She must have been worried that the queen would be sad when she found out about this. What a kind woman she is.
At the same time, she was also afraid of being blamed by other concubines and was indeed a woman who needed protection.
So, he agreed in a gentle voice: "Well, I'll have someone come in later to help you dress up. Then leave through the side door of the Yangxin Palace and follow the bamboo forest path directly to Jingren Palace."
After Sheng Xiyan had tied up the tassels of her crown, she hugged his neck tightly from behind, gently rested her head on his back, and whispered gratefully, "Thank you, Your Majesty, for being so considerate of me."
She depends on him so much, how can he not think about her?
Xuan Ling gently held her soft and delicate little hand, as if comforting her, or promising her something.
After the emperor went to court, Hua Xia came in and helped Sheng Xiyan finish washing up, and then left through the side door of the Yangxin Palace.
Sure enough, there is a quiet path here with almost no people passing by.
The master and servant were walking in front, however, they did not notice that not far behind them, there was also a master and servant following silently.
Suddenly, Yu Zhaoyi stopped and asked in a low voice, "Who is that?"
The palace maid stretched her neck, took a closer look, and replied, "Your Majesty, it was Young Lady Sheng. Hua Xia, the maidservant beside her, had seen her in the imperial kitchen."
Yu Zhaoyi had gotten up early today and had deliberately taken this path, hoping to see the emperor. She looked east, puzzled, "Did she come out of the Yangxin Palace? But wasn't yesterday the fifteenth day?"
The palace maid was also very surprised, "Yes, did the emperor come out of Jingren Palace last night?"
Yu Zhaoyi looked at Sheng Xiyan and Hua Xia who were gradually walking away in front of her, and fell into deep thought, with a hint of calculation in her eyes.
The Jingren Palace was filled with the fragrance of cosmetics. The concubines got up at five in the morning to dress up to maintain their exquisite makeup, otherwise they would be punished.
After everyone was seated, Queen Duan was supported by Qingdai and walked out of the inner hall gracefully.
The concubines bowed and greeted each other, and Queen Duan responded and took her seat.
Her belly was slightly bulging, her complexion was not good, and her eyes were slightly swollen. She took the hot tea presented by the palace maid.
The other concubines talked quietly in groups of two or three. Since Empress Duan was a kind person, the atmosphere of the morning meeting was relatively relaxed.
At this time, Yu Zhaoyi asked loudly to the back: "Sister Shengpin, I saw you just now in the bamboo garden path. Did you admit your mistake?"
As soon as these words were spoken, the concubines immediately began to speculate. The bamboo garden path was close to the side door of the Yangxin Palace. Could it be that Concubine Sheng came out of the Yangxin Palace?
Concubine Liang then said, "Yesterday was the fifteenth day of the lunar month. Sister Empress, did the Emperor not stay at Jingren Palace last night?"
Sheng Xiyan didn't expect that she would be discovered so quickly. The concubines in front of her looked at her with vicious eyes.
As a newcomer to the palace, Su Yunluan was not familiar with the terrain of the imperial palace, but now she understood the situation and took the lead in questioning Sheng Xiyan: "Shengpin, why did you come out of the Yangxin Palace so early in the morning?"
At the banquet in the Imperial Garden yesterday, she had already noticed the flirtatious exchange between Xuan Ling and Sheng Xiyan. She hadn't expected Sheng Xiyan to actually go to the Yangxin Palace to sleep with him last night! Yesterday was clearly her first day in the palace, and according to the rules, she should have been the one to sleep with him!
At this time, Sheng Xiyan was more concerned about Queen Duan's reaction, and she didn't care about other concubines.
She stood up, saluted respectfully to Empress Duan, and said, "Your Majesty, I am here to give the Emperor acupuncture."
She deliberately didn't specify whether it was last night or early this morning, leaving people confused. According to palace rules, concubines were not allowed to stay overnight in the Yangxin Palace to serve as guests, otherwise it would be a violation of palace regulations.
Empress Duan smiled slightly and explained for her, "Shengpin's acupuncture skills are very outstanding. The emperor is very busy handling state affairs, so I specially asked Shengpin to go to the Yangxin Palace to serve him this morning."
Sheng Xiyan just sat down. After all, the queen was virtuous and generous. She didn't think of snatching the opportunity to sleep in the same bed with the emperor and the queen last night. She went to the Yangxin Palace only after Xuan Ling came out of Jingren Palace.
Although the other concubines were extremely angry, they could not hold on to their grievances after Empress Duan said so.
After the morning meeting, Sheng Xiyan and Min Meiren were walking in front when they were suddenly stopped by someone behind them.
Turning around, I saw Su Yunluan. She was standing on the picking pole, wearing a peach-colored brocade skirt with butterflies and flowers, looking bright and noble.
Sheng Xiyan and Min Meiren stopped. Su Yunluan looked down on Sheng Xiyan with contempt, glancing coldly up and down.
"You are just a lowly creature, a widow with a low status. Do you think you can become a phoenix? Concubine Sheng, do you really have no idea about yourself?" Su Yunluan cursed viciously.
Sheng Xiyan sneered. She was a high-ranking concubine. To contradict her directly was like handing her the handle of a knife. It would be better to say nothing.
"Shengpin, are you mute? I'm talking to you, and you dare not answer?"
Seeing that she didn't say anything, Su Yunluan became even more furious.
Sheng Xiyan bowed and said, "I heard it, but I don't know how to answer Concubine Jia's question."
"Hmph, you're quite good at flattery. In that case, I'll ask you again, what is your punishment for disrespecting me?"
Sheng Xiyan's heart sank, but she remained calm. "I don't know how I have offended Her Majesty Jia. Please let me know."
Anger flashed in Concubine Jia's eyes. "She's so sharp-tongued and ignoring me. Someone, teach her a lesson!"
As she spoke, the palace maid Hongye walked forward and raised her hand to hit Sheng Xiyan.
Sheng Xiyan was quick to grab Hongye's wrist and said coldly, "Although my rank is low, I am still the emperor's concubine. Your Majesty Jiafei has no right to let me beat you."
At this time, Qiu Lin, the head steward, hurried forward and whispered, "Your Majesty, you have just entered the palace and it is not appropriate to cause trouble. Forget it."
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