A gorgeously dressed concubine beside Concubine De spoke up, "Sister Zhaoyi, you should pay your respects to Concubine De."
Tu Qingyu looked at her calmly, shifted her body, and just as she was about to speak, she heard the man beside her say, "No need. Tu Zhaoyi will not kneel when she sees you."
She doesn’t have to kneel when meeting the emperor, let alone the little Defei.
There was no change in the expression on Concubine De's face, she still smiled calmly and appropriately.
She looked at the emperor, "I see. I heard long ago that Your Majesty was in danger during your southern tour, and that Sister Zhaoyi saved you. It's only right that you treat her with more favor."
On the contrary, the concubines behind her all looked unhappy.
But no matter how unwilling you are to accept it, you still have to stand up and pay your respects.
"Xiuyi Zhao,"
"Chongrong Deng,"
"Chongyi Ranshi,"
"Meet Sister Zhaoyi."
They were both concubines, so they only needed to perform half a ceremony.
The other beauties and talented ladies stood up and performed the full ceremony.
"The concubines greet Her Majesty Zhaoyi. May Her Majesty be well and at peace."
"Okay, it's windy here, let's all go back." Si Chao felt a little guilty when he saw that Tu Qingyu's face was not very good.
He held Tu Qingyu's hand, his expression gentle, "Yu'er, I'll take you in first."
Tu Qingyu didn't need to answer, he just led his people away.
The ministers said: "We respectfully bid farewell to His Majesty, to His Majesty the Virtuous Consort, and to His Majesty the Consort Zhaoyi."
The young talents and beauties who were far behind couldn't help but whisper to each other.
"Did you see the emperor's expression? When has he ever been so gentle in the palace?"
"That's right. Even the Virtuous Consort didn't receive this kind of favor."
"That's nothing. It's scary if you don't kneel when you see me."
"More than that, have you noticed how His Majesty addressed himself in front of her?"
"Forget it, forget it. Isn't it just because you saved His Majesty?"
"Yes, the grace of saving a life will eventually run out."
…
Si Chao brought her into the palace and got on his sedan chair. The carriage then drove all the way to Si Chao's own Xingqing Palace and Zichen Hall.
She sat calmly in his sedan chair, without any fear or uneasiness on her face.
The concubine following behind saw Si Chao being extremely attentive, but she always had a cold face, and she felt so sad in her heart.
"That's the emperor's palanquin, how can we just sit on it?"
"Don't even mention sitting down. They don't seem happy about it."
In the Purple Palace, all the concubines stood below and began to pay their respects.
They introduced themselves one by one. Tu Qingyu and Si Chao sat at the top, and Defei sat next to Si Chao.
Next are a few concubines.
Mainly, the concubines, beauties, talented women, etc. below had to pay her a formal greeting.
When they had almost finished praying, Si Chao ordered, "Everyone, please sit down."
In fact, only those above the fifth rank had seats. Baolin, imperial concubines, talented women, etc. all stood outside the hall after paying their respects.
After everyone was seated, Concubine De stood up and said, "Your Majesty, Fengyi Palace is still under renovation, but Wanchun Palace is ready for living. I wonder if it would be okay for Sister Zhaoyi to live there first?"
Fengyi Palace needed repairs, news came back more than a month ago.
Along with the letter came a blueprint drawn by the emperor himself.
Those requests seemed to be about sending all the good things in the world to Fengyi Palace.
Si Chao: "No need. Before Fengyi Palace is repaired, she will live with me in Zichen Palace."
When these words were spoken, everyone in the hall was shocked.
No concubine was allowed to stay overnight in the Purple Palace, not even the late emperor's most favored concubine, Concubine Wu.
No concubine was ever allowed to live in Fengyi Palace. Fengyi, Fengyi, as the name suggests, is who this palace was prepared for.
However, Tu Qingyu turned his head and refused, "No need, I'll just live in Wanchun Palace."
Si Chao turned his head to meet her gaze, his eyes grave. "Everything in Zichen Palace has been prepared. Yu'er, don't refuse anymore. I've already had people put in the things that Madam Tu said she would bring you."
As he spoke, his other hand had already put its arm around Tu Qingyu's waist.
The force was just right, not causing her pain but not causing her to struggle.
His fingers rubbed her waist meaningfully.
In addition, when Tu Wangshi was mentioned at this time, both of them understood in their hearts that this was somewhat threatening.
She glared at him slightly and said nothing more.
Satisfied, he began to talk about other topics.
It is impossible for them to live separately. Their relationship is already so strained. If I arrange another palace for her, once the door is closed, he can't bring his men to break in. Wouldn't that be even worse?
Living together, even if she was angry, as long as the two of them communicated, he believed that one day they would be able to resolve their past grievances.
After asking Defei about what had happened in the palace during this period, the two chatted for a while, and then Defei took the initiative to say goodbye.
"Your Majesty and my sister have come such a long way, I will not be bothered by you here any longer." She stood up and said, "I will take my leave."
Since Concubine De was standing, the others naturally had to stand as well.
"I will take my leave."
Si Chao waved his hand, and the people in the hall left one after another.
"Qingyu." As soon as the person left, he couldn't wait to speak, "I just want you to be closer to me. Wanchun Palace is too far away."
Tu Qingyu stood up and asked, "Where do I live?"
"Come with me." He wanted to hold her hand, but Tu Qingyu avoided him.
Looking at his empty hand, a trace of loss flashed in his eyes.
She quickly told herself that it didn't matter. She had deceived her and forced her into the palace, so it was normal for her to be angry.
"The main hall of Xingqing Palace is the Zichen Hall. In addition, there are the Yanying Hall, the Linde Hall, and the Qingsi Hall. I will take you to visit these places tomorrow.
There is also a Purple Palace in the Daming Palace. The Purple Palace over there is also my bedroom. It is closer to the Xuanzheng Hall where I hold court. The main hall in the palace is also the Hanyuan Hall of the Daming Palace. I will take you to see them one by one when the time comes."
"Yes." She nodded lightly, respectful yet distant, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
He was choked for a moment, but then he cheered up and summoned all the palace maids and eunuchs in Xingqing Palace.
"From today on, seeing Zhaoyi is like seeing me. If Zhaoyi feels unwell, I will ask you for help."
"yes."
Defei led her people out of Xingqing Palace, and Zhao Xiuyi called her, "Empress Defei."
Xue Zhiyao turned around and looked at her, "Zhao Xiuyi, what's wrong?"
"I simply feel sorry for your Majesty." She squatted slightly. "You were born in the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion, and when you entered the palace, you were only a Zhaoyi. Now, she is the daughter of a mere county magistrate, and now she is the head of the nine concubines. The emperor left her in Zichen Palace, and she will go to Fengyi Palace after it is completed."
"No one knows what Fengyi Palace means better than us concubines."
"Yes." Ran Chongyi also stood up, "If this person has a child, I'm sure her status will soon surpass that of the Empress."
It would be a great honor for her to give birth to a princess. Comparing yourself with others is really frustrating.
"Exceed?" Concubine Wang snorted coldly, "Isn't this obvious? Fengyi Palace has been cleaned up."
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