Chapter 65 Chapter 65 Instead of blaming yourself, it’s better to pass the blame...
As soon as Li Shuyao's voice fell, the entire main hall fell silent.
Li Shuyao was still unaware of the silence in the hall. She was still lying on the armrest of the rocking chair, her chin resting on the back of her hand, wondering why Concubine Tong had not sent anyone over.
At the other end of the hall, Tian Jiarou and Yue Shu stopped what they were doing at the same time, then looked up at the same time in tacit understanding, glanced at the somewhat gloomy expression on Nanny Yan's face, looked at each other, and fearfully retreated out of the hall holding hands.
Nanny Yan ignored them and first picked up the glass cup next to Li Shuyao. She saw that Li Shuyao only drank a few small sips of the hot milk tea in the cup and did not touch the rest.
...I don't know what he is worried about.
I don't even drink milk tea.
Nanny Yan put the already cooling milk tea aside, leaned over and whispered in Li Shuyao's ear, lowering her voice and asking, "What are you thinking about, Madam?"
"Well, just let Madam Yan make the decision."
——Li Shuyao only replied with this sentence.
Nanny Yan: “…”
She finally couldn't help herself and stretched out a finger to poke Li Shuyao's soft cheek, which was slightly puffed up due to deep thought.
Li Shuyao immediately bounced her head off the armrest of the rocking chair like a frightened little frog.
Then, she looked around frantically, and when she saw it was Nanny Yan, she breathed a sigh of relief. "It's Nanny! You scared me."
Nanny Yan asked her, "Who does your Majesty think it is?"
"No one, that is, I thought it was the Emperor."
In the entire palace, only the emperor liked to pinch her face for fun, saying it looked like a bun and looked so good to pinch...
It's really bad.
Li Shuyao rubbed her cheeks, not understanding why her face looked like a bun.
Clear and smooth, though soft and somewhat bouncy to the touch...
Anyway, it’s not a bun!
As she thought about it, Li Shuyao pursed her lips with a resentful look and puffed out her cheeks.
After a moment, he came back to his senses and looked up to ask Nanny Yan: "Mammy, what is the reason for you to look for me?"
Nanny Yan said calmly, "I'd like to ask Your Majesty, do you remember what Director Xu said yesterday?"
"I remember!" Li Shuyao nodded innocently, then snapped her fingers. "It says to calm your mind, not to overthink, and to have a normal sleep schedule, go to bed early and get up early, and eat more nutritious food, and avoid cold food..."
"Yes, that's all."
"What was the lady doing just now?"
"I'm thinking about something." Li Shuyao blinked her pair of bright and watery almond-shaped eyes with an innocent expression, as if she didn't think there was anything wrong with what she said.
Nanny Yan was silent: "..."
It took a long while before she found her voice again. "Your Majesty, since you know you shouldn't overthink it, why do you still..."
"It's true that I thought about it, but I wasn't overthinking. I was just curious about why Concubine Tong didn't send anyone with a gift, so I thought about it casually. I didn't think too much, and I didn't worry about it. Is this not allowed?" Li Shuyao tilted her head.
The argument is well-reasoned and well-founded. It doesn't matter whether it is right or not, just make sure you have the courage to speak.
These words made Nanny Yan even more silent.
She thought about it carefully and it seemed to be true.
Everything should be done in moderation. If she was really asked not to think about anything... Nanny Yan was really worried that she would be raised to be a saintly person who was pure and compassionate in everything.
After figuring it out, Nanny Yan stopped commenting and just nodded, indicating that Li Shuyao understood.
Li Shuyao patted her chest and let out a breath. It was a close call. She almost got scolded by Nanny Yan.
But Nanny Yan was right. She really shouldn't think too much. Concubine Tong was from the emperor's maternal family and grew up with the emperor. She could even refuse to give the empress her face, so what was the point of not giving her a gift?
Just routine operation.
Besides, she has now become a concubine, so there is really no need for her to care about the little gifts given by others.
