Jingdi went to Cining Palace soon, and no one knew what he said to the empress dowager, only that afterwards, the empress dowager no longer concerned herself with Lady Yu...and Princess Zhang's matter.
Although the empress dowager liked Princess Zhang, she also tried her best to protect her family members. However, in her heart, her son was the most important.
She naturally could not do anything unpleasant with her son just because of Princess Zhang.
Moreover, what Princess Zhang had done was indeed too excessive.
After the empress dowager learned the cause, she no longer wanted to interfere, intending to let Princess Zhang taste some hardships.
Seeing that there was no response from Cining Palace, Princess Zhang became anxious. She hastily instructed Fengong to find out what was happening.
However, the news she received was that Fengrong couldn't even enter the Cining Palace.
The Cining Palace also issued orders, telling Princess Zhang not to bother the empress dowager for no reason, but to stay at home and copy the palace rules.
Guanjue Palace.
Upon hearing Fengrong's report, Princess Zhang collapsed in a fainting fit on the soft couch, "No, no, how could Aunt not care for me? How could this happen?"
Fengrong could only comfort her softly by her side, "Your Highness, the empress dowager must have her own reasons. Please be at ease and await our plan to turn the situation around."
Princess Zhang pushed Fengong away angrily, her eyes red with tears. "What do you know? If Aunt doesn't care for me, I will have no one to rely on in this palace. That Xuguiqin will surely try to kick me when I'm down, and the Queen, she has always regarded me as a thorn in her flesh."
The more she thought about it, the more scared she became. In the past, she had relied on her aunt's favor and had made many enemies in the palace. If she lost her aunt's support, those who had been oppressed by her might all come out to seek revenge.
As for her cousin, she was very aware that he didn't really like her and had no affection for her.
Meanwhile, Xuguiqin in Yong'an Palace was relieved when she heard that Princess Zhang's attempt to seek help from the empress dowager had failed.
Although she found it somewhat strange, the empress dowager had always favored Princess Zhang; why would she suddenly abandon her care?
But she quickly understood that it must be something the emperor and the empress dowager had discussed.
Xuguiqin's relief was followed by a growing desire to hold onto the emperor's favor.
After recovering her health, she was constantly thinking about how to please the emperor.
As long as she retained his favor, she would do anything he wanted, even if it meant eating sh*t.
In fact, while she didn't actually eat sh*t when serving Emperor Jingdi, it made no difference.
That night, Emperor Jingdi called for Xuguiqin again, seeing her so humble and shamelessly flattering him, he initially thought about giving favor to someone else. But at that moment, he hesitated.
Although it didn't match the feeling he had with Yaoer, Xuguiqin was still decent.
She would not understand why she needed to learn, study the spring palace diagram secretly, and then lower her dignity to please and serve.
Gradually, Emperor Jingdi began to lose track of whether he was using Xuguiqin as a shield or if he genuinely wanted to favor her.
He only knew that when he was with Xuguiqin, he was also quite happy.
It's like he's flying.
Imperial Concubine Lu was executed, Princess Zhang was confined to her quarters, and the other concubines in the palace were terrified, too scared to cause any trouble. They all became polite and peaceful.
For a time, the palace became peaceful and calm.
Even though Xuguiqin was served every day and favorited, the other concubines in the palace were jealous but none dared to cause any trouble.
Xuguiqin was truly favored. In just a month, she had been summoned to the emperor's bed for over twenty days, and daily rewards kept coming, sending an endless stream of fine things to Yong'an Palace.
Even if not the queen or the other concubines in the palace, even Yuyao felt that something was off.
Because she noticed that during this period, the 'dog emperor' was coming less and less frequently at night.
In the past week, he hadn't appeared at all at night.
Although she didn't like the 'dog emperor', seeing such a clear change in attitude would definitely be uncomfortable for her.
She thought about Xuguiqin's immense favor, and her heart suddenly enlightened.
