Chapter 151 Favor
People in Yong'an Palace asked for water several times last night. This matter could not be concealed at all.
As soon as the Emperor left, the little eunuch ran towards Concubine Rong's palace.
"Can't she help it?" Early in the morning, Lady Ying was waiting for Concubine Rong.
After hearing what the eunuch had said, he was so angry that he twisted his handkerchief with both hands: "What a foxy trick to seduce the master!"
"What are you talking about!" Concubine Rong was sitting on the bench and immediately rolled her eyes at her after hearing that.
This remark almost included insults to the Emperor. Besides, if His Majesty doesn’t want to do this, who can force him?
Lady Ying was frightened by Concubine Rong's eyes and shrank back. She spoke in a lower voice:
"I just find it hard to understand. Her sister almost had a miscarriage and lost her life. But Shen Ronghua is so good. The emperor just left, and she seduced him to go to her room right after he left."
She glanced at Concubine Rong and said, "Cousin, I heard that you two are sisters. This Shen Ronghua is really shameless to do such a thing."
Concubine Rong glanced at Lady Ying with displeasure: "It's Concubine Shen."
His Majesty had already issued an edict to promote Shen Fu to the rank of Concubine.
Such a young concubine is rare in the entire harem. It can be seen how satisfied His Majesty is with Concubine Shen.
Even though Concubine Rong was a concubine, she couldn't help but sigh. She raised her hand to hold the teacup, lowered her head and took a sip of tea before asking, "What are you doing in my palace?"
The beautiful Ying had been waiting at the door early in the morning.
It was obvious that he was scared to death last night and didn't sleep the whole night. This morning, he was waiting at the door before dawn.
When Ying Meiren heard this, she raised her hand and gently stroked her injured face, a trace of deep hatred flashed in her eyes.
When his palm fell, it immediately disappeared: "Cousin, you said that what happened yesterday should have nothing to do with me."
It wasn't her fault in the first place, and Shen Ronghua didn't fall because of her.
No matter how you blame others, it's not her fault.
"It depends on what His Majesty wants." Concubine Rong said lightly.
"I don't think His Majesty is that interested in the offspring in Shen Ronghua's belly." Lady Ying muttered when she didn't get what she wanted to hear.
Concubine Rong stopped holding the teacup and asked, "What nonsense are you talking about?"
"How could I be talking nonsense?"
Ying Meiren said hurriedly, "It's not that you didn't see it yourself. Your Majesty didn't pay much attention to this person."
"Besides, His Majesty went to Shen Rong... Concubine Shen's place last night and asked her to sleep with him. If he had cared about the child at all, he would not have done such a thing."
"Cousin, don't you think so?"
Lady Ying muttered to herself, and after she finished speaking, she just waited for Concubine Rong to nod.
However, Concubine Rong ignored her words.
She always felt that His Majesty's attitude towards the child in Shen Qingru's belly was wrong.
There are few offspring in the harem. Even if His Majesty has never spoken out, he must still care about his offspring.
You can tell from how he treats the third and fourth princes on a daily basis.
The Fourth Prince is being kept outside the palace, so let’s not discuss what His Majesty has done for now.
But the third prince was young, and Concubine Xiang was just a foster mother. For the sake of the Third Prince, His Majesty could not bear to really blame Concubine Xiang no matter how excessive her behavior was.
Even though His Majesty seemed to not care about the Dragonborn in the past, he still cared very much about his offspring in his heart.
But it was obvious that the fetus in Shen Ronghua's belly was very strange.
Before, Concubine Rong thought she was just being overly suspicious, but now it seems that even Concubine Ying could see through her stupidity, and there was obviously something fishy going on.
"Cousin?"
Concubine Rong glanced over, her eyes cold: "I have told you countless times not to call you cousin."
Although His Majesty was not unaware of the relationship between the two families, the word "military power" was inherently sensitive.
The connection between the former dynasty and the harem is closely connected. She and Lady Ying should have avoided suspicion of each other.
If she wasn't hopelessly stupid, she wouldn't even look at her twice.
The beautiful Ying's body shrank a few times when she was looked at by that gaze. Her voice immediately became quieter: "Your Highness, I understand."
"Your Majesty now favors Concubine Shen, so try not to get involved with her in anything."
Concubine Rong lowered her head and sipped her tea gently: "As for your return to the palace, I will think of a way for you when the time comes."
"If you have nothing else to do, please leave first."
Ying Meiren's eyes lit up with surprise, but after hearing this, she swallowed it all.
"I'll take my leave!"
Her throat was rolling and she lowered her head and was about to bow and leave. But before the person left, a sound of footsteps hurriedly came in.
"My lady, Eunuch Lin is here."
The maid leaned over to her lips and whispered something. Concubine Rong put down the teacup in her hand and asked in confusion, "Why is Eunuch Lin coming to my place at this time?"
"I don't know." The maid shook her head.
