mesbooks Chapter 123: Troubles in the Royal Garden
Chapter 123: Troubles in the Royal Garden
The servants were naturally grateful. Although Cuiweixuan was not of high status, the servants inside were the ones who benefited the most. Therefore, although Shen Zhiyao was "notorious" in the palace, he was a good master that the servants all competed to follow.
There were many people in the palace who wanted to bribe Qiuyue, Chuan and other personal servants, just to be able to serve in Cuiwei Palace, but they were all blocked. The loyalty of the servants in Cuiwei Palace was indeed higher than that of the servants. Even the mouths of the third-class maids were as tight as if they were filled with glue.
Last night, Shen Zhiyao finished playing chess and was tormented by the emperor. At this moment, she wanted to go out for a stroll. Little did she know that this stroll would cause trouble...
Shen Zhiyao made an appointment with Lu Wanyi, and was escorted by Chu'an, Qiuyue and Taoxiang all the way to the Imperial Garden to enjoy the flowers. The sun was shining brightly this morning, and it was the season when orchids, chrysanthemums, vinca and plum blossoms were in full bloom. She was in a good mood and even set up tea sets in a pavilion in a corner of the Imperial Garden.
The eunuch in charge of the Imperial Garden was very discerning. Seeing that no concubine of higher rank or more favored status came to the Imperial Garden in the morning, he personally brought a group of servants to serve there. He gave Shen Zhiyao whatever she wanted, fearing that he would neglect her.
"In this season, being able to sit here and enjoy the flowers is really a unique feeling." Shen Zhiyao took a sip of white tea and said with a smile.
"Yes, I like flowers that bloom in winter the most. It's just like the saying 'When my flower blooms, all other flowers die'. How domineering!" Lu Wanyi nodded.
Shen Zhiyao looked at Lu Wanyi, who looked even taller in the winter, and felt that her temperament was very compatible with these flowers, trying hard to bloom in desperate situations.
"Sister, if Qingyuexuan needs anything, just tell me and I will arrange someone to deliver it." Shen Zhiyao's peach blossom eyes were full of sincerity.
Shen Zhiyao thought that the emperor had always been like this, very generous to his favorite concubines, but indifferent to the concubines he disliked. His clear hatred exacerbated the cruelty of the competition for favor in the harem of Zhao State.
"I never pretend to be polite with my sister. If I need anything, I will tell you." Lu Wanyi is also a straightforward person and not pretentious at all.
As they were talking, a eunuch sang that Concubine Zhao had also arrived.
Shen Zhiyao and Lu Wanyi looked at each other in surprise. How could this person dare to wander around the Imperial Garden when she was pregnant?
The distance between Ningshuangxuan and the Imperial Garden is not that close!
Shen Zhiyao was even a little dazed for a moment. She still remembered the last time, when Concubine Zhao was still a noble lady, she was also in the Imperial Garden and came to find trouble with her, but was slapped in the face by her in public.
Now that he's here again, I'm afraid he's going to do something weird again!
They watched warily as Zhao Cairen took Die Rou's hand and walked forward to greet her with a smile.
"Your concubine greets you two sisters, and wishes you good health and happiness." Lady Zhao bowed.
"No need to be polite. You are not feeling well now, and instead of resting in Ningshuangxuan, you still have the heart to stroll around the Imperial Garden?" Lu Wanyi asked with a smile.
Shen Zhiyao didn't say anything, but just narrowed her peach blossom eyes and looked at her with a smile.
"At this season, all the flowers and trees in Ningshuangxuan have withered. I feel sad seeing this, so I want to come here for a walk to change my mood." Seeing that Shen Zhiyao didn't pay much attention to her, Concubine Zhao smiled somewhat awkwardly.
People in the palace always treat people differently based on their situation. Concubine Zhao is in such a situation now. Even though she is pregnant, the servants can only take care of her basic diet and daily life. As for the flowers and plants in Ningshuangxuan, no one has found seasonal plants, but they can't compare with the garden in Cuiweixuan.
