The crabapple tree is fragrant in the tent, and the bright moon is in my arms

Zhaoyue was soaking in the hot water, her long black hair falling and spreading on the water, covering her snow-white body.

She picked up a crabapple petal, put it on the bucket, and blew the petal towards He Quan, who had a calm expression.

The petals swayed in the air and fell on He Quan's boots.

The fingers he held the hot water ladle with were clenched so tightly that the joints turned white and there were blue ribs on the surface of his skin, as if he was enduring something.

Zhao Yue rested her chin on the edge of the bucket: "Has Prince Duan Ze left the palace?"

He Quan's breathing became a little disordered, his nose filled with her fragrance, and he tried to regain his clarity of mind: "I'm leaving the palace today."

His amber eyes were dark, he picked up her hair and combed it carefully: "Where did you get Ning Changzai's earrings, young lady?"

"I framed her!"

Zhao Yue smiled slyly: "I didn't hurt her face, nor did I frame her. I just wanted her to see her heart clearly...well...it just happened that her old love was here."

She stretched out her hand and traced the outline of the blue veins on the back of He Quan's hand: "I also asked His Majesty to go see her, she must thank me."

He Quan smiled: "Kill people and destroy their hearts."

Ning Ruxin lost her old love today and saw clearly that His Majesty had someone in his heart. Zhaoyue also told her that there was a traitor in her palace. She was really isolated and helpless for a while, and was very panicked.

Her fingers tickled him, and He Quan looked at the water, not daring to look at her skin for too long: "The slave will go out first."

Zhao Yue grabbed his chain and narrowed his eyes.

This is her signal, meaning that you are not allowed to disobey her.

He Quan chuckled: "Zhao Zhao...you are very brave...but...don't tease me easily, you can't stand it..."

Zhao Yue was very busy during this period, and she had some understanding of the birthday party matters. She hadn't bullied "Xiao Quanzi" for a long time.

Zhaoyue's eyelashes trembled, and little crystal drops of water hung on her hair.

She curled her lips unceremoniously: "Have you forgotten what others say about me now?"

Zhao Yue leaned forward and bit He Quan's lips: "Demon Concubine."

He Quan held her head with his hands and she pulled him into the bathtub. The water droplets splashed on his cold, forbearing brows.

He hugged Zhaoyue's waist tightly and bit her collarbone angrily.

-

Palace Road.

Zhu Dingyuan said, "Where's Dongzhu? Hasn't she found him yet?"

Huang Quan bowed quickly and said, "Your Majesty, the Dongzhu was originally in the Wumu tribe. Lord Chao Yu was almost ready to negotiate, but the tribes were in chaos and were annexed by the Kassel tribe on the border. The Dongzhu then fell into the hands of the Kassel royal family."

He smiled and said, "My Lord Chao said that this Dongzhu became Princess Cassel's dowry. I'm afraid it's not good..."

"Dowry..."

Zhu Dingyuan turned the ring on his finger, thinking about yesterday's memorial.

Kassel was ambitious. He annexed dozens of tribes, established a royal family, and tested the Tianzhao army on the border. He weakened the military power of the Gao family, and the military power on the border was in the hands of the Nangong family.

His imperial guards could not move, and his private army could not move even more.

If Kassel has evil ambitions...

Although the locust plague in southern Henan has passed, the food and grass reserves have been damaged, natural disasters have occurred one after another, and the national treasury is empty, so it is not appropriate to go to war.

If a war breaks out, who will be available?

That Dongzhu actually fell into their hands!

What he wants, he must get.

"Recall Chao Yu, no need to talk anymore."

Huang Quan: "Then Dongzhu..."

"Since it's a dowry, then we should find a way to have her personally...deliver it to us."

Huang Quan: "Your Majesty, we have arrived at Yaohua Garden."

-

Fengyi Palace.

Rui Xin stood beside Concubine Qi, holding a glass bowl with fresh fruits on it.

