The matter of the beautiful concubine going to the Imperial Study Hall to look for the emperor spread throughout the entire palace as quickly as autumn leaves being swept away by the wind.
In the various palaces, the concubines were whispering to each other, displaying various expressions of mockery or Schadenfreude.
"Hmph, this beauty concubine is indeed restless. She's in such a hurry to go to the Imperial Study Hall to look for the emperor. This is really an embarrassment for high-ranking concubines."
Ning Zhaoyi sits in the pavilion of the Imperial Garden, gently shaking her hand fan, her words full of mockery.
Wen Zhao yuan sat beside her, also holding a delicate hand fan, gently waving it, clearly indicating that it was a bit warm outside.
"That's true, she was so arrogant in the past, but now that she has lost favor, she's desperate."
Wen Zhao yuan agreed with her, her eyes full of contempt.
Such discussions were heard everywhere in the palace, and the concubines were secretly laughing at Concubine Li.
In the east hall, Yu Yao also heard about this matter. Although she didn't know why Concubine Li suddenly lost favor, she was pleased in her heart.
Due to her recent surge in popularity, during her morning greetings, she had no shortage of jostling from various palace concubines, full of jealousy, unpleasant words, and indecent remarks. It was truly all said.
Every morning when going to the Phoenix Grace Palace to pay respects, there is a verbal duel.
At this time, Liu Li walked up and whispered, "Your majesty, it's already been a whole month. Why hasn't your monthly period come? Should I send for a doctor to take a look?"
When Yu Yao heard this, her heart moved. Her hand gently caressed her flat belly without being noticed. "It's not a big deal. My menstruation has always been irregular, and this time it may be delayed."
It's only been a month, and the time is still very early, which is also a dangerous period. She doesn't want to expose it too soon.
When Liu Li heard this, she didn't doubt it and said worriedly, "Your majesty, irregular menstruation is not a small matter. It may affect the master's pregnancy. Should I send for a doctor to take a look?"
She hastily stopped it with her hand and frowned, "No need. Maybe it's because I've been too tired lately. It will get better in a while."
Having said that, she continued to give instructions: "This matter must not be leaked out. From now on, my undergarments will be handed over to you for washing. You can do some work on them so that no one can detect anything. Or, if anyone in your group has her period, secretly switch it with yours and have it washed. In any case, do not let anyone find out."
She paused for a moment and said again: "Also, go tell the Yongshi Palace that I have my period these days and cannot serve the emperor. Tell them to take down my green headboard."
Liu Li's heart was filled with doubts. She thought of some possibilities and suddenly widened her eyes in shock, exclaiming, "My lady, you couldn't possibly be pregnant, could you?"
As she spoke, she hurriedly covered her mouth, glanced left and right, saw no one in the room, and then let out a sigh of relief.
Yu Yao blinked her eyes and smiled mysteriously, "I'm not quite sure either, but we'll keep it a secret for now. That's enough, go do as I say."
When Liu Li heard her lady's reply, she knew that the matter was almost certain, and she was very excited in her heart.
But she also knew that this matter was of great importance and should not be revealed prematurely. She quickly calmed down and said seriously, "Yes, my lady, I will act cautiously."
As soon as she finished speaking, Pu Luo pushed open the door and walked in. "Your majesty, the beauty Concubine Shu has come from the west hall."
Yu Yao was slightly stunned. Why would Concubine Shu come over suddenly?
Concubine Shu, though they both resided in the Yihé Palace, actually had very little interaction with each other.
Except for when she first moved in here and Concubine Shu and Liu Baolin, along with the other few, came to pay her a visit, she had never stepped foot into her east wing since then.
Although they often meet, they have not talked much.
"Please invite Concubine Shu in quickly."
She said to Pu Luo lightly, but her mind was calculating the purpose of Concubine Shu's visit.
A moment later.
After a moment, Concubine Shu walked into the east hall. She was dressed in a pale purple long dress embroidered with orchids, and she had a gentle smile on her face, but there was a hint of unnoticeable melancholy in her eyes.
Seeing Yu Yao, she slightly bowed her head in a salute and said in a gentle voice, "Greetings to Qin sister. The little sister is impolitely visiting. I hope sister won't be offended."
She quickly got up, stepped forward a few steps to support Concubine Shu, and smiled, "Don't be so formal, sister. Please take a seat. My east wing is usually quiet. It's rare for sisters to visit, and I'm overjoyed."
The two sat as guests and hosts, with Liu Li serving them aromatic tea.
Concubine Shu sipped gently and looked at her with gentle eyes. She slowly opened her mouth, "Sister has been particularly favored by the emperor recently. I am truly envious. Thinking that sister must have some unique advantages, I have come without hesitation to seek advice."
Yu Yao looked at Concubine Shu with a smile, "Don't say that, sister. I have nothing unique. It's just that the emperor occasionally shows me some favor. As for what I've learned, maybe it's to keep your true self, not to compete or take sides, and to let things happen naturally."
When Concubine Shu heard this, a glimmer of complexity flashed in her eyes. She sighed softly, "Sister is truly open-minded. As for me, the little sister cannot achieve such a state. In the harem, favor can easily disappear. If one does not strive to gain it, she may have nothing to rely on in the future."
She comforted her softly, "Sister, don't worry too much. The emperor has his own decisions. We just need to do our best and wait for the right opportunity."
The two continued to chat about trivial matters in the palace, and the atmosphere gradually became more harmonious.
