She had been very well behaved recently, copying scriptures in her own palace. But she had offended the Concubine Chen on the first day, and she was worried that the Queen Mother would take her into custody this time.
The maid quickly said, "No! Don't worry, my lady."
The others who were notified were upset. After everyone discussed and figured it out, they realized that only those who had eaten the hot pot were notified. Some concubines were instantly upset: "If we had known, we wouldn't have eaten that hot pot. It's all the fault of Concubine Yan."
Others dared not say anything, and it was obvious that the Queen Mother knew everything these people did. The Queen Mother listened to all the information with a smile: "These people are interesting, they have formed a small group like this, are they trying to stir up trouble in the palace? It seems that Concubine Yan is really underestimated!"
The maid naturally did not dare to respond to the Queen Mother's words, and stood aside obediently. Seeing that it was getting late, the Queen Mother went to rest: "Tomorrow morning, pay close attention to see which concubines are absent and which concubines are late."
As expected, the Queen Mother's words were too scary. In the blink of an eye, it was the next day. At the beginning of the morning hour, before dawn, there were already figures moving around in the palace. They were the concubines who went to the Queen Mother's palace to pay their respects.
The concubines shivered in the cold winter wind, but they dared not not go. Not only did they go, but they also had to smile, wrapped up tightly, and stood in a row at the gate of the Cining Palace, shivering from the cold.
It looked quite spectacular, but the palace maids watching these people were somewhat dissatisfied. Because of these people, they were forced to get up so early just to record whether anyone came and who came.
The concubines looked at each other, staring blankly: "Has Imperial Concubine Yan arrived? It's so cold. Sister, are you cold?"
"I'm cold too. Concubine Yan didn't seem to see it. Is she here?"
Everyone was a little surprised. They looked around. It was almost the beginning of the Yin hour. Why had Concubine Yan not come yet? Could it be that Concubine Yan had not received the message? Or did she dare not come today
The concubines looked at each other, but they could only wait here. Fortunately, with someone to accompany them, time was not too slow. Everyone was looking at the gate of the Cining Palace, not knowing when this door would open.
At the beginning of the Mao hour, the concubine Chen and her maids arrived late. Seeing the concubines with blue faces and red noses from the cold, they couldn't help laughing: "Oh, you guys are playing with ice sculptures so early? Do you want to freeze yourselves into ice sculptures?"
It's really hard to express the pain, this was clearly the Queen Mother's intention. Looking at these people coming and the people who couldn't stand the cold, Concubine Chen nodded with satisfaction, her eyes full of mockery.
At this time, Imperial Concubine Yan also came, looking annoyed, and said to everyone: "I got up too late tonight, so I'm late."
The gate of the Cining Palace slowly opened, and Nanny Zhang looked at the concubines and said, "Greetings to all the ladies. The Empress Dowager invites you in."
Everyone entered one by one. Today, Concubine Han and Concubine Liu deliberately fell behind Concubine Yan, so that now Concubine Yan was the first to enter the hall.
The Queen Mother looked at Imperial Concubine Yan and said, "Oh, so the first person to come today is Imperial Concubine Yan. Not bad, not bad. I'll give my gift to you."
A palace maid held a box, inside the box was a small fish tank, inside the fish tank was a turtle. So the Queen Mother's gift was actually a turtle.
Imperial Concubine Yan opened her mouth to say something, but the Queen Mother spoke first: "Why? Imperial Concubine Yan doesn't like my gift? So you don't plan to accept it?"
Imperial Concubine Yan quickly shook her head: "I dare not. Thank you, Her Majesty the Queen Mother, for your reward."
Ning'er beside him quickly stepped forward to take the turtle. This thing is not so easy to raise. Besides, how can you give someone a gift, a turtle
The concubines were relieved at this time, as they were glad that the turtle was not given to them. They were originally a little dissatisfied with the Queen Mother for thinking that Concubine Yan was the first to arrive, but now they were no longer dissatisfied.
The Queen Mother saw everyone's expressions and smiled: "In the future, if you have this turtle, remember to bring it here every day. I like it very much. I want to see it every day, but it is not suitable to be kept in my Cining Palace, so I'm sorry to trouble you."
The concubines began to feel jealous again. Wouldn't this give Concubine Yan more opportunities to spend time with the Queen Mother every day? They all began to feel annoyed, but Concubine Yan nodded: "Okay, Queen Mother, don't worry, I will take good care of the little turtle."
The Queen Mother nodded and looked at everyone: "It's almost time for today, let's all go back. You all are so cold, who are you trying to fumigate? Imperial Concubine Yan is the best, she looks dry and cool. Everyone go back."
This time the Queen Mother did not keep anyone, and for several days in a row, Concubine Yan brought the little turtle to see the Queen Mother. It seemed that the Queen Mother liked Concubine Yan more and more.
