Chapter 83 Chapter 83 Zhaoyi's Eighth Day
Shen Qing didn't feel uncomfortable at all about Ji Chen not going to the other concubines.
She was not the queen, so she did not have to be virtuous. Besides, the emperor was the most powerful person in the palace, and there was no one in the harem that Ji Chen had to sleep with. Most of the concubines had ordinary family backgrounds.
Even the Empress and Consort De, who had the most powerful family backgrounds, could not force the Emperor to do anything.
Therefore, the concubines who wanted to win the emperor's favor had no intention of changing his mind, because they knew it was a fantasy. Instead, they tried their best to bring Shen Zhaoyi down.
For this reason, Shen Qing had to be more cautious. Whether it was the things at the entrance or the pavilions he frequently visited, he would have someone check them.
This was not a big deal, she only had to give an order and the people under her would get things done very well.
In the evening, the emperor arrived at Chengqian Palace.
Shen Qing had washed and dressed early, her black hair was casually pinned up with a hairpin, and she wore a simple jade-colored dress. Two palace maids held lanterns, and she stood in the corridor waiting for Ji Chen.
Looking at a beauty under the lamp, there is a kind of hazy beauty.
Her already fair skin seemed to be covered with a layer of soft light, revealing a slender and soft collarbone. Her eyes were slightly lowered, and her long eyelashes fell, creating two shadows, making it difficult to see her eyes clearly, which made her look even more obedient.
As Ji Chen approached, he saw this scene. Shen Qing seemed to sense something as well. She looked up and bowed, her eyes shining: "Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you."
"It's cold, why don't you wear something thicker?" Ji Chen was looking for Qian Ji to get a cloak and went into the house, and he chose the latter.
This place was only a few steps away from the palace. Ji Chen pulled Shen Qing's arm and quickened his pace.
Shen Qing said: "I just stood here for a while, not for long, and I think this dress is good, so I want the emperor to take a look at it."
Ji Chen didn't even look back.
[The clavicle is very beautiful. ]
Shen Qing was surprised at Ji Chen's reaction speed and asked him, "Your Majesty, what do you think of my dress?"
Ji Chen pulled Shen Qing to sit down beside the bed, warmed her hands, and his eyes fell on her porcelain-white face. He said, "It makes your skin look like white pearls, fair and shiny."
Shen Qing was happy and stroked her collarbone with his fingers.
Ji Chen glanced at it seriously, not staying there for long.
As usual they chatted.
"My beloved concubine is on good terms with Lan Jieyu?"
Ji Chen could not hide the movements in the harem, let alone those concerning Chengqian Palace and Shen Qing.
Shen Qing nodded: "I think Lan Jieyu is straightforward and it's fun to chat with her. Although Lan Jieyu has a cold face, she has a good heart."
Ji Chen: "I am very relieved by your judgment of people."
He no longer remembered why he distanced himself from Lan Jieyu. Perhaps Lan Jieyu had offended him at some point.
But next time when I confer conferment on my harem, I can add her to it.
Lan Jieyu is a rare person in the harem who is simple-minded but not stupid.
Knowing Ji Chen's evaluation of Concubine Lan, Shen Qing took the opportunity to bring up the matter of Concubine Chen and said mysteriously, "Your Majesty, I heard an interesting story today. Do you want to hear it?"
Ji Chen scratched the tip of Shen Qing's nose and said lovingly, "Don't keep us in suspense."
Shen Qing told Ji Chen about the Chen family's affairs. Seeing Ji Chen in deep thought, she could not figure it out for the time being, so she said in a relaxed tone, "So I and Concubine Lan have decided to treat Concubine Chen coldly for a while. Concubine Chen may be pitiful, but she cannot tease Concubine Lan and provoke me."
"...very well done." Ji Chen understood very well that Shen Qing came to complain to him on behalf of Concubine Chen.
Even though she concealed it well, her eyes still couldn't help but observe his expression.
He would not get angry over such a small matter. How could the former dynasty and the harem be truly separated? Besides, it was the Chen family who did something unfair in the first place, and the Gao family was a little overbearing for Concubine Lan.
Shen Qing, on the other hand, is upright and kind-hearted, and helps Lady Chen regardless of past grudges.
However, when he thought of Lady Chen mentioning the Shen family, even if Shen Qing didn't care, he felt uncomfortable. He didn't need to think too much to know how some people would talk about Shen Qing's humble family background and how they would feel superior behind his back.
Ji Chen couldn't help but ask: "If someone else's words offend my beloved concubine, what should I do?"
Shen Qing was stunned. This night of love was worth a thousand gold, and Ji Chen actually came to test her?
She racked her brains and said, "If I can win the argument, I will. If I can't win, I will get angry and let Bai Tao teach the other party a lesson. Of course, if the other party's status is only slightly lower than mine, or higher than mine, I...I will ask the emperor to make the decision!"
