Story of Yanxi Palace: Fu Ying's banner will never fall

Empress Fucha was slightly stunned, her thoughts rising like smoke, she thought to herself: "Yes, the way the emperor looked at her was so passionate and obsessed, just like the way he looked at me when I first entered the palace... At that time, I must have been so relaxed and free from worldly worries."

At this moment in the palace, the sunlight shines through the carved window lattices, casting patches of mottled light and shadows.

Seeing that Empress Fucha was just quietly twisting the sandalwood bracelet in her hand, with her lips tightly closed and not saying a word, Nalan Chunxue's anxiety burned like a flame in her heart.

After all, she had been in the palace for many years and had experienced many ups and downs, but she was only a Shupin of low rank.

And that Chen Bi, who had only been in the palace for a short month, was already on an equal footing with herself. Nalan Chunxue really couldn't swallow this.

She spoke hastily, her voice sounding particularly sharp in the empty palace:

"Sisters, in our Qing dynasty, women are supposed to get married and start a family when they are fifteen. A twenty-seven-year-old woman should have children around her and enjoy the happiness of family life. But now, such an old beauty has become the most favored woman in the Qing dynasty. Aren't you really worried?"

Gao Fei was leaning lazily on the couch, admiring her newly painted rose-colored nails with a leisurely expression. The delicate color sparkled with charming luster in the sunlight.

She didn't even raise her head, but just said calmly: "What's there to worry about? She's just a foreign woman. If the emperor likes her, just let him pamper her."

Concubine Yu lowered her head, tightly clenched the handkerchief in her hands, and remained silent.

There was a hint of helplessness and confusion in her eyes, as if she was already exhausted by the palace struggles.

It was Concubine Yi who broke the brief silence. She raised her head slightly and said softly, "What can we, the women in the harem, do to influence the emperor's affairs? I also think that we should let her do what she wants."

When Concubine Xian heard this, she felt a surge of anger in her heart.

Her beautiful eyebrows were tightly furrowed, like two crescent moons, and her eyes were full of concern and worry for the emperor:

"Empress, I think that as a ruler, if you indulge in women, it is definitely not the behavior of a wise ruler. As his concubines, we should advise the emperor more and not let him miss the national affairs because of his momentary pleasure."

"Noble Concubine Xian, it seems that you are too idle to take care of the palace affairs. Why do you care about the emperor's affairs? You are just asking for trouble."

Concubine Gao rolled her eyes, her tone not only showing disdain but also a hint of sarcasm.

But everyone present could hear that these seemingly harsh words were actually trying to persuade Concubine Xian not to get into trouble by speaking her mind.

"It is the duty of the concubines to give advice. If we are all indifferent to the emperor's behavior, then we are failing the status of the concubines in the harem and our virtues are unworthy of our position!"

Concubine Xian looked displeased, and her voice rose slightly, with a bit of firmness and stubbornness.

Seeing that everyone was arguing and the atmosphere was becoming increasingly tense, Empress Fucha finally spoke slowly:

"I have already advised the emperor, and I think he knows his limits and will not go too far. I have called all of you together today, hoping that you will take good care of Shunpin in the harem and not let her cause any trouble."

"Yes." Everyone answered in unison. The voice echoed in the palace, but it seemed a little uneven, as if everyone's thoughts were different.

When everyone dispersed, Wei Yingluo also arrived at the gate of Changchun Palace.

At that time, the courtyard of Changchun Palace was full of flowers, and the breeze blew gently, and the petals fell like snow.

Empress Fucha was trimming the flowers and plants herself, her focused expression as if she was carving a rare treasure.

She was wearing a light blue palace dress, the hem of her skirt fluttering gently in the wind, like a fairy descending to earth.

When she saw Wei Yingluo coming, a smile as bright as the warm spring sun immediately bloomed on her face, and she walked towards her with light steps.

"Yingluo, how is Fuheng? Is he feeling better? Why didn't he come with you?" Empress Fucha held Wei Yingluo's hands tightly. Her hands trembled slightly, conveying her inner excitement and concern.

She stared at Wei Yingluo's eyes, full of anxiety and expectation. Because she had never seen her brother wake up, the worry in her heart always hung over her like a haze.

"Sister, don't worry. Fu Heng is well now. He is just a little weak and can't go out. But he asked me to bring you a letter from home."

Wei Yingluo said with a smile, that smile was like a spring breeze, warm and kind.

"We definitely didn't lie to you." As soon as she finished speaking, she carefully took out a letter from her arms. The letter seemed to carry endless thoughts and concerns.

Empress Fucha couldn't wait to open the letter. When she saw her brother's familiar handwriting, the strong and powerful strokes were like a familiar embrace, making her feel instantly at ease.

Her eyes were slightly moist and tears of excitement welled up in them. Only then did she feel completely relieved.

"That's great, Yingluo, you are really a great benefactor to our Fucha family." Her voice was choked with sobs, and she almost couldn't help crying. Those tears were the crystallization of joy and the release of her concern for her brother.

Wei Yingluo reached out her hands and gently hugged Empress Fucha, as if she were protecting the most precious treasure in the world, and said softly:

"No, it's not like that, sister. You, Fuheng, and my father and mother are my salvation. If it weren't for you, I don't know how I would have been in this deep palace, and how much suffering I would have endured."

"Ahem, did I come at the wrong time?" The emperor's voice suddenly sounded behind the two of them, breaking the warm atmosphere like a thunderclap.

Wei Yingluo and Empress Fucha quickly let go of each other's hands like frightened birds, and turned around to see the emperor and Chen Bi beside him.

"Your humble servant/your humble wife pays respects to His Majesty." The two of them bowed respectfully, with graceful movements and dignified manners.

But Chen Bi just stood there and didn't salute.

The emperor's deep and majestic voice sounded: "Chen Bi, pay your respects to the queen."

Chen Bi finally woke up from her dream, hurriedly bowed, and said gently: "Greetings to the Queen."

"Yeah." The emperor turned his head, his eyes full of doting, and said softly.

"Didn't you say that the nanny who teaches the rules is very strict and you don't like it? When new people enter the palace, they mostly learn the rules from the high-ranking concubines. Are you willing to learn from the queen?"

Shunpin tilted her head, and her bright big eyes looked curiously at the Empress and Wei Yingluo beside her.

Then she smiled innocently, and that smile was as beautiful as a flower blooming in spring: "Okay, I like the Queen."

Empress Fucha was slightly startled, but felt that she could not fall in love with this woman who suddenly became favored.