AWB Chapter 115 Transformation
Chapter 115 Transformation
At the first light of dawn, the palace walls were stained with a faint golden glow. The concubines from various palaces followed the palace rules and came to the Yiku Palace where Concubine Hua lived one after another. For a moment, pearls and jades swayed and rings and bracelets jingled on the palace road.
Yikun Palace and Yongshou Palace were only a short distance apart. Jiang Ruyin, her hand gently resting on a palace maid's arm, walked slowly. One hand rested on her abdomen, as if protecting her still-unrevealed belly. A smile played on her lips, but a hint of loneliness seemed hard to conceal between her brows.
She had once been in charge of the six harems, a truly glorious position. Now, pregnant, she had been reduced to a supporting role. This shift in status had become the subject of countless whispers among the concubines. Maintaining a dignified demeanor, she lightly stepped through the gates of the Yikun Palace.
Following closely behind was Concubine Duan. She was already a little weak, and her face was slightly pale, but with a barely perceptible hint of coldness.
The enmity between her and Concubine Hua was no secret, and any concubine with a little bit of connections knew it all. Now that she had been assigned to assist Concubine Hua, only she knew the various feelings involved.
She raised her eyes slightly, looked at the majestic Yiku Palace, took a deep breath, and walked into the palace with steady steps.
Concubine Hua had already sat in the main seat in her gorgeous attire. She was wearing a gorgeous dress, her hair was full of dazzling pearls and jade, and her exquisite makeup made her eyes look full of pride and pride.
Looking at the concubines coming in one after another, the corners of his mouth rose slightly, as if he was smiling.
The concubines entered the hall, first kneeling respectfully, and said in unison: "Greetings to Concubine Hua, may your Majesty be blessed with good health."
The voice echoed in the hall, and Concubine Hua slowly raised her hand and chuckled, "Everyone, get up. The sisters are all here today." Her cold gaze slowly fell on Concubine Duan. Although her words were polite, her condescending attitude was fully exposed.
After everyone stood up, they took their seats. The hall became quiet for a while, but it seemed as if there was a different undercurrent flowing.
The left is the most respected seat in the palace, so Concubine Duan maintained a humble attitude and sat on the right seat without receiving a single glance from Jiang Ruyin.
Wenpin was once a subordinate of Concubine Hua. As soon as she sat down, she smiled and said, "Empress Hua is as beautiful as ever. As for Concubine Duan, I didn't expect to see you today. I am very surprised."
Zhou Ninghai stood beside Concubine Duan with a dustpan in his hand as if holding a heavy sword, looking very aggressive.
Concubine Duan smiled softly and said, "Thanks to the Emperor's trust in me to assist in the management of the six palaces, of course I will come."
The half-smile on Concubine Hua's face disappeared. She glared at Concubine Wen, her sharp gaze sweeping across Jiang Ruyin with ambiguous meaning. "Alright, stop talking nonsense. The Emperor asked me to take charge of palace affairs because he is dissatisfied with the unhealthy trends in the harem. You all know my methods. If anyone behaves unruly and I find out, I will not let them off easily!"
Wenpin's original intention was to put Duanfei on the table for Huafei so that she could humiliate her. When she saw that Huafei did not agree with her, she was a little surprised and wondered in her heart: Why does it feel like Huafei seems a little smarter?
Concubine Hua's last cold gaze shot directly at Zhen Huan. Zhen Huan was not blind, so she naturally reacted. She smiled and said, "Your Highness Concubine Hua is so graceful and elegant. I, your concubine, will definitely obey the palace rules and uphold the virtues of a woman and will not dare to violate them."
Concubine Hua sneered, "Don't think you can flatter me by suggesting that the Emperor reinstate my position as Imperial Concubine. Do you think you can predict the Emperor's intentions? If you commit any offense against the Emperor, I will punish you severely."
As soon as these words were spoken, the room fell silent.
Shen Meizhuang looked at her Huan'er in disbelief.
Zhen Huan was speechless. Under everyone's scorching gazes, she reluctantly bowed to Concubine Hua and said, "Your Majesty is right."
She sat back on the sandalwood chair and gave Shen Meizhuang an apologetic smile. Shen Meizhuang's expression froze, and she gritted her teeth angrily and turned her head away from her.
Zhen Huan felt bitter. Nian Gengyao's arrogance was unstoppable, and only Concubine Hua, in the harem, could contain him. This was a necessary move, which led to Meijie's misunderstanding. Seeing Shen Meizhuang sulking over her temporary fall from favor, Zhen Huan couldn't bring herself to unravel the machinations of the previous dynasty and harem.
Her heart was filled with bitterness, and only the sweet fragrance at the tip of her nose could make her sober up a little.
Concubine Hua's tone was emotionless as she spoke calmly, "Next month will be Concubine Fang's Thousand Years' Birth. The Emperor wants all the princes and princesses to gather together to strengthen the bond between brothers and sisters. Concubine Lou is already eight months pregnant. From tomorrow on, you don't need to come and pay your respects. I will arrange for your family to come to the palace to accompany you at the end of the month."
The concubines all ignored the latter part of the sentence. Seeing Jiang Ruyin's expression change again, the emperor only addressed the Queen Mother as "Huang E Niang" and strengthened their relationship at a concubine's birthday banquet. The deeper meaning behind this scene was thought-provoking.
Jiang Ruyin smiled, ignoring everyone's gaze.
After everyone dispersed, Shen Meizhuang walked with great speed and soon approached Xianfu Palace. Zhen Huan hurriedly caught up with her, "Sister Mei!"
Zhen Huan almost jogged to catch up, calling softly.
Seeing Zhen Huan's hair disheveled, Shen Meizhuang couldn't bear it any longer. "It's not like I won't see you anymore. Why are you in such a hurry? Come in and talk."
Only then did Zhen Huan relax and walked into the palace hand in hand with Shen Meizhuang.
Jingpin appeared in front of Xianfu Gate at a leisurely pace. Ruyi whispered, "Noble Concubine Hui and Concubine Wan have a very good relationship. Your Majesty usually takes good care of Noble Concubine Hui, and Noble Concubine Hui never asks you any questions."
Jingpin shook her head with a smile and a sigh.
Cunju Hall,
Shen Meizhuang frowned and approached Zhen Huan. "What is it that you can't say? If it embarrasses you, just tell me. Don't you know who Hua Fei is? We've all been tortured by her. You and I both know how it feels."
Zhen Huan hesitated, and finally lowered her head, "Sister Mei, of course I have my own difficulties. If you believe me, don't ask any more questions."
Shen Meizhuang's disappointment was beyond words. She turned her head away angrily, "Since that's the case, I won't ask any more questions. I just hope that Concubine Wan won't regret it."
Zhen Huan was helpless, "Sister Mei."
Shen Meizhuang ignored her, and Zhen Huan no longer wanted to make herself miserable, so she left Xianfu Palace with a sigh.
The palace corridor with red walls and green tiles defined the square sky. Lou Yong'er held her stomach and straightened her waist as she walked slowly, while Lan Li supported her carefully.
There is a shortcut back to Zhongcui Palace, but due to various obstacles, we have to take a detour.
As spring approaches, the snow does not fall as heavily as in winter.
The palace maids got up early every day to shovel snow and clear a path that was barely wide enough for the sedan chair to pass.
Lou Yong'er and Fu Li turned sideways and watched the sedan chair go away.
Rumo's eyes revealed a pent-up anger, and Lou Yong'er looked at the endless palace road.
How long had it been since she last saw the emperor? She couldn't quite remember, but she remembered that for countless days and nights, her various plans were always turned upside down by the ever-changing situation.