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

The next day, around noon, Wei Yingning, also known as the palace maid A'man, came to the gate of Chuxiu Palace carrying the exquisite costumes that had just been embroidered.

She took a deep breath, calmed herself down, and then knocked on the door gently.

Zhilan's voice came from inside the door: "Come in."

A-Man pushed open the door and walked into the inner hall of Chuxiu Palace. He lowered his head and walked in front of Concubine Gao. He bowed and said softly, "Greetings, Her Majesty the Concubine."

Wei Yingning bowed respectfully, but soon realized that the Imperial Concubine today was different from before.

The imperial concubine had a sad face and worry in her eyes, which was completely different from her usual fearless look.

"Your servant pays respects to the Imperial Concubine. Your Majesty, the costumes you ordered have been embroidered. Please have a look."

Wei Yingning lowered her head and spoke respectfully, handing over the carefully crafted costume in her hand.

The imperial concubine glanced at the costume in Wei Yingning's hand, and did not show her usual strong interest and excitement. She just nodded indifferently.

In the past, whenever she saw a newly embroidered costume, Concubine Gao would always be eager to reach out and touch it, and would even ask to try it on on the spot.

However, at this moment, this enthusiasm seems to have disappeared.

Wei Yingning couldn't help but feel a little worried, and thought to herself, "Could it be that the incident with Jiapin yesterday has angered the Imperial Concubine? It seems that I must be extra careful today to avoid angering the Imperial Concubine."

"Ah Man, why are you here so late today? Didn't I ask Zhilan to invite you early in the morning?"

The imperial concubine looked up at A-man with an impatient tone.

"Reporting to the Imperial Concubine, the reason why I am a little late today is that there are still a few places that need to be improved on this costume. I thought that I would just present it to the Imperial Concubine after all the works are completed, so as not to delay the use of the costume by the Imperial Concubine."

Wei Yingning hurriedly knelt down to explain, her attitude becoming more humble and respectful.

"Aman, you really don't want to come to Chuxiu Palace?"

Concubine Gao sighed softly, and her originally beautiful face now revealed a hint of barely perceptible disappointment.

Her beautiful eyes narrowed slightly, as if she wanted to see through the person in front of her.

When Wei Yingning saw this, her heart tightened and she quickly knelt down and kowtowed, her voice filled with a hint of panic.

"In reply to the Imperial Concubine, I would never dare to have such an idea! I am only thinking about your new clothes, and I hope they can be completed soon so that you can outshine all the other girls in front of everyone!"

However, Concubine Gao had long lost interest in these flattering words.

She waved her hand, interrupting Wei Yingning's words: "Forget it, let's talk about this later. I called you here today to ask you something else. Do you know Wei Yingluo from the embroidery workshop?"

When she heard the name "Wei Yingluo", Wei Yingning trembled all over as if struck by lightning.

She opened her eyes wide, her eyes filled with astonishment and helplessness.

I thought to myself: Oh no! Why would Concubine Gao suddenly mention my sister?

At once, countless thoughts flooded my mind.

Wei Yingning knew very well that her relationship with Wei Yingluo must not be exposed easily, but she was worried that if she concealed the truth, the consequences would be disastrous once Concubine Gao found out.

After all, what happened yesterday obviously made Concubine Gao very angry, and he often went in and out of Chuxiu Palace, what if he aroused Concubine Gao's suspicion...

Thinking of this, Wei Yingning couldn't help but break out in a cold sweat.

She bit her lip, trying to calm her inner turmoil. After calming herself down, she replied in a low voice, "Your Highness, I do recognize Wei Yingluo."

After saying these words, Wei Yingning silently prayed that Concubine Gao would not continue to ask questions, but she knew very well that it was impossible.

Her heart beat faster and faster, as if it was about to jump out of her throat.

At this moment, she was like standing on the edge of a cliff. If she was not careful, she would fall into the abyss. Not only would she be unable to protect herself, but her sister Yingluo might also be implicated.

