Chapter 128 Chapter 128
[Chapter 128]
Wang Yi listened to Concubine De's words and said hesitantly, "Since your Majesty thinks Wen Baolin is not suitable, why not change someone else?"
De Fei just waved her round fan quietly, "Sometimes, people who are too smart and self-righteous will destroy their own retreat."
Just like Wen Baolin, before he entered the palace, he thought the emperor was a superficial king who only cared about the beauty of women. He made a decision on his own and never slept with the emperor for a year after entering the palace. He had already become a laughing stock in the palace. Such a stupid person, who is eager to get to the top, is the easiest to control.
Looking at the bright yellow sunlight pouring in through the window, she began to feel sleepy in the afternoon. The incense in the incense burner was slowly lit. The fan in Concubine De's hand gradually stopped waving, and she leaned on the beauty's backrest to take a nap.
Wang Yi instructed the palace maids to invite the imperial physician, and she went to Xise Pavilion in person.
When Wen Baolin learned that Wang Yi was coming, he was obviously a little flustered.
Tao Chu even asked, "My lady, the Empress Defei asked me to go through at this time. Did she discover something?"
"I heard that Jingzhang Palace also invited the imperial physician."
The bowl in Wen Baolin's hand fell to the ground instantly, his eyelashes blinked violently, and his hands trembled unconsciously, "Don't talk nonsense."
Tao Chu lowered her head and dared not say anything. Wen Baolin remembered his father's letter and quickly calmed down. He said, "No, let her in."
She spoke with certainty, but there was a hint of trembling in her tone.
Wang Yi entered the palace to pay her respects to Wen Baolin. She saw the palace maids cleaning up the broken bowls and plates. She asked in surprise, "What happened?"
Wen Baolin avoided Wang Yi's words and asked, "Miss Wang Yi came here today, what's the matter?"
Wang Yi smiled and said, "It has been a long time since the Empress Defei has seen the young lady, so she asked this servant to come and see her."
After saying that, Wang Yi's eyes that seemed to be able to penetrate people's hearts turned to Wen Baolin. Wen Baolin looked right at her and tried to remain calm, saying, "It's okay. It's probably because summer is coming. I feel a little tired every day."
Wang Yi understood and watched the palace maids pick up the fragments without making a sound. "My queen is also feeling unwell today. If you feel unwell, why not ask the imperial physician to take a look?"
Wen Baolin's face turned cold and he said, "No need. If I have any illness, I can just ask the imperial physician to come to Xise Pavilion."
Wang Yi was not scared by Wen Baolin's words and avoided him. She continued, "Now the queen is trying to find a way to let the young lady see the emperor. If the young lady keeps saying she is sick, wouldn't the queen's efforts be in vain? Could it be that the young lady has hidden something from the queen? That's why she doesn't dare to let the queen know?"
Wen Baolin scolded in a coquettish voice, "How dare you! Do you think you can arrange this for me?"
Wang Yi lowered her head and said, "I dare not, but since you have decided to rely on my queen, you can't hide everything from her and make decisions on your own."
Wen Baolin was very angry at Wang Yi's words. He gritted his teeth and said, "I haven't seen the Empress Defei for a long time. It's time to pay my respects to her."
Wang Yi frowned, turned sideways, and made a "please" gesture, not giving Wen Baolin any right to refuse.
…
Linxuan Palace
Although it was quiet without the sound of crying, Ruan Jun always felt empty inside when she saw the rocking cradle beside the bed.
Ying Ning brought the medicine cup, and Ruan Jun drank it in one gulp. She looked outside and sighed softly, "Why hasn't he come yet?"
Putting away the medicine cup, Ying Ning smiled and said, "Perhaps the Emperor is still dealing with state affairs. Your Majesty, please wait a little longer."
The cold was almost healed, but Ruan Jun still had a cough and did not dare to resume exercise.
However, it is better to keep Dongdong in Zichen Palace. The emperor's intention is very clear. If the emperor is willing to be close to Dongdong, it will be a good thing for her.
