After the emperor issued that edict, everyone thought the empress would make a big scene in the harem or at least argue with the emperor, of course, this was just the secret speculation of those lower-ranking consorts.

  The high-ranking consorts and concubines had all been through the ups and downs of the harem for many years, and they all sensed something unusual in this ordinary edict. After making their own guesses, they all chose to remain still and not take action, closing their doors and staying inside.

  Until evening, nothing was heard from the Kunning Palace. Only after dinner did it spread that the Kunning Palace had invited a royal doctor. Later, the Empress Dowager issued an edict stating that her old illness had recurred and she was unwell. The consorts changed their daily visits to every three days.

  The emperor did not make any statement.

  Su Jing guessed the purpose of the Empress's actions, seemingly to cooperate with the Emperor, her "illness" provided a reason for Shu Guifei to take charge of the harem, but in reality, it was probably a retreat to advance, virtuous and magnanimous. With such an edict issued, those who didn't understand the truth would likely think the Empress was the victim.

  But still, it's unlikely that everyone would be so stupid.

  For example, Zong Zhengjin, faced with such a ready-made excuse, may not even bother to use it, and such a humble attempt to curry favor would have little effect.

  For example, Shu Gui Fei, who has no power to assist in the management of the six palaces, her role is not great. The favoritism she enjoys has never been overshadowed by power, and from her years of struggle with the Empress, it can be seen that she still holds an advantage. This kind of excuse, similar to almsgiving, only makes her turn up her nose in disdain.

  "Go and pick out a gift, send it to Kun Ning Palace, pay attention to choose things that are not easy to be tampered with."

  Yao nodded, "Yes, I understand, Master can rest assured."

  No need for goodnight wishes, tomorrow is another day to sleep in.

  That night, as expected, the Emperor stayed in Chonghua Palace.

  "Master, the plum blossoms in Mei Garden have bloomed. Do you want to go take a look?" Dai Man suggested as she saw her lying on the couch, feeling bored and listless.

  Su Jing glanced at the sky outside, the sun was just right, "Alright, lying like this every day, my muscles and bones have all gone soft."

  Dai Man chuckled and said, "Master has been lying down since entering the palace until now, it's time to be lazy."

  "Alright then, you dare to mock your master now," Su Jing said with a smile as she put on her fox-fur lined cape.

  This was sent by Zong Zhengjin's people a few days ago, and it is said that it was to make up for the white fox he promised her during the hunt. According to her size, a cloak has just been made, which is very warm.

  This was beyond her rank, the fur was too precious, Su Jing knew it wasn't an ordinary white fox, but she didn't want to put it away and waste it.

  After all, it's an imperial gift, who dares to say more?

  As for herself, she has never been willing to live in fear and trepidation. The "unseemly" things she had done before were already too numerous, and adding one more wouldn't make much of a difference. Besides, she believed he would be satisfied with her doing so.

  Plum Garden

  As the name suggests, Mei Garden is indeed just a plum garden, with an extremely large area. However, it's obviously not just ordinary plum blossoms, but rather a royal product that exudes uniqueness and quality everywhere, guaranteed to be of high standard.

  Here, plum blossoms are always carefully tended by specialized personnel. The varieties are so numerous that they can be said to have gathered all the great achievements of the world. Various rare and precious treasures are countless here. Each plum tree, each branch of plum blossoms, has its own unique characteristics.

  It is said that because Empress Xi of the previous dynasty particularly loved plum blossoms, the former emperor collected many rare varieties and transplanted them here for her.

  "Zhen jie, you've also come to admire the plum blossoms?" Ling Gui Ren's eyes had spotted Su Jing Xuan walking towards them and he almost immediately spoke up, attracting a crowd of onlookers.

  "The concubine and servant girl pay their respects to Lady Jin."

  Su Jingxi thought of hiding but it was already too late, so she walked over and gave a slight support, "Everyone, please get up quickly."

  Almost all the concubines who entered the palace with her have passed away, except for Du Gui Ren, Li Liang Yu and Qi Xiao Yi, who are pregnant.

  "The concubine gives Ning Shunyi a salute," both being of the fourth rank, only performing an equal ceremony.

  Ning Xuan Ying glanced at the cloak on her body, and it wasn't just her, almost everyone present was drawn in by the cloak on her body at a glance. Not to mention at home, even in the palace, they had never received such good things before, and one look showed that it was extremely valuable.

  "Zhen sister needn't be so polite," Ning Shunyi also returned a courtesy of equal degree.

  Su Jing seemed to have not heard her sarcasm and found a spot in the garden to sit down, quietly admiring the plum blossoms.

  Unfortunately, there is always someone who doesn't want her wish to come true.

  "Zhen's windbreaker is really nice, I've never seen such a good-looking windbreaker before," said Linggui, with a face full of envy.

  Ning Shunyi wasn't willing to show weakness either, "Yes, this year the concubine only got rabbit hair fabric, where did you get such good luck, sister?"

  Su Jing hooked the corner of her mouth, and after they all finished speaking, she slowly opened her mouth, "Is it that Ben Pei didn't know how rare this fabric was? She hadn't seen it before either."

  Others suddenly remembered that Su Jing was just a fifth-grade official's daughter, a completely small family, and many of those present had a better family background than hers, thinking so, they felt even more unbalanced in their hearts.

