The Queen sealed her heart and locked up her love, and the Emperor was trapped in the crematorium

Splendid Palace.

Concubine Yi was so angry that she couldn't eat.

Queen, Queen, Queen...

The emperor only has eyes for the queen. Even though she is there, the emperor acts as if he doesn't see her and doesn't care about her at all.

As for the queen, she didn't have to do anything, the emperor would rush to ask about her well-being.

They are all the emperor's women, so why are they treated so differently?

In fact, it was not until today that Concubine Yi realized that she had no status in Xiao Chengxu's heart. She knew very well that she was just a chess piece used to check and balance the court and stabilize the situation. Compared with other concubines, there was no essential difference. One more or one less person like her was of no importance to the emperor. Although she had long recognized the reality, every time she saw the emperor caring so much for the queen, she still couldn't suppress the bitterness and jealousy in her heart.

How wonderful it would be if she were the queen. In that case, she would be the one living in harmony with the emperor.

She will definitely be the most competent and qualified queen, able to manage the harem for the emperor, allowing the emperor to handle the government affairs of the previous dynasty with peace of mind, without causing chaos in the harem and causing trouble for the emperor.

"Caiyan, bring paper and pen."

After much deliberation, Concubine Yi decided to write a letter to the Empress Dowager who was outside the palace.

She didn't know what had happened, but since she recovered from her illness, the queen seemed to have become smarter. She no longer listened to what she said. After getting to know her over the past few days, she found that she seemed to not be able to understand the queen.

It doesn’t matter if she can’t control the Queen. The Queen always has to listen to the Queen Mother’s words.

……

The next morning, the sun was shining brightly and the breeze was blowing. It was time for the concubines to go to Kunning Palace to pay their respects to the queen.

Except for Concubine Qi who was under house arrest for making a mistake and two concubines who were ill and asked for leave to recuperate, everyone else arrived on time.

Such a routine activity of paying respects was really boring for the concubines, and even Xie Yaoqing couldn't help feeling bored.

After saying some meaningless polite words like the weather was hot and people should try to go out less to prevent heat stroke, seeing that time was almost up, Xie Yaoqing decided to end today's meaningless greetings and let the concubines leave.

At this moment, a clear and pleasant voice suddenly sounded: "Empress, as the head of the six palaces and the emperor's legal wife, you should help the emperor solve his problems."

The person who spoke was Concubine Li.

This noble lady had a beautiful face, pure and elegant, with eyebrows as dark as distant black, eyes as clear as autumn water, and her charming demeanor was fully revealed in every frown and smile. She was wearing a goose yellow palace dress, which made her figure more graceful, with a slender waist, as delicate and beautiful as a blooming flower, which was eye-catching.

Xie Yaoqing had a certain impression of this Li Guiren, for no other reason than that Li Guiren had never concealed her ambition to win favor since she entered the palace. Her father was a cabinet minister, and her biological mother was a concubine in the mansion. Although this concubine had a low status, she lived a more decent life than the mistress of the house, and Li Guiren, as a concubine, also had a high status in the family and was very much loved.

Xie Yaoqing raised the corners of her mouth slightly, and said with a smile: "I don't quite understand what Noble Lady Li said. Noble Lady Li, why don't you explain it more clearly? How can I help the emperor solve his problems?"

Li Guiren raised her eyebrows, her face full of confidence, and said loudly: "The emperor has no children so far, and he must be depressed and worried. The most important thing at present is to have children as soon as possible to continue the royal family. The queen and the emperor have a deep affection, and I dare not compare myself with them. Although I am not very talented, as a concubine of the emperor, I should share the worries of the emperor and the queen."

When the other concubines present heard this, they couldn't help but shake their heads secretly and began to sympathize with Concubine Li in advance.

Concubine Li is really stupid. She has suffered losses several times but still doesn't know how to restrain herself.

Fight for favor?

Didn’t you see that even the emperor’s cousin, Concubine Qi, couldn’t compete with the empress for the emperor’s favor?

