"Don't be surprised, sister. I have a keen nose and know a little about perfume. I think your fragrance is very pleasant. I wonder what the recipe is?"
Shufei felt a little guilty, but soon calmed down because they had common interests.
"Sister Liang Fei, if the Empress gave birth to the Emperor's eldest son, do you think we would still have a chance to succeed?"
When Concubine Liang heard this, she was silent for a while. Concubine Shu's words were rough but true. This was indeed a problem. If the queen gave birth to a prince, the queen's position would be more stable. The legitimate prince might even become the crown prince in the future. Then wouldn't all the concubines' work be in vain?
Moreover, her father is the prime minister and has considerable power, so she can definitely compete for the throne of queen.
She took Concubine Shu's hand and said sincerely, "Sister Concubine Shu understands. I will listen to you. You are very talented, unlike me who is very stupid."
Concubine Shu smiled lightly and clapped her hands, guiding her: "Sister, you can also do something. Don't let me work alone. Working together will get twice the result with half the effort, right?"
"That's right, sister, go back and think about it carefully."
The two separated in the North Garden, each got on a chariot and left.
After returning to Chuxiu Palace, Concubine Liang was in a good mood and hummed a little tune as she entered the main hall.
The head maid asked curiously, "Madam, what are you going to do?"
Concubine Liang said with a smile: "What I want to do is to do nothing. The mantis stalks the cicada while the oriole waits behind."
"Your Majesty is wise. If anything happens to the Queen, it will be Concubine Shu's responsibility, and it has nothing to do with Your Majesty."
Concubine Liang said arrogantly, "Since Concubine Shu's death, what has she relied on? I'm just waiting for her to do something stupid. How is Shen Wanrong's pregnancy going recently? I have to keep a close eye on it. I must grab the prince in her belly."
The head maid said, "Don't worry, your majesty. The midwife is already ours, there will be no problem."
It was the Si hour at this time. In the Yangxin Palace, several ministers were standing in front of the screen waiting.
Today's morning court session at the Qianqing Palace was cancelled because Emperor Xuanwu was delayed due to stomach problems, and was changed to a royal court session.
Xuan Ling felt uncomfortable in his stomach when he woke up early in the morning. He went to the toilet many times, but there was no improvement.
At this moment, he walked out from the back hall, sat on the soft chair of the imperial throne, and said in a low voice: "Master Li, please continue."
"I just mentioned that this year, we will be constructing ten additional water conservancy projects across the country, which will help prevent floods. Here are the details of my report, Your Majesty, for your review."
Eunuch Fu took the report and walked behind the screen to present it to Xuan Ling.
Xuan Ling looked through the list carefully. "The Taihu Lake Basin and the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River are the areas most severely affected by floods over the years. We can add two more locations."
"I understand. I will correct it right away."
The Minister of Rites stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, I have prepared a schedule for this year's special examinations. Please review it."
As soon as he got the schedule, Xuan Ling felt uncomfortable in his stomach again. "Master Xu, please prepare a little more and report to me in detail later."
Eunuch Fu helped him up and walked towards the back hall, and Judge Wu hurriedly followed.
"President Wu, I've taken the anti-diarrhea medicine, but why haven't I felt any better?"
Judge Wu hurriedly said, "It's almost done. Your Majesty, please come out soon and I'll take your pulse again."
After a while, Eunuch Fu helped Xuan Ling out.
"Your Majesty, did you eat a lot of spicy food last night? You used to eat spicy food without getting stomach upset."
Xuan Ling stopped him, "Stop talking nonsense. This isn't about midnight snacks."
Eunuch Fu smiled apologetically, "I dare not say anything. It is definitely not Young Master Sheng's fault. I am just worried about the emperor's health. In just this morning, I have seen that your face has become smaller and paler. It is better to let the adults go back and you rest in bed."
Although Xuan Ling felt sick to his stomach, he was surprisingly in good spirits. "Today's events are all very important. I insist on hearing them all."
After listening to the report for another hour, the tasks that needed to be arranged were finally completed.
After everyone knelt and paid their respects, before the screen was removed, an announcement was made outside the hall, "The Empress Dowager has arrived."
Concubine Jia helped the Empress Dowager in.
"Emperor, are you okay? Why do you look so grim?"
Xuan Ling glared at Eunuch Fu, who waved his hands in grievance.
The Empress Dowager said, "Don't blame him. I know it myself. You have a stomachache for no reason. I have thoroughly checked the imperial kitchen and there is nothing wrong with the food. So it must be something else."
Xuan Ling picked up the teacup and drank the warm water, "Don't worry, mother. I'm fine now."
The implication was that she should stop interfering in the matter.
Concubine Jia said in a delicate voice, "I heard that Sheng Xiuyuan sent a midnight snack to the emperor last night. There must be something wrong with the ingredients, which caused the emperor to feel unwell."
Xuan Ling put down the teacup and glanced at Concubine Jia sinisterly.
The Empress Dowager said, "Go call Sheng Xiuyuan. She is the culprit. Why is she hiding?"
"Mother, this isn't a midnight snack, why are you making such a fuss?"
"Your Majesty, your body is the bond between the people and your body is as precious as gold. I must take care of this matter."
An incense stick later, when Sheng Xiyan followed the imperial palace maids into the Yangxin Palace, she saw Xuan Ling leaning on the Arhat couch, his handsome and stern face pale. She had heard that he had had diarrhea all morning.
She knelt down and saluted, saying, "Your Highness, I pay my respects to you, Your Majesty, and Your Majesty the Queen Mother."
Concubine Jia stood behind the soft chair where the Empress Dowager sat and said sarcastically, "Sheng Xiuyuan, did you poison the Emperor? How dare you!"
Xuan Ling scolded: "Shut up."
His eyes met Sheng Xiyan's, "Yanyan, get up."
Sheng Xiyan stood up, and the Empress Dowager said, "Sheng Xiuyuan, the Emperor is feeling unwell after eating the midnight snack you prepared. You must be punished for this so that everyone in the harem will learn a lesson."
"Empress Dowager, please calm down. Could you please allow me to take the Emperor's pulse?"
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