When Shen Qingwan woke up the next day, she was surprised to find herself lying on the bed. She jumped up suddenly and looked around for Fu Yuheng.
But he saw a maidservant kneeling beside him with a basin in her hand, waiting for him quietly.
She was clearly kneeling beside the bed yesterday, but... Did she accidentally fall asleep? But Fu Yuheng did not blame herself, this was impossible...
"Your Highness, the Emperor has ordered that you do not need to pay respects to the Empress today." Lianyun came over with a smile on her face, "I thought you must have been tired yesterday, so I did not wake you up."
"What time is it now?" Shen Qingwan had no place to express her grievances. She was tired, but she would rather not have this supreme honor in the eyes of others!
Lianyun replied: "It is the morning hour."
Shen Qingwan frowned, "Why don't you hurry over and help me dress up? The emperor said that I can not go to the queen, can I not go, silly girl, this palace is not like the Shen Mansion, we must be careful about everything. Rules are rules, and I can't break them as a little concubine, understand?"
Lianyun was a smart girl. After hearing what Shen Qingwan said, she naturally understood and called on the maid beside her to help her change clothes and dress up.
She put on a delicate yet exquisite makeup, with willow-leaf eyebrows drawn in front of a bronze mirror, a slightly complicated Lingyun bun, a Linglong Ruyi hairpin with long tassels hanging down, and a pair of jade earrings on her ears.
The whole makeup is simple and generous.
When they arrived at Fengqi Palace, they heard the sound of women talking and laughing inside. Shen Qingwan sighed, thinking that she was still late.
Taking a deep breath, she walked in lightly.
Sitting in the main seat was the Queen, who was dignified and looked graceful and elegant. Next to her was Concubine Liu, who was leisurely drinking tea with a look of disdain on her face.
"Greetings, Her Majesty. I am late. Please forgive me."
Shen Qingwan had heard before that the queen was very kind, and this was her first time meeting the queen, so she was a little at a loss.
She was about to kneel down, but the Queen waved her hand and said with a smile, "Sister Xianfei, you worked hard last night. It doesn't matter if you are late. Hurry up and take a seat."
Shen Qingwan was flattered and said respectfully, "Thank you, Your Majesty."
Liu Churong slammed the teacup hard on the table. The sound could be heard throughout the room, and suddenly it became silent.
"You speak as if you are the only one serving the emperor. All the sisters in this room serve the emperor. If everyone is as hypocritical as you, will there be any rules in the harem?"
Shen Qingwan had long heard that Concubine Liu was not someone to be trifled with, but she did not expect that she would make things difficult for her when she first met her today. She used to be the most powerful concubine in the harem, and even the queen had to give her some courtesy. Later, when Concubine Qi came, she was not so favored anymore, and her temper became more irritable.
"Please forgive me, Your Majesty. It is my fault." Shen Qingwan had to stand up and reply before her butt was warm. "I am used to being lazy at home. I am not used to it for a while, so I am late today. I know I dare not break the rules in the palace."
All the concubines in the room rolled their eyes at Shen Qingwan. No one spoke for her. They were all waiting to laugh at her.
They were all jealous. She was promoted to the first-rank virtuous concubine when she first entered the palace. This honor was unprecedented.
Concubine Qi on the side said calmly, "Sister, are you deaf? The Queen has just spoken and has forgiven Concubine Xian."
This was to remind Liu Churong that she was not yet the master of the harem. Although the emperor had given her the power to assist in handling harem affairs, the queen was the final decision maker.
Liu Churong said fiercely: "You!"
Concubine Qi smiled and stopped talking, but the queen above smiled slightly.
"Are you used to living in Changle Palace, Concubine Xian?" The Queen said slowly, "If there is anything you are not used to, or if there is anything missing in the palace, please feel free to come to me."
Shen Qingwan sat down and nodded timidly, "Yes, I understand. Thank you, Queen."
The queen waved her hand and said, "We are all sisters. Sister Xianfei, you don't have to be polite."
Concubine De raised her eyebrows and said, "Sister Xianfei is really as beautiful as a fairy. No wonder people in the capital say that the Shen family has produced a beautiful girl who outshines us old people."
Defei Zhao Yuanrong is one of the older concubines in the palace. She has been with the emperor for several years and has a princess. The emperor promoted her to one of the four concubines because she has been with him for many years.
Shen Qingwan nodded slightly, glanced at the concubines around her, and said, "Sister Defei, what are you talking about? The Queen is as beautiful as a country and the Imperial Concubine is as pretty as a fairy. Besides, how can I compare to the sisters present here? Sister Defei, thank you for your praise."
Haha, Shen Qingwan couldn't help but sneer in her heart. Everyone wanted to dig a hole for her to jump into. She respected the queen and the noble concubine, but who are you, the Defei? They are all from the first rank, why should I give in to you
"I have heard that when Sister Defei was young, she was so beautiful that she could make fishes sink to the bottom of the water and geese fall to the ground. After so many years, Sister has not changed at all."
When Concubine De heard this, her face changed completely. She was the oldest concubine here. Shen Qingwan's words "beauty that can make fish sink and geese fall" were nothing but a mockery of her. How could Concubine De now still have any of the beauty she had in the past
When everyone heard this, they burst out laughing.
De Fei was so embarrassed that she scolded, "Xian Fei, you are so insolent!"
Shen Qingwan stopped talking. The two of them had the same status, but she was really being presumptuous.
"Sister, what you said is not right. You and Concubine Xian are of the same status. How can you say 'impudent'?" Concubine Qi spoke again. She rolled her eyes at Concubine De, played with the armor on her hands, and asked softly.
Just as Defei was about to speak, the Queen slowly stood up, supported by the nanny beside her.
"I am tired, so I will go back to my room to rest. You sisters can chat here about family matters."
All the concubines stood up and respectfully saw the queen off.
At this time, who wanted to stay here? They all stood up, and naturally Liu Churong walked in front.
"Thank you for speaking for me just now." Shen Qingwan and Qipin walked to the end and said to her gratefully.
Concubine Qi snorted and laughed, "I'm not speaking for you, I just couldn't stand their condescending attitude from the beginning. You have to know that it was you who stole my position as the Concubine, how could I possibly speak up for you?"
Facing Qipin's sudden coldness, Shen Qingwan was suddenly at a loss. By the time she reacted, Qipin had already walked away.
Shen Qingwan was stunned for a moment, Lianyun was puzzled, "Madam, this..."
She shook her head and said calmly, "Let's go."