"That's right. It's good to come out and relax. But you have to be more careful. The royal heir is important." Lu Wanyi politely advised.
Zhao Cairen nodded with tears and laughter. In fact, she didn't want to come out at all, but she was forced into it. Now she was planning to hurt someone, and she was extremely panicked.
Shen Zhiyao felt something was wrong when she saw her slightly artificial smile. She knew in her heart that this was probably another plot against her, but she didn't hide. Since she had dodged this time, there would always be next time. She might as well see what despicable tricks Concubine Zhao behind her had come up with.
The three of them sat in the pavilion and chatted, looking relaxed and happy, but each of them had his own thoughts.
Lu Wanyi glanced at Concubine Zhao's belly from time to time. If anything happened to the royal heir, neither she nor Shen Zhiyao would be able to explain it.
"I was ignorant before, and my words were a bit harsh, which offended Concubine Jin. I hope you won't be angry with me. Now I see clearly that Concubine Jin is a straightforward person." Concubine Zhao lowered her eyes and said.
In fact, what she said was somewhat sincere. Shen Zhiyao was powerful and had a "bad reputation", but I had never seen her harm anyone on her own initiative. Now she was also forced to harm others, and she really regretted it.
She was also well-read. If she had no choice, who would want to be pregnant and not accumulate virtue, but instead harm others? But for the sake of the child, she had to grit her teeth and get the job done today.
"Ms. Zhao, there's no need to say these things. People are bound to be impulsive when they are angry. Let it go. I don't hold it in mind." Shen Zhiyao smiled very coolly.
Zhao Cairen secretly gritted her teeth, adjusted her facial expression, picked up the teacup, and said with a warm smile, "It's good that Concubine Jin didn't take it to heart. The sisters still have a long time to get along with each other in the future. I offer you two a cup of tea as an apology for your previous inappropriate words and deeds!"
After saying that, Zhao Cairen took a big sip. Shen Zhiyao and Lu Wanyi looked at each other and also drank a sip out of courtesy.
Feeling that the time had come, Concubine Zhao raised her eyes and gave Die Rou a wink, then stood up, picked up the teapot, and wanted to go forward and personally add tea to Shen Zhiyao.
Seeing this, Shen Zhiyao hurriedly prepared to refuse, but unexpectedly, when Zhao Cairen was very close to her, his feet suddenly slipped, and the teapot tilted towards Shen Zhiyao. If it had poured on Shen Zhiyao's face, she would have been disfigured on the spot.
Lu Wanyi reacted very quickly and stretched out one hand to open the teapot.
But Shen Zhiyao's reaction was faster. Not to mention the teapot, she even hit Zhao Cairen's arm that was holding the teapot.
Qiuyue was standing next to Shen Zhiyao, and subconsciously pushed Zhao Cairen's arm gently.
The servants around the hall were all stunned and immediately became chaotic.
With a loud crash, the teapot fell to the ground, and the tea leaves and tea were all on everyone's clothes.
"Ah!" Zhao Cairen screamed.
When everyone came to their senses, they found that Zhao Cairen seemed to have been pushed back two steps by Shen Zhiyao, and finally sat down on the ground.
"Jin Jieyu, why did you push my master! Master! Are you okay?" Die Rou shouted exaggeratedly and ran forward to check.
Such a chaotic scene made the servants serving around have a blank mind. Although they did not see the whole picture, they all had a subjective impression that Shen Zhiyao must have pushed Zhao Cairen!
"My stomach hurts so much!" Zhao Cairen sat on the ground and refused to get up, holding her stomach with a pale face.
"Go and call the imperial physician quickly." Shen Zhiyao's face was as gloomy as water, but he seemed extremely calm. He immediately ordered the eunuch in charge of the imperial garden who was standing there in a daze to call the imperial physician.