Chapter 66 Conspiracy
Ye Ronghua walked slowly and gracefully with Yan Cairen on a path in the Yu Garden with light steps.
At this time, the flowers in the Yu Garden are in full bloom, extremely gorgeous, and many concubines have recently become fond of visiting here.
Perhaps deep down in my heart I still hope to meet His Majesty by chance.
It has been half a month since this group of new brides entered the palace, and His Majesty has not favored them very often.
So far, only three newcomers, Ye Ronghua, Lin Ronghua and Chu Meiren, have been fortunate enough to be summoned.
The newcomers have also figured out some of the tricks. Probably only those with a more prominent status will leave some impression on His Majesty.
However, both Ye Ronghua and Lin Ronghua were promoted to a higher rank because of their service in the emperor's bed, but there was no movement from Concubine Ye for a long time.
Because the string of Concubine Yan broke when she was playing the pipa in front of His Majesty and Concubine Chun Shu half a month ago, she has been practicing hard every day in her Jinse Palace since then. The concubines in the same palace with her are a little annoyed by this.
That's why Concubine Yan is now trying hard to curry favor with Ye Ronghua. After all, Ye Ronghua has a good family background and he was the second one to sleep with the emperor after he entered the palace.
After serving the emperor, she was promoted to Ronghua. It would be great if she could say a few good words to His Majesty and avoid his punishment.
After all, it is extremely difficult for her to meet His Majesty now, and His Majesty will not have any impression of her.
"Sister Ye, among the newlyweds, only Sister Ye, Lin Ronghua, and Concubine Chu have been summoned by His Majesty. However, His Majesty has promoted you and Lin Ronghua, but Concubine Chu has not made any move. Could it be that His Majesty really does not like gorgeous women as Concubine Chun Shu said?"
Yan Cairen followed Ye Ronghua closely and spoke softly with a hint of doubt and flattery on her face.
Ye Ronghua frowned slightly, feeling strange.
Before entering the palace, she had thought that Lady Chu's beauty would surely win her favor.
But now, all three of them have served the emperor in bed, but Concubine Chu has not been promoted. In fact, Concubine Chu's family background is higher than Lin Ronghua's.
Ye Ronghua knew that her advantage was not her beauty, because of her family background, as long as she did not make any mistakes, His Majesty would favor her no matter what.
Now that His Majesty does not like Miss Chu's appearance, I have lost a strong competitor.
It was a pleasant surprise indeed.
"Your Majesty's preferences are not something we can just guess at. Mr. Yan should be more careful with his words and actions."
Ye Ronghua had a calm expression and a calm tone.
"My sister just whispered a few words in front of Sister Ye."
"It's just... next time when His Majesty summons you, can you please plead for me? I've been playing the pipa so hard lately that my hands are almost broken..."
Yan Cairen looked at Ye Ronghua cautiously, twisting the handkerchief consciously with both hands.
A hint of disdain flashed across Ye Ronghua's eyes. Yan Cairen was a concubine's daughter, and she looked down on her. However, as a concubine's daughter, Yan Cairen had no desire for her.
Moreover, since she has entered the harem, it is impossible for her to fight alone. Since Concubine Yan intends to curry favor with her, she naturally has to work for her.
"Sister, since His Majesty thinks that you haven't played the pipa well enough, you should practice hard."
When Yan Cairen heard Ye Ronghua's refusal, her heart sank. She knew that Ye Ronghua would not help her so easily.
"Sister Ye, if there is anything I can do for you, just tell me. I will go through fire and water for you."
Yan Cairen whispered anxiously, her eyes full of desire.
Ye Ronghua turned slightly, a meaningful smile appeared on the corner of his lips, and then he leaned close to Yan Cairen's ear.
"The Queen Mother's birthday banquet will be held in five days. The Imperial Etiquette Bureau and the Imperial Clothing Bureau in the harem are now managed by the Imperial Concubine."
"Your Majesty, you go to Zhaochun Palace almost every day, and you go to Yikun Palace every now and then. If we newcomers want to gain favor, don't you know what we should do?"
Ye Ronghua's voice was very low, with a hint of temptation.
Upon hearing this, Yan Cairen frowned, forced a smile and looked at Ye Ronghua.
She naturally understood Ye Ronghua's intention. Ye Ronghua clearly wanted her to serve as his charging knife.
However, the Imperial Concubine and the Pure Concubine are not only favored by His Majesty, but also have the power to manage the six palaces. How can she hurt the Imperial Concubine and the Pure Concubine while allowing herself to escape unscathed?
"Sister, can you please tell me what I should do?" There was some uneasiness in Yan Cairen's eyes.
"Talented Lady Yan, I heard that the design of Concubine Chun Shu's palace dress has been sent to the Shangfu Bureau. The pattern embroidered on Concubine Chun Shu's palace dress this time is red-topped scarlet."
There was an elusive smile on Ye Ronghua's lips.
There was doubt in Concubine Yan's eyes. Zhudinghong was famous and noble, but if she had not entered the palace, she would have never seen it.
"Sister, I know that amaryllis is an extremely gorgeous and beautiful flower. It is quite innovative for Concubine Chun Shu to use amaryllis for her palace dress, but I still don't understand what you mean..."
"Sister, the juice of amaryllis is poisonous..."
Ye Ronghua chuckled as he finished speaking, then turned around and left with a smile on his face, leaving Yan Cairen standing there blankly.
