"Cough..." Hongyu's face was pale, and she covered her chest with her hand, coughing incessantly. Since her miscarriage, she hadn't fully recovered, and she had caught a chill early in the morning, so she was probably suffering from a cold.
She covered her mouth with a handkerchief and slowly walked towards Yanghua.
The Emperor slowly approached, stood beside Yang Hua, and asked in a deep voice:
"Is this how my sister treats my Empress? Last night, I hosted a banquet to bid farewell to King Guhuai, and the dancers were naturally arranged by me."
Since Biyue has already consummated her marriage with King Guhuai, then she should be sent to the Guli tribe for a political marriage.
Yang Hua trembled with fright. Seeing that the Emperor had stopped the matter, he dared not ask any further questions and hurriedly left under the pretext of visiting Bi Yue.
Seeing this, the Emperor's expression softened considerably. He picked up Hongyu and placed her on the bed, then took the quilt that Feicui had brought and covered Hongyu with it, softly murmuring:
"The weather suddenly turned cool today; it looks like it's going to get colder. Well, it's past the Mid-Autumn Festival; it's bound to get colder. But, Sister Biyue is going back to Guli with King Guhuai; I'm afraid she'll suffer on the journey..."
Upon hearing this, Hongyu blushed deeply, realizing that she had arranged for the dancers last night. The Emperor not only didn't blame her, but also took the blame, clearly protecting her.
She feigned fear and hurriedly got up and knelt on the bed, taking the initiative to plead guilty, "Your Majesty, it was Hongyu who plotted to get Biyue and King Guhuai together. Please punish Hongyu."
The Emperor shook his head and said frankly, "Hongyu's actions have relieved my worries. If the King of Guhuai were to return empty-handed again, wouldn't it make the foreign tribes laugh at the royal family for breaking its promises?"
As the Emperor spoke, he helped Hongyu lie down and asked in confusion, "Why did Hongyu choose 'the moon hides its face' instead of 'the flower blushes its cheeks'?"
Hongyu had already prepared her reply and quickly said, "Your Majesty, please don't blame Hongyu for being so clever."
Hongyu saw that Biyue was calm, dignified, and meticulous. She believed that sending her to marry into the Guli tribe would allow her to keep an eye on the Guli tribe and other tribes.
"And Xiuhua, being so carefree, would only become cannon fodder even if she went to the Guli tribe."
The Emperor nodded, bent down and kissed Hongyu's forehead, inwardly praising her for her cleverness, wisdom, and concern for the country and its people.
Hongyu hugged the Emperor tightly, concealing her shame. She wasn't thinking of the country at all; keeping Xiuhua alive was merely a way to choose an easily controllable ally.
To cover up her selfish motives, she fabricated a reason of selflessness, and the emperor actually believed her.
Overwhelmed with gratitude, she choked back tears and vowed, "Your Majesty, Hongyu swears that she will manage the harem diligently from now on, live in harmony with all the sisters, and never scheme against or fight with anyone."
------
October has arrived in the blink of an eye.
Early in the morning, the capital city was covered in white snow.
"Achoo, achoo..." Hongyu woke up with a sneeze and opened her eyes to see that Feicui had already lit the brazier.
"Your Majesty, winter has come early. It's only October, and the water vat is already frozen."
Hongyu frowned with worry. This year has been plagued by disasters, the national treasury is empty, and now that winter is here, she fears she won't even have enough money to buy a new quilt for each palace.
At this moment, Hongtao rushed in to report, "Your Majesty, Eunuch Cai sent someone to say that the Emperor has fainted."
"Can the imperial physician be summoned?"
"The imperial physician has prescribed medicine for His Majesty. Last night, His Majesty stayed up all night reviewing memorials and caught a cold. Coupled with overwork, he fainted."
Hongyu sighed helplessly. Ever since Biyue left the harem, she had been using various excuses to push the emperor to Qingyan Palace.
Strangely, the Emperor neither visited Xiuhua's Qingyan Palace nor Kong He'er's Qianxi Palace. He either stayed at Ziji Palace or went to Gulinafei's Guiyang Palace.
How can Xiuhua conceive a dragon's child if things continue like this?
Hongyu was anxious. Looking at the heavy snow outside the window, she had an idea. She turned to Emerald and asked, "Where did you buy the quilt on the day Biyue left the palace?"
"Winter cotton shop on Songgui Street".
"You accompany Consort Hua to buy quilts. Remember, Consort Hua must do it herself."
One hour later.
Xiuhua, carrying the quilt, came to Hongyu, trembling, and said in a trembling voice, "Your Majesty, the quilt has been bought."
Hongyu waved her hand, signaling Feicui to take the quilt and leave. She got up and tried to pull Xiuhua down to sit.
Xiuhua quickly retreated, lowering her head and not daring to face Hongyu directly.
Why has the once talkative and cheerful Xiuhua become so reserved? And why has her previously plump and fair face become withered and sallow?
Actually, on the day Biyue left the palace, worried that the innocent Xiuhua would be bullied, he instructed Xiuhua to stay away from the Empress and the other concubines.
Therefore, Xiuhua hid in Qingyan Palace, refusing to pay her respects to the Emperor and Empress, and also avoiding contact with the other concubines.
Hongyu guessed the reason, smiled, and handed the hand warmer to Xiuhua, saying frankly, "Noble Lady Hua, don't be afraid. It was indeed my doing that Biyue was with the Ancient Locust King."
Snap!
The shy flower let go, and the heater fell to the ground.
Hongyu continued, "Your Gu family were originally merchants, without power or influence. Even if you gain favor in the harem, you will eventually become a discarded pawn."
So what's wrong with Biyue marrying King Guhuai and becoming the queen of a small country? At least she wouldn't have to act according to other people's wishes.
Furthermore, if you fall out of favor, you will only grow old alone in the palace. Even if you have children, they will be looked down upon.
Before Hongyu could finish speaking, Xiuhua growled in a low voice, "What do you want?"
Hongyu smiled as she pulled Xiuhua to sit by the brazier, whispering in her ear, "Form an alliance with me, and I'll help you gain favor and guarantee you a lifetime of wealth and honor..."
Xiuhua looked on in astonishment. How could such a windfall happen? Although her mother urged her to gain favor as soon as possible so as to punish the Gu family, the emperor never visited her Qingyan Palace.
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