Chapter 12 Slap
The joy that Shen Qingru had just felt at her promotion to Ronghua disappeared completely from her face in an instant.
She had just been promoted to Ronghua... and Concubine Xiang slapped her in the face like this.
Seabuckthorn is not a good thing. After all, it is just the most common wild fruit in the countryside.
The fruit is very small, covered with thorns, tastes sour and astringent, and is not necessarily very good. And because it grew in the wild, no one in the harem was willing to touch it, and even if it fell on the ground, few would even take a second look at it.
But one benefit of sea buckthorn is that it has miraculous effects on the throat.
The noble concubine Xiang, who lived in the main seat, was born with a good voice. Even if the Emperor did not favor her, he would sometimes summon her to the Qianqing Palace to sing some songs.
Shen Qingru knew how much Concubine Xiang valued her voice, so in order to please Concubine Xiang, she often went looking for sea buckthorns and picked them herself to make sea buckthorn paste.
Throughout the entire summer that year, Shen Qingru went out to look for sea buckthorn before dawn every day, and after returning, she personally made a sweet paste and sent it to him. After several months of pain in her fingers, Xiang Guipin gradually let down her guard against her.
At that time, she was just a newcomer who had just entered the palace and had no one to rely on.
Now, five years have passed, and she has become a proper Lady Ronghua. However, Xiang Guipin remained the same, relying on her status as the mistress of the palace, and using this method whenever she was not satisfied.
On the surface, she was asked to make sea buckthorn paste, but wasn't she being tortured secretly?
Every time she went there, her hands would be pierced and bleed profusely, and it would take at least half a month to heal.
Otherwise, with her looks, how could it have taken her five years to reach her current position!
Shen Qingru pinched her palms, and when she thought of the sharp thorns on the sea buckthorn, she felt a sharp pain in her abdomen.
She didn't understand why Xiang Guipin was punishing her when it was clearly because of Chen Fu:
"I'm not feeling well. I have some left from what I made for the Noble Concubine some time ago. Can I personally deliver it to the Noble Concubine later?"
Seabuckthorn paste may seem insignificant, but it is very effective in maintaining the throat. Xiang Guipin used it firstly to humiliate her, and secondly to maintain her own good voice.
Concubine Xiang Guipin was of ordinary appearance, except for her acceptable voice. I heard that the nanny who served her since she was a child was from Jiangnan, so Concubine Xiang learned the Jiangnan folk song.
His Majesty seemed to like her very much, and when he had nothing to do, he liked to ask Concubine Xiang to visit him in the Qianqing Palace.
Therefore, Concubine Xiang was very concerned about her beautiful voice.
Shen Qingru lives under the nose of Concubine Xiang Guipin, so naturally these things have to be prepared at all times.
But last night, His Majesty came to Changqiu Palace but didn't visit her, so Shen Qingru guessed that she would be in a bad mood.
But unexpectedly, her temper was not directed at Shen Fu, but at herself.
Shen Qingru looked at Bihe, but she just shook her head.
"Your Majesty's precious body is worth a lot of money. How can you eat what you cooked before? What if something happens after eating it?"
"My lady, you should do it again." Bi He stepped forward and said, "The Queen said that Miss Rong Hua has good craftsmanship. Please do it yourself."
Bi He was used to doing this kind of thing, and with a smile on her face, she said, "Fill this soup bowl completely and send it to Changqiu Palace before dark."
Shen Qingru lowered his head and glanced at Bihe's palm, his brows subconsciously frowned rapidly.
On the red lacquer tray was a blue and white porcelain soup bowl, as big as an adult's palm. If you want to fill it up with boiled sea buckthorn paste, I'm afraid it won't be enough even if you pick them from day to night.
Not to mention, take time to make sea buckthorn paste.
"Ms. Shen?" Bihe saw that Shen Qingru didn't respond, so she chuckled and walked forward to hand over the tray in her hand: "Then thank you for your hard work, Ms. Shen."
