At a time when the emperor didn't like to flip the cards, he actually went to Zhaopin's place twice. Although he flipped the card of Yanguipin on the first night, the emperor still went to Taoyu Pavilion later.
The women in the harem had different ideas, but if we were to ask who was the most upset, it would probably be Concubine Yan. She had always been favored in the harem, but she never expected that the emperor would abandon her in Linyuexuan and move to live with another concubine.
Zhuang Yuyan knew that she might have made a mistake, but compared with the likes of Concubine Shu Gui and Concubine Yan Gui, it was nothing, so she was not afraid of becoming a target of public criticism. However, when concubines were favored, few women were really stupid enough to embarrass them, but when they fell out of favor, it was not necessarily the case.
The weather in the morning was not too hot, but as an emperor he had to pay attention to his appearance. Although the dragon robe was made of the finest silk, Zhuang Yuyan couldn't help but feel sympathy when she saw it. Look at the emperor, wearing so many layers of clothes, I wonder how hot and stuffy it must be.
Feng Jin turned around and saw the concern and worry in Zhuang Yuyan's eyes, and immediately smiled and said, "My beloved concubine, what's wrong?"
"Your Majesty, I am just worried about the hot weather. Although the dragon robe looks majestic and suave, it is still a bit stuffy," Zhuang Yuyan realized something was wrong as soon as she said this. Not to mention that the dragon robe was made by the best weavers in Suzhou, Hangzhou and Shu, even if it was really uncomfortable, she, as a concubine, had no right to say whether it was good or bad. Not only her, but even the empress had no right to comment. As expected, even with the memory of the ancients, she still lacked some of the ancients' awe of the royal majesty.
"My beloved concubine, what you said does make sense," Feng Jin seemed not to notice the inappropriateness of her words. He raised his hand and asked the palace maid to adjust the accessories around her waist. "But as a king, you cannot forget about propriety because of momentary greed." Moreover, this dragon robe was worn by countless people with blood on their hands.
"I was short-sighted," Zhuang Luoyan breathed a sigh of relief. Regardless of whether the emperor really didn't notice or was pretending not to notice, at least it meant that the emperor would not pursue the inappropriateness of her words.
"My beloved concubine is always thinking about me. I know what you mean." Feng Jin put his hands behind his back and looked at Zhuang Yuyan with a smile. "I will leave now. You don't have to see me off. It's hot today. If I rest for a while, I won't be able to sleep."
Zhuang Luyan accepted the emperor's kindness most of the time, and occasionally expressed her reluctance to leave. Seeing that the emperor seemed very satisfied with her action, she didn't need to send him to the palace gate specially today.
In a TV series in the past life, the Emperor Taiji doted on Concubine Chen very much because she was the only one among so many women who treated him as her husband instead of the emperor. In Zhuang Yuyan's opinion, the emperor was the most difficult man to serve in the world. Chen Ajiao in the Han Dynasty treated Liu Che in the same way a woman would treat her husband, but she ended up crying in the palace.
Therefore, the emperor is a creature who wants women to treat him as a husband, but also wants women to respect him when they should. This shows that men are more fickle than women. Zhuang Luyan thinks that if anyone else says something like "women's hearts are as unpredictable as the sea", she should slap him.
After cuddling in bed for a while, Zhuang Yuyan paid her respects a little earlier than usual today. When she arrived at Jingyang Palace, there was only Concubine Xian and two concubines of different status. Concubine Xian was not beautiful, but she gave people the feeling of being easy to get along with. At first glance, people felt that the word Xian was a perfect match for her.
"Zhaopin served the emperor last night, why did you come so early today?" The queen asked Heyu to serve Zhaopin tea and smiled gently, "Such a lovely girl, I feel sorry for her when I see her."
"I couldn't sleep, so I wanted to come early to talk to the Empress," Zhuang Yuyan smiled, "Could it be that I have spared the Empress some peace?"
"That's not true," the queen said. "The weather has been hot lately, and I woke up earlier than usual. If you can come earlier, I'll have someone to talk to."
Concubine Xian's tone was as gentle as her appearance. She smiled at Concubine Zhao and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Zhao is also a smart person. Why don't you talk to her about what happened just now?"
