OBS Chapter 375 Be careful with your words and deeds
Chapter 375 Be careful with your words and deeds
Chapter 375: Be Careful with Your Words and Actions
Eunuch Shi'an remembered Concubine Lu simply because she was close to Concubine Zhao.
Concubine Zhao never made friends with the other concubines in the six palaces, but she was kind to Concubine Lu.
As a result, the Imperial Household Department and the servants in various palaces all showed some respect to Concubine Lu.
Eunuch Shi'an also took Xie Run into consideration and did not mention that Concubine Lu was once a maid of Concubine An in the palace who gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl, for the emperor.
If this were to be said, the emperor would probably look at Concubine Lu with disdain.
Although Eunuch Shi'an did not mention it, the emperor thought about it for a moment and remembered Lu Concubine's past, and could not help but frowned.
"The Queen is quite strict in managing the harem now, so why is she allowed to talk about high positions so freely?"
Eunuch Shi'an lowered his head, thinking of saying a few words for Concubine Lu without being noticed.
Unexpectedly, the emperor changed the subject and asked, "Is what she just said true?"
Eunuch Shi'an was quick-witted and immediately said, "If you say that Xian Zhaoyuan reported that the Sixth Prince was unwell and didn't go to pay his respects, that's the truth."
"As for the rest, I don't know."
The emperor knew that he was being deliberately vague and kicked Shi'an: "You old fellow, you are becoming more and more cunning."
"Since I don't know, I will go and see for myself whether this is true or not."
Because he had to deal with palace affairs, Xie Run stayed in Fengyi Palace for a while longer.
While discussing the matter of the Seventh Prince with the Queen, a palace maid suddenly came forward and asked to see her.
Xie Run smiled and said, "Your Majesty, it's getting late. I'll take my leave now."
"The matter with the Seventh Prince has been almost settled. I'll go check it out this afternoon and everything will be settled."
The queen waved her hand and said, "You are tired too. Go back and rest for a while."
"I've noticed that you haven't looked well lately. It seems you've been tired from the New Year holiday."
"You have always been diligent and prudent. If you feel unwell, just send someone to ask for leave. I am not a suspicious person."
Xie Run smiled and said, "Perhaps I'm tired from the busy New Year. My appetite hasn't been very good recently. Thank you for your concern, Your Majesty."
"If I feel unwell, I will definitely ask for leave."
The queen nodded slightly.
After leaving Fengyi Palace, Xie Run saw Yueya not far away and guessed that she had something to say to her.
Yueya: "Your Majesty, the Fifth Prince is clamoring to wait for you to have breakfast together. Nanny Xu couldn't persuade him, so she sent a servant to wait for you."
Xie Run nodded seriously: "Cong'er is naughty again."
After the group walked two blocks, Yueya said, "Your Majesty, just now the Emperor went to Xian Zhaoyuan's palace. For some reason, he got furious and demoted Xian Zhaoyuan's rank."
"There's something even stranger. The Emperor just left Xian Zhaoyuan Palace and immediately issued an imperial decree, bestowing a title on Concubine Lu: Shen."
The emperor rarely punished concubines directly.
It would have been fine if Xian Zhaoyuan's position was suddenly demoted today, but she actually gave Lu Pin such a strange title.
I'm afraid there's something else going on.
When Xie Run heard this title, his first reaction was that the emperor was warning Concubine Lu to be careful with her words and actions.
But she wasn't sure.
Xie Run: "Go back to the palace first, and ask Concubine Lu if there is anything later."
If Xian Zhaoyuan's demotion was related to Concubine Lu, I'm afraid Concubine Lu would be trembling with fear right now.
Xie Run’s prediction turned out to be correct.
When Concubine Lu received the imperial edict, she immediately guessed the whole story and was so frightened that her heart was pounding. She hurriedly took people to the corner gate to ask to see Xie Run.
Going through the main entrance would attract too much attention, and she was afraid that she would bring trouble to Xie Run.
As soon as Xie Run returned to Showa Palace, he saw Concubine Lu with a bitter look on her face.
She was still in the mood to joke, "Not only have you been promoted, but you've also been given a title. You should be happy, but why are you looking so miserable? That's not like you."
Lupin cried, "Sister Xie, please stop teasing me. I'm almost scared to death."
Xie Run washed his hands and said calmly, "First, tell me what you did to attract the emperor's sudden attention."
Concubine Lu complained, "I just chatted a few words with Concubine Fang on the way back from paying my respects. Perhaps some gossipmonger told the Emperor, or perhaps the Emperor was overheard at the time."
"I hadn't even returned to the palace when I suddenly received the imperial edict."
"When I first heard the emperor bestowed me with a title, I was almost beside myself with joy. But it was the kingfisher who noticed something was wrong and quickly pulled me aside, saying that something must be fishy."
"I sent someone to inquire, and found out that the Emperor had just reprimanded Xian Zhaoyuan, and then bestowed the title on me. Calculating the timing, it was right when I finished gossiping about Xian Zhaoyuan..."
The more Concubine Lu thought about it after returning home, the more she felt something was not right.