Who knew that after waiting for a long time, the emperor didn't come, but Ji Zhaoyi came first.
She came alone without the little princess.
Ruan Yun frowned when she saw her enter the palace and said, "I'm not fully recovered from my illness yet, please be careful, what if I infect you?"
There was a hint of blame in the words, but the concern was real.
Ji Zhaoyi's eyebrows were light and he said with a smile, "Nothing, I'm fine."
Ruan Jun looked at Ji Zhaoyi's hands, remembering that her hands were always cold in summer, and wondered how Ji Zhaoyi could have said that.
Before Ji Zhaoyi could say anything, Ruan Yun took out the embroidery and said, "Take a look at it for me. I can never embroider the auspicious clouds on it properly. Can you help me?"
Ji Zhaoyi looked at Ruan Yun holding the shapeless belt, took it, and gently picked up the embroidery thread and said, "Ying Ning, who is beside you, is an excellent embroiderer. Why do you want me to do it when I come?" Ying Ning laughed when she heard it, covered her lips with her hands, and said, "Your Majesty, if I do something, the emperor will be able to tell it is the work of two people."
"So my sister is making fun of me." Ji Zhaoyi put down the embroidery in her hand, "Then I don't want to do it."
Ruan Yun glanced at Ying Ning, lowered her head in embarrassment, and said repeatedly: "That's not what I meant."
Ji Zhaoyi picked up the embroidery again, raised her hands to embroider the auspicious clouds on top for Ruan Yun, and said softly:
"I saw something strange today."
Ruan Yun was intrigued by Ji Zhaoyi's words, and with curiosity in her eyes, she asked, "What?"
Ji Zhaoyi waved her white wrist and said, "Today, the little princess is on a day off, so I allowed her to take the rabbit out to play. But within an incense stick of time, Xin'er brought the eldest prince back to the palace. I saw that the eldest prince looked depressed, so I asked him to go to the side hall to rest. Now the eldest prince is still in Xihua Palace."
Ruan Yun was puzzled, "The eldest prince...didn't go to the palace to study today?"
Ji Zhaoyi gave the finished embroidery to Ruan Yun and said, "I asked someone to inquire at the palace academy. I heard that the eldest prince's teacher said that the eldest prince was diligent in learning and did not need to be too strict with himself. So I allowed the eldest prince to go to the Yu Garden to paint a scroll. Who knew that the eldest prince took the finished scroll back to Jingzhang Palace. Not long after, he came out of Jingzhang Palace with his head down. When Xin'er met him, the eldest prince still had the scroll beside him."
Now that things have started to move, Ruan Yun knows that doing this is not good for the child.
Moreover, after her observation, the eldest prince was sensitive. Could it be that Concubine De, as a mother, didn't see it? Did she not see it or didn't care at all? Ruan Jun was a little curious.
"I thought Concubine De was flawless, but now it seems that's not the case."
Ji Zhaoyi nodded, "That's right. The eldest prince has a dull temperament. Is it a good thing to be mature at a young age? If the emperor knew what Defei did, I'm afraid that Defei's last bargaining chip would be gone."
Ruan Yun picked up the embroidery and continued embroidering, saying, "If this is true, then the eldest prince is indeed a pitiful child, but it is also his fate that he has such a mother."
Ji Zhaoyi said nothing more. Even though Sister Ying's words were cruel, the palace was not a place where one could be merciful. If one was kind to others, one would be pushing oneself into the fire pit.
Before the two of them finished their conversation, Chunqing came in and said:
"The Emperor has arrived."
Ji Zhaoyi also knew that the Third Prince had been in Zichen Palace recently, but Ruan Yun looked at each other and stood up at the same time, bowed and said:
"Your Majesty, may you be well."
But Yan Shiyu didn't bring Dongdong with him today, which made Ruan Jun's eyes widen, "Your Majesty!"
Yan Shiyu sneered, "You see me moving every day, do you still have me in your eyes?"
Ruan Yun repeatedly retorted, "How could there not be any?"
