I just want to rob you of your luck

At the same time, Lin Jiuer received a lot of rewards. The reason for the rewards was not stated, but Lin Jiuer knew that it was definitely to compensate for the grievances she had suffered.

That night, Lin Jiuer heard that Concubine Zhao was demoted to a concubine, but she didn't feel any ripples in her heart.

She knew that the emperor was just angry for the moment, and because Concubine Zhao had touched his sore spot, he punished her so severely.

However, it is estimated that if Duke Zhao puts a little pressure on her, Concubine Zhao will regain favor.

Lin Jiuer was not in a hurry about this, because Concubine Zhao was definitely more anxious than her.

She had been a noble concubine since she entered the palace, and being demoted to a concubine now could be said to be the biggest blow she had ever suffered in the harem.

Zhu Heng did not give her a title, she was not even one of the four concubines, and she was not even as good as her former bootlicker, Concubine Li.

This made her very uncomfortable. Zhu Heng knew how to torture people.

Another thing that surprised Lin Jiuer was that although Zhu Heng doted on her very much, every time he looked at her, it was as if he was looking through her at other people.

She finally got the full picture of last night's welcoming banquet.

Did he really think of her as a substitute for the late queen?

Lin Jiuer was a little amused, but she didn't care, because she came here just to complete the mission, and she didn't intend to waste too much affection on an emperor who had countless beauties in his harem.

It seemed that he didn't like her that much, so she had even less burden.

Recently she opened the system task panel and found that 15% of the system tasks had been completed.

It seems that Concubine Zhao's status in Zhu Heng's heart has declined a lot.

That night Zhu Heng did not go to the harem, but went to his own Taihe Hall to rest.

His thoughts were exposed, and he felt inexplicably uneasy. He didn't know how Concubine Wan would feel when she learned about this.

I guess you must be very sad and disappointed with him?

After all, he could see that Concubine Wan loved and depended on him so much.

Anyone who knows that his lover is in love with another woman would probably feel bad.

He hasn't figured out how to face Lin Jiuer yet, so he won't go to the harem for the time being.

After the morning court session ended the next day, Zhu Heng went to the imperial study and began to review memorials.

Soon, Fu Shun reported, "Your Majesty, Duke Zhao wants to see you."

Zhu Heng pinched his brows, he knew that the news that he demoted Concubine Zhao to be his concubine must have spread.

I didn't expect Duke Zhao to come to my door so soon.

"Let him in."

Duke Zhao was actually only about fifty years old, but he was still tall and strong. He had been in a high position for many years, which made him look majestic.

Zhu Heng even felt the same kind of pressure from him that his father had once felt.

He narrowed his eyes, then revealed a gentle smile.

"This old minister pays homage to Your Majesty."

He pretended to kneel down, but Fushun stepped forward and supported him.

Zhu Heng smiled and said, "There are no outsiders here. Duke Zhao, there is no need to be polite. Please take a seat."

Duke Zhao was quite satisfied with Zhu Heng's attitude. He walked directly to the rosewood chair below Zhu Heng and sat down.

"Your Majesty, I heard that my daughter has been unwell recently. I am really worried. I wonder if I can go visit the Imperial Concubine."

Zhu Heng cursed in his heart that the old fox was here. He knew clearly that the imperial concubine had been demoted to a concubine, but he was still pretending to be ignorant.

He said calmly, "Princess Zhao was in good health the past two days. I haven't heard that she is unwell. However, it is understandable that Duke Zhao misses his daughter. Naturally, he can go and visit her."

Duke Zhao looked at Zhu Heng in shock, "Your Majesty, the Concubine Zhao you mentioned is Rong'er? What mistake did she make? She was demoted to a concubine?"

Zhu Heng smiled helplessly: "This is not a glorious thing. Since Duke Zhao asked, I will tell you about it."

Zhu Heng did not exaggerate and told Duke Zhao exactly what happened at the Queen Mother's welcoming banquet.

Duke Zhao also knew that his daughter had gone too far, and he also blamed his wife at home for loving her daughter too much and letting him come to settle accounts with the emperor without explaining everything to him.