The last sentence was said with a hint of pride amidst shyness.
Ji Chen was a little dissatisfied. Although it sounded appropriate, he said, "Too honest."
Shen Qing humbly asked: "Then Your Majesty, what should I do?"
[You must be arrogant, look down upon them, and don't waste words. If you bump into them, just let the palace maids take action. If they are high-ranking concubines, it will be difficult for the palace maids to take action, so I will do it myself to vent my anger. As for the rest, I will take care of it. ]
[How can I still wrong Shen Qing? 】
But the only problem is:
"My beloved concubine is too gentle. I can't learn from her." Ji Chen said helplessly.
Learn it, learn it!
The emperor’s filter is too thick and sometimes not that good.
Shen Qing didn't force Ji Chen to say this. Just be gentle, since she was the one getting the upper hand anyway.
She placed her arm lightly on Ji Chen's shoulders, and her other hand fell on Ji Chen's collar, gently brushing across his Adam's apple, her eyes fell on the profile of his face, the corners of her lips raised slightly, and she slowly approached.
He also lowered his voice and spoke in a low voice: "I am not only gentle."
Ji Chen pinched Shen Qing's slender waist and did not deny: "Yes, and she is very delicate."
Before he did anything, he couldn't stop crying and dared to complain. Even so, she dared to seduce him.
Ji Chen's eyes fell on Shen Qing's collarbone, and he felt his mouth dry.
…
The next day, after Ji Chen went to court, Shen Qing did not get up either. Bai Tao brought her some tea. She drank two cups and finally calmed down.
Probably the only thing that could keep her sane was that she had to pay her respects to the Queen.
Bai Tao glanced at her queen's neck and asked someone to prepare a high-necked palace dress. Fortunately, it was already autumn, so wearing this would not attract attention.
Paying respects was nothing more than the same old routine over and over again. Defei and Xianfei never forgot to criticize her, one person took turns to come every day. Shen Qing would not sit still and wait for death. She only spoke after the Queen and the other three had finished their witticisms.
As for the other concubines' sour remarks, Shen Qing imitated the half-smiles of Concubine De and Concubine Xian, and their voices became quieter as they spoke.
She also wanted to close her eyes slightly like Ji Chen, so that others would not dare to say anything, but some concubines really could not read the expressions, so she showed it so obviously.
After paying their respects, they passed a place with beautiful scenery. Shen Qing had someone get off the sedan chair and, without feeling tired, took Bai Tao to enjoy the scenery.
Palace ladies came and went.
Shen Qing glanced to the side and saw Concubine Yu and Concubine Lan meet each other.
There are only a few roads to go after paying respects, so it is easy to meet each other. Shen Qing had no intention of eavesdropping, but she was distracted and before she could leave, she heard Yupin mentioned her.
"Lan Jieyu, there is one thing I really can't understand. Shen Zhaoyi was originally a palace maid, of humble origins. Don't you despise people like this the most? Why are you willing to befriend her?"
Lan Jieyu didn't understand why Yupin, who always avoided her and ignored her in the past, happened to bump into her today. It turned out that it was because of this matter.
"Yupin's words are confusing. Zhaoyi Shen is of a higher status than you and me. I can't wait to show respect to her. Why would she look down on me?"
Yupin laughed and said, "I didn't know Concubine Lan had two faces."
Anyone could see the condescending attitude that Lan Jieyu had towards the palace maids, and even those who had served her since childhood might not even get a smile from her.
Lan Jieyu didn't understand anymore and looked at her with a cold face.
Yupin then explained the matter a little more clearly.
Lan Jieyu was even more surprised, and said as a matter of course: "They are servants and I am the master. It is unreasonable for the master to greet them with a smile."
Whether she laughs or not, what does it have to do with Concubine Yu?
It sounded as if she had smiled at Concubine Yu.
"Besides, if I am really the person that Yupin mentioned, your Wei family seems to be a merchant family, but they just have a bigger business. If it weren't for the qualifications of the Crown Prince's Mansion, they might not be able to enter the palace."
Lan Jieyu said straightforwardly: "In the palace, people do not look at family background, but at status. This is a principle I understood before entering the palace. Yupin is taking status too lightly."
Speaking of looking down on, it seems more like Yupin looked down on Shen Zhaoyi, so she said so.
Shen Zhaoyi's high position makes sense. Didn't you see how much the emperor favors her? Lan Jieyu really couldn't understand why, even after all this, Shen Zhaoyi still seemed to be unworthy of mention in Yupin's mouth.
Does she know what it means to be the emperor's exclusive favorite?
Yupin was completely humiliated by what she said and was about to get angry, but she saw Shen Zhaoyi standing next to her. She didn't know how long she had been listening here.
So he just laughed it off: "So it turns out that you are loyal to Chen Zhaoyi, no wonder Lan Jieyu can say such a thing."
Shen Qing had no intention of hiding, so seeing this, he walked over.
