roccoschili Chapter 885: Concubine Xue Arrived First
Chapter 885: Concubine Xue Arrived First
Zhongcui Palace.
Fuqiu came in and announced, "Your Majesty, Concubine Xue requests an audience."
Shen Zhinian said: "Please come in!"
"Yes!"
There were many palace servants following Concubine Xue.
After entering, she bowed to Shen Zhinian: "I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine Chen. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health!"
The wet nurse also held the second princess in her arms and saluted.
Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "No need to be polite. Please take a seat."
"Thank you, Imperial Concubine Chen."
Shen Zhinian waved to the Second Princess: "Come, show me."
The wet nurse immediately brought the second princess to her.
The second princess turned her head and looked around curiously, then grinned, revealing a few cute little baby teeth.
Shen Zhinian looked at her gently: "Nannan, do you know Empress Chen?"
The second princess smiled at her and clapped her hands while saying, "Mother... Mother... Mother..."
Handan and the others were all surprised: "The Second Princess can call me 'Madam' now?!"
"So good!"
"This is too cute!"
"..."
Since becoming a mother, Shen Zhinian likes children even more.
Listening to the second princess's cry, she smiled so much that her eyebrows curved. She took off a valuable mutton-fat jade pendant from her waist and handed it to the second princess: "This is the first time that the second princess calls you Empress Chen. Here, this is a gift from Empress Chen to you."
Xue Fei naturally knew the value of this jade pendant, and quickly declined, "Your Highness, this gift is too valuable, I can't use it..."
"Why can't you do it?"
Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "Nannan is a princess of the Great Zhou Dynasty. She deserves any expensive gift."
"Isn't that right, girl?"
The second princess could not understand such complicated words, but she liked the beautiful jade pendant in her hand and smiled happily.
Having said this, Concubine Xue did not refuse any more, but just said: "Then I would like to thank Concubine Chen on behalf of my daughter!"
The two chatted for a few more sentences, and Shen Zhinian looked at Concubine Xue and said, "...I already know that the last time rumors spread in the palace, you used strong means to quell them."
"Thank you!"
Concubine Xue's ears turned red, and she looked away and said, "Your Majesty asked me to take charge of the affairs of the six palaces temporarily, which is my duty."
"Besides...I don't like anyone stirring up trouble and taking the opportunity to disturb the peace of the harem!"
Shen Zhinian raised his eyes and asked, "I heard that the rumor first spread from the vicinity of Yikun Palace?"
Concubine Xue nodded and said ashamedly, "It's just hearsay, it's hard to find evidence. I'm still not sure whether it was Concubine Wang or Concubine Chun who did it."
"Or maybe someone else spread rumors and put the blame on them."
It doesn't matter who did it, because both Concubine Wang and Concubine Chun are enemies of Shen Zhinian.
She looked at Xue Fei and said, "You have done very well."
There was a barely visible smile on Xue Fei's cold face.
She waved behind her and a maid immediately came over with a tray.
Concubine Xue said, "The confinement in Zhongcui Palace has been lifted. The affairs of the six palaces should continue to be managed by Concubine Chen. I came here today to return the account book and seal."
Shen Zhinian nodded slightly and asked Fuqiu to accept the things.
Seeing that she seemed to be hesitant to speak, Shen Zhinian asked curiously, "Does Concubine Xue have anything else to say?"
Concubine Xue's small earlobes seemed to be even redder than before: "Last time, my daughter's first birthday ceremony went so smoothly thanks to Concubine Chen's meticulous arrangements. I am very grateful in my heart."
Shen Zhinian said: "Just like you said, His Majesty asked me to assist in managing the six palaces. That is my job, no need to thank me."
Concubine Xue shook her head: "Is it to complete the task according to the palace rules, or is it really concerned about the second princess's first birthday ceremony? I can still tell."
"The Zhongcui Palace is magnificent. I don't know what your Highness the Imperial Concubine Chen needs, nor do I know what you like, so I made a set of pajamas by myself. I hope your Highness the Imperial Concubine Chen will not dislike it..."
At the end of her speech, Xue Fei lowered her voice and seemed a little embarrassed.
Yu Mei immediately came forward with the tray: "It's still the same size that Concubine Chen wore last time."
The pajamas that Concubine Xue made for her for the first time were soft and comfortable, with just the right amount of tightness. They were much better than those made by the embroiderers in the palace.
Unexpectedly, this time, Xue Fei made another set for her.
Shen Zhinian did not refuse, motioned for Fuqiu to accept it, and said with a smile: "Thank you very much, Concubine Xue, I like it very much!"
Concubine Xue breathed a sigh of relief: "As long as Concubine Chen likes it."
As the two were talking, Xiao Mingzi suddenly came in and said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Zhuang wants to see you."
"Oh?"
Shen Zhinian narrowed his eyes slightly: "She never comes here for no reason, why is she here today?"
Could it be that she is here to deliver the account books and seals just like Xue Fei?
"Invite her in."
"Yes!"
Concubine Zhuang came in from outside with Ruoli and several palace maids carrying trays.
She folded her hands in front of her chest, looking dignified and elegant.
Seeing that Xue Fei was also there, Ruoli's expression froze instantly...
how so? !
Shouldn't Concubine Xue have no time to come and return the things since she has to take care of the Second Princess? !
Seeing the second princess was also there, Ruoli realized that Concubine Xue had brought her here.
It's been said that the Second Princess is in poor health. Concubine Xue hardly took her out in the past year. What happened today?!
Along the way, Ruoli was thinking happily that her queen was the first to return the account book and seal, expressing that she had no intention of coveting the power of the palace.
Then, Xue Fei, who was one step behind, would be very embarrassed...
It’s not right to return it, and it’s not right not to return it.
But why did Concubine Xue arrive earlier than my own mother? !
Is it because Yanxi Palace is closer to Zhongcui Palace than Changchun Palace? !
When Concubine Zhuang's gaze fell on Concubine Xue, the expression on her face changed for a moment, but she quickly returned to her gentle look, making it impossible to notice anything unusual.
She stood a few steps away from Shen Zhinian, bowed and saluted respectfully: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to Her Majesty, the Imperial Concubine Chen. May Your Majesty be blessed with good health!"
This respectful and friendly look made it seem as if there had never been any conflict between the two.
Shen Zhinian waved his hand: "Get up."
Concubine Zhuang then stood up with the palace maids: "Thank you, Imperial Concubine Chen!"
She and Concubine Xue were both concubines, so they didn't need to greet each other. But Concubine Xue had one more title than her, so Concubine Zhuang had to take the initiative to greet her: "Concubine Xue is here too."
Xue Fei nodded coldly without saying anything.
She has always been like this, and Concubine Zhuang doesn't mind.
Ruoli, on the other hand, lowered his head and curled his lips in disdain.
Who is Concubine Xue pretending to be so noble for all the time?
She didn't believe that Concubine Xue had the same dead look when facing His Majesty in the emperor's bedchamber.
It's because he looks down on his own queen that he doesn't even give her a smile.