Concubine Shu, seeing that the time was right, brought up the main purpose of her visit: "Sister, actually today I came here to ask for a favor. The little sister has not been favored by the emperor for a long time and is very anxious in her heart. Sister can point out a few things to help the little sister also gain some attention from the emperor?"
Yu Yao looked at Concubine Shu in surprise. Asking in such a direct manner, was it too bold?
Concubine Shu wondered how she could be sure that she had a way to gain favor and how she could be certain that she would mention it.
After all, the women in the harem are all enemies.
She couldn't gauge Concubine Shu's thoughts properly. "Don't put too much stock in what I say, sister. I don't have any specific advice to offer. But if you are determined, you might as well pay more attention to the emperor's preferences and try to catch his attention. Only by catching his attention will you have a chance to be summoned for an audience with him, right?"
Concubine Shu had a mediocre appearance, but her personality was too timid and reserved, not open and outgoing. How could she gain favor like that?
Concubine Shu's face was filled with gratitude, "Thank you for your advice, sister. I will remember it."
After a round of conversation, she got up to leave.
Yu Yao walked her to the door of the hall and watched her leave, secretly thinking in her heart.
In the harem, there are no eternal enemies, nor are there eternal friends. Only oneself is the most reliable reliance.
The Xiangxiang Hall, with flickering candlelight, casting a pale and slightly tense complexion on Concubine Yun's fair face.
She gently touched her flat abdomen, her monthly period had not come this month, and it had been more than a month since the last time she was summoned to serve the emperor.
Concubine Yun thought of some possibilities and became excited.
However, because it's still early, she dared not call a doctor, fearing she might startle the snake.
Due to the fact that she had miscarried a child in the east palace, Concubine Yun became even more cautious. She didn't even tell her closest attendants.
She only asked someone to notify the Yongshi Palace that she was not feeling well and should not be summoned for an audience with the emperor.
She even became extra careful with her diet, fearing that consuming something inappropriate might cause another miscarriage.
In the Hall of Supreme Harmony, the candlelight was gently swaying under the eaves, casting warm, dimly lit patches on the ground.
The night wind gently swept over, causing the silk curtains by the corridor to flutter slightly.
It was time to draw a card, and Emperor Jing was about to draw Yu Yao's card, but when he looked around, he didn't see it.
He immediately became angry and thought that it was again the dog slave An Hai who was up to no good, pointing at him and cursing, "Dare you slave, where is Qin lady's card? Have you done something behind my back again?"
An Hai was scared and quickly knelt down and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I dare not. It was the palace maid Liu Li from Concubine Qin's side who came to find me. She said that Concubine Qin has been feeling unwell these days, her period has come, and she is not fit to serve the emperor, so I took down Concubine Qin's card."
Emperor Jing furrowed his brow, feeling a sudden sense of unease and irritation.
He also lost the mood to draw a card, waving his hand and indicating for An Hai to retreat.
He turned back to the imperial desk and picked up a scroll of petition at random, but found that he could not concentrate on reading it.
His thoughts couldn't help but drift away.
Was it true that Qin lady was really unwell and unable to serve, or was there another reason?
Thinking about it, he could not sit still and wanted to go and see for himself.
Before he even reached the Yihé Palace, he saw a figure pass by the Peach Grove in the imperial garden.
She was dressed in a pale blue long dress, with a graceful figure and a beautiful face. Her eyes were slightly closed, and she was gently smelling the peach blossoms. She had a serene smile on her face, gentle and beautiful.
Emperor Jing was slightly taken aback and involuntarily stopped in his tracks. He felt that the person before him was more charming than the flowers, and the beauty of the woman under the moonlight became more exquisite with each glance.
He coughed twice and asked, "Who is there?"
Hearing the voice, Concubine Shu knew that the emperor had arrived. This was the only way to get from the Hall of Supreme Harmony to the Yihé Palace.
The emperor always took this path when going to Concubine Qin.
She deliberately stayed here early in order to attract the emperor's attention.
Concubine Shu, pretending to be startled, quickly turned around and bowed her head in salute, "The maiden sees the emperor, and the emperor's good fortune."
The moonlight shone over the peach grove in the imperial garden, where pink peach blossoms looked like dreamy clouds. They contrasted with Concubine Shu's pale blue long dress.
The night wind gently blew, and the peach blossoms fell like it had rained peach blossoms.
Concubine Shu slightly lowered her head, her hair flowing gently in the wind. The sight was both gentle and moving.
Emperor Jing watched Concubine Shu, whose expression flickered slightly. "Who are you? Why are you here?"
Concubine Shu nervously answered, "Your Majesty, I am Shu from Yíhé Palace. The moon is so bright tonight, so I came to walk in the peach grove, but I didn't realize it would disturb Your Majesty."
Her eyes carried a hint of shyness and unease, like a startled deer.
Emperor Jing nodded slightly, and his gaze lingered on Concubine Shu for a moment.
Shu Meiren? She still lives in Yíhé Palace?
He had never paid much attention to her before and couldn't remember her at all.
"It's cool at night. Shu Meiren should go back sooner."
He left a message and left.
Although Shu Meiren had caught his attention, there was no intention of favoring her this time. He just wanted to go and see a certain woman.
Though disappointed, Concubine Shu still maintained a good attitude after seeing the emperor leave.
At least the emperor remembered her, wasn't that good enough?
If she met him a few more times, the emperor would surely summon her for an audience with him one day.
Concubine Shu didn't linger in the peach grove. She quickly returned.