Judging from what happened yesterday, Yingluo must have done something in Changchun Palace that caused Concubine Gao's plan to fail.

I often go in and out of Chuxiu Palace. If Concubine Gao finds out that I have warned my sister, both sisters will be doomed.

Judging from Concubine Gao's current appearance, she probably doesn't know about the relationship between herself and Yingluo, otherwise she would have convicted her immediately.

Wei Yingning pondered in her heart, thinking about how to avoid mentioning her relationship with Yingluo and answer the Imperial Concubine so that she would not be guilty of deception later.

Wei Yingning took a deep breath and replied carefully, "But I didn't have much contact with her in the palace. I worked in the West Embroidery Workshop, and she, as a new embroiderer in the palace, was assigned to work in the East Embroidery Workshop. I just heard that she once studied under the famous doctor Ye Tianshi."

Although she was very conflicted, Wei Yingning finally decided to hide the truth for the time being.

However, if he remained completely silent, he was worried that it would arouse Concubine Gao's vigilance and lead to an investigation, which might reveal his true colors.

So, after careful consideration, she said what she just said.

If the imperial concubine knew about their relationship later, she could also say that she had been in the palace for many years and was not familiar with her sister.

Also, because her maiden name "Ning" had to avoid the "Ning" of Concubine Gao, she was unable to tell the whole story.

"Oh? He is actually a disciple of a famous doctor. No wonder he is so unruly! Ah Man, go and help me find out more about this servant."

Concubine Gao did not suspect anything because she had known Wei Yingning for a long time and knew that she was always docile and obedient and would never deceive her.

At this time, Wei Yingning plucked up her courage and said, "My Lady, you promised me before that you would not send me to spy on information from now on."

She mentioned the promise that Concubine Gao had made, hoping to make the other party change her mind.

Concubine Gao's face suddenly became extremely gloomy. She bit her lips tightly and said nothing, as if she was trying hard to suppress her inner anger.

Time passed by minute by minute, and finally, she slowly spoke: "Ah Man, you really disappoint me! In this case, you can leave, there are many people in this world who are willing to work for me anyway."

Hearing this, Wei Yingning felt relieved and secretly rejoiced in her heart.

She hurriedly knelt down, kowtowed to Concubine Gao to express her gratitude, then turned around and left in a hurry.

Looking at A-man's back getting farther and farther away, Concubine Gao was so angry that she was shaking all over. She suddenly raised her hand and swept the exquisite costumes that were originally placed on the table to the ground.

Seeing this, Zhilan, who was standing by, hurried forward to pick up the messy costumes on the ground and whispered comforting words.

"Your Majesty, please calm down. Ah-Man has always been so stubborn. Why do you have to argue with her? Besides, when you asked about Wei Yingluo just now, she at least gave you an answer."

"Humph! What does it matter if you know that Wei Yingluo studied under a famous doctor? Isn't this just useless talk?"

Concubine Gao was still angry and waved her hand, pushing Zhilan's costume away again.

However, Zhilan was not discouraged and she continued to persuade.

"Don't worry, Madam. Although Ah Man is tight-lipped, he still revealed the identity of Wei Yingluo's master. As long as we send someone to invite her to the palace and use her for Madam, why should we be afraid of Wei Yingluo?"

"Zhilan, I didn't expect you to be so smart today! Well, not bad... let's do as you say!"

Concubine Gao suddenly became excited and quickly asked Zhilan to send someone to invite Ye Tianshi into the palace.

Concubine Gao's originally tense face relaxed instantly, and her beautiful eyes sparkled, showing that she was extremely satisfied with this idea.

She smiled and praised Zhilan, and gave orders impatiently.

"Quick, quick, quick! Send someone to invite Ye Tianshi to the palace right now. Remember, you must hurry and there must be no mistakes!"

As she spoke, Concubine Gao's voice unconsciously rose a few notches, showing how anxious she was.

Zhilan quickly agreed, walked out of the inner hall immediately, and ordered the eunuch chief in Chuxiu Palace to go out of the palace to invite Ye Tianshi.