However, several other weak concubines fell ill due to the cold. Concubine Wen was also one of the people who fell ill. Concubine Wen was originally weak, and she almost died after the illness.
Concubine Yuan was so frightened that she brought the imperial physician over in the middle of the night. Concubine Yuan was one of the few people who did not join Concubine Yan for hotpot this time, and Concubine Wen was the one who lived with her in Xinghua Palace.
Wen Guiren was really amazing. She managed to save half her life. Princess Yuan felt sorry for Wen Guiren. "Look at you. You didn't listen to the old man and you are suffering now. The Queen Mother gave you a small punishment, but you are still making trouble."
"What happened? You guys were freezing to death, but they still came close to you. Now your relationship is so good! I don't know what to say."
When Lady Wen heard these words, she felt upset: "Thank you for saving my life, sister. If it weren't for you, I'm afraid I wouldn't have survived this time. I will listen to you next time. It's all because of Concubine Yan who tempted us with delicious food."
Of course, it was because they could not resist the temptation. Unfortunately, they would never think that they were wrong, but always blamed others. The sick concubines all had people from the same palace ask for leave from the Queen Mother, and the Queen Mother's place became much quieter.
Looking at Concubine Yan, she said, "Concubine Yan, why don't you stay and play mahjong with me today? It's just right for you, Concubine Ming and Concubine Chen."
Imperial Concubine Yan didn't like mahjong, but she didn't refuse at this time. Imperial Concubine Ming, who had finally finished copying the Buddhist scriptures, was naturally happy to receive the invitation from the empress dowager on the first day of her visit.
"Thank you, Queen Mother."
Just like that, the others dispersed, and these three stayed to play mahjong with the empress dowager. Concubine Chen suddenly looked at Concubine Ming and asked: "Concubine Ming, have you been cultivating yourself these days? Have you recovered?"
The corner of Ming Guifei's mouth twitched. Wasn't this a slap in her face? If it weren't for this Concubine Chen, she wouldn't have fallen to this point. She actually had the nerve to ask this question, but in front of the Queen Mother, she couldn't say anything and could only speak.
"I have copied Buddhist scriptures and have learned a little about them."
Knowing that the Queen Mother likes Buddhist scriptures, she must have put a lot of effort into studying Buddhist scriptures. The three women present, one is the Queen Mother's niece, one keeps the Queen Mother's pet, and one knows the Queen Mother's hobbies, all came prepared.
"Oh, you have learned something about the Buddhist scriptures? Then have you heard about what's happening outside? The palace has been quite lively recently. It was only after Imperial Concubine Yan entered the palace that the palace became lively."
Imperial Concubine Yan blinked her eyes. "Really? I don't know. I think it's pretty good. I eat and drink every day, and there are people to play mahjong with. Life is much better than at home."
With an innocent smile, Concubine Yan played another two-tube: "Two-tube."
"bump!"
"Hu!"
"Hu!"
Imperial Concubine Ming was a little embarrassed: "Those who have Hu should take the Hu first, right? I won't touch it. But Imperial Concubine Yan is really unlucky, she ordered two at once."
Imperial Concubine Yan pouted and said, "I'm not very good at playing mahjong, so it's normal for me to lose."
Chen Fei raised her eyebrows: "So what you mean is that we are not very good at bullying you, right? Forget it, why are you playing mahjong? Go back and take care of your turtle."
Imperial Concubine Yan looked innocent: "No, I didn't, that's not what I meant."
The Queen Mother rubbed her temples and said, "Okay, let's play Mahjong. There aren't many Mahjong tiles, but I've been listening to you guys win. Okay, okay, you can go now."
Concubine Chen stood up and said, "Then I'll come to accompany you tomorrow, aunt. I'll go back first."
The Queen Mother said, "Remember, Jiu'er and the others are coming back, so you have to prepare the gifts in advance."
Chen Fei thought the same thing and said, "I know. I will be ready."
Imperial Concubine Yan and Imperial Concubine Ming looked at each other, and Imperial Concubine Yan was delighted: "Really? Queen Mother, Sister Jiuer and her husband are coming back?"
Concubine Ming had a question mark on her face. What was wrong with Concubine Yan? Shouldn't she call her sister-in-law and sixth brother? Why this title? The Queen Mother also looked displeased: "How dare you! Do you have any manners?"
Imperial Concubine Yan cried out, "I'm sorry, I forgot, that's what I called them before. After all, they are my saviors! If it weren't for them, I wouldn't have been able to make it to Kyoto!"
Concubine Ming was somewhat impressed by this woman. Today, she just mentioned the King and the Princess, and this woman took advantage of them. Wasn't this telling everyone that she had a relationship with them
The Queen Mother didn't know before that Concubine Yan knew Qian Jiujiu and his wife. She was a little curious: "Then tell me, how did you know each other?"
Concubine Yan told the whole story, but of course she didn't mention the part where she went to the brothel. After all, one shouldn't say anything.