He pretended to be ashamed and said, "I have only two sons and one daughter in my life. Rong'er is the youngest and the only daughter in the family. It is inevitable that she has been spoiled. It is because I did not teach my daughter well and made Your Majesty embarrassed. I am willing to take the blame on my daughter's behalf.

Your Majesty, please understand my love for your daughter and be more tolerant of Concubine Zhao. The world can see that Concubine Zhao is sincere to Your Majesty. Your Majesty, please consider your long-term friendship and don’t be too harsh on her.”

These words were spoken with great emotion, as if Zhu Heng was an unfaithful man who was making a fuss out of nothing.

He sneered in his heart. Wasn't he tolerant enough towards Concubine Zhao over the years? No matter how many evil things she did in private, he turned a blind eye and pretended not to see them.

She made mistakes one after another and was only demoted to a concubine. Is this unbearable?

But now is not the time to break up with Duke Zhao, so he said with a moved look:

"Duke Zhao is worrying too much. How could I punish him for this? Concubine Zhao and I are childhood sweethearts. Everyone in the harem knows how I treat her.

This time it is just a minor punishment. After all, she is now a member of the royal family and cannot lose her sense of propriety. I know this in my heart, Duke Zhao does not need to worry. "

Seeing that the emperor had given in, Duke Zhao stopped pressing his opponent. After a few more pleasantries, he got up and left to visit Concubine Zhao in the harem.

When she arrived at Yaohua Palace, Concubine Zhao burst into tears the moment she saw her father.

Duke Zhao knew that his daughter had been wronged recently and felt very distressed. After the father and daughter closed the door and sat down.

Concubine Zhao then told His Majesty about how Concubine Wan had recently been punished by His Majesty.

Regardless of whether it was Concubine Zhao's fault or not, Duke Zhao felt that it was wrong for anyone to dare to provoke his daughter.

He said with a somewhat cold expression: "That Concubine Wan actually dared to provoke Rong'er, why not just kill her..."

He made a motion of wiping his neck.

Concubine Zhao sighed, "Dad, you don't know, that woman is simply my daughter's nemesis. Every time she goes against her, my daughter always makes mistakes. And now that His Majesty dotes on her, the people in her palace are all personally selected by Fushun, so it's really hard to take action."

"How about this, you hold a lotus viewing banquet in a few days, and then I will let our people in the palace take action. We cannot keep this kind of person alive, so just get rid of her directly.

Don't worry, with me and your brothers here, the position of Queen will be yours sooner or later, and the position of Crown Prince will belong to the Second Prince sooner or later."

With the guarantee from Duke Zhao, Princess Zhao regained her confidence. The father and daughter conspired for a while to discuss the matter, and then Duke Zhao left the palace.

In the past, lotus viewing banquets were indeed held every summer, and they were all hosted by Concubine Zhao.

At that time, many officials’ families and royal relatives will be invited to the palace to appreciate the lotus flowers.

Firstly, it was to show the grace of the royal family, and secondly, many families with boys and girls of marriageable age would take the opportunity to see each other.

This time she specifically asked the Queen Mother for permission, and she did not object.

So she went to find Concubine De and Concubine Rong to discuss planning to hold a lotus viewing banquet a week later.

Defei and Rongpin, who used to be below her in rank, now jointly manage the six palaces, which makes her feel a sense of crisis.

One of them gave birth to the second princess and the other gave birth to the eldest prince.

Especially Concubine Rong, who had a humble family background and was weak and could be bullied. She had never taken her seriously before, but now think about the fact that Zhu Heng only had two princes.

She also couldn't let her guard down too much against her.

During this period, Zhu Heng never entered the harem, so Lin Jiuer had a lot of free time.

However, she also kept an eye on Concubine Zhao's movements. After hearing that Duke Zhao had visited her in the palace, she asked the Queen Mother to hold a lotus viewing banquet.

Lin Jiuer always felt that she was planning some bad things, maybe it was aimed at her.

But she was bored and even looked forward to the lotus viewing banquet.

Finally, the day of the Lotus Appreciation Banquet arrived. Concubine Zhao dressed up beautifully and greeted the guests as a hostess in the harem as usual.