SFS Chapter 207: Leaking the water
Chapter 207: Leaking the water
"Liu Zhu, go to Chuxiu Palace and tell her that I have found a rare ancient book and would like to invite Sister Mei to come and enjoy it with me."
Zhen Huan instructed softly while gently stroking her slightly bulging belly.
"As you command, I will go to Chuxiu Palace and invite Concubine Hui to come over."
After watching Liu Zhu walk away, Zhen Huan glanced at Cui Jinxi who was standing beside her.
"My Lady, everything is ready and under control."
"Okay, I'll trouble you, Auntie."
The master and servant looked at each other, and everything was understood without words.
Shen Meizhuang, who shared the same interests as Zhen Huan, accepted the invitation without hesitation and followed Bai Zhi directly to Suiyuxuan.
Before the figure arrived, his smiling voice had already reached my ears: "Huan'er, you are the only one who understands my heart best."
"Sister Mei, the yam and jujube paste cake in the small kitchen is still being prepared. Let's go to the study first."
Zhen Huan greeted her with a smile and gently held Shen Meizhuang's hand.
Hearing the pleasant conversations coming from the study from time to time, Caixing's eyes turned.
"Sister Liuzhu, my queen prefers yam and jujube paste cake, but the one made in the Chuxiu Palace kitchen doesn't taste right. Could you go to the kitchen and take a look?"
"Sister Caixing, go ahead. I'm here to watch over you."
Caixing stayed in the small kitchen until the yam and date paste cake was out of the oven before coming out.
Although the Suiyuxuan Palace is small, it has everything you need, and the small kitchen has everything you need.
As the palace maids had privately said, Concubine Hua's great favor was a thing of the past, and now Concubine Wan was the emperor's favorite.
She glanced at the study and wondered whether the emperor would come to Suiyuxuan to visit Concubine Wan today.
Her master is dignified and virtuous, and cannot learn the coaxing skills of Concubine Wan. Caixing's only hope is that her master can get pregnant with a dragon fetus again.
Shen Meizhuang couldn't let go of the ancient book that Zhen Huan had just acquired. After lunch, she buried herself in the study and copied it carefully.
"Huan'er, thank you so much for inviting me to appreciate this ancient book."
After being busy for more than an hour, she raised her head, rubbed her sore wrist, and said gratefully to Zhen Huan.
"I've been bothering you for a long time, it's time to go back."
"When I get something good someday, I'll definitely invite you to come over and enjoy it."
"Sister Mei, Eunuch Su just sent someone to tell me that the Emperor wants to have dinner at Suiyuxuan."
Zhen Huan patted her hand gently and said, "Sister, I hope you will get pregnant soon, so that our children can take care of each other."
"Huan'er, sister, I..."
The fake pregnancy made Shen Meizhuang see through the emperor's coldness, and she became indifferent to the emperor's comings and goings.
After spending many days together, she also discovered that the emperor treated Huan'er differently.
There is a mutual friendship between the two of them, but Shen Meizhuang is afraid of making Zhen Huan sad, so she never takes the initiative to appear before the emperor.
Even the Empress Dowager of Shoukang Palace advised her that women should be more flexible and not try to compete with the Emperor.
She understood the general principles, but Shen Meizhuang's pride did not allow her to bow her head again.
Last time she got pregnant and lost the child, Huan'er guessed that the mastermind behind it was most likely Concubine Hua, but the emperor had been investigating for several months and had not told her the result.
This made her feel even more disappointed with the emperor's unfair treatment.
Zhen Huan noticed the obvious resistance on Shen Meizhuang's face, her eyes flashed, and she persuaded her with great sorrow.
"Sister Mei, Huan'er knows that you have a grudge against the emperor, but you have to think about your uncle and aunt."
"Your aunt has devoted all her heart and soul to you over the years, raising you to be a well-read and learned lady from a noble family. She didn't intend for you to waste your time in the deep palace."
"Look at the Imperial Concubine Shu of Yonghe Palace. Because she gave birth to a child, she is the most successful among her fellow concubines."
"Huan'er heard that the An family not only received the Huang Manor as a reward from the Emperor, but also received a large mansion with four entrances on the day of her enthronement."
