" The Emperor has decreed that the daughter of the county magistrate of Songyang County, An Bihuai, is of the An family. I am deeply impressed, and from now on, I will be granted the title of a sixth-grade noble.”
Li Chang smiled and said," Congratulations, Noble An! Congratulations, Noble An! The joy of promotion!"
After I received the decree, I still said without changing my expression,"Thank you, Eunuch Li. You've worked hard, Eunuch Li. Baojuan-" Baojuan smiled knowingly and took out a purse and stuffed it into Li Chang's hand. Li Chang did not retreat and accepted it with a smile.
Li Changxiao said," Noble An, this servant still has to serve the emperor. If Noble An has nothing else to say, this servant will take his leave first."”
I nodded and ordered,"Eunuch Xu, send Eunuch Li out."”
Li Changke smiled politely and said,"I don't dare, I don't dare!”He tactfully bowed and left.
I held the imperial edict tightly in my hand. I'm afraid no one in the harem would have thought that Xuan Ling would come to my Ten Thousand Moon Tower last night and even promote me to a noble today, right? I wonder if the Empress will regret pleading for my father? Zhen Huan and Concubine Hua's expressions must be very interesting, but I can't see them!
Baojuan said happily,"Little Lord, the emperor has conferred you as a noble!" It could be seen how different Little Master was in the Emperor's heart!”
After Xu Wanhai sent Li Chang off, he strode forward with a happy face and bowed respectfully. Eunuch Li had just told this servant that the Emperor had already appointed Lord An as Songyang County Magistrate!”
I raised my eyebrows. My father was also conferred a title?" He was slightly surprised. Last night, Xuan Ling came to the Ten Thousand Moon Tower and said that An Bihuai had been acquitted, but he didn't say that he was just a county magistrate.
Baojuan said happily,"Exactly!" Lord An is also honored to have Little Master promoted!”
However, Xu Wanhai said worriedly,"Now that Young Master has made a high-profile comeback, I'm afraid that the harem-"
Baojuan also realized it and said worriedly,"Yes, Little Master, you're too favored now. I'm afraid the entire harem is thinking about how to target you!"”
I raised my eyebrows and sneered.”
Baojuan was puzzled." But how did Master An get acquitted so quickly?”
Xu Wanhai was also in deep thought. He thought for a moment and said,"I heard that it was the Empress who pleaded for mercy. Master An was acquitted!"”
I said coldly,"Hmph!" Plead for mercy? Indeed, without the Empress's pleading and Concubine Hua's suppression, my father would not have been acquitted so quickly. I should thank them!”
Bao Juan suddenly realized something and said in surprise,"Is this the meaning of the so-called loss?"”
I looked at Baojuan with approval and said in a gratified tone,"It's rare that you still have some brains and haven't been blinded by this imperial edict. Otherwise, I would really worry about myself." Concubine Hua is in a hurry to suppress Zhen Huan's power, and the Empress will definitely not stand idly by. Who asked everyone in the harem to think that Zhen Huan and I are good sisters? Although Zhen Huan was favored, she was evenly matched with Concubine Hua! Moreover, Consort Hua's family background was not to be underestimated and she had many years of friendship with the Emperor, holding the power to manage the six palaces. Although the Emperor respected the Empress, he only treated her with respect. As the queen of the palace and no legitimate son, there are three unfilial, no descendants as the greatest! Consort Hua had always been arrogant and domineering. The Empress would not sit idly by and watch Consort Hua dominate. As long as Consort Hua requests to punish my father severely, the Empress will plead for my father. After all, my father wasn't directly involved in the case, and he's just a small county magistrate.”
Bao Juan was already tongue-tied and surprised,"Isn't the Empress afraid that Little Lord's favor will threaten her?"”
Xu Wanhai had already returned to his usual calm self as he slowly said,"This servant thought that the Empress was eager for Little Master to be favored and let Little Master block the threat of Hua Fei and the others."”
I praised," That's right, I'm just the daughter of the county magistrate. Even if I'm favored, I can only be a concubine in this life." The Imperial Concubine's words were Sheng Chong! Moreover, the Empress Dowager is here!"
Xu Wanhai looked at me deeply and sighed.”
I said coldly with an expressionless face,"Contend with change with constancy!"”
In the afternoon, the various palaces had already heard that I had been conferred the title of noble. The Empress and even Consort Hua had sent their servants to deliver generous gifts. It was just that some people's gifts were mixed with a lot of spices.
