Chapter 51: The Wei Family Changes

“This concubine will have someone copy the recipe and present it to Noble Consort Shu.” Wei Yingya immediately said.

Lady Fang looked at her with displeasure, “If you made it yourself, it would definitely be more delicious than what the Imperial Kitchen makes.”

She was hinting that Wei Yingya should go and give Noble Consort Shu pastries, which meant she wanted Wei Yingya to go and see Noble Consort Shu, to side with her, to side with the Cen family.

“This concubine’s humble skills are no match for the exquisite skills of the Imperial Kitchen in Jingxi Palace. I’m afraid it won’t be to Noble Consort Shu’s liking…” Wei Yingya declined.

The coldness in Lady Fang’s eyes deepened, “I heard that Lady Shi came yesterday, is Lady Ying climbing a higher branch and looking down on Noble Consort Shu?”

Lady Shi represented the Xue family.

“Sister Shi invited this concubine to have tea today, but this concubine is not feeling well, so I didn’t go.” Wei Yingya smiled faintly, “This concubine respects Noble Consort Shu and the Empress Dowager from the bottom of my heart, but I’m too busy, please forgive me, Lady Fang.”

She didn’t accept the higher branch of the Cen family, nor the higher branch of the Xue family.

In Wei Yingya’s memory, the Wei family had always played both sides, not offending either. Before she entered the palace, her father had told the original owner not to easily offend the Xue and Cen families, and not to take sides.

Because choosing one side would inevitably offend the other.

Wei Yingya thought the Wei family’s decision was quite good.

Lady Fang snorted and left, “Since Lady Ying is not feeling well, then I won’t bother you anymore.”

As soon as she left.

Her personal maid, Qiu Kui, immediately said with concern, “Mistress, you rejected the two great noble families, in the palace, you will be isolated and helpless…”

“Those two high branches, are they really worth climbing? They just see that I’m favored now, they all want to use me as a pawn to get rid of Ning Wanyin…” Wei Yingya shook her head slightly, “If I really side with them, I’ll be a pawn, eliminating the concubines who are in their way. If anything happens, they won’t be implicated, and I’ll end up like Lady Li or Yinzhu.”

She had watched two hundred episodes of palace intrigue dramas, she knew what it meant to be someone else’s knife.

“As for being isolated and helpless… Isn’t there the Emperor? Even the Xue and Cen families are suppressed by the Emperor. Why should I side with them? As long as I win the Emperor’s favor, I can stand firm in the palace.” Wei Yingya said proudly.

The Emperor had chosen her the most in the past half month, she naturally had this confidence.

The Emperor was diligent in his affairs, but precisely because he was troubled by state affairs, he had a certain fondness for Wei Yingya, who could bring him joy and novelty.

Every time Wei Yingya went to Qianxin Palace, he would see her, and he even rewarded her with half a colorful sedan chair because she was tired from traveling back and forth.

But he wasn’t interested in seeing the other concubines.

Because Wei Yingya could always bring something new to entertain him, making him happy and surprised, relieving the worries brought by state affairs.

It had to be said that spending time with Wei Yingya was enjoyable.

The Emperor was also a human being, and human beings are greedy for pleasure.

Wei Yingya was very aware of the Emperor’s growing affection for her.

As a time traveler, armed with the wisdom of so many ancestors of China, was she afraid of not being able to win over a naive ancient emperor?

“Mistress is right! The Emperor favors you, Jieyu Cen and Beauty Xue are both trying to win you over. Only this Ning Wanyin is an eyesore… Without her, you would be the most favored concubine in the palace…” Qiu Kui agreed.

“She won’t live long…”

“She’s not worth worrying about.” Wei Yingya said calmly.

Ning Wanyin, that arrogant and domineering concubine, wouldn’t live past three chapters, she didn’t need to do anything.

“Although we don’t side with the Xue and Cen families, we must never offend them. We can’t be like some people, making enemies everywhere.” Wei Yingya looked at Qiu Kui and said, “Choose two valuable gifts from my treasury and send them to Jieyu Cen and Beauty Xue.”

Duke Wei Yong had always done this.

He sent gifts to both families, didn’t offend either, and he would also do whatever they asked.

Of course, things that could be done by outsiders were not confidential, so there was no risk of losing one’s head.

Wei Yingya planned to do the same. She would do what she could, but if it was a matter of life and death, she wouldn’t get involved.

She didn’t want to offend anyone.

“Mistress is so thoughtful.” Qiu Kui flattered her.

Wei Yingya also praised herself in her heart, she suppressed her pride and said, “Come with me to the small kitchen, I’ll prepare some new desserts for the Emperor.”

…

Lady Fang left Haitang Residence and went straight to Jingxi Palace.

“This Wei Yingya is ungrateful…” Lady Fang added fuel to the fire, expressing her dissatisfaction with Wei Yingya.

She was dissatisfied with all these favored concubines.

She not only hated Ning Wanyin, but also hated Wei Yingya.

“She’s just like her father, no wonder people say, like father, like daughter.” Noble Consort Shu didn’t get angry, she said calmly, “Don’t try to win her over anymore, just send her on her last journey.”

“Ah?” Lady Fang was surprised, “Is… that appropriate?”

The Wei family had always been neutral. If they killed Wei Yingya, wouldn’t that push the Wei family towards the Xue family?

“News just came from the southwest, Duke Wei Yong and his son died in battle. The Wei family has submitted a memorial to the Emperor, requesting that Duke Wei Yong’s younger brother inherit the title.” Noble Consort Shu said calmly, “This new Duke is a clever man, he sent a generous gift to Duke Cen. Now it’s not about whether Wei Yingya is willing to side with them, but the new Duke can’t tolerate her.”

Lady Fang was shocked. The four great dukes were hereditary titles, if there was no heir, they would definitely choose a close blood relative to succeed.

Duke Wei Yong’s younger brother was the closest blood relative and the first in line to inherit.

“The Wei family is changing hands…” Lady Fang was shocked.

“It was only a matter of time, how could a fence-sitter have a good ending?” Noble Consort Shu said lightly, she paused and said, “The new Duke is sensible, the Cen family will naturally help him pave the way. You’ve done this well, both Jieyu Cen and the Wei family will thank you.”

This new Duke Wei Yong wouldn’t let the previous Duke’s daughter be the Emperor’s favorite concubine, if she became influential in the future, how could they have a good ending?

Her father’s death was suspicious.

Wei Yingya must be eliminated.

Lady Fang’s eyes lit up, she used to be Noble Consort Shu’s follower, now she could take this opportunity to get close to the Cen family, which was great.

“This concubine understands.” Lady Fang smiled.

Noble Consort Shu finished arranging this matter, then deliberately sighed, “I heard that Consort Shun’s pregnancy is going very well, it seems that there will be a great celebration in the palace soon. Take care of these small matters early, lest the Emperor be happy for a moment and show her mercy.”

Lady Fang’s eyes dimmed, but she smiled and said, “Lady, don’t worry, this concubine won’t keep Jieyu Cen waiting.”

Noble Consort Shu glanced at her and said calmly, “You and Consort Shun are both old hands in the palace. I only hope that you will give birth to a son and a daughter soon, then you won’t have to worry about the rest of your life.”

“This concubine doesn’t have the same good fortune as Consort Shun…” Lady Fang clenched her fist under her sleeve.

After taking care of Wei Yingya, she should also start making arrangements for Consort Shun.