But the emperor bestowed such a title upon me.
慎？
When I first heard it, I thought it was a compliment to her for being cautious, but when I thought about it carefully, she had a bad temper and was not cautious at all.
Thinking about it more carefully, could it be that the word "慎" means the emperor is warning her to be careful with her words and actions?
Concubine Lu tearfully said, "Sister Xie, do you think the Emperor is warning me?"
Xie Run said helplessly, "If the Emperor is really angry with someone, he can just demote them, just like he did to Xian Zhaoyuan. Why would he give you a title in public and then be angry with you in secret?"
To be honest, Concubine Lu is not worthy of the emperor's treatment.
After hearing this, Concubine Lu actually felt that it made some sense.
She asked cautiously, "Then the Emperor is not angry with me?"
Xie Run hesitated, "That may not be the case."
"This is such a coincidence. We need to send someone to investigate to confirm whether the emperor has heard something and whether this title has another meaning."
Based on Xie Run's understanding of the emperor, he might not be really angry with Concubine Lu, but he just has a bit of a mischievous temper.
She was dissatisfied with Xian Zhaoyuan using the Sixth Prince's indisposition as an excuse not to pay her respects, and she was also dissatisfied with Concubine Lu for not being able to control her mouth.
This is why he deliberately bestowed this title.
Even though Concubine Lu has gotten the upper hand now, Xian Zhaoyuan is not that stupid.
He sent someone to inquire and learned that it was Concubine Lu who caused his demotion. When he thought about the fact that he was demoted while Concubine Lu was given a title, he was afraid that she would not let it go.
The emperor's move was really mean.
Concubine Lu spoke too much and made an enemy for nothing.
Concubine Lu was at a loss. After hearing what Xie Run said, she nodded repeatedly, "I have to go and find out."
She paused, "What can I ask?"
Xie Run said gently, "First, send someone to the Imperial Garden to ask if the Emperor has been there today, and roughly what time he went there."
Spying on the emperor's whereabouts was a serious crime, but knowing where the emperor had been was very common in the harem.
"Let's check the time. This way we can know whether the emperor went to see Xian Zhaoyuan because he heard what you said, or whether someone gossiped about it in front of the emperor."
"Furthermore, send someone to find out the details of how Xian Zhaoyuan was demoted." Xie Run: "The emperor is not someone who listens to one side of the story. Even if he heard what you said, he would not directly demote Xian Zhaoyuan. It must be that something happened in Xian Zhaoyuan's palace."
Concubine Lu nodded repeatedly: "I'll go right away!"
She is good at gathering information.
Not long after, Concubine Lu came back with the news, her face looking half good and half bad.
Concubine Lu said with a bitter face: "I asked the servants in the Imperial Garden, and they said that the Emperor did go to the Imperial Garden after Concubine Fang and I finished paying our respects."
"According to the time calculation, the emperor went to Xian Zhaoyuan's palace because he listened to what I said."
"The good news is that the Emperor didn't demote Xian Zhaoyuan because of what I said. The Emperor was angry because when he went to Xian Zhaoyuan's palace, he happened to run into her bullying Nanny Jiang for no reason."
"Madam Jiang?" Xie Run suddenly heard this name and hadn't remembered who it was.
It was Concubine Lu who explained, "She was the old nanny who coaxed the Sixth Prince into submission. Later, the Emperor sent her to take care of him."
Lupin approached Xie Run and said, "Madam Jiang is very good at taking care of children, and the Sixth Prince has a spoiled personality. Now Madam Jiang is the only one who can take care of him. Xian Zhaoyuan has been very angry about this."
"Unfortunately, today, Xian Zhaoyuan couldn't stand it any longer and wanted to scold Nanny Jiang to put down her prestige. But the Emperor happened to see her."
"I heard that when the emperor went to see the Sixth Prince, he was crying and making a fuss, but Xian Zhaoyuan was only concerned with suppressing Nanny Jiang and completely ignored the Sixth Prince. This made the emperor furious, so he directly demoted Xian Zhaoyuan's position."
"I heard that if Xian Zhaoyuan hadn't begged him, the emperor would have had the Sixth Prince taken to the Prince's Residence right then and there."
"Once this incident became public, the Emperor knew that the Sixth Prince was not ill. In order to avoid paying respects to the Empress, Xian Zhaoyuan deliberately used the excuse that the Sixth Prince was ill."
With these two things happening at the same time, how can Xian Zhaoyuan have a good life?
So it is impossible to say that Xian Zhaoyuan’s misfortune has nothing to do with Concubine Lu.
But it doesn't matter that much.
Xie Run: "So it seems that the Emperor is not angry with you. Are you relieved now?"
Concubine Lu said awkwardly, "Thank you, sister. You said the emperor bestowed this title on me. Are you really not angry with me?"
Xie Run looked at her quietly and smiled faintly.
Concubine Lu sighed deeply.
It was obvious, so she couldn't keep deceiving herself.
"Once Xian Zhaoyuan knows the truth, I'm afraid she will hate me to death."