As long as Concubine Tong doesn't rush into Changchun Palace to beat her, it will be fine.
Li Shuyao was comforting herself when suddenly a burst of hurried footsteps was heard outside.
"My Queen! Something bad has happened!"
"Tong, Imperial Concubine Tong has arrived. She's getting off her sedan at the gate of Changchun Palace!"
Li Shuyao was so frightened by the palace maid's words that she almost slipped off the chair.
Her heart suddenly hung in the air, and its beating frequency was like dense drum beats, one after another, echoing loudly in her ears.
It was as if saying, you are finished, Concubine Tong really rushed into Changchun Palace to teach you a lesson!
Li Shuyao suddenly became extremely nervous, feeling that every nerve was tense.
She gripped the chair handles tightly with both hands to support her body, and then with the help of Nanny Yan, she stood up from the chair with her hands and feet limp.
The delicate and beautiful little face, like a spring flower, turned pale, and the bright and watery apricot blossom eyes would not move.
She just stood there for a few seconds, then vaguely remembered that according to palace rules, she should go to the door to greet the imperial concubine.
But, but her knees were so soft, as soft as...
No, no way, I have to go no matter how soft it is.
There are so many palace people watching in Changchun Palace, and she is pregnant with a baby. If Concubine Tong still has any rationality, she should not do anything to her.
Thinking of this, Li Shuyao suddenly felt a little courage in her heart.
With the support of Nanny Yan, he took slow and firm steps and moved to the outside of the main hall. When he was about to go down the stairs, his eyes suddenly caught a glimpse of a bright red color at the gate of Changchun Palace.
The next second, Concubine Tong, wearing a red cloak, walked in openly with the help of palace servants.
She was stunned when she saw Li Shuyao coming out to greet her.
Li Shuyao was also stunned. She stared blankly at the red cloak on Concubine Tong with her almond-shaped eyes, and suddenly she let out a "hiss" sound.
Concubine Tong is really brave.
She even dares to wear red clothes. Isn’t it said that this is exclusive to the queen?
As she thought about it, a bold and evil idea suddenly came to her mind -
Could it be that Concubine Tong wanted to use this red cloak to make the still-sick Empress angry to death?
"Didn't you say you were pregnant? Why did you come out wearing such thin clothes?"
At the foot of the stairs, Concubine Tong, who was dressed luxuriously and gracefully, did not look as ferocious as Li Shuyao had imagined.
He even showed some concern for Li Shuyao's health.
Li Shuyao came to her senses and quickly let go of Nanny Yan's hand. She put her hands on her waist and bent her knees towards Concubine Tong who was at the bottom of the stairs.
When I bent my knees halfway, I felt that the angle was not right, a bit too high.
So before anyone could react, she nimbly walked down the steps, walked in front of Concubine Tong, and knelt down to salute her lightly.
Nanny Yan and the other palace maids were almost driven crazy by her actions.
Here, there is still unmelted snow on the steps.
How come she walks so fast?
Aren’t you afraid of falling?
Concubine Tong was obviously frightened by Li Shuyao's actions.
When Li Shuyao stood in front of her, she was still frightened. When Li Shuyao knelt down to salute her, she reached out without thinking and pulled Li Shuyao up from the cold floor.
Then a few warm fingers rubbed Li Shuyao's hands, shoulders, and cheeks randomly.
"You're so cold? Come inside and rest. You over there, yes, you, go bring in two pots of charcoal fire, don't let your queen catch a cold."
Without saying a word, Concubine Tong took the initiative and pulled Li Shuyao towards the main hall with one hand. With the other hand, she casually pointed to a eunuch and ordered him to bring in two more pots of charcoal fire.
After walking up the stairs, she still seemed to feel it was not enough. Her beautiful eyes swept over the people in the courtyard, and she called out a few palace servants, ordering them to clean up all the remaining snow on the stairs and in the courtyard.
