frightfiction Chapter 211: Chun Yuan’s Old Clothing Bureau (Part )
Chapter 211: Chun Yuan’s Old Clothing Bureau (Part )
In the Yanxi Palace, Xia Dongchun, Concubine Qing and Baoying were talking happily, discussing that after the enthronement ceremony, they would go together to congratulate Zhen Huan and do some face-saving work.
Unexpectedly, Xiao Yanzi suddenly ran in: "Greetings to the queen, greetings to the two young ladies, queen, two young ladies, something big has happened outside!"
"Why are you in such a hurry? Isn't the consecration ceremony for Concubine Wan held today? Is there any other important event besides this?" Xia Dongchun asked while calling the wet nurse to take Ling Yuan out to play.
Concubine Qing and Baoying also looked at Xiao Yanzi. Although they didn't say anything, it was obvious that they had the same question as Xia Dongchun.
Little Yanzi didn't even have time to catch his breath before he quickly explained, "Something went wrong during the enthronement ceremony. Concubine Wan mistakenly wore Empress Chunyuan's old clothes. The Emperor was furious and ordered Concubine Wan to be confined to Suiyu Pavilion and the gates to Suiyu Pavilion were closed. No one is allowed to enter or leave!"
"What?" Xia Dongchun was stunned. It seemed that the emperor was really angry this time, otherwise why would he punish Zhen Huan so harshly?
Concubine Qing was observant and noticed how Xiao Yanzi addressed her: "Xiao Yanzi, you just said... Wanpin?"
"Yes, I heard from Xiao Xiazi who is beside the emperor that the emperor ordered that the conferring ceremony would not count if it was not completed. Not only did Wanpin lose her position as a concubine, the emperor also ordered that the Ministry of Internal Affairs could only give her the promised share in the future." Xiao Yanzi explained the matter clearly.
Xia Dongchun, Concubine Qing and Baoying all gasped. They had seen how the Emperor doted on Concubine Wan in the past, but now she was being punished like this for mistakenly wearing Empress Chunyuan's old clothes. It was truly sad.
But...how could Queen Chunyuan's old clothes appear in Zhen Huan's place?
Xia Dongchun and Concubine Qing looked at each other, and both of them understood the confusion in each other's eyes.
"Forget it, forget it. Since something like this has happened, let's just go our separate ways." Xia Dongchun said, "If the emperor doesn't summon you, Bao promise not to get close to him these days. The emperor is in a bad mood, and it won't do you any good to get close to him at this time."
"Yes, I will keep your teachings in mind." After thanking her, Baoying took her leave.
Concubine Qing also went back to Zhongcui Palace first.
After they all left, Xia Dongchun called Yin Zhu: "Yin Zhu, go ask Aunt Fang Xi to come over."
"Yes." Yin Zhu didn't ask any more questions. Since her master had ordered her to do it, she would do it.
About an incense stick of time later, Aunt Fangxi arrived.
Xia Dongchun stood up: "Aunt, please sit down."
Aunt Fangxi bowed first: "This servant pays respects to Concubine Zhao. May the queen be blessed with good health."
After they sat down, before Xia Dongchun could ask, Aunt Fangxi said, "Your Majesty summoned me here, presumably because of the incident where Concubine Wan accidentally wore Empress Chunyuan's clothes, right?"
Xia Dongchun nodded: "Aunt really understands my thoughts. I asked you to come here to ask why the emperor was so angry this time."
Aunt Fangxi lowered her voice and said, "Empress Chunyuan means a lot to His Majesty. I'm afraid Your Majesty doesn't know that our Concubine Wan's eyes and eyebrows really resemble the late Empress Chunyuan."
At this point, Xia Dongchun also understood what Aunt Fangxi meant: "Aunt means... Wanpin is so favored because of her appearance?!"
"This time, Concubine Wan mistakenly wore the old clothes of Empress Chunyuan. Whether she did it intentionally or unintentionally, she has violated the emperor's taboo." Aunt Fangxi did not answer Xia Dongchun's words, but her meaning was already very clear.
"..." Xia Dongchun took a deep breath and rolled his eyes, "Aunt, why don't you tell me more about Queen Chunyuan."
Aunt Fangxi told Xia Dongchun everything she knew.
After listening to this, Xia Dongchun pondered for a long time. He first asked Yin Zhu to send Aunt Fangxi back, and also gave Aunt Fangxi some extra silver.
"What is the queen thinking about?" There was no one else in the room. Yun Ling squatted beside Xia Dongchun and looked up at her.
Xia Dongchun turned her head to look at the two plum trees outside the window and murmured to herself, "Perhaps... I know why the emperor was so satisfied when he heard that plum blossoms are also one of my favorite flowers."
"Your Majesty, do you mean... because of Queen Chunyuan?" Yun Ling naturally took Aunt Fangxi's words to heart. She was afraid that Xia Dongchun would be sad. "Your Majesty, don't worry. The Emperor still has feelings for you."
Xia Dongchun: "It doesn't matter whether we have feelings for each other or not. There's nothing to be sad about. Knowing this will do us no harm."
Yun Ling heaved a sigh of relief when she saw that her ease didn't seem fake.
Half a month later, news came from Suiyuxuan that Zhen Huan's personal maid Liuzhu was killed by the guards, and Zhen Huan herself was found to be more than a month pregnant.
When Xia Dongchun learned the news, she, Concubine Qing, Baoying and Lingyuan were playing in the imperial garden.
"It seems that Wanpin has a chance to turn things around." Xia Dongchun guessed, "After all, she is pregnant. If she gives birth to an imperial heir, the emperor will lift Wanpin's house arrest even for the sake of the child."
Concubine Qing: "But I don't know what Wanpin thinks. After knowing those things, can she really get along with the emperor like before?"
"That's true." Xia Dongchun agreed.
"Oh, your servant pays respects to Concubine Zhao, to Noble Lady Qing, and to Lady Bao." As he was speaking, he heard Su Peisheng's voice.
Turning around, he saw that it was indeed Su Peisheng who came: "I have finally found you all. The emperor has promised to serve you."
Baoying's eyes lit up, but she subconsciously looked at Xia Dongchun, worried that Xia Dongchun was unhappy.
Xia Dongchun waved his hands cheerfully: "Go quickly and serve the emperor well. Who knows, he might be able to promote you tomorrow."
"Oh, your Majesty, what you said is true," Su Peisheng smiled apologetically, "Your Majesty, aren't you also the one that the Emperor loves the most?"
"Eunuch Su, what you said is very nice." Xia Dongchun smiled with her hands covering her lips, and called Yunling to give the reward silver.
Su Peisheng took the reward, said a few nice words, and then left with Baoying.