Chapter 85 Paying respects to the Imperial Concubine 2
Su Jingyao sat there quietly, her face as calm as water, her eyes clear of any emotion.
She listened to the concubines' conversation leisurely, as if she was out of the matter.
Halfway through, she stretched out her slender hands, picked up the exquisite scented tea, brought it to her lips, and took a sip. Her movements were smooth and graceful, showing her nobility and elegance.
"Okay, Concubine Shen is indeed late today. After paying her respects, please copy the palace rules in the side hall of Zhaochun Palace before leaving."
Her eyes seemed calm, yet there was a hint of majesty in them, as if she was just talking about a trivial matter.
When Concubine Shen heard this, she was stunned at first, and then a look of reluctance appeared on her face. She bit her lip and pretended to sit in her seat unwillingly.
His expression seemed as if he was angry but dared not speak, and there was a hint of resentment in his eyes, but he tried his best to restrain himself.
Su Jingyao looked at her expression at this moment and felt a little amused. These concubines in the palace were all good at acting.
Concubine Ye frowned slightly, her eyes quietly moving back and forth between Concubine Shen and Concubine Huang Gui.
She originally thought that Concubine Shen had already taken refuge with the Imperial Noble Concubine. After all, His Majesty had never summoned Concubine Shen since she entered the palace. Yesterday, the six palaces were conferred titles.
The title "Shen" was certainly not bestowed by His Majesty, but must have been bestowed by the Imperial Consort.
Could it be that the title of Imperial Noble Consort was really bestowed upon Concubine Shen in order to make her speak and act with caution?
Concubine Lin also listened silently to the concubines' words with guns and sticks, and a hint of contemplation flashed in her eyes.
Now, Concubine Shangguan is obviously on the side of the Imperial Concubine, and the position of Concubine Shangguan must have been decided by the Imperial Concubine.
Otherwise, Your Majesty has never summoned Concubine Shangguan to have an affair with her, so how could he have ordered Concubine Shangguan to be promoted twice? Look at how Concubine Shangguan is trying to fawn on you today, she really doesn't hold back at all.
However, it is rare to see Concubine Bai speaking in such a way that she does not care about the consequences of her actions.
Concubine Lin looked up at the Imperial Concubine and couldn't help wondering, what is His Majesty's attitude towards the Imperial Concubine?
After she entered the palace, she heard that the emperor's favorite was Concubine Ling. However, because of the Royal Concubine's previous miscarriage, Concubine Ling was confined to her house, demoted, and even given a large number of harems, but she did not get any benefits at all.
Moreover, the Imperial Concubine's miscarriage was not caused by Concubine Ling. Concubine Ling was just not able to supervise properly. The real murderer was her......
Concubine Lin therefore thought that Concubine Ling's importance in His Majesty's heart was just this, but last night her people heard that His Majesty had entered the Yikun Palace late at night.
Last night was the day when the Imperial Noble Consort was conferred the title. Could it be that His Majesty only appeared to not care about Concubine Ling, but actually cared about her very much?
After all, Concubine Ling is your Majesty's first wife, and your Majesty even did not take a concubine when he was the crown prince because of Concubine Ling.
Could it be that the Imperial Concubine was a target set up in the harem by His Majesty in order to protect Concubine Ling?
Because Concubine Ling's family background is low and she is not favored by the Queen Mother, so Your Majesty is making plans for Concubine Ling step by step?
Concubine Lin sat there, her mind like a tangled mess, her thoughts flying around in confusion to the extreme.
She racked her brains but could not figure out what His Majesty's attitude was towards Concubine Ling and Concubine Huang Gui.
There was an indescribable strange look in his eyes. He knew he had to find a way to test His Majesty.
She must find out who between Concubine Ling and Concubine Huang Gui is His Majesty's true favorite concubine.
Before entering the palace, she only wanted to live a peaceful life in the harem. However, when she first saw His Majesty, his handsome appearance left a deep impression on her heart.
He is the most powerful man in the world. Even if he is not good-looking, women are still attracted to him. What's more, His Majesty is younger and more handsome than she imagined.
