Qixiang Palace.
Xue Jinshu had just given the order in the morning, and at noon the palace maid came to report in a hurry:
"The Imperial Concubine has ordered that all personnel delivering goods to the Purple Gold Palace be replaced by women and eunuchs."
Her plan hasn't even started yet, and it's over already?
Xue Jinshu frowned, but considering Ning Wanyin's extremely cautious nature, it was not surprising, so he continued:
"Prince Duotai has always liked winter hunting. Ask someone to mention it to him. There is a pheasant with very beautiful patterns in Zijin Mountain."
The maid replied, "The Imperial Concubine ordered the Purple Gold Mountain to be sealed."
Xue Jinshu: ...
Ning Wanyin, you are really something. Wherever I go, you block me, right?
Xue Jinshu took a deep breath and calmed down. "Forget it, let's wait until she returns to the palace and then make a long-term plan."
It takes patience to deal with such a tough opponent.
Ning Wanyin temporarily lives in the Zijin Palace.
The concubines in the harem were all very happy because even though there was a new person entering the palace, Ning Wanyin was still the most favored concubine in the harem by the emperor.
Now she is not here...
Everyone took this opportunity to show off their skills and compete for favor.
For a moment, the Imperial Garden, the String Music Tower... were filled with concubines wandering around everywhere, presenting a vibrant scene.
In the first ten days of the first lunar month, the Empress Dowager offered sacrifices.
Wen Shutang knew that this was the first major thing she had done since taking power alone after Ning Wanyin left the palace, and there must be no mistakes.
She had experience as the head of a family before, and she kept a close eye on all matters related to the sacrificial ceremony from beginning to end.
There were already rules and regulations for these, as well as the palace rules and regulations left by Ning Wanyin. She followed them one by one, and with the help of the experienced Concubine Kang, everything came to a smooth conclusion without any problems.
The emperor was very satisfied with the sacrifice. He praised Wen Shutang a few words and rewarded her with gold and jade.
For a time, Lan Zhaoyi was the most popular person in the palace.
"Congratulations, Lan Zhaoyi. His Majesty praised you highly yesterday." Concubine Yao said with a smile.
Their fathers were both Shangshu.
The only difference is that one is the Minister of Revenue promoted by the emperor himself, while the other is a neutral person who held a high position during the previous emperor's reign. There is a difference in closeness between them.
Now that the emperor holds great power, officials of the imperial party have risen in status and are the objects of flattery by other officials.
The Yao family and the Wen family are currently discussing a marriage.
In the harem, Concubine Yao naturally followed the lead of Concubine Lan.
"Sister Yao, you are too kind. Your Majesty has entrusted me with an important task, and I will certainly do my best to fulfill my duties." Wen Shutang said modestly.
Yao Jieyu praised one and criticized the other, "Lan Zhaoyi is kind and gentle, unlike the one in Yonghe Palace..."
She tutted her tongue, her expression particularly disdainful, "If she hadn't been lucky and entered the palace a few years earlier, she would be just a small noble now. I don't know why she is so arrogant and doesn't take other concubines seriously."
"Now that His Majesty has left her in the palace to recuperate, Concubine Lan will replace her sooner or later."
Wen Shutang knew very well that Concubine Yao failed to curry favor with Ning Wanyin, so she felt resentful towards her.
She purposely only left two senior palace maids to serve her, for fear that she might say something inappropriate and it would get out.
She knew very well that what the emperor needed was checks and balances rather than replacements.
It's just fine to listen to this kind of words.
She never thought that the emperor would let her replace Ning Wanyin.
To deal with Ning Wanyin, the efforts of other concubines are needed.
Wen Shutang and Ning Wanyin have no grudge against each other, but...
There is only one position of Queen Mother.
She wanted to win and wanted to stand at the top, but Ning Wanyin was her obstacle.
The two chatted for a while.
