Chapter 35 Concubine Wan's Plan
When Concubine Wan heard that Concubine Xu was demoted to Zhaoyuan, she was also in disbelief and her back stiffened slightly.
Demoting Concubine Xu was nothing more than a warning to her, but she still refused to accept it. It was clearly the Imperial Concubine who disregarded the imperial order, so why was she punished?
Zhaoyi is the head of the nine concubines, but the position of Zhaoyi is vacant. Zhaoyuan is below Zhaorong, so it is not Zhaoyi, but Zhaoyuan. Does the emperor have a candidate in mind for the position of Zhaoyi?
She originally thought that Concubine Yu and Concubine Fang were both pregnant, and it would be a good thing if Concubine Xu could raise the prince and princess.
However……
Concubine Wan tightly grasped the handkerchief in her hand and said, "I don't know why the emperor wants to demote Concubine Xu. This..."
"Wan Fei, you always have the most trouble."
Concubine Wan was choked with words and lowered her head in shame and anger.
Xu Zhaoyuan staggered to her knees, a look of grief on her face. She echoed Concubine Wan's words and said, "Your Majesty, even if it's the death penalty, let me die knowingly!"
The Queen couldn't bear to watch and said, "How can you have any say in the Emperor's decision? Xu Zhaoyuan, get up quickly and don't make the same mistake again."
Xu Zhaoyuan was still kneeling on the ground, tears welling up in her eyes. She stared at the emperor, determined to know the reason.
Cheng Shuyi shook his head and sighed secretly.
Concubine Xu was the daughter of the Shangshu and had been a concubine for two years. She was suddenly told of her demotion without any reason, which was indeed difficult to accept.
Xie Junyao sneered, "Are you going to dig into the details of my decision?"
He exuded an aloof air. The atmosphere was tense, and the concubines present clutched their handkerchiefs, watching the show in silence. The emperor was already furious.
They were curious about what would become of Heo So-won.
It was unknown who gave Xu Zhaoyuan the courage to continue to reply fearlessly: "I don't mean to ask any questions, I just feel wronged. What did I do wrong?"
She placed one hand on her chest and her face was filled with tears.
Xie Junyao glanced at her and looked away, his gaze carrying a warning: "You instigated Concubine Wan and stirred up conflicts and disputes in the harem; you bullied the concubines. I don't need to give you more examples. And you ignored my words."
"Are you convinced? If you still don't, I can only send you back to the Xu Mansion and let Minister Xu teach you personally."
Hearing this, Xu Zhaoyuan's head seemed to explode, and she was completely awake. Gradually, a layer of cold sweat broke out on her palms and back.
She knew the emperor wasn't trying to scare her. There had been cases in the past where concubines who had made mistakes were sent out of the palace, and often died within a year of returning home.
As long as there is green mountain, there is no fear of running out of firewood. Xu Zhaoyuan's heart was beating fast, and she kowtowed and admitted her mistake: "Your Majesty, please forgive me. I know I was wrong, and I admit it. I will not do it again."
Xie Junyao's brows were etched with weariness. He was about to wave his hand to dismiss everyone.
Suddenly, a sound of footsteps came from far away.
Everyone's eyes fell on the cyan figure. The woman wore a long, red-gold flower-decorated hairpin, a flower ornament on her forehead, and a wide-sleeved, pleated cyan moon-shaped skirt embroidered with ruyi patterns.
They walked into the hall gracefully, looking particularly eye-catching.
The Emperor specifically ordered Concubine Zhengui not to get up early to pay her respects, so today can be considered as Concubine Zhengui's first time paying her respects.
"I pay my respects to the Emperor."
Xie Junyao glanced at her calmly: "Why are you here?"
Concubine Zhengui had a calm expression and smiled calmly: "Your Majesty, this matter concerns me, so I should come."
The Queen said, "The Emperor has already dealt with it. Ultimately, it was my fault for not handling the matter properly and disturbing my sister. My sister's trip was in vain."
She kept calling him "sister." Someone might have thought the queen was truly feeling guilty. Concubine Zhengui said, "I'm already here. There's no point in saying this."
The smile on her lips was still there, but it was a little colder than before.
The Queen lowered her head and smiled awkwardly: "Your Highness is right."
Concubine Zhengui glanced at Concubine Wan and said, "I know Concubine Wan feels it's unfair and thinks I ignored the Emperor's instructions."
The fire that had been put out showed signs of reigniting, so Xie Junyao simply closed his eyes and ignored it.
"Wan Fei," Concubine Zhengui said to her, "It's true that the head steward of the Imperial Household Department has been trying to please me, but as for the extra ice, I'm not aware of it. After all, apart from Fengyi Palace, Fuyao Palace has always had the most ice."
Concubine Wan's mouth twitched, but she did not respond.
Fuyao Palace has the most ice, what does it have to do with the extra ice sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs?
Concubine Zhengui said slowly, "After asking, I found out that it was the maidservant beside me who took the initiative to accept the ice sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs."
"I have punished her. Is that ok?"
She meant something in the last sentence.
Concubine Wan suddenly pinched her palms.
An Xiuyi smiled and said, "It seems to be a misunderstanding."
Xie Junyao held his forehead with his hand, still keeping his eyes closed: "Since the imperial concubine has already punished you, then that's enough."
Concubine Wan pursed her lips, she knew that the emperor was partial.
It is said that he has been punished, but who knows whether he is covering up for the crime? Not receiving salary is also a punishment, and being transferred to serve outside the palace is also a punishment.
Xie Junyao opened his eyes, his tone cold and hard: "I believe that the imperial concubine will never let this happen a second time."
Concubine Zhengui's shoulders straightened visibly for a moment: "I will never betray the emperor's trust."
It's trust, but it's also flattery.
If she does it again, she may not be punished this time, but she may not be punished next time.
Xie Junyao stood up and said, "Let's go."
"If you continue to make trouble, my harem will become a joke."
As Xie Junyao finished speaking, there was a thunder. Soon, it began to rain, and the raindrops were sometimes big and sometimes small.
This rain was brewing for three whole days.
The drizzle fell indifferently on the eaves, forming a curtain of rain. Gradually, the rain grew heavier.
The concubines left one after another.
Concubine Wan deliberately did not wait for Xu Zhaoyuan, left before her, and returned to the palace with Lin Fenyi.
First of all, Xu Zhaoyuan lost her greatest value.
Secondly, after hearing the emperor's words, she began to suspect that Xu Zhaoyuan was deliberately instigating her to cause trouble, so she was labeled a troublemaker by the emperor.
Walking in the heavy rain, Concubine Wan said to Lin Fenyi behind her: "I will ask my father to help your brother."
Lin Fenyi was stunned for a long time. Regardless of the heavy rain, she rushed to Concubine Wan and leaned forward: "I thank the Queen on behalf of my brother!"
Concubine Wan felt more and more that her choice was correct.
She took the umbrella and held it over their heads. She smoothed the hair that was stuck to Lin Fenyi's face and said softly, "I ignored you in the past."
"Your Majesty..." Lin Fenyi was so moved that she was speechless and her eyes were wet.
"But you also know that after what happened today, the Emperor believes that I am only capable of causing trouble, and Concubine Xu has been demoted. Today is different from the past."
Lin Fenyi's eyes were filled with determination: "If your Majesty needs anything, please tell me. I will brave the sword and plunge into the sea of fire."
Concubine Wan smiled and said, "After some time, I will ask the Emperor to promote you. You just need to perform well. But don't be like Concubine Xu who doesn't live up to expectations."
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