Chen Siyuan approached Madam Qiao, first saying "Mother," and then thanking Eunuch Huang.
As always, Eunuch Huang remained aloof and superior, but he showed a greater degree of respect when facing Chen Siyuan.
After Eunuch Huang left, everyone's attention turned to Chen Siyuan again.
"What is this?" Consort Qing asked the person next to her.
They seemed unaware that Chen Siyuan had gone to the Imperial Garden to see the Emperor.
"Your Highness, the First-Rank Lady just went to the Imperial Garden to see His Majesty."
"Oh?" A single syllable, leaving no room to discern any emotion or anger.
It seems that, being in the imperial palace and being a concubine, she was already immune to women who appeared beside the emperor.
"Your Highness, it was Eunuch Huang who personally went to the palace gate to receive the First Rank Lady."
Those who didn't know might think it was because a First-Rank Lady had arrived, not knowing the way to the Imperial Garden. But those who did know understood perfectly well that Eunuch Huang was personally greeting her—what a grand gesture!
In their hearts, they slandered Chen Siyuan as a restless woman who had actually seduced the Emperor. Their minds had already been racing with these thoughts.
When the matter involves the Emperor, and the Emperor's attitude is unclear, it's best to wisely keep quiet.
Avoid saying things that might cause trouble.
Princess Qiya stood quietly beside Consort Qing, seemingly having little presence.
Her arrival was slightly higher than that of a palace maid. And because Princess Qiya was not a real princess, some people who saw Consort Qing were so excited that they forgot to bow to Princess Qiya.
Princess Qiya despised these despicable people, but she loathed Chen Siyuan even more.
Why is it that no matter where she goes, people always notice Chen Siyuan?
What annoyed her even more was what the Emperor meant and why he kept treating Chen Siyuan so differently.
On what grounds?
She is the real princess, so why was she overshadowed by a country bumpkin?
Consort Qing seemed to sense that her breathing was unsteady, so she quickly patted her with her hand as a reminder.
On the other side, Consort Hua also heard about Chen Siyuan's unusual behavior.
She both loved and hated this woman. But when she thought about what the woman knew about Chen Siyuan's past, she didn't think the woman was scary.
She already knows all her shameful secrets, so what is there to worry about?
And since she is not the empress now, but still in charge of the entire harem, she must show the magnanimity that is appropriate at this time.
As for what others want to do behind the scenes, that's beyond her control.
"Aren't the flowers in the Imperial Garden beautiful?" Madam Qiao knew about the unfriendly gazes around her, but compared to Chen Siyuan's safety, she didn't care.
"The Imperial Garden is full of exotic flowers and rare plants, and every flower is very beautiful." Chen Siyuan felt puzzled.
I was summoned to the Imperial Garden, where the Emperor was also present. After I bowed, I quietly admired the flowers, and nothing happened.
It frightened her for a long time.
"The old emperor didn't make things difficult for you, did he?" The Fifth Princess Consort's words were always surprising.
Madam Qiao and Chen Siyuan immediately looked at the Fifth Princess Consort. How dare she be so bold?
That's quite a direct statement.
"His Majesty was merely admiring the flowers and said nothing."
"Hmph..." The Fifth Princess wanted to say something more, but Madam Qiao silenced her with her words.
"It's good that the flowers are beautiful. Everyone says that the flowers in the Imperial Garden are rare and exotic plants. Apart from the empresses in the palace, many people don't have the chance to see them. You are lucky today to have won the Emperor's favor. It must be because of Yu Chen's expedition..."
“Mother—” Chen Siyuan knew what Madam Qiao meant.
She used these words to tell everyone that the Emperor truly favored Qiao Yuchen, and that Qiao Yuchen's favorite was Chen Siyuan, which is why this whole thing happened.
The Fifth Princess Consort, sensing Madam Qiao's thoughts, quickly chimed in, "Yes, the young general is a rare talent, His Majesty cherishes him..."
Everyone had been wondering about the Emperor's purpose in sending Chen Siyuan to the Imperial Garden, and after hearing this, it seemed that was indeed the case.
Why would someone from a small place be treated differently by the emperor? It's all because of the general's military power.
What started as mockery turned into envy for Chen Siyuan.
She's so lucky to have married Qiao Yuchen and to be treated like royalty.
It seems that Chen Siyuan has taken all the good things.
Everyone carefully kept their thoughts to themselves, simply because the person who summoned Chen Siyuan was the Emperor.
If it were an ordinary citizen, Chen Siyuan would have already been tied up and thrown into the river to drown by now.
These are the advantages and disadvantages that come with status and rights.
Chen Siyuan successfully appeared in people's sight. Because she was blurry and because she was already married, people always felt that it was impossible for her to serve the emperor. Various rumors began to spread in their hearts.
We only know half of what happened at the palace banquet, and then some unpleasant rumors began to circulate.
At this moment, the emperor suddenly left his seat, which deepened everyone's speculation about what was going on.
Fortunately, they were meeting in the Imperial Garden, so nothing indecent would happen. Some people started whispering among themselves.
Consort Qing remained seated and did not leave her seat.
Hearing the women gossiping behind her, and glancing at Princess Qiya who had just returned, Princess Qiya nodded slightly, which was taken as tacit agreement.
Consort Qing remained seated quietly, waiting for someone to step forward.
There are rumors circulating that there's something fishy going on between Chen Siyuan and the Emperor, and even Qiao Yuchen's bandit suppression operation seems suspicious.
She believed that Consort Hua, who was temporarily in charge of the entire harem, had to step forward.
If she doesn't step forward, it's a dereliction of duty on her part; but if she does, she won't gain anything in return.
She waited quietly.
really.
Wang Mama whispered something in Consort Hua's ear several times, and all that could be seen was a sudden change in her expression, after which she abruptly left her seat.
The Qing Guifei Art Committee saw someone throwing a tantrum, but unexpectedly, that person left.
At this moment, Consort Qing turned her attention to the Third Prince.
The Third Prince didn't move, but Qiao Zhen, who was sitting next to him, left for a while.
Seeing this, she seemed to understand that the dead end that Consort Hua was facing today had been exposed.
She was annoyed, but she still had a backup plan.
Besides, there are so many women in the harem. They used to be controlled by the Empress because of their status. Now that a concubine is exercising the Empress's privileges, who would be convinced?
Even if they don't show it on their faces, the resentment is already there in their hearts.
When this resentment ferments to the point of being uncontrollable, its eruption can be devastating for some.
She had been waiting for this moment to arrive.
Thinking about it, he was still somewhat dissatisfied with the current situation deviating from his plans.
He glanced at Princess Qiya beside him.
Princess Qiya left quickly, and not long after, Qiao Zhen, who was sitting next to the Third Prince, also left.
Consort Qing remained seated calmly.
It's strange.
It's understandable that the Imperial Concubine did not attend the banquet at the palace, as she rarely participates in such events. But what about the Empress Dowager?
Even the Empress Dowager didn't come?
Thinking about this, she couldn't help but feel a sense of estrangement from the palace she had lived in for so many years.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
