The queen has four sons and six daughters, and she can call the wind and rain

"This matter has nothing to do with Concubine Sun, but Your Majesty, you also know that Concubine Sun has had a very good relationship with my sister Yun Fulan since the selection. The two of them are so close that they can wear the same pants. When my sister was still in the cold palace, she kept urging me to find a way to rescue my sister from the cold palace. Now that my sister has been released from the cold palace, she thinks I am an eyesore and wishes I would completely disappear from this world so as not to affect my sister's promotion."

"I, I'm really sad."

Yun Zhining shed a tear with every word she spoke. After she finished speaking, she was sobbing and almost cried to death.

Qi Yejing felt like a fist was clenched around his heart and he could hardly breathe.

"Okay, okay, don't cry. Don't worry, I'm here and I won't let your sister surpass you."

"But if that happens, my father and stepmother will definitely blame me. What should I do then?"

Qi Yejing reached out and pinched her chin, lifting her head up and looking straight into his eyes.

"Let me ask you, who is older, me or your father, Earl Yuanchang?"

"Of course the emperor is older."

"Since I am the elder, shouldn't you listen to me?"

Yun Zhining nodded obediently, and Qi Yejing smiled with satisfaction.

"Don't worry, as long as you listen to me, you, your mother, and your brother will be fine."

Yun Zhining threw herself into Qi Yejing's arms, bursting into tears of gratitude.

"Your Majesty, rest assured. From now on, I will only listen to your orders. If you tell me to go east, I will definitely not go west."

"That's good. All right, have a good rest. I'll come to see you in the evening."

"Get well soon and give me another prince. If the prince is born safely, I will promote you to be a concubine and let you raise little Grape yourself."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

Qingzhu had been waiting outside and only came in after Qi Yejing left.

"My lady, what did the emperor tell you?"

"Nothing. He just asked me why Little Grape went to Concubine De's place, and promised that if I gave birth to another prince safely, he would promote me to be a concubine, so that I could take Little Grape back with good reason."

"That's great. Doctor Chen said that you have recovered now. Then hurry up and have another prince. When you become a concubine and have two children, your position will be secure."

Yun Zhining chuckled, which made Qingzhu look confused.

"My lady, what do you mean?"

"Nothing, I just think this wish is hard to achieve."

"From concubine to consort, there are thirteen levels: Shunyi, Deyi, Fenyi, Fangyi, Wanhua, Wanrong, Wanyi, Yuehua, Yuerong, Yueyi, Guihua, Guirong, and Guiyi. I can't just skip all of them by giving birth, or I'll be even more eye-catching. I'd better wait a few more years, until my position is higher, and then give birth to another prince. Otherwise, after the prince is born, I'll still be forced to give him to someone else. Wouldn't that be making wedding clothes for others?"

"That's true."

Qingzhu nodded and sighed.

"It's really not easy for the queen!"

"Fortunately, I am much better off than those people who have been out of favor for many years and have a lower position."

"Now that I can't have children, I should settle the previous accounts."

"Qingzhu, go to the Zoo and help me investigate something."

"what's up?"

As the name suggests, the Zoo is a place inside the palace where cats, dogs, rabbits, parrots, carp, turtles and other animals are raised. However, large and dangerous animals such as lions, tigers, snakes and the like are not kept there, so it is relatively safe.

"Aunt Qingzhu, this way please."

Yun Zhining is the most glorious person in the harem recently. She gave birth to a little princess and her rank has been moved up two. Although the little princess has been temporarily sent to Yongshou Palace and raised by Concubine De, with her fertility, there may be good news after a while. She may give birth to a little prince next time, so the palace maids and eunuchs who serve her are respected wherever they go.

"This area is for dogs, this area is for cats, and this area is for rabbits. I wonder what kind of animal Madam Mingpin wants?"

"Cats and dogs are good, but they are hard to control. If they bite or scratch other ladies, that would be bad."

"Pick me a rabbit."

"Okay, then come with me, Auntie, and see which one you want?"

The palace maid took Qingzhu to the place where rabbits were raised. Qingzhu took a quick look and fell in love with one.

"This one has snow-white fur and eyes like rubies. Your Majesty will definitely like it."

"Okay, then I'll have someone bring it out, wash it, and then prepare some food and bring it to Aunt."

"sorry to bother you."

"You're welcome, auntie."

The palace maid went to prepare the little rabbit. Qingzhu had nothing to do, so he strolled around. When he passed the parrot garden, a parrot with a red beak and green eyes suddenly called out.

"Mrs. Zhang, Concubine Sun, snakes are poisonous."

Qingzhu's face turned cold instantly, but after a moment, she recovered.

"You, yes, you, come here."

"What do you want, aunt?"

"The little princess has been sent to Yongshou Palace, and Her Majesty is bored staying alone. I thought, if I bring a parrot back to keep Her Majesty company and talk to her, Her Majesty might feel better."

"Which one does Auntie want?"

"This is it, the one with a red beak and a green parrot."

"Okay, wait a moment, Auntie. I will go and prepare some things for you."

Qingzhu followed them on the pretext of having nothing to do. Seeing that there were only two of them there, she asked in a low voice.

"The job at the Zoo looks pretty easy. I get to face these animals every day, and I don't have to deal with people, or engage in intrigue or spend a lot of time. I want to work here."

"Oh my, aunt, you are teasing me, aren't you? You are the head maidservant of Concubine Ming. Whether in terms of monthly salary or respect, you are far superior to me. Why do you want to come here to serve?"

"I just feel that the harem is too tiring. Every day I have to be on guard against this and that. I might die unclearly one day. Don't look at our queen's glory in front of people now, but she has been plotted against behind the scenes. First, the maids in the laundry department hid needles in her clothes, then someone pushed her off the high platform during the New Year's Eve, and then deliberately released a snake in the imperial garden. It's been so many twists and turns, it's really tiring!"

"Life is not easy, so we should cherish every moment we have."

"That's true, but I'm a little curious, where did the snakes in the imperial garden come from?"

Being stared at by Qing Zhu, the maid hurriedly explained.

"Aunt, there are no snakes here, and in the past three months, except for Zhang Changzai and Sun Guiren, no other ladies or young ladies have come here."

Right.

Qingzhu took a deep breath and asked with a smile.

"What are Zhang Changzai and Sun Guiren doing here?"

"Mrs. Zhang said she wanted to keep a kitten, and Concubine Sun said she wanted to keep a puppy. The servants picked out what the two ladies wanted, and then they left."

"Have they ever been alone together?"

"I didn't see it with my own eyes, but when the servants were dealing with the cats and dogs and preparing food for them, there was no one around the two young masters."

That said, they do have some time alone together to plot.

"Okay, I see."

Qingzhu stuffed five taels of silver into her pocket and asked her to keep it a secret. Today's conversation must not be known to anyone. The palace maid was also a smart person and knew what to say and what not to say. She kept her mouth shut. Maybe she could be appreciated by Concubine Ming in the future. When she was promoted and the palace was short of people, she might remember her and transfer her to Qingning Palace to serve. Then she would be like Aunt Qingzhu. No matter where she went, she would be sought after and no longer had to please others or be bullied.