Xie Run smiled and said, "You are wrong. You should call her Xian Xiuyi."
Fortunately, Hui Zhaorong was promoted and the position of Xiuyi became vacant, otherwise Xian Zhaoyuan would have been directly demoted to Xian Xiurong.
After hearing this, Concubine Lu realized that Xie Run was comforting her and telling her not to worry too much.
She bowed to Xie Run and said, "It was Sister Xie who reminded me. She is currently unable to take care of herself. Even if she wants to hate me, she must first take good care of the Sixth Prince."
Xie Run patted her hand and said, "Don't worry, if she really wants to humiliate you, I won't allow it."
Now everyone in the palace knows that Concubine Lu is hers.
Xian Xiuyi bullying Concubine Lu was a slap in the face of Xie Run, and Xie Run would never tolerate it.
"Come to think of it, the title bestowed by the Emperor is quite good. I just hope you will be more careful with your words and actions in the future."
"If what happened today wasn't heard by the Emperor, but was heard by someone else and made a fuss about it, wouldn't that be a mistake for you?"
Concubine Shen nodded repeatedly: "I have learned my lesson thoroughly this time. I will never dare to speak nonsense outside again."
She sighed helplessly, "It's because the palace has been so peaceful these days, unlike back when I was in the palace where every step was so difficult, that's why I was careless."
Otherwise, Concubine Shen would not dare to act so recklessly.
The person who was most affected by this incident was Xian Xiuyi, while the others were just watching the show.
I was originally expecting Xian Xiuyi to make a fuss, but who knew that she would just shrink her neck and take care of the child in her own palace. Then there was no point in watching this drama anymore.
Seeing that it was almost mid-February, Xie Run went to discuss with the Queen about the making of spring clothes in the palace.
The queen also specially invited Xie Run to have dinner with her.
This was to honor Xie Run and also to show the outside world that there was harmony between the empress and concubines.
It’s just that Xie Run had a poor appetite and the Queen couldn’t eat much either, so the meal tasted bland.
As soon as he left Fengyi Palace, someone came to report the news to Xie Run.
"Empress Zhao, your servant has something to discuss with you. I would like to ask you to go to Fanghua Palace."
The person who came was the palace maid serving Hua Yu, and she spoke with quite a sense of authority.
In order to help digest his food, Xie Run did not take the sedan chair, but walked for a walk.
The people who were looking at Hua Yu were amused in their hearts: "Let your mistress take good care of the pregnancy in her own palace, and don't make any trouble."
"The most important thing for her now is to give birth to the prince safely, instead of thinking about other messy things all day long."
"If she feels uneasy in Fanghua Palace, she can ask the Emperor to change her palace. With Hua Zhaorong's favor, it would only take a word for it."
No matter how gently Xie Run spoke, her words, given her status, always carried a certain intimidating force of a superior.
When the palace maids in Fanghua Palace heard her ridicule, their faces changed slightly and they lowered their heads, not daring to speak.
After Xie Run finished speaking, he ignored the people sent by Hua Yu and left with his men.
After everyone was gone, Xiao Shu couldn't help but say, "Your Majesty, this Hua Zhaoyi is really getting more and more outrageous. She's relying on her pregnancy to cause trouble for us every now and then, and now she even wants to order you around!"
"She is a Zhaoyi. If she has something to discuss with you, she should come to you herself. How dare you go to her?"
Of course, Hua Yu is being so presumptuous now because she is pregnant.
If Xie Run was really unhappy, she could use her pregnancy as an excuse, which would make Xie Run seem fussy.
Xie Run said indifferently, "She's been doing stupid things for a long time. If you pay attention to her, you'll only be making yourself sick."
In the past year, Hua Yu has been promoted several times and is pregnant. Her brother has made many achievements outside the palace and is now very successful.
She was relatively well-behaved during the busy period at the beginning of the year.
After the festival, for some reason she started complaining that she was uncomfortable living in Fanghua Palace.
Xie Run originally thought that she was dissatisfied with the Fanghua Palace and wanted to take the opportunity to decorate it well so as to gain some benefits.
Who knew that Hua Yu didn't dislike Fanghua Palace, but wanted to get rid of other people living in Fanghua Palace and occupy Fanghua Palace alone.
Xiao Shu said angrily, "He said he couldn't sleep well and kept having nightmares, as if he was being assaulted. He insisted on asking a master to take a look. After the examination, he insisted that Concubine Duan was seriously ill and had bad luck, which was why she was pregnant with the royal heir."
"Yesterday, they said the incense in Concubine Wu's palace was too strong, and the smell spread to her palace, making people feel uncomfortable."
Xiao Shu was probably still dissatisfied with Hua Zhaorong, and her complaints were spoken very fluently.
Xie Run and Dan Tao both wanted to laugh after hearing this.
Xiao Shu: "It's a pity that even Duan Meiren has become like that. She can't tolerate anyone else."
"Although Concubine Wu also lives in Fanghua Palace, it's a long way from the main palace and not even close to Yongming Palace. She insisted that the incense in other people's rooms choked her."