Chapter 205: Setting up the Stage
Everyone was stunned by His Majesty's action.
You must know that ever since His Majesty punished Concubine Shu Guipin, he has never been to Concubine Shu Guipin's palace again.
Shu Guipin cried and begged, and it was heard that Shu Guipin sent people to the Qianqing Palace to ask the Emperor to come several times, but the Emperor never paid any attention to her.
Even though it is Concubine Shu's birthday today, His Majesty stayed in the Palace of Heavenly Purity last night and did not give Concubine Shu the slightest bit of face.
However, no one expected that at this moment, Concubine Zishu would actually appear on the dragon chariot of His Majesty, and in front of so many people, His Majesty personally helped her out.
The faces of the concubines were full of surprise, and even their eyes on Concubine Shu were full of worry.
How long has it been since Concubine Shu fell out of favor? Could it be that he has regained the favor again?
Everyone present knew exactly how favored Concubine Shu was in the past.
All the concubines in the palace were no match for Shu Guipin.
Not to mention that there is now another Concubine Shen in the harem, who is no less capable than Concubine Shu back then.
Chen Fu alone has taken up half of His Majesty's time. If this Concubine Shu regains favor, won't they have an even harder time?
The expressions on the concubines' faces changed and became ugly.
The face that was smiling just now gradually became stiff.
Concubine Rong had heard the news before and was mentally prepared.
She looked at everyone like this and was not surprised at all. She just looked up, watching His Majesty approaching with Concubine Shu's hand, her face full of sighs:
"After all, she has been spoiled by His Majesty for many years. His Majesty is ruthless to everyone, but he still softens his heart when he sees Concubine Shu."
Concubine Rong sighed softly, neither loud nor soft, and no one knew who she was talking to, but Chen Fu, who was standing behind her, heard it clearly.
She followed the crowd and looked in the direction of His Majesty. Apart from a moment of surprise just now, Chen Fu remained calm and allowed His Majesty to support Concubine Shu as she walked in front of her. Her expression remained unchanged.
His Majesty supported Concubine Shu and gradually walked forward. After they got closer, everyone noticed that there seemed to be something wrong with Concubine Shu's ankle.
He walked with a limp and staggered as if he couldn't stand steadily.
Although Shen Furuo was a little surprised just now, she immediately understood what was going on after seeing this scene.
It is obvious that Concubine Shu is using a self-torture tactic.
Chen Fu had used countless such methods to win the emperor's favor. Now when she saw Shu Guipin, she felt like she was looking at her former self.
In order to gain the favor of His Majesty, I will do everything I can, regardless of the cost.
Even the once proud Concubine Shu was like a pearl losing its halo when she lost favor.
After all, in this harem, one still needs the favor of the Emperor to live a good life. Even the noble Concubine Shu had to put aside her pride and humble herself.
Although His Majesty supported her all the way, when he arrived at the concubines, he immediately reached out and let go of Shu Guipin's hand.
Shu Guipin was supported all the way by His Majesty, and she was still slightly moved in her heart. But now, looking at the falling hand, I was in a trance for a moment.
"Everyone, get up." His Majesty's sharp eyes first looked around the crowd, and finally fell on Shen Fu for a while, then he spoke habitually:
"Stop standing in the hot sun and go inside."
"Thank you, Your Majesty." As soon as Your Majesty opened his mouth, the palace servants stepped forward in time to help their young lady up.
Chen Fu also hurriedly placed her hand on Zi Su's palm.
To be honest, her knees really couldn't bear it after kneeling for so long. Chen Fu had just stood up, supporting herself on Zi Su's arm. Shu Guipin, who was standing beside her, looked at her hand being released by His Majesty and walked forward slightly shakily:
"I'm sorry I'm late. I have to apologize to the Imperial Concubine." Imperial Concubine Shu hasn't gone out for a long time. She came out today, and her temperament was much gentler than usual.
She used to be very arrogant. Because she was favored, although her position was lower than that of Rong Guipin, her airs were greater than that of Rong Guifei.
It was rare to see someone come forward and pay respect to Concubine Rong like this.
"Something happened on the road just now, and I happened to run into His Majesty..."
When Concubine Shu Guipin said this, she tilted her head and glanced at His Majesty: "Today is my birthday, but I am a little late. Please don't blame me, Your Majesty."
It was her birthday today, so she dressed up to be flashy and eye-catching.
A carefully dressed face is as dazzling as a pearl. At this moment, her knees were slightly bent, and the golden peony hairpin on her long black hair swayed gently, which made her less aggressive than before, and she looked gentle and charming in a rare way.
Concubine Rong looked at Concubine Shu with a smile on her face, and the smile on her face deepened as she thought of something:
"My sister is joking."
Shu Guipin has been flamboyant and dazzling for many years. When has she ever been so humble?
