The news that the emperor had appointed a new concubine quickly spread throughout the three palaces and six courtyards.
However, for a whole half month, the emperor did not summon Shui Ling, nor did he take the initiative to come to Rongxiang Palace.
Instead, some unfavored concubines openly and covertly targeted Shui Ling to make things difficult for her. After all, who would like a woman who competes with them for favor?
In the imperial garden, several young women dressed up beautifully, ate cakes, and chatted.
"I thought someone was finally able to take away the Emperor's favor from the Imperial Concubine, but it turned out to be all an illusion."
"That Shui Ling looks gentle and weak, but she's actually very arrogant. How could the Emperor possibly like her?"
"If you ask me, it must be that the Imperial Concubine and the Emperor had a quarrel, and the Emperor was so angry that he made Shui Ling a concubine, deliberately embarrassing the Imperial Concubine."
"They quarreled at the head of the bed and made up at the foot of the bed. The imperial concubine and the emperor never really broke up."
"Yesterday I saw Shui Ling sneak out and clamor to see the emperor, but she was stopped by the guards. Oh, she doesn't even know her own weight, and she actually wants to compete with the imperial concubine for favor."
"No need to guess, the emperor has long forgotten her."
Several women covered their mouths and laughed so hard that they shook.
In the corner, Shui Ling heard these words clearly.
She clenched her hands tightly at her sides, her face full of resentment.
She thought that after entering the palace, she would become the emperor's woman and always be by his side. But she didn't expect that the emperor would ignore her!
Now, what should she do?
How can she help her master complete his plan?
Shui Ling turned around and walked back while thinking.
"The girl's shoes are really beautiful, I wonder where she got them?"
A palace maid blocked Shui Ling's way.
She looked left and right, as if she was afraid of being discovered.
Fortunately, there is no one else here.
Shui Ling was slightly taken aback, then replied, "This was made by Mr. Zhang's nephew near the stone bridge in the east of the city. If you like it, I'll give it to you in a few days."
The maid was a little impatient: "You are so hesitant when giving a secret code. I thought you found the wrong person! How can you help the master with such an idiot like you?!"
Shui Ling glared at her in dissatisfaction, but did not dare to refute.
The maid rolled her eyes at her and said, "My name is Bihe, and I work at Yuxiu Palace. If you have any news in the future, please let me know. I will have someone take it out and hand it over to the master. Be careful and don't get caught."
After saying this, Bihe left in a hurry.
Looking at Bihe's departing back, Shuiling frowned.
Is this Bihe also the master's person? How irritable and rude!
I must clean it up when I get a chance, otherwise it will be difficult to get rid of the hatred in my heart!
//
July 1st is the emperor's birthday.
The emperor disliked extravagance and waste, and in previous years he had requested that everything be kept simple on his birthday.
The same is true this year.
However, this year the emperor issued a special decree, ordering all princes and princesses, concubines of the sixth rank and above, and officials to gather in Fuyao Pavilion.
In the huge Fuyao Pavilion, the king of a country sat on the throne.
On his left and right sides were the Queen Mother and Shen Mingyue.
In the main hall, princesses, princes and concubines sat on the left, and civil and military officials sat on the right.
As string music began to play, dancers in brightly colored clothes moved to the music, like fluttering butterflies.
The officials watched with great interest.
Zhao Xu hunched over and walked quickly to the emperor, leaning over and whispering in his ear, "Your Majesty, everything is ready."
Hearing this, the emperor's lips curled up slightly. His eyes looked indifferently at Concubine Jing sitting in the palace.
Soon, the dance ended.
The dancers bowed slightly and said in unison: "May the emperor be in good health and live a long life."
The emperor smiled and said, "Okay, reward."
The dancers happily withdrew.
Seeing that the time was almost right, Concubine Xian stood up and said, "Your Majesty, this is a painting of a hundred years of longevity. From selecting the materials, drawing the picture, to embroidering and sewing, I completed it all by hand."
After saying that, she winked at the palace maid next to her.
Two palace maids hurriedly carried the Hundred Longevity Picture into the hall.
When the Hundred Longevity Picture was unfolded, everyone sighed.
The three-foot-long silk was embroidered with dragons and phoenixes, auspicious beasts, auspicious clouds, and a hundred longevity characters of various sizes.
How many days and nights did the virtuous concubine have to endure to create such a centenary longevity painting alone?
The virtuous concubine looked shy and said, "I knelt before the Bodhisattva and embroidered these one hundred longevity characters for more than half a year. I hope the Bodhisattva can see my sincerity and bless the emperor with a long and happy life."
【Tsk tsk tsk, shameless! 】
[If I hadn't read the original novel, I would have been moved! ]
"More than a dozen embroiderers have been working day and night for so long, and you're not only stealing the credit but also killing people to silence them. You're absolutely insane!"
Su Qiqi cursed in Shen Mingyue's arms.
At the same time, a hint of coldness flashed in the emperor's eyes.
The Empress Dowager glanced at the Emperor and said with a smile, "This Hundred Years of Longevity painting is really beautiful. I love it very much. Concubine Xian, if you have time, come to Shouning Palace and help me embroider one too."
"This..." The smile on Concubine Xian's face became a little awkward.
What's wrong with the Queen Mother? She always likes to make things difficult for her recently.
She just finished copying the scriptures and now she's asked to embroider a longevity picture. Are they trying to tire her to death?!
"You don't want to? Or do you have some unspeakable secret?" asked the Queen Mother.
The virtuous concubine knelt slightly and saluted the empress dowager. "I am deeply moved that my gift has been favored by the empress dowager. If I have time, I will definitely embroider a centenary longevity painting for you as well."
"Hahahaha, you're worthy of being the person I favor the most. Reward!"
The Queen Mother winked at Wan Shuang.
So Wanshuang presented a golden hairpin to Concubine Xian.
A golden hairpin in exchange for a picture of a hundred years of longevity...
It was not worth a bit for Concubine Xian, but she had no right to refuse.
"I thank the Queen Mother for her reward. May the Queen Mother be blessed with great fortune."
The virtuous concubine took the golden hairpin, bowed to the empress dowager to express her gratitude, and returned to her seat.
The Hundred Longevity Picture was also put away and held by a special eunuch.
Lu Qingyuan, who was standing beside the Queen Mother, stood up, picked up the sword from the palace maid Baozi and walked into the hall.
"This sword is called Wushuang. It is sharp and hard, and can cut through iron like mud. May my royal brother be successful in everything he does, and may the country of Tianqi be peaceful and prosperous."
After saying that, she presented the sword with both hands.
Zhao Xu stepped forward and took the sword from Lu Qingyuan's hand, then held the sword in front of the emperor.
The emperor unsheathed the sword, took one look at it, and laughed: "It is indeed a fine sword."
"As long as my brother likes it." Lu Qingyuan returned to sit next to the Queen Mother.
The Queen Mother raised her hand and tapped Lu Qingyuan's forehead: "Who gives a sword as a birthday gift? It's not taboo at all."
Lu Qingyuan made a playful face and said, "The most important thing is that my royal brother likes it."
"You have been spoiled by your royal brother." The Queen Mother did not really blame Lu Qingyuan.
Sitting on the throne, the emperor touched the sword in his hand.
The stage has been set up, it's time for the actors to take the stage.
Today, he will make He Shujing pay the price!
The emperor raised his eyes, looked at Concubine Jing, and said in a deep voice: "Concubine Jing, where is the gift you prepared for me?"
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