She had said so many words that sounded like both true and false that she had already mastered it without any instruction. When she looked up again and saw the sad expression on her face, she didn't need any further preparation.
Yan Shiyu grabbed Ruan Yun's little face, and the feeling of depression in his heart became deeper.
He said calmly, "Are you still unhappy that I'm here?"
Ruan Yun immediately said, "Of course not."
Thinking of her own serious misconduct just now, Ruan Yun put on a flattering smile and said:
"I heard that the Ministry of Internal Affairs is already preparing to go to the palace?"
Yan Shiyu didn't hide it from her and nodded, "Yes."
Yingning placed a stool behind Ji Zhaoyi and helped Ji Zhaoyi sit down.
When Yan Shiyu's eyes fell on Ji Zhaoyi, Ruan Yun exchanged glances with Ji Zhaoyi calmly and said:
"Today, the eldest prince is in Xihua Palace. The little princess and the eldest prince have a deep brother-sister relationship. Sister Ji doesn't want to disturb them, so she came to my place."
Yan Shiyu frowned and glanced at Wei Maoyuan. Wei Maoyuan hurriedly sent someone to inquire about the situation. Ji Zhaoyi smiled and said, "I heard that the eldest prince's master allowed him to go to the Yu Garden to paint a scroll. Xin'er was ignorant and insisted that the eldest prince accompany her, which delayed the eldest prince's painting. It's my fault."
Wei Maoyuan's eyelids twitched. Seeing the expressions of Concubine Ying Guifei and Ji Zhaoyi, he felt that the two of them seemed to have discussed it beforehand. They brought up the eldest prince for no reason. The eldest prince was stubborn and would not change his mind once he made up his mind about something. How could he go to Xihua Palace just because of a few words from the little princess?
If he can see such an obvious thing, then the Emperor can certainly see it as well. What is the Imperial Concubine planning?
There was a flash of inquiry in Yan Shiyu's dark eyes. "Since you want Ting'er to paint, I'll go and take a look."
Ji Zhaoyi responded to the emperor's words and bowed gently, saying, "Yes."
Ruan Yun was all smiles, not thinking that it was wrong for the emperor to leave after only a short while. Instead, she pulled the emperor's sleeve and said, "I know that the emperor did not have a good meal today, but I have been ill for a long time and have not recovered. I will go to the Purple Palace to have dinner with the emperor, okay?"
Yan Shiyu's cold gaze fell on Wei Maoyuan, which made Wei Maoyuan shudder.
The Emperor was unwilling to dine, and he had no other choice. Who knew that when the news reached Linxuan Palace at noon, the Imperial Concubine did not move at all. He really lost both his wife and his soldiers, and it was not good for both ends.
Ruan Yun stood on tiptoe, and the rich fragrance fell into Yan Shiyu's nose. She whispered softly, "If Your Majesty doesn't say anything, it means you have agreed to my request. Your Majesty, please go quickly."
Yan Shiyu's eyebrows twitched at her action, his eyes fell on Ruan Jun secretly, and his eyes were suddenly filled with desire. He suppressed it and took Ruan Jun's hand from her sleeve roughly.
"Can you really tear the dragon robe like this?"
"No respect for elders!"
After saying these two words, Yan Shiyu walked away, leaving Ruan Jun alone standing there, not understanding what the emperor was so angry about.
The words had already been spoken. Ruan Yun sat in front of the makeup mirror and thought about what Ji Zhaoyi had just said.
Ying Ning smoothed the black hair behind the Empress, her eyes turned, and she said:
"The Empress Defei is the second daughter of the current Hanlin University scholar. She is of noble status and has been a model of noble ladies in the capital since she was young. It was the late emperor who appointed the Empress Defei to the emperor as a concubine, and she entered the palace with Concubine Zhang."
Ruan Yun looked at Ying Ning through the bronze mirror and said, "So, the relationship between Concubine De and Concubine Zhang should be very familiar."
"Why do the two of them seem like strangers now?"
