mtl008 Chapter 231 Hui Niu takes action and returns to Fanglou to listen to the opera
Chapter 231 Hui Niu takes action and returns to Fanglou to listen to the opera
Liangpin, who was standing by, had a smile on her face, without any jealousy. However, Huifei would not forget Liangpin. Compared with the tortoise shell bracelet she casually gave to Wusu's daughter, she gave Liangpin a more valuable head ornament. This concubine was much more important than Wusu's daughter.
"Thank you very much, Your Majesty, for your gift. It would be disrespectful for me to refuse it." Liangpin quickly stood up to express her gratitude.
Concubine Hui smiled and said:
"We are all sisters, there is no need to be polite. When I have something good, I will not forget my sister."
Now that her power is weak, she must win over Concubine Liang.
"Your Majesty is truly virtuous and generous." Wu Su agreed and immediately took the opportunity to flatter.
Liangpin smiled slightly and followed suit in praising Huifei. After a while, she asked:
"Your Majesty, what should we do about Concubine Xian?"
During the greeting ceremony today, Concubine Hui and Concubine Nianhulu competed with each other, but Concubine Xian took advantage of the situation. Now Concubine Xian has become the number one concubine and has the greatest influence on Concubine Hui.
Hearing this, Concubine Hui's face darkened again. She tried to hold it in but couldn't help but curse out loud.
"That bitch from the Niuhulu clan is such a fool. If she continues to compete with me, how can she help Concubine Xian? Now, I and she have become Concubine Xian's stepping stones."
At first, she didn't notice that Concubine Xian was taking advantage of the situation. If she doesn't notice it now, all her more than 20 years of management in the palace will be in vain.
"Your Majesty, please calm down. Things have already happened. The most important thing now is to calm down and think of a solution." Liangpin comforted calmly.
Wu Su agreed and said quickly:
"Yes, your majesty, you are the first concubine, and Concubine Xian is not worthy of sitting in front of you. We must quickly find a way to pull her down."
It’s all because of Concubine Xian. If it weren’t for her, she would have been favored by the Emperor long ago, and would not have been released after being confined to house arrest.
Liangpin nodded.
Concubine Hui was angry and resentful, but she was still rational. After hearing this, she pondered for a moment and finally said carefully:
"Don't act rashly. Concubine Xian is a scheming woman. She must be very cautious now. Don't fall into her trap again. Besides, there are people who are as anxious as me."
The last sentence she said was very meaningful. Liangpin and Wusu Daying immediately understood who Huifei was referring to.
"Your Majesty is wise. It would be best to find some more people to persuade Concubine Niuhulu. I think Concubine Niuhulu will definitely be unable to sit still."
Liangpin quickly came up with an idea.
Concubine Hui nodded, this is a good idea, and then said:
"We can't just sit there and wait for death. Although we can't dethrone Concubine Xian for the time being, she has no children and relies entirely on favor. If she loses her favor, she will be nothing. In this case, I will take away her favor..."
Liangpin's eyes flickered, and after listening, she looked at Wusu and agreed.
Wu Su agreed and was a beat late in reacting.
Until I heard Concubine Hui ask:
"Wusu promised me to give you another chance. I hope you won't let me down again this time."
Wu Su agreed and reacted, and was instantly overjoyed. He immediately knelt down and promised:
"Thank you, Madam, for giving me another chance. I will not let you down."
Concubine Hui looked at Wu Su with satisfaction and agreed.
"Okay, get up. I heard that the new play that Concubine Xian prepared for the Empress Dowager is almost ready..."
……
Coincidentally, Concubine Nianhulu was indeed as anxious as the concubine said, especially when she learned that the emperor refused to establish a queen and refused to confer the title of Imperial Concubine in the court, she was so angry that she smashed the main hall.
"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, please calm down. This vase was given to you by the Emperor. It was given by the Emperor. You can't smash it!"
Nanny Qin quickly stopped the imperial concubine's hand.
When Concubine Nianhulu heard that the vase in her hand was a reward from the emperor, she paused. Seeing this, Nanny Qin quickly gave Jingyan a wink.
