Chapter 17: The Imperial Concubine Invites You

Ask about Lady Shu?

What does this have to do with her?
Being suddenly called out, Shen Qingtang looked at Concubine Liang in confusion.

"I am ignorant, could you please explain clearly, Madam Liangfei?"

"It's nothing. I was so happy for you that I couldn't sleep yesterday because you were able to serve the emperor." Concubine Liang covered her lips with her handkerchief and said meaningfully, "After all, you have a favor with the Third Prince."

So?

Just because you have done me a favor, can you accept without any hesitation that your husband favors other women?

Empress Ye, the queen, looked normal, but Concubine Luo, who was sitting with Liu Zhaoyuan, looked at Shen Qingtang with a strange look.

"I heard that when Concubine Shu was serving the emperor, the Imperial Concubine was unwell. I thought..." Concubine Luo paused, looked Shen Qingtang up and down, then raised her eyebrows and smiled, "Concubine Shu is really a lovely person. No wonder the Imperial Concubine Liang is happy for you."

Although Luo Bin said this, she felt quite regretful in her heart.

Unfortunately, Concubine Zhengui is not here.

I don't know if Concubine Zhengui is really not feeling well, or if she is embarrassed because she failed to gain the favor of the emperor, so she didn't come here. Otherwise, today's greeting drama would be very exciting...

Luo Bin's eyes flickered slightly, and then she heard a sneer coming from beside her.

Liu Zhaoyuan rolled her eyes, "Isn't she just someone who is loved by everyone? Otherwise, she wouldn't have been personally carried back to the Hall of Supreme Harmony by the Emperor. Look how long it has been, and the Empress' Kunning Palace has a new Concubine Shu, who is here to chat with us and relieve our boredom."

Five years after Emperor Yuji ascended the throne, there were less than twenty concubines in the harem, and high-ranking concubines were even rarer.

Apart from Zhengui Fei, the daughter of Humen general, and Liang Fei, the daughter of a marquis, the highest ranking ones were Luo Pin, the daughter of a cabinet minister, and Jia Pin, the daughter of a chief minister of the Dali Temple.

Jiapin, who was half a rank higher than Luopin in title, looked at Liangfei and Shen Qingtang for a long time. After hearing what Liu Zhaoyuan said, she nodded in agreement.

"In my opinion, Concubine Shu is not only loved by everyone, but also has great luck. Fortunately, Concubine Shu came to the rescue when the Third Prince drowned. It is natural for the Emperor to favor Concubine Shu."

Timely relief?
The concubines all had subtle expressions. When Concubine Liang's face suddenly changed, a young girl's voice like a cuckoo crying blood suddenly came from the crowd.

The concubines looked up and saw Shen Qingtang standing up from the embroidered cushion, kneeling down and bowing to Empress Ye, Concubine Liang and Concubine Jia, her moist and slightly red eyes full of humiliation and stubbornness.

"Empress, Concubine Liang, I don't understand. From what Concubine Jia said, the Third Prince drowned. Does Concubine Jia suspect that I did it on purpose?"

Is Concubine Shu so fierce?

The concubines' hearts skipped a beat, and all that was left in their eyes was the slender figure that seemed to have been ravaged by wind and rain, but still as tough as a bamboo.

Concubine Liang frowned, "Jiapin, harsh words hurt people like the cold of June, you are wrong!"

Jiapin was caught off guard by Shen Qingtang's attack, and as soon as she came to her senses, she was scolded by Liangfei again. She almost felt sick.

Jiapin knelt and bowed to Empress Ye, who was sitting at the head of the table, and said with an aggrieved look, "Your Majesty, I am only expressing my admiration for Concubine Shu's good luck, and I did not mean what Concubine Shu had misinterpreted."

Queen Ye, who originally wanted to sit back and watch the beauties compete with each other in beauty, had no choice but to smooth things over after hearing Concubine Jia's voice.

"The emperor has already found out that the Third Prince's drowning was an accident. This matter must not be mentioned again."

After saying that, the Queen Mother glanced at Shen Qingtang, who was still angry, and couldn't help but rub her brows lightly.