After saying this, Ruan Yun and Ying Ning raised their heads at the same time, and their eyes met in the bronze mirror.
"Since your majesty has said so, there is a clue to follow."
When Ying Ning said this, Ruan Yun also thought of something, "I wonder if anyone knows the nanny you met at Xi San last time."
Taking out two bu shawls from the makeup box, Ruan Yun casually picked out a bu shawl with a butterfly pattern carved from white jade.
Ying Ning said, "It seems that no one has done that. Everyone has kept a distance from that nanny, and no one has told me about her."
Ruan Yun frowned slightly, "Since she had served in the palace before, how could there be only this nanny here? And what a coincidence, she is the one who went crazy. There are quite a few suspicious points in it."
Yingning fixed Ruan Yun's hair and helped her stand up, and asked in a low voice: "Should I ask Chunqing to investigate?"
Ruan Yun shook her head. Something must have happened between Concubine De and Concubine Zhang. Concubine De was a thoughtful person and would never leave too many traces when doing anything.
Just like the nanny in the West Third Building now, if it is really related to the old events of the royal palace, and this matter is handled by Concubine De, she must have already calculated everything, so how could it be discovered.
After all, how can one believe the words of a madman, and who would believe them?
"Don't make trouble." Ruan Yun's almond-shaped eyes were filled with candlelight. "Mammy is an important person. Someone must be keeping an eye on her."
Yingning helped Ruan Yun put on her dress and said, "I understand."
Ruan Yun stood in front of the bronze mirror. She had a beautiful figure, a faint smile on her lips, and her bright face made people unable to help but take a second look.
"Let's go."
The ceremonial procession had already been prepared. Ruan Jun was thinking about many things that had happened in recent days. Although she didn't show anything on her face, she felt a headache.
When Cui Ebai saw her, he knew who she was and handed the hairpin to her. I really don't know what Cui Ebai was thinking.
Ruan Yun thought of what Cui Yubai had done and laughed for no reason.
It is still the same as before, extremely hypocritical.
…
Jingzhang Palace
Wen Baolin stretched out his wrist, and the imperial physician took his pulse, then withdrew his hand after an incense stick and said:
"Reporting to Madam Defei, Wen Baolin is just a little bit weak, there is nothing serious."
Hearing this, Concubine De's eyes flashed with doubt, and then she said, "It's Doctor Lao."
The imperial physician packed up his medicine box and left with the palace maid. He paused slightly as he left, but said nothing.
Seeing that Wen Baolin looked aggrieved, Concubine De said softly, "Come and sit down, sister."
Wen Baolin covered her wrists with her sleeves and said, "I dare not."
Seeing this, Concubine De was not annoyed. She picked up her round fan and said softly, "I have been in the palace for a long time, so I have to be careful about everything. I have heard that my sister is recuperating in the palace, so I thought she was sick, so I asked her to come and check her pulse."
Wen Baolin knew very well that Concubine De thought she was hiding something else, which was why she asked her to take her pulse.
As for what it is, apart from offspring, there is nothing else in the palace that every concubine cares so much about.
But she would never tell Concubine De that she had never slept with the emperor.
Thinking about leaving Jingzhang Palace as soon as possible, Wen Baolin held her breath and said, "My piano skills have not improved. Recently, Concubine Ying has been very favored. I am really afraid of annoying Concubine Ying and making the emperor annoyed. I am afraid that things will be even more difficult in the future."
Only then did Defei open her eyes, her beautiful eyes filled with a faint light, as if she was wondering how Wen Baolin had become so much smarter without her knowing.
"What you said makes sense, sister." Defei waved her fan and did not mention the matter of letting Wen Baolin sit down. "Hurry up and go to the temporary palace. This time, the Queen asked the Emperor to let all the concubines go. It won't be too late for sister to do it when she gets to the temporary palace."
"A beautiful scenery goes well with a beautiful woman. Sister, are you afraid that the emperor will see you then?"
Wen Baolin bowed and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. I understand."
Concubine De closed her eyes again and said, "Since my sister is weak, you should take care of yourself so that you don't have to travel too long and be unable to serve the emperor later."
