After the death of the host: the tyrant cried red eyes

"But tonight, right here, he chose to stay in Fengqing Palace! I have been in the palace for a whole year, and he has never even set foot in my palace."

A trace of sadness flashed across Concubine Zheng's eyes, and then turned into jealousy and resentment. "I am deeply in love with His Majesty, why does he turn a blind eye to it and favor the newcomer Shen Bingning? She has only been here for three months, and His Majesty has been lingering in Fengqing Palace every day, and he even wants to stay overnight tonight!"

Seeing this, Xianglan quickly knelt on the ground and tried to persuade him in the most gentle way: "Master, perhaps you can try to take the initiative and go to Fengqing Palace more often. Since His Majesty is often there, you have the opportunity to improve your relationship with him."

Her voice was small, but full of sincerity and concern.

Hearing this, Concubine Zheng sneered with disdain: "I have been ordered under house arrest by His Majesty, how can I come and go as I please? Besides, with Shen Bingning's background, why should I, Concubine Zheng, be so humble and submissive to please her?"

Just as the atmosphere was tense, a young eunuch's announcement came from outside the door, his voice filled with awe: "Master, His Majesty has returned to Longzhang Palace."

Hearing this, Lady Zheng's expression eased a little, and she gently stroked the corners of her eyes with her fingers, as if to wipe away those inappropriate emotions: "In this case, the night is late, and I should rest."

Seeing this, Xianglan secretly breathed a sigh of relief. At least the turmoil tonight had subsided temporarily.

---

The next day, when Xiao Yi did not show up as promised and only sent someone to deliver a stack of Buddhist scriptures, Shen Bingning was dissatisfied in her heart but still maintained a decent smile on her face.

"Thank you for your hard work, Eunuch Wei. Your Majesty is busy with state affairs, I understand. Please have some tea before leaving."

There was just the right amount of gentleness and thoughtfulness in her words, and she gestured to Qing'er to serve the carefully prepared tea.

Eunuch Wei bowed slightly, his attitude was humble but dignified: "I have important matters to attend to, and dare not disturb you any further. Please make yourself at your leisure, my lady."

After he finished speaking, he took the purse handed to him by Qing'er, and a gleam of satisfaction flashed in his eyes.

Shen Bing stared at the stack of Buddhist scriptures and smiled bitterly in his heart.

Xiao Yi's move was undoubtedly to let her spend her time reciting scriptures and copying, not giving her any free time at all.

She turned to look at Qing'er, a sly look flashing in her eyes: "How about you help me copy these Buddhist scriptures?"

Hearing this, Qing'er quickly shook her head with a look of horror on her face: "Master, this is disrespectful to the emperor, and I can't read."

Although Shen Bingning felt helpless, she quickly adjusted her mindset: "Just copy it. As long as Xiao Yi doesn't come to disturb me, copying Buddhist scriptures is not a bad idea."

However, when she actually faced the brush, she found that she was much more unfamiliar with this writing tool than she had imagined.

"Is this really the tool you use to write? Isn't there an easier way?" She looked at the brush in her hand, looking a little helpless.

Qing'er was puzzled: "Master, do you mean writing with cinnabar? That is usually used for official documents."

Shen Bingning sighed and realized that she had no choice but to go ahead.

She tried hard to recall the few calligraphy techniques she had learned in her childhood, held the brush clumsily, and imitated the words in the Buddhist scriptures, stroke by stroke.

Fortunately, although I haven't picked up a pen for many years, the form of the text has not changed, so it is not difficult to recognize.

As time passed, sheets of paper emitting the scent of ink unfolded. Shen Bingning stopped writing, rubbed her sore wrist, examined her work, and couldn't help but laugh at herself.

At this moment, she noticed that Qing'er was staring at her intently, with curiosity and desire in her eyes.

Shen Bingning's heart moved, and she said to Qing'er, "Come, I will teach you how to read, how about that?"

Qing'er's eyes sparkled with surprise: "Can this slave really learn?"

"Why not."

As Shen Bingning spoke, she wrote a few simple Chinese characters on the paper and patiently taught Qing'er how to hold the pen. At that moment, Fengqing Palace was filled with an unprecedented warmth and harmony.

In Longzhang Palace, Xiao Yi was surrounded by mountains of memorials. When he learned that Shen Bingning was teaching the maid to read, his pen paused involuntarily and a complex emotion flashed in his eyes.

"She's teaching people to read?"

he asked in a low voice.

Wu Feng responded respectfully, "Yes, Your Majesty."

"A woman of humble origins, not only is she talented, but she can also teach people to read. Shen Bingning, you really impress me."

There was a hint of surprise and appreciation in Xiao Yi's tone.

Wufeng was also surprised. He closely monitored everything in Fengqing Palace, and every change of the Queen did not escape his eyes.

Shen Bingning these days is completely different from when she first arrived. If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he would hardly believe it.

Xiao Yi gently turned the black jade ring in his hand and said lightly: "Continue to pay attention to her movements."

Wufeng accepted the order and withdrew respectfully.

At this moment, Eunuch Wei stepped into the palace and interrupted Xiao Yi's thoughts: "Your Majesty, the Minister of Rites requests an audience."

"What's the matter?" Xiao Yi's voice returned to its former calmness and majesty.

"I heard that Concubine Yu is about to celebrate her birthday. The Minister of Rites personally brought the carefully prepared birthday banquet process chart and respectfully presented it to you, awaiting your majesty's decision."

In the palace, the news spread like the wind, quickly reaching every corner.

Xiao Yi frowned slightly, and a barely perceptible annoyance flashed across his deep eyes: "If I have to take care of everything myself, how will the ministers under my command cope with it?" The emperor's majesty and displeasure were undoubtedly revealed in his words.

"I will immediately convey your majesty's intention to the Minister of Rites."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wei hurriedly bowed and was about to leave, but just as he was about to take a step forward, he was stopped by a low voice saying "Wait!"

Xiao Yi's voice sounded again, with an unquestionable decision: "There should be no redundant people in the palace. Concubine Yu's birthday banquet will be fully entrusted to the Queen."

When these words were spoken, Eunuch Wei showed a slight surprise on his face, but then he regained his usual composure, respectfully accepted the order, and slowly retreated.

When Xu Ningwen, the Minister of Rites, saw Eunuch Wei walking out of the hall, he hurried forward and asked expectantly, "Did your Majesty summon me?" Eunuch Wei shook his head slightly, his tone calm but firm, "Your Majesty has handed over the matter of Concubine Yu's birthday banquet to the Queen. Please give me the flow chart, Minister Xu, and I will present it to you immediately."

Xu Ningwen was stunned when he heard this, and then he handed over the carefully prepared document with both hands, saying, "Thank you, Eunuch Wei."

Eunuch Wei responded with a gentle smile: "I still need to hurry to Fengqing Palace, so I will take my leave first."

After saying this, the figure gradually walked away.

Looking at the gradually disappearing figure of Eunuch Wei, Xu Ningwen fell into deep thought.

The Prince of Yan's palace has not yet appointed a queen. In the past, all banquets in the palace were organized by the Ministry of Rites. Does Xiao Yi's move mean that he intends to push the queen to the throne? This matter is of great importance and must be discussed in detail with colleagues.