0p0 Chapter 308 Concubine Xin
Chapter 308 Concubine Xin
After she left, the atmosphere in the hall became more harmonious.
An Lingrong asked, "Sister Xin, why didn't you bring Princess Shuhe with you?"
Concubine Xin smiled and said, "I didn't know Your Majesty was here, otherwise I would have brought Shuhe here to keep Princess Longyue company. She said yesterday that she missed her sister and wanted to go and pay her respects to you!"
"I haven't seen her for several days."
"She is old enough now and needs to learn some palace rules and etiquette from the nanny!" Concubine Xin said, her eyes full of satisfaction and expectation, as if she could already see Princess Shuhe being dignified and decent in the palace in the future.
Zhen Huan nodded slightly. "The princess has been learning etiquette since she was young. She will surely be well-educated and well-mannered in the future, bringing honor to the royal family. Sister Xin, you have taught her well."
Concubine Xin bowed hurriedly and said, "Your Majesty, I am only fulfilling my duties as a mother. I only hope that Shuhe can be as intelligent and clever as Longyue, and live up to the love of the Emperor and the Majesties."
After saying these polite words, Zhen Huan called Huanbi over and said, "Go and bring up the gift I prepared for Princess Shuhe!"
A moment later, Huanbi came over with a tray.
An Lingrong also looked over curiously, and inside was an exquisitely crafted silver necklace and several pieces of fine uncarved jade.
When Concubine Xin saw that the emerald jade was completely free of impurities and was so green that it seemed to be dripping with water, she knew it was a good thing and said quickly, "Your Majesty, I am so ashamed to accept your kindness!"
"Sister Xin, you're welcome. We're old acquaintances, so our relationship is naturally different from others!"
"Then I would like to thank Your Majesty for your reward!" Concubine Xin stood up and bowed.
The maid beside him immediately took the tray respectfully.
Zhen Huan then asked with concern, "How have you been these past few years, Sister Xin? I've noticed that Concubine Qi isn't someone you can get along with easily. Has Sister Xin ever been wronged by her?"
Concubine Xin sighed, a look of weariness on her face. "Your Majesty, what you said hits the nail on the head. Concubine Qi, relying on the favor of the Emperor and Empress, often looks down on me. His father was very powerful in the previous dynasty, so I can do nothing about it. But fortunately, with Concubine Hui and Concubine Jing in charge of the harem, I can still get by. Now that Your Majesty has returned to the palace, I have one more place to talk. I hope Your Majesty will not despise me!"
"That's not right, sister. If you have time, please come and visit us more often!"
"Yes, I couldn't ask for more!"
Zhen Huan paused for a moment, then added, "Sister, please be at ease. The situation in the harem is unpredictable. Although Concubine Qi is in power now, everything will decline. She is so arrogant that she will lose the emperor's favor sooner or later."
Concubine Xin's eyes flickered slightly: "Your Majesty is far-sighted and thoughtful, and I admire you."
Both of them were testing each other's feelings and did not reveal their true intentions.
After saying these words, Concubine Xin said goodbye and left.
On the other side, the palace servants quickly prepared breakfast.
An Lingrong ate while saying, "Sister Zhen, do you want to win over Concubine Xin?"
Zhen Huan helped her pick up a piece of Su Zao meat with her chopsticks: "This is a recent gift from the Emperor. Try it and see if it tastes good."
Then he answered her question: "She has always been a non-aggressive person. She would not participate in the harem's open and secret struggles unless she was severely bullied. Moreover, she is of low rank and the emperor does not particularly favor her. Her role is really limited."
An Lingrong took a bite and nodded: "It's soft and crispy, fragrant and flexible, not bad!"
Seeing this, Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Then eat a few more bites."
An Lingrong waved her hands hurriedly: "No, no, no, just try it, this dish is a bit greasy."
No one touched this dish again until the end of breakfast.
After a while, Su Ye brought two bowls of chicken noodle soup and placed them in front of them.
An Lingrong raised her eyes, smiled faintly at Su Ye, and said softly, "Thank you, Su Ye. The noodles you make are still the best for my taste."
After she finished speaking, she gently picked up the chopsticks, picked up a strand of noodles, first put it to her nose to sniff the rich aroma of noodles, and then slowly put it into her mouth, chewing it slowly, with an expression of enjoyment on her face.
Seeing her eating so happily, Zhen Huan's mouth corners unconsciously raised. Although she didn't like noodles very much, she knew that if Rong'er liked it, it couldn't be bad. Then she picked up the chopsticks gracefully and started eating noodles.
After taking a few bites, An Lingrong continued the previous topic and asked, "Then why did you give her such an expensive gift?"
"I just feel pity for her out of a loving mother's heart. Besides, even if we don't need her now, we can't say what will happen in the future. Let's make friends with her first. If we become powerful in the future, she will be ours even if she isn't."
"That's true!"
After saying this, An Lingrong continued, "You gave something to Xinyue yesterday, and you gave a reward to Shuhe today. Don't forget Wenyi, or else it will be very troublesome if someone with ulterior motives finds you guilty."
Zhen Huan smiled and said, "Don't worry, I sent someone to deliver it early this morning. Didn't you ask Concubine Duan and I to be fake sisters? I will make sure that this superficial work is flawless!"
After a moment's thought, An Lingrong put down her chopsticks, her face solemn. "The most urgent matter now is your parents' return to the capital. Lord Zhen's crimes must be overturned as soon as possible. Although the Emperor has brought you into the Niuhulu clan, the elders in the palace all know that you are the daughter of the treacherous minister Zhen. This will not be good for Longyue and the child you are unborn."
"I understand! But this matter still needs to start with Concubine Qi."
An Lingrong nodded. "I've already got some ideas. Let me think it over carefully and come up with a comprehensive plan. Then we can discuss the specific steps to take."
"it is good!"
Zhen Huan raised her lips to smile slightly, then looked up at An Lingrong and said with concern: "Now that I have returned to the palace, if you have made up your mind about something, I will do it. You just watch from behind and rest more!"
"it is good!"
After breakfast, Xiao Xiazi came to convey the emperor's order, inviting Zhen Huan to accompany him to the Yangxin Palace.
"I'll go there immediately!"
After Xiao Xia Zi left, a look of disgust flashed across Zhen Huan's face.
"Sister Zhen, the emperor might be dealing with Longkodo's case. You have to secretly add fuel to the fire, but don't be too obvious!"
Zhen Huan nodded, "Don't worry, every failure is a learning experience. I know my limits."
"Then I will take Longyue back to Yonghe Palace!"
"You can stay a few more days!"
"Alas, you just returned to the palace, and I'm annoyed by the constant comings and goings to pay my respects. Let's come back after you're done with these few days."
"Okay!" Although Zhen Huan agreed, she couldn't hide the disappointment on her face.
Seeing this, An Lingrong took a step forward and stood in front of her. She stretched out two index fingers and placed them on Zhen Huan's lips, manually lifting the corners of her drooping mouth.
"Smile~"
Zhen Huan: ?(????)?