In the harem, the empress dowager is the most reclusive. According to regulations, the concubines should pay their respects to the empress dowager after paying their respects to the queen every day. However, since Fu Yuheng ascended the throne, the empress dowager has stayed in the palace and refused visitors. She seldom sees people, so this rule is meaningless.
But today the Queen Mother wanted to see Shen Qingwan, which made her feel a little unsure. What on earth did the Queen Mother want to see her about
After arranging for the palace maid who came to summon her to have tea and wait, Shen Qingwan entered the inner hall and prepared to change her clothes before leaving.
"Give me something plain." Shen Qingwan asked Lianyun to find some clothes, while she replaced all her gold and silver jewelry with jade ones.
Lianyun quickly picked out a skirt for her to change into. After dressing up, Shen Qingwan's beauty was suppressed a lot, and she looked more graceful. After dressing up properly, Shen Qingwan took Lianyun to the Queen Mother's Palace.
Nanny Kang was waiting at the palace gate. When she saw the palace maid bringing Shen Qingwan in, she stepped forward and said with a smile, "Mrs. Xianfei."
"Mammy." Shen Qingwan bowed and felt a little more relaxed. Looking at her appearance, it seemed that at least what the Queen Mother had said about her was not a bad thing.
"Your Majesty, please follow me," Nanny Kang smiled as she led the way for Shen Qingwan. When they arrived at the side hall, she ordered the palace maid to serve tea, and then said, "Your Majesty, please wait here for a moment. I will go and invite the Queen Mother." After saying that, she turned and left.
Shen Qingwan and Lianyun sat and stood, waiting for about half an incense stick of time, and then the empress dowager was supported by Nanny Kang into the hall.
The empress dowager was wearing a dark purple double-breasted dress, her hair mixed with white was tied into a mountain-like bun with jade pearls hanging on it, she looked graceful and calm.
Shen Qingwan kowtowed and said, "I pay my respects to the Queen Mother. May the Queen Mother be well and safe."
The Queen Mother did not embarrass her. She sat behind the main seat and said, "Stand up."
"Thank you, Queen Mother." Shen Qingwan stood up slowly but did not sit down until the Queen Mother waved her hand and offered her a seat, then she slowly sat down.
Seeing Shen Qingwan's polite manners, the Queen Mother's eyes flashed with satisfaction. She asked, "Xianfei has been in the palace for a short time. Are you used to everything?"
"The sisters in the harem are happy and have a stable life. I like it very much," Shen Qingwan smiled faintly. "The Queen Mother summoned me today, but what have I done wrong?"
The Queen Mother did not beat around the bush and said bluntly, "You were appointed as a concubine when you first entered the palace, and you were greatly favored. This made me pay attention to you. The Emperor has always been very generous to everyone, so why is he so partial to you?"
His expression was kind, albeit a little cold, but Shen Qingwan could tell that there was something else behind his words.
"Your Majesty doesn't know that there are only three glass mirrors in your palace, one for the Empress Dowager and one for the Emperor." Nanny Kang added at the right time.
Having said that, Shen Qingwan finally understood why the Queen Mother wanted to find her. It turned out that the mirror was the cause of the trouble.
Shen Qingwan knelt down hurriedly and said sincerely: "Queen Dowager, please forgive me. Since entering the palace, I have been serving the emperor wholeheartedly. Maybe the emperor sympathizes with me and takes care of me more. I have no intention of monopolizing the emperor's favor!"
"I know that," the Queen Mother said calmly, "The Emperor's grace is unpredictable. Even if the Emperor is willing to pamper you, as one of the four concubines, you must set a good example and remind the Emperor to treat everyone equally and maintain peace in the harem. Do you understand?"
"Yes, I will follow the Queen Mother's instructions." Shen Qingwan lowered her eyes, extremely respectful.
"Think about it carefully by yourself," the Queen Mother rubbed her forehead, "I am tired, please leave."
Shen Qingwan left as she was told.
