In Yiran Palace, Concubine Xiao and Princess Chaoyi stayed with Concubine Zhao all the time, and Concubine Zhao fell into a coma for three days.
For the past three days, Emperor Xiyue went to Concubine Xu Shu's place, and decreed that Concubine Xu Shu could be conferred the title of imperial concubine, and given the right to assist in managing the six palaces.
"Father doesn't know what's wrong, that woman Xu Guifei can't compare to the relationship with mother and concubine for decades, does father really not care about mother and concubine?"
Princess Chaoyi couldn't help but fight for Concubine Zhao. Princess Chaoyi was raised by Concubine Zhao, so she naturally knew that the relationship between Concubine Zhao and Emperor Xiyue was extraordinary, but it was a pity that the two drifted apart due to some misunderstandings. .
Princess Chaoyi could also see that although Concubine Zhao didn't mention it, she still cared about Emperor Xiyue in her heart.
Concubine Xiao frowned and sighed, "It's not because of Concubine Xu this time, I just hope that Concubine Mother can let go of her heart knot earlier, otherwise she will not be happy in this life."
Princess Chaoyi looked at Xiao Concubine suspiciously, Xiao Concubine smiled lightly, "In two days, I'm afraid someone more favored than Concubine Xu will appear."
Princess Chaoji was still confused, but she heard Madam Yu say, "Crown Princess, Princess, Your Excellency Qing is here."
"Your Honorable Qing?" Princess Chaoxi thought for a long time, "When will there be another nobleman Qing in the palace?"
"It was conferred by the emperor this morning. Mrs. Qing used to be a court lady who served beside Concubine Xu. Because Concubine Xu was pregnant and it was inconvenient for her to go to bed, she recommended Mrs. Qing."
Nanny Yu boldly guessed, but this nobleman Qing looked familiar, but Nanny Yu still couldn't remember it.
Concubine Xiao raised her eyebrows, "Let her in."
"yes."
After a while, Zhao Qingxi came into view in a simple and elegant light blue palace attire, her hair was not up her temples, and she was still wearing her pre-married makeup. She only wore two simple hairpins, but she was chic and gentle just right.
Princess Chaoxi almost spit out a mouthful of tea, but she really didn't expect that this noble lady Qing turned out to be a woman in her thirties. Although she looked gentle, she was a bit older after all, and it was too flattering to confer the status of a nobleman again.
Concubine Xiao didn't dare to underestimate the woman in front of her. When she looked carefully, her appearance was somewhat similar to that of Concubine Zhao. There was indifference engraved between her brows, her whole body was quiet and elegant, and her face was well maintained. The real age, but the hands are a little rough.
"The concubine pays respects to the concubine, the princess, and the princess." Zhao Qingxi knelt on the ground and saluted.
"What are you doing in Yiran Palace?" Princess Chaoyi asked, "Did Concubine Xu Gui send you here to announce the good news?"
Princess Chaoxi didn't like this woman at first glance, and she always felt that she was in a panic.
Zhao Qingxi shook her head, "No, this concubine is here to visit my cousin. I heard that my cousin is ill, so this concubine can't help but come to visit."
"Cousin?" Princess Chaoyi frowned, "Which one is your cousin, don't mistake her."
"If I remember correctly, Mrs. Qing seems to be named Zhao. Judging by her age, she should be the distant cousin of my concubine."
Xiao Yu suddenly spoke lightly, and Princess Chaoyi looked at Zhao Qingxi in surprise, "Is it true?"
Zhao Qingxi raised her eyes and glanced at Concubine Xiao, her eyes showed approval, "Princess Concubine is really smart, and this concubine is the cousin of Concubine Zhao."
Princess Chaoyi snorted, "Don't worry about being kind, you have entered the palace to be a concubine at a very old age, and you are infatuated with Concubine Xu, so why bother to get angry at my concubine mother."
Princess Chaoyi paused suddenly, her eyes flickered slightly, and Xiao Yu held back what she was about to say with a look.
At this moment Yu Nanny stepped forward, "Princess Concubine, Your Majesty is already awake, let Mrs. Qing go in."
Concubine Xiao nodded, "Ben Gong and the princess are going to the garden for a walk, and if there is anything to do, send the maid to notify."
Nanny Yu nodded immediately.
