The Legend of the Concubine in the Harem

After sighing lightly that Concubine Song Shu was not in a good condition, Empress Dowager Hu put aside this sad topic.

She looked at the concubines sitting in the middle and back row curiously: "Empress, is that Concubine Shun?"

The concubines looked in the direction Empress Dowager Hu was looking, and saw Wu Cainu, who was wearing the clothes of the prosperous dynasty but could not hide her exotic style, huddled in her seat at a loss, while Concubine Shun, who was several seats away from her, had an unsightly look on her face.

Wu Cainu, who had golden brown curly hair, blue-green eyes, and a white complexion, tremblingly stood up, knelt, and said, "I am Wulan, a concubine of Jiqing Palace. I pay my respects to the Empress Dowager."

She spoke the official language of the Sheng Dynasty very authentically, but Xie Yu really couldn't understand it. It was obvious that Wu Cainu's appearance was very much to the emperor's liking, but neither Concubine Shun, who was born more wild, nor she, had been able to win the emperor's favor.

The two have not been able to sleep with the emperor so far. Xie Yu really suspects that they are secretly avoiding his favor, but unfortunately he does not have the energy to find evidence to prove his guess.

Wu Cainu finished speaking timidly, and Lady Shun also stood up. She was taller, darker, and had darker hair, but both of them had the same delicate and beautiful features: "I am the beauty of Jiqing Palace, Gegentana, and I pay my respects to the Queen Mother."

Empress Dowager Hu seemed to have just realized that she had accidentally recognized the wrong person, and she waved her hands quickly: "Alas, I am old, and my eyesight has become worse. Good boy, please sit down quickly."

As she spoke, she revealed a look of reminiscence: "The girl of Wucai is very beautiful. It reminds me that when the late emperor was alive, people from a small foreign country brought their princess to us, wanting to marry her. That princess was also very fair, with golden hair, and eyes like the finest sapphires."

"At that time, such people were rarely seen in our dynasty. The late emperor thought they were mountain spirits or wild monsters that looked like humans, and he built a golden cage to put them in, so that we, who had lived in the deep palace for a long time, could have a look at something new... Fortunately, that happened, and the emperor was not as ignorant as his father, who treated such a beautiful woman poorly."

After she finished speaking with a smile, she no longer paid attention to Concubine Shun and Wu Cainu who both lowered their heads, and instead started with Concubine Deng, asking and caring about them one by one.

Then she called out several newcomers to the palace last year. After recognizing their faces, Empress Dowager Hu turned around and asked the Queen, "Why can't I see Liu Shuyi?"

Although she is old, her memory is apparently still very good.

The queen replied respectfully, "She was going to come over to pay her respects to the queen mother, but she suddenly felt unwell, so I asked her to go back first."

Empress Dowager Hu nodded after hearing this: "There have been so many troubles at home, and she is not a very stable person. It is natural that she became ill due to her emotions..."

The voice of Empress Dowager Hu was just that of an ordinary old lady, and her tone was not condescending. Instead, it was as if she was chatting with everyone. Soon, the atmosphere in the Cining Palace became more relaxed.

Xie Yuzhen followed the crowd and inserted a few flattering remarks that were not intrusive and some playful jokes that were very appealing to others, following Empress Dowager Hu's words. This was completely different from the pretentious manner in which he fanned the flames from both sides when he first entered the palace.

She had intended to pretend to be good in front of Empress Dowager Hu, and then try to please her after she had figured out her temper. However, Empress Dowager Hu only said a few simple words, and Xie Yuzhen could tell that she was unusual.

Needless to say, it was a blatant blow to Shun Mei and Wu Cainu.

Just talking about the attitude towards other concubines - Empress Dowager Hu did not ask about the new concubines who entered the palace later, including Shen Nanliu and Meng Yanshou. Of course, this can be explained by the fact that Empress Dowager Hu was not in the palace and was not familiar with the new concubines. However, among the original senior concubines, Qian Xianhui was banished to the cold palace, and Zhu Shanqing (formerly Zhu Guipin) was demoted to a selected concubine, falling from the front row to the end, but the empress dowager did not show the slightest surprise, and did not even mention Qian Xianhui who was still supporting herself in the cold palace.

This old man, who had been away from the palace for many years, was clearly very aware of the ups and downs of the concubines in the palace.

And the question she asked later about Liu Shuyi showed that not only the harem, but Empress Dowager Hu was also aware of the various changes in the officials and families of the previous dynasty. From this, Xie Yuzhen came to a conclusion in an instant - this old woman was definitely not the kind of person who only knew how to practice and recite scriptures without desires!

So she became more cautious and dormant, facing Empress Dowager Hu with the same caution as she would face the emperor. However, Empress Dowager Hu always behaved like an ordinary kind old lady. She would laugh out loud at Xie Yuzhen's witty remarks, share her interesting experiences outside the palace with the concubines, and occasionally talk about some gossip about the royal family during the previous emperor's reign.

She looked like a kind and comfortable wealthy old lady.

She treated the concubines with no airs and was very friendly, as if the women sitting in the palace were not her sons' wives or concubines but her daughters.

Faced with such a kind Empress Dowager, Xie Yuzhen quickly raised his guard to the highest level - this was someone who had been married to the late emperor for decades, had seen off several of his favorite concubines and beloved sons, had successfully supported his young son to ascend the throne after the late emperor's sudden death, and had personally taught the Empress, Concubine Deng, and Concubine Song before retiring after her success and, as a widow, going out to travel around the mountains and rivers under the pretext of practicing Taoism at the age of sixty!

Ok.

The fact that Empress Dowager Hu left the palace not to practice Taoism but to travel and have fun was something Xie Yuzhen had persuaded the emperor to do.

Perhaps she now has enough confidence to show her kindness and treat others well, but Xie Yu really doesn't dare to let down his caution just because Empress Dowager Hu has shown goodwill at this moment.

The Cining Palace was bustling all morning. When it was almost time for dinner, the emperor also came over, and the scene instantly became even more lively.

They simply held a temporary family dinner in the Cining Palace, which was not very reunion.

After the banquet, the concubines took their leave.

Only the emperor and the empress stayed in the Cining Palace.

Xie Yuzhen followed everyone out of the gate of the Cining Palace and breathed a sigh of relief. She was about to board the sedan chair when she saw a familiar-looking palace maid walking over. Xie Yuzhen thought about it and remembered that this was Lan Yin, the female official who served Concubine Song Shufei.

Lan Yin stepped forward and bowed slightly: "Your Highness greets Lady Zhao Guipin, Lady Guipin, and Lady Shufei would like to invite you to Lefu Palace for a chat. Is Lady Guipin free?"

Xie Yuzhen was surprised at first: Concubine Song Shu was so sick that she couldn't get out of bed, how could she still want to see him?

Previously, Concubine Song Shu had temporarily spared Xie Yuzhen from trouble because she was pregnant. Now... could it be that even though she is so sick, she still wants to get back at her?

"Of course I have time. Please lead the way, Aunt Lan Yin."

Lan Yin was somewhat surprised that Xie Ruzhen actually remembered her name. She rarely accompanied Concubine Song Shufei out before, and had only met Xie Ruzhen a few times.

But now was not the time to think about this. She moved aside and walked to the front of the sedan chair: "Your Majesty, please follow me."