After giving the order in a cold voice, he didn't wait for everyone to accept the order. He turned around with great momentum and walked towards the main hall with Li Shuyao in his hand.
Li Shuyao blinked in confusion.
Eh? Concubine Tong doesn't seem angry at all.
And he still cares about her.
Her nervous heart immediately relaxed. Although her legs were still a little weak and she couldn't use any strength, she was still well-behaved and obedient, allowing Concubine Tong to pull her into the main hall.
After walking a few more steps, passing the reception hall, he turned directly at the screen on the right and entered the small room.
Outside the palace, the palace maid whose name was called by Concubine Tong did not go down to do her work immediately. Instead, she raised her head tremblingly and looked at Nanny Yan.
Nanny Yan nodded slightly at them, and then they went down one by one, some taking the charcoal brazier and some taking the broom.
Tian Jiarou turned and went to the small kitchen to prepare tea and snacks. As soon as she left, two palace maids from Chengqian Palace quickly followed her, walking on her left and right. They first asked her name and then introduced themselves. After entering the small kitchen, they walked around inside on their own.
After a while, he used the ingredients in the small kitchen to quickly prepare a cup of tea and snacks. He then smiled and said to Tian Jiarou, "Just prepare the food for your queen. Our queen has a picky taste and can't stand the food cooked by other people in the palace."
Is this possible?
Tian Jiarou was stunned.
I thought, if Concubine Tong can do it, can her queen do the same in the future?
…
In the side room of the main hall of Changchun Palace, Li Shuyao still didn't know what had happened in the small kitchen.
She was led in by Concubine Tong with a happy look on her face.
Concubine Tong turned around and saw that she was smiling brightly, with no trace of gloom in her clear apricot eyes.
...How should I put it, he's still as heartless as before.
Isn't she afraid that she is here to harm her?
He followed her in without any ulterior motives, without even a single palace servant following him.
...What do the palace maids in Changchun Palace do for a living?
Concubine Tong was thinking with some displeasure, and the next second, she saw a pretty palace maid bringing in a basin of warm water, and an old nanny with a solemn face slowly walked to Li Shuyao's side, carefully helped her take off her cloak, and pressed her hands into the basin of water.
Just like an adult washing a child's hands, he rubbed a few white fingers as slender as green onions.
This made Concubine Tong very jealous.
While washing her hands, Li Shuyao turned to explain to Concubine Tong, "Please forgive me, Your Majesty. I just drank some hot milk tea, and my hands are stained with milk tea. They feel sticky and greasy, so I need to wash my hands."
After she finished speaking, she turned to Wen Mei and the others who followed in and said, "You guys, go and serve the Imperial Concubine."
Concubine Tong raised her hand and said in a cold voice, "No need for them, I can do it myself."
After saying that, he dragged off his red cloak and threw it on the couch. Then he glanced at the copper basin in front of Li Shuyao and said to Wen Mei, "Bring me a basin of water too."
She wanted to wash her hands too.
Wen Mei looked at Li Shuyao.
Li Shuyao blinked and thought for a while before she understood what she meant.
She said, "Go, go, and listen to what the Imperial Concubine says."
The Imperial Concubine's rank is two levels higher than hers. How can she not listen to the Imperial Concubine's words?
Even she has to listen to the Imperial Concubine.
...I don't know how Nanny Yan trained them. In just a few days, the palace maids sent by the Ministry of Internal Affairs have become so capable and well-behaved.
Li Shuyao wiped her hands with cotton cloth while sighing in her heart.
After washing her hands, a short while later, Tian Jiarou came in with two unfamiliar palace maids, carrying brewed tea and snacks.
Tian Jiarou placed the tea and snacks on the tray in front of Li Shuyao.
The other two palace maids also placed the tea and snacks on the trays in front of Concubine Tong one by one.
Li Shuyao took a look and felt that Concubine Tong’s snacks seemed different from hers.
The next moment, Concubine Tong's voice suddenly became inexplicably sharp, "Who allowed you to make decisions on your own?"