The 'dog emperor' might have initially used Xuguiqin as a shield, but now, it was definitely not just a shield.
She is pregnant and cannot be summoned to the emperor's bed for a long time.
Jingdi was a man, and an extremely amorous emperor. If a woman could physically and emotionally satisfy him at this point, it was perfectly normal for him to change his heart.
"Ha, men are all like that."
She let out a cold laugh, but there was no real anger. However, it was definitely obvious that she wasn't comfortable inside.
Yule sees the madam sitting alone under the apricot tree, gently stroking her high, bulging belly, looking at a certain direction with a dazed expression, lost in thought and unsure of what she was thinking.
"Madam, the wind outside is strong, why don't you go inside and sit?"
Liul glass walked over and gently placed a cloak on Yuyao's shoulder, speaking in a low voice.
Yuyao lowered her eyes slightly and said calmly, "Nothing."
Liul glass, however, showed a worried expression and asked softly, "Madam, His Majesty hasn't come for more than ten days now. Don't you worry about that?"
Yuyao gently stroked her bulging belly and replied calmly, "What's there to worry about? His Majesty's favor is fickle, and I am pregnant now. Even if he does come, it will make no difference."
Liul glass bit her lip and said, "Madam, what if His Majesty coldly neglects you from now on?"
She cut off Liul glass's words, "Even if His Majesty neglects me, I still have the child in my belly. In this harem, favor is just a fleeting thing. The child is my real reliance."
Indeed, the dog emperor is very dog-like. What he claims as true heart is worthless.
Compared to the world's original male protagonists, he is really far behind.
Thankfully, she never had much expectation of the dog emperor in the first place, so her days would just continue as they were.
Liul glass looked at the calm eyes of her mistress and felt slightly reassured, "Madam is right. With the baby in her belly, the madam must be able to stand firmly in this harem."
Yuyao heaved a sigh softly, but said nothing. It was just that in her heart, there was always something unsettling.
The days passed one by one, and her belly also gradually grew, reaching five and a half months.
She didn't have to go to the morning report, spending her days in the Apricot Flower Palace, but sometimes she couldn't help but feel bored and want to go out for a walk.
The dog emperor did come to see her a few times, but it was always during the day, just sitting for a while and leaving after asking about the baby's condition.
However, the number of nights he secretly came to the Apricot Flower Palace was gradually decreasing.
This month, he came twice.
He would secretly come to see her and then leave, without staying as he used to, until dawn.
Xuguiqin was almost summoned to the emperor's bed every day and taken to the Taihe Palace in the evening, only to be returned to Yong'an Palace after dawn.
The favor she received was so great that all the women in the harem gritted their teeth in envy and resentment.
It indeed drew the attention and animosity of most of the women in the palace.
Xuguiqin, with her extreme favor, gradually gained confidence and dared to confront the insults from high-ranking concubines.
This action made Jingdi even more satisfied with her, and the favor grew stronger. The rewards poured into Yong'an Palace like a stream.
Understanding Jingdi's attitude, Xuguiqin became even more audacious and started to act like a favored concubine. She was surrounded by people in front and behind, making a big show of her status.
She also became increasingly difficult to provoke.
She heard that a noble lady was jealous of her and said something rude, and Xuguiqin immediately slapped her across the face.
And it was done in front of the queen, who then scolded Xuguiqin a few times.
Xuguiqin immediately went to the Taihe Palace to cry to Jingdi, saying that the queen was bullying her and so on.
As a result, the queen was called to the Taihe Palace by Jingdi, and without any preamble, he went on a tirade, using extremely offensive language and leaving no face.
The queen was berated until tears streamed down her face, and she couldn't bear the loss of face. She also harbored intense hatred for Xuguiqin.
She had thought that she was just a soft, vulnerable little rabbit, but instead, she was a ferocious dog that could bite.
From then on, the queen resented Xuguiqin and found trouble with her from time to time.
