The emperor just doesn't treat everyone equally, and it's none of my business!

Life in the harem seems ordinary on the surface, but the turbulent waves beneath the calm never stop.

"My lady, Guo'er from the Ministry of Punishment has been sent to the imperial kitchen." That day, Xiao Linzi came back from outside and reported to Gu Shijin.

"Huh?" Gu Shijin looked up at Xiao Linzi, very surprised.

It was the emperor himself who ordered Guo'er to go to the Ministry of Punishment. For him to be able to get her out of here, the power behind him must be quite powerful.

"what happened?"

"My lady, the eldest princess got lost when she came out of Fengyi Palace at dinner time yesterday. It was Guo'er who found the princess."

Gu Shijin frowned when he heard this. Is this even possible?

Xiao Linzi continued, "After the emperor knew about this, he transferred Guo'er to the imperial kitchen."

The eldest princess has never been liked by the queen, and Lu Junze knows it, so he always shows more favor to her.

After all, Guo'er did not hurt Concubine Liu, and it was indeed a credit to Guo'er that she found the eldest princess this time.

"Have you discovered who Guo'er has been in contact with?" Gu Shijin asked.

"My lady, Guo'er has had contact with the maids of Lily Palace several times."

"Lily Palace?" Gu Shijin was not very clear about who lived in each palace. The main reason was that there were quite a few people in Lu Junze's harem, although many of them were talented ladies who had never been favored.

Xing Zhu reminded her, "My lady, the Lily Palace was previously occupied by Ru Zhaoyi, and now only Ming Jieyi lives in the side hall of the Lily Palace."

Xingzhu has been in the palace for a long time and knows more about the situation in each palace.

"Is she Concubine Ming's personal maid?" Gu Shijin asked.

"My lady, no, she seems to be a cleaning maid in Lily Palace." Xiao Linzi also followed that maid for a while.

"Got it. Keep watching Guo'er."

"Yes, my lord."

Gu Shijin didn't expect that she would see Guo'er again so soon.

On the day of the Beginning of Winter, the imperial kitchen prepared dumplings and stewed mutton with radish for each palace.

The person who came to Ningyu Pavilion to deliver food to Jinpin was an acquaintance of Gu Shijin.

"Your servant greets Lady Jinpin." People from the imperial kitchen brought the lunch, and Guo'er was among them.

She lowered her head with a calm expression, not showing at all that she had done anything to offend Gu Shijin before.

"Get up."

At this time, the leader took two steps forward and said, "The emperor knows that you don't like dumplings stuffed with pork, so he specially ordered the imperial kitchen to prepare dumplings stuffed with shrimp and beef for you."

"Thank you, Your Majesty." Gu Shijin bowed in the direction of Chengqian Palace.

A few days ago, the emperor was chatting with her in Ningyu Pavilion, and Gu Shijin inadvertently mentioned that she didn't like dumplings with pork filling. She didn't expect that the emperor would take it to heart.

"Then my young master, we servants will take our leave first."

After placing the food on the table, the other servants left, leaving only Xingyue.

Xingyue picked up a dumpling stuffed with shrimp and put it in Gu Shijin's bowl: "My lady, please try it."

"The Emperor has arrived." The eunuch's announcement came from outside the door.

"Concubine, please pay your respects to the Emperor."

"Get up quickly." Lu Junze reached out and helped Gu Shijin up.

After Gu Shijin got up, he asked, "Has the emperor had lunch yet?"

“Not yet.”

"Xingyue, go get a set of bowls and chopsticks."

"Yes, my lord."

Gu Shijin helped Lu Junze sit down and said, "I am also preparing to use it."

During the meal, Lu Junze asked the servants to leave.

Lu Junze picked up a dumpling and put it in Gu Shijin's bowl, and suddenly asked out of the blue: "Are you unhappy?"

Gu Shijin was surprised. She was indeed a little unhappy, but it was a little strange for Lu Junze to ask this at this moment.

