mtl008 Chapter 155 Struggle
Chapter 155 Struggle
Halfway through the banquet, none of the envoys wanted to offend the emperor, who was at the peak of his power. Every time they spoke, they engaged in verbal battles and flattered the emperor.
The emperor nodded secretly and waved his hand. Nian Shilan understood and stood up, saying in a high-pitched voice, "Several of my sisters have diligently studied and practiced for a long time to celebrate Your Majesty's longevity. I would like to invite Your Majesty to take a look, and I would also like to invite all the envoys to take a look."
The emperor looked very interested. "I have always known that all of you concubines are both talented and beautiful. Please invite them up."
The dancers bowed and filed out, and the music changed the tune.
Concubine Chun was wearing a light pink silk dress and walked into the hall quickly, her round face glowing softly under the bright lights, and her lively eyes revealed a hint of innocence.
Then, Concubine Qi came with graceful steps, wearing gorgeous crimson purple palace dress, with affectionate eyes and gorgeous appearance that made people unable to take their eyes off, and every step she took was filled with captivating charm.
As the melodious sound of stringed instruments rises, the melody of "Borrowing the Moon" lingers around.
Concubine Chun took the lead in the dance, her figure light and graceful, like petals dancing in the spring breeze, her lively dance exuding competence. Concubine Qi also joined in, her movements graceful and charming, her every gesture revealing her charm, like the most beautiful queen of flowers.
One rosy and lovely, the other stunningly beautiful, their steps sometimes intertwined, sometimes parallel. Behind them was the full, bright moon, weaving together a breathtakingly beautiful scene in the moonlight.
The emperor's smile remained unchanged, his dark eyes revealing no emotion. He simply clapped his hands and praised, "My two beloved concubines, one still and one moving, are truly wonderful."
Concubine Qi said in a soft and sweet voice, "The Empress Dowager appreciates my filial piety and has specially sent someone to give me advice. It is my blessing to make the Emperor happy."
Concubine Chun didn't even look at her, but just smiled and congratulated the emperor.
The emperor nodded and said, "Reward."
As soon as the emperor finished speaking, the envoys and court officials immediately opened their mouths and praised him.
Concubine Qi showed a disgusted expression, "You're so good at pleasing people. Even if you're under house arrest, you can just run away, right, Concubine Jing?"
Her voice was quite loud, and Concubine Jing smiled, "Noble Lady Chun is lively and likes to run around. I didn't expect Noble Lady Qi to also have fun."
Jiang Ruyin glanced at Concubine Qi. If Nian Shilan had started to mock her a long time ago, Concubine Qi wouldn't have waited for her to say anything. But Concubine Qi herself didn't know about it.
But, it's not wrong.
Jiang Ruyin lowered her head and stopped smiling. When she looked up again, she had returned to her dignified and gentle smile.
At the same time, Concubine Guo was not having such a good time.
A strong smell of blood came from her lower body, but Concubine Guo was extremely happy. She called for the nanny and midwife while sweating profusely.
The nanny had wanted to go for a long time. She ran while giving instructions and quickly rushed into the ear room.
Concubine Guo's face was as pale as gold paper, and beads of sweat rolled down her forehead, soaking her hair and the bedding beneath her. This irritating drug was truly harmful to her health, and its effects took effect like a surging tide, mercilessly impacting her body.
After instructing Doctor Guo to take good care of the master, the nanny went into the small kitchen. The ginseng chicken soup had been prepared early. The nanny picked up a porcelain bowl and was about to take a spoon when she heard a strange female voice behind her.
"In the Imperial Palace, Concubine Guo painstakingly gave birth to a child, but it wasn't a dragon heir. What a pity."
With a "pop" sound,
The porcelain bowl shattered, and Mammy's voice trembled, "I, I don't understand what you are saying..."
As she said this, the nanny seemed to be frozen, standing still and unable to move.
It was also the first time that the man saw a person's face instantly filled with a deathly gray color, but it was no wonder. Who wouldn't be horrified by the idea of punishing nine generations of a family?
"I don't have time to waste on you. Our master said that Concubine Guo has no face to live in this world after doing this. No matter what the result is, please let Concubine Guo end her life on her own. Drinking medicine to please the emperor and giving birth prematurely, which harms the offspring, is a capital crime. If it is a boy, he must not be kept. If it is a girl, perhaps the emperor will treat the Guo family well for the sake of the princess. Nanny followed Concubine Guo into the palace, and I think she can tell the difference between the important and the unimportant. Please don't make it difficult for our master. If our master is embarrassed, it will be difficult for the Guo family..."
The voice gradually faded away, leaving her standing there, her body and mind cold.
......
Shen Meizhuang sat quietly in front of the zither table, wearing a light green palace dress and a hairpin of the same color on her head. Her posture was dignified, like a fairy in a painting.
She leaned forward slightly, raised her fingertips, and lightly touched the strings. Ethereal music instantly flowed out, like the sound of a clear mountain spring, or like a gentle breeze blowing through the pines.
As the melody gradually took shape, her expression grew more focused, her slender fingers dancing nimbly across the strings. The sound seemed powerful yet gentle, a calm and unpretentious expression of nonchalance.
The song ended, and the lingering sound lingered.
Shen Meizhuang stood up and saluted, her voice melodious as she said, "Congratulations to the Emperor on his long life. May the Qing Dynasty be peaceful and prosperous, and may the people live long and prosper."
Such humility made Nian Shilan look at him with surprise.
The emperor didn't know what he was thinking, but his face showed great admiration. "He is so calm and unpretentious, and he has the demeanor of a great man."
Shen Meizhuang lowered her eyes and said in a calm tone, "Your Majesty, thank you for your compliment. If I could please Your Majesty, I would be happy to die for you."
Someone at the table complimented him, "The tune is elegant, and the clear and bright colors flow naturally. I never thought there was such a person in the Qing harem. I really admire him."
The emperor was very pleased and immediately gave away a batch of materials.
"Having no feelings, isn't that indifferent and peaceful?" Lou Yong'er muttered softly after returning to her seat, causing Cheng Guiren beside her to laugh.
Fu Qiu leaned over and whispered in Jiang Ruyin's ear that Concubine Guo had taken the drug to induce labor and intended to give birth to the emperor's heir today.
When Jiang Ruyin raised her eyes, Songzhi also reported the matter, and Nian Shilan was looking at her.
"You are the most prudent. Go to Qixiang Palace and guard Concubine Guo. Remember, it's cold outside. Just wait in the side room."
Fu Qiu nodded.
Nian Shilan asked Songzhi to visit her, and gave her her fox fur cloak with peony pattern to Songzhi. When Jiang Ruyin noticed it, Nian Shilan raised her head and looked quite proud.
Jiang Ruyin: "...Suochun, give my cloak to Fuqiu."
Noticing the two's movements, Concubine Duan sighed, her already pale face becoming even more worried. After all, she only had a few people she trusted who directly obeyed her orders, and in public, only Jixiang was in charge.
With this in mind, Concubine Duan ordered Jixiang, "Tell all the doctors from the Imperial Hospital to stay outside Concubine Guo's palace. Concubine Guo's health is the most important thing."
Concubine Jing was a little anxious and looked back at Hanzhu.
Jiang Ruyin soothed him, "Ruyi stays in Xianfu Palace to take care of Xinhe. You can't be without a servant by your side. It's okay. The emperor won't care about this."
Only then did Concubine Jing feel a little relieved.