The Self-cultivation of a Salted Fish Concubine

Concubine Jing Shu smiled and said, "Sister Zhao Guifei, please stop joking. You are the most favored concubine in the harem. It only takes a word for you to know the news of the previous dynasty."

"Among the ministers who urged the Emperor to appoint a new empress, many proposed supporting you as the new empress..."

Xie Run's smile faded slightly. "This palace really doesn't know about such a big thing as the empress's appointment, and I don't dare to make any rash comments."

"As for news from the previous dynasty, I dare not inquire about it casually, lest I be accused of interfering in government affairs and incur the Emperor's dislike."

When Concubine Jingshu heard what Xie Run said, her face looked a little bad.

Xie Run: "The Empress has just passed away. Isn't it rather cruel for Concubine Jing Shu to bring up the matter of establishing a new Empress at this time? Or do you actually harbor ambitions that you shouldn't have?"

Concubine Jing Shu curled her lips with a forced smile, "Since ancient times, no woman with a disfigured face has ever been able to become queen. My sister never dared to hope for that."

"Sister Zhao Guifei has made great contributions in raising a prince, and she is also the highest-ranking official in the palace... If the emperor is interested, it will happen sooner or later."

Xie Run was not afraid at all, and asked calmly, "Since Concubine Jing Shu is so sure, why don't you ask the Emperor on my behalf if he has the same intention?"

"Oh, I forgot. The Emperor hasn't seen Sister Jingshu for a long time. If you want to ask, I guess you have to go to the Imperial Study in person."

As he spoke, Xie Run was helped into the sedan chair.

She leaned against the sedan chair and smiled lazily, "It's just that the emperor is busy with official business today. My sister is a concubine after all, so I hope she won't be stopped outside the imperial study. That would be embarrassing."

After Xie Run said this, he felt that he was also quite tea-like.

She felt that arguing with Concubine Jingshu was really boring, so she raised her hand.

The sedan chair stood up and moved forward leisurely, but it also missed Concubine Jing Shu's increasingly ugly expression.

Xiao Shu walked to the side and couldn't help but ask, "Your Majesty, why does Concubine Jing Shu always like to provoke you?"

"Your belly is so big now, isn't she afraid that she will be so angry that you will be punished by the emperor?"

Xie Run opened his eyes and smiled helplessly, "She is...a person who deserves to be scolded."

It was only after they had been together for a long time that Xie Run discovered this.

Concubine Jing Shu is a bit of a bit of a mean person at heart.

She doesn't hurt anyone, but it's hard for her to be kind to others.

She always finds an opportunity to say something to someone she dislikes.

Whether she won the scolding or was scolded, she felt comfortable.

Xie Run sometimes finds it difficult to comment on her hobby.

In the evening, Xie Run was soaking his feet and preparing to go to bed when suddenly a palace servant came in to report.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Wen has committed suicide."

Xie Run opened his mouth and found his voice after a while, "Is he okay?"

"She wasn't in a good mood during the day, but she didn't seem to have any suicidal thoughts. Why did she suddenly hang herself?"

When talking about suicide, people can't help but think that it is a serious crime for concubines to commit suicide.

But then he thought, Concubine Wen's family were all in the Xia Dynasty, and her only biological sister was gone.

She was going to die, and no one in the Yu Dynasty had anything to do with her.

This serious crime does not seem to have any deterrent effect.

"I don't know either. But Concubine Wen is fine. She was rescued by the palace maids around her. The imperial physician has been called in to treat her."

Xie Run also breathed a sigh of relief, "I'm glad she's okay."

The harem has finally calmed down a bit, but if someone starts dying again, everyone will be in danger.

Besides, the queen is dead. If her own sister is also dead, the Xia Dynasty will probably make a fuss about it and throw dirty water on the emperor.

By then, both the court and the harem will be in turmoil.

Xie Run's hand fell on his abdomen and he sighed softly, "Luckily you came early. If you had come later, you might not have been able to survive these storms."

Xiao Shu quickly said, "Pooh, pooh, pooh! What nonsense are you talking about, Madam?!"

"Your Majesty and your unborn child are both blessed and protected by the gods. They will be safe and sound no matter what!"

"Our little prince knew that his future would be difficult, so he was thrown into the Empress's womb early!"

Xie Run was helpless: "I won't say anything."

Dan Tao beside her asked, "Your Majesty, how about this servant go and visit Concubine Wen on your behalf?"

"If anything happens, I will send someone to inform you immediately."

Xie Run used to be on good terms with the Queen, so now that Concubine Wen is in trouble, he can't just turn a blind eye and pretend he doesn't know.

Xie Run nodded and said, "It's difficult to travel through the palace at night. Bring two more people with you, each carrying a lantern. Don't be stingy with these."

"Yes."

Xie Run sat on the bed and thought for a moment: "Concubine Wen suddenly became depressed. Could it be that the Emperor asked something?"

Xiao Shu nodded: "I think it is very likely."

"Her personality...if she had the Queen's open and broad-minded personality, she wouldn't be like this."

After saying a few words, Xie Run felt a little sleepy.

Thinking that Dan Tao would not be back for a while, she lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

Dan Tao came back at three o'clock in the morning.

Seeing that Xie Run was sleeping soundly, he unconsciously relaxed his hands and feet, took off his coat and lay down beside him.

Xiao Shu glanced at her.

Dan Tao shook her head, indicating that everything was fine at Yongming Palace, and the two of them went to bed with peace of mind.

Early the next morning, Xie Run opened his eyes in a daze and suddenly woke up when he saw Dan Tao.

She asked with concern, "How is Concubine Wen?"

"It's nothing serious." Dan Tao said, "The servants around Concubine Wen have long noticed that she has been in a bad mood recently and have been keeping a close eye on her every day."

"Before Concubine Wen hanged herself, she sent those around her away. The servants around her reacted quickly, realized something was wrong, and rushed in to save her."

"It is said that Concubine Wen had just kicked the stool and they came in. It was a false alarm."

Xie Run: "People who want to die will always find a way. Concubine Wen can't untie the knot in her heart, so it's hard for her to let go. Sooner or later, something like this will happen again."

After a pause, Xie Runcai asked, "Didn't the emperor go last night?"

Dan Tao shook her head: "When I went there, more than half an hour had passed, and the emperor didn't even send anyone to check."

Xiao Shu brought the freshly brewed pregnancy-maintaining tea to Xie Run and couldn't help but interrupt.

"The Emperor and Concubine Wen had no deep affection for each other. Now that the Empress is gone, he's overwhelmed with the hustle and bustle both inside and outside the palace. If Concubine Wen were to commit suicide at this time, in the eyes of the Emperor... I'm afraid it would only cause trouble. He'd be so annoyed that he wouldn't even send anyone to show concern."

Xiao Shu's words sounded harsh, but they were the truth.

Xie Run thought for a moment, then suddenly said, "Let's not go to Fengyi Palace today. Let's go to Yongming Palace to see Concubine Wen!"

Dan Tao and Xiao Shu were stunned.

Xie Run: "Since there is a good excuse before me, I am just taking advantage of it to shirk my responsibilities."

Dan Tao: “…”

Xiao Shu: “…”

The two were just surprised.

My master has never liked to join in the fun, so why did he suddenly ask to see Concubine Wen?

It seems that he wants to slack off.

Xie Run supported his waist as he got on the sedan chair and couldn't help but sigh, "I don't know how long this life will last."

"I am in good health, and I can't endure this for long."