor may still be angry."
Upon hearing this, Yao Zhaoyi became even more furious.
"Scruples? What do they have to worry about? When I was in favor, which of them didn't receive my favor? Now that I'm in trouble, they all try to avoid me. It's really despicable!"
As she spoke, Yao Zhaoyi suddenly stood up, her body trembling slightly with anger.
"If it weren't for the Yao family's downfall, I wouldn't have fallen into this predicament."
"Yonghe Palace, harmony is the most precious thing. How can I accept that even the name of a palace is being used to criticize me?"
As he spoke, he paced anxiously around the room.
"No, I can't just sit there and wait for death."
"Where's Consort De?"
"What is the job of a Defei? I begged the Emperor for her position. Has she forgotten her roots?"
"Cuizhu, find a way to pass the message to Concubine De that I want to see her. If she doesn't come, don't blame me for not remembering our friendship."
Upon hearing this, Cuizhu bowed quickly.
"yes."
When the matter of Yao Zhaoyi was mentioned, the emperor sat for a while and then stood up and made an excuse to leave.
Surprisingly, Concubine Zhou stayed with the Queen until the end of the palace banquet.
After everyone dispersed, the Fifth Prince sent An Ning and Xiao Fushu back home.
Concubine Zhou walked with the Queen.
The Queen spoke to Concubine Zhou.
"After all these years, Sister Zhou, your temper hasn't changed. I'm afraid you've offended Concubine De today."
"This Defei climbed up step by step with Yao Zhaoyi."
Zhou Bin smiled indifferently after hearing this.
"Don't worry, Empress Dowager. I will move to Wangyou Palace tomorrow. Who cares about Concubine De and Concubine Shu? It has nothing to do with me."
Seeing this, the queen smiled helplessly, thinking of how she had just spoken harshly.
"You... well, if you want to go to Wangyou Palace, go ahead. I'm here anyway, so I can't be too harsh on you."
After hearing this, Concubine Zhou smiled and looked at the Queen.
"I've already said that my personality doesn't suit me in this palace. When I came to the banquet today, I wanted to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival with the Empress and the Fifth Prince, and also reunite with my family. But after hearing what those people said, I really couldn't stand it."
The Queen listened with a helpless nod, and couldn't help but sigh inwardly. How could she be so patient? She even saw the Emperor trying to stop her, but in the end he couldn't. This kind of temper should be kept in Wangyou Palace. Now that the Fifth Prince has just gained some influence in the court, he still has to keep a low profile.
"You, thank goodness the emperor spoils you."
After hearing this, Concubine Zhou spoke slowly.
"I don't want fame or wealth, and the Zhou family is also indifferent to fame and wealth, so there is nothing to worry about."
The Queen's lips twitched again when she heard this. "Are the Zhou family indifferent to fame and fortune? They can't do anything to you, okay? How can a concubine be so angry with the emperor for years?"
Yonghe Palace.
When she heard that Yao Zhaoyi wanted to see her, Defei returned to her own palace and hurried to Yonghe Palace. Because she was under house arrest, the gate of Yonghe Palace was locked and could only be opened a crack.
As soon as Concubine De came over, the eunuch guarding the gate reached out to stop her.
"Empress Defei, the Emperor has ordered that no one except Prince Rong who has come to pay his respects is allowed to see Zhaoyi Yao."
Concubine De gave a look to the palace maid beside her, and the palace maid hurriedly took a piece of silver and put it into the eunuch's hand.
"Eunuch, this is tea from our mother. I brought a box of cakes. Why don't we go over to the side and eat some? Then I'll ask you, sir, how can we please our master and help him solve his problems in this palace?"
The eunuch looked at the silver in his hand, his face a little embarrassed, and the palace maid pulled him aside.
"Let's just talk not far away. It won't embarrass my father-in-law."
The eunuch glanced at the big lock on the door and thought, "No matter what, he didn't let anyone in. He still had silver to take, and the little palace maid was pretty, so he followed Defei's maid and walked away.
Another palace maid behind Concubine De stepped forward and pushed the door.
“Your Majesty…”
Yao Zhaoyi rushed to the door with the support of Cuizhu. Through the crack in the door, she saw Defei in a palace dress. It was obvious that she had just attended the Mid-Autumn Festival banquet and had not had time to change clothes. A hint of unwillingness flashed in her eyes as she lowered her eyebrows, and then she sighed.
"Alas, I am now trapped in this Yonghe Palace. After all, my relationship with Consort De is not as strong as it used to be."
Defei hurriedly pried open the door through the crack.
"My Lady, what are you talking about?"
"As soon as my sister heard that you wanted to see me, she rushed over."
Yao Zhaoyi spoke after hearing this.
"I am no longer a noble concubine, but just a humble Zhaoyi. I am really sorry to trouble you to make this trip."
Because the task was not completed, Yao Zhaoyi was angry, and Defei hurried to comfort her.
"Sister, in my heart, you have always been the honorable Imperial Concubine, and you will even be more honorable in the future."
As he spoke, he looked around carefully.
"Sister, please don't be angry with me. I didn't get things done today because I'm incompetent."
"Originally, several ladies had already pleaded for my sister, but Concubine Zhou interfered, so the matter had to be dropped."
"We sisters can't argue right now, sister. Time is limited. Is there anything you need me to do? Tell me now."
Cuizhu, who was beside Yao Zhaoyi, also pulled her sleeve and reminded her in a low voice.
"Empress!"
Yao Zhaoyi moved closer to the crack in the door.
"Come closer."
Defei put her ear close to her, and Yao Zhaoyi whispered a few words in her ear.
Concubine De nodded.
"I understand, sister. Don't worry, sister, I will find an opportunity to do it in a few days."
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