SFS Chapter 450 Tit for Tat
Chapter 450 Tit for Tat
The cold wind, carrying a biting breath, swept across every inch of the land, completely dispelling the remaining warmth of autumn. Withered yellow leaves swirled in the wind, finally falling helplessly to the soil. The air was filled with a cold and refreshing feeling, and even the breath could feel the approach of winter.
In Yonghe Palace, two large fire baskets continuously supplied warm air, completely dispelling the coldness in the palace.
An Lingrong leaned on the couch, holding a stack of papers in her hands, her brows slightly furrowed, her eyes wandering between the lines.
After a moment, she gently put the paper down, her tone a little doubtful: "From these data, it seems that there is no problem."
Shen Meizhuang sat across from her, holding a cup of hot tea in her hand. She nodded when she heard this: "Shunpin's father is the Salt Transport Envoy of the Salt Transport Commissioner's Office. Although this position is only of the sixth rank, it was appointed by the Emperor himself, so he is considered a close confidant of the Emperor."
She paused and continued, "The Salt Transport Commissioner is responsible for the production, transportation, sales, and taxation of salt. He has heavy responsibilities and extensive powers, and is a vital source of national tax revenue."
An Lingrong hummed softly, her eyes darkening slightly as she said, "This is a very lucrative job."
"Her father served in Lianghuai, and none of her relatives were related to Concubine Duan."
An Lingrong tapped her temples, pondering carefully. After a moment, she said, "If Shunpin's family background has no connection with Concubine Duan, could it be that they became connected after entering the palace? This shouldn't be the case!"
Shen Meizhuang took a sip of tea and turned her gaze slightly. "Concubine Duan is just a concubine. What does Concubine Shun want from her? And now Huan'er and I both like her very much. We have conferred titles on the six palaces and promoted her to the rank of concubine. Why would she want to join Concubine Duan?"
The more An Lingrong thought about it, the more impossible it seemed.
She murmured softly, "Could it be that they really just met by chance in the Imperial Garden? Am I overthinking it?"
Seeing that she was frowning, Shen Meizhuang felt a little worried and asked softly, "Do you want to investigate further?"
An Lingrong shook her head, her tone cautious, "No need. She hasn't done anything wrong. If we rashly investigate her and her father and discover the truth and report it to the Emperor, he'll think we're meddling in state affairs, and that won't be worth it."
She sighed and laughed at herself: "Maybe I've been in the palace for too long, so I'm a little paranoid."
Shen Meizhuang nodded, her tone gentle: "Then let's pay more attention to her movements!"
An Lingrong nodded, her expression slightly relaxed.
As the two were talking, Caiyue walked lightly into the hall and respectfully reported: "My two ladies, the emperor has summoned Sun to sleep with him today."
An Lingrong was surprised when she heard this. She turned to look at Shen Meizhuang, her tone filled with confusion, "Ah, is she recovered? When did the Imperial Household Department put up her green card?"
Shen Meizhuang also looked puzzled and shook her head: "I don't know about this, and I didn't ask anyone to put up a green card on her."
Caiyue explained, "Today, Miss Sun was playing the guzheng in Qianqiu Pavilion. The Emperor happened to pass by and took her to the Yangxin Palace."
Upon hearing this, An Lingrong couldn't help but roll her eyes. What a cheesy plot.
Shen Meizhuang waved her hand nonchalantly, saying calmly, "Okay, got it."
Seeing this, Caiyue retreated respectfully.
After Sun agreed to sleep with the emperor, things got out of control. She was called up by Yongzheng for several consecutive days and became the most favored person in the harem. She was also promoted to a concubine.
A few days later, all the concubines in the palace gathered in Yongshou Palace to pay their respects.
The hall was filled with warmth, and the charcoal fire burned quietly in the copper stove, dispelling the cold outside.
Zhen Huan sat upright in the main seat, her expression gentle, her gaze sweeping over everyone like water. After she was seated, the concubines all saluted, their voices in unison: "Greetings to the Imperial Concubine!"
An Lingrong only bent slightly, her movements seeming perfunctory. It wasn't that she was relying on her close relationship with Zhen Huan to be ignorant of etiquette, but it was her period today, and her lower abdomen was swollen and painful, and the slightest movement made her feel uncomfortable.
Zhen Huan wore her usual gentle smile and spoke softly, "No need to be polite, please sit down!"
The concubines took their seats as instructed, and just then, Sun Heyin arrived late.
She walked slowly into the hall, bowed gracefully, and said in a gentle voice: "This concubine pays her respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine. I am late, and I hope Her Majesty will forgive me."
Zhen Huan's expression remained unchanged, her smile still radiant. "That's all right. You've worked hard serving the Emperor, so it's okay if you don't come. There's nothing important to do anyway, so go and take a seat!"
She really didn't care. Ever since Sun Heyin became favored, Yongzheng summoned her to accompany him less frequently, and she now had time to play mahjong with An Lingrong, Feng Ruozhao, and Shen Meizhuang.
Therefore, her favorability towards Sun Heyin has reached its maximum.
Sun Heyin stood up and walked slowly to her seat. After she sat down, a maid immediately brought her a cup of hot tea.
She lifted the lid of the teacup and took the opportunity to secretly glance at Zhen Huan's expression while drinking tea. Seeing that she looked normal, she couldn't help feeling a little frustrated.
She was late on purpose, hoping to give Zhen Huan a reason to punish herself so that she would be known as a jealous person in front of the Emperor and other concubines. Unexpectedly, Zhen Huan was so magnanimous that she didn't accept the challenge at all.
She turned her gaze to Shen Meizhuang again, but found that Shen Meizhuang's attention was all on An Lingrong across from her, and she didn't notice her at all.
Sun Heyin felt a wave of disappointment again. According to palace rules, after she recovered from her cold, she should have reported to Shen Meizhuang first, who would then notify the Imperial Household Department to hang a green card before she could serve the emperor. However, she had skipped Shen Meizhuang and directly "ran into" the emperor, a clear affront to Shen Meizhuang's authority. To her surprise, Shen Meizhuang didn't seem to take the matter to heart.
Sun Heyin was increasingly puzzled. What was going on? Didn't they care about this?
Just as she was lost in thought, Zhen Huan's voice rang out again, her tone filled with genuine concern: "The weather has been cold these days. Sisters, please take care of yourselves and don't catch a cold. Only by taking good care of yourselves can you serve the Emperor well."
Upon hearing this, Concubine Zhen chuckled and continued, "Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Concubine is absolutely right. However, in my opinion, catching a cold isn't necessarily a bad thing. Perhaps it will earn you even more favor from the Emperor. Sister Sun, don't you agree?"
After saying that, he picked up his handkerchief and covered his mouth with his hands, chuckling softly, with a hint of sarcasm in his tone.
Sun Heyin frowned slightly when she heard this. The bait she put out didn't catch the fish she wanted, but instead caught a small shrimp that could only jump around.
Since you bumped into me, don't blame me for taking it out on you.
She looked up at Concubine Zhen and smiled brightly, "Your Highness Concubine Zhen is right. When you catch a cold, I will definitely congratulate you!"