Wen Baolin's eyelashes trembled, and he pinched his other hand tightly with one hand before slowly retreating.
When Concubine De heard Wen Baolin's footsteps leaving, she opened her eyes again, not as gentle as before, and asked in a cold voice:
"Can you see anything different?"
Wang Yi shook her head slowly, "Wen Baolin is no different from usual."
Concubine De curled her lips and smiled contemptuously:
"She is neither pregnant nor ill, so why is she hiding from me? There must be a reason."
De Fei suddenly pressed down the round fan in her hand and said, "Keep an eye on her these days. If there is anything wrong, tell me."
Wang Yi accepted the order, and Defei slowly waved her round fan again, smelling the incense in the inner hall, and then she felt a little more at ease.
…
Purple Palace
Ruan Jun watched Dongdong through the screen. She had not fully recovered from her cold, and it was not convenient for her to hold Dongdong in her arms, for fear that she would infect Dongdong.
Looking at Dongdong's lively appearance, Ruan Yun sighed, "If I don't bring Dongdong with me when I go to the palace this time, I will always feel uneasy."
"Bring it with you."
Yan Shiyu came in from the outer hall, and looked at Ruan Jun with dark eyes, "I will protect him together with you."
Everyone in the inner hall left. Ruan Yun walked to the emperor and said, "Your Majesty, why are you so fast?"
Yan Shiyu scratched the tip of Ruan Yun's nose and said bluntly, "I miss you."
Such straightforward words made Ruan Yun blush, and she said shyly, "The Emperor said that again."
Yan Shiyu's eyes moved away from her shy face. If it were someone else, who knows how happy they would be.
Ruan Jun grabbed Yan Shiyu's sleeve and suddenly thought of something.
"I heard that the Empress specifically asked the Emperor to let all the concubines go. There are too many people in the temporary palace, and the guards are not as good as those in the palace. I am really afraid..."
The palace maid handed over a handkerchief for washing hands, and Ruan Yun personally placed the handkerchief in the emperor's hand, with all her emotions showing on her face.
Seeing that the emperor did not move for a long time, Ruan Yun's ears suddenly turned red. After rubbing the emperor's hands with a silk handkerchief, she quickly took it away and waved her hand to let the palace maid go.
Yan Shiyu smiled and held her in his arms, kneading her earlobe with his fingertips, and said, "The Queen originally wanted you to keep Dongdong in the palace, but since you want Dongdong to go to the temporary palace with you, the concubines who go there should be treated as usual."
Ruan Jun's almond-shaped eyes suddenly lit up, and her red lips pressed against the emperor's lips. This time, Yan Shiyu would not let Ruan Jun go so easily.
He clasped his big hands behind her head, kissed every part of her lips, and reached out to pinch her waist and put her on the table.
Only when her waist/hips touched the cold table did Ruan Yun realize what was happening.
When she pushed the emperor away, her belt fell to the ground and her embroidered shoes were caught on her toes and were about to fall off.
Her calves rubbed against the emperor's slender waist, her red lips were kissed until they were swollen and delicate, and her almond eyes were full of moisture. Every glance at Yan Shiyu was a great test for him.
"No..." Ruan Yun's silk skirt spread out, revealing her spring scenery. The ties around her neck were loose, and Yan Shiyu's fingertips fell around the ties. With just a slight movement, he could see the fragrance of the garden.
Ruan Jun didn't know where she got the strength from, but she pushed Yan Shiyu away, causing the emperor to take a few steps back.
She was terrified and didn't know whether to apologize or take care of herself first.
Yan Shiyu let her push him away. If he hadn't deliberately indulged her, it wouldn't have been that easy for Ruan Jun.
With his eyes closed, Yan Shiyu said in a cold voice, "Put it on."
After saying this, Yan Shiyu walked to the table and drank a cup of cool tea.
But even so, he couldn't suppress the evil fire that was raging all over his body.
Ruan Yun quickly straightened her skirt and looked at the emperor with pity in her eyes.