The news that Concubine Xian was summoned by the Empress Dowager soon reached Liu Churong's ears. Although she didn't know what the Empress Dowager and Shen Qingwan said, the fact that the Emperor had just awarded her the glass mirror and the Empress Dowager summoned her again made Liu Churong furious.
She threw the teacup in her hand to the ground. The sound of the porcelain cup breaking could not make Liu Churong feel relieved. "I have only met the Queen Mother a few times. She had to be summoned as soon as she entered the palace. What a foxy woman!"
"Your Majesty, calm down," La Mei stroked Concubine Liu's back to calm her down, "The Queen Mother usually doesn't see people, so maybe summoning Concubine Xian is not a good thing?"
"I'm afraid it's a good thing." Concubine Liu took a deep breath. She thought for a while, but still couldn't calm down. "Take the bodhi beads and go with me to see the Queen Mother."
La Mei responded and came back with a box soon. Concubine Liu then rode on a sedan chair to Shoukang Palace.
When they arrived at the palace gate, Concubine Liu sent someone to pass on a message, but only Nanny Kang arrived.
"This old servant greets the Imperial Concubine." Nanny Kang said with a smile, a gleam of unknown charm in her eyes.
Although Liu Churong was arrogant and domineering in the palace, she was still a little afraid of the people around the Queen Mother. She said affectionately, "Madam, please don't be polite. I brought a string of Bodhi beads. I hope the Queen Mother likes it."
She had just obtained something good, and she immediately came over to present it to the Queen Mother, hoping that the Queen Mother would praise her.
Aunt Kang looked embarrassed: "The Queen Mother is resting, it is not convenient for her to see the Imperial Concubine."
Once she said this, everyone would feel that she was trying to please others but getting rejected.
Liu Churong's face froze, and he snorted in his heart, clutching the handkerchief in his hand and gritting his teeth: "Really?"
"Otherwise, please come another day. You know, the Queen Mother is weak and doesn't see people on weekdays." Seeing that she refused to leave, Nanny Kang could only persuade her, "It's getting late, please return to the palace early."
Having said this, Liu Churong couldn't force his way into the palace. After hesitating for a moment, he had to leave in disappointment.
On the way back to the palace, she became angrier and angrier. Why could Shen Qingwan see the empress dowager, while she, a noble concubine, was turned away? And why should she take away the emperor's favor
Liu Churong looked fierce, his long, pointed nails scratched the armrests of the sedan chair, and he snorted coldly: "Go to the Xianfei Palace!"
La Mei glanced at Liu Churong's expression and knew that today's matter would not end well. She couldn't help but feel a little worried. After all, the incident with Concubine Qi had just happened. If her own queen rashly caused trouble for Concubine Xian, she might get into trouble.
But Lamei was just a servant, and was caught off guard by Liu Churong's decision. After turning a few corners, the group arrived at Shen Qingwan's palace.
Shen Qingwan had just returned to the palace, and before she could even sit down, a little palace maid hurried into the hall to report.
"Your Majesty, the Imperial Concubine is coming this way." The little palace maid knew Imperial Concubine Liu's domineering personality. She came here in a hurry, and she must be looking for trouble with her own majesty.
Shen Qingwan's expression froze, and Lianyun said worriedly: "My lady, I'm afraid the person who came here has bad intentions."
Liu Churong and Shen Qingwan are sworn enemies. They want to push her to death when they meet. Lingyun is very worried.
"Don't panic," Shen Qingwan said to the little palace maid, "You go down first, do what you need to do, don't make a fuss."
If the enemy comes, we will fight him; if the water comes, we will block it with earth. She wants to see how Liu Churong can accuse her since she didn't provoke her!
The little palace maid left in response. Seeing that someone was about to reach the door, Lianyun asked again: "The imperial concubine must be here to cause trouble. How are you going to deal with it, Your Majesty?"
"Every failure is a learning experience," Shen Qingwan said calmly, "Don't worry, I won't let her bully me so easily anymore."