Concubine Qi took a bite and her face changed. She said "Pooh" twice: "What is this? It's so cold. How can I eat it?"

She looked at Rui Xin with disdain in her eyes: "Rui Changzai, could it be that the Queen asked you to serve me? Are you complaining in your heart?"

Rui Xin knelt on the ground in panic: "It is my blessing to serve Madam Qipin. I will soak this fruit in hot water immediately and let Madam Qipin enjoy it."

Concubine Qi then snorted, "If you soak it in hot water, will it still have the original flavor?"

You can't drink it cold or hot.

I can’t eat spicy, sour or sweet food.

Even the pillow placed behind the waist should be of moderate hardness and softness.

What kind of precious baby is she pregnant with?

Rui Xin lowered her head. Her round face had become thinner due to the torment she had endured over the past few days.

But she could only follow Concubine Qi's lead and said softly, "It's raining outside, and it's time for dinner. Why don't I go and ask them to make some hot soup?"

Concubine Qi: "Did Rui Chang do it herself?"

She stroked her belly again and again: "I heard that Rui Changzai used to be a maid who grew flowers. As a servant, she naturally knows a little bit about everything. I wonder how good Rui Changzai's cooking skills are."

Rui Xin's eyelids twitched, and she gave her a silly smile: "For the sake of Concubine Qi and the heir, I naturally have to do it myself."

"Well, go ahead." Concubine Qi felt very happy when she saw her daring and outspoken appearance.

Xun Qiu came in from the door: "Princess Qi, Concubine Rui is here, the Queen wants you to accompany her for dinner."

Concubine Qi immediately stood up and said, "I'll be right there."

There was a flash of sarcasm in Rui Xin's eyes. Humph, he's so obedient in front of the Queen and doesn't even dare to fart.

Main hall.

When Concubine Ling saw them come in, Tong Ruichang nodded. As for Concubine Qi, she pretended not to see anything.

"Please sit down." The queen, with Buddhist beads hanging on her wrist, gestured for them to sit down and eat.

Lingpin wanted to serve food to the Queen, and the Queen asked her to sit down as well.

The Queen looked at the rain outside and did not move her chopsticks. "The Pillow Book House caught fire. I heard that Concubine Zhao was inside."

Concubine Qi was surprised: "She's in there?"

She couldn't help but raise her eyebrows in joy: "Is Concubine Zhao okay? Is she not injured?"

Lingpin glanced at her and said, "Qipin, are you worried or happy? I feel like you look like you are both crying and laughing."

Rui Chang just sat there and didn't interrupt.

Queen: "Princess Qi, after you returned to the palace, did His Majesty come to see you?"

Concubine Qi couldn't laugh anymore: "No." She tried to make up for it: "But His Majesty hasn't been to the harem recently. It seems that he only favors Concubine Ning."

Concubine Ling: "But today, Concubine Zhao was murdered, and His Majesty came here immediately." Her slender eyes flashed with jealousy.

"Empress, you said that His Majesty gave Lady Zhao a two-character title. What is her status? Is it really a concubine?"

She felt a little uneasy. Although His Majesty seemed to visit everyone for a few days, Chuntang Palace was indeed renovated by Zhaoyue.

If His Majesty gets dizzy, is it possible to give her a higher position?

The Queen's eyes were somewhat cold: "The imperial edict has been drafted. Will His Majesty deceive me about the position of Concubine?"

Lingpin: "I said something wrong, please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Xun Qiu came over and spoke to the Queen: "Your Majesty, His Majesty has gone to Yaohua Garden. He left right after he came out of Chuntang Palace."

"Hmm?" The queen's eyes calmed down, and she finally smiled: "His Majesty still cares about you, Concubine Qi, when the enthronement ceremony is over, you go to see His Majesty in person. You are pregnant with his child, and His Majesty will always soften his heart."