Xu Wanhai carefully looked at me and said,"Little Master, there's actually no such thing. Little Master has already been injured before. If you don't take good care of yourself..."
Baojuan said worriedly," Young Master, the tricks in the harem are always hard to guard against and are endless. Even the Hui Ronghua of the past and Shen Changzai of the present still hope that he has a son!”
I slowly peeled the lychee in my hand without raising my head." I never planned to get pregnant, at least for now!”
Xu Wanhai said in surprise,"It's very difficult to be childless in the harem! Although Little Master can't get pregnant now, it's time to make plans!”Bao Juan, who was fanning herself at the side, also had the same expression.
I said expressionlessly,"The children in the harem have always been difficult to raise!”He slowly swallowed the sparkling lychee. The flesh was full and juicy, and it was sweet.
Xu Wanhai sighed." Little Master doesn't have any children yet. He has already-" He paused to observe my expression and continued," Should Little Master's illness be cured?”
I coldly said,"The emperor just conferred me as a noble and I'm already sick. I'm afraid everyone in the harem wants to be sick!"”
Baojuan said anxiously,"It's just that this will inevitably hurt Little Master's jade body!"”
I sneered,"It's said that a woman's heart is like a needle in the sea.”
Xu Wanhai thought for a moment and said,"Little Master, what do you think?"”
I said expressionlessly," Just you wait. The harem has always been particular about the art of checks and balance. My favor today is nothing more than a loss of favor tomorrow! Besides, why would Zhen Huan wait for me to be favored alone?”
As expected. Zhen Huan's design attracted the emperor's attention with Chun Chang Zai's innocence and cuteness. That night, the emperor betrothed Chun Chang Zai in Tangli Palace and conferred him the title of a good lady. Chun Liang Yuan's innocence and kindness attracted the emperor's attention. Zhen Huan was also favored because of this, and Concubine Hua and the others had endless tricks. The Emperor did not have that much energy. I was naturally left out. Moreover, Chun 'er's family background was comparable to Zhen Huan's. My previous limelight was also forcefully suppressed.
The harem was calm and peaceful until the Mid-Autumn Festival.
As usual, he had to spend the Mid-Autumn Festival in the Forbidden City. The day of their return was set to be the 5th of August. When they returned to the imperial palace, the empresses and concubines were no longer the same as before. The sedan chair in Meizhuang was strictly guarded and no one was allowed to touch it. Even though Consort Hua's Emerald Feathers Blue Luan carriage followed the Empress, its magnificence was not inferior to the Empress's. After Consort Que, Feng Shuyi, and Consort Xin Gui, Zhen Huan and Cao Jieyu were riding side by side, and my sedan chair followed behind. After two days of traveling, they finally returned to the Forbidden City.
As soon as he returned to the Misty Pavilion, Bao Ying, Qiao Yue, Qiao Hui, and the other girls were already teary-eyed and happy. Although Little Shunzi was excited, he didn't do anything to cry.
"Congratulations, young master, on your promotion to a noble!”A few servant girls in the room knelt down and saluted.
I looked up and said coldly,"You still have some brains!" Forget it, I'm tired."
Mid-Autumn Festival.
The Mid-Autumn Festival's etiquette was complicated. Xuan Ling gave banquets to the courtiers outside. In the evening, the rear palace held a family banquet. The Empress organized it very lively without losing her royal identity. The eldest son of the emperor, Yu Li, and the two imperial concubines, Shuhe and Wenyi, were happy. Harmony.
According to the etiquette system, the family banquet was held in the Huiguang Hall, the first hall of the main gate of the rear palace. The kings and the women inside and outside were present. The empress dowager was in a good mood and even invited a few imperial concubines to accompany her. The Empress Dowager rose to the throne facing south, and the imperial concubines sat on both sides to accompany her. A stage was set up on the south side of the hall, and all kinds of tricks and dances were performed at the same time. The Empress Dowager led her concubines, princes and concubines to offer tea and wine to congratulate the Empress Dowager on her longevity.
After the celebration, they returned to their seats. The congratulatory music was played over and over again. The singers in the band used their loud voices to sing along with the music and sing a toast.
Because it was a family banquet, the Empress Dowager's dress was luxurious but not grand. She wore a dark blue palace dress, her hair was combed into a graceful cloud bun, and she wore a pair of golden silk inlaid with rubies. There was nothing else. The makeup on her face was light, and her appearance could only be described as delicate. Perhaps it was because he worshipped Buddha all year round, he had a peaceful and noble temperament. However, she did not seem happy. The sadness in her eyes was faintly discernible. At the Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet, she was probably thinking of her youngest son.
