frightfiction Chapter 957: It is better to rely on yourself than on others
Chapter 957: It is better to rely on yourself than on others
Chuxiu Palace.
Concubine Kang sat in the main seat and looked at Concubine Chun. She raised her eyes and asked, "I wonder if Concubine Chun has anything to say to me?"
Concubine Chun bit her lip, looking a little panicked. She hesitated for a while before saying, "Madam Kangpin should know that some time ago, Madam Wangpin wanted to send someone to instigate the eldest princess at her birthday banquet."
"After the incident, Concubine Wang tried to frame me. Fortunately, Your Majesty was very observant and found out that it was Concubine Wang who did it, and cleared me of all charges."
"But the princess held a grudge against me because of this. She even rushed into my bedroom in front of everyone and slapped me..."
"I know very well that I come from a foreign land and am alone in the Great Zhou. I should be humble and modest, so as not to become a thorn in the eyes of others."
"But I really don't know how I have offended Lady Wang to suffer such an unprovoked disaster..."
"Madam Wang is a concubine, and I am only a noble lady. She is also the mistress of Yikun Palace. It is really not easy for me to make a living under her. I am trembling with fear every day..."
Hearing this, Concubine Kang frowned in confusion: "You have been wronged by Concubine Wang, you should go to Concubine Chen to make the decision. She is the one who manages the six palaces and has the final say in the harem."
"Why did Concubine Chun come to Chuxiu Palace to tell me this?"
Concubine Chun looked a little scared, but she still managed to speak: "Madam Kangpin, if my next words were to be spread out, it would definitely offend Concubine Chen. But I trust you, so I will be honest with you."
"I also wanted to ask the Royal Concubine Chen to make the decision, but everyone in the palace said that I and the Royal Concubine Chen are both charming types. If we have Yu, why do we have Liang?"
"Your Highness, Imperial Concubine Chen doesn't like me in the first place, so how could she make the decision for me?"
"I am alone in this deep palace, with wolves in front and tigers behind. I am really terrified... I beg Concubine Kang for protection!"
At this point, Concubine Chun stood up and knelt down in front of Concubine Kang, raising her charming face to look at her: "From now on, as long as Concubine Kang doesn't mind, I am willing to serve you like a dog and a horse!"
Concubine Kang looked down at Concubine Chun and did not express her opinion directly. Instead, she asked, "There are so many concubines in the palace, why did you choose to beg me?"
Concubine Chun lowered her head and said, "Replying to Concubine Kang, because of this face, I have unknowingly offended Concubine Chen, so naturally I cannot get her protection."
"And Lady Xuanpin and Lady Chen Guifei are one and the same, and they both dislike me."
"The Queen Mother regards me as her mortal enemy..."
"The Snow Queen's temperament is too cold, I dare not disturb her."
"In the end, only you and Concubine Zhuang are left."
"Empress Kang, although Empress Zhuang is of a higher rank than you, she is only raising a princess, while you are raising the fifth prince, who has a promising future! Good birds choose trees to inhabit, and I have to make a choice, and of course I will choose you!"
Speaking of the fifth prince, Concubine Kang's expression was somewhat complicated, with a bit of heartache and loneliness in her eyes: "But my fifth prince is destined to not live past the age of 20, so what future can he have..."
Concubine Chun said patiently, "The Fifth Prince has a hard life, but you, Your Majesty, are blessed!"
"You are still so young, and His Majesty loves you. Given time, you will surely be able to conceive an heir. If you give birth to a prince..."
Concubine Chun lowered her voice and said, "I'm going to say something disrespectful. A hundred years from now, if your prince succeeds to the throne, you will be the most honorable woman in the Great Zhou! Who will dare to offend you then? Even if I am a concubine, I can achieve success by following you, and everyone in my family will rise to prominence!"
Some of Chun Guiren's words touched the deepest part of Kangpin's heart.
During this period of time, she has been working hard to win favor. Isn't it just for the purpose of having His Majesty's favor so that she will have extra protection when she encounters danger in the future?
At least when the favorite concubine was wronged, His Majesty would go to great lengths to find out the truth for her, or even cover up for her. She no longer had to experience the feeling of being framed and imprisoned in the palace, unable to do anything.
Having said that, facing Concubine Chun's surrender, Concubine Kang did not express her opinion directly, but said calmly: "I am just a concubine, I just want to raise the fifth prince in the palace and live a peaceful life. Concubine Chun is really flattering me."
"But since you said that you have a low rank and it is difficult to survive in the palace. It just so happens that I am lonely on weekdays. If you have nothing to do, you can come to Chuxiu Palace and drink tea with me."
Concubine Chun lowered her head, and a barely visible arc appeared at the corner of her lips: "Thank you, Concubine Kang!"
"The banquet is not over yet, and I have not officially left yet. I cannot be away for too long, so I will not disturb Concubine Kang."
Kangpin nodded: "You go."
Concubine Chun stood up and bowed: "I'll take my leave!"
After she left, Cai Ju said worriedly, "Your Majesty, Concubine Chun's usual behavior is not as honest and innocent as she showed today. She suddenly came to show her kindness to you, I'm afraid she has bad intentions."
"How could you believe her so easily and allow her to visit Chuxiu Palace from time to time?"
Concubine Kang put down the teacup in her hand and said in a complicated tone: "Of course I understand what you said."
"It's just that... although His Majesty has shown me more favor recently, it's mostly because of the Fifth Prince. I don't know how long this vague favor can last."
"Now I am alone in the palace and it is difficult for me to support myself. I should win over the lower-ranking concubines and expand my power."
"How could I not understand that Concubine Chun wants to use me, but it is still uncertain who will use whom in the end..."
Caiju looked at Concubine Kang with a distressed look.
In the past, the Empress really had no intention of competing for favor and only wanted to live a good life in the palace.
But after experiencing such an incident, not to mention the Empress, even she understood how difficult it was for a woman without a favorite in the palace to live a good life. Sometimes even staying alive was a luxury...
That's why the Empress had to go against her usual behavior and become what she is now.
Your Majesty did this for yourself and for the Fifth Prince.
Cai Ju said, "My Lady, I understand everything you said."
"It's just... haven't you and Concubine Chen formed an alliance in secret for a long time? How can you be alone in the palace?"
Concubine Kang smiled bitterly: "No matter how good Concubine Chen is, it is better to rely on yourself than on others. I can't always rely on her for everything, right?"
Besides, people’s minds are fickle.
Now, because she had no conflict of interest with Concubine Chen and was obedient, Concubine Chen was willing to protect her in many matters.
What if their interests conflict in the future?
If she continues to be like Concubine Xuan, relying on Concubine Chen for everything, she may not even be able to protect herself by then.