Jing Yan hurriedly and carefully took the vase from the Empress's hand, while Nanny Qin lowered her voice and advised:
"Your Highness, now that things have come to this, we should think of a solution. Even if Concubine Xian is the first concubine, she is still below you. The ones who should be most anxious now are Concubine Hui and Concubine De."
Jingyan carefully put down the vase.
Also followed the advice:
"Yes, Madam, why do you bother with Concubine Xian? She might fall out of favor someday, and then the Emperor can either let Concubine Xian enjoy the status of a noble concubine or revoke it. As for Concubine Hui, she is even more despicable. If she hadn't been competing with you, how could such a thing have happened? The eldest prince deserves to be suppressed by His Royal Highness the Crown Prince."
Concubine Nianhulu still couldn't calm down after listening to the two people's advice, until she heard Jingyan talking about the eldest prince. Suddenly, an idea flashed in her mind, and she thought of a best of both worlds, which could both take advantage of Concubine Xian and make life difficult for Concubine Hui and the eldest prince.
Hearing that the queen had a solution, Nanny Qin and Jing Yan were pleasantly surprised:
"My lady, what can we do?"
Concubine Nianhulu showed a strange smile. She waved her hand and whispered to the two men. After listening, their eyes suddenly lit up.
"Your Majesty is wise. Leave everything to me. I will make sure it is done properly."
Nanny Qin patted her chest and made the promise.
Concubine Niuhulu sat down again, picked up the newly served tea bowl, and resumed her usual elegance and nobility.
Concubine Xian and Concubine Hui, if you dare to go against me, I will make you regret it!
……
Time flies. The manager of the opera troupe reports to Shi Nanxi that the new play "The Peony Pavilion" has been rehearsed and can be performed at any time.
"The Peony Pavilion" tells the story of Du Liniang, the daughter of an official, who fell in love with the scholar Liu Mengmei in her dream, and eventually died of grief. She turned into a soul to find her lover in reality, and the two fell in love with each other. In the end, Du Liniang came back to life and married Liu Mengmei forever.
Shi Nanxi went to see it first and confirmed that there was no problem, so she posted a message to invite the Empress Dowager, concubines, princes, wives, and princesses to listen to the opera at Huifang Tower.
It has been a month since the beginning of autumn, and the weather is clear and cool. The Fourth Prince will be getting married in a few days, and before that, everyone will almost set off to return to Beijing.
This trip back to Fanglou to watch opera was coordinated by Shi Nanxi and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. It was also the first time for her to handle palace affairs independently. Every detail was carefully checked and reviewed again and again, including the inspection of the troupe members, to make sure that no assassins could sneak in.
Tea, snacks, building layout, seating for people, etc. were all carefully arranged to ensure that there would be no mistakes or omissions. Once everything was confirmed, the Ministry of Internal Affairs would take care of it.
When the day came, everyone came to Huifang Tower with their invitations.
"Oh, these are freshly picked osmanthus flowers, no wonder I smelled the fragrance as soon as I came in!"
"Hey, this cushion is so comfortable. I used to be so absorbed in watching a play, but my buttocks felt uncomfortable after sitting for a long time. This makes it much better."
"Wow, what small cakes! They must be specially prepared for the little princes and princesses. Empress Xian is so thoughtful."
Hearing the praises coming from all around, Shi Rongyue held her belly and curled her lips secretly. What is there to praise about this? It's really ignorant.
"Concubine, remember to tell me immediately if you feel uncomfortable today, and don't move anything on the table, so as not to be harmed by others."
Nanny Gu gave these instructions with a vigilant look on her face, and also instructed Qingqiao and Qingning who were standing beside her.
"Today, you two must take good care of Concubine. If anything happens to Concubine, take care of your lives."
Qingqiao and Qingning nodded, staring at the concubine without blinking. Nanny Gu breathed a sigh of relief, but her brows were still furrowed.
She didn't want her concubine to come to the opera today, but she insisted on coming, and she had no choice but to make careful arrangements.
At this moment, a chant was heard outside the door:
"The Empress Dowager has arrived, and Concubine Xian has arrived."