When the Empress Dowager saw the dozens of concubines under her, she smiled at Xuan Ling with a very gratified expression." The Emperor must share the rain and dew equally in order for the harem to reproduce.”He also said to the Empress,"You are the master of the harem, so naturally you have to take care of things for the Emperor. Don't let him have any worries."”The empress received the order, and the empress dowager chatted with the empress dowager. Although the empress was her niece, she only had a polite and distant attitude. Perhaps it was the difference between Di and Shu. If the Empress was not liked by the Empress Dowager and they thought that the Empress was not to be feared, then they would be at a disadvantage. To be precise, the Vermilion Family had produced three Empresses. They were a glorious family. No matter how much the Empress Dowager disliked the Empress, she would not allow the Vermilion Family to produce a deposed Empress. And if one looked down on the Empress Dowager just because she was a Buddhist and did not care about the affairs of the world, one would suffer a loss. After all, Noble Consort Shu had been pampered all her life, but in the end, the one who became the Empress Dowager was her, Consort Lin. It went without saying.
Because the king of Runan was on an expedition to the southwest, only the princess consort He was present. The Empress Dowager smiled and said,"Your prince is not here. You must take good care of your body and take care of the prince."”After a round of rewards, Concubine He bowed to thank the Empress Dowager for her concern. The Empress Dowager also kindly said to Xuan Fen,"I heard that Fen 'er is very good at poetry, calligraphy, riding, and archery." Aijia, as her mother, is also at ease.”She turned around and said to Concubine Chen and Concubine Zhuang He,"Your son is very well raised."”Because of the humble background of Empress Dowager Chen, Prince Xuan Fen of Pingyang had always been raised by Empress Dowager Zhuang He. Now that he heard the Empress Dowager say this, he was so happy that tears welled up in his eyes.
After Noble Consort Shu left the palace to cultivate, Xuanqing had been raised by the Empress Dowager herself. The Empress Dowager kindly smiled and said,"Qing 'er is the most unreassuring." Now that he was no longer young, it was time for him to start a family!”
Xuan Qing smiled and said,"Mother, don't worry. Your son will definitely marry someone he likes and pay his respects to Mother." It's just that the person your son likes is very rare.”
The Empress Dowager smiled at Xuan Ling and said," The Emperor should also listen to this. If there is a good woman, no matter what her family background is, she can be chosen for him."”It could be seen how much the Empress Dowager doted on Xuanqing.
Xuan Qing only smiled and said nothing. Xuan Ling smiled and said," Mother, don't be anxious. Perhaps he will have someone he likes tomorrow."”
The Empress Dowager smiled helplessly.”
The Empress Dowager gradually showed signs of fatigue and returned to the palace with a few imperial concubines. The family banquet was hosted by the empress as usual.
It had been a long time since he last saw Xuan Ling, but he was still as handsome as ever. During the banquet, he had a good time with the Empress and the others. The seats were arranged according to the rank of the concubines, so I could only look at him from afar. Looking at him like this, he was so high and mighty that he could not be offended. This was not the Xuan Ling I was familiar with, but he was Xuan Ling.
Zhen Huan was dressed very gorgeously, which showed how much she had been doted on recently. She was dressed in a large hibiscus green muslin dress with pink daffodils and green leaves. Her makeup was also exquisite. Her hair hung low and her hair was inlaid with pearls and jasper. She looked like a lotus in the water. In this area, her looks and bearing were among the best. During the banquet, the Emperor was extremely considerate to Zhen Huan and even ordered Li Chang to personally share the dishes in front of him with Zhen Huan. The two of them exchanged glances and looked at each other from afar. They were a good pair.
Chun Liang Yuan was also extremely favored. If there was anything interesting, the Emperor would immediately order Li Chang to send it over. However, the Emperor did not forget Consort Hua. He rewarded her with fruits and wine. All of a sudden, everyone in the harem looked at them. After tonight, there would probably be even more people who hated them, right?
I swallowed the bitterness in my heart. My gaze was unfocused as I casually looked at Xuan Qing. This man who said he would marry someone he liked. I sighed in my heart. I didn't have such a good man, but I didn't have such luck. He seemed to notice my gaze and raised his glass to me with a friendly smile. I automatically ignored him.
