Chapter 63: Can't Give Her a Third Chance

After lunch, Xia Lu asked Xia Xue to play chess. Xia Lu was really frustrated during her time in the palace.

Xia Xue didn't say anything and just stayed with Xia Lu.

Jiang Baolin was very sensible and did not disturb the sisters' world of two, so he went straight back to his room.

Before returning to the room, he bowed to Xia Xue while Xia Lu was not paying attention.

Xia Xue smiled gently and turned around.

The next morning, Xia Lu took Xia Xue to pay her respects to Concubine Ying.

Xia Xue insisted on waiting until the concubines paid their respects before she went.

When the concubines were paying their respects, Concubine Ying asked, "Lady Xia, I saw that Madam Chu sent a letter saying that she would stay in the palace for a few days. I wonder if she has come yet?"

"We are already here. Madam Chu said that we will come to see the queen after we pay our respects."

"Mrs. Chu has always had a strong sense of discipline, but she is a little too formal." Although Concubine Ying said this, her face was full of smiles.

Wei Chongyuan was not idle, "Mrs. Chu was not very famous before, but since she got the third daughter of the Li family, who is famous in the capital, her fame has been increasing day by day. I heard that a few days ago, Concubine Hong Liang also suffered a loss."

When Concubine Hong Liangdi heard herself being mentioned, her face turned red and she looked at Concubine Rong.

Concubine Rong, on the other hand, was calm and composed, as if she hadn't heard anything at all.

"You" Xia Lu gritted her teeth, not knowing how to retort. Li Pingting chuckled, "Sister Chongyuan is always unreasonable. My third sister is also of this nature. I am really at a loss now."

"You? How dare you compare your third sister to me? Who does she think she is?"

"It was Wei Chongyuan who first mentioned the children of our Li family. How come the Li family is in decline now, and a Chongyuan can laugh at us whenever she wants?" Concubine Rong, who had been silent all the time, spoke lightly, with obvious displeasure in her tone.

"I" Wei Chongyuan gritted her teeth. No matter how disfavored Concubine Rong was, her position as a concubine was still there. If she was pissed off, she would not gain any advantage.

"It was I who overreacted." Wei Chongyuan held it in for a long time before finally saying this.

Li Pingting nodded to Concubine Rong.

Concubine Rong ignored him and continued drinking her tea.

Concubine Ying had seen enough of the show, so she said, "Everyone, go home."

When Xia Lu returned to the opera house, Xia Xue was still reading.

"Sister, I thought you were waiting outside Concubine Ying's Palace."

"Why?"

Xia Lu was stunned for a moment, "Why why?"

"Why should I wait outside the Yingfei Palace?"

"Didn't you say yesterday that you would go after the concubine paid her respects?"

Xia Xue smiled, "Then I'll go in the afternoon or evening. Isn't it time for the concubines to pay their respects?"

Xia Lu scratched her head, "Yes. Then when are we going?"

"After lunch, it's me, not us."

Xia Lu was a little confused, but did not ask any further questions.

"But Concubine Ying just asked you, isn't it bad for us, no, for my sister to go too late?"

"There's nothing wrong with it. When people interact with each other, it's based on the equality of status. Although Concubine Ying is the highest-ranking concubine, and is considered a lord to me, the Xia and Chu families are the emperor's right-hand men, and are important ministers to the emperor. Moreover, they are definitely more important than any other concubine, so sister is important to Concubine Ying. If you leave too early, you will lose your status."

Xia Lu seemed to understand, "Then why can't I go with you?"

"You have already been there this morning as a concubine. What identity do you have to go there again? Remember, you only have one identity, that is, the emperor's concubine. Remember this at all times, and you will not be criticized."

Xia Lu sighed, "Sister, you are still amazing. If you enter the palace, you will definitely be more amazing than Concubine Ying."

Xia Xue shook her head, "Sister, why do you want to enter the palace? Isn't it good to enjoy the exclusive favor of the Prime Minister?"

Xia Lu curled her lips. It was good to be the only one spoiled, but how many people in the world were lucky enough to have a sister like her?

