The Self-cultivation of a Salted Fish Concubine

Chapter 310: Smart Fool

"That Wu guy's mind is shallower than the wine on the plate, and he dares to plot against me!"

When Ye Cairen said this, his tone was full of disdain.

"She wanted to frame me, so I naturally couldn't let her go, so I dragged her into the water with me."

"If I wasn't afraid of causing a disaster and being blamed, I would definitely kick the baby out of her belly!"

The reason why Ye Cairen felt so refreshed at the moment was simply because when she fell into the water, she relied on her good swimming ability to push Wu Cairen's head into the water several times to let out her breath.

If she hadn't been so concerned, she would have really wanted to drown Wu Cairen in Wenchang Lake.

Ye Cairen: "The woman surnamed Wu is shallow-minded. Once she gets pregnant, she can't hide it."

"When we were at the palace, I clearly saw her go to Concubine Zhao Shu's courtyard and tell her about her pregnancy. Then she came to my house and used me as an excuse to expose her pregnancy to everyone, treating everyone else like fools."

"I'm afraid Concubine Zhao Shu was also angry with her at that time."

"If this little trick of yours had been put in my father's yard, you would have died long ago. How dare you plot against me?"

At that time, Wu Cairen just wanted to prick her hand with a pair of scissors to pretend to feel pain.

It was Ye Cairen who helped her while watching a play, causing Wu Cairen to cut a big gash on her skin.

To date, Wu Cairen still doesn't know the truth.

Zhenzhen smiled and said, "Master is smart and sharp, and has great skills."

Speaking of which, Ye Cairen really suffered a loss because of her misbehavior while drinking. Otherwise, she would definitely be more favored than Wu Cairen and would be more likely to conceive a dragon heir.

"Her family background is average, and I guess she didn't ask for any information before entering the mansion."

"Who in the Emperor's harem is easy to mess with? Today she dared to use the child in her belly to harm others, and tomorrow she will probably be harmed by others!"

"Smartass!"

This is the judgment that Ye Cairen made on Wu Cairen.

After saying this, the wine on the stove was ready, and Ye Cairen poured himself a small cup and took a sip.

After drinking half a cup, her body finally warmed up and she felt refreshed.

She instructed Zhenzhen, "Find a way to send a letter back to father and ask him to choose a beautiful and gentle woman to send to the palace. I'm afraid it won't work."

"If I have the chance, I will definitely help her gain favor."

The emperor even favored Concubine Wu for a few nights, so Concubine Ye felt that it was not difficult to win the emperor's favor.

Zhenzhen: "I'll go right away."

The palace seemed peaceful, but disputes were everywhere.

In front, the Empress Dowager and the Queen were competing with each other, and in the back, Concubine Wu and Concubine Ye were scheming against each other.

Xie Run hid in Showa Palace to seek peace and quiet.

As soon as the dinner was served, Xie Run heard Dan Tao say, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is dining in the Empress's palace today."

Xie Run was about to drink his soup, but when he heard this, he paused and couldn't help but smile.

The emperor really stood on the queen's side.

The empress dowager slapped the queen in the face, and the emperor went to the queen's palace for dinner right after. They are truly a loving mother and son.

Xie Run had eaten half of his meal when he asked for the meal to be cleared away and took Taotao to play in the yard.

All the flowers and plants in Showa Palace have been replaced with new ones and are now safe.

The front yard is very spacious, enough to set up a stage for performing plays.

Nanny Xu was still laughing: "The Fifth Prince is walking more steadily every day."

Xie Run watched with a faint smile.

At this moment, Dan Tao came closer and said, "Your Majesty, the Emperor heard about today's incident from the Empress' palace and ordered that Concubine Wu be confined to her house for two months and fined her one month's salary."

Xie Run glanced at Dan Tao, without a trace of surprise in his eyes, and said, "Another month of house arrest?"

Dan Tao nodded, "I heard that Concubine Wu is crying in the Magnolia Pavilion right now."

Xie Run retracted his gaze: "The Queen Mother is probably going to be furious."

She suddenly frowned.

Dan Tao asked worriedly, "My Lady, what's wrong?"

"I'm thinking about greetings tomorrow."

"Excuse me?"

"I don't know if I should pay my respects to the Empress Dowager tomorrow after paying my respects to the Empress."

It would be fine if it was only enough for the Queen to pay her respects, but if she also had to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager...it would be a good show.

Dan Tao: "Today in the Cining Palace, didn't the Emperor say that he couldn't pay his respects to the Empress Dowager every day?"

Dan Tao was also a careful person and had seen clearly the verbal confrontation between the Empress Dowager and the Emperor today.

Xie Run smiled and said, "You also know that it was the Emperor who said it, but the Empress hasn't said anything yet?"

"The Queen is my daughter-in-law after all."

"Now that the Emperor has just ascended the throne and is renowned throughout the world for his filial piety, the Empress must be a filial daughter-in-law for a while."

Even though the queen knew that the queen mother would cause trouble, she still had to endure the hardship and bear it.