Yan Cairen looked at Ye Ronghua's gradually receding back and fell into deep thought.
Could it be that Ye Ronghua wanted her to tamper with Concubine Chun Shu's palace dress?
Let Concubine Chun Shu make a fool of herself at the Queen Mother's birthday banquet, and then put the blame on Concubine Gui?
A hint of hatred suddenly flashed in Yan Cairen's eyes. It was obvious that Ye Ronghua wanted her to be the one to take the lead.
If she really did these things, given His Majesty's fondness for Concubine Chun Shu and Concubine Gui, he would certainly investigate it thoroughly. How could she possibly hide away?
Ye Ronghua didn't dare to do such a dangerous thing himself, but asked her to do it!
Zhaochun Palace, study.
Su Jingyao sat at the table, looking calm and focused.
Holding the brush in her right hand, she carefully copied the Buddhist scripture "Heart Sutra" stroke by stroke. This was a birthday gift she was going to give to the Empress Dowager as a token of her appreciation.
In addition to the hand-copied Buddhist scriptures, she also prepared to give away a copy of "Pisces Auspicious Sign".
The Pisces Omen is an agate flower vase that she specially used rare red and white agate to have carefully carved by master craftsmen. The red and white are distinct, and the overall shape is two fish.
It symbolizes good luck, prosperity and prosperity.
The Queen Mother was the key factor in her ascending the throne, so Su Jingyao naturally had to rack her brains to please her.
Naturally, the Queen Mother's birthday gift couldn't be as casual as Jun Zechen's.
Just draw a picture and say some sweet words, and then send him off.
The Queen Mother's birthday gift could not be casual; she put a lot of thought into it, including a Buddhist scripture copied by hand to express her feelings, and a precious agate flower vase to avoid appearing shabby.
"My Lord, I have already accidentally revealed the style of your palace dress and the fact that the red-crowned crane is poisonous to Ye Ronghua and Lady Chu."
"But although Lady Chu has an outspoken personality, she has only been in the palace for a short time. Would she really have the courage to attack you, my master?"
"Ye Ronghua looks calm and calculating, but they have been in the palace for too short a time, so they may not dare to do such a thing."
Miaoyun stood next to Su Jingyao, frowned slightly, and said with a puzzled look.
Su Jingyao sneered softly.
"I don't know if Ye Ronghua can keep her composure, but Miss Chu certainly can't."
"Lin Ronghua was of lower status than her, but now she is one level higher than her and has been promoted to Ronghua. Can Miss Chu hold back this anger?"
"Master, do you think that Lady Chu is going to attack Lin Ronghua?" Miaoyun asked with her head tilted.
Su Jingyao shook her head slightly.
"Miaoyun, these young ladies from aristocratic families who enter the palace may be ostentatious, but they are definitely not stupid."
"I have passed the news to Ye Ronghua and Lady Chu, but are they the ones who will actually do this?"
"There are now 35 new people in the harem. Even I cannot know the details of each of their plans, let alone who will be the final executor."
She paused, a shrewd look in her eyes.
"I only know that as long as they have ambitions, they will definitely take action. It just depends on the level of their methods."
Amaryllis is a precious flower variety that was presented to the country by foreign countries two years ago. It was only last year that the greenhouse began to cultivate it. Few people know that the sap of Amaryllis is poisonous.
Even Jun Zechen might not know.
After all, the last time she expressed her feelings in front of Zhu Dinghong, Jun Zechen didn't have any special reaction.
This time, she revealed it to Ye Ronghua and Chu Meiren only because her people "accidentally" got stained with the amaryllis juice, and "accidentally" let them see the red and swollen skin caused by the amaryllis juice.
As for what they might think about this, what does it have to do with her?
"Master, something happened."
Miaoxia walked into the study in a hurry, with a hint of anxiety on her face.
Su Jingyao was originally holding a pen, but after hearing the shout, she put the pen down with a hint of doubt in her eyes.
"What's wrong?"
Miaoxia hurried over and said quickly, "Master, the personal maid of Shangguan from Yichun Palace, Yanhua, came to Zhaochun Palace to ask for an audience. She said that Concubine Chu, who lived in the same palace with Concubine Shangguan, was bullying her."
As she spoke, her face was full of anger.
"Not only has Miss Chu stolen Miss Shangguan's meals for several days in a row, but she also snatched away the crabapple flowers that the flower room was sending to Miss Shangguan today."
"Lady Shangguan particularly loves crabapple flowers. She argued with Lady Chu for a few words, but Lady Chu relied on her family background to ignore Lady Shangguan."
"Yan Hua said that originally Lady Shangguan and Lady Chu were both beauties, and Lady Chu did not dare to be too arrogant. But later, Lin Ronghua also came to Yichun Palace, and Lady Shangguan..."
Su Jingyao listened and lightly frowned her crescent-shaped eyebrows, feeling a little annoyed.
With more women around, there is constant noise and no time to rest. They are always looking for some sense of existence to show off themselves.
Now that I am in charge of the Palace Administration Office, I have to deal with matters like this.
She hasn't even become an empress yet, but she's already started doing the work of an empress.
Thinking of this, she sighed helplessly, then stood up and adjusted the hem of her skirt.
He said calmly, "Let's go to Yichun Palace and see what they are up to."
Then, she turned to look at Miaoyun beside her and gave instructions in an orderly manner.
"Send someone to the Qianqing Palace to invite His Majesty to have dinner at the Zhaochun Palace tonight."