Chapter 416 Let all the concubines in the harem know
Zhang Chengyan felt inexplicably blocked in his heart as he saw her being so submissive yet distant.
The Bai Wutong who used to obey him in everything seemed to be gradually fading away.
He was still feeling angry until he left Fengyi Palace.
Bai Wutong naturally noticed his unhappiness, but pretended to know nothing.
After Zhang Chengyan left, she called Yingchun over and said calmly, "Pass on the emperor's daily preferences, what he eats and drinks, and let the concubines in the harem know, especially the new girls. Don't leave any of them behind. Do you understand?"
"Yes, your majesty." Although Yingchun was full of doubts and did not understand the intention of her master's action, she still obeyed the order and left obediently.
Soon, the entire harem knew Zhang Chengyan's food preferences.
For a time, there was a craze in the harem, and many concubines frequently went in and out of the Imperial Household Department, just to get some good things and wait for an opportunity to please Zhang Chengyan.
Those new ladies who had been favored had different thoughts.
Some were bold and daring, and rushed to the Yangxin Palace, carrying the nourishing soup that had just been carefully cooked and was the emperor's favorite.
Some of them put a lot of effort into their makeup and clothes, dressing up carefully in front of the bronze mirror every day, preparing to meet the emperor by chance in the imperial garden and attract his attention with their outstanding looks and manners.
The entire harem had changed from its former tranquility to become extremely lively, with competition for beauty everywhere.
When Su Zhaoyi heard this, her bright and beautiful face was instantly covered with a layer of frost. She snorted lightly, her tone full of disdain, "Isn't the Queen's trick just to incite everyone to share my favor? It's really a waste of time. She didn't even think about it. How could those mediocre women compare to me?"
She looked at her beautiful face in the bronze mirror with satisfaction, and a confident smile appeared on her lips. "None of the remaining people can match my appearance, let alone be as considerate as me and please the emperor."
The maid beside her quickly agreed, her face full of flattery, "Your Majesty is right. You are unique in this harem. But Your Majesty... I heard that the emperor prefers Biluochun. You might as well prepare some. If the emperor comes, wouldn't it be more thoughtful to entertain him with this good tea?"
Su Zhaoyi thought for a moment and nodded slightly, "You are right. Although the emperor dotes on me and often summons me to accompany him, it would be impolite if I can't even get a pot of the emperor's favorite tea. Go to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and pick out the best Biluochun to bring back. If they dare to refuse to give it to you, tell them and I will explain the matter to the emperor."
"Yes, I'll do it right away." After receiving the order, the palace maid hurriedly called a second-class palace maid, gave her detailed instructions, and sent her to the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Bai Wutong pretended to be ignorant of all this, and secretly ordered his men to keep a close eye on Zhang Chengyan's every move.
About a week later, the news came.
Zhang Chengyan has been sleeping poorly recently and always wakes up early.
In the past he could sleep for three hours, but now he can only sleep for two hours at most.
Although I don’t feel too tired yet, my body will definitely not be able to take it if this continues.
In order to improve this situation, Zhang Chengyan asked his ministers to find a way to calm his mind and get some calming soup. However, after drinking it, not only did it have no effect, but it made him feel dizzy and his mood became more and more irritable.
When Bai Wutong heard the report, the corners of his mouth slightly raised, but in the blink of an eye, he returned to his usual dignity and calmness, without showing any strangeness in his expression.
"The emperor is feeling a little unwell, and as the queen, I naturally have to go and visit him."
…
After many days, Bai Wutong stepped into the Yangxin Palace again.
Before entering the door, I heard Su Zhaoyi's clear but slightly noisy voice.
She is always so full of energy, as if she is forever stuck in her prime years of fifteen or sixteen, maintaining that innocent and carefree attitude towards everything around her.
After hearing the eunuch's loud announcement, Su Zhaoyi stopped talking, stood up reluctantly, and gave a perfunctory salute to Bai Wutong.
Bai Wutong looked calm, not annoyed at all, "I'm here to see the emperor. Concubine Su, please wait aside first."
"Yes." Although Su Zhaoyi was reluctant, she did not dare to say much in front of Zhang Chengyan and could only step aside silently.
Bai Wutong walked to the bedside and said, "Your Majesty, I heard that you haven't been resting well recently?"
Zhang Chengyan waved his hand, "I just slept less than usual, but I didn't feel particularly tired. The imperial physician said it was caused by overthinking. I think it's because of the complicated affairs in recent days, the cold weather, and the increase in government affairs to deal with. In addition, there were some problems with the canal before, which made me worry a lot, so it's like this."
Bai Wutong nodded slightly, his eyes falling on Zhang Chengyan's face, clearly seeing the faint bluish-gray circle under his eyes and his slightly obvious bags under his eyes.
This undoubtedly shows that his sleep quality is extremely poor.
However, people are often easily misled by their own feelings.
If you feel weak all over, you will feel that the problem is serious.
But if your spirit is still good, you won’t care too much if your sleep time is only reduced by one hour.
Bai Wutong smiled and nodded, "Since the emperor is fine, I am relieved. But I made an appointment with the Empress Dowager yesterday to visit Yunyang today. It's almost time now, so I'll take my leave. Sister Su Zhaoyi is here to accompany the emperor, which will surely make the emperor feel more at ease."
Zhang Chengyan frowned, a trace of displeasure on his face, "Wutong, are you dissatisfied with my recent favoritism towards Concubine Su? You've only been here for less than an incense stick of time, and you're in a hurry to leave?"
Bai Wutong hurriedly explained, "Your Majesty, please don't think so. How could I be dissatisfied? It's because I had an appointment with the Empress Dowager yesterday. When I learned that Your Majesty was ill, I was extremely anxious and came to visit him first. I still have to go to Yunyang. If I break the appointment, the Empress Dowager will definitely be unhappy. I am really in a dilemma..."
Bai Wutong hesitated to speak, his eyes full of embarrassment.
Zhang Chengyan looked at her pitiful appearance, and the dissatisfaction in his heart gradually dissipated. "Since we have already made an appointment in advance, then go ahead."
"Thank you for your understanding, Your Majesty." Bai Wutong bowed slightly, took a few steps forward, and personally poured him a cup of tea, saying softly, "Your Majesty, after I see Yunyang, I will come back to accompany you immediately, okay?"
After hearing this, the last bit of unhappiness in Zhang Chengyan's heart disappeared immediately, "Okay, go ahead."
After saying that, he picked up the teacup and drank it all in one gulp.
Bai Wutong's smile became more gentle and charming, "Then Your Majesty must wait for me to come back."
After leaving the Yangxin Palace, she went straight to the Yongshou Palace.
After not seeing her for some time, the empress dowager looked much younger than before, with a rosy complexion and full of energy.
When the Queen Mother saw her, her face immediately lit up with smiles, and she quickly had Yun Yang brought out. "Look at this child, Yun Yang. Although he is young, he is very sensible. Every time he sees me, he smiles so brightly, with his eyes curved into crescents. Since he was sent here, I have hardly heard him cry. He is such a well-behaved and worry-free child!"
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