kingnovel Chapter 321 Bickering
Chapter 321 Bickering
She glanced at the palace maids serving her, feeling a little embarrassed and secretly regretting that she had not cultivated a thick skin.
Unfortunately, the play has reached this point and can only continue.
While teasing Xie Run, the emperor instructed the eunuch Shi'an beside him: "Go and find out what's going on."
Eunuch Shi'an waved his whisk and immediately went out to arrange for someone to investigate.
After sitting in Showa Palace for a while, Xie Run finally realized the preferential treatment the emperor had given her.
She couldn't even produce any evidence. It was all thanks to Concubine Jing's random suspicion that the emperor actually believed her and sent people to investigate.
For a moment, Xie Run felt mixed emotions.
The emperor did not ask where Xie Run got the news, but only said a few words to comfort her.
"I don't have many children, and I raise each one of them with great care."
"My Queen Mother is frail and sickly, unable to endure fatigue and unsuitable for raising children. How could I be such an unfilial son?"
The emperor's words almost certainly expressed his meaning.
He had few living children, and each one was very rare, so it was impossible for him to cause trouble to the Empress Dowager.
However, when Xie Run asked this question, the Queen Mother suddenly developed a problem of being "weak and sickly".
After a while, the person sent by Shi'an came back with the message.
"Your Majesty, there's a new Nanny Wu who has come to the Empress Dowager's side. She's been quite favored by her lately. I don't know what she said a while ago, but she suddenly received many rewards from the Empress Dowager."
"It was also from this day that the Empress Dowager suddenly ordered people to clean up the side halls of the Cining Palace and also sent people to take a lot of cloth to the embroidery room to have clothes made."
Eunuch Shi'an lowered his head as he spoke: "I heard that those clothes are for children around one year old."
As the emperor listened, his face grew darker and darker.
Previously, he still had the mind to comfort Xie Run, but now he is afraid that Xie Run still needs to comfort him.
"Your Majesty... perhaps the Empress Dowager doesn't necessarily want to raise Taotao. Am I just worrying too much?"
The emperor said in a deep voice, "She asked someone to prepare clothes for a child of about one year old. If she doesn't want to raise Taotao, then which of my children does she want to raise?"
The emperor is very similar to the emperor emeritus in some aspects.
Love him and want him to live; hate him and want him to die.
He disliked the Empress Dowager, and as a result, he disliked everything the Empress Dowager did, and even speculated about it with the utmost malice.
The emperor frowned and said, "The Empress Dowager suddenly wanted to raise Tao Tao. I'm afraid that was instigated by that Madam Wu."
"Ten Ann!"
The emperor called out softly, and Eunuch Shi'an immediately stepped forward: "Your Majesty, this servant is here."
The Emperor said, "My mother is probably going to rest at this hour. Take your men to the Cining Palace and deal with Nanny Wu. Don't let a servant disturb her."
Eunuch Shi'an immediately responded, "I obey your command."
Xie Run lowered his eyes to hide his emotions, and no matter how he looked at them, he didn't look happy.
The emperor thought she was afraid that the empress dowager wanted to keep Taotao, so he took her into his arms and whispered, "Don't worry, I will protect you."
Xie Run leaned closer to the emperor's arms: "Your Majesty, I know."
She just suddenly realized that the emperor had changed.
He went from being a prince to an emperor, and his personality and way of doing things changed completely.
In the past, King Jing never made decisions lightly regarding matters involving his slaves, and he would never casually say the three words "dealt with".
At least he would give these people a chance to argue and give them some chance to struggle.
But King Jing became the emperor, his position was different, and his way of handling things was more decisive and ruthless.
Nanny Wu was just a suspect, but the emperor's words decided her fate.
Xie Run didn't feel sorry for Aunt Wu, she was worried about herself and the future.
After the emperor becomes the ruler of the world, his character will only become more and more unpredictable over time.
She is favored by him now, but she is also afraid that one day she will fall out of favor and be dealt with by the emperor at a casual word.
Whether she was preparing for a rainy day or worrying about nothing, Xie Run couldn't help but think too much.
Thinking of this, I couldn’t sleep well that night.
At night, the emperor stayed at the Showa Palace. In the middle of the night, he saw Xie Run sleeping restlessly, and a look of contemplation appeared in his eyes.
After a moment, he raised his hand and took her into his arms, his big palm falling on her waist, and coaxing Xie Run softly.
Xie Run, who was in a nightmare, gradually calmed down after hearing his coaxing voice.
The next day, the emperor had already gone to court.
Xie Run sat on the bed in a daze for a long time.
Dan Tao lifted the curtain and asked softly, "Your Majesty, did you not sleep well? Today is the fifteenth day of the lunar month, and I'm afraid you should go and pay your respects to the Empress Dowager."
Xie Run yawned lightly, "It's not that I didn't sleep well, I just had a nightmare, but I can't remember what the nightmare was about."
