mesbooks Chapter 216: New Play Conspiracy Begins
Chapter 216: New Play Conspiracy Begins
The Empress Dowager looked at Concubine Xian who stayed behind with her in confusion, thinking that she wanted to thank her. In fact, she still had complicated feelings towards Concubine Xian.
Although Concubine Xian was formally selected to enter the palace, everyone knew that she was the younger sister of the candidate for Crown Princess. If nothing unexpected happened, she would be one generation younger than the Emperor.
It would be fine if she was the younger sister of other princes' wives, but she is the future sister-in-law of the prince, who is the next heir to the throne. In front of the people of the world, it would be easy for the emperor to be criticized for enthroning her into the palace.
Later, something went wrong with Shi Rongyue and she failed to become the Crown Princess, but it was also revealed that Concubine Xian had an affair with the Emperor before the accident.
The Empress Dowager was naturally displeased by his lack of moral character, not to mention that his experience was similar to that of Concubine Dong E and the late emperor, which was really irritating to her.
If the emperor had not explained that Concubine Xian was drugged by Shi Rongyue and given musk because of her past experiences, which made her feel pity for her, she would not have spoken up for her.
But that's about it.
She would not interfere in the emperor's harem, nor could she have close dealings with her.
However, unlike the gratitude that the Queen Mother thought of, Shi Nanxi talked about something else.
"Empress Dowager, I think Changchun Garden has beautiful scenery, but it lacks some fun. I want to invite a troupe to stage a new play. What do you think?"
As he spoke, a hint of embarrassment appeared on his face.
"It's just that I've never been exposed to these things before, and I don't know which operas are good. I thought you always like to listen to operas, so you must know a lot, so I shamelessly want to ask you for advice."
The Empress Dowager became interested when she heard that a troupe was invited to stage a new play. She was a drama fan and liked to listen to operas when she had nothing to do.
Changchun Garden naturally had its own opera troupe, but they were all old plays that had been performed countless times. She knew every line from the first to the next.
"Oh, we're rehearsing a new play. I didn't expect that Concubine Xian also likes to listen to plays?"
Shi Nanxi pursed her lips shyly.
She chose to tell the truth.
"I used to be in poor health. Whenever I returned to the palace during festivals, the palace would invite a troupe to perform. However, there were too many people and it was too noisy. I couldn't stay for long, so I basically didn't listen to any opera. It was only after I entered the palace that I listened to an opera in Changyin Pavilion and found it quite interesting. That's when I came up with the idea."
The Queen Mother knew her past experiences a long time ago, but she didn't expect that she had never even listened to the opera. She couldn't help but say:
"I was not in good health before, but now that I have entered the palace and recovered, there is no need to be shy. You can listen to any opera you want, and ask me anything you want."
"Thank you for your grace, Queen Dowager." Shi Nanxi said softly, and then the two talked about opera for a long time before Shi Nanxi left.
Before leaving, the Empress Dowager gave Shi Nanxi a reward, using the reason that she had handled palace affairs properly before.
After everyone left, Shou Chunyong, Madam Hu handed the Empress Dowager a cup of tea. The Empress Dowager took it and took a sip, looking quite pleased.
"The Empress Dowager looks happy?" asked Nanny Hu softly.
The Queen Mother put down the tea bowl and smiled:
"I feel happy when I think that there will be new plays to watch in a while."
Aunt Hu said:
"Everyone in the palace knows that you love to listen to operas. I think Concubine Xian also knows this. She is trying to please you by playing to your liking."
The Empress Dowager was another fool, of course she could see that Concubine Xian was trying to repay her previous help, and perhaps also with a bit of flattery, but there were many ways to repay, but Concubine Xian chose to arrange a new play for her to listen to.
Not only does it show that she really put her heart into it, it's also an open conspiracy.
"I know."
Nanny Hu understood what the Empress Dowager meant and didn't say anything more. If the master liked Concubine Xian, then she liked her. If the master didn't like Concubine Xian, then she didn't like her.
