Chapter 156 Disaster Relief
Before the two of them could say a few words, Concubine Mo, Concubine Mei and others arrived one after another.
Concubine Shu soon arrived and said with a smile as she entered the palace, "It's really cold today. My sisters came early, but I was almost late."
Concubine Yu laughed sourly and said, "It doesn't matter if Sister Shufei is a little late. I don't think the Empress will blame her. After all, Sister Shufei has the eldest prince to take care of."
Although she knew that Concubine Yu's words were full of sarcasm, when she heard the eldest prince, Concubine Shu's expression softened. She smiled and said, "The eldest prince is older now and is very sensible. There is no need for me to worry about him."
Concubine Mo, Concubine Deng, and Concubine Fang all smiled and agreed, praising the eldest prince. Concubine Shu's smile became even brighter.
Concubine Yu had intended to mock her, but it had actually pleased her. Feeling angry, she smiled and said, "The eldest prince is naturally good in everything, except that he lacks brothers and playmates. Wait until next year's selection, when many sisters will appear. I believe someone will be so lucky as to give birth to an heir, and then the eldest prince won't be lonely anymore."
Concubine Shu smiled and nodded: "That's right! I also hope that the eldest prince can have more brothers and sisters."
Anyway, the eldest prince is the eldest son, so she doesn't care at all.
Concubine Rou glanced at Xu Lanshan and smiled, "I thought Concubine Chen would be gone for at least three to five months, but I didn't expect her to be back in just three to five days. It's as if Concubine Chen had never left the palace."
Mo Jieyu laughed and said, "Sister Rou Guipin must be joking. If that were the case, how could the emperor bear to let her go? Concubine Chen would be reluctant to let her go either..."
Xu Lanshan smiled and said, "I think Concubine Rou has misunderstood. This trip is to pray for disaster relief. Three to five months would be too late. Now is just the right time."
Mo Jieyu laughed again and said, "I heard that Concubine Chen sold some of her belongings to raise money for disaster relief. I wonder how much silver she raised? Hehehe!"
Emperor Yuan Yong had spread the news about this matter in the palace, so everyone in the palace knew about it vaguely, but many people did not care, and many even mocked Concubine Chen behind her back for seeking fame.
Even if the emperor gave her a lot of rewards, she was only a Zhaoyi after all. How much could she have? How valuable could it be? Besides, she couldn't sell all her jewelry, could she?
I wonder how much money this can raise? It's a drop in the bucket. How can it be of any use to disaster relief? It's just a way to gain fame.
Really, I don’t know where she learned these tricks to seduce the emperor, and she was allowed to do such a thing!
Therefore, when they heard Mo Jieyu ask her this, they all smiled and waited for her answer like a spectator.
Little did she know that Xu Lanshan was almost suffocating to death!
She had originally thought that if they had met by chance on the way here, Concubine Yu would have asked her this, but she hadn't. She had thought that they would have asked her just now, but it had taken so long for someone to speak up.
Finally, it’s time to show off your glory days!
"It's not that much," Xu Lanshan said with a modest, embarrassed smile, "a total of 1.54 million taels of silver. Thanks to everyone's support, my trip was worthwhile and I finally fulfilled my wish."
There was a moment of silence in the hall. Mo Jieyu couldn't believe it: "How much did you say just now?"
"One million five hundred and forty thousand taels."
I didn’t hear it wrong, nor did I say it wrong! The concubines were stunned.
"How could there be so much!" Mo Jieyu couldn't help but look at her hair bun. It wasn't completely bare, and the jewelry she wore was even better than hers. She said, "You, you've only been gone for a few days? How could you have so much silver?"
Concubine Bai frowned slightly. "Has Concubine Mo lost her composure? How could Concubine Chen dare to lie about something like this, even if she had the guts to do so?"
Mo Jieyu snorted and rolled her eyes at Bai Jieyu, still insisting on asking, "Why don't you explain it to everyone so that everyone can understand?"
Xu Lanshan smiled and said, "It's nothing to be ashamed of. I picked out about ten pieces of jewelry and ornaments, saying I would sell them to help with disaster relief and fulfill a vow. Who knew these imperial items would be so popular outside! They all sold for a good price. Now I have so many. When I handed the banknotes to the emperor yesterday, he was quite surprised! I was also shocked at the time..."
The concubines were all in a state of turmoil, and their moods were very complicated.
No wonder Chen Zhaoyi stayed overnight in Ganyuan Palace as soon as she came back yesterday. It’s only been a few days, and she raised so much money for the emperor. How could the emperor not be very pleased and keep her?
This time, she really made a great contribution!
Not only will she gain a good reputation, but the emperor will also favor her more. She will get all the benefits!
If I had known this, I would have fought for it no matter what. Not only would I have gone alone, but I could have gone with her. Wouldn't that have guaranteed me half of the credit? Wouldn't that have caught the Emperor's eye?
When she was about to leave the palace to pray for blessings, how many of them didn't laugh at her misfortune behind her back? Now that I think about it, I am the one who is laughed at!
Mo Jieyu's smile was very forced: "Chen Zhaoyi is really lucky..."
Xu Lanshan smiled modestly and did not refute this.
Just consider it her good luck.
Concubine Shu and Concubine Yu exchanged glances, each feeling a little heavy in their hearts.
Just as I was about to say something, the queen finally came out.
A hint of sarcasm flashed across the eyes of both of them. It seemed that the Queen had just learned about the matter of the 1.54 million taels of silver, and she was as restless as they were.
All the concubines concealed their thoughts, stood up together and greeted the Queen.
The queen took her seat and the concubines bowed and paid their respects.
The queen smiled and offered him a seat, then ordered someone to serve him new tea.
"Chen Zhaoyi has worked hard this time. This time, you have made a contribution. This palace and the emperor are very pleased. You should all learn from Chen Zhaoyi. How can you complain about people's pity and favoritism when you are like Chen Zhaoyi?"
The looks of the concubines when they looked at her suddenly became a little different, and several of them were as sharp as knives.
Xu Lanshan sneered in her heart. Even the queen had to resort to such low-class means. She was just a mere imperial concubine...how honored she was!
Xu Lanshan stood up and bowed respectfully to the Empress, smiling shyly: "The Empress and the Emperor have always been very kind to me. You can say they are my adopted parents. All my honor and disgrace are due to you. This time, I have finally repaid you one ten-thousandth of your kindness. This is what I should do. The Empress is so kind and praises me. I am so ashamed!"
After hearing this, the concubines thought of Xu Lanshan's background and finally felt a little relieved and regained some balance.
Of course, she is so lowly and humble, so what if she has made great contributions?
The emperor's favor could disappear any day, so what was a temporary favor? What was this little bit of merit? Family background and the strength of one's mother's family were the greatest guarantees!
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