"Your Majesty?" Gu Shijin looked at Lu Junze with some confusion.

"I'm sorry for making you suffer. I still have some use for you if I keep Guo'er."

He deliberately did not kill Guo'er before, and now he let her out of the Ministry of Punishment on purpose.

Lu Junze's explanation really shocked Gu Shijin, and made her feel a little strange.

Why should the emperor explain his actions to a concubine like her? Today, Lu Junze came to explain, and Gu Shijin was indeed a little moved.

Gu Shijin's eyes turned red at the right time, and she whispered, "As long as Your Majesty has me in his heart, I will not feel wronged."

To be honest, Gu Shijin was indeed dissatisfied with Lu Junze's treatment of Guo'er, but as a concubine, she had no way of interfering with the emperor's decision. She just felt a little bothered in her heart.

However, he never thought about getting Lu Junze's true love, so he didn't let himself worry too much about it.

"It's my fault for making Jin'er cry." Lu Junze wiped the corners of Gu Shijin's eyes.

"emperor……"

Lu Junze said: "Let's eat."

Today is the beginning of winter and there is nothing to do in the front court, so Lu Junze is going to rest in Ningyu Pavilion. Unexpectedly, just after he had lunch, someone came from Yufu Palace and said that Concubine Liu had a stomachache and asked the emperor to go and see her.

The royal heir is a big deal, so Lu Junze naturally takes it to heart.

"I'll go take a look and come back to see you in the evening." Lu Junze said.

"Your Majesty, I respectfully send you off."

That night, the emperor did not come as promised. When the time came, Gu Shijin ordered Xiao Linzi to close the door.

"My lady, the emperor hasn't come yet." Xingyue said carefully.

"I won't be back, sleep well."

"Yes, my lord."

Gu Shijin didn't feel anything, but Xingzhu and the other two were always very cautious.

Yufu Palace, Biyun Garden.

Concubine Liu did have a stomachache, but it was not she who asked someone to call the Emperor, but Concubine Rong.

"Your Majesty, I'm fine. There's no need to disturb the emperor." Concubine Liu said to Concubine Rong.

Concubine Rong smiled and patted her hands, saying, "Sister, today is the winter solstice, the imperial court is on holiday, and it is a big deal that you are pregnant with the emperor's heir. How can you not tell the emperor that you have a stomachache!"

After saying this, without waiting for Concubine Liu to speak, she sent someone to invite the Emperor.

When Concubine Liu saw this, her drooping eyes flashed and a smile appeared at the corner of her mouth.

This has nothing to do with her.

After leaving Biyun Garden, Rong Fei said to Ming Chun, "Have someone prepare dinner early. Concubine Liu's food is all medicinal. The emperor will definitely not like it."

Mingchun: "Yes, madam."

Ming Xia supported Concubine Rong, seeing her smiling face, and said, "Concubine Liu is quite sensible."

"Yes." He knew to report his stomachache to her first instead of going directly to the emperor.

When Lu Junze arrived, Concubine Rong had already changed her clothes and was dressed up beautifully. She was sitting in front of Concubine Liu and asking about her well-being.

"The Emperor has arrived."

"Your Highness, I pay my respects to His Majesty."

Lu Junze waved at Concubine Liu and said, "Lie down, don't get up."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

"Imperial Physician, how is Concubine Liu?" Lu Junze asked.

The imperial physician standing by immediately said, "Your Majesty, Concubine Liu has been feeling restless and unable to sleep lately, which has led to the instability of her fetus."

"Why are you feeling uneasy?" Lu Junze frowned.

"Your Majesty, I don't know either, but I've been feeling anxious lately..."

Rong Fei, who was standing next to him, changed her expression when she heard this. She couldn't sleep at night. Didn't she just want the emperor to accompany her?

Lu Junze looked at the imperial physician, who said, "I have written a prescription for Lady Liu. You will feel better after taking it."