Upon hearing the announcement of Concubine Yi's arrival, Concubine Xi and the others' faces suddenly changed; when Yun Xiu's smiling voice rang out, they felt as if their throats were strangled, their faces turned blue and white, and they were unable to speak for a moment.
As soon as she heard the words "exclusively favored", the Empress Dowager understood what was going on. She glanced at the slightly panicked four concubines, shook her head slightly, twirled her Buddhist beads, and then said in a gentle voice: "Su Ma, give Concubine Yi a seat."
"It was indeed reckless of me to come here so hastily." Yun Xiu smiled and bowed, then sat down upright, "Thank you for your grace, old ancestor."
Compared to the calm Grand Empress Dowager, the Empress Dowager's reaction was a little more dramatic. She leaned forward and asked in a slightly faster tone, "How did the Emperor favor her? I didn't even know about it. And it involved some kind of complaint, some kind of severe punishment... Concubine Yi, you tell me."
If you listen carefully, you will find that the Queen Mother's words are actually biased.
As for who he favors, anyone with a discerning eye knows that the Fifth Prince is still being raised by the Empress Dowager.
Concubine An's pale face became even uglier. Concubine Xi was angry and anxious, her chest heaving. Letting Concubine Yi speak first, isn't that allowing her to quibble? !
The Empress Dowager heard it but didn't say anything. She nodded slightly and seemed to agree.
That’s not all. After Concubine Yi mentioned the word “exclusively favored”, and then the Queen Mother asked it out loud, there was no longer any taboo about it…
The Empress Dowager had experienced three dynasties and was open-minded. She had tasted the bitter fruit of Concubine Dong E. The Empress Dowager might be furious because of the example of the previous emperor and blame Concubine Yi, but now that the situation was stirred up, the solemn atmosphere disappeared completely, and their purpose of removing Concubine Yi was in vain.
Pingpin held the handkerchief tightly and took a deep breath. What a Guo Luoluo...
Which bitch tipped off and messed up their plans
Seeing everyone's reactions, Yun Xiu retracted her smile, sighed softly, and a look of worry appeared on her face. She said softly, "To answer the Queen Mother's question, I really don't know why I was labeled as the 'exclusive favorite'. You know, I just finished my confinement, and the Emperor just turned over my green card the day before yesterday... All in all, it was the first time in a few months, how can it be called the exclusive favorite?"
Since the records of the Jingshifang were there and could not be falsified, what he said made sense and anyone could hear the grievance of Yunxiu.
The Queen Mother was slightly startled, and after a long while she said, "This... this is slander, isn't it?"
Everything must be based on facts and evidence. Who would believe something without any evidence? With the records of the Jingshifang as a basis, their words suddenly became untenable.
Upon hearing this, Concubine Xi suddenly became anxious.
She was furious and gritted her teeth as she said, "Please, Queen Mother, we concubines dare not slander Concubine Yi! In addition to sleeping with the emperor, the emperor comes to Yikun Palace every day, always staying for two hours, and only leaves after dinner. Looking at the harem, no one can hinder the emperor from reviewing memorials and summoning ministers. Can this not be called the emperor's favorite?"
After saying this, Xipin's eyes turned red, "It doesn't matter if I'm not favored, but please don't delay His Majesty's political affairs!"
Yunxiu started with the number of times she slept with the emperor, while Xipin started with the time they spent together. It was not enough to imply that she was favored exclusively, but she was also accused of obstructing government affairs. This was really well-intentioned.
"He visits the Yikun Palace every day and stays there for two hours each time." Look, exaggeration is not enough to describe this sentence.
Not to mention that the emperor is very busy and his whereabouts are uncertain. So, is Yunxiu a ginseng doll that can prolong life
In order to suppress her emperor's favor, the women in the harem have gone to the extent of confusing right and wrong and using every possible means.
Why bother
Yunxiu wanted to laugh, so she did. She burst out laughing, and shook her head at Xipin's incredulous look.
After finally stopping her smile, she covered her mouth and said slowly with eyes full of smiles: "It turns out that Concubine Xi's eyes have been on the plaque of Yikun Palace from beginning to end. She knows clearly when the emperor comes and goes, and even whether he stays overnight. It is really a waste of talent to enter the harem. Why not move her eyes out of Yikun Palace and move them to the top of the Forbidden City to be the clock for everyone?"
…
As soon as these words were spoken, the Empress Dowager stopped twirling her Buddhist beads, and there was a moment of silence in the Cining Palace.
Concubine Xi had a stiff face and couldn't believe it. Concubine Yi came straight to her face!
This string of words was full of sarcasm, poisonous and sharp, making the man tremble all over with anger. His mind went blank and he only thought about fighting her to the death.
What does it mean to have eyes on the plaque of the Yikun Palace? What does it mean to be the clock of the Forbidden City? !
Concubine Xi was so angry that her eyes turned red and she almost fainted.
Anpin's expression changed, and she sighed in her heart; Jingpin's expression was very strange, she wanted to laugh but couldn't, and finally turned into a deep regret. She shouldn't have listened to Anpin and Pingpin's instigation and got involved.
After being stunned, Pingpin's heart sank to the bottom.
Concubine Yi's eloquence improved day by day. Not only did she imply that Concubine Xi was nosy and liked to watch other people's lives all day, she also forcefully refuted her words, which made people suddenly realize that -
Yes, Concubine Xi was just making up stories or hearing them from others. Concubine Yi was right. Her eyes were not on the plaque, so how could she know the exact time when the emperor went to Yikun Palace, or how long he stayed there
Unless you send people to gather information every few days, or plant spies in the Yikun Palace.
