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

"Okay." Lu Junze nodded, stood up and went to Fengyi Palace with Shangguan Yan.

The dishes Shangguan Yan prepared today were very... light, very similar to the dishes Gu Shijin prepared in the summer.

But in summer, because the weather is hot, light flavors are better, but now it is spring, and these dishes are not very appetizing.

If it was the Lu Junze of the past, he wouldn’t care much about food and drink. But now, maybe because he has been with Gu Shijin for a long time, he is willing to eat more of what he likes.

Shangguan Yan saw that Lu Junze was not eating much, so he asked, "Your Majesty, is the food not to your taste?"

Lu Junze put down his chopsticks and wiped his mouth: “Now the treasury is abundant, the people live and work in peace and contentment, and the palace does not need to be so frugal.”

As soon as these words were spoken, Shangguan Yan's face changed. She had clearly inquired about it before making such arrangements. The emperor liked to eat these when he was in Ningyu Pavilion.

Shangguan Yan forgot that she had inquired last year. The weather was still hot at that time, and the emperor had never come to Fengyi Palace for meals because he had a grudge against her.

Shangguan Yan: "Your Majesty, I will ask them to prepare again."

Lu Junze threw the handkerchief into the plate held by the maid next to him, picked up the teacup and rinsed his mouth: "No need, I have something else to do in the Yangxin Palace, so I'll leave first."

"Empress?" Yunzhi called softly.

"Hahahaha..." Shangguan Yan laughed and tears fell uncontrollably. What the emperor liked was not the dishes, but the people who prepared these dishes.

Shangguan Yan looked at the dishes on the table with annoyance, and said in a chilling voice: "Take them away. These things are not allowed to appear in Fengyi Palace in the future."

"Yes, Your Majesty." Yunzhi lowered her head and waved to the palace maids to quickly take the things away.

Yunhua came in with a plate and said, "Madam, I have prepared some bird's nests for you to enjoy."

Shangguan Yan did not refuse and picked up the bird's nest to eat. However, the atmosphere in the room was very depressing and Yunzhi and Yunhua did not dare to speak.

"Yunhua, go call Concubine Zhou over." Shangguan Yan put down the bowl and said.

"And Lady Rou."

"Yes, ma'am."

Since childhood, Shangguan Yan has been learning music, chess, calligraphy, painting, etiquette and so on according to the requirements of her family, just to be able to marry into the royal family in the future.

As a woman, she had expectations for her marriage, but she also knew that love would not be possible in the royal family. She only hoped to treat her future husband with respect.

And when she knew that she was going to marry Lu Junze, she was very happy.

She had met Lu Junze at a banquet before. She was the most beautiful of all the princes at the time, as gentle as jade, and also the most favored prince by the emperor, which perfectly met Shangguan Yan's requirements.

Shangguan Yan married Lu Junze with great expectations, but she didn't expect that her fantasy would be shattered so soon.

Lu Junze's gentleness is only on the surface. In fact, he is a very cold person inside, and no one can get into his heart.

Unexpectedly, a Gu Shijin suddenly appeared and seemed to have easily walked into Lu Junze's heart. Shangguan Yan would never allow anyone to threaten her position.

If she couldn't win the emperor's heart, then she must get the status and power she deserved.

The demotion of Concubine Rou did not cause much waves in the palace. Even Concubine Lan and the Queen just laughed it off when they heard the news. The reason was that Concubine Rou had offended too many people in the harem.

Lu Junze is a man, and men are very susceptible to weakness. Before Gu Shijin, whenever Concubine Rou shed tears and acted like a spoiled child, the matter would be over.

Sometimes, Lu Junze knew that it was Concubine Rou’s problem, but it was not a big deal in itself, and there was no need for him to be hard on a woman. Sometimes, he would even comfort Concubine Rou when he saw her crying so pitifully.

Therefore, there are many concubines in the harem who hate Concubine Rou. Now that she is in trouble, everyone is watching her make fun of her and no one wants to help her.

When Concubine Zhou and Noble Lady Rou arrived, Shangguan Yan had already calmed down and there was no sign of abnormality on the surface.

"Concubine, please give your regards to the Queen."

"Get up." Shangguan Yan waved his hand.

"Thank you, Queen."

Concubine Zhou and Concubine Rou stood up, and Shangguan Yan said, "You can sit down too."

Shangguan Yan: "How is Concubine Liu doing recently?"

"Your Majesty, the imperial physician said that Concubine Liu's pregnancy is very stable and she will definitely give birth to a little prince." Concubine Zhou said with a smile.

Both Concubine Zhou and Concubine Rou knew the Queen's plan and hoped that she would succeed.

They all depend on the queen. If the queen's son can ascend the throne, it will naturally be the best for them. Anyway, they all know that they probably won't be able to have children of their own.

"This time, Concubine Rou will stay in the palace. Please pay more attention to Concubine Rong in Yufu Palace." Shangguan Yan instructed.

Concubine Rong is the mother of a prince, and she certainly doesn't want another prince to appear in the palace to compete with her son.

"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I know what to do." Concubine Rou said.

Now that she has been demoted, there is no possibility for her to climb up. Concubine Lan has already given up on her. Relying on the Queen is the only option for Concubine Rou now.

Concubine Rou knew very well that the Queen was using her as a knife, but what could she do?

Gu Shijin! The more she thought about it, the more Concubine Rou hated Gu Shijin. If it weren't for her, how could she be treated like this by the emperor!

"Here," Shangguan Yan handed a medicine bag to Concubine Rou, glanced at her and said: "Give it to Concubine Liu once every two days."

This medicine was prepared by the Queen herself, and all these medicinal ingredients were sent into the palace by her father, so no one would find out.

Concubine Rou did not ask any more questions and said, "Yes, Madam."

"Handle this matter well, and I will plead for you with the Emperor. This incident is not entirely your fault." Shangguan Yan said. If you want someone to be your knife, you naturally have to give them benefits.

Concubine Rou stood up and knelt on the ground to express her loyalty: "Please rest assured, Queen, I will definitely get things done, and Concubine Liu will definitely give birth to a healthy prince."

"I believe in you." Shangguan Yan pulled Concubine Rou up and patted her hand.

"You should go back first. I have some things to do with Concubine Zhou."

Concubine Rou bowed and said, "I'll take my leave."

Concubine Rou is different from Concubine Zhou. Concubine Rou was dependent on Concubine Lan at first, and then she secretly helped the Queen. Concubine Zhou was dependent on the Queen as soon as she entered the palace. Moreover, Concubine Zhou's father worked under the Prime Minister, so the Queen naturally trusted Concubine Zhou more.

"Empress, can Concubine Rou be trusted?" Concubine Zhou asked with some concern.

Shangguan Yan looked outside the room, chuckled, and said, "She has been abandoned by the emperor now, and she has made many enemies in the harem. I am her only choice."

"Besides, what I need is to use her to get rid of Concubine Liu. Whether she is trustworthy or not is not that important."

It would be best if Concubine Rou could keep her mouth shut forever after Concubine Liu died.