"It's better if you can't remember it." Xiao Shu came into the inner room with water for washing her face, her voice clear and crisp: "If it was a nightmare, remembering it would scare me again, which is not a good thing."
"It's better to forget it and just pretend it never happened."
Xie Runyou was helped out of bed by Dan Tao: "I have to go pay my respects to the Queen Mother today, so please don't dress too plainly..."
After a pause, he said, "There's no need to stand out too much."
She was afraid that the Queen Mother would fail to seize Taotao and would find fault with her clothes.
Most of the women in the harem make things difficult for others by doing this.
Dan Tao and Xiao Shu looked serious and worked together to give Xie Run a standard hairstyle.
As usual, Xie Run went to Fengyi Palace first, but still did not see Xian Zhaoyuan. He heard some sarcastic remarks from Concubine Jing.
Xie Run, who usually kept silent and acted like an honest person, suddenly spoke up: "Ever since Concubine Jing got slapped in the face and got hurt, her temper has become even more mean. She's always scolding everyone she meets."
After Concubine Jing was disfigured, she always liked to complain about it, but she didn't like others to mention it.
Once, he had a palace maid slapped in the face because he heard her talking in private.
The women in the harem are all smart people. Most of them have lower status than Concubine Jing, and generally do not dare to offend Concubine Jing.
Today, Xie Run suddenly brought up this matter, and said that her temper became more and more mean after her disfigurement, which really touched Concubine Jing's heart.
She did realize that her mentality was somewhat unbalanced after the disfigurement, and she was more prone to temper tantrums than before.
But she couldn't stand someone exposing her faults in person.
Concubine Jing immediately retorted, "Concubine Zhao Shu still has time to criticize me? You'd better worry more about yourself, so that you won't be squeezed and cry."
Xie Run asked curiously, "What does Sister Jingfei mean by this?"
"You made me worry about yourself, and you even said that I would be squeezed and cried later? Do you know some news?"
She pretended to be afraid and said, "From what Sister Jingfei said, do you know that someone is going to bully me?"
Concubine Jing said sarcastically, "How could that be? Sister Shufei is favored by the Emperor, how could anyone dare to bully you?"
"Just now, I was just in a hurry and said something without thinking."
Xie Run frowned slightly, pretending to be worried: "Jing Fei's face was injured, and now even her brain is not working well. What should we do in the future?"
Concubine Jing was so angry at her words that her mouth twisted, and her nails almost dug into her flesh, "Concubine Zhao Shu, don't go too far!"
Xie Run opened his eyes and looked at her innocently.
Concubine Jing was so angry that she sneered instead.
Why is she so anxious? Xie Run will cry later!
Hui Xiuyi, who had been silent the entire time, suddenly spoke up: "Sister Jingfei, the Emperor is now doting on Zhaoshufei, so everyone has to give him some space."
"You've only been criticized and wronged. Why are you so angry? If you say something rude and the Emperor hears, you might even get reprimanded."
Concubine Jing glanced at Hui Xiuyi and sneered, "I really thought Hui Xiuyi was a person who would not compete. It turns out that her aloof and selfless appearance was just a pretense."
"According to Hui Xiuyi, whoever the emperor favors can bully others without restraint and doesn't have to abide by the palace rules at all?!"
"It's all right if Hui Xiuyi likes to flatter the powerful and bully the weak, but don't drag me into this!"
She snorted coldly and turned away with disdain towards Xie Run and Hui Xiuyi.
Concubine Jing was not stupid. Of course she could tell that Hui Xiuyi was trying to stop the fight, but was actually adding fuel to the fire and was just waiting for them to start quarreling.
Concubine Jing was in a bad mood and chose to attack indiscriminately: "Even though Concubine Zhao Shu stole Hui Xiuyi's chance to sleep with her yesterday, Hui Xiuyi doesn't have to treat herself so lowly that she's not even allowed to cry twice and has to coax Concubine Zhao Shuyi?"
Concubine Jing first pointed out that Hui Xiuyi was stirring up trouble because Xie Run had snatched away her chance to sleep with her last night, but she also implied that Hui Xiuyi was of humble origin.
Hui Xiuyi was not good at arguing, and was annoyed and angry, with a very ugly look on his face.
Xie Run lowered his eyes and played with the tassel of the jade pendant on his body. He said calmly, "Your Majesty, I don't understand the palace rules, but I feel uncomfortable listening to Concubine Jing's words. I wonder if this is considered as insubordination?"
"She speaks so arrogantly and in such a sarcastic manner, she is not what a concubine should be like."
Concubine Jing's face changed with shock.
The concubines in the harem have always been bickering, with the capable ones having the upper hand and the incompetent ones willing to admit defeat.
Where have you ever seen someone as shameless as Xie Run, who, after saying a few words and not winning, went to the Queen to seek justice, using his status to pressure others?
Not to mention Concubine Jing, everyone who came to pay their respects was very surprised.
Xie Run only had a calm expression on his face, looking at the queen with clear eyes, as if full of curiosity.
The queen only took a casual glance and saw everyone's little thoughts.