Before leaving, Concubine Xiao stopped and glanced at Zhao Qingxi, "The old things in the past have passed. In this harem, no family background can support just a little old love. Although the father feels guilty now, the nobleman should understand that these things are not enough. It can't be enough for the nobles to compete with it."
Zhao Qingxi was stunned for a moment, and then smiled calmly, "I will always remember what the Crown Princess said, and I never complained about my cousin. I only blame fate for teasing people. I have no intention of hurting my cousin. Please rest assured, the Crown Princess."
Xiao Yu chuckled, and then left the room. Princess Chaoyi couldn't help being curious and asked.
"What's going on here? How could Haoduanduan say such a thing?"
Xiao Yu let out a long sigh and spoke slowly.
Zhao Qingxi was led into the inner hall, Concubine Zhao was already sitting on the couch, her expression was weak, she waved her hand to let Nanny Yu lead the maid to retreat.
"sit down."
Concubine Zhao pointed to the small stool behind her, Zhao Qingxi was not polite, she bent down and sat on the stool, and looked at Concubine Zhao at the same level.
"I haven't seen you for a few years, but my cousin hasn't changed much." Concubine Zhao was not angry, but reunited with Zhao Qingxi like a pair of sisters who hadn't seen each other for many years, without any anger mixed in.
Zhao Qingxi smiled, her eyes were bent into a slit, her bright eyes were like stars in the sky, "My cousin is still dignified and generous, very human, and she hasn't left any trace on her body at all."
Concubine Zhao couldn't help laughing when she heard the words, and then sighed again, "It's been twenty years since we saw each other, how have you been all these years?"
When Zhao Qingxi came to Shengjing with her family to celebrate the birthday of old man Zhao, Zhao Qingxi was arranged next door to Concubine Zhao. Zhao Qingxi was also a restless person, so she became acquainted with Concubine Zhao every time she came and went. The relationship between the two was very close, almost Talk about anything.
Later, after Zhao Qingxi left Beijing, Concubine Zhao sent someone to deliver several letters, but there was no news from then on. Occasionally, Concubine Zhao would remember that the two of them met now as if they had returned to the past.
Zhao Qingxi lowered her head, stirred the handkerchief in her hand, and said in a muffled voice, "Father and mother went out a few months ago, and unfortunately were hit by a mudslide. It took more than half a month to find their body."
Concubine Zhao covered her mouth in surprise. She remembered that the Zhao family couple had a good relationship and were very reasonable. Even though Zhao Qingxi hadn't married for many years, she didn't blame her too much.
"The world is impermanent, my cousin is mourning and changing." Concubine Zhao didn't know how to persuade her.
Zhao Qingxi nodded, trying to raise a smile, "Thanks to Concubine Xu Guifei saving me that day, otherwise I would not know where to go. Originally, I planned to go to the Zhao family, but unfortunately, something happened to the Zhao family, and I am not good. Go and disturb again."
Concubine Zhao nodded, and Zhao Qingxi said again, "Look, cousin, I carry this jade pendant with me all the time, I didn't expect to meet my cousin in the palace, it's really great."
Zhao Qingxi untied a jade pendant from her waist, which was only half crescent-shaped, and was tied into a knot with a light purple string.
Concubine Zhao gave this jade pendant to Zhao Qingxi, and Zhao Qingxi gave Concubine Zhao a bracelet as a souvenir. It's a pity that Concubine Zhao's jade bracelet was broken a long time ago. Looking at the jade pendant now, Concubine Zhao was in a daze, unconsciously remembering the past.
"What happened back then was because my cousin was sorry for you."
Concubine Zhao's whole body seemed to be taken away by someone after saying this sentence, and she even felt a little dumbfounded. She thought she and Emperor Xiyue were in love with each other, but she didn't expect that she occupied other people's position from the beginning to the end.
Zhao Qingxi shook her head, "Cousin, please don't say that. The Emperor and Cousin are a natural couple, but there is some misunderstanding between you two. When the misunderstanding is resolved, you will be able to get back together."
Zhao Qingxi is a smart person, she didn't show off anything, and she had no intention of hitting Concubine Zhao.
Concubine Zhao smiled wryly, "But the person the emperor wanted to marry at first was not me at all."