  Su Jing suddenly didn't give them the opportunity to continue speaking sarcastically, "It's just that this was bestowed by the Emperor, and at first, the Emperor didn't tell me that this fabric was particularly precious, only saying that it would be used to make a cloak for me."

  Everyone was indignant and did not dare to speak out, daring to question the emperor, only feared that they would not want to live.

  Su Jing successfully shut their mouths for a moment, and in order to clear her ears, she decided, "Ben Pin thinks it's time to take a walk, so I won't chat with all the sisters anymore."

  "Zhen jie, it's been a long time since we last met. Are you avoiding all of us sisters and don't want to stay with me?" He Lian Lingyu asked with an innocent face, her tone also carrying a hint of grievance.

  Su Jingxi let out a silent sigh in her heart, swept a glance at the seated crowd, all of whom had faces that were not quite right, with faint smiles. "It's just that I, the imperial concubine, have been staying in Xiuyun Pavilion for too long, and my body can't help but feel somewhat unwell. I thought it would be good to get some exercise, I suppose all of you sisters can understand me, right?"

  Since things have been said to this extent, others naturally don't dare say anything more.

  An official is one level higher and can crush people to death, it's the same principle. If there was someone here with a higher status than Su Jing at this time, then there would be at least ten ways to make her stay in this garden.

  Strolling among the various plum trees, she soon left their resentful line of sight. Su Jingfan let out a breath in her heart, "Wait and pick a few branches of plum blossoms to take back, Benpin remembers that there is a Qinghua Di Liuliuping vase in the warehouse, use that one."

  "Yes, I remember," replied Daiman.

  "The sparse shadows stretch across the shallow water, the fragrance floats in the yellow dusk. The maids think this is the right one, what does Your Majesty think?"

  As soon as Dai Man's voice fell, Su Jing heard a sound not far away, and when she looked over, she saw a yellow figure vaguely visible in the distance. Just as she was thinking about whether to go over or not, Zong Zhengjin had already walked over this way.

  Su Jing hurriedly stepped forward, made a curtsy and said, "The concubines pay their respects to Your Majesty."

  Zong Zhengjin was interested in visiting the plum blossoms in Meiyuan after hearing Su Shunian mention that they had all bloomed, and he also wanted to avoid running into idle people who would disturb his interest, so he deliberately took a secluded path, but unexpectedly ran into An Liangdi as soon as he entered, and they walked together.

  Now, I met her again.

  "Get up," Zong Zhengjin saw that she was wrapped like a rice dumpling, with several thick layers, her whole body didn't show any curves or beauty, only her face was quite lovely.

  "How did you manage to come out today?"

  Su Jing raised an eyebrow, "The concubines must have sensed that the Emperor would also come to admire the plum blossoms, and it was a coincidence that they met previously."

  It wasn't until Su Jing finished speaking that she realized there were other people around, and it wasn't just the two of them alone together. Feeling a bit embarrassed, Zhong Anliang smiled awkwardly.

  An Shu Wei's mouth slightly hooked up, her reaction was flat. She had originally come to admire the plum blossoms and left alone after Su Jing Xian departed. Along the way, she coincidentally met the Emperor and happily accompanied him, chatting idly about poetry, when they unexpectedly ran into her around a corner.

  Zong Zhengjin didn't care what others thought, and being teased by her, he habitually walked over to touch her head, "You always have a lot of twisted logic."

  Su Jing gave him a sweet smile, "That's because the concubine is clever and always thinks of crooked reasons that are different from the great principles of the emperor."

  "When did I ever discuss grand principles with you?" Zong Zhengjin asked casually.

  Su Jing was taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing. "Every word the Emperor says is golden and jade-like, naturally they are famous quotes for people to learn from, no different from great principles."

  "Haha," Zong Zhengjin laughed loudly, "According to what you just said, in order to avoid the people of the world having too many great principles to learn, I should not speak anymore."

  "The emperor has something to say to his concubines and they will listen, the concubines are willing to learn from him," is a perfect bootlick.

  "Ah you," Zong Zhengjin shook his head with a smile on his face, clearly at a loss for what to do with her. "A perfect case of saying one thing but meaning another."

  "The consorts all have the emperor in their hearts, and the emperor naturally knows that the consorts are not sincere," since it has already come to this point, what's the harm in going a bit further.

  "You're always right," Zong Zhengjin said with a helpless expression, but his eyes were filled with doting and gentleness.

  “”

  “”

  An Shu stood aside and listened to the two of them speaking in hushed tones, their conversation not entirely clear, but she could occasionally hear the sound of their laughter, especially from the Emperor, who was like this for the first time she had ever seen.

  When he is with her, the only times they can spend so long together are when playing chess or discussing poetry, like just now, but this feeling is completely different.

  Even when he's smiling, the smile doesn't reach his eyes. Even when speaking, it always feels like his mind has drifted away and isn't with her. Not to mention laughing so loudly, she can feel his good mood just by standing here.

  And she, at this moment, is just a quiet onlooker.

  "Concubine and servant girl pay respects to Your Majesty," Yu Su Mei walked over and curtsied, a joyful expression on her face.

  "Your Majesty," Yu Fu also followed suit and paid her respects, lowering her eyebrows and eyes.

  Palace Concubine (Yi Shu)

  Gong Shu