Chapter 201 The Concubine invites again
When Zheng saw Xie Rongying come in, she stood up together with the plainclothes official sitting next to her.
"Rongying, I heard that you left the house very early. Did you go to the vegetable market?" Zheng said with a smile.
Xie Rongying sat down at the main seat and responded gently, "Second Aunt, please sit down. Why are you being so polite in front of me?"
Zheng clearly felt that Xie Rongying had been distancing herself from her recently, and she vaguely thought that this was the reason for her return with Qin Shiyuan.
"Rongying, this is the eunuch, you should be familiar with him." Zheng stared at Xie Rongying meaningfully: "He just told Second Aunt that he had met you."
Xie Rongying looked at the man who had said that Concubine Chen had invited her in front of Xie's house last time. She stared at the eunuch with a smile: "What's your name?
"Young Madam, you can just call me Eunuch Qian." Eunuch Qian looked up at Xie Rongying while speaking, then immediately lowered his eyes.
Xie Rongying smiled: "Eunuch Qian."
People around Concubine Chen can leave the palace at will. It seems that Concubine Chen has a different status in Emperor Ren De's heart.
Thinking about the last conversation with Concubine Chen, Xie Rongying did not realize that Concubine Chen was a scheming and resourceful person. Why could she get what she wanted from Emperor Ren De and Shangguan Yan, two not-so-simple men?
Even though Shangguan Yan was far away in Longxi, he was still making plans for Concubine Chen. He would rather place his wife's two children as pawns in Bian Jing and was willing to serve Concubine Chen.
Emperor Ren De and Concubine Chen became an ordinary couple in the harem, and there were no extra concubines in the harem.
Perhaps it was because the court was under the control of Emperor Ren De, and there was no need to allow the daughters of ministers to enter the palace in order to balance certain relationships.
But the only woman who could remain the same for ten years was Concubine Chen.
Xie Rongying also had to admire Concubine Chen.
"I wonder if Eunuch Qian came to see me this time because Empress Chenfei has some instructions?" Xie Rongying asked.
Eunuch Qian smiled gently, "It's just like last time. The Concubine Chen wants to see the Young Madam."
Hearing this, Xie Rongying's eyebrows twitched slightly. She was worried that she would not be able to find a chance to meet Concubine Chen, but she did not expect that the opportunity would come.
"When?" Xie Rongying asked.
Eunuch Qian: "If possible, now."
Zheng immediately spoke again: "Rongying, just follow Eunuch Qian to see the Empress Chenfei. If the Third House asks why you didn't see me, I will evade the question."
Xie Rongying and Zheng looked at each other.
Zheng added, "Don't worry, everyone in the mourning hall is focused on the kid from the Shi family who was beheaded today. They won't notice you."
Xie Rongying nodded and chuckled: "Then I'll trouble you, Second Aunt."
Seeing that her mission was accomplished, Zheng stood up and said, "Then I'll go to your Third Aunt's place first." She sighed as she spoke, "Your Third Aunt is also pitiful. She became a widow in just a few days."
Xie Rongying stood up to see her off: "Then I won't see you off, Second Aunt, take care."
"Go ahead and do your thing." Zheng said and walked out of the inner courtyard.
Xie Rongying then looked at Eunuch Qian who had already stood up: "Eunuch Qian, have you prepared a carriage this time as well?"
"Yes." said Eunuch Qian.
Xie Rongying raised her eyebrows. She originally wanted to wait for Gu Xun, but now it was obvious that Chen Fei's people were going to the palace immediately.
She said, "Let's go."
As Xie Rongying spoke, she looked at Dongxue and Cuizhi again: "Dongxue, come with me to see the Empress Chen. Cuizhi, if Guxun comes back and asks about me, just say I went out for something."
Cuizhi nodded in understanding: "Miss, I understand."
"Eunuch Qian, please come in." Xie Rongying said.
Eunuch Qian made a "please" gesture: "Young Madam, please."
Xie Rongying turned and walked towards the courtyard. Eunuch Qian's voice came from behind her: "The carriage is parked at the side door on the east side of the Young Madam's courtyard."
Xie Rongying, who was walking in front, had a complicated look on her face when she heard this.
This Concubine Chen seems to know a lot.
After walking out of the side door on the east side, Xie Rongying and Dongxue got directly into the carriage, which was driven by Eunuch Qian.
About three quarters of an hour later, the carriage entered from the Donghua Gate of the Imperial Palace.
It was still the same road as last time, and the carriage was still parked at the same place as last time.
Xie Rongying came to Changle Palace, and just like last time, there were no extra palace maids or eunuchs in Changle Palace except Eunuch Qian who brought her in.
This time, we entered not the main hall of Changle Palace, but the side hall on the right.
This place is more like where Empress Chen and the Second Prince usually get along.
Xie Rongying looked at the surrounding furnishings and the unfinished calligraphy and paintings, and her mind became even more solemn.
The Concubine Chen sat cross-legged on the couch. On the couch was an empty chessboard, with chess baskets filled with black and white chess pieces on both sides.
Seeing Xie Rongying coming, Concubine Chen waved and said gently, "Rongying, come and play a game with me."
Xie Rongying bowed and saluted: "Your humble servant greets Her Majesty the Consort Chen."
"There's no need to be so polite since there are no outsiders here." Concubine Chen was trying to show goodwill. She stared at Xie Rongying, wanting to see her expression.
In order not to disappoint Concubine Chen, Xie Rongying's eyes flashed with surprise after hearing what Concubine Chen said.
Concubine Chen continued, "Come and sit down."
Xie Rongying sat down opposite the Concubine Chen and said respectfully, "Etiquette cannot be abolished."
Concubine Chen smiled meaningfully: "Can you play chess?"
"Yes." Xie Rongying said, and then immediately added: "But I'm not very good at it."
"Playing chess isn't about skill." Concubine Chen took a white piece from the chess basket. "It's about strategy."
"Is that so?" Xie Rongying smiled faintly, "I'm grateful for your advice."
The Concubine Chen placed the chess piece in her hand on the chessboard, raised her eyes and stared at Xie Rongying, whose face had a slightly sad expression, with a smile: "Don't be nervous, just accompany me to relieve my boredom, but don't give in to me."
Hearing this, Xie Rongying picked up the black piece and placed it casually on the chessboard, saying bluntly, "I wonder what the Queen wants to say to me by letting me into the palace this time."
Concubine Chen liked Xie Rongying's frankness. She said, "If I wanted to win you over, would you believe me?"
Everything has been said openly and frankly. If Concubine Chen still keeps beating around the bush, it is her fault.
"You are trying to win over me?" Xie Rongying stared at Concubine Chen, not quite understanding. "Your Majesty, are you thinking too highly of me? Are you trying to win me over?"
The Concubine Chen picked up another white piece and placed it on the chessboard: "I naturally know your ability."
This time, Xie Rongying hesitated to drop the chess piece in her hand. She stared at Concubine Chen and smiled, "If that's the case, then can I assume that Your Majesty is going to deal with someone?"
Concubine Chen and Xie Rongying looked at each other without making any comment.
Xie Rongying then placed the chess piece in her hand on the chessboard, her eyes fixed on it, as if trying to figure out the situation. She then said, "I would like to make a bold guess as to who the Empress wants to deal with."
"Who do you think it is?" Concubine Chen stared at Xie Rongying meaningfully.
Xie Rongying pondered for a moment before looking up. "It shouldn't be the Crown Prince. After all, I've heard that the Empress Chen and the Crown Prince have a mother-son relationship. So it can only be the Grand Empress of Yanfu Palace."
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