"Cousin." Zhao Qingxi stepped forward and held Concubine Zhao's arm, "Cousin, I can see that the emperor has feelings for cousin, otherwise he wouldn't have helped the Zhao family after doing so many wrong things. , After so many years of emotional contact, even the stone should be warmed up."
Concubine Zhao looked at Zhao Qingxi in confusion, and Zhao Qingxi suddenly said, "Cousin, I'm already quite old, and I just want to spend the rest of my life in peace and stability, and I don't want to fight for anything. The relationship between me and the emperor is pure..."
Zhao Qingxi choked up, "Cousin, don't worry, I've forgotten the past, and I won't interfere with my cousin and the emperor. As long as my cousin doesn't nod, I don't have to see the emperor. Cousin, pay more attention to Princess Chonghua in the future."
Concubine Zhao was startled, and she was about to say something, but she saw that Zhao Qingxi had already got up and left, her back turned decisively.
That night, when Emperor Xiyue went to visit Concubine Xu Gui again, he actually went to visit Zhao Qingxi.
Under the moonlit night, Zhao Qingxi's back was hazy, and the two were only separated by a small bridge.
"Qingxi..."
Zhao Qingxi smiled, "Your Majesty, Qingxi has no intention of being a concubine. Let the old things go with the wind. Qingxi is just an ordinary woman. She doesn't want to live the kind of life that everyone envies at the top. What Qingxi wants Not much, just be quiet."
Emperor Xiyue took a step forward, and Zhao Qingxi took a step back, "Don't come back, Your Majesty, Qingxi doesn't want to meet with the Emperor, so why should the Emperor make things difficult for him?"
Emperor Xiyue stopped in his tracks, and looked at the other side in confusion, "Why is this? I'm sorry for delaying you for so many years..."
"The emperor is only guilty of Qingxi, and has no original feelings. The emperor's feelings are all given to his cousin. Qingxi only wants to keep that simple memory. Qingxi never thought that she would meet the emperor in this way. , let alone think that the unfavorable person is actually the crown prince."
Zhao Qingxi took a deep breath, tears were blurred, "If I had known... If I had known earlier, Qingxi would never have met you, let alone enter the palace. Although Qingxi was born into a poor family, she would never embarrass her parents. "
What Zhao Qingxi didn't want to do was to be a concubine. When she was young, Zhao Qingxi was beautiful. Many dignitaries rushed to accept Zhao Qingxi, but Zhao Qingxi refused them all.
Emperor Xiyue understood Zhao Qingxi, and would rather be a poor family woman than a concubine of a noble family. When he saw Zhao Qingxi again, Emperor Xiyue was shocked. Zhao Qingxi has always kept the promise of the year, but he himself did not insist. This incident made Xiyue God is very upset.
"Your Majesty, please let Qingxi go. My cousin is so kind, and there are still many misunderstandings between you that cannot be solved. Talk to each other calmly, and you will definitely be able to get back together."
Zhao Qingxi's voice was empty, her tone was a little lonely but firm, and she really didn't want to hurt anyone.
Emperor Xiyue watched helplessly as the woman left and disappeared little by little in the night, and Emperor Xiyue fell into conflict and struggle.
next day
Emperor Xiyue chased after the two deceased couples of the Zhao family in public, raised the status of concubine Zhao, and conferred the title of imperial concubine, while Zhao Qingxi conferred the title of concubine Qing, and bestowed it on Wenwen Palace.
The Empress Dowager Song was sitting on the couch, and Concubine Xu Gui looked a little ugly beside her. In a blink of an eye, Concubine Zhao became an imperial concubine again, and she was overwhelmed. I don't know what Emperor Xiyue thought.
"Empress Dowager, how could the emperor be a concubine when he is so good?" Concubine Xu couldn't bear it anymore. Emperor Xiyue really cared about Zhao Qingxi very much, and he became a concubine within two days. Not one will come out.
Empress Dowager Song narrowed her eyes at Princess Chonghua, "Chonghua, what do you think?"
Princess Chonghua recovered from her contemplation, "Concubine Qing has been waiting for the emperor for more than 20 years, and the two of them have feelings for each other. You can see how much the emperor cares about Concubine Qing by the attitude of the emperor. Concubine Qing yesterday I went to Yiran Palace, and I have been named a concubine this morning, but I can't figure out what Concubine Qing is thinking."
