0p0 Chapter 214: The Praise and Killing Game
Chapter 214: The Praise and Killing Game
Zheng Fuxuan was deserted at this time. Although Hu Xiaoyi had suffered many setbacks when paying respects to Fengyi Palace, there were still many people willing to send gifts and build relationships.
Of course, many of them are just pretending. The concubines who can stay in the harem for a long time all have one characteristic: even if they are fighting with bayonets at the last moment, they can still offer "sincere" blessings with a smile at the next moment.
The women here have been tempered by the cruel harem and have two different faces. They always have to maintain proper etiquette to save face, as no one knows when a cloud will suddenly bring rain.
Shen Zhiyao and Concubine Zhuang arrived together, and they saw that all the servants of Zheng Fuxuan were dressed in spirit, with happy expressions on their faces.
All servants depend on their masters to survive. The young lady of Zheng Fuxuan has a distinguished family background, is favored, and is young, so her future is bright.
When I entered the hall, I saw Concubine Lü Shufei, Concubine Zhang, Noble Lady Zheng, Concubine Wei, and Zhu Baolin all sitting in the hall eating melon seeds and chatting.
"Look, I didn't expect Jin Shuyi could come. When Hu Xiaoyi sees you later, I don't know whether she should be happy or angry!" Zhang Pin joked while enjoying the fun.
"Sister Zhang, what you said is true. I sent a gift specially for you. Hu Xiaoyi is such a noble person, how could she be angry?" Shen Zhiyao said with a smile.
As they were talking, Hu Xiaoyi came hurriedly to greet them. She was dressed very elegantly, and when she saw Shen Zhiyao she smiled very happily, completely devoid of the hostility she had in the morning.
Everyone sat together and chatted happily, just like good sisters.
"Hu Xiaoyi's outfit today reminds me of the first time I met her. Her every frown, smile, and gesture exudes noble elegance and temperament. No wonder she is favored by the emperor." Shen Zhiyao looked at Hu Xiaoyi and praised her sincerely.
Her action puzzled others and made Hu Xiaoyi flattered.
"Sister Shen, you are too kind. In terms of appearance, I am far inferior to you. I can only play some elegant instruments." Hu Xiaoyi praised more sincerely.
Hu Xiaoyi has observed Shen Zhiyao carefully. It is obvious that this woman has not fully grown up yet. If she grows up in another two years, she will probably outshine all the concubines in the harem.
"Appearance is secondary. I just envy Hu Xiaoyi for playing the piano so well. I probably can't learn it." Shen Zhiyao praised very appropriately.
As she spoke, she looked at Imperial Concubine Zhuang, who was so inspired that she agreed, "Indeed, Hu Xiaoyi is the only one in the palace who can play the piano. How could the emperor not be amazed?"
Those people from Concubine Zhao's faction thought that Shen Zhiyao came here specifically to cause trouble, but they didn't expect that she would start praising Hu Xiaoyi. Now even Concubine Zhuang had joined in, leaving them stunned.
These two were so disgusted with each other this morning, but now they suddenly like each other?
Hu Xiaoyi was overwhelmed by Shen Zhiyao's praise, but she couldn't find any fault with her, so she had to be careful at all times.
"I think, for Hu Xiaoyi, this is just the first step, and the big day is still to come. If she is so favored, if she gets pregnant with a prince one day, she might be promoted. Sister Lu, what do you think?" Shen Zhiyao looked at Concubine Lu Shufei and blinked her clear peach blossom eyes.
Concubine Lu Shufei was a smart person and understood it instantly.
"Sister Shen is right. A mere position of Xiaoyi is not worthy of the emperor! Now that you mention it, I was also amazed by Hu Xiaoyi's piano skills! And looking at Hu Xiaoyi's face, she looks blessed. It is possible for her to conceive an heir to the throne!" Concubine Lu praised her even more sincerely.
At this point, Concubine Zhang, Concubine Wei, Noble Lady Zheng, and Zhu Baolin all came to their senses and started praising Hu Xiaoyi.
These people are really good at talking. They make it seem like Hu Xiaoyi is going to become a royal concubine.
Hu Xiaoyi was no pushover and had sensed something was wrong a long time ago, but when faced with this group of concubines praising her, she really had no way to refute it for a while.
If I refute it, I would be hypocritical. If I accept it, they are praising me too much!
The more they talked, the more outrageous they became. Zhang Fei suddenly blurted out, "Hu Xiaoyi is so valued by the emperor. If she gives birth to another prince, he will definitely be the most favored prince! Just like the late emperor once favored the third prince..."
As soon as these words were spoken, everything fell silent. Everyone was so frightened that they were speechless. They thought that Zhang Pin really dared to say anything, but no one dared to respond to these words.
Hu Xiaoyi almost couldn't hold it in when she heard this. Wasn't this indirectly comparing her to the cruel and ruthless Sun who massacred all the concubines in her harem?
Hu Xiaoyi's pupils contracted violently, and she wished she could pounce on Zhang Concubine and tear her mouth apart.
Shen Zhiyao really didn't expect that Concubine Zhang could be so careless with her words, but she accidentally helped a lot, so she was very happy.
But she still had to keep a tight look on her face and pretend to be serious.
Concubine Zhang also realized that she had said something wrong and could only smile awkwardly, but the atmosphere became even more awkward.
Hu Xiaoyi's face became more and more ugly. She had to use the excuse of having a stomachache and forced a smile to send everyone out of Zheng Fuxuan.
"Master, what's wrong with you? Are you really having a stomachache?" Yinlian saw that she looked unwell and asked with concern.
"Abdominal pain? My son is really having a headache right now!" Hu Xiaoyi pointed at the door and said angrily, "Those bad guys with evil intentions are teaming up to harm me!"
Especially that Shen Zhiyao, she hasn't even started to develop a relationship yet, but they're already taking out loans to get her pregnant!
"Master, don't be angry. We will find a way to resolve the situation. Master, please don't get sick from being so angry." Yinlian said with concern.
"Jin Shuyi wishes I were dead! It seems she and I can't coexist in this palace!" Hu Xiaoyi sneered.
After everyone left Zheng Fuxuan, they all laughed together tacitly.
Concubine Lu Shufei smiled and said, "Jin Shuyi is really good at speaking. It turns out that you are the best."
"Empress Shufei, how can I compare to Sister Zhang? The moment she opened her mouth, it was like a blow to Hu Xiaoyi!" Shen Zhiyao looked at Concubine Zhang and said with a smile.
"You are such a..." Zhang Pin was teased by her and didn't know what to say.
"When we have time some other day, let's sit together and drink tea. We have a long way to go in the future, so we have to get along well." Concubine Lu Shufei extended an olive branch at the right time.
Everyone remained silent. After this incident, they finally worked together. In the harem, there were no eternal enemies, only eternal interests.
For example, today, everyone does not want Hu Xiaoyi to become powerful, so no matter which faction they belong to, they will unite and trick her.
"That would be great. We should get closer to each other on a daily basis to avoid becoming strangers." Shen Zhiyao smiled kindly.
"Okay, I'll set up a plan another day." After Concubine Lu Shu said this, she got on the sedan chair first and left in a hurry.
The rest of the people also dispersed. Among them were several people from Concubine Zhao’s faction, and they all rushed to Yuquan Palace to report the news to Concubine Zhao!
Seeing that everyone had left, Shen Zhiyao and Concubine Zhuang were not in a hurry. They walked for a while in tacit understanding.
"You are a person who loves to be mysterious. You didn't even inform me in advance. If you hadn't reacted quickly, I might not have been able to respond to you at that time!" Concubine Zhuang looked at Shen Zhiyao and said angrily.