Concubine Rong looked at Concubine Shu, who was almost a completely different person from before, and stared at her thoughtfully for a long time.
The smile on his face did not diminish: "Today is my sister's birthday, so I put you first."
"The Emperor has come here in person with my sister, so what if we wait a while?"
Concubine Rong's tone was gentle, and her words were exactly what Concubine Shu was thinking.
She didn't come here sincerely to apologize, she just came forward to show her eyes.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Shu Guipin lowered her head with a slight smile on her face.
Her slightly bent knees trembled slightly, and just as she was about to stand up, she saw Shen Fu standing behind Concubine Rong.
The smug look on the carefully dressed face disappeared completely.
Shu Guipin stood there with a pale face, her eyes fixed on the skirt of Shen Fu.
His gaze was like a knife, as if it could penetrate everything.
“The dress on Concubine Shen seems very familiar?!”
Shu Guipin had a calm expression, but the words she spoke seemed to have been chewed in her mouth, and the few short words were spoken with gnashing teeth.
Shen Fu tilted her head back, the smile on her face not diminishing. She deliberately lowered her head and raised her sleeves: "Really?"
"This skirt was given to me by Your Majesty. I don't understand it either."
Shen Fu spoke with innocence, as if she knew nothing. But the more this happened, the more angry Concubine Shu became, and she trembled all over.
She stared at the hem of Shen Fu's skirt, and felt a darkness between her eyes.
She would recognize this skirt even if it turned into ashes. It was clearly the Fairy Moon Skirt that she had been longing for for a long time!
She had begged His Majesty for this Fairy Moon Dress for a long time. Everyone in the harem knew that she was determined to get this dress.
But she never expected that this skirt would be awarded to Shen Fu by His Majesty!
Now this bitch is standing in front of her wearing this skirt, parading around!
Bitch! Damn bitch!
She knew how much she liked this dress, but she still deliberately wore it to her birthday party.
Shu Guipin's eyes looked like fire was about to burst into flames, she stared at Chen Fu intently, as if she wanted to cut her into pieces!
Chen Fu faced Shu Guipin's murderous gaze and always had a smile on her face. She raised her chin with an indifferent expression, as if she didn't care about Shu Guipin's expression at all.
"Although it was given to me by His Majesty, it seems that my sister likes it very much." Chen Fu held her sleeves with both hands and asked the noble concubine in front of her with an innocent face:
"If you don't mind, I will take off my clothes and present them to you, Your Majesty, with both hands when we get back."
"Need not!"
Shu Guipin only felt a mouthful of blood flowing out of her throat, and the two short words seemed to flow out from between her teeth.
She gritted her teeth tightly, without even glancing at Shen Fu: "It fits you perfectly. Since it was given to you by your Highness, you should wear it."
Shu Guipin uttered these words fiercely, and then without even looking at Chen Fu, she led the way inside, holding the hand of the palace maid behind her.
"Okay." Concubine Rong watched the show from the side and saw that they were about to have a quarrel, so she hurried forward to comfort them.
"The banquet is ready, everyone please come in."
Concubine Rong led everyone into the house, and Chen Fu followed them in.
During the whole process, he never even glanced at the Emperor behind him.
Xiao Yu stood behind and watched Chen Fu's back turn and walk forward, her eyes even lingering on him for a moment.
He pinched his brows with a headache, shook his head and smiled dotingly, then raised his foot and followed behind Shen Fu.
There was singing and dancing at the banquet, and after thirty glasses of wine had been drunk, the singers and dancers came forward to sing.
Although it is Concubine Shu's birthday today, she is obviously a little absent-minded. She held up the wine glass, and her eyes would occasionally fall on His Majesty, her eyes full of sadness.
"Your Majesty, today is Concubine Shu's birthday. What reward did you give to Sister Shu? Why don't you take it out and show it to me and the others?"
Concubine Rong raised her wine glass and smiled at His Majesty.
As far as she knew, His Majesty had not yet given any reward to Concubine Shu. Judging from His Majesty's attitude, it doesn't seem like he has no feelings at all towards Concubine Shu.
His Majesty has come to today's birthday banquet to show his respect, so there must be a birthday gift.
"I and the others are also curious. What good things has His Majesty prepared for Concubine Shu Gui's birthday?"
Concubine Rong smiled sweetly, and even Concubine Shu, who was sitting below her, put down the wine cup in her hand.
His Majesty has not yet given me any reward.
Although there is everything in this harem, and the emperor has been favored continuously before, there are countless good things in the palace.
What is there that Concubine Shu hasn't seen? But the rewards given by His Majesty are naturally different.
Especially... Concubine Shu turned her head and glanced in the direction of Chen Fu with a hidden gaze, then looked at His Majesty with expectation.
She was also looking forward to what reward the Emperor would give her.
Xiao Yu glanced at Concubine Rong, and then spoke: "Lin An."
