mesbooks Chapter 272: Power in hand, unparalleled glory
Chapter 272: Power in hand, unparalleled glory
Concubine Hui accepted the order but did not take it seriously.
After lunch, she took a nap, and privately asked Xifeng to help her copy scriptures while she went to the backyard to practice martial arts.
Eating on time, sleeping on time, and exercising well are habits she developed at home since she was a child, and she has continued to adhere to them after entering the palace.
It seems that as long as I continue to live the way my family does, my relatives who have long passed away will always be by my side.
And Changle Palace.
When Concubine Xian received the decree, Fei Wan was right beside her. The two of them were talking affectionately and hypocritically to clear up the misunderstanding.
"This whole thing started because of me, and now it's your Majesty who has to bear the brunt of the punishment. I will recite these ten scriptures for you."
After hearing the order, Fei Wan volunteered.
Of course, Concubine Xian refused.
He held her close and chatted with her for a long time before letting her go.
He also had a box carried, which was filled with a lot of silks, satins, and new and interesting things, and it was sent all the way to Chunxi Palace.
She actually regained the enthusiasm she had when Fei Wan first came to her.
As Xiao Hui registered the items, she sighed, "Thank goodness that Your Majesty is favored, the virtuous concubine dares not vent her anger on you and even has to give you gifts to keep you company."
Xiang Yi tapped her forehead. "It's not that simple. I see murderous intent hidden in the eyes of the virtuous concubine. I don't know what evil things she is planning. Besides, when she gave us things before, she covered up all the boxes. This time, there is only one box, but it's full of large items that only take up space and are not very valuable. The box lid can't be closed. I don't know how many people saw it along the way. Isn't this just for show?"
Xiao Hui listened carefully and nodded vigorously. "Sister, what you said makes sense. It seems that the virtuous concubine deliberately made it known that she was kind to our queen, probably to do something bad behind her back."
"Good Xiangyi, you are getting better and better." Feiwan said with a smile.
Concubine Xian has been eyeing the throne for a long time. Now there are rumors everywhere in the palace that Concubine Zhao has the potential to become the empress. How could she sincerely make friends with her?
It's just a delaying tactic.
But since Concubine Xian is willing to put in some superficial effort, Fei Wan will naturally make good use of the opportunity.
It's time to take advantage of the opportunity to clean up the palace and openly build up a force!
The next morning, matters were discussed in Lincui Palace.
Fei Wan officially appointed Liu De, who had been shot by an arrow, as the steward of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
He also promoted Tao Bao, the eunuch from the Palace Administration Department, who had been the chief eunuch in the ceremonial guard during her visit, to be the deputy director of the Palace Administration Department. He also served as the Minister of Rites, in charge of palace etiquette and rules.
Jin Shou, the steward of the kitchen, made great contributions in tracking down the case of Concubine Ying's bleeding, and was promoted to the head. The original head was promoted two levels, received double salary, and went to the palace to retire.
Concubine Qing was away on sick leave, and Concubine Kang and Concubine Shun agreed with everything without a single rebuttal.
The report was submitted to the emperor, who approved it with a flick of his pen.
Such huge changes in harem positions all happened on the same day.
The most important Imperial Household Department, Palace Administration Department and Imperial Kitchen were all headed by people promoted by Fei Wan.
For a while, there was a lot of discussion in the palace.
"Empress Zhao is both benevolent and powerful, her virtue is widely admired by the harem, and she has the favor of His Majesty. I believe she will be promoted again soon. Her future is bright..."
Words like this are spoken in different tones by different people.
Some are envious and flattering, some are jealous and sarcastic, and some are just watching from the sidelines.
But no matter what everyone's attitude is, the rumors in the palace about Concubine Zhao becoming the new queen are getting more and more intense.
During meetings in the Lincui Palace, Concubine Shun and Concubine Kang became even closer to Feiwan, approving everything she arranged and decided. When Feiwan was absent on sick leave, they would first come to her and discuss any decisions. Only if Feiwan approved would they implement them or report them to the emperor.
For a time, Fei Wan had to make decisions on all matters big and small in the palace.
Although she is not the queen, she already has the authority of a queen.
She had everything: connections with those in high positions, fawning over those in low positions, and the emperor's favor.
The scenery is unparalleled.
Chunxi Palace finally had new palace servants. According to the standards for a concubine, there were four personal maids, eight ordinary servants, and twelve maids doing odd jobs, totaling twenty-four. There were also sixteen eunuchs, and over twenty male and female palace servants specializing in repairing the palace, tending to the flowers and trees, guarding the gates, and accompanying travellers.
With dozens of people gathered, Chunxi Palace finally became lively.
Fei Wan was busy taking sick leave, managing palace affairs, and disciplining the newcomers around her, so naturally she had less time to accompany the emperor.
Therefore, in the days before the Mid-Autumn Festival, the concubines who went to Chenqian Palace to serve the emperor were Concubine Shun, Concubine Chen, etc., most of whom had frequent interactions with Feiwan.
Besides them, Wu Xiangrong was the one who accompanied the emperor the most. It wasn't necessarily to sleep with him, but during the day, when the emperor dined, he would often summon her to accompany him, and he enjoyed listening to her ramblings and small talk.
In this way, Wu Xiangrong was naturally promoted to Concubine Wu.