The next morning, Xie Run took Taotao to pay his respects as usual.

Xiao Shu felt sorry for Tao Tao: "My Lady, the Fifth Young Master is still young, so he doesn't need to pay his respects every day, right?"

I brought all the children with me yesterday, simply because it was the first time I met the emperor and paid my respects, so I had to be serious.

Xie Run: "I respect the Queen, but respect is not something you say, but something you do."

She glanced at Tao Tao, who was still half asleep, raised her hand to touch his head, and instructed Aunt Xu: "Put a thick hat on him and a small cloak."

Aunt Xu nodded in agreement.

Xie Run also felt sorry for his son. "The Queen is very understanding. I guess she will not let him go for a day or two."

Dan Tao said softly, "Fortunately, Your Majesty did not enter the palace in winter, otherwise the Fifth Prince would have suffered."

Xie Run touched the beads on his head, confirmed that the makeup was fine, and then said, "Isn't it?"

"It's just that I have to pay my respects to the Queen in the morning. This is what all the concubines and heirs in the six palaces should do."

After a brief conversation, Xie Run took a sedan chair to Fengyi Palace.

There are many people on the right path in the palace, and several princesses and princes are here today.

Now that they have just arrived, everyone is still reserved, and the queen's position is stable.

Just a few casual words to greet you.

The first thing is to talk about the conflict between Wu Cairen and Ye Cairen yesterday.

Hua Chongyi said with a look of worry, "After all, Concubine Wu is pregnant with the Emperor's child. These two are already enemies. Your Majesty, it would be better for them to live separately to avoid conflicts caused by living together every day."

The Queen raised her eyelids and glanced at Hua Chongyi calmly, "Then who do you think should move out?"

Hua Chongyi suddenly stopped talking.

Concubine Jing couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

Hua Chongyi's cheeks suddenly turned red, and she looked at Concubine Jing with some resentment.

Ever since Concubine Jing was disfigured, she has become less dignified and intelligent than before, and her words and actions have become somewhat presumptuous.

Unfortunately, there are not many people in the harem who have higher positions than her, so no matter how dissatisfied she is, she can only endure it.

Hui Xiuyi suddenly asked, "I heard that yesterday, after we left Cining Palace, the Empress Dowager specifically kept Sister Xian Zhaoyuan to talk. I wonder what they talked about?"

Xian Zhaoyuan was stunned. She didn't expect Hui Xiuyi to suddenly mention her. After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Just chatting."

Hui Xiuyi smiled faintly, "We have all just entered the palace not long ago. Unlike Sister Xian Zhaoyuan, she has been in the palace for a long time and knows how to please the Empress Dowager better than us."

Xian Zhaoyuan smiled gently, pretending not to hear the sarcasm in her words.

After a brief conversation, the queen took her people to the Cining Palace to pay her respects.

As Xie Run guessed, the emperor is famous for his filial piety, so the queen now has to be a filial daughter-in-law and let the queen mother do whatever she wants for a while.

On the way, Lady Lu approached Xian Zhaoyuan and took the opportunity to say a few words to her: "When Hui Xiuyi was pregnant with the third princess, the palace was unstable. It was the Empress who protected her and she gave birth to the third princess safely."

The implication is that Hui Xiuyi was just speaking for the queen.

Xian Zhaoyuan was not a fool. When she heard what Lady Lu said, she immediately understood what was going on.

She was close to the Queen Mother, which displeased the Empress.

The queen was reluctant to reprimand her, so Hui Xiuyi, who was standing by, spoke up for her.

Xian Zhaoyuan whispered, "Thank you, sister, for telling me."

Lady Lu smiled shyly: "It's not worth anything."

Some people noticed the two whispering to each other, but not many people listened.

After all, everyone knew what kind of personality Lady Lu was, and they guessed what she was gossiping about with Xian Zhaoyuan.

However, Fang Yuaner looked at Xie Run meaningfully.

Lady Lu is Xie Run's person, but now she runs to Xian Zhaoyuan to show her courtesy. Could it be that Xie Run is afraid of Xian Zhaoyuan and specially sent Lady Lu as a spy?

Everyone walked to the Cining Palace with their own thoughts, but ended up bumping into a closed door.

The Queen remained calm and said, "Tinghe, go knock on the door."

Ting He bowed and walked forward. After knocking twice, someone came to open the door.

She was a little palace maid whom I didn't recognize.

The young maid politely bowed before saying, "Your Majesty, the Queen Mother was ill last night and is now bedridden. Please go back."

"Is your mother sick?"

The Queen asked with concern at first, but her tone turned cold the next moment, "Why didn't you send someone to report quickly?!"

"Since the Queen Mother is ill, as her daughter-in-law, I must personally serve her until she recovers!"

The young maid probably didn't anticipate the Queen's reply, and immediately said, "I will report this to the Queen Mother right away."

After a while, the young palace maid came over cautiously and said, "Your Majesty, the Empress Dowager said that the six palaces are very busy, so we won't bother you to take care of them."

