Chapter 6: The Emperor Holds a Grudge

Wang Degui served with trepidation.

Although the emperor usually had a blank expression and it was impossible to tell what he was thinking, he had served the emperor since childhood and could clearly feel that the emperor’s face was unusually cold today.

Moreover, this bad mood started after leaving the Mozhu Xuan.

Could it be that Song Meiren didn’t serve well?

But he dared not inquire. When the emperor finished court and started reviewing memorials, he had to bite the bullet and ask:

“Your Majesty… this servant has something to ask, did you give Song Meiren the reward according to the Meiren’s portion?”

This was the custom.

Any concubine who served the emperor for the first time would receive a reward the next day.

Different ranks had different specifications.

If the emperor was particularly fond of someone, he could also add some more.

Helian Qi frowned slightly. Song Meiren was well-read, but she was inflexible and couldn’t understand his implication, nor did she have a long-term vision.

She was not suitable for important tasks.

But after all, she was the daughter of his confidant and important minister, and she had feelings for him.

Although he was a little annoyed, he wouldn’t take it out on her.

“Hmm.” Helian Qi responded.

Wang Degui immediately bowed and retreated to prepare. It seemed that Song Meiren really didn’t please the emperor, otherwise, with the emperor’s usual nature of rewarding and punishing fairly, he would definitely have given her more rewards.

…

Although Song Meiren was favored, she wasn’t arrogant at all, and she arrived at the Jingxi Palace early.

Noble Consort Shu was always the most virtuous and generous, and she asked a few concerned questions.

Noble Consort Zhuang still looked down on everyone equally, and she said a few sarcastic words.

Concubine Xue and Concubine Cen didn’t say anything, surprisingly harmonious.

Everyone was present, and they went to the Cining Palace to greet the Empress Dowager together.

“You are Song Meiren who served last night, you are indeed beautiful. No wonder His Majesty likes you, I also like you very much.” Empress Dowager Xue glanced at Song Meiren and said slowly:

“You stay here and accompany me to read the Buddhist scriptures. Everyone else can go.”

All the concubines bowed and saluted before leaving.

Song Meiren spent the whole day copying Buddhist scriptures in the Cining Palace…

She had just been favored last night, and she was already weak. When she came out of the Cining Palace, her body swayed, and she almost fell to the ground.

Her personal maid quickly helped her up and said with heartache, “Master, you’ve suffered. The Empress Dowager is clearly deliberately making things difficult for you…”

“She’s just trying to set rules for me. His Majesty didn’t choose Concubine Xue, so the Empress Dowager is naturally unhappy.” Song Meiren shook her head slightly and said:

“Let’s go, back to the palace.”

The maid was angry and said, “His Majesty doesn’t even care…”

“Don’t talk nonsense!” Song Meiren reprimanded her coldly, and there was a hint of disappointment in her lowered eyes.

…

Everyone in the palace was quietly watching, wondering if the emperor would come to save Song Meiren.

But until dusk, Song Meiren returned to the Mozhu Xuan, and the emperor didn’t care.

Ning Wanyin also paid attention to the news outside, her eyebrows were tightly furrowed, what was going on?

If the emperor wanted to cultivate his own people and suppress the noble forces in the palace, he would definitely protect Song Meiren.

Unless…

The emperor had given up on her.

But, he had chosen her to serve him last night, and he gave up on her today? Was there some accident?

This emperor was really fickle and unpredictable.

“His Majesty favored Song Meiren yesterday, but he doesn’t care today. He’s so fickle, you…” Lianrui’s eyes were full of worry for her master.

Ning Wanyin came back to her senses and said, “How could the emperor be a sentimental person?”

The emperor’s concern for Song Meiren has nothing to do with whether he is fickle or not.

It’s all about where he wants to place Song Meiren.

Being favored doesn’t mean he loves her. Ignoring her doesn’t mean he doesn’t care.

The emperor’s heart is unfathomable.

…

Earlier, in the Qianxin Palace.

“Your Majesty, Song Meiren was kept in the palace by the Empress Dowager to copy Buddhist scriptures…” Wang Degui reported softly.

Helian Qi’s eyes were deep, he had known for a long time that the emperor’s favor would bring trouble.

Therefore, being smart is the key to being a favored concubine.