Concubine Qi nodded, her expression sweet: "I will listen to your Majesty."

Lingpin resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

What a lucky thing, she is pregnant with a dragon!

She is now serving the Queen and has no way to serve His Majesty. It's so unlucky that she was chosen.

After glancing at Rui Changzai who remained silent, she felt a little better.

Fortunately, there is someone to share the misfortune with.

-

Yaohua Garden.

Ning Ruxin's clothes were all wet from the rain, so Lan'er half-carried and half-embraced her and brought her back.

After boiling water with Pei'er, undressing her, and soaking in the hot water for a long time, Ning Ruxin finally breathed a sigh of relief.

But his eyes were still blank.

"My Lord, His Majesty is here!"

Ning Ruxin's heart skipped a beat, thinking she had heard it wrong: "What?"

"Your Majesty is here and told you not to rush out!" Lan'er said again.

Pei'er quickly wiped her hair clean: "My lady, do you want to soak for a while longer?"

Ning Ruxin sneezed: "No, no, put on your clothes."

Her eyes were red and her smile sounded tearful.

His Majesty still saw her, and her position in His Majesty's heart was indeed not as important as Zhaoyue's.

But there is still a little bit, isn't there?

She had lost everything except His Majesty. She could only depend on him and she didn't want to admit defeat.

She can still get pregnant, but Zhaoyue can't.

Ning Ruxin's outer robe was tied loosely. She gathered the wetness to her shoulders and took a step. Her legs were faintly visible as she walked.

Lan'er and Pei'er retreated.

The man sitting in the room had a gentle face and sharp, calm eyes. Although he was cold, he had the demeanor that an emperor should have.

Ning Ruxin was barefoot, and the closer she got to him, the more nervous she felt.

Zhao Yue is right.

The answer is obvious, she did... fall in love with His Majesty.

Yan Yang will no longer stand behind her, she needs a new backer.

In the harem, after all the fighting, Zhaoyue is the smartest one. Once you have His Majesty on your side, he will protect you no matter how the fight goes, right?

Drops of water from the ends of her hair fell onto her clothes. Zhu Dingyuan looked up at her as she saluted, his eyes fixed on her figure and on her feet that she deliberately exposed.

"There was a fire in the Pillow Book House, but Concubine Ning wasn't that scared."

Zhu Dingyuan picked up the tea and spoke slowly.

Zhao Yue fell weakly into his arms, but she wanted to be unique.

Ning Ruxin approached him and said, "The harem is heavily guarded. If there is a fire, the Royal Guards will definitely come as soon as possible. I am not standing on the floor where the fire broke out, so I am not that scared. Is Concubine Zhao all right?"

She sounded concerned.

Zhu Dingyuan took a sip of tea and put it down, his suspicious eyes not moving away from her: "I went to Chuntang Palace first, do you feel wronged?"

"Noble Zhao was injured at her birthday banquet, and her body is still... There was a sudden fire today, and Noble Zhao happened to be on that floor, so she must be very nervous. It is reasonable for Your Majesty to comfort Noble Zhao first."

She spoke very smoothly, except that her cheeks were not as lively as before.

Zhu Dingyuan tapped the table with his finger, and looked at him with a heavy gaze: "So, what did you see today?"

Did you see him lose his composure? He hugged Zhaoyue and cried.

He could leave the servants around Zhaoyue alone, and those who followed him all kept their mouths shut.

And he killed all the Jinyiwei who came to put out the fire today, except Wei Ruoming.

So what did Ning Ruxin in front of her see?

Ning Ruxin broke out in a cold sweat for no apparent reason. She subconsciously felt that His Majesty seemed to be testing her on something.

What did she see, Yan Yang, or Wei Ruoming and Zhao Yue? She didn't understand, but she couldn't say it.

So she lowered her eyes and said, "When I came out, Your Majesty had already left with Concubine Zhao. What did Your Majesty mean by seeing?"