As soon as Bihe left, Shen Qingru accidentally overturned the teacup: "Who the hell is she?"
How humiliating!
Fengchun was standing aside holding the tray. When he saw the young lady's appearance, his expression changed slightly.
She quickly directed the maids to clean up the floor, then walked to Shen Qingru and said, "My lady, this is not the time to lose your temper."
Although Xiang Guipin is hateful, she has a good family background and a good sister.
Even before her death, she tried her best to give birth to the third prince. There were very few concubines in the entire harem who dared to offend her.
It’s not that Shen Qingru didn’t understand these things, but she felt extremely wronged in her heart: “If I had a good family background, why would I have to endure these humiliations?”
Her family background is a pain for her.
It was said that she came in as a daughter of the Shen family, and very few people knew that she was not a biological daughter. But she knew in her heart that an adopted daughter was still an adopted daughter, and even if the Shen family had connections, they would not help her wholeheartedly.
Besides, the Shen family is a civil servant family after all. They have a high reputation, but they do not have much real power.
There were too many women of high-ranking officials in the harem. After entering the palace, Shen Qingru was inferior to others everywhere and was looked down upon by others.
If this continues, His Majesty will completely forget about her, and she might even lose her position as the most beautiful lady.
When Shen Qingru thought of this, her palms clenched, and her fingertips sunk into her palms tightly: "Where is Shen Fu?"
She must hold on to Shen Fu tightly, because now only Shen Fu can help her out of the predicament.
"Miss Fu has returned to Chuxiu Palace." Fengchun shook her head: "No matter how much I persuade her, she won't stay."
"Let's go back." Shen Qingru felt upset when she thought of Shen Fu crying.
She really didn't know much about this sister. She only knew that she was the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, but she had never seen her since she was a child.
Perhaps it was because I was brought up in pampered condition, but tears started falling before I could even start a sentence.
It's really a headache.
Shen Qingru raised her hand and rubbed her brows: "She won't stay in Chuxiu Palace for long."
Concubine Xiang knew of Chen Fu's existence and how stunningly beautiful she was. With Xiang Guipin's personality, how could she watch Chen Fu successfully pass the selection and be chosen as a concubine?
Fengchun looked at the young lady's smug look and couldn't help asking, "Young lady, do you think this can be accomplished?"
No matter how stupid Miss Fu is, I'm afraid she won't agree.
She is a legitimate daughter of the Shen family. Why should she be a substitute for others?
My young mistress is very scheming and resourceful, and her mind is more ruthless than that of ordinary people.
But sometimes she felt that the young lady was really too cruel.
After all, they are a family, how could they frame their own sisters like this?
Of course, Fengchun didn’t dare to really say this. The Shen sisters’ affairs were their own business, and as a servant, she just followed the mistress.
With her throat rolling, Fengchun could only make an excuse: "I don't think it's OK. Miss Fu gave birth to..."
"With this kind of birth, I'm afraid His Majesty will not let go for a while. What should we do if His Majesty finds out one day?"
Shen Qingru sat sideways in the chair with a pale face, and her eyes trembled when she thought of this.
It's not that she didn't hear what happened last night.
She has served the Emperor many times, and she knows exactly what he is like.
It was obvious that His Majesty was very fond of those movements. But even so, he still managed to hold back and didn't do it again...
Shen Qingru didn't know how Shen Fu did it. But it was clear that she had only served His Majesty twice.
"It can only be her!" Shen Qingru shook her head. Only a beauty like Shen Fu could make His Majesty obsessed.
****
Shen Qingru went outside to look for wild fruits for a whole day, and when she came back, she hurried to make Cili paste.
But even so, it was dark by the time it was delivered.
Xiang Guipin looked extremely unhappy, and took the opportunity to punish her by making her stand for half an hour. Shen Qingru was angry but dared not say anything. She stood at the gate of Changqiu Palace for half an hour before she dared to go back.
