frightfiction Chapter 1412: Isn’t the Imperial Concubine also good at competing for favor?
Chapter 1412: Isn’t the Imperial Concubine also good at competing for favor?
Princess Wenshu was about to take a step when someone gently pulled her sleeve from the side.
"Wenshu, what are you daydreaming about?"
Princess Yun'an had come to her side at some point, a nonchalant look on her face. "Let's go! The banquets in the palace are boring. Come with me for a walk."
"I heard there's a new Hu merchant in the West Market, and he has some rare things."
Princess Wenshu paused, turned around and met Princess Yun'an's gaze. A hint of apology appeared on her face as she said softly, "Third sister, I... I have something else to do. I want to go to Yongshou Palace."
"If Third Sister is not in a hurry, could you please wait for me for a moment? Or... Third Sister, please leave the palace first?"
Princess Yun'an's brows furrowed, and the hand that was tugging at Princess Wenshu's sleeve loosened. "Yongshou Palace?"
She looked Princess Wenshu up and down, and her eyes, which always showed a bit of arrogance, were instantly filled with undisguised dissatisfaction and inquiry.
Princess Yun'an snorted lightly, her tone clearly filled with sarcasm: "How come I don't know when you became so close to that person from Yongshou Palace?"
"Wenshu, tell me, Third Sister, are you also seeing the Imperial Noble Consort's power and influence, so you're following those people's lead and rushing to curry favor with her?"
Her words were sharp and her eyes were scorching, as if she wanted to see through Princess Wenshu.
Princess Wenshu turned pale after hearing what Princess Yun'an said, and subconsciously wanted to explain.
But how can the truth behind those plans be made known to the public?
She could only lower her eyes to avoid Princess Yun'an's intense gaze, her voice still soft: "Third sister misunderstood."
"I just... have some private, girlish things to say to the Imperial Concubine. It's not what Third Sister is thinking."
"A girl's personal conversation?"
Princess Yun'an seemed to have heard something funny, and a cold arc appeared at the corner of her lips: "Forget it, if you want to climb the high branch, I won't stop you."
She looked at Princess Wenshu deeply, her eyes were very complicated, with disappointment and disdain.
Princess Yun'an said no more, turned around abruptly, and walked straight towards the palace gate.
Princess Wenshu looked at her resolutely leaving back, opened her mouth, but in the end could not say anything, only a sigh dissipated in the wind.
She understood that some misunderstandings could not be resolved in a few words.
In the eyes of her third sister, her closeness to the Imperial Noble Consort was probably equated with fawning.
Princess Wenshu sighed, collected herself, straightened her slightly wrinkled sleeves, and continued to walk firmly towards Yongshou Palace.
Some thanks she had to express in person.
As for the third sister's confusion and anger, they can only be slowly resolved in the future.
……
Yongshou Palace.
Several palace maids were quietly packing up the tea sets, and they couldn't help but sigh in their hearts.
Looking back, whenever there was a royal celebration like this, there was always some trouble in the palace. Either a palace servant made a mistake while doing their job, or a master took the opportunity to cause trouble.
Eunuch Su from the Ministry of Punishment was always tense and busy.
But since the Imperial Noble Consort took over the management of the six palaces, although it was busy during festivals, everything was well organized and there were rarely the worrying chaos of the past.
Fuqiu walked lightly into the inner room and bowed, saying, "Your Majesty, Princess Wenshu is outside requesting an audience."
Shen Zhinian raised his eyes when he heard this and said calmly, "Please ask her to come in."
"Yes."
Princess Wenshu walked slowly into the inner room, greeted Shen Zhinian, and chatted a few words about the second princess' birthday party.
After Fuqiu served the tea and snacks and asked everyone else to quietly retreat to the outer room, Princess Wenshu put down her teacup, stood up and bowed solemnly to Shen Zhinian.
"Royal Concubine, there are no outsiders here today. Wen Shu has come to thank you for your kindness!"
"If it weren't for the Imperial Noble Consort's repeated reminders and her secret arrangements, Wenshu... Wenshu would never have had the good fortune she has today."
A smile spread across Shen Zhinian's lips, and he reached out to help Princess Wenshu up: "Hurry up."
"I am simply following the flow and making things work for them. I am also very happy to see lovers finally get married."
She gestured for Wen Shu to sit down again, and said gently, "The imperial decree has been issued, and the matter is settled. The Ministry of Rites is currently selecting an auspicious date. Now all you need to do is stay home and prepare your dowry, and wait for the wedding day."
Princess Wenshu listened, two blushes appeared on her cheeks, she lowered her head shyly, and said "hmm" softly.
The huge rock that had been hanging in her heart for a long time finally fell to the ground.
The two chatted about some personal matters such as embroidering wedding dresses and choosing jewelry, and the atmosphere in the hall was warm and harmonious.
After about an incense stick of time, Princess Wenshu saw that it was getting late, so she stood up and took her leave.
Shen Zhinian watched her lightly departing figure, his gaze falling on her slightly red ears, a smile flashing in his eyes.
Tomorrow is the sixth prince’s first birthday celebration, and there is still a lot to do, so Shen Zhinian prepared to rest.
As Handan gently removed her makeup with a warm handkerchief, she casually mentioned, "Your Majesty, I heard that His Majesty did not turn over the card tonight and rested in the Yangxin Palace."
Shen Zhinian closed her eyes, letting the warm steam soak into her skin. Her long eyelashes didn't tremble at all when she heard the words. She just let out a soft "hmm", indicating that she understood.
Seeing that the empress still didn't care, Handan said no more and swiftly helped her take off her hairpins and outer robe.
The thick black hair like a waterfall was scattered, making Shen Zhinian's face look less majestic than in the daytime and more lazy under the light.
Shen Zhinian really didn't care where the emperor would stay tonight.
She now holds power and enjoys the emperor's favor. The time when she needed to constantly guess the emperor's mind and compete for a night or two of his companionship is long gone.
In the small room outside.
The candle wick was trimmed again and again, and the light and shadow flickered, making Bingqiao's still young face bright and dark.
Unlike other palace maids who were gradually falling asleep, she had no desire to sleep at all, and a layer of cold sweat was oozing from her palms.
Tomorrow...it's tomorrow!
Your Majesty must personally attend the Chengqian Palace for the Sixth Prince’s first birthday ceremony.
After repeated consideration, she thought this was the most likely opportunity to get close to Tianyan.
The palace servants were busy and the scene was chaotic. Her identity as a maid in Yongshou Palace was her amulet, perhaps allowing her to find a fleeting loophole.
Bing Qiao knew that her actions were extremely dangerous. If she made a mistake and was discovered by the Empress, or if she incurred His Majesty's dislike, the consequences would be disastrous...
But if she did nothing, how could she be willing to be a second-class palace maid forever, watching Furuo and Handan enjoying such glory, and watching those powerful ladies ordering people around.
I could only bow my head and stand aside.
Do not!
Bing Qiao bit her lower lip tightly, a hint of paranoia flashing in her eyes.
A bright future and wealth are never something you can wait for.
Isn't it because the Imperial Noble Consort was able to compete for favor that she rose from a small concubine to the current Vice Queen?