Lin An followed behind him, and as soon as the Emperor finished speaking, Lin An immediately stepped forward with a tray in his hand.
The black gold and red lacquer tray was covered with red silk, so it was impossible to see what was inside.
He didn't stop until Lin An walked to the side of Concubine Shu with the tray in his hand.
"Thank you, His Majesty, for the reward." Shu Guipin stood up with anticipation on her face and looked at the tray with some expectation.
The reward from His Majesty was delayed in coming, and she had thought that He was still blaming her, but now it seemed that He had clearly started making preparations early on.
Shu Guipin's heart, which had just been broken by the Bright Moon Fairy Skirt, suddenly came back to life.
I don't know what His Majesty has prepared for me...
"Some time ago, I got a box of Western pearls." His Majesty sat on the high seat, holding a wine cup in his hand and said indifferently.
"On Concubine Shu's birthday, I asked the Ministry of Internal Affairs to make a new batch of jewelry."
When the red silk was lifted, it was revealed that there was indeed a set of headgear on the tray.
The items purchased by His Majesty are of course good stuff. A set of head accessories, from hairpins, step-shaking ornaments, earrings, to bracelets, all of them are of the best quality and extremely exquisite.
Each hairpin is inlaid with a Western pearl, each of which is the size of a thumb. It is crystal clear under the sunlight and is truly amazing.
Shu Guipin stared blankly at the tray in front of her for a long time. After waiting for a while, she signaled the palace maid behind her to take it.
"Thank you, Your Majesty." Concubine Shu bowed and knelt, with an expression that was hard to tell whether it was pretty or ugly.
Last year, on her birthday, the Emperor also gave her a set of headwear. The only difference is that one is made of Eastern pearls and the other is made of Western pearls.
Although there is a saying in the world that Eastern pearls are not as good as Western pearls, and Western pearls are not as good as Southern pearls.
But it was the same thing, but with a different bead, and it was given to me as a birthday gift. The difference is so great that one cannot detect any surprise at all.
Shu Guipin looked at the tray in front of her and sighed inwardly. This thing was obviously much more precious than last year's, but it could be seen that His Majesty had not put any thought into it.
I'm even afraid that His Majesty has forgotten what he gave me last year.
I don’t know whether it is used to fool myself or to fool others.
When Shu Guipin thought of this, she felt sad, but she didn't dare to reveal it at all, for fear that others would notice.
She raised her head with a look of surprise and pride, took the hand of the palace maid and sat down: "Thank you, Your Majesty."
"What His Majesty sent is indeed a good thing." When Concubine Rong saw the complete set of headgear, she was also dazed for a moment.
Then he remembered something and smiled: "These Western pearls are all rare treasures. Your Majesty has really put a lot of thought into Sister Shu."
"It's just..." She touched the ring on her finger, the thumb-sized South China pearl on it sparkling.
"Some time ago, His Majesty just rewarded me with a South Pearl. If Sister Shu knew about this, she would probably be jealous."
Eastern pearls are not as good as Western pearls, and Western pearls are not as good as Southern pearls.
All the Western pearls on Shu Guipin's tray are not as valuable as this small one on her finger.
What's more, these South Pearls are not something that ordinary people can wear easily.
When His Majesty heard this, he glanced at Concubine Rong casually and said, "She is a concubine, and you are a concubine."
In other words, Concubine Shu cannot compare with her.
The smile on Concubine Rong's face deepened, and the hand that was stroking her thumb also stopped.
But she didn't know that His Majesty's eyes fell on her fingers.
"This South Pearl is indeed more delicate." His Majesty raised the teacup and said casually:
"It's crystal clear, and it will look good on Shen Fu's fingers."
The smile on Concubine Rong's face disappeared without a trace in an instant, and even the hand holding the teacup paused.
I held a mouthful of tea in my throat but couldn't swallow it, and I couldn't spit it out.
Concubine Rong had a very unpleasant look on her face, and for the first time, she couldn't help but look down with murderous intent on her face.
Chen Fu, who was sitting below, saw everything that was going on in high places. Although she didn't know what His Majesty said, she could clearly sense the murderous intent in Concubine Rong's eyes.
Shen Fu lowered her head and listened to the music beside her ears.
His eyes trembled slightly, but they fell on his own fingers, looking at the fragrant soup in the doucai round-patterned chrysanthemum cup.
She had not eaten or drunk anything since the banquet began. If you think about it for a moment, you will know that something must have been added here.
But the banquet was almost over, and the people who were going to deal with her hadn't come out yet...
Chen Fu lowered her head helplessly, looked at the sweet soup in her hand, and drank it pretending to be harmless.
"Buzz—"
With a sound, the string broke.
Chen Fu also seized the opportunity, set up the stage and started performing a play.
She quickly stood up, covered her chest, turned her head and retched.
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