Xia Xue had a leisurely lunch and took a nap. It was almost dusk, and then she slowly set off for Concubine Ying's bedroom.

Concubine Ying was very enthusiastic and said that she had been waiting for Xia Xue since the concubines left in the morning.

Xia Xue exchanged a few false pleasantries, saying that she was worried that Concubine Ying was tired, and would wait until the Empress had rested enough before coming to bother her.

Concubine Ying is also a smart person, so she naturally wouldn't care about these things. They both will understand what's going on in their hearts.

Concubine Ying also mentioned the last time Hong Liangdi had trouble with Xia Lu and she helped her.

Xia Xue naturally followed her words and was extremely grateful.

Concubine Ying knew that Xia Xue had known it for a long time.

Xia Xue knew what Concubine Ying meant.

That's enough.

When dealing with smart people, they don't need to know everything too clearly.

Nothing unusual happened in the palace over the next few days.

I heard that Concubine Hong Liang went to Yangxin Palace with soup to look for the Emperor, but was sent back.

It was also heard that Concubine Hong was blocking the emperor's carriage in the Yu Garden, which made the emperor so angry that he did not go to the Yu Garden for three days.

This is already the seventh day since Xia Xue entered the palace. Jiang Baolin, who had been staying in his room for the past few days, finally came out and had lunch with Xia Xue and Xia Lu.

This was also their second time having lunch together.

Jiang Baolin hadn't gone out for the past six days. Xia Lu thought that Jiang Baolin was giving her and her sisters some time to be alone, but Xia Xue knew that Jiang Baolin was digesting what she had said that day.

"This Hong Liangdi is so shameless. The emperor clearly didn't want to see her, but she still persevered and used all kinds of tricks." Xia Lu ate a piece of coconut cake and said angrily. "If it happens a third time, the emperor will punish her."

Xia Xue shook her head. "It's true that three times is the limit. If it happens a third time, Hong Liang Di will definitely return to favor me."

Xia Lu raised her eyebrows, "Why?"

"If it's someone the emperor hates, he won't have to wait until the third time. He will be punished the first time. As for Hong Liangdi's invitation to his favor, the emperor didn't punish her the first time, and he didn't punish her the second time. What does it mean?" Xia Xue said lightly.

"The emperor is reluctant." Jiang Baolin replied in a cold voice.

"At least for now. So..."

"So we must not give Hong Liangdi a third chance." Jiang Baolin continued.

Xia Xue looked at her with admiration. The fact that he could say this showed that he not only fully understood what she meant, but also knew what he should do.

Xia Lu was confused and looked at the two people in mute voice.

"Are you speaking Daan? I don't understand."

"You, just eat more." Xia Xue said as she gave Xia Lu another piece of coconut cake.

Xia Lu pouted and stuffed it into her mouth.

Chu Zhenxuan came in the afternoon and asked Xia Xue when she would go home. Xia Xue said in two or three days.

Chu Zhenxuan stayed for an hour and left the palace before the gates closed.

The sky gradually darkened and a bright moon climbed into the night sky.

Xia Lu wanted to ask Jiang Baolin to play chess, but was stopped by Xia Xue.

"After lunch, Jiang Baolin said she wanted to rest." Xia Xue said.

"I've been resting for so many days."

"You know the damage to her health."

"Okay, but I'd better let my father come and check her out when he has time. I'm afraid it will leave a root of disease."

"Without being summoned and notified, the imperial physician cannot see the concubines casually. You'd better not cause trouble for father." Xia Xue instructed.

"Well, that's why I haven't dared to ask father for help because I still have to avoid suspicion. Besides, the concubines in the palace don't like to see anyone forming a clique." Xia Lu said.

"Now that you understand, you should know not to get too close to anyone. Real friends know each other in their hearts, and they may be able to save lives at critical moments. Usually, the cards are exposed. If anyone wants to deal with Jiang Baolin one day, I guarantee that they will start with you."

I thought I was just trying to scare Xia Lu, but my words turned out to be a lesson for me.