Concubine Rong turned her head to look at Concubine Ying who had failed to leave, and asked the palace maid to take Concubine Ying away. Then she sent someone to invite Lin An in.
"Your servant kowtows to the Imperial Concubine."
After Lin An came in, he waved his sleeves and knelt on one knee on the ground: "Your Highness, may you be well."
"Stand up." There are only a few people in the entire harem who can make Lin An bow like this.
No matter how high the status of Concubine Rong was, she would not dare to let Lin An kneel for too long.
"Eunuch Lin, what does His Majesty want?"
Lin An lowered his head and looked at the incense burner in the center of the hall. Fragrant mist rose from between the gilded beast's mouth.
He pondered for a moment, then said directly: "I am here to get the key to the private vault."
A new batch of treasures was offered yesterday and was immediately received into the private vault after being registered.
There is only one key, and it has always been in the hands of His Majesty. But since the concubines came a few days ago, it was handed over to Concubine Rong.
He had just gone to ask in person, and yesterday he took the key from Concubine Rong, registered it, and returned it.
That's why Lin An had to come here.
"So you're here to get the key." Concubine Rong looked behind her and motioned to the nanny to go in and get it.
With a smile on her face, she asked casually, "What does the father-in-law want the key to the private vault for? But what new treasure has the emperor got?"
"This..." Lin An was naturally a little hesitant.
His throat was churning and he looked up at Concubine Rong. I saw Concubine Rong sitting on the soft couch, her slender fingers gently stroking the teacup.
His eyes rolled, and he said thoughtfully, "Among the treasures that were newly presented as tribute yesterday, there were some small items. His Majesty ordered me to pick out the best ones and send them to Yong'an Palace."
After hearing this, Concubine Rong was obviously stunned for a moment.
This batch of treasures included jewelries and fabrics sent from various places.
From the beginning to the end, it's all about women's favorites, so where are the so-called gadgets?
Lin An said this just to sound nice.
Concubine Rong was stunned for a moment. Lin An stood there waiting: "Your Majesty?"
After coming back to her senses, Concubine Rong forced a smile on her face in time: "In that case, then Eunuch Lin, please go quickly."
She turned her head and signaled the maid behind her to hand over the key.
"Since it is the order of His Majesty, then the eunuch should go and come back as soon as possible."
Lin An took the key in his hand and finally felt relieved.
He raised his hand to wipe the non-existent sweat from his forehead, and then he forced a sincere smile towards Concubine Rong: "Thank you, Your Majesty. I will leave first."
Only after watching Lin An disappear from her sight did the smile on Concubine Rong's face fade.
She raised her hand, pinched her eyebrows deeply, and sighed weakly.
"Your Majesty, this Emperor is really too partial."
Ying Meiren came out at some point. She stood there, looking at the door where Lin An disappeared, and said with her eyes wide open:
"The Emperor has promoted her to a higher rank and asked her to sleep with him. Now, even precious jewels are given to her casually as a reward."
They were all concubines serving His Majesty. How could they have ever seen His Majesty dote on women so much?
It's not just pampering, it's simply enviable.
Concubine Rong's expression was already unhappy, and after Lady Ying said it so directly, her expression became even colder.
"It's just a little thing, it's not worth your talking about it like that." Concubine Rong said:
"Your Majesty, it's fine if you give it to me. Besides, these things were originally prepared for the concubines in the harem."
Aren’t these treasures and jewelry rewards given to the concubines in each palace? Your Majesty is just thinking about Concubine Shen first.
"Your Majesty!" Lady Ying was not convinced and wanted to continue.
Concubine Rong raised her eyes and looked at her coldly: "Why don't you leave quickly?"
Lady Ying had a lot to say, but when she saw Concubine Rong's cold eyes, they disappeared instantly.
Her sleeves were pulled by the servants, and no matter how unwilling she was, she had to swallow it all bit by bit.
The beautiful Ying left in disgrace, her face full of indignation.
"It really gives me a headache." Concubine Rong stretched out her hand and rubbed her eyebrows hard. This beautiful lady Ying had been making a fuss all morning and hadn't stopped at all.
"I think Lady Ying is right about one thing." The nanny stepped forward and stretched out her hand to gently rub Concubine Rong's forehead.
"Isn't the Emperor too good to Concubine Shen?" The rewards that came one after another seemed to be giving her all the good things in the world.
How old is Concubine Shen now? This kind of favor makes everyone jealous.
"What is this?"
Concubine Rong calmed down and came back to her senses, but she shook her head and chuckled: "Pamper, pamper, but pampering does not necessarily mean love."
Shen Fusheng had such a face that she knew Shen Fu would be extremely favored the first time she saw her.
But is it so easy to gain the favor of His Majesty?
There is grace, but love is not necessarily there. It is the first time since ancient times that His Majesty favors Concubine Chen in such a high-profile manner.
But don’t forget that His Majesty also doted on others in this way before. There are so many concubines in the harem, how many of them have not been favored by the Emperor?