"If Concubine Shu succeeds, her whole family will benefit greatly."
"Sister Mei, you..."
"Huan'er, I'll listen to you."
Shen Meizhuang entered the palace carrying the expectations of her family, and she should not forget her responsibilities for selfish reasons.
"Huan'er, your words have enlightened me. I was indeed narrow-minded before."
During dinner, Zhen Huan livened up the atmosphere at the table, and Shen Meizhuang accompanied the emperor for a few drinks.
As soon as it got dark, the emperor naturally followed Zhen Huan's wishes and took Shen Meiyu back to Chuxiu Palace.
Fubao, who was staring at the main hall, immediately informed Huanbi of the news.
"My lady, the Emperor and Concubine Hui have returned to Chuxiu Palace."
"I believe that Concubine Wan intends to promote Concubine Hui to consolidate her favor."
Huanbi, who had not received any letter from her father, complained in dissatisfaction when she heard this.
"Your Majesty, it's very convenient to go to Chuxiu Palace, and it's even easier to get to the west side hall of Suiyuxuan."
"How could Concubine Wan be so willing to give the emperor away as a gift to an outsider and not keep the emperor in Suiyuxuan?"
Fubao rolled his eyes secretly. He Changzai really took herself seriously. He didn't know why her master would let her get close to such a stupid and short-sighted person.
However, she still acted according to the orders she received and continued to stir up He Changzai's dissatisfaction with the people in the main hall.
"My lady, please forgive me for speaking frankly. The Emperor has already stayed in the East Wing Palace for two nights. I have watched..."
Fubao turned his head and looked towards the main hall.
"It seems that Concubine Wan doesn't want you to sleep with her."
"When I returned to the small kitchen to fetch some water, I heard someone pointing at two large water vats in the corner and telling people not to approach from the west side hall."
"It's just too much of a lie."
Unable to bear it any longer, Huanbi slammed her hand on the table, accidentally knocking over the warm teacup.
The tea leaves flowed down the table and wet Huanbi's palace dress.
She ordered in a deep voice.
"Fubao, I feel itchy and want to take a bath. Take Bai Wei with you to boil some water. Use the water in the big vat."
Her elder sister doesn't allow her to serve the emperor, so is it possible that she can't even use a little water?
No matter she is allowed to use it or not, she must take this bath today!
After receiving the report from the little palace maid, Bai Zhi immediately found Cui Jinxi.
"Aunt Cui, He Changzai insisted on taking a bath with the water from the small kitchen. Someone downstairs said that the queen wanted to grow water lilies, and Miss Fubao said that He Changzai had bugs in the room and had to take a bath."
"Chang Zai He doesn't need much water, so just leave it to them. Watch out, don't let anyone take the lotus seeds away."
Cui Jinxi glanced at the west side hall obscurely and replied in a low voice.
Tonight is a critical moment, we can't lose the big picture for the sake of small gains.
The reason why Concubine Wan did not leave the emperor in Suiyuxuan was to avoid the inconvenience of having too many people around.
Late at night, Liu Zhu, lying in bed, heard faint moans. She listened carefully and found that they came from the bed next door.
"Baizhi, are you feeling unwell?"
"Sister Liu Zhu, I'm sorry, my stomach hurt so much that I couldn't hold it back."
They were given the leftover pork and cabbage from the main hall in the evening. Bai Zhi was busy cleaning up the small kitchen. By the time she used the soup to soak the rice, a layer of white had appeared on the bowl.
This will only make you sick.
Liu Zhu said considerately, "I've had stomach upset before. Come on, I'll go to the toilet with you."
It was windy outside, and the two people walked out in the dark, holding each other tightly.
Baizhi defecated three times in a row and really didn't want to trouble Liuzhu anymore, so she sneaked out.
When I was coming back holding on to the wall, I accidentally caught a glimpse of light on the other side of the palace wall of the west wing.
She stood against the wall for a long time, and only hurried back to her room when the fire was lit in the west wing.
I thought silently in my heart that my master was really a prophet, and he actually guessed that Concubine Wan would take action today.
Not long after, a shrill scream was heard from outside.
"There's a fire! There's a fire! There's a fire!"