The two palace maids trembled all over and knelt in front of Concubine Tong in fear.
Li Shuyao was also frightened and her fingertips trembled. The silver fork directly scratched across the smooth porcelain plate, making a hoarse and unpleasant sound.
Li Shuyao raised her head in confusion. What's wrong? What happened?
Did these two palace maids do something wrong?
Concubine Tong probably also felt that the sound of the fork scratching across the porcelain plate was unpleasant, so she subconsciously frowned and glanced at Li Shuyao.
Li Shuyao quickly sat up straight, put down the silver fork in her hand in a panic, and placed her hands on the table, like a model student in class.
Tian Jiarou behind her also immediately straightened her body while holding the tray.
The master and servant were so frightened by Concubine Tong's words that they almost stood at attention.
Concubine Tong looked directly at Li Shuyao and said, "I'm not talking about you. Just eat your snacks."
Then he said to Tian Jiarou, "I didn't say anything about you. Go down and prepare a few snacks for me, just like what your concubine Ling eats."
Tian Jiarou didn't say anything, but looked at Li Shuyao with an inquiring look.
Li Shuyao nodded slightly at her, signaling her to run quickly.
Tian Jiarou ran away with the tray in her arms.
The two palace maids were still kneeling on the ground.
Concubine Tong didn't even look at them. After Tian Jiarou left, she apologized to Li Shuyao with a slightly guilty look on her face, saying, "No one in my palace is used to following the rules. Please don't be offended."
Strange? What's strange?
Li Shuyao still hasn't figured out what exactly happened.
Holding a silver fork in his hand, his face was tense with a look of deep thought.
But no matter how she thought about it, she didn't understand what Concubine Tong was talking about.
Concubine Tong looked helpless and could only tap the table with two fingers to call Li Shuyao's attention back. Then she taught her earnestly, "You are pregnant now. How dare you let others in the palace approach your small kitchen?"
The two palace maids below finally realized what they had done wrong.
Not daring to cry anymore, she wiped the tears from her face, turned sideways to Li Shuyao, apologized sincerely, and asked for Li Shuyao's forgiveness.
Li Shuyao: "..."
She shrank her neck silently, wanting to say that she hadn't thought about it that much and still didn't understand what was going on.
What's next to the kitchenette...
Huh?
Oh, it turns out that the tea and snacks in front of Concubine Tong were made by these two. No wonder they were different from hers.
However...if Concubine Tong's words were strictly followed and the two of them were to be punished, then wouldn't Tian Jiarou, Nanny Yan, and all the palace servants who saw the two of them approaching the small kitchen in her palace also be punished?
No, there's no need, right?
Li Shuyao called the two palace maids nervously and said that she did not mean to blame them. She also asked them to be more well-behaved next time they came and not to wander around anymore.
After the two palace maids left with tears of gratitude, she whispered her concerns to Concubine Tong.
After hearing this, Concubine Tong was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.
He raised his hand and knocked on Li Shuyao's forehead. "Do you think the people in your palace can stop the people in my palace?"
"Don't even mention you. Even in the former Yikun Palace, I would enter when I wanted to and not enter when I didn't want to."
The former Yiku Palace was the residence of the current Empress, formerly Consort Nianhulu.
After listening to this, Li Shuyao became even more silent.
She wondered if Concubine Tong's words were simply a show-off or a veiled warning?
Warn her that she doesn't even take the Queen seriously, let alone a mere concubine like her...
All the turmoil in her heart was revealed on her face through her clear apricot-colored eyes.
As Concubine Tong read on, she suddenly felt a little uncomfortable.
This little palace maid, uh, why is Concubine Ling so afraid of her?
I was so scared that even a simple word from her would be taken to heart, and I would speculate and suspect it over and over again.
It was a shame that she had previously thought that Concubine Ling was different from the other women in the palace, and even thought that she bore some resemblance to Ruoxue...
The more Concubine Tong thought about it, the angrier she became. She felt that she had come here with such eagerness, but was really met with a cold shoulder. Ugh, a cold shoulder.