"We are all sisters in the harem and should live in harmony. Concubine Jia has always been outspoken, so please don't take it to heart, Concubine Shu."

Queen Ye had said so, and Shen Qingtang was not the kind of fool who would not give in even if she was right. He immediately bowed to Queen Ye with a look of gratitude on his face.

"As Concubine Jia said, although I am lucky, it is normal for me to be a little anxious when it comes to the matter of the Third Prince falling into the water. I thank the Emperor and the Empress for proving my innocence."

As she spoke, Shen Qingtang straightened her back, adding to her straightforward and honest image. "But I have always been upright and honest, so I won't feel guilty or afraid about something I haven't done. Even if Concubine Jia didn't mean it, I won't take it to heart."

虎！
It really is a tiger!

After hearing Shen Qingtang's words, Jiapin's face turned blue and red, and finally turned into an unnatural smile.

"I didn't mean it. I hope you won't misunderstand me in the future."

Speaking your mind is not an excuse to say hurtful things to others.

Shen Qingtang smiled, "It's my fault. Speaking of which, I have a similar personality to Concubine Jia~"

Come on~ Let's make it happen~
Looking at Shen Qingtang's smiling face, Jiapin almost couldn't keep the smile on her face.

"Lady Shu, you are very good!" Today I finally opened my eyes!
All the concubines in the harem are decent people, but this Concubine Shu, who comes from a humble background, is treated like a piece of meat on a rolling pin. It makes her so angry!

As for the fact that Concubine Shu, who was born as a palace maid, was able to stand out from the world and serve the same husband as them, the concubines were not happy and wanted to say something, but the Queen had already raised her wrist to signal them to be silent.

"My sisters are all intelligent people. Instead of fighting for favors and annoying the emperor, it is better for you to serve the emperor with one heart and one mind. The most important thing is to continue the royal family's lineage."

As Empress Ye spoke, her eyes fell on Concubine Zhang, who looked very pregnant, and a warm smile suddenly appeared on her fair and plump face.

"It's great if Concubine Zhang is like this. In a few months, the harem will be lively again." The Queen took a look at Concubine Zhang's belly, which was just beginning to show, and asked with concern: "I remember that Concubine Zhang had severe morning sickness before. Now the fetus is three months old. Are you feeling better?"

No doubt Concubine Zhang was extremely surprised to be cared for by the Queen.

"Thank you Queen for your concern. I am much better now, but my taste for food has changed a lot. I couldn't eat spicy food before, but now I love spicy food."

Concubine Zhang gently touched her belly, and her pretty little face showed the aura of a loving mother.

She is a sour boy and a spicy girl. She loves spicy food and looks like a little princess.

Not only did the Queen smile, but other people also looked at Concubine Zhang's belly. No matter whether it was a boy or a girl, only after the birth of the child could the mother be honored by the child. But it must be said that Concubine Zhang's belly was quite promising.

……

The day's greetings soon ended with Empress Ye becoming tired.

"Guanju Palace is not far from Changchun Palace. When you have nothing to do, you can come and sit with me."

"Even if you didn't tell me, I would still bother you. I just hope you don't mind my stupidity."

"How could that be? I am very happy that you can come."

Shen Qingtang and Concubine Liang walked out of Kunning Palace one after another, walking on the wide palace road paved with bluestone. As they were talking, a palace maid with a sparkling jade bracelet on her wrist came towards them from another road.

"Your servant Yugui pays respects to Consort Liang and Lady Shu."

How come Yugui appears in Kunning Palace this time?

Although she was confused, after all, she was the senior maidservant beside Concubine Zhengui, so Concubine Liang did not make things difficult for her and let Yugui stand up.

"Miss Yugui, are you here to see the Queen?"

Yugui thanked Concubine Liang, looked at Shen Qingtang with pride in her eyes, and spoke slowly.

"I am here on the orders of the Imperial Concubine to ask Lady Shu to accompany me to Minghua Palace. The Imperial Concubine wants to see Lady Shu."

(End of this chapter)

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