Chapter 391 Yixiu 69
"Of course, I will leave it entirely to the Emperor and the Empress to decide."
If Nian Shilan had to choose, she would definitely choose Jingren Palace. It was a nice and prestigious place, but unfortunately she didn't have the same level of favors as before. Years of confinement had taught her something. For example, the Emperor was still hesitant after hearing the Empress' words, clearly not wanting to give Jingren Palace to her.
Fortunately, her purpose this time was to meet the emperor, and everything else was just a small matter.
Nian Shilan, who didn't know the real reason why the emperor wouldn't let her live there, still managed to maintain her composure and pretended to be gentle and harmless. "I've always been in good health, but Concubine Qi is frail. I'm afraid she can't stand the constant comings and goings outside the Yanxi Palace. I beg the emperor to give her a quieter place."
It must be said that her behavior was indeed somewhat novel to the emperor. With a nonchalant attitude, the emperor readily agreed: "Since you are so considerate of her, let her move to Xianfu Palace and keep Feng Shi company."
So Concubine Nian moved into the Yanx Palace with Concubine Fei and Concubine Wu, while Concubine Qi was moved to the Xianfu Palace.
But everyone knows that moving the palace is just a small matter. The important thing is that Concubine Nian seems to be coming out again.
"You know what, sometimes I really admire her. If we talk about the energy, it's still Nianpin. Others always lack the blood and drive than her. Look, this has given her another opportunity."
After watching the opera, Yixiu returned to the palace just in time to enjoy her roasted sweet potatoes. The sweet potatoes, already roasted till honey was oozing out, had an indescribable sweetness. Yixiu picked out a sweet potato of the right size and, rather than letting anyone peel it, wrapped it in her handkerchief herself, slowly nibbling on it and not forgetting to share it with Jianqiu and the others.
"I feel so sorry for Concubine Ke. The Emperor just returned to the Yangxin Palace, and I saw her face was a little blue. Sigh... this northwest wind is really freezing."
Jianqiu only took half a palm-sized sweet potato and slowly peeled it in her hand. When she heard the Queen mention Concubine Nian, she looked worried: "Your Majesty, Concubine Nian's temper... If she really comes back to power, I'm afraid of her..."
"Given her personality, if she were to regain favor, she would definitely turn this harem upside down."
Yixiu didn't have to worry about it. After finishing the last bite, Jianqiu quickly handed over the one she had peeled. Yixiu didn't notice and took it while talking: "Isn't this good? The harem should be full of competition and a hundred flowers should bloom. But we are all old after all. I see that even Concubine Xin doesn't try to persuade the emperor anymore. How can this be possible?"
"If Concubine Nian wants to make trouble, let her do so. I will bring up the matter of selecting concubines with the Empress Dowager and the Emperor again in the spring of next year. These three or four are still too few. How can we serve the Emperor well? We must select more women who are both talented and beautiful to fill the harem."
The two of them, who had no idea that the Queen was going to choose more colleagues for them, the few motivated employees, became more active than before after having Concubine Nian join them, and the Emperor flipped the cards a lot more often.
After the new year came and February, Xinpin was promoted to Xinfei after giving birth to a son safely. At the same time, Nianpin was given the title Zhen, and from then on she was called Zhenpin.
As for the two new favorites, Concubine Hua was luckier. She became pregnant in the New Year and was promoted to Concubine Hua along with Concubine Xin. She moved to Jingren Palace at the beginning of this month.
Those who competed for favor all lived in the East Six Palaces, which were farther away from the Palace of Tranquil Longevity, and the West Six Palaces really became a place for retirement.
After Yixiu, Yufei and Maopin finished preparing for Hongshi's wedding, they finally had some free time to eat some melons, when they suddenly got a big thunder:
Today, everyone paid their respects to her. On the way, Concubine Qi seemed to have an argument with Concubine Zhen and Noble Lady Ke. Somehow, Noble Lady Ke fell to the ground. What was worse was that she actually had her spotting!
"Noble Lady Ke? Not Concubine Hua?"
Yixiu was stunned at first, but when she saw Jianqiu nod, she was sure she had heard correctly. She had no choice but to send for the sedan chair to be prepared. "Where are Concubine Qi and Concubine Zhen now? Has the Emperor been informed?"
"They were all in Chengqian Palace, where Noble Lady Ke lived. I heard that Concubine Qi wanted to leave at that time, but Concubine Zhen stopped her and refused to let her. In the end, the two of them still insisted on going to Chengqian Palace."
Jianqiu followed the sedan chair, still barely catching her breath as she spoke, "I've just sent someone to report this to the Yangxin Palace. I wonder if the Emperor will go."
"Since this matter may be man-made and involves the head of a palace with a son, the emperor must intervene."
After Yixiu finished speaking, she stopped talking and just sat on the sedan chair with her eyes closed. When she arrived at the place, she heard a woman crying as soon as she entered. Yixiu guessed that something was wrong. Sure enough, as soon as she entered the inner room, she saw Concubine Ke with her hair loose and her eyes red looking at the bewildered Concubine Qi. The atmosphere in the room was on the verge of breaking out.
When Concubine Qi saw her come in, she immediately saw the Bodhisattva who saved the suffering and quickly stepped forward to greet her: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, the Empress."
Concubine Zhen, who was originally standing aside watching the show, naturally came over with her handkerchief waving to pay her respects. Yixiu even called out to her and then looked at Concubine Ke on the bed. She saw that there seemed to be resentment in her eyes, but when she saw Yixiu's expression, she still gritted her teeth and stood up to pay her respects.
Yixiu had no interest in torturing patients. Before Concubine Ke could get up, she held her down and then looked at the imperial physician kneeling on the ground. "Imperial Physician Xu, how is Concubine Ke doing?"
Doctor Xu was about to answer when he heard a voice from outside: "The Emperor has arrived—"
Everyone rushed out to welcome the emperor.
The emperor, as usual, helped the empress who was in the front row to her feet. With a solemn expression, he asked in a deep voice, "I heard that Concubine Ke had a miscarriage. What exactly happened?"
"I just learned about this and arrived just now. I was just about to ask the imperial physician. Since the emperor is here, why not visit Noble Lady Ke first and then ask Imperial Physician Xu to reply?"
"Um."
The emperor responded and strode into the room. Sure enough, he saw Concubine Ke lying on the bed with a weak face, her eyes obviously swollen from crying. He sighed and sat down beside the bed, pushing her back first: "You are weak, there is no need to stand up and pay your respects."
"Your Majesty, I... am ashamed to see you. I failed to protect this child. I am ashamed to face you..."
Concubine Ke endured it again and again, but she could not suppress the pain of losing her son. Besides, she was still young after all, and she still had some genuine fantasies about the emperor in her heart during the past six months of getting along with him. Seeing him at this moment, she was even more sad and burst into tears.
Yixiu and the others did not go in to disturb them, but they could still vaguely hear the woman's weeping and the man's comforting. She just sat quietly in the hall, sipping the tea in the cup, but her eyes had already noticed Concubine Qi's restlessness and Concubine Zhen's complicated emotions.
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