bookcurios Chapter 55 It shouldn't have been done, it really shouldn't have been done!
Chapter 55 It shouldn't have been done, it really shouldn't have been done!
April has arrived in the blink of an eye. Spring is in full bloom, flowers are vying for beauty, and butterflies and bees are buzzing about.
The most exciting event in the palace this month was undoubtedly the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet.
In order to win the favor of the Empress Dowager, the concubines in the harem began to make preparations for the birthday gifts and performances they would present on the day of the banquet.
The entire inner courtyard of the palace was filled with joy and excitement, but Chu Qingyin had nothing to do and stole half a day of leisure to sit in the Imperial Garden and bask in the sun.
Xianglan was extremely anxious: "Your Majesty, are you really not planning to prepare any gifts for the Empress Dowager?"
"Hasn't Her Majesty already prepared one for me? Why should I bother? In any case, no matter how carefully I prepare the gift, it won't make her look at me with any favor."
Chu Qingyin was very open-minded about this matter. She only needed to win Pei Yuanling's heart. In fact, pleasing the Empress Dowager would not be of much help to her rise to power.
Besides, in her previous life, she had put in a lot of effort to please the Empress Dowager, but in the end, she still didn't get a good look.
Therefore, it was best for her and the Empress Dowager to maintain a polite facade and not disturb each other.
"Miss Qiao is truly a wise and insightful person."
A deep male voice suddenly entered her ears. Chu Qingyin turned around at the sound, and before she could even look up, her eyes caught sight of a familiar yet repulsive blue embroidered bamboo official robe.
She frowned, her tone slightly impatient: "Lord Lu, your habit of eavesdropping is not good."
These words were so direct that Lu Zhiheng's expression stiffened slightly.
For a moment, the atmosphere became slightly awkward.
In fact, as soon as she said those words, Chu Qingyin regretted it. It was all because of her mouth; she was habitually outspoken!
"It seems I was presumptuous; I shouldn't have come here to disturb Consort Qiao's peace," Lu Zhiheng said.
Chu Qingyin thought to herself, "It's good that you know," but on her face, she gave a faint smile: "It's not presumptuous of me. I shouldn't have been here admiring the flowers. I'll leave now."
As she spoke, she got up and called to Xianglan that she was about to leave.
"Is Miss Qiao afraid of me?"
Lu Zhiheng spoke, his cool gaze falling on her face as if he were scrutinizing her.
Chu Qingyin's steps faltered slightly, and a hint of impatience flashed in her lowered eyes.
What's wrong with Lu Zhiheng? She's so obviously avoiding him, can't she see that?
That's enough, it's not time to break ties with Lu Zhiheng yet.
Thinking of this, Chu Qingyin slowly turned around, a dignified and warm smile skillfully appearing on her bright face: "Lord Lu, you are overthinking it. We have no grudges against each other, why should I be afraid of you?"
Lu Zhiheng stood with his hands behind his back, glancing at her indifferently: "Then why do you avoid me as soon as you see me?"
Chu Qingyin said without changing her expression, "Lord Lu, what you said is strange. I am a palace concubine and you are an official. It would be better if we had less contact."
These words, though seemingly polite and courteous, were also a clear reminder to him to keep his distance from her in the future.
Thinking of the evaluation of the person sent to monitor Chu Qingyin: Consort Qiao appears to be a dignified lady from a noble family, but in reality she is shrewd and has a deep mind.
To receive such high praise from her subordinates, and to be able to adjust her mindset and speak these words calmly and confidently in front of him in just a moment, this Miss Qiao is indeed no ordinary young lady.
Lu Zhiheng raised an eyebrow slightly, and a faint smile unconsciously appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Consort Qiao's adherence to rules and etiquette is truly a model for concubines in the palace, which is admirable."
Suddenly praised, Chu Qingyin's eyelids twitched. Was Lu Zhiheng possessed by a ghost?
Sure enough, the next moment, the man continued, "If I hadn't heard Consort Qiao's remarks just now, I would have actually believed it."
Chu Qingyin: "..."
She knew that someone who could become the Grand Secretary would not be able to lose in such a simple verbal dispute.
However, Chu Qingyin was no pushover either!
Since Lu Zhiheng enjoys seeing her make a fool of herself, why shouldn't she put on a show for him?
Thinking of this, Chu Qingyin lowered her eyes slightly, her tone instantly tinged with a hint of grievance: "What I said just now was an unintentional mistake by me. I hope Lord Lu will not spread it."
The woman's emotions came on quickly, and Lu Zhiheng couldn't help but frown: "Are you begging me?"
"Yes, I am begging Lord Lu."
She raised her small, fair face, her dark eyes brimming with tears, and gazed at him tenderly: "Lord Lu is certainly not the kind of person who talks too much, is he?"
