"You've been favored?" Ulanara leaned back on the pillow, letting Yanruo massage the acupoints on her head.
Yanruo said softly, "I went there, stayed for an hour, and even changed my clothes..."
"Has it been recorded?" Ulanara asked directly, ignoring all that.
Yanruo frowned: "No, that's not true..."
"Hmph." Ulanara snorted lightly, then laughed, "That's not bad either."
Yanruo didn't know what was so good about it, nor did she dare to ask. Ulanara pushed her hand away and sat up. After a moment of contemplation, she suddenly said, "His Majesty must really like Consort Xiang, right?"
"This...this servant does not know."
"It's alright, let Consort Qi think that way." Ulanara waved her hand. "Go and make the arrangements. Let Consort Qi know that the Emperor favored Consort Xiang today and that he likes her very much."
"Yes." Yanruo didn't know why Ulanara was doing this, but she always carried out her master's orders without fail.
Qian Shengyan returned to the inner room satisfied. Yinzhen was still leaning against the small couch looking at the memorials. Hearing her come in, he looked up at her and asked, "Happy now?"
"Yes." Qian Shengyan was in a good mood and was happy to coax him. "When I see her, I feel like I'm seeing my own sister."
"Since you like her so much, then promote her to the rank of Changzai," Yinzhen said indifferently.
Qian Shengyan was delighted: "That's not bad either."
At least this way, it seems that the Emperor favors her, and Li Shi probably wouldn't dare to bully her, so the young girl's life can be a little easier.
Just a few days before the New Year, the Emperor suddenly favored Consort Qi's little concubine, even promoting her to a higher rank. Now, even Lady Li dared not underestimate Consort Xiang, and properly arranged a room for her, assigning two palace maids to serve her.
When Guo heard about this, she was very happy and came to thank Qian Shengyan. The two then discussed how to help Consort Xiang.
But they were unaware that Xiang Chang's elusive and intangible favor was actually her death warrant.
New Year's Eve arrived quickly. Compared to the Emperor's birthday banquet, this New Year's Eve banquet was not attended by Nian Gengyao, and Prince Lian was also absent due to illness, so it was relatively peaceful and comfortable.
Moreover, Qian Shengyan noticed that Shan Xiu was beaming at the banquet, and her gaze towards Hong Shi was almost drooling.
But... Hongshi seemed a little impatient.
He didn't look at Shan Xiu very often, only occasionally glancing over with a warning in his eyes. On the contrary, Shan Xiu's dependence on him became more and more obvious, and she unconsciously looked at Hong Shi and smiled shyly.
Did they actually have sex?
Qian Shengyan raised an eyebrow, took a sip of tea, and couldn't help but glance at Shan Xiu again, then at Hong Shi opposite her, clicking her tongue inwardly.
Good grief, the time hasn't come yet, she still has to cover for them...
"Your Highness, this servant would like to offer you a toast..." Consort Xiang carefully brought over the wine cup. Qian Shengyan did not refuse, picked up the wine cup and drank it all in one gulp, then smiled and said, "You should really thank Consort Guo. She was very worried about you."
"This servant will go and offer this to Consort Guo right away," Consort Xiang said, blushing, before hurrying away with her head down.
Qian Shengyan watched her leave with great interest, but when she turned her head, she saw Ulanara sitting at the head of the table staring intently at Consort Xiang, and even a smile on her lips.
What does this mean? Was this palace maid Xiang'er arranged by the Empress?
Qian Shengyan had also suffered losses a few times, so she couldn't help but be wary. She thought about going back and having Qingxue investigate—or having Hongli investigate the background of the palace maid Xiang'er.
"Your Majesty, I offer you a toast," Lady Li said, rising to her feet. She was dressed in a vibrant peach-red dress today, her eyes brimming with laughter. "Thank you for Your Majesty's favor towards the people in my palace. I toast you."
As the birth mother of the Third Prince, Yinzhen was willing to give her face in public, so he drank a cup. Li Shi sat down with a smug look on her face, and starting with her, everyone began to toast the Emperor.
Finally, it was Shan Xiu's turn, Qian Shengyan's turn, and the Empress's turn. Yinzhen also graciously accepted the invitation and drank all the wine.
Finally, he said, "I have drunk all your wine. The palace has been doing well this year, and the Empress and Consort have not had to worry too much."
Everyone stood up and responded in unison, "Yes." Yinzhen nodded and said nothing more. Ulanara smiled and raised her cup, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Everyone raised their glasses again and said in unison, "Thank you, Your Majesty!"
After this wine is finished, the banquet should be coming to an end.
The Emperor left first, followed by the Empress. Qian Shengyan then followed Ulanara out, but to her surprise, Shan Xiu was in a hurry and walked past her quickly, striding out.
"Oh dear!" Qingxue stumbled from Shan Xiu's haste, grabbing the wall to keep from falling. She was somewhat reluctant. "What is Consort Hua rushing off to do in such a hurry?"
Though the speaker meant no harm, Qian Shengyan raised an eyebrow, suddenly feeling an urge to eavesdrop at Chengqian Palace…
But being a polite modern person, she could only suppress her feelings and didn't mention it to others. However, when she went to the Fengxian Hall to worship her ancestors the next morning, Qian Shengyan noticed that Shan Xiu's walking posture was a bit off.
She couldn't help but click her tongue inwardly, never expecting Hongshi to be so inconsiderate of the occasion.
However... Hongshi was probably even less concerned about the occasion than she thought.
On New Year's Eve, the Emperor did not sleep a wink, nor did Prince Hongshi.
He fought fiercely with the counterfeit in the first half of the night, and then secretly went to Chengqian Palace in the second half of the night. Taking advantage of the fact that no one was watching, he comforted his poor stepmother.
This was only the second time for Shan Xiu, but she could clearly feel that Hong Shi treated her differently than the last time.
He was no longer so gentle; he became much rougher, seemingly completely disregarding her feelings. Dan Xiu, afraid of being heard crying, bit the corner of the blanket to try and suppress her sobs, but she bit her teeth until they bled, leaving some bloodstains on the blanket.
Not only was her mouth sore, but her whole body felt like it had been crushed by a huge rock, especially her lower back, which ached unbearably and almost made her lose consciousness.
She cried as she tried to push Hongshi away, but Hongshi attacked her even more frantically, even bending her legs into an impossible position. At that moment, Shanxiu felt like she wasn't human anymore; perhaps she was just a plaything.
By the time Hongshi was satisfied, Shanxiu was completely unable to move.
"Alright, I'm leaving now." Hongshi casually patted her butt and chuckled, "You served me well, I'll come again next time."
Shan Xiu had no idea that Hong Shi was treating her the way he treated prostitutes in the brothel, but she felt uncomfortable with this treatment and could only barely prop herself up: "Hong Shi..."
"Hmm?" Hongshi turned around, but didn't stop walking. "Not enough? Then take care of it yourself. It's almost dawn, I have to go."
Dan Xiu paused for a moment, then tears streamed down her face again.
She must be imagining things. Why can't she feel Hongshi's love anymore...?
No, Hongshi does love her. He enjoys doing these things with her so much, he must love her very much, he must!
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