"Xian Zhaoyuan is gentle and virtuous. Why not leave her here to take care of the Queen Mother?"

The queen glanced at Xian Zhaoyuan, who was also a little confused. She wanted to refuse, but the queen mother was not there. She couldn't tell a little palace maid that she didn't want to do it.

The Queen was serious this time: "I'm afraid this is inappropriate!"

"Your Majesty is a filial son, but he is currently busy with state affairs and cannot personally serve my mother. As your wife, I naturally have to personally fulfill my filial duties on your behalf."

"Xian Zhaoyuan is young, and although she has adopted her mother's temperament, she has no experience in taking care of others."

The little palace maid went in again to report the news.

I don’t know what happened this time, but the Queen Mother actually agreed.

Xie Run and his men were sent back to their own palace.

When we were almost at the gate of Showa Palace, Lady Lu appeared from nowhere, still panting.

"Thank you, sister!"

Xie Run said softly, "Come in and have some tea first, and then talk slowly."

Looking at Lady Lu's excitement, maybe she got some new news?

Lady Lu waved her hand and couldn't wait to speak: "I don't want to drink anymore."

"The Queen is going to attend to the Queen Mother. Do you think she will be..."

Lady Lu wanted to say torture, but since she was outside, she didn't dare to say these two words.

Xie Run laughed and said, "You underestimate the Queen's ability."

"Before, it was the Queen Mother who took the initiative, and the Empress remained silent. But now that the Empress has taken the initiative to mention taking care of the Queen Mother..." Xie Run smiled interestingly, "I think she should be able to take good care of the Queen Mother."

To be honest, if the Queen Mother wants to fight with the Queen...she can't even lift a finger.

After hearing this, Lady Lu nodded and said, "By the way, Sister Xie, I learned something from Xian Zhaoyuan."

"what's up?"

"She let me know today when we were chatting that she has a younger sister who is also being planned to be sent to the palace."

Xie Run: "What's the big deal? Concubine Sun has been communicating with the Duke of Ying's Mansion recently. I think she wants them to send someone new."

This kind of newcomer is usually selected from the direct sisters, and if no one is selected, the sisters from the collateral line will be looked for.

Anyway, we will definitely select the good ones and send them to you.

Lady Lu shook her head: "I think there's something wrong with Xian Zhaoyuan."

"Sister Xie, you also said that it's common for families to send people over, but Xian Zhaoyuan suddenly shut up when she mentioned this matter, as if there was something obscure that she couldn't mention."

"She quickly changed the subject and looked at me repeatedly, afraid I might overhear something."

Xie Run raised his eyebrows: "From this point of view, her sister is indeed a bit suspicious."

Lady Lu was a little excited: "I'll go explore for a while, I should be able to find some clues!"

"Alright." Xie Run saw her sweating profusely and said, "I won't keep you for tea. Go back and change your clothes quickly."

"Although it's almost summer, you can still catch a cold if you sweat and get blown by the wind, so you'd better be careful."

"understood!"

After watching Lady Lu disappear, Xie Run said to Dan Tao, "Please pack some tea leaves and send them to Luoyue Pavilion later."

Dan Tao: “Yes.”

If she can't drink tea, then send her some tea.

As soon as I entered Showa Palace, I saw the emperor sitting on the couch.

Xie Run smiled and asked, "When did the emperor come?"

Tao Tao was now perked up, dazzled by the emperor's bright yellow clothes, and called out, "Father!"

The emperor smiled solemnly and said, "I just came here after the court session."

He waved towards Tao Tao and said, "Come here, let father see if you have gained weight."

Tao Tao fell into the emperor's arms and cried out, "It's so heavy."

The emperor couldn't help laughing when he saw that he was quite self-aware.

The emperor actually weighed it and said, "It's really quite heavy."

The emperor came at this time, he must be here to have breakfast.

While the father and son were playing together, Xie Run went to the side and told someone to bring the food and asked the small kitchen to prepare some of his signature dishes.

The emperor played with Tao Tao for a while, then put him aside and asked Xie Run, "Did you go to the Cining Palace to pay your respects today?"

"I went, but I couldn't go." Xie Run told the truth: "The Empress Dowager was ill, and the Empress was extremely worried, so she went to attend to her personally."

The emperor chuckled and said, "After dinner, I will go visit my mother."

Xie Run usually doesn't let the atmosphere get dull and instead finds topics to chat about.

"Your Majesty, yesterday I had the courtyard renovated and some new flowers planted. Did you see them?"

The emperor looked at her meaningfully, "Everyone in the palace knows that Concubine Zhao Shu dug up the Zhaohe Palace. How could I not know?"

Xie Run said lightly: "Your Majesty!"

She destroyed everything she dug out herself, never causing trouble for the emperor, and even solved many problems for the emperor.

Should the emperor reward her?

The emperor pulled her into his arms and said, "You always do things properly, like a gentle breeze and drizzle, moistening everything silently."

Xie Run smiled and said, "Your Majesty, I appreciate your compliment."