Because Wu Xiangrong was from Fei Wan's faction, her promotion, like that of Chen Guiren, was seen by everyone in the palace as a sign of the expansion of Fei Wan's power.
There are more people who envy and flatter Fei Wan.
Today's Fei Wan vaguely has the momentum of the original virtuous concubine.
However, at this time, the virtuous concubine seemed to have fallen into decline because of the emperor's little attention and the increasing number of people from the previous dynasty who were impeaching the Duke of Zhenguo.
It seems that the situation in the palace has always changed.
Only extremely sensitive people can smell a hint of unusual smell from this daily cycle.
This year's Mid-Autumn Festival arrived quietly amidst the hustle and bustle and rumors.
Mu Yun was overwhelmed with coldness, and Yin Han turned the jade plate silently.
On the night of August 14, the moon was already extremely large and bright.
As dusk fell, a jade disk appeared in the sky, and silver light poured down, scattering all over the palace.
Fei Wan took a bath and smoked incense, then changed into a plain dress, covered with a lotus green lining cloak, and only brought Xiao Hui and a few palace maids and eunuchs with her.
Go to Guanyin Hall to burn incense.
The sound of wooden fish and the curl of incense smoke.
The nuns in the Guanyin Hall are doing evening prayers.
As one of the three temples in the inner palace, Guanyin Hall was originally the least impressive. It was located in a secluded area, with simple and small houses. The Buddha statues inside were mottled with age, and there were not many nuns.
However, as Fei Wan rose in status, she often came here, and the place was renovated bit by bit. More than ten nuns were added, and an abandoned and vacant palace next to it was enclosed and expanded into wing rooms.
There are many people and the courtyard is spacious, so it is large in scale.
The nun Jingchen, who had testified for Feiwan in the witchcraft incident, had already become a deacon nun in Guanyin Hall.
When Feiwan arrived that night, Jingchen was leading the nuns in chanting scriptures in the Buddhist temple.
Fei Wan did not allow anyone to report or disturb her. She walked quietly to the corner of the hall and waited for two or three quarters of an hour until the class was over.
"Amitabha, may the Queen be well."
Jingchen dismissed all the disciples and went forward to greet Feiwan.
"Amitabha, Master Jingchen, there will be a banquet in the palace tomorrow. I am here tonight to pray for blessings."
"If the goddess sincerely worships the Buddha and draws close to the Three Jewels, she will surely be blessed with blessings and wisdom."
"Thank you, Master."
Fei Wan clasped her hands together, worshipped the Bodhisattva, and then knelt quietly in front of the Buddha.
She would come to burn incense and pray on the first and fifteenth day of every month. If she couldn't come due to something, she would send someone to come and offer sacrifices.
There will be a Mid-Autumn Festival family banquet in the palace tomorrow night. The banquet preparations will be carried out during the day, so I will be busy all day.
According to convention, it would have been possible to send Xiangyi or Xiaohui to worship Buddha, but Feiwan knew that something was about to happen.
She wanted to come to the Buddha in person and calm her mind.
So I chose to come here on the moon during my free time tonight.
Jingchen brought two nuns with her, who sat on a cushion beside her, closing their eyes and chanting scriptures softly.
The fragrance of Buddhist incense, accompanied by gentle and melodious chanting, echoed in the temple.
"...all appearances are false. If one sees that all appearances are not appearances, then one sees the Tathagata... Then all living beings no longer have the appearance of self, person, living being, or life. There is no appearance of dharma, nor is there any appearance of dharma..."
The unique musical tones of Buddhism, when heard in the quiet night, every word touches the heart.
The palace door was open, letting in moonlight.
The state of selflessness described in Buddhist scriptures is as ethereal and real as moonlight.
Fei Wan put aside all distractions and immersed herself completely in the chanting of the nuns.
Past and Present.
The road traveled, the dream not realized.
The obstacles that lie ahead, and the future that we must strive for with all our might.
All these things are intertwined in my heart, complicated and confusing.
Suddenly it disappeared, and my heart was empty.
Fei Wan closed her eyes for a long time. The moment she opened them, she looked up at the tall statue of Bodhisattva.
People who worship Buddha should not stare at the Buddha statue, as this is disrespectful.
But Fei Wan just stared at her.
Stared for a long time.
Finally, put your palms together and pay your respects to the Bodhisattva who is smiling with his eyes downcast.
"Amitabha, I understand."
Coming here tonight, she has become more determined in her belief and has gained more strength and courage.
The road ahead is long, and you can only overcome all obstacles.
Standing up, she turned around and thanked Jingchen and others.
Jingchen sat upright on the cushion, smiling in return, but did not stand. The sutra had not yet been read; they would continue reading until it was finished before standing up.
Fei Wan walked out of the Buddhist temple.
Xiaohui and others were waiting in the yard.
But there was a group of people around them.
Fei Wan was very surprised.
But he didn't show any surprise, just stepped forward with a smile and saluted properly:
"I didn't know Your Majesty was coming. I was rude in not welcoming you respectfully. I hope Your Majesty will forgive me."
The visitor was none other than the Empress Dowager who had been recuperating from illness for many days.
She was dressed in plain clothes, and was only accompanied by Nanny Shixiang and two palace maids, so she could be said to be traveling light.
"Zhao Fei." The Queen Mother smiled faintly.
She pronounced the two words in a clear and loud voice, as if she was savoring the weight of the two words.