When I came back, I couldn't even lift my hands and feet.
Instead, Chen Fu returned to Chuxiu Palace and had a good sleep.
Last night, His Majesty was too torturous. Even just once, it was extremely difficult for Chen Fu to endure.
His Majesty was taller than an average person, and although Shen Fu was tall, she still looked petite and delicate standing in front of His Majesty.
The height difference is huge, which is bad enough. But maybe it’s because he has been practicing martial arts since he was a child, but his whole body is as stiff as iron.
Chen Fu always fell exhausted in the arms of His Majesty at the end. She was afraid of being discovered by His Majesty and even dared not sleep deeply the whole night.
How is it like now?
Shen Fu fell on the bed and stretched her body. She moved too fast and felt a pain between her legs. She couldn't help but scream.
"What are you doing?" Shen Fu's voice had just leaked out when someone in the house couldn't help but said, "It's only daytime, not even night yet."
The one who was speaking was Wang Ruer. She was the most beautiful girl in the whole room. Because of this, she felt that she would definitely be chosen into the harem.
Even though everyone is still just a concubine now, Wang Ruer feels that she is superior to others.
As for Chen Fu, Wang Ruer had not seen her since she entered Chuxiu Palace, and she had long been dissatisfied with her.
But because Chen Fu has an elder sister in Changqiu Palace, she has been holding it in.
But ever since she heard that His Majesty went to Changqiu Palace last night, Wang Ruru has been feeling unhappy all over.
I wanted to pull Shen Fu up and ask her if she saw His Majesty last night.
Now that Shen Fu had spoken, she naturally would not miss this opportunity: "Your Majesty is not here, who are you calling out to?"
Wang Ruer's words were full of jealousy, and her tone was even more sour.
It was just that Shen Fu was yawning, and her smile froze a little after hearing what happened next.
She didn't stay in Changqiu Palace and came back to Chuxiu Palace because she didn't want to be gossiped about.
Besides, no one should have known about her going to Changqiu Palace yesterday, so how come it became known to everyone in just this morning?
Clearly someone leaked the news.
Shen Fu's face looked extremely ugly, and the first person she thought of was Shen Qingru?
No, although Shen Qingru is an adopted daughter, no one knows her identity. Besides, she brought shame to the Shen family, and Shen Qingru would also lose face.
Then besides Shen Qingru, who else knew that she was in Changqiu Palace last night?
As Shen Fu thought about it, she tapped her fingertips lightly on the table. It was obvious that someone was deliberately ruining her reputation.
The obvious purpose is to prevent her from participating in the draft.
Wang Ruer followed with a voice, but Zi Su's hands began to tremble with nervousness: "Girl."
Shisu's voice was small, and she couldn't suppress the tremor in it. She stood aside, looking back and forth from Shen Fu's face, not knowing what to do with her hands and feet.
What happened last night could be hidden from others, but it couldn't be hidden from Zi Su at all.
Besides, Chen Fu just came back early in the morning, with a hint of spring between her eyebrows and eyes, and her watery eyes were misty. Anyone with a discerning eye could tell what had happened.
If something happened to the concubine, it would be a serious crime that would affect the entire family.
Shen Fu noticed Zi Su's nervousness, held her hand and comforted her, "It's okay."
Behind the screen, Wang Ruer was still crying out sourly.
"I don't know whether it was due to my careful planning or coincidence, but right after I went to Changqiu Palace, His Majesty came."
Early in the morning, the news of Shen Fu going to Changqiu Palace spread like wildfire. You should know that His Majesty rested in Changqiu Palace last night.
Chen Fu might meet His Majesty!
That’s His Majesty, the emperor who is high above! These concubines spend so much time and effort every day just hoping to be noticed by the Emperor.
If the Emperor favored her, Wang Ruer's fingertips would tremble.
Ever since she knew that His Majesty had passed away last night, she had lost her appetite and just wanted to ask His Majesty what his birth looked like.