Facing Xie Run's feigned stupidity, the Queen said in a calm tone, "Concubine Jing has become increasingly impatient lately, and her words have become increasingly unrestrained."
"We are sisters in the palace after all. We should be more polite when speaking to each other and show respect to those above us."
"Since this is your first offense today, I'll punish you by making you copy the scriptures three times to temper your temper. Return it tomorrow with your greetings. If you do it again, it won't be as simple as just copying the scriptures."
Concubine Jing's eyes turned red with anger.
How can Xie Run be considered to have achieved success?
It was only because she had children and was an old woman who had served the emperor for many years that she was able to squeeze into the position of Shufei among the four concubines.
She had no children and was a newcomer, so she was given the position of second-rank concubine when she entered the palace.
If she were to move up in the future, she would be one step further and would be one of the Four Concubines, which would no doubt make her no worse than Xie Run.
Although there is a gap between the first-rank four concubines and the second-rank concubines, they are all concubines, with only slight differences in treatment.
Concubine Jing never admitted that she was inferior to Xie Run.
Now being scolded by the Queen in person, Concubine Jing was filled with embarrassment and dissatisfaction, but she did not dare to vent it.
No matter how angry she was, she didn't dare to really offend the Queen and Xie Run.
Xie Run is fine, but the Queen is in charge of the six palaces, and there are plenty of ways to mess with her.
She had no choice but to obey the rules from above.
She just secretly hated these two people for being on the same vine and teaming up to bully her.
The more she thought about it, the more Concubine Jing looked forward to seeing Xie Run make a fool of himself.
The bickering in Fengyi Palace came to an end after the Queen opened her mouth. After the group paid their respects, they all went to Cining Palace together.
On the way, Concubine Jing couldn't help but gloat over the misfortune and suddenly asked, "Why didn't Concubine Zhao Shu bring the Fifth Prince to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager today?"
"The Empress Dowager has been ill for many days. I'm afraid she misses her grandchildren."
Xie Run glanced at her calmly, "Does Concubine Jing also know that the Queen Mother has been ill for many days?"
"Children are naughty and like to make trouble. The Queen Mother has finally recovered. If he makes trouble, it will be a great sin."
"Concubine Jing claims to care about the Empress Dowager, but she is truly inconsiderate."
Concubine Jing was waiting to see Xie Run's performance. She sneered twice and then said nothing.
When he arrived at the Cining Palace, Xie Rungang bowed and took his seat with everyone else when he was spotted by the Empress Dowager.
The Queen Mother has been in the harem for many years, but she still hasn't developed the ability to hide her emotions.
Her face drooped, and she looked at Xie Run with displeasure in her eyes: "Concubine Zhao Shu, why didn't you bring the Fifth Prince here today?"
Before Xie Run could reply, the Queen Mother had already begun to complain: "I have been ill in bed for a long time. Now that I have finally recovered, I want to see the emperor's grandson, but you have been hiding him so tightly, as if you were afraid that I would see him."
"Surrounded by children and grandchildren, a family is a sign of prosperity. I am the emperor's mother, yet I cannot even see my own grandchildren. Those who don't know me would think my descendants are unfilial."
Xie Run quickly stood up and confessed: "It's all my fault. I thought the Empress Dowager had just recovered from her illness and needed quiet time to recuperate. Children are noisy and uncontrolled, and it's hard to control them. I was afraid of disturbing the Empress Dowager, so I didn't dare bring him here."
"If the Empress Dowager likes it, I will definitely bring Taotao here to show my filial piety to you next time."
The Queen Mother made no secret of her displeasure: "Why wait until next time? Just ask someone to bring it here now."
"I want to see my grandson, but you are trying to stop me. Are you relying on the emperor's favor to look down on everyone else?!"
At this moment, Concubine Jing suddenly spoke up: "Just now in Fengyi Palace, I accidentally mentioned that Sister Zhao Shufei snatched Hui Xiuyi's chance to sleep with me yesterday. This only angered Sister Zhao Shufei, who accused me of being disrespectful to the emperor."
"God have mercy on me! How dare I disrespect Concubine Zhao Shu? Even when Hui Xiuyi's chance to sleep with her was snatched away, she didn't dare to say a word. How could any woman in this harem dare disrespect Concubine Zhao Shu?"
As Concubine Jing spoke, she looked at the Empress with fear on her face. "It's a pity that the Empress favors Concubine Zhao Shu... I did do something wrong after all, and I deserve to be punished."
The women in the palace are best at confusing right and wrong.
Concubine Jing recounted everything that had just happened, but reversed the cause and effect, instantly creating the image of Xie Run as a favored concubine who bullies others by taking advantage of her power and is lawless.
After hearing what Concubine Jing said, the Empress Dowager had even more reason to control Xie Run. She raised her chin, full of arrogance and dissatisfaction.
"From what you said, Concubine Zhao Shu is just like Concubine Chen back then. She's so arrogant and presumptuous. What kind of place does she think the harem is?"