She was taller than Yupin and had a more powerful aura, so when she used a handkerchief to support her fingers and lifted Yupin's chin, no one else looked surprised. Yupin's body froze, and she fell into such a situation before she could react.
It was as if she was a little toy in Shen Qing's hands.
Her face turned red with embarrassment for a moment.
"Yupin should call me Empress Zhaoyi." Shen Qing looked at Yupin's angry eyes, curled her lips, and said with interest, "You are already an old man in the palace, why are you still so unruly? If you speak frivolously like this again in the future, I will take Yupin back to Chengqian Palace and teach her a lesson."
Yupin is several years older than Shen Qing, but now she is treated like this by Shen Qing, who is less older and less experienced than her. One can imagine how ashamed and angry she feels.
However, Shen Qing's grip was so strong that she couldn't break free for a moment. She regretted provoking Shen Qing like this, and said unforgivingly, "Does the emperor know that Concubine Zhaoyi is threatening the concubines in the harem like this?"
Concubine Yu is not usually so uncalm, but today she was treated like this by Concubine Lan and Shen Qing one after another. After all, she is a concubine, so it is natural for her to have a temper.
Shen Qing then let go, feeling a little embarrassed with the handkerchief in his hand.
At this time, Bai Tao spread out her hands and she naturally handed the handkerchief to her.
Seeing Shen Qing's disgusted look as he let go of the handkerchief, Yupin became even angrier. It was clearly her who started it first, and Shen Qing dared to be so disgusted before she said anything. It was really abominable.
Shen Qing raised his eyebrows and said indifferently: "The emperor will know after today."
She was so arrogant because of her favor, but her words were impossible to refute.
However, even if this matter was brought to the Emperor and Empress, they were biased towards Concubine Chen. Concubine Yu took a deep breath and bowed her head and said, "It was my fault today. I know I was wrong. Your Excellency Concubine Zhaoyi is magnanimous. Can you not hold it against me?"
Shen Qing smiled slightly, looking at the mysterious figure, but in fact he was so sleepy that he almost died, and he had to appear very smart to shock Concubine Yu.
Otherwise, do you think she is made of clay?
She looked at Lan Jieyu, wondering if she was satisfied with this.
Because of her, Lan Jieyu was stopped by Yupin and said a bunch of inexplicable words. Lan Jieyu, except for the emperor, who else can get her smile? I really don't know how Yupin can see all her thoughts from Lan Jieyu's cold face.
Lan Jieyu was flattered that Shen Zhaoyi, who was only sixteen or seventeen years old, actually protected her.
She had no dissatisfaction of her own. It had been a long time since Concubine Yu came to favor.
Shen Qing left after seeing this.
Concubine Yu and Concubine Lan bowed their heads to Shen Qing's graceful back and then left.
It was an unknown day today, but concubines appeared in front of Shen Qing one after another.
After Shen Qing had rested in the afternoon and had just started playing the zither, she heard a palace servant announce that Concubine Xuan had arrived.
Although she was surprised, she did not fail to see Concubine Xuan.
At this time, more than a month had passed since the autumn hunt. Except for seeing Concubine Xuan in Kunning Palace, she had no chance to meet him at other times.
It wasn't a big deal in the palace, so the reason why this happened was definitely because Concubine Xuan deliberately avoided her.
When Concubine Xuan came in, Shen Qing had already had the zither put away and asked the palace servants to prepare tea. When Concubine Xuan saluted her, she simply extended her hand to support her.
She didn't even stand up. Seeing this, Concubine Xuan realized that Concubine Shen was not a woman who could be moved by a little sweetness or kindness.
The little friendship she had with Shen Zhaoyi during the autumn hunt was gone.
Concubine Xuan smiled gently and said, "I seemed to hear the sound of a zither just now. Is Concubine Zhaoyi playing the zither?"
Shen Qing smiled and said, "But I can learn it in my spare time to kill some time."
Among the four arts of calligraphy, music, chess, and painting, she only liked the music. As for the others, she either didn't want to use her brain or she didn't have the patience.
As for learning dance, Ji Chen was looking forward to it, but she firmly refused.
If I learn to play the piano, I can play together with Ji Chen's flute, which is more elegant. But if I learn to dance, I will be the only one who suffers.
Concubine Xuan said in a joyful tone: "It is great that Your Majesty has such a refined taste."
Shen Qing talked to her one by one.
It was not until Concubine Xuan suddenly changed her tone that Shen Qing knew she was coming.
Concubine Xuan came to see her today and lowered her attitude. Of course, she had a purpose.
Shen Qing concentrated, and only heard Concubine Xuan say: "I have a good recipe for having a child. It can give birth to a boy in one go."
“…”
Shen Qing's eyes relaxed instantly. Rather than being moved, she wanted to shake Concubine Xuan's shoulders to explain something. It was unscientific!
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