For those who are not smart, being left alone is a form of protection.

“What is Wen Meiren doing today?” Helian Qi asked.

Wen Shi was quick-witted, perhaps she was more useful than Song Meiren.

Wang Degui immediately replied, “Wen Meiren is having tea at Concubine Cen’s palace.”

“Concubine Cen?” Helian Qi’s eyes instantly turned cold.

“Yes! Concubine Cen invited Wen Meiren to her palace for tea, Wen Meiren stayed for a long time, and to thank Concubine Cen, she sent a heavy gift.”

Helian Qi’s eyes were cold.

Concubine Cen was trying to win over Wen Meiren, and Wen Meiren actually went!

It was normal for palace concubines to side with either Xue or Cen. Having a backer is always better than none.

But Wen Shi Lang was promoted by him!

This was a blatant betrayal to the emperor.

Helian Qi was furious, his face became even more gloomy and terrifying:

“Pass my word, Wen Meiren’s behavior is improper, she is demoted to Baolin.”

Wang Degui knelt down to receive the decree, his face turned pale with fright.

This Wen Meiren didn’t know how she offended the emperor, she was demoted two ranks without even seeing the emperor. What a pity!

At that moment, the eunuch in charge of the Imperial Bedchamber brought the jade register of the concubines with palace servants, “Please review, Your Majesty!”

Helian Qi’s face was gloomy. He didn’t want his palace to become like his father’s…

Someone had to suppress the Xue and Cen families.

But the candidates he liked, one was aloof but inflexible, and her mind was too shallow. The other was quick-witted, but she was quick-witted enough to side with outsiders.

He couldn’t find a suitable person for the time being, so he could only wait and see.

Since Empress Dowager Xue liked to make things difficult for his concubines so much, then he would choose a few unlucky ones from the noble families and let her deal with them.

Helian Qi thought about this and casually flipped over a jade token.

…

In the Lingxue Pavilion.

“Master, the emperor suddenly reprimanded Wen Meiren and demoted her to Baolin.” Xiaogui hurriedly reported the latest imperial decree, his heart pounding with fear:

“There’s no one in the Imperial Garden now…”

After Song Meiren, who served the emperor for the first time, was kept by the Empress Dowager to copy Buddhist scriptures, half of the people in the Imperial Garden left. They didn’t dare to be favored before Concubine Xue.

When the news of Wen Meiren’s punishment came out, the other half of the fools also hid back in their palaces.

Being demoted without even seeing the emperor’s face…

Who wouldn’t be afraid of this sudden disaster.

Everyone was eager to serve the emperor before, but now they are afraid of offending the emperor and the Empress Dowager, no one dares to serve him so quickly…

Ning Wanyin was also a little surprised, she originally thought that Wen Meiren would definitely serve the emperor tonight.

Why…

The emperor suddenly punished his own people, this was strange.

“What did Wen Baolin do today?” Ning Wanyin immediately asked.

Xiaogui was still a little scared, he thought back and said, “I heard that Wen Meiren… no, Wen Baolin went to Concubine Cen’s palace for tea today…”

Hmm?

Wasn’t this like turning down the emperor’s obvious thigh and running into the enemy’s arms?

No wonder the emperor demoted her.

This emperor seems to hold a grudge.

However, Ning Wanyin could understand Wen Meiren’s thoughts.

The emperor didn’t even protect Song Meiren today, who knows if he would protect her? Choosing to side with the Cen family was more reasonable than hoping for that elusive imperial favor, wasn’t it?

It’s just that Wen Meiren overlooked one thing, the current status of the Wen family came from the emperor, she should have thought one step further before making a decision.

Oh wait, maybe in Wen Meiren’s eyes, the high official position of the Wen family was something her father deserved because of his outstanding achievements?

Ning Wanyin was silent for a moment, and stopped thinking about it.

The most important thing now was, without Wen Meiren, who would the emperor choose to serve him tonight?

No matter who he chose, serving the emperor before Concubine Xue and Concubine Cen would make them a thorn in their eyes.

Whoever he chose would be unlucky.

As Ning Wanyin was pondering, a eunuch suddenly walked in with a beaming smile:

“Congratulations, Noble Consort Ning, His Majesty has chosen your token, prepare to receive him.”

Ning Wanyin: ???