Before leaving, Yao Jieyu deliberately said, "The silver charcoal in Lan Zhaoyi's palace is better. There is no trace of smoke and dust. It is warm and comfortable. It is not like the red charcoal in the concubines' rooms, which is so choking that it makes people unable to sleep."
In the palace, those above the rank of Zhaoyi used silver charcoal, while those below the rank of Zhaoyi used red charcoal.
Although Concubine Yao had a good family background, her position was low and she could only use ordinary red charcoal. She felt unhappy and wanted to ask Concubine Lan to change her.
Wen Shutang understood the elegant meaning of the music by hearing the strings.
However, the Xinxin Division of the Ministry of Internal Affairs was one of the twelve divisions headed by Ning Wanyin. If she went to the Xinxin Division to ask for silver charcoal for Concubine Yao, once the eunuch in charge of the Xinxin Division reported to Ning Wanyin, it would be a crime of partiality and favoritism.
If you take care of Concubine Yao, you will have something to hold against her. But if you don't, the people below you will think you are useless.
This is the pros and cons of having cronies. Clan members can do things for you, and if you use them skillfully, they can also take the blame for you.
But you also have to give her benefits, otherwise why would they gather around you?
Wen Shutang thought about it for a while and came up with a solution that would satisfy both parties.
"The eunuch in charge of Xixinsi is Ning Wanyin's man, and he manages the charcoal fire very strictly." Wen Shutang replied calmly.
What this means is that if you want to get charcoal from Xixinsi, you will be running directly into Ning Wanyin's hands.
"My sister is right. Some people just entered the palace early, so they have high positions. For example, Concubine Xu, her father is just an eighth-rank official."
Wen Shutang wrote down the list of concubines in the palace.
There were several Zhaoyi who were born as concubines in the old royal palaces. They had no family background and were either the daughters of merchants or the daughters of minor officials.
The emperor never summoned these old concubines.
In fact, even if they were summoned, what would happen? Would they dare to offend the Shangshu's daughter? They didn't dare to complain to the emperor at all.
Wen Shutang saw that their family background was vulnerable, so she gave Concubine Yao this idea:
Pick a Zhaoyi and use her.
Yao Jieyu's eyes lit up, "Lan Zhaoyi is very talented, no wonder His Majesty entrusted you with such an important task. I will not disturb Lan Zhaoyi anymore, I will return to the palace first."
After Yao Jieyu left Haitangju, she immediately went to Xu Zhaoyi's place to drink tea.
The two chatted for a while.
Xu Zhaoyi "willingly" exchanged the silver charcoal for red charcoal.
After Concubine Yao left.
Xu Zhaoyi cried in grievance, "You are going too far, stealing my silver charcoal..."
"Master, please go and complain to His Majesty..." the maid suggested.
"Do I dare? Her father is the Minister of Rites. If the emperor really punishes her, her father will bring disaster to my whole family!" Xu Zhaoyi could only endure it.
At first, she looked down on Ning Wanyin and tried to sow discord between them in front of Shunpin. She was a bully who only feared the strong and bullied the weak.
Now that she has met someone with a good family background, she can only accept it.
Concubine Yao happily used the silver charcoal.
This little thing doesn't attract any attention.
In addition to the book, a secret letter was sent to the Zijin Palace.
Another person who was concerned about this matter was Concubine Jing.
The more favored and powerful the Yao and Wen families become, the more they will help the Second Prince in the future, and they will be naturally hostile to her.
But Xu Zhaoyi didn't dare to offend the Yao family. If you want to make the decision for her, she may not admit that she was robbed, and she will say that it was voluntary, so what else can you do?
For a moment, Concubine Jing was at a loss as to where to start.
"Xu Zhaoyi dared not say a word even though she was bullied like this." Concubine Jing shook her head helplessly.
Su Ruhuan, who was sitting opposite her, had a sympathetic look on her face:
"She is also pitiful. I feel sorry for her when I see her. I wonder if Concubine Jing can help her?"
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