Throughout the entire banquet, Xuan Ling did not look at me at all. I did not know what to feel. Hehe, actually, this family was all infatuated. Xuan Ling loved Zhu Rou, Xuan Qing vowed to marry the person she liked, and Prince Runan also doted on Concubine He alone. She really didn't know if she was lucky or unlucky to marry men like them.
The family banquet finally ended. On the night of the Mid-Autumn Festival, Xuan Ling naturally stayed in the Empress 'Zhaoyang Hall while the concubines returned to their respective palaces to rest. When he left, he didn't look at me at all.
Looking at the moon on the horizon, I sat under the Acacia tree and drank alone. Previously, he did not dare to let himself go during the banquet, lest he lose his manners in front of the emperor and become a joke. It's not that I didn't feel the mocking gazes of the other concubines, but what can I do? Now, he could finally have a few drinks to his heart's content!
Zhen Huan had always been friendly to me during the banquet. From time to time, she would smile thoughtfully. Those who didn't know better would think that we were really good sisters. She really knows how to pretend. She was the one who ridiculed me that day, and now she's the one who's friendly to me!
Xu Wanhai went forward and bowed respectfully.”
I said coldly,"If I say no, would you believe me?"”
Xu Wanhai looked at me deeply without saying a word.
At this moment, Qiaohui stepped forward and bowed respectfully." Young Master, Feng Shuyi is here to visit Young Master."”
"Please." It's already 11 o'clock. It's neither too early nor too late. I don't have any relationship with her, so why is she here?
Feng Shuyi held onto her pearl-like hand and took a few steps forward with a smile." Just now, I saw from afar that Noble An was the most docile and lovely. Now that I look at her carefully, she is indeed slender and moving."”
I said expressionlessly,"Feng Shuyi, please take a seat. Please forgive me for my lack of hospitality."”
Feng Shuyi smiled as if she didn't care about my coldness and continued,"Wan Wanyi is not feeling well. The Emperor has already gone to visit her."”He was surprised. This person didn't even need to be so direct?
I raised my eyebrows and said coldly,"Feng Shuyi is very familiar with the Emperor's whereabouts?"”However, her heart was already in turmoil. The 15th of every month was a rare day for the Empress to see Xuan Ling, not to mention that tonight was the Mid-Autumn Festival! Zhen Huan was actually so muddle-headed?
Feng Shuyi didn't mind and continued to smile." The Emperor has already flipped through Wan Wanyi's token for eight consecutive days. I'm afraid that the promotion will be in these two days!”
I didn't say anything and continued to savor the wine.
Feng Shuyi couldn't help but look at me deeply and praise,"Noble An is indeed good!"”
I was still expressionless and ignored her.
Feng Shuyi smiled faintly, but she wasn't discouraged. She said gently," I heard that Younger Sister's talent is the best in the harem. It's a long night, and I'm lonely in the palace. Why don't Younger Sister An accompany me to play a game of chess?"”
I raised my eyebrows and said coldly,"Why not?"”I'd like to see why you're here tonight! Then, he instructed Qiao Hui," The moon in the Wanyue Tower is alluring, but it's better to hold the lamp!”
The moon of the Mid-Autumn Festival was as bright as jade. The cold moonlight sprinkled on the ground, and a soft blue light mixed with the yellow light of the candlelight.
Xu Wanhai prepared a set of red sandalwood chessboard. The chessboard was carved with exquisite patterns, and the black and white chess pieces were made of agate. In the depths of the Bright Moon Courtyard, two equally intelligent women were already entangled on the chessboard.
Feng Shuyi smiled elegantly and said," Sister An, you're taking every step carefully.”
I said indifferently,"Sister Feng is advancing step by step, as if she doesn't want the concubine to have a chance to counterattack."”
Feng Shuyi continued to smile." Sister An, you only defend and don't attack. You're indeed calm."”
I Huan Su said indifferently,"I have never been good at chess. Since elder sister is in the mood, younger sister will naturally do her best."”
Feng Shuyi smiled and continued," Sister An, you shouldn't just defend and not attack. What if he deliberately gave in? He was afraid that if he encountered an opponent with superb chess skills, his true form would be revealed!”
I just looked down at the chessboard and said in an unmoved tone,"Playing chess is just a mental exchange. Even if the opponent was stronger than her, she believed that there was still a chance of winning if she attacked while defending. If she counterattacked in a hurry, her weakness would be discovered earlier and she would be doomed!”