The most conceited and proud one among them is Concubine Shu. She has enjoyed great glory for many years, but now isn't she punished and confined to the palace?
Concubine Rong shook her head and said, "I never feel threatened by these favored women."
"Why does your Majesty say so?" The nanny standing behind her asked with a puzzled look on her face.
"No matter how glorious it is, there is no exception." If there has been such a thing, it means that you have not really entered the heart of His Majesty.
Imperial Concubine Rong supported the hand of the nanny and stood up. She fiddled with the Buddhist beads in her hand and said calmly, "Unless Your Majesty loves and pities this woman in the future and is afraid that she will be in danger, then you should consider everything and make all kinds of plans."
"Only then will I really start to worry."
******
Chen Fu was tired and hadn't slept all night. After the Emperor left, she went straight to sleep and didn't wake up until the afternoon.
As soon as the person woke up and made a sound, Zi Su ran in in a hurry: "My lady, you are finally awake."
Zi Su had a beaming look on her face, and Chen Fu half sat on the bed, rubbing her eyes and asking, "Why are you so happy?"
"My lady, guess what Eunuch Lin just brought us." Zi Su was very anxious and helped Chen Fu to dress herself skillfully.
Shen Fu stopped rubbing her eyes, and her tired eyes widened as she thought of something.
"Did His Majesty really give me something as a reward?"
"My lady, you know." Zi Su was happy for half a day just to show off to Chen Fu because she woke up.
Seeing this, she pursed her lips, and after a moment, she said excitedly with a happy face: "Those jewelry are all beautiful, young lady, go and take a look."
What the Emperor said before he left was actually true. Wasn't she dreaming?
Shen Fu sat on the bed and felt dizzy. She closed her eyes, the scene of rubbing and biting the Emperor's neck last night was still vivid in her mind.
Early in the morning, she was still dreaming when the Emperor was sitting on her bed and talking about rewarding her with a hairpin.
Is this actually true?
Chen Fu was in a daze and followed Zi Su out with weak steps. When I saw the red lacquer tray on the table, I was still dizzy.
"Look, my lady, everything in here is a treasure." Zi Su had been excited for a long time, and opened them one by one to show Chen Fu: "This is the cloud-haired flower-faced golden hairpin, and this is the begonia golden hairpin."
Zi Su opened the brocade boxes one by one and listed all the treasures: "This pair is blue and white glass bracelets, and also, this pair of oriental pearl earrings, they are most suitable for you, my lady."
Every time something was taken out from the red lacquer tray, people around would be amazed.
Shen Fu stared at the jewelry, still speechless.
Zi Su didn't notice the young lady's emotions, and in the end she mysteriously took out a brocade box from the innermost place.
There was a faint fragrance wafting from the rosewood brocade box, which was only the size of a palm and was carved with a pattern of flowers and the full moon.
Zi Su held it in her palm and opened it carefully: "Look, my lady, nothing in here is as precious as this."
The brocade box was opened, and Chen Fu looked down and saw the plum blossom hairpin inside.
The jade hairpin is simple and elegant, and the carving is unique. The plum blossoms fell on it, glistening with mist, so beautiful and charming, just like the real ones.
Chen Fu looked at him for a long time without any reaction. Zi Su couldn't help but move forward with the brocade box in her hand: "Young Master?"
When the brocade box was handed forward, Shen Fu subconsciously took two steps back.
She looked at the box deeply, and then ran away like a rabbit.
"Young Master?"
Zi Su stood there holding the brocade box with an innocent look on her face. She looked at the plum blossom hairpin in a daze, then looked at the young lady in front of her with a puzzled look on her face.
"Why did you run away?" Zi Su followed the young lady in, only to see Shen Fu rummaging through the dressing table.
"My lady, what are you looking for?" Zi Su came closer, but Chen Fu hurriedly hid the thing in her hand.
"Why are you here?" Chen Fu coughed, and Zi Su didn't dare to look around.
She held the brocade box and said, "My lady, where is this hairpin..."
"You keep it first." Chen Fu looked away, feeling guilty for a rare moment.
The Emperor was pretty nice to her after all. After she took a bite, he actually... even rewarded her with something.
Shen Fu couldn't help but feel a headache when she thought of the bite marks she saw on the emperor's neck early in the morning. She couldn't cover it by biting that place with her mouth open, and Shen Fu admitted that she did it on purpose.
But at this moment, she deeply regretted it.
If she had known this, she would have bitten somewhere else...
"Young Master." Zi Su called out for a long time but there was no response. Shen Fu came back to her senses and touched her nose.
"Come with me to visit His Majesty." Chen Fu said, clenching the object in her palm.
"Go to His Majesty?" Zi Su asked, "My dear, why are you going to see His Majesty?"
Chen Fu looked at the powder in her palm with a melancholy look on her face.
I don’t know if this can cover up the wound on His Majesty’s neck!
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