mesbooks Chapter 227 Greetings
Chapter 227 Greetings
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Recently, for some unknown reason, the Empress of Yikun Palace's long-standing and incurable illness suddenly recovered. On the first day of the new year, all the concubines in the palace had to go to Yikun Palace to pay their respects.
Yan Wan got up early in the morning. When she arrived at Yiku Palace with a gloomy look on her face, many concubines were already waiting in the courtyard.
As soon as she arrived, all the concubines rushed over and talked about her with concern.
"Sister, how are you these days..."
"Your Highness..."
"Yanwan..."
Su Lujun, Ying Fei, Kepin, Yi Huan, Bai Ruiji...
They were all concubines who were on good terms with her. The lively scene added a bit of vitality to the cold Yiku Palace.
Yan Wan had just managed to muster up the energy to exchange a few words with everyone, but while she was talking, Yurong came out to report.
"The Queen has risen. Ladies and gentlemen, please come in..."
Her expression was respectful and her tone gentle yet dignified. As she spoke, she lifted the curtain that had fallen at the door to block the wind and welcomed the concubines in. Her movements were skillful and natural, revealing a respectful attitude.
Yihuan saw this and exchanged a quick look with Yanwan. Their eyes met, seeming to convey some kind of message.
The new girl, Yurong, who had been brought to the Queen's side, seemed to be a good person. Compared to Rongpei, Yurong was more like a servant, considerate and modest.
And Rong Pei, relying on the fact that she was a favorite of the Empress, always looked down on others with a condescending attitude.
In the emperor's harem, her behavior was even more erratic than the emperor's, she acted recklessly and looked down upon others. Fortunately, the emperor was not senile and promptly dealt with all the unpleasant things around the queen.
This rectification not only restored order in the harem but also eased the discontent of the concubines. The emperor's wise decision brought a sense of peace and harmony to the harem.
The concubines were seated in order of rank, with Consort Chun and Consort Ling sitting on either side. High-ranking concubines, such as Consorts, Imperial Concubines, Imperial Concubines, and Honored Ladies, sat in the front row, while lower-ranking concubines sat behind them.
After the battle with Dzungar, the emperor had added many concubines. Among these newcomers were princesses like Eyinzhu, beauties sent as tribute from other tribes, and the daughters of meritorious officials. For a time, the entire palace was packed, with every seat occupied, a scene of long-lost bustle.
Such a scene has not appeared for a long time, and the atmosphere in the hall has become lively.
Ruyi looked around and realized that the faces she once knew were becoming fewer and fewer. The people of the Forbidden City were like flowers, blooming one after another and then gradually withering away.
Even when flowers wither, new ones bloom to take their place. This constant flow of flowers makes one feel helpless and sad, but it is also the rule of the Forbidden City.
Her complexion wasn't good. The many setbacks and the depression of half a year had left her looking quite haggard. Perhaps it was because she'd gotten up early, her face was puffy and swollen. Even a thick layer of makeup couldn't hide her fatigue.
Yan Wan leaned slightly against her chair, a hint of laziness in her expression. She slowly raised her gaze to the person before her and softly said, "Your Majesty, it's been a long time since we last met. I wonder if you're all right?"
His words were full of concern, but his face revealed a hint of arrogance.
Her posture was elegant and calm, as if she was the leader of all the concubines. Her every move exuded a majesty and demeanor that could not be ignored.
In the past six months, Concubine Ling has changed a lot.
"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am doing very well." Ruyi's face was cold and she did not show any kindness to Yanwan.
She raised her chin slightly, her eyes indifferent, and responded indifferently, without a trace of warmth in her tone, as if the person in front of her was just an insignificant existence.
"The Empress has exempted the concubines from paying respects for over half a year. Why today...I mean, is the Empress summoning the sisters today for something important?"
Concubine Chun stared at Ruyi quietly, looking at her haggard appearance, as if she had aged countless years over the years.
A hint of pleasure quietly emerged in the depths of Concubine Chun's eyes, and that pleasure spread like a surging tide, uncontrollably.
She thought to herself that this pair of sisters had hurt her so miserably in the past, and that Ruyi was in this state now was all their own fault!
All the grievances of the past kept emerging in Concubine Chun's mind. Those years of hurt and those painful memories now seemed to have found a trace of comfort.
Ruyi's gaze slowly fell on Concubine Chun, and she looked at her carefully.
She felt that this sister who had come out of the mansion together in the past was now very different. Lujun used to be always respectful when facing her, as if that appearance was etched in her bones.
However, ever since she fell seriously ill in the palace, she had gradually changed. Now, she had become like Concubine Ling, having lost her sense of duty.
A complex emotion surged in Ruyi's heart.
Everything has changed quietly. All the beauty of the past has been washed away by the torrent of time, leaving her with endless regret and sighs.
Thinking of Hai Lan, Ruyi seemed to take her lightly and said calmly: "It's nothing. I am the Queen Mother. Now that I have recovered from my illness, isn't it normal for me to resume my daily morning and evening visits?"
"What the Empress said is true. The master of the harem lies in the hearts of the people. Even if the Empress has been staying in Yikun Palace for a long time to recuperate, the concubines dare not forget the Empress's majesty..."
Yanwan gently fiddled with the delicate tassels on her temples. The tassels swayed gently at her fingertips, sparkling with little lights.
She looked nonchalant, as if she didn't care about anything around her.
She took over the conversation slowly, her voice soft but with an elusive meaning. She had both a haughty air of superiority and an unfathomable scheming, making it difficult to see through her true thoughts.
Just one sentence made Ruyi's face turn pale.
The master of the harem lies in the heart of the people.
These were the words she said to Empress Fucha when she mistakenly wore the Yaohuang peony. How could she know?
Yanwan smiled, her smile as bright and charming as a flower blooming in spring. Her eyes were fixed on Ruyi's face, with a bit of scrutiny and complacency.
When she saw Ruyi's expression gradually becoming ugly, the smile on her face became brighter and brighter, like a beautiful flower in full bloom.
That smile held the elation of success, the pride of a victor, and a deep calculation. She raised her chin slightly, a sly glint in her eyes, announcing her victory to Ruyi.
That brilliant smile seemed particularly dazzling in this slightly depressing atmosphere, like a sharp blade, piercing Ruyi's heart.
Now that Ruyi has lost her power, do you still want to act like the queen in front of her?
No way.
Concubine Chun also knew about this matter. She glanced back and forth between the two of them, but in the end she chose to remain silent and not be the first to speak out.