Every time she saw him, a strong desire to possess him surged in Lin Guipin's heart.
My mother once said that you have to fight for the man you like on your own. His Majesty seems to treat her differently, so of course she has to fight for him!
She longed to become a favorite concubine, His Majesty's only favorite concubine.
She hoped that His Majesty would smile at her and be gentle to her.
However, she had only been in the palace for too short a time, and His Majesty was naturally cold and indifferent. As long as she spent more time with His Majesty, she firmly believed that His Majesty would fall in love with her.
Seeing that none of the concubines wanted to continue talking, Su Jingyao spoke slowly.
"Today I have something to announce. The Spring Hunt will begin in half a month. Your Majesty and I have decided to lead ten concubines to the Spring Hunt. I have already drawn up the list and will send someone to notify you sisters. You all need to prepare well for this Spring Hunt."
Having said that, Su Jingyao's gaze fell on Concubine Shen.
"Now Concubine Shen has the highest position in the palace. Both the Queen and Concubine Ling will go to the Spring Hunt Pass, and Concubine Shen will stay in the palace to handle the affairs of the harem."
When Concubine Shen heard this, she was immediately shocked. The Royal Concubine actually didn't let her go?
She clenched her teeth and squeezed out a few words: "Yes, Madam."
Seeing Concubine Shen like this, Concubine Ye finally breathed a sigh of relief.
If Concubine Shen is also the Imperial Noble Consort's person, there are not many high-ranking concubines in the harem, so wouldn't the Imperial Noble Consort really be able to cover the sky with one hand?
Afterwards, Su Jingyao spoke again: "I feel a little tired today, sisters, please go back. Concubine Shen will stay and copy the palace rules. By the way, I will tell you how to handle the affairs of the harem."
The other concubines all withdrew politely and respectfully, and finally, they were the only two left in the huge palace.
Concubine Shen raised her eyes slightly and stared closely at the Imperial Concubine who was sitting on the high seat.
Seeing the Royal Concubine change from being dignified and majestic just now to being careless and indifferent, with a sense of strategic planning revealed in her every move, Concubine Shen felt her heart tremble involuntarily.
At first, I thought that the Royal Concubine was so stupid and I was really ridiculous. I was just being played around by others.
But even if she knew it now, she could only depend on her.
Sometimes, she secretly felt lucky that she was not foolish enough to become an enemy of the Imperial Concubine when she first entered the Eastern Palace.
Concubine Shen knew very well in her heart that the Imperial Noble Concubine had been using her all along. However, if she did not choose to rely on the Imperial Noble Concubine, she would not even be able to obtain the position of concubine, let alone be able to slightly suppress Concubine Ling now.
Concubine Ye has a powerful family background. Even if she is not very favored by His Majesty now, her position as a concubine is definitely secure just based on her strong family background.
In addition, Concubine Lin has become the mistress of the palace within a short period of time after entering it. It won’t be long before she is promoted to the position of consort.
"Your Majesty, why do you want me to stay in the palace?" Concubine Shen asked carefully.
Su Jingyao lazily leaned against the backrest of the Phoenix Chair, her slender fingers casually turning the dazzling gem ring on her hand, and her whole body exuded an indescribable indifference.
"I will bring Concubine Ling, Concubine Lin, Concubine Ye and others with me on this spring hunt. Their personal maids will also go with them. You can take this opportunity to place some people in their palaces. I will leave Nanny Li in the palace to assist you." Su Jingyao said slowly.
It’s called collaboration, but it’s really just supervision.
Su Jingyao doesn't believe anyone.
"Yes, your majesty." Concubine Shen responded quickly.
After agreeing, Concubine Shen had another question to ask, but she didn't know how to start, so she hesitated for a long time.
She finally mustered up the courage to say, "My Lady, while His Majesty and the high-ranking concubines are out of the palace, do you need me to get rid of Lady Chu's child?"
As she said this, Concubine Shen's eyes unconsciously took on a hint of ferocity.
Concubine Chu is of low status and it is impossible for her to raise a child herself. Now there are only her and Concubine Ling in the position of concubine. There is no guarantee that His Majesty will give Concubine Chu's child to Concubine Ling.