Shi Nanxi, who had returned to Danningju, did not know about the conversation between the Empress Dowager and her servant. Firstly, she did want to repay the favor, and secondly, Kangxi had mentioned twice that he wanted to interact more with the Empress Dowager. Now that there was an opportunity, she naturally had to seize it.
"Pass the news to me and report the result back to the palace. Zixia and Ah Zao should be very happy."
A smile appeared on Shi Nanxi's face.
Hongying couldn't wait to say:
"I will go and pass on the message right away."
Looking at Hongying's back as she left, Shi Nanxi was excited. She hugged Xixi, scratched its chin, and her brows relaxed. The promise she made to Zixia and Asao was finally fulfilled.
Xixi's cat eyes narrowed when its chin was scratched, and it meowed softly.
Hearing the meow, Shi Nanxi lowered her head and nodded her soft nose.
"Today is a good day. I will allow you to have two more dried fish for dinner."
Hearing the dried fish, Xixi's cat eyes lit up and she chirped even more happily.
Shi Nanxi looked more relaxed and happy.
Then I thought of another hero.
She instructed Madam Yang:
"Mammy, ask the kitchen to prepare a bowl of Tremella and Red Date Soup. It's the beginning of autumn and the weather is getting cooler. It's a good time to take some tonic food. I will personally deliver it to the emperor."
Nanny Yang took the order and came back with a box after a while. Shi Nanxi held Xixi in her arms, followed by Nanny Yang, and they walked towards Shouchunyong.
Shi Nanxi was happy and comfortable here, but Concubine Nianhulu frowned as soon as she returned to the palace. She smashed everything that could be smashed, and the house was as quiet as a cold pond.
Although it was speculated that the Emperor would give the manpower to Concubine Xian, and that Concubine Xian would definitely be able to investigate the matter quickly, it was unexpected that Concubine Xian would use the matter of withholding the allowance as an excuse to directly purge the servants in the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
This time, she went from watching the play with gloating in the beginning, to getting into the play, and finally being involved in it, losing both her face and her dignity.
Not only did he lose more than he gained, he was also counterattacked. After this incident, no one would dare to blatantly deduct the allowance in the future. This could no longer be used against Concubine Xian.
If we can't deal with Concubine Xian, then there's no way we can take back the power of the palace!
"Meow~" Suddenly a meow broke the silence.
Concubine Nianhulu looked over with gloomy eyes.
Facing the pair of clear and round cat eyes at the threshold,
Concubine Nianhulu thought of Concubine Xian.
Malice suddenly rose in her heart.
Suddenly he ordered in a cold tone:
"Bring Nana to me."
The palace maid who raised the cat was frightened when the cat ran out and ran into the main hall. When she noticed the atmosphere in the main hall, her heart beat faster. Now, when she heard the empress's order, her face suddenly turned pale.
She didn't know why the Queen wanted her to carry Nana over, but she didn't dare to refuse.
"Your Majesty." Holding Nana in her arms, the palace maid approached cautiously.
However, the next second, a shrill meow suddenly sounded.
When Concubine Nianhulu heard the shrill meow, the malice in her heart suddenly dissipated a lot. She slowly withdrew her hand, wiped her hands with a handkerchief, and looked at the little palace maid with a cold gaze.
"Take Nana away. If you dare reveal even a little bit of what happened today, I will make you live a life worse than death."
The little palace maid was almost frightened to death. She bit her lips tightly, her hands trembling, and left with Nana in her arms.
After the young palace maid left, Concubine Niuhulu gave a grim order:
"Have someone keep a close eye on Concubine Hui and Concubine Wang, so they can help them when necessary."
Jing Yan immediately took the order and retreated.
The three concubines Hui, De and Rong were also restless. After Hui came back, she sat in the study for a long time without moving. Finally, she ordered:
"Have someone increase the efforts on Concubine Wang's side."
"Yes, ma'am."