Paying respects to the emperor is a must for the concubines in the harem. Zhuang Yuyan even thought that the only sense of accomplishment as an empress was to see the emperor's concubines get up from bed and pay respects to her no matter what the weather was.

When the queen saw Consort Xian Guifei and Zhuang Yuyan coming in together, the smile on her face became even gentler. After Zhuang Yuyan bowed to her, she quickly offered her a seat and asked with concern, "Zhao Xianrong is not feeling well, why did you come so early?"

"Your Majesty, I have been like this in the past, but Your Majesty is careful about my health. I just met Concubine Xian and Concubine Xu on the road, which shows that I am not here early." Zhuang Yuyan smiled and glanced at everyone present.

The Queen nodded and said, "The virtuous Concubine always comes early." In the past, the virtuous Concubine was always the first to arrive, but now she came with Zhuang Yuyan and others, so the Queen's words had a different meaning.

After hearing this, Concubine Xiangui's smile froze a little, and she said, "The eldest prince and the second prince had an argument early this morning, so I came a little later than usual."

"It's really not easy for you to take care of two princes," the queen glanced at Hu Liangyi in the corner, "The second prince is still young, please be patient."

"I will follow your majesty's instructions. I think the same thing. When the child grows up, he will understand my feelings." Concubine Xiangui smiled, "At least the second prince can understand the difference between good and evil."

Concubine Xian Guifei said this casually, seemingly without any other meaning, but Hu Liangyi in the corner looked up at her, while the people around her looked at her mockingly. She lowered her head expressionlessly, but her knuckles turned white because she clenched her fists too tightly.

The harem is full of people who want to kick someone when he's down, which is why Zhuang Yuyan didn't bother Hu Caixuan again. Because even if she didn't do anything, many people would rush to step on her, and she could still retain a kind image in front of the emperor.

"Human nature is good, and the Second Prince is naturally intelligent. I believe he won't cause Concubine Xian Gui too much trouble," Concubine Shu Gui said in a neutral tone, "Concubine Xian Gui has to raise two princes, so she should not worry too much. If we women work too hard, we will soon become exhausted."

"I am not as naturally beautiful as my sister and Concubine Qian. Even if I don't worry, it won't work." After saying this, Concubine Xian looked Concubine Qian up and down, "This appearance is the most beautiful in the six palaces."

"Your Majesty, you are too kind. I am just a humble woman. How dare I compare myself with Concubine Shu Gui?" Qian Guiren stood up, looked respectful, and said in a calm tone: "Concubine Shu Gui's appearance is not even a tenth of mine."

"Ms. Qian is too modest. You and Concubine Shu each have your own merits. This is very good." The Queen smiled faintly and said, "Don't you think the harem needs a hundred flowers to bloom? This is very good."

Concubine Shu Gui glanced at the Empress with a half-smile, and nodded, saying, "Your Majesty, what you said makes sense. I also think that Concubine Qian is a rare beauty."

Zhuang Yuyan took a sip of tea from the cup to cover up the yawn she almost yawned. Although there was a rift between the Queen and Consort Xian, they both had the same stance towards Consort Shu. Unfortunately, Consort Qian became a raft in the fight between the two sides.

"A hundred flowers bloom, and everyone has his own preferences," the Queen suddenly looked at Zhuang Yuyan, "Does Zhao Xianrong agree with this?"

Zhuang Yuyan put down the teacup and her eyes fell on the chin of the queen: "I think that everyone has their own preferences when it comes to blooming flowers. I am not a person who understands flowers, so I don't think everything is beautiful." She is not the emperor, nor is she a man. No matter how many beauties there are here, she can't do anything.

"What Zhao Xianrong said makes sense. As long as the women in our harem serve the emperor well and give him a comfortable life, it would be a great thing." The queen did not insist on dragging Zhuang Yuyan into this topic, and started talking to the other concubines again.

After paying their respects to the empress, the concubines all left together. Concubine Rou looked at Xu Zhaorong who was walking not far from her and asked, "Is Xu Zhaorong's illness getting better?"

"I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty." Xu Zhaorong bowed to Concubine Rou. Perhaps it was because of her illness, but her gesture did not have the ethereal feeling of the past.

"You have to be open-minded about everything and take good care of yourself. There is no need to rush other things," Concubine Rou glanced at Qian Guiren behind her, "Don't get upset over trivial matters."

"I don't understand what your majesty said. I just caught a cold a few days ago." Xu Zhaorong's expression remained unchanged. She answered slowly, "I am still serving my sentence. I will take my leave now."

Concubine Rou's face turned cold, and she watched Xu Zhaorong leave in a hurry. Was she reminding her of what happened not long ago? But even if it was so, what did she do? She was not as unlucky as she was.

Glancing at Concubine Qian who was standing aside like a wooden stake, Concubine Rou snorted coldly and left on her sedan chair.