Lu Zhiheng was slightly taken aback. When he looked at her slightly furrowed brows again, he felt a little dazed for some reason.
He hadn't intended to make things difficult for her, and now he had no desire to tease her anymore. He subconsciously coaxed her, "Okay, I promise you."
Chu Qingyin had originally planned to squeeze out a couple of tears, or at the very least, use some of the charm she usually showed Pei Yuanling. After all, they were both men, and she didn't believe Lu Zhiheng wouldn't soften his heart.
But Lu Zhiheng softened his heart too quickly! He agreed so easily?
However, in any case, it is enough that the matter has been resolved satisfactorily.
Chu Qingyin didn't want to get entangled with him any longer, so she made up an excuse and left as if she were escaping.
Watching that slender figure quickly disappear into the garden, Lu Zhiheng snapped out of his daze and frowned deeply.
I must have seen a ghost just now; I was completely captivated by her tears.
No, I really shouldn't have done that!
"Lord Lu, what are you doing here?"
The young eunuch hurried forward and called out, "Eunuch Chen has been looking for you everywhere. Please come this way quickly."
Lu Zhiheng composed himself and resumed his usual aloof and calm demeanor: "Coming right away."
*
Before they knew it, it was the day before the birthday banquet. Qiu Zhu and Xiang Lan went through the preparations for the Empress Dowager's birthday gifts again in the courtyard.
"Your Majesty, are you really not going to prepare anything else?" Xianglan was still a little worried. She had inquired in other palaces and found that the gifts that the concubines had prepared for the Empress Dowager were all rare and precious treasures.
I imagine that at the banquet, everyone will show off their unique talents. Wouldn't it be too shabby to put their meager offerings on the table?
Knowing that the maid was genuinely concerned for her, Chu Qingyin reassured her, "This was prepared by His Majesty; who would dare say it's shabby?"
Xianglan couldn't help but purse her lips; the girl always used this to shut her up!
Chu Qingyin smiled when she saw her like that. Just as she was about to say a few more words to comfort her, she saw Xiao He peeking in from outside the door.
Her gaze darkened; this girl truly could not be allowed to live any longer!
That night, the emperor instructed Chen Zhongliang to deliver a message, saying that he was busy with official business that day and might not have time to come here, and that Chu Qingyin should rest early.
Chu Qingyin didn't have any particular thoughts about this; after all, Pei Yuanling and she just slept together and didn't do anything else.
However, this is a good opportunity, as it allows her to free up her time to deal with those who need to be dealt with.
"Your Highness, may I help you undress and go to bed?" Qiu Zhu asked cautiously, glancing at Chu Qingyin's slightly unpleasant expression.
Chu Qingyin did not answer, but only glanced at Xianglan beside her, her voice cold and stern: "Call Kang Luhai in."
Qiu Zhu paused slightly, staring at Xiang Lan's departing figure, and couldn't help but wonder. Could it be that this usually good-tempered lead actress was also going to take her frustrations out on the servants like the other concubines?
Soon, Xianglan brought Kang Luhai in.
"I know that you people have not been with me for very long and are all taking a wait-and-see approach. With His Majesty not coming tonight, I'm sure you're all wondering if I'm about to fall out of favor?"
Chu Qingyin's usually gentle face was now filled with solemnity.
Kang Luhai, an old servant in the palace, had already guessed that Consort Qiao was probably looking for him to vent her anger. Upon hearing this, he immediately bowed and pledged his loyalty: "Your Majesty, this servant is utterly loyal to you, as the sun and moon can bear witness. How could I dare to speak ill of you behind your back?"
"Oh?" Chu Qingyin walked up to Kang Luhai, her eyes smiling. "In that case, I need you to do something for me. Do you dare to do it?"
Kang Luhai felt a pang of panic, but dared not show it on his face, forcing himself to suppress his fear: "Since it is Your Majesty's order, this servant will gladly go through fire and water for you."
“Very good.” Chu Qingyin nodded and said, “It’s not difficult. I need you to find a way to add my name to tomorrow’s dance performance list.”
Adding the names of other concubines to a submitted list of dance performances without anyone noticing is simply a pipe dream.
Even the once-favored Consort Chu might not have been able to bypass the rules of etiquette to accomplish this, let alone him, who was merely a head eunuch in the palace of a concubine.
Isn't Consort Qiao clearly trying to kill him?
Kang Luhai wiped the sweat from his brow and said cautiously, "Your Majesty, the list of dancers is managed by the Empress. You are currently at the height of your power; to add your name to it quietly would be quite difficult—"
Before he could finish speaking, Chu Qingyin interrupted him, her voice cold and deep, carrying an imposing aura: "What, you can't do it?"