Chapter 748: Kneeling
Concubine Lao noticed the Imperial Concubine's gaze sweeping over her, but did not respond. She just lowered her eyes and head, looking weak and gentle.
Xiao Xixi did not hide anything and told the truth openly.
"Recently, Concubine Jing has been under house arrest, and Concubine Lao is ill again.
Neither of them was able to take charge of the matter, and Concubine Li was unable to handle it alone.
I feel sorry for Concubine Li's hard work, so I asked her to recommend someone to help.
The person she recommended was Concubine Min.
I reported this matter to the Emperor, and he also thought that Concubine Min was a good person.
That’s why Concubine Min was asked to take over from Concubine Lao to manage the palace’s accounts.”
The Empress Dowager smiled and said, "The consort is in poor health and should not work too hard, but why didn't you tell me when you were handling these matters?"
Xiao Xixi lowered her head and said, "You have been concentrating on worshipping Buddha recently, so it is really hard to disturb you with such a small matter. But you are right, I was indeed negligent in this matter, and I apologize to you."
The Empress Dowager was a little surprised that she admitted her mistake so readily.
The Empress Dowager had thought that, given how favored the imperial concubine was, she would become arrogant and would not easily admit her mistakes.
But I didn't expect that this imperial concubine was so flexible and she admitted her mistakes without any ambiguity.
The Empress Dowager stared at her for a moment, but could not see any sign of evasion on her face.
There are only two possibilities for being able to act so calmly.
Or maybe she is really naive.
Or she was just acting.
As a princess of a country, she dared to travel across mountains and rivers to other countries to seek help, and was able to become the only favorite in the harem in such a short time. She was definitely not a naive and naive person.
Then she was acting.
This woman's acting skills are so good that there is not even a hint of falsehood in her.
No wonder he could fool the emperor so much, he really has a great ability!
The smile on the Empress Dowager's face gradually faded.
"You know there are a lot of rumors out there criticizing you for being arrogant. Even many officials in the court have impeached you. If the emperor hadn't been so devoted to protecting you, you would have been banished to the cold palace long ago."
Xiao Xixi was stunned.
Is there such a thing?
Luo Qinghan had never mentioned it to her, so she knew nothing about it.
The Empress Dowager emphasized her tone.
"As a concubine in the harem, your duty is to serve the emperor well and work hard to have children for him.
But you, on the other hand, not only monopolize the emperor and prevent him from favoring other concubines, but also cause him trouble all the time!"
Xiao Xixi: "I have not caused any trouble to the emperor..."
The Empress Dowager interrupted her and scolded her coldly.
“You haven’t caused him any trouble yet?
You have a bad reputation now.
You should be self-disciplined and keep a low profile as much as possible.
How dare you interfere in the affairs of the harem?
Even if you don't think about yourself, you should think about the emperor.
He is already very busy with all kinds of things to do every day, but he still has to take time out to deal with your troubles.
Isn't this causing trouble for him?!"
Xiao Xixi suddenly thought of a sentence.
If you want to accuse someone of a crime, you can always find a pretext.
The Empress Dowager's attitude was obvious that she wanted to accuse her of a crime. No matter how she explained, it was just quibbling in the eyes of the Empress Dowager.
If she said too much, she might be accused of talking back to her elders.
In that case, Xiao Xixi simply didn't bother explaining and spoke honestly.
"The Empress Dowager is teaching me that I know I was wrong."
The Empress Dowager decided today to give her a good warning so that she would be more restrained and avoid causing any more trouble in the future.
"Since you know you are wrong, I will not say anything more. Go kneel in the yard and reflect on your actions. Then stand up again after an hour."
Xiao Xixi felt annoyed.
If she had known she would be punished to kneel, she should have changed into a pair of thick cotton pants before going out, at least it wouldn't be so painful to kneel.
Miscalculated!
…
In the imperial study, Luo Qinghan was discussing matters with the ministers when he heard that Qingsong, who was beside the imperial concubine, had arrived.
He asked the ministers to rest for a while and have some tea.
Qingsong walked in quickly and knelt down to salute.
"Your servant greets His Majesty."
Luo Qinghan asked: "You come to see me at this time, but what instructions does the imperial concubine have?"
Qingsong: "Your Majesty is wise. The Imperial Concubine has just been invited to Changle Palace to meet the Grand Empress Dowager."
It wasn't a big deal for the Imperial Concubine to be invited to see the Grand Empress Dowager, but Luo Qinghan thought about the recent criticism of the Imperial Concubine in the court, and the Grand Empress Dowager's dissatisfaction with the Imperial Concubine...
Luo Qinghan frowned slightly.
"Always happy."
Eunuch Chang came over immediately and said respectfully, "What do you want, Your Majesty?"
Luo Qinghan whispered a few words.
A look of surprise appeared on Eunuch Chang's face.
He couldn't help but ask, "Are you sure, Your Majesty?"
Luo Qinghan didn't say anything, just glanced at him calmly.
Eunuch Chang immediately stopped talking and lowered his head in obedience: "I will do it right away."
As he turned around, he winked at Qingsong.
Qingsong understood and immediately followed Eunuch Chang out of the imperial study.
Qingsong: "Eunuch Chang, where are we going?"
Eunuch Chang: "Let's go get something first, then go to Changle Palace."
…
In the courtyard of Changle Palace.
Xiao Xixi knelt on the floor paved with white marble.
In order to prevent the road from being slippery on rainy days, many auspicious patterns are carved on the surface of the white marble.
So the ground is a bit uneven.
Xiao Xixi wasn't wearing much, and her knees felt particularly painful when she kneeled on it.
But that doesn't matter.
What she found more unbearable than the pain in her knee was the hunger.
At this time, the sky had completely darkened and all the palace lanterns in the courtyard were lit.
The palace lanterns look like stars floating in the dark night.
On normal days, Xiao Xixi would already be having dinner at this time.
But now she can only kneel here.
She feels so hungry!
Baoqin was also kneeling, looking at the imperial concubine worriedly.
The imperial concubine was ill and injured not long ago. Although she has recovered now, her physical condition has been damaged. She was punished to kneel today, and I wonder if her body can bear it.
Concubine Tuo held Liu Xu's hand and walked slowly out of the main hall.
At a glance, they saw the imperial concubine and Baoqin kneeling in the courtyard.
Concubine Lao stood on the steps, looking down at the Imperial Concubine who was a head shorter than her, and felt extremely comfortable in her heart.
So what if she is a royal concubine?
When facing the Empress Dowager, all you can do is accept the punishment!
Concubine Lao said softly, "It's cold at night, Your Majesty, please take good care of yourself and don't catch a cold."
Xiao Xixi's mind was full of food at the moment, and she had no intention of arguing with Concubine Lao at all.
I'm really hungry. It's time for dinner!
She rubbed her stomach and felt that she was so hungry that she could swallow a cow.
Concubine Lao noticed her little movement keenly and the smile on her face paused.
Why does the imperial concubine touch her belly?
Could it be that the imperial concubine is pregnant?
The imperial concubine has been in the palace for more than four months and is very much favored by the emperor. Especially after the imperial concubine moved into the Yunxiu Palace, the emperor would stay in the Yunxiu Palace almost every night.
It is very possible that the imperial concubine is pregnant!
(End of this chapter)
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