The Empress Dowager Song curled her lips, "I'm afraid Concubine Qing is still thinking about the sisterhood, or she doesn't care about the prosperity and wealth in front of her at all, and she has no desires or desires. Such a woman is really difficult to control."
Princess Chonghua didn't believe it, "How could it be? The harem is so prosperous and the emperor loves it so much. Which woman wouldn't want it. Concubine Qing has indeed been in the limelight recently. Does the empress remember Chang Guiren?"
Empress Dowager Song nodded, Chang Gui was a woman brought back from the people by Emperor Xiyue. She looked charming, but she was a bit cold-tempered. Emperor Xiyue took a lot of effort to not see her smile, and she was always cold.
At first, it was a bit fresh, but later, it was a little bit of a joke, and it was just the opposite. Emperor Xiyue directly put her in the cold palace, and on the first night, Chang Guiren knelt down and begged for mercy, shouting that she was wrong, but it is a pity that Emperor Xiyue had lost her love. Patience, if you don't care about Chang Guiren again, in just two months, Chang Guiren was tortured crazy.
"It's time to teach Concubine Qing some lessons so that she doesn't lose sight of her identity, so she should train her well."
Empress Dowager Song agrees with Princess Chonghua very much.
Opinion, if a chess piece can't be used by oneself, what is there to do with it
During the past few days, Emperor Xiyue was busy with official duties, and he did not enter the Wenwen Palace several times in a row. That night, Emperor Xiyue ordered someone to break down the palace gate, but Zhao Qingxi was determined and refused to meet Emperor Xiyue even to the death. Forced to die.
Soon, Emperor Xiyue left the Literature Palace in a rage.
The next day it began to circulate that this older concubine Qing had fallen out of favor, and even the maidservants around her didn't pay much attention to Zhao Qingxi.
"Concubine Qing is quite old, yet she still dares to seduce the emperor, she has no shame!"
"Look at her coquettish appearance, she may have used some means, I heard that Concubine Qing and
Imperial Concubine Zhao is cousin sister, how could there be such a big difference. "
"The imperial concubine Zhao was carefully cultivated by the Zhao family.
Everyone is a lady, how can a small family like Concubine Qing be able to compare, just a side branch of the Zhao family clan, at such an old age, it is impossible to say what she did before. "
Several court ladies secretly discussing in private,
Every sentence he said was worse than the other, and he was not afraid that Concubine Qing would hear it.
Concubine Qing stood in the corridor, her ears were full of abuse, and the passing maids looked at Concubine Qing with disdain and contempt.
Concubine Qing's small face was slightly pale, she raised her eyes to look at the blue sky, forced back the tears in her eyes, then let out a long sigh, and finally went back to the house, trimming flowers and plants all day long, regardless of the people outside How to bully her.
On this day, Zhao Qingxi heard from the palace lady that the Emperor Xiyue went to Yiran Palace last night, and reconciled with Imperial Concubine Zhao, and when he left, his face was full of smiles.
Zhao Qingxi smiled when she heard the words, lowered her head and continued to trim the flowers and plants, occasionally paying her respects to the Empress Dowager Song.
Zhao Qingxi's calmness made Nanny Yuan a little anxious, and she couldn't help persuading, "Miss Qingfei, are you really willing to stay in this deep-walled compound for a lifetime of mediocrity?"
Zhao Qingxi chuckled, "I'm mediocre, it's just that I'm not suitable for this deep palace compound."
Nanny Yuan couldn't say a word when Zhao Qingxi blocked her, her expression changed slightly, and she left the Literature Palace soon.
"Really?" Empress Dowager Song frowned.
Nanny Yuan nodded.
Empress Dowager Song clenched her fists tightly, "Go and tell Chonghua, Concubine Qing's younger brother is weak and may not be able to withstand it."
Nanny Yuan's eyelids twitched, she nodded immediately, and left quickly.
After several days of gossip attacks, Zhao Qingxi couldn't help shedding tears every night, tossing and turning, not letting anyone see her uneasiness clearly.
Yiran Palace
Concubine Zhao's body is getting stronger day by day, as if she has returned to her appearance as a queen.
The concubines of the six palaces will come to pay their respects. Seeing these familiar faces, Concubine Zhao was in a daze,
Looking at Zhao Qingxi, who was at the end of the line, in just a few days, her whole person changed, she became taciturn, and she no longer saw the unbridled and bright smile on her face.