The plague was over and the atmosphere in the palace finally became relaxed.
In order to get rid of the bad luck, the Queen specifically stated that this year's Mid-Autumn Festival should be celebrated in a grand manner.
I remember last year, I was at Lingxi Garden at this time, but I couldn’t go this year because of the plague.
Last year’s Mid-Autumn Festival was a royal family banquet, and this year it seems that ministers and ladies from outside the palace will also have to enter the palace.
This is a good thing. The concubines whose families are in Kyoto can finally meet them, such as Ye Jun.
Although we didn't have the chance to talk at the banquet, we could still see each other.
When the plague broke out, the first person to sleep with the emperor was the queen.
Ning Chen always gave her face.
The next one is Concubine Wende, who has always been presented to the outside world as a favored concubine, which is not surprising.
And the third one is Su Wanrong.
After nearly four months in the palace, this princess from the grassland finally had a clear path forward.
The next day, Ye Jun got up very early.
"Are you going to pay your respects today, Concubine?" Huiyue helped her wash up.
Using the excuse of being injured, his master has not come to greet him and has been staying indoors all the time.
Ye Jun smiled and said, "How can I be absent on such a good day of meeting new sisters? Let me wear that Begonia gold-woven skirt. The emperor has been doting on me recently, so I should show some dignity."
When Su Wanrong first entered the palace, she was the first one to come up to her and jump around. Ye Jun didn't like her in the first place, and after that incident, she disliked her even more.
Thinking that I haven't been domineering for a long time, I should move my bones today.
The emperor dotes on her, so she has the confidence. Besides, it would be nice for others to see her being spoiled by the emperor.
Fengqi Palace.
I don’t know if everyone has the same idea or if it’s because they’ve been feeling depressed for too long, but today all the concubines in this room are dressed very brightly.
Even Zhang Baolin, who was wearing a little white flower style, wore a bright dress.
"I haven't seen Ming Jieyu for a long time. Have you recovered from your injury?" Wang Xiuyuan was the first to speak to her. "I didn't dare to disturb your rest, so I didn't go to see you in person."
"Thank you, Empress Xiuyuan, for your concern. I'm almost well now." Ye Jun smiled.
Concubine Zhao couldn't hold it in any longer, and said with a smile, "I haven't seen Concubine Ming come to pay respects to the Queen a long time ago. Why is she here today when there's a new person? Aren't you worried?"
"My injury is almost healed, so naturally I should come to pay my respects to the Empress. But if it is to meet the newcomers, then that is not necessary. Su Wanrong and I have known each other for a long time. Oh, I forgot, Concubine Zhao was not able to accompany the Emperor to Zasak, so I am afraid she doesn't know."
Ye Jun picked up the cup and took a sip of tea indifferently, then lowered his eyes and smiled.
"I don't know what Concubine Zhao is worried about, but I'm afraid she doesn't even need to worry about it. This is something that has never happened before, so she doesn't even need to worry about it."
Zhao's face turned red when she heard this.
But things are different now. Ye Jun's position is half a level higher than hers, and he is also very favored. She has the courage to speak, but not the courage to respond.
"Sister Zhao, why are you so silent today? You didn't respond to my questions. You were not like this in the past."
Since you dare to provoke me, you must bear the consequences.
Ye Jun is not the kind of person who would pick things up high and then put them down easily. The words "Sister Zhao" almost stabbed Concubine Zhao to death.
I can't refute it though.
Because Ye Jun was a concubine with a title, she was more noble than Zhao, so even though she was much younger than Zhao, she could still call her sister.
Concubine Zhao pulled the handkerchief in her hand, looking at Ye Jun's smiling face, wishing she could tear it apart.
But in the end, she could only swallow her anger and say, "I'm sorry for what I said."
Seeing her lower her head, Ye Jun lowered his eyes and turned to talk to Wang Xiuyuan.
After two cups of tea, several high-ranking officials arrived one after another, but there was no sign of Su.
Only after the Queen came out from her inner chamber did Su rush over.
It looked like he was jogging all the way here, with a thin layer of sweat on his forehead.
"Your Majesty, I am late. Please forgive me!" As soon as Su entered the hall, she bowed and saluted.
Judging from her appearance, the Queen knew that she had indeed come in a hurry, but...even if it was true, so what
"The Emperor just issued an edict this morning to promote you to be a beauty. I think you have served him well. If you are tired, it is okay for you to come late."
"Your Majesty is too lenient. Concubine Su didn't take the greetings seriously when she first entered the palace. How could she still take your Majesty to heart in the future?" Concubine Wende said lightly.
Although she has always been favored, she has always been gentle to others. It is rare for her to make things difficult for others like she did today.
But that's normal.
A woman who was born into a princess family and was not bad looking, at a simple glance, she was a strong rival.
Even if the emperor showed that he didn't like her very much, her family background was there and no one would like her.
Moreover, Concubine Wende noticed that the emperor went to Chuxiu Palace less frequently recently, which had never happened before.
It just so happened that Sudiya was in the emperor's bedchamber again, so wasn't this irritable temper directed at her
"Your Highness, you have misunderstood. My residence is too far from the Jiuchen Palace, and my maid went back to get a change of clothes, so she was a little late. That is why I came late to pay my respects. I am not being disrespectful to the Queen!"
Sudiya explained hurriedly, looking a little flustered.
After all, she was still young and had been pampered by her family. Once she entered the palace, she was neglected and even bullied by the servants for several months. It was impossible for her not to be afraid.
She was now afraid of offending someone again and being punished. She had completely lost the arrogance she had when she first entered the palace.
"So Concubine Su means that Feihong Pavilion is too far away. Is she dissatisfied with the Queen's arrangement?" Ye Jun replied indifferently.
Concubine Jing smiled and joined in, "As long as your heart is sincere, there won't be any trouble about the distance."
Immediately, everyone in the room united as one to face the outside world.
This was the first time that the Su family was besieged like this. They felt humiliated and terrified, and were almost crying.
He glanced around the hall in panic and saw Yao Xiang, and immediately looked like he was asking for help.
Yao Xiang sneered in his heart, thinking that Su's brain was nothing special.
I think she was able to succeed at that time because of her mother Han's ruthlessness.
But now that people have become her disciples, she has to support them, otherwise wouldn’t it be disheartening
He took a sip of tea and calmly resolved the situation.
"Look at Concubine Su, she is sweating profusely. It is obvious that she came here in a hurry. If she has no intention to pay respects to the Empress, it would be better for her not to come. Why bother herself? Besides, the Emperor values the Jasak. Concubine Su came from the Jasak, so she must also value him. I guess she stayed a little longer in the morning and missed the time. The Empress has always been the most tolerant and generous. All sisters should follow her example. Why scare the newlyweds?"
Concubine Wende's eyes darkened and her voice turned cold, "Fang Xiuyi is talking too much now."
"Since the emperor has appointed me as a concubine, I naturally cannot remain silent. It would be bad if others mistakenly thought that we deliberately bullied the princess of Zasak, don't you think so, Your Majesty?" Yao Xiang smiled.