Xuguiqin was no longer the soft target she used to be. With the confidence given by the emperor, she dared to confront anyone, even if it was a heavenly deity.
Plus, she was incredibly smart and managed to hold her own against the queen without much loss.
Guanjue Palace.
Princess Zhang is still under house arrest, cursing the queen and Xuguiqin every day within the palace.
Hearing that these two bitches were fighting, Princess Zhang laughed heartily.
"Fight, fight, and better that you both end up injured. Then this palace can reap the benefits as a fisherman does when two sharks fight."
Princess Zhang sat on the soft sofa, laughing so hard that tears came out.
But soon, her smile faded slightly, and her face turned gloomy.
Princess Zhang turned to the side and asked coldly, "How is the copy of the palace rules? I cannot be imprisoned for long. I must find a way to leave as soon as possible. I don't know what it is with your cousin's favorite, Xuguiqin, that he is favored daily. That prostitute knows how to use some cheap tricks, huh. Wait until I leave and make her pay."
Fangmu, thinking of the rumors she had heard, replied carefully, "Madam, it is said that Xuguiqin has been secretly studying the Spring Palace Diagram in the palace and sometimes practices some strange movements in her room."
Upon hearing this, Princess Zhang's face turned as cold as iron, and she said furiously, "What a shameless bitch! To use such despicable means to seduce your cousin. I knew she wasn't any good. Hmph, once I'm out, I will make her dirty laundry public and ensure she has no place left in this harem."
Fangmu looked worriedly at Princess Zhang and said, "Madam, it is certain that Xuguiqin has been secretly practicing those movements for the emperor. The emperor knows this all too well. Just as Xuguiqin's favor has increased, this indicates that the emperor likes her. If you expose her in public, it will only anger the emperor and humiliate him."
Princess Zhang listened to Fangmu's words, and her face became even darker. The anger in her eyes was boiling over. "What then? Just let that whore be so arrogant? She used such underhanded means to gain favor, which is truly despicable."
Fangmu hurriedly advised, "Madam, we are still under house arrest and should not act lightly. Wait until your imprisonment is lifted, and then we can plan accordingly. Xuguiqin's actions will surely provoke resentment from others sooner or later. By that time, we can act on the opportunity to ensure she receives the punishment she deserves."
Princess Zhang clenched her teeth and said slowly after a moment of silence, "You are right. I cannot act impulsively. But I will never let her go unpunished. When I leave, I will make her pay for what she has done today."
Apricot Flower Palace.
Yuyao still lived a quiet life, and whenever she heard rumors about the disputes between Xuguiqin and the queen outside, she would merely smile faintly and not let it trouble her.
She now just wants to safely deliver her child.
As for the rest, she doesn't want to bother herself.
That day, news of the conflict between Xuguiqin and the queen was once again spreading outside.
It was said that when Xuguiqin visited the Fengyi Palace for morning greetings, she deliberately wore a dress similar to the queen's, which caused the queen to become enraged.
They argued on the spot, creating an extremely awkward scene.
Yuyao listened and merely shook her head slightly, "Xuguiqin is getting bolder now, to challenge the queen like this is not the wise thing to do."
Liul glass worriedly said, "Madam, if they continue to fight like this, who knows how many people will be affected. We must be more careful."
Yuyao smiled faintly, "We just need to take care of ourselves and enjoy the show. The rest can be ignored."
Days passed by, and Yuyao's belly grew larger, making her movements increasingly inconvenient.
By now, her belly had grown to almost seven months, and as she was carrying twins, it looked much larger than the bellies of Xuguiqin and Shuizhen.
The dog emperor also knew that she was carrying twins, but he didn't say anything and refused to allow the doctors to disclose it. He only instructed people to take good care of her.
The power struggle in the harem showed no signs of slowing down. The tensions between Xuguiqin and the queen were escalating day by day, as if they were playing a heated drama every day.