It's really boring.
She was about to stand up when Li Shuyao, who was sitting cross-legged opposite her, suddenly spoke in a low voice, her voice as hollow as clouds floating in the sky. She asked, "Then, Noble Concubine, aren't you afraid? Aren't you afraid that the Empress will find out and hold you accountable?"
As she spoke cautiously, she pointed to the red cloak placed behind Concubine Tong not far away.
Concubine Tong was stunned when she heard this. What accountability?
She looked in the direction of Li Shuyao's finger and saw the light red cloak she was wearing.
"You mean this?"
Li Shuyao nodded, her expression very conflicted.
Concubine Tong: “…”
She looked at Li Shuyao with an indescribable expression, then looked at the cloak. Finally, she asked her with a somewhat difficult voice, "Do you think this is pure red?"
Li Shuyao said, "Hey," "Isn't it?"
Concubine Tong was almost amused by her imagination. "Why would I walk around in such a bright red cloak? Isn't this clearly going against the Queen?"
Li Shuyao looked hesitant: "But secretly, that is, privately opposing, is also wrong."
Concubine Tong:?
"So what do you want from me? Obediently submit to the Queen?"
She was so angry that she didn't even say "this palace".
Li Shuyao thought about it and nodded, "The nanny who taught me said that this is the duty of a concubine."
"What's the duty of a concubine? Empress Dowager Cihe is my aunt. The Emperor and I grew up together as childhood sweethearts. If we talk about affection, it's only right that I should be in that position."
"She, the Niuhulu clan, only relies on her family background to suppress me, and she doesn't allow me to be unhappy?"
Li Shuyao felt her lips were dry, so she stuck out her tongue and licked them.
Concubine Tong mistakenly thought she was greedy, and suddenly raised her hand and slammed it heavily on the dining table, "You also think I'm wrong, don't you?"
Li Shuyao nodded, then shook her head.
She quietly moved her butt back and saw Concubine Tong's angry face. She was afraid that Concubine Tong would pick up a fork and secretly poke her.
But Concubine Tong was still rational after all.
She was only angry for a moment, but when she saw that Li Shuyao didn't answer, she realized that she was being too stubborn.
But...but she just couldn't give in!
Concubine Tong, who was in a state of reluctance, suddenly forgot her dignity as a concubine. She stood up and walked to Li Shuyao's side, squeezing on the same couch with her.
Her eyelashes trembled violently, and various emotions flashed quickly in her eyes: reminiscence, happiness, bewilderment, shock, and then a deep resentment. It churned for a long time before gradually calming down and returning to silence like a pool of stagnant water.
Li Shuyao supported herself on the couch and moved inside.
Apart from Qingyao, she had never been so close to a concubine.
Some are afraid, but more of them are uncomfortable.
Concubine Tong, she shouldn't suddenly attack me, right?
Thinking of this, Li Shuyao's hands quietly touched her belly.
Baby, you have to bless your mother, please...
She was only halfway through her inner prayer when she suddenly felt a force neither light nor heavy on her arm.
It was Concubine Tong who reached out and grabbed her, holding her arm with one hand and forcing her chin up with the other. The two looked at each other, and then Concubine Tong suddenly gave her a bitter smile, "Twice, both times I was just a little bit away from taking that position, but in the end I failed miserably."
"Hesheli clan, and Niuhulu clan, what on earth do they rely on?"
Li Shuyao blinked, thought for a moment, and said in a clear voice, "Because they have a good father, oh no, I mean, because they have a good father."
As she spoke, she boldly raised her hand and patted Concubine Tong on the shoulder. "Don't be angry, Concubine. If you get angry and become ill, no one can help you. Just think of it this way: it's not you who lost, but your father who lost. Your father is not as good as their fathers, so what does it have to do with you?"
"You are still very powerful!"
Instead of blaming yourself, it is better to blame others.
As a human being, why put so much pressure on yourself?
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