Be it appearance, family background or relationship with the Emperor, apart from the Empress, the most outstanding person is none other than Concubine Qi. Where on earth did Concubine Li get such great self-confidence that she actually thought she could stand out?

In fact, many other concubines were not without the desire to compete for favor. Deep down, most of them undoubtedly longed to be favored by the emperor. Unfortunately, the reality was extremely cruel. The emperor did not care about them at all. In addition, the queen was jealous by nature and strictly controlled them, making it harder for these concubines to gain favor than to ascend to heaven.

Over time, some concubines gradually chose to give up, because they understood that as long as they behaved themselves and did their job properly and did not provoke the queen, they could still live a good life. In this case, why bother to go against the queen?

However, there are naturally concubines like Concubine Li who are still unwilling to give in, but few of them would express it as arrogantly as she does.

Last time, Concubine Li dared to speak wildly in front of the Queen, and as a result she was severely punished. Not only was she slapped, but she was also forced to kneel down and reflect on her mistakes.

This time she even dared to provoke the Queen again. How could the Queen let her go so easily?

Those concubines who had nothing to do all day were standing by and waiting for the show to begin with glee.

Palace life is already boring. If there weren't stupid people like Concubine Li jumping out to make trouble from time to time, wouldn't life be too dull?

Xie Yaoqing frowned slightly, and after thinking for a moment, a smile appeared on her face, and she said: "What Li Guiren said is very true. As the emperor's concubines, you should serve the emperor wholeheartedly and give birth to offspring for the emperor. To be honest, I am often worried about the emperor's heir. If any of the sisters can be the first to give birth to a boy or a girl for the emperor, it will definitely make the emperor very happy, and he will definitely reward you generously."

The concubines couldn't help but look at each other, their eyes revealing the same confusion and astonishment.

This seemed completely different from what they had imagined.

From what the Queen said, does she want them to give birth to a dragon child for the Emperor?

However, they have never served a king and are still virgins. How can they give birth to a prince or princess?

Unless you go to bed with her first.

After sorting out the connection, the concubines were all deeply surprised.

Does the Queen's statement mean that she will no longer suppress them in their fight for the Emperor's favor?

In an instant, the thoughts of many concubines became active.

If she is ambitious enough, she may be able to give birth to the emperor's eldest son or daughter. Although she cannot be the legitimate son, the title of eldest son or daughter is also quite impressive. Once she has an heir, her status will be promoted and she will have a support in the future. Even if she is not favored, her life will not be too difficult just because of the favor of the heir.

Compared to the unattainable and illusory imperial favor, having children of your own is more practical and reliable.

After the concubines left Kunning Palace one after another, some of the concubines who had a good personal relationship with each other could not suppress their curiosity and doubts, and gathered together to discuss the matter.

"Do you think what the Queen said today is true or false? Could it be that she did it on purpose, trying to take advantage of this opportunity to punish someone?"

"In my opinion, it doesn't seem to be fake, but the Queen's behavior this time is indeed a bit abnormal. I originally thought that she would severely punish the noble lady Li who dared to speak so arrogantly."

"Perhaps she has accepted her fate. Think about it carefully. The Queen has not been able to give birth to a child in these years. Maybe it's because she is infertile. And the Emperor can't be without a successor. I guess the Queen is planning to have a child through surrogacy. In this way, she can adopt the children born by other concubines and raise them under her name."

"She can only raise the children born to the concubines of low status and unfavored. She can forget about raising the children born to people of noble status like us." A woman in gorgeous palace clothes said proudly.

"Having said that, if the Queen really asks the Emperor, I'm afraid the Emperor will not disagree." Another beautiful concubine said worriedly.

"What should we do? No matter what, we can't let our child be taken away by others." The woman in gorgeous clothes who spoke earlier said gritting her teeth.

"We still have to conceive a dragonborn as soon as possible. Only with pregnancy can we gain a firm foothold. As for what happens next, it won't be too late to make plans after we have good news." Another concubine interrupted.

……

Suddenly, the originally peaceful harem became turbulent. Many concubines could no longer suppress their inner desires and ambitions, and tried their best to win the emperor's favor.