"It's just a toy. Why is it worth you mentioning it in front of me?" Concubine Shu Gui supported Lingsha's hand and walked out. She said to Lingsha with a smile, "If there are still such people in the future, just pretend she doesn't exist. Why waste your energy on her?"

"Your Highness is right. I have taken note of your teachings." Lingsha lowered her head and said, "It's just that this person always likes to hang around me, so I mentioned this to your Highness."

"You are always so soft-hearted. Would you care about cats and dogs?"

Zhuang Luoyan watched Concubine Shu Gui and her personal maid leave Jingyang Palace talking about these words. She walked out holding Yun Xi's hand with a smile on her face. When they passed by Concubine Qian, she bowed to her politely.

"No need to be so polite, Ms. Qian," Zhuang Yuyan stretched out her hand to support her.

"Etiquette cannot be abandoned," Qian Guiren looked up at Zhuang Yuyan, then lowered her head respectfully, "Your Majesty is kind-hearted, but I cannot forget the rules because of this."

Zhuang Yuyan smiled and was about to speak when she was interrupted by Concubine Jiang behind her.

"Your Majesty has looked much better recently," Concubine Jiang stepped forward and bowed to Zhuang Yuyan. "I heard that the magnolias and peonies in the Yu Garden are in full bloom. If you are interested, you can go and have a look."

"I just passed by Yu Garden and saw the magnolia flowers blooming," Zhuang Yuyan smiled, "I should find some time to take a closer look."

Lady Qian blessed Concubine Jiang and said, "Magnolia flowers are not only beautiful, but also have a unique flavor if used to make soup."

"If that's the case, I'd like to try it," Zhuang Yuyan held Yunxi's hand and walked out, and Concubine Jiang and Concubine Qian followed behind her.

"No matter how beautiful this flower is, it will become extremely ugly once it is put into boiling water and roasted over fire," Concubine Jiang looked at Concubine Qian. Concubine Qian was wearing a light blue and red silk wide-sleeved skirt today. The color was not bright, but it was perfect for her on the boat. She was indeed an eye-catching beauty. Fortunately, the emperor was not an emperor who indulged in sensual pleasures, otherwise such beauty would be enough to overshadow all the women in the harem.

Thinking of this, Concubine Jiang couldn't help but take a closer look at Zhuang Yuyan who was walking in front of her. In terms of appearance, Zhao Xianrong was not the most beautiful in the harem, but she became more and more favored after experiencing so many things. It can be seen that God also sympathized with this friendship. However, it also shows that Kong Wanyi's words are very reasonable. Among all the people in the harem, relying on Zhuang Yuyan may be able to avenge the past.

Zhuang Luoyan had no idea what Jiang Guipin was thinking. Over the past few days, Jiang Guipin had always treated her very close. Even when she was ignored by the emperor because of the paper ibis incident, she sent palace maids to Xihe Palace to pay her respects.

There is no such thing as good things without reason in this place. Jiang Guipin's attitude towards her was definitely not because she had called a doctor for Wang Concubine. But since the other party didn't make it clear, she was happy to play dumb.

Not long after the group walked out of Jingyang Palace, they saw two eunuchs hurried over and kneeled in front of them.

"I have met Empress Zhao Xianrong, and have seen Concubine Jiang Xian and Lady Qian."

"Your Highness, the Emperor said that you like to watch the swing dance, so he invited the dancers to the Qianzheng Palace. They are waiting for you to accompany him to watch the dance after lunch." The eunuch said flatteringly, "The Emperor also said that if you are not feeling well, you don't have to go. You can just wait until you are well and then let the dancers choreograph a more exciting dance for you to enjoy."

"Your Majesty's kindness is not something I can live up to. You go and report to the emperor. I'll go after lunch." Zhuang Yuyan said with a smile, "I'm sorry to trouble the emperor."

Concubine Qian looked at the two eunuchs kneeling in front of Zhuang Yuyan with a complicated expression. When Concubine Jiang looked at her, she had no time to hide the disappointment in her eyes.

Concubine Jiang looked at Concubine Qian with some sarcasm. She had heard earlier that Concubine Qian was not so willing to enter the palace. Now that the emperor has stayed at her place for a few nights, she is different from before. It's really funny. I thought she was a very special person, but now it seems that she is no different from other waste products. (The host really couldn't help complaining. Concubine Jiang really said what we are thinking!)

She was so easily attracted to the emperor, but she failed to grasp his mind, and she showed her lost emotions in front of the concubine. She was really naive. Or was this lonely look just for the eunuchs in front of the emperor?

Zhuang Yuyan also saw the jealousy and admiration in Qian Guiren's eyes and was a little surprised at the moment. How long had it been since this Qian Guiren had fallen in love with the emperor?

For a moment, she actually doubted whether she had thought too much about this noble lady.