Caihong came to Yongfu Palace and conveyed the Queen's order to Concubine Zhang Shu. After hearing this, Concubine Zhang Shu immediately dressed up carefully and sent Zhulan to invite Gu Xiangling to go to Kunning Palace together.
"Your Majesty, Concubine Zhang and Noble Lady Gu have arrived." Caihong said softly. At this time, the Queen was leisurely sipping tea.
"Let them in." The queen responded slowly.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects to you. May your Majesty be blessed!" The two of them bowed to the Queen together.
"My sisters are here. Please don't be polite and take a seat. Sister Shufei, and Lady Gu, please take a seat as well. Rainbow, serve the tea."
The three of them sipped their tea and chatted. The Queen casually asked, "Sister, have you heard about the story of the virtuous concubine who went to pay her respects to the Queen Mother? The Queen Mother loved her very much and gifted her with many precious items. But..." The Queen paused for a moment, then continued, "But the virtuous concubine was so beautiful, like a fairy from heaven. I'm afraid there's no other woman in the world who can compare to her. It's understandable that the Queen Mother dotes on her so much. Sister, don't you agree?"
When Concubine Zhang heard this, her face instantly turned gloomy: "Who the hell is that bitch! She was able to charm the Emperor and the Empress Dowager as soon as she entered the palace. It's all because she relies on her family background and has a vixen-like face! One day, I will cut her face with my own hands so that she can never seduce the Emperor again!" At this time, Concubine Zhang was so jealous that she was completely unaware that she had said something she shouldn't have said.
"Ahem..." The Queen coughed deliberately, trying to remind Concubine Zhang to be careful with her words.
Concubine Zhang finally came to her senses, realizing her own misstep. She looked at the Empress with a guilty conscience, who smiled and said, "Sister, please be careful with your words. If the Emperor hears these words, you will be punished. Furthermore, if he blames me, he'll probably blame me for not managing the harem well."
Concubine Zhang Shu was startled and quickly bowed her head to admit her mistake, saying, "Sister, you are right. I was impulsive and said some nonsense. Please forgive me."
However, Concubine Zhang Shu did not give up. She suddenly turned her fierce gaze towards Gu Xiangling and asked in a sharp tone, "Sister, did you hear what I said just now?"
Gu Xiangling knew the deeper meaning behind the Queen's actions, so she feigned shock and said, "Sister, I really didn't! I was so engrossed in savoring the tea the Queen brewed that I was distracted for a moment and didn't pay any attention to what Sister Shufei said."
When Concubine Zhang Shu heard this, her worries immediately disappeared, but at the same time, she couldn't help but feel a little contempt in her heart: "Hmph, she really is from a poor family and has never even tasted the best tea." Thinking of this, her contempt for Gu Xiangling became stronger.
The Queen knew her goal had been achieved, and beamed with joy, "Rainbow, quickly go get the blood swallows from the storehouse and give them to Concubine Shu to nourish her beauty. This was a gift from the Queen Mother some time ago, and I couldn't bear to drink it. Now I'm giving it to my sister to drink. It will nourish her beauty, and His Majesty will be happy to see it. Who knows, if my sister becomes favored, I'll even benefit from your kindness!"
These words made Concubine Zhang Shu blush and blush: "Your Majesty, this is a gift from the Queen Mother. How can I have the nerve to accept it?"
"It's okay, as long as my sister is favored, don't forget how good I am to you."
"Don't worry, Queen. As long as I am favored, I will never forget your kindness."
"Rainbow, take the piece of brocade that was presented as tribute by the neighboring country and give it to Lady Gu."
Upon hearing this, Gu Xiangling hurriedly stood up and said respectfully, "Your Majesty, I am deeply terrified. Only someone as noble as Your Majesty is worthy of such precious brocade."
The Queen smiled faintly, took a sip of tea, and slowly said, "Noble Lady Gu, you are wrong. From the day you entered the palace, when I first saw you, I was attracted by your obedience. Moreover, I have noticed that you tend to dress in bright and gorgeous colors, and the color of this brocade complements you perfectly."
The Queen paused and continued, "Could it be that Concubine Gu feels that my reward is inappropriate? Or does she look down on this piece of brocade of mine?" Her eyes were gentle, but with a hint of unquestionable majesty.
"Your Majesty, please forgive me. How dare I look down on you? It is because of my low status that I feel ashamed. I am afraid I cannot match such high-quality brocade!" Gu Xiangling knelt down and kowtowed in panic.
When Concubine Zhang Shu heard this, a hint of contempt appeared on her face: "Humph, you do have some self-awareness."
The Queen walked over, personally helped Gu Xiangling up, and gently patted the back of her hand, saying soothingly, "My dear sister, don't underestimate yourself. I say you are worthy of this brocade, and you are worthy of it."
Gu Xiangling was no ordinary person, so how could she not hear the hidden meaning behind the Queen's words? She immediately understood and said with tears of gratitude: "Thank you very much, Queen, for your kindness. Since the Queen values me so much, I will respectfully obey your command."
The three of them chatted for another incense stick of time before Concubine Zhang Shu and Gu Xiangling stood up, said goodbye to the Queen, and left Kunning Palace.
"Why did Her Majesty reward them with such precious things?" Rainbow asked doubtfully.
"Silly girl, valuable things naturally have their uses." The Queen's lips curled up slightly, revealing a barely perceptible smile. "There's no need for me to do it myself. Even if something goes wrong, it can't be traced back to me."
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com