Feng Shuyi looked at me in surprise and then slowly said," It's futile. It's still progress. It's inevitable that you'll lose if you keep defending for a long time. It's inevitable that you'll look like a coward!"”
I didn't even look at her and coldly said,"It's still unknown who will win." It's not beautiful to be complacent."
The two of them stopped talking and just quietly played chess.
the moon rises above the willows. The number of chess pieces on the board slowly increased. In the beginning, Feng Shuyi played very quickly. However, after the middle of the game, her speed slowed down. Each time, she became slower and slower. The time she spent thinking also became longer and longer. Hanzhu did not understand chess, but she could see that her master was at a disadvantage. My expression didn't change, and my speed didn't change either. Every time Feng Shuyi placed a piece down, I would place it down unhurriedly. This was a game of chess and also a psychological tactic.
Xu Wanhai stood at the side and stared at the chessboard in surprise. He was no longer relaxed and stared at the chessboard nervously.
After playing for a while, Feng Shuyi took out a chess piece from the box. However, she let go of it and let the chess piece fall back into the box. There was no need to play anymore. She knew that she had lost.
Xu Wanhai remained silent.
The chess pieces on the chessboard were black and white. People who didn't know chess couldn't tell the winner. If they counted, they would find that the black and white chess pieces had the same number of fingers. However, in the eyes of people who knew chess, the black chess pieces lost miserably.
Feng Shuyi looked at me in shock once again. Every step she took was correct and her plan was superb. If it was someone else, it would be hard to say who would win. Feng Shuyi's style of chess was good at using momentum. He could make use of every piece. Moreover, Feng Shuyi's chess skills were top-notch in terms of overall situation and strategic perspective. Once he made a wrong move with Feng Shuyi, her attacks would be endless. The seemingly insignificant pieces would all become powerful attackers.
Now, Feng Shuyi had lost. She had lost terribly. There were no shadows or traps in this game. I didn't even see any attacks. I just placed the pieces on the board and played them messily. But slowly, the game became clearer. Feng Shuyi's traps were revealed, but they were all resolved by the scattered chess pieces. It was so simple. Even Feng Shuyi's killing move was useless.
This game of chess made people very uncomfortable. Yes, uncomfortable. A game of chess without killing intent, without offense, with soft chess made people feel very uncomfortable. Even when others were playing chess, they would attack and eat the other party's pieces, but not a single piece was eaten in this game. But if he lost, because all the traps and killer moves were useless, there was no point in continuing.
"I lost." Feng Shuyi admitted that she had lost. She couldn't tell what kind of person I was from this game of chess. My calm expression and gentle playing style had dissolved all of her attacks and rendered all of her plans useless.
"Thank you." I calmly picked up the pieces. Feng Shuyi's chess skills were not bad. After a few more moves, I would be able to unsheathe my hidden edge. My chess pieces were not soft. If I continued, Feng Shuyi's pieces would all be destroyed. It was a pity that she couldn't see it. She could only see that I had resolved Feng Shuyi's offensive trap, but she didn't notice the killing intent that was about to be unsheathed.
Feng Shuyi quickly regained her usual demeanor and smiled faintly." Sister An is very skilled in chess. I admit that I'm inferior."”Then, she looked up at the sky and smiled gently." It's late. Let's visit another day. How about we play another game then?"”
My tone didn't change. The concubine's health is not good. I'm afraid that she will pass on her illness to her sister.”
Feng Shuyi looked at me with a dazzling light in her eyes and said gently," Sister is not feeling well. Of course, I have to care about you. I came in a hurry today. I'll prepare a gift another day. I hope you won't take offense!"”
My face was cold. In that case, Qiaohui, send the guest out!" After saying that, he continued drinking without saying a word.
Feng Shuyi smiled and left.
Xu Wanhai bowed." Young Master, Feng Shuyi has accompanied the Emperor for many years and has never been involved in worldly affairs.”
"What do you think of Feng Shuyi compared to Consort Duan?”I asked without batting an eyelid.
Xu Wanhai thought for a moment and replied,"Each has its own merits."”
I looked up at the bright moon on the horizon and slowly chanted,"Today's people can't see the ancient moon, but today's moon once shone on the ancients." The ancients and today's people are like running water, watching the moon together is like this.”
This book is provided by FunNovel Novel Book | Fan Fiction Novel [Beautiful Free Novel Book]