Yan Shiyu pinched her earlobe gently and said, "You know it's not possible, but you still dare to seduce me."
Ruan Yun retorted: "It is clearly the emperor himself who lacks self-control, yet he blames me."
Yan Shiyu sneered, and Ruan Jun recalled the feeling on the side of her leg just now, and felt that something was wrong.
Has the emperor summoned anyone to sleep with him recently?
Suddenly remembering this, Ruan Jun looked at the emperor again, her watery eyes filled with shy words.
Yan Shiyu didn't even look over, but just said lightly: "Xiaoxiao still wants it?"
Ruan Yun immediately closed her eyes, placed her hands on the emperor's chest, and said, "Your Majesty has not eaten all day, so you should have dinner first."
Yan Shiyu didn't say anything else, but the feeling of just now was still on his hand.
In the past, he always thought that he would not be as obsessed with beauty as the late emperor, but every time he met Ruan Yun, he would lose control.
What's ridiculous is that when he saw the table full of memorials, he was thinking about how to make Ruan Yun cry.
Yan Shiyu rubbed his brows and suppressed the love in his heart before finishing his meal.
…
Soon, Wei Maoyuan personally told the empress what the emperor meant, and the empress was very surprised to hear it.
The third prince is still young, so it is most appropriate for him to stay in the palace.
"I understand." The Queen said gently, "I will draw up a new list and send it to Zichen Palace when the time comes."
Wei Maoyuan took his orders and left. Qiyue waited until Wei Maoyuan left before she spoke up, saying, "Your Majesty's decision was changed so easily because of Concubine Ying Gui's momentary whim. Your Majesty's authority in the harem is about to be lost."
The queen put down the brush in her hand, took the handkerchief to wipe her hands, slapped the table and said, "Kneel down!"
Qiyue couldn't believe the punishment the Queen had imposed on her. She knelt in front of the Queen with a look of grievance in her eyes.
The queen lost her usual gentleness towards her and said in a cold voice: "How many times have I told you not to say such things behind your back? When have you ever taken it to heart?"
If it were in the past, Qiyue probably wouldn't say a word.
But today, she got angry, wiped her tears and said:
"Your Majesty has been in charge of all matters in the harem, and her health has never improved over the years. Your Majesty always considers Concubine Ying Gui, but when has Concubine Ying Gui ever thought of your Majesty? Not only has she rejected your Majesty's face, but how will your Majesty manage the harem in the future? Is it just because Concubine Ying Gui looks like the third lady?"
The queen stood up angrily and pointed at Qiyue:
"shut up!"
She covered her chest and coughed violently, "I can't control you anymore. Since you have your own opinions on everything, I will give you grace and let you go."
Qiyue looked up and cried, shocked by what she heard.
"I have served the Majesty since I was a child. Ever since I followed the Majesty into the palace, I have sworn a solemn oath that I would never leave the palace and would always stay by the Majesty's side. Now that the Majesty does not want me to serve you, I would rather die."
When the Queen heard what Qiyue said, she watched Qiyue run out.
Ran Xia heard the noise and hurried in. Seeing the queen's panic, she supported her and said, "Don't worry, madam. I will go find her."
After instructing the palace maid outside, Ran Xia went along the palace road to look for Qiyue.
The Queen's breathing became rapid, and the palace maid asked, "Are you okay, Madam?"
The queen burst into tears for no reason and had a severe headache at the moment.
Seeing this, the palace maid hurriedly said, "Go and get the imperial physician."
The queen wanted to speak, but the moment she opened her lips, she fainted.
"Empress!"
The Fengyi Palace was in chaos, and the news that the Queen was ill quickly spread to the Zichen Palace.
Ruan Yun was originally playing with the emperor, but upon hearing this, she stood up and asked anxiously, "Is the Empress okay?"
Wei Maoyuan glanced at the emperor and saw that he looked normal, so he said:
"The imperial physician said that the Empress' old illness has recurred, but this time, it may be more serious than before."
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