She and Concubine Ling were already at loggerheads with each other, so naturally she couldn't let Concubine Ling be proud.
"Do you think His Majesty doesn't hate you enough?"
"The Queen Mother Chunlie is still in the palace this time. Even if Your Majesty doesn't care about Concubine Chu's pregnancy, do you think the Queen Mother will not send someone to look after it?"
Even Su Jingyao couldn't abort Concubine Chu's fetus under the Queen Mother's nose without leaving any trace.
Even if there was no evidence left, if Concubine Chu was pregnant, the Queen Mother would suspect her first.
Moreover, she had just ascended to the position of Imperial Consort. If Concubine Chu gave birth, wouldn't it make her, the Imperial Consort, appear even more incompetent?
"Not only can you not harm Miss Chu's child, you must also protect this child. Do you understand?" Su Jingyao said calmly.
Concubine Shen couldn't help but look embarrassed by the Royal Concubine's merciless words, and her eyes drooped slightly.
"Yes, I have not considered it carefully."
Then he frowned slightly and asked hesitantly, "What if Your Majesty gives Concubine Chu's child to Concubine Ling?"
Su Jingyao had a faint smile on her face. Although the smile seemed gentle, the words she said were so penetrating.
"This child can be transferred from his biological mother to Concubine Ling, or from Concubine Ling to you. Concubine Shen doesn't want to see Concubine Ling gain and lose again?"
When Concubine Shen heard this, she was startled at first, then a smile appeared on the corner of her mouth and a light flashed in her eyes.
He quickly responded, "Yes, your majesty is wise."
Concubine Shen smiled, but there was a hint of cruelty in her smile, and her heart was filled with disgust and hatred towards Concubine Ling.
If it weren't for Concubine Ling, how could His Majesty hate her so much? Because of Concubine Ling, she no longer has His Majesty's favor in the harem and can only rely on others.
In this case, she would not let Concubine Ling have an easy time no matter what.
Changle Palace.
Concubine Lin sat quietly on the couch, her body leaning forward slightly, one hand on the edge of the couch, the other hand gently resting on her leg, her brows slightly furrowed, thinking carefully about the current situation in the harem.
The Royal Consort now holds tremendous power in the harem. Not only does she have a distinguished family background, she also has a prince by her side. She is also deeply favored by His Majesty and even controls the power of the palace.
Facing such a royal concubine, she could not confront her head-on no matter what.
But does His Majesty truly love the Imperial Concubine, or is it just because of her family background and the prince?
On the other hand, Concubine Ling did not have a strong family background and no children. Everything she had was given entirely by His Majesty.
It seems that Concubine Ling has been demoted because of her status as Imperial Noble Concubine, but His Majesty went to the Yikun Palace last night.
The new concubines all said that she was the most favored among the newcomers. In the harem, apart from the imperial concubine, she was the one who received the most favor.
However, only Concubine Lin herself knew that she did not feel the emperor's favor at all.
Therefore, she urgently needed to know whether His Majesty treated Concubine Ling as coldly as he treated her.
She wanted to see if His Majesty was so cold-hearted by nature.
She had to confirm whether she was really favored, or... was just being praised by His Majesty to serve as a shield for Concubine Ling!
During the days of spring hunting, she had to find out no matter what!
"Yuqi, I remember that Concubine Ling grew up outside the Great Wall and was particularly good at horse riding," asked Concubine Lin.
"Yes, Master."
"My uncle is the General of the Central Army for this spring hunt. I'm trying to get a message to him so that he can find the horses that Concubine Ling and I took with us. I'll make arrangements then."
She wanted to know who His Majesty would save if Concubine Ling and she were injured at the same time?
If His Majesty rescues Concubine Ling, then her favor is to protect Concubine Ling from harm, and she will definitely find a way to get rid of Concubine Ling.
If Your Majesty saved her, it means that Your Majesty cares about her, but is just cold and doesn't like to laugh. Then after she becomes a concubine, you can think of a way to deal with the Royal Concubine...