Even if there is, you can't mention it!
The palace maids and eunuchs all lowered their heads, and after being shocked, their shoulders trembled slightly.
The Queen Mother coughed softly to suppress the laughter that was about to burst out; the Grand Empress Dowager smiled slightly, but then quickly disappeared, and said in a neither light nor heavy tone: "Okay. You are also a mother, so speak more calmly."
"Yes," Yun Xiu smiled softly and said in a gentle voice, "I will follow the teachings of our ancestors."
His expression and tone were controlled freely, and in an instant, it brought another wave of stimulation to Concubine Xi, and her nails dug deeply into the flesh.
Seeing that the statement about exclusive favor was about to fall apart, Pingpin lowered her eyes, secretly scolded Xipin as a brainless fool, forced a gentle smile, and was about to say something.
"I know there have been a lot of rumors lately," Yun Xiu interrupted her and said lightly, "It's said that not only am I favored by the Emperor, but I've also become spoiled by his favor and left scratches on his cheeks. This is really disrespectful."
As she spoke, Yun Xiu smiled slightly and looked at the Grand Empress Dowager: "God knows, I heard the rumors and felt very wronged. It was Xiao Jiu who did it, what has it got to do with me? Little did I know that Manager Liang also had red marks on his face, are you going to put the blame on me?"
When these words were spoken, even the Empress Dowager's expression became strange.
Who dares to say that Liang Jiugong's face was scratched by Concubine Yi
Yunxiu glanced at the forcedly smiling Pingpin and said apologetically, "I have already taught Yinzhen a lesson, and it is not unreasonable for my sister to worry about the emperor. It's just that the rumor is distorted. If it spreads badly, it will bring shame to the royal family..."
The unfinished words made the Queen Mother feel a little disappointed. "You are right. Rumors are more ferocious than tigers."
Pingpin could no longer maintain her indifferent expression and her smile faded.
Concubine Yi's words were almost accusing her of ignoring the overall situation and having no compassion, implying that she was the culprit who spread the rumors!
"Grandfather, Queen Mother, I dare not make random guesses!" Pingpin stood up and knelt on the ground, prostrating herself deeply. "It is completely false to make up such rumors..."
"That's enough, that's enough." The Empress Dowager waved her hand, her old face showing a little fatigue.
The Emperor liked Concubine Yi, and the Empress Dowager knew it very well, but she was not sure how much he liked her.
He is a wise ruler, he has a good sense of judgment and is not yet confused!
After listening for a long time, it turned out that she could not be called the only favorite, but they were just plotting against Concubine Yi out of jealousy.
The old lady felt a little uncomfortable.
Without any evidence, he keeps talking about this and that and hesitating. It seems like he wants to take advantage of my disgust for the emperor's exclusive favor and order punishment for the Yikun Palace
Look at Concubine Xi and Concubine Ping. They are totally different from Concubine Yi in terms of straightforwardness and efficiency. They can’t even speak clearly. They are speechless. It makes people feel annoyed when watching them.
"You all," she looked at the four concubines calmly, her tone filled with sternness, "you must be careful with your words and actions in the future, and you must not listen to rumors or make groundless accusations. Rumors of being the only favorite are simply absurd! My Cining Palace is not a place for you to fight over jealousy!"
Concubine An and the others quickly stood up and apologized, their faces pale, "Grandfather..."
The Empress Dowager closed her eyes and said, "Alright, I am tired. Please leave."
No matter how unwilling or angry Pingpin was, she could do nothing about it. She nodded in a low voice, rubbed her handkerchief tightly, and slowly walked out.
At this point, the controversy over the exclusive favor came to an end.
After leaving the Cining Palace, the four concubines kept walking, especially Concubine Xi, who lowered her head with cold sweat on her forehead, as if there was a ghost chasing her.
They finally remembered Concubine Yi's reputation for arrogance and domineering, their raging anger faded, and their faces became even more stiff.
After Jingpin's impulsiveness, she regretted it even more. She had done nothing but offended Yifei for no reason. What should she do in the future
If Guo Luoluo whispered to the emperor...
The more she thought about it, the more she regretted it. Suddenly, she stopped.
Yun Xiu followed behind with a smile on her face, and said loudly, "Wait."
Seeing the few people standing there stiffly, Yun Xiu smiled even more gently, walked around behind them, and stopped directly in front of Concubine Xi.
Feeling Xipin's trembling, Pingpin lowered her eyes and asked in a low voice: "What do you mean, Madam?"
"What do you mean?" Yun Xiu glanced at her and said calmly, "I have something to say."
She passed by Concubine An and Concubine Jing, looked Concubine Ping up and down, and then said with a smile: "A noble lady of the Hesheli clan is jumping up and down like a shrew in the market. She can never be at peace."
She lowered her voice, "Are you tired? You're not tired, but I'm tired of watching the monkey show."
Pingpin suddenly looked up, her eyes were gloomy, and she almost bit her lower lip.
Yun Xiu didn't care at all and her eyes fell on Concubine Xi.
"Ruizhu, according to the rules of the harem, what about committing an offense against a superior?" She casually fiddled with her armor.
Ruizhu hid her smile and said in a serious tone, "Your Highness is the consort who assists in managing the harem, and Xipin is only a concubine. You are disrespectful and should be slapped several times! Your Highness has a high position, so naturally you have the power to discipline Xipin."
…
Concubine Xi's eyes suddenly widened, and she was shaking with anger, "Concubine Yi, don't go too far!"
Yun Xiu smiled, leaned close to her ear, and whispered, "I am bullying you, what can you do?"