But Chen Fu looked sick and had not been seen since she entered Chuxiu Palace.
Wang Ruer was so anxious that she scratched her head, but because of her family background, she didn't dare to take it seriously and offend anyone.
I could only say some sour words outside: "It's really good to have a sister in the palace. She takes care of you openly and secretly. It's not enough for the sister to serve the emperor herself. She even dragged her sister to go with her at such an important time."
She was talking more and more excitedly. If someone heard her, they would probably laugh at her house.
Zhou Shuyun, who was in the corner, had to stand up.
"Miss Wang." Zhou Shuyun advised, "Miss Shen is not feeling well and is probably still resting. Speak softly and don't disturb her."
"Is she in poor health?" It was just a simple sentence, but it made Wang Ruer explode.
"She said she wasn't feeling well ever since she moved to the Chuxiu Palace. She didn't even show up during the beauty pageant." Wang Ru'er looked at the screen in front of her and reached out her hand several times to lift it up.
He stretched out his fingers, ready to move, but in the end he did not dare to do so because of his family background.
Shen Fu is the legitimate daughter of the Shen family, and she has an elder sister who works as a concubine in the harem. To be honest, Wang Ruer took it seriously and didn't dare to offend easily.
She could only jump around on the spot: "If you don't know, you would think it was her, not her sister, who served His Majesty last night."
These words were really too harsh to hear, and Zhou Shuyun glanced at her inconspicuously.
As soon as she entered Chuxiu Palace, she knew that Wang Ruer was extremely confident about her appearance.
I have to say that she is indeed very beautiful, with a small face, watery eyes, and a beautiful and bright appearance that is outstanding among the beauties in this session.
After she entered Chuxiu Palace, many people tried to curry favor with her, fearing that Wang Ruru would rise rapidly in the future after she served the emperor in bed with the emperor.
Zhou Shuyun was the daughter of the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue. Her family background was not low, but she was only pretty.
Unlike Wang Ruer, who is beautiful and good at playing the piano. I have been in the Chuxiu Palace for such a long time that I don’t know how many times I have been praised by the maids.
Before she entered the palace, she knew that there were two things that the women in the palace must not offend.
First, his family background is higher than hers, and if she offends him, she will inevitably get into trouble in the future.
Secondly, he was born well.
When selecting girls for the imperial harem, appearance is naturally the first thing they look at. As long as one can please the Emperor, family background seems less important in this matter.
"What's wrong?" After spending such a long time together, Wang Ruer also realized that Zhou Shuyun was not someone who liked to meddle in other people's affairs.
He deliberately said, "We all live in the same room, but we still don't know what Miss Shen looks like. I just want to go over and talk to her. Can Miss Zhou also interfere?"
Zhou Shuyun paused, and seeing that she couldn't persuade him, she put her hand down.
Seeing this, Wang Ruer became even more proud: "Why don't you come out? Are you feeling guilty?"
Wang Ruer shouted triumphantly, "All the concubines in the Chuxiu Palace were waiting patiently, but you were the only one who went to see His Majesty in advance."
"You are still lying weakly on the bed at this time, as if it was you who slept with you last night instead of your sister." Wang Ruer said without stopping, while lifting the curtain.
Whether dead or alive, she wants to see what kind of face this life has.
But his palm fell on the curtain, and just as he was about to lift it, a hand stretched out from inside.
There was a shaking sound from the crystal curtain, and Wang Ruer stared at the person in front of her in a daze.
The person in front of me was wearing a plain dress and an apricot-yellow gauze skirt, which made her figure slim, charming and attractive.
The face was covered with a thin veil, but it could not hide the icy skin and delicate bones underneath. Even if you can't see her face, you can tell that she is a rare beauty.
Chen Fu looked at Wang Ruer expressionlessly, raised her delicate hand, and slapped her in the face:
"Say it again!"
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