Zhuang Yuyan paused for a moment while holding the tea, then said with a smile: "Are you making fun of me, Queen Concubine Xian? I am of low status, and I don't know what I came up with." It would be better to reveal my status earlier, so as to avoid being accused of being of low status but with a big heart if something really happened.
"It's not a big deal. It's just that in a few days it will be Consort Shugui's birthday. I was thinking about how to prepare for her," the Queen smiled. "Consort Shugui is also an honest person. She actually said that it's not appropriate to make a fuss and there's no need to prepare. What do you think that means?"
I'm afraid the Queen is worried. She's afraid that if the wedding is too extravagant, she'll be accused of being extravagant, or if it's too simple, she'll be accused of being intolerant. She's discussing this with them now just to show that she's willing to do a good job for Concubine Shugui.
Seeing the empress looking at her with her beautiful eyes, Zhuang Luyan put down the teacup and showed an embarrassment on her face: "Your Majesty, I have not been in the palace for long, and I don't know many things." Seeing that the smile on the empress's face seemed to fade a little, she said: "Empress Shugui has served the emperor for many years, I think the emperor is also concerned about her."
The Queen's smile softened when she heard this. "Yes, the Emperor is probably thinking about you too." After that, she looked at Concubine Zhao with satisfaction. "Today, the Imperial Kitchen Supervisor has prepared two new snacks and sent them here early in the morning. Hurry and present them to Concubine Xian and Concubine Zhao for them to taste."
"If it suits your taste, I will ask the Imperial Chef to send some to you as well." The Queen took a sip of tea, and her tender white knuckles looked much less beautiful against the blue and white porcelain teacup.
"Your Majesty, the Queen requests an audience."
In the afternoon, Feng Jin was leaning on the couch listening to the new music composed by the Music and Dance House. When he heard the eunuch come to report, he opened his eyes lazily and said, "Announce."
Seeing the Queen coming in, Feng Jin exempted her from the formalities, smiled and helped her sit down together, and sang a song, "This is a new song from the Music and Dance House. Queen, listen to it with me."
The queen's eyes scanned several musicians, and paused at one of the beautiful women. She smiled and listened to the emperor for a while. When the song stopped, she spoke: "Today, I was talking with Concubine Xian and Concubine Zhao about Concubine Shugui's birthday. I thought I should organize a party for Concubine Shugui. It was Concubine Zhao who reminded me that the emperor might also have a reward. I really shouldn't make all the decisions on my own."
"You are the empress, you can make the decision on these matters," Feng Jin waved his hand at the musicians. After the musicians left quietly, he continued, "Shu Guifei is already a Guifei, and she cannot be promoted any higher. I will just give her some more gifts. Remember, it is rare to do things for her, but you shouldn't be too extravagant. After all, she is just a concubine."
"Yes, I understand." The queen showed a smile. It was obvious that the emperor's approach was very much to her liking. She was also relieved that even if the emperor favored any of the concubines in the harem, he would not embarrass her.
"Oh, right," Feng Jin frowned, "If I remember correctly, Concubine Zhao's birthday is also this month, but her rank is not high, so we just give her a promotion and set up a table of wine, and don't prepare anything else."
The empress still smiled and nodded. After leaving Qianzheng Palace, the smile on her face faded a little. The emperor's subsequent words seemed to show that he did not attach much importance to Zhaopin's birthday, but the meaning behind his words was more serious than that of Shuguifei.
Just a promotion, setting the table for wine, and nothing else?
For the women in the harem, what could be more important than a promotion? Zhaopin was just a concubine, and it was a blessing to have a table of wine on her birthday. A promotion would be a great blessing.
"My queen, the road ahead is slippery, please be careful." He Yu reminded in a low voice.
The queen looked up at the quiet and clean cobblestone road ahead and said with a smile, "We should be more careful."
Now the emperor is somewhat interested in Zhaopin, so she'd better not ruin his mood. In the past, weren't Yuanfei, Shuguifei and Yanguipin more favored than Zhaopin? But who has surpassed her? It's just that the new generation has replaced the old.
However, the emperor actually knew Zhaopin’s birthday. It seemed that Zhaopin had intentionally told the emperor this. Such a plan was really... a little superficial. Even if the emperor heard and remembered it now, what about next year, and the year after?
It's just a moment of glory followed by loneliness.
Is the Emperor the kind of person who would proactively ask his concubines about their birthdays and whether they remember the date?