The Self-cultivation of a Salted Fish Concubine

Fang Yuan'er has been fond of sour foods recently, so more than 40 kinds of dried fruits were brought to her for her to eat as she pleased.

Someone even brought some fresh wild fruits from somewhere, which were sour, sweet and appetizing and really pleased her.

Just as she finished one plate, Qiuxiang came up with a plate of cut fruit.

She smiled gently and said, "Let's not talk about the master and Concubine Xie. Concubine An is still pregnant with another child. No matter what, it won't be Concubine Han's child's turn to be the lucky child."

Fang Yuaner sneered, "I think her belly is big and her heart is big too."

"Such a great blessing, I wonder if she can enjoy it!"

Obviously, the lucky child in Han's concubine's belly caused dissatisfaction among many people.

Fang Yuaner suddenly smiled and said, "I think you guys have heard about what happened in Qingsong Courtyard today?"

Qiu Kui whispered, "Master, are you talking about Concubine Li asking for a reward after she was diagnosed with pregnancy?"

"Ask for a reward?" Fang Yuan'er smiled and shook her head. "Concubine Li is from the palace after all, so she's not that short-sighted."

"I'm talking about her accusing Concubine Lu."

Qiuxiang: "That's true. Concubine Lu has been going to Qingzhu Courtyard every day lately, just like she's on duty. There's been a lot of gossip in the backyard, and everyone says she might have other motives."

"But what good will it do to her if Concubine Li is harmed?"

Fang Yuaner chuckled and said, "What benefits she gets naturally depends on what Concubine Han promised her."

Qiuxiang was stunned for a moment, then immediately came to her senses. "Concubine Lu has taken refuge with Concubine Han? That's true. Concubine Han has a good family background, and she's pregnant now."

When Concubine Han is promoted to concubine, she will probably have the best family background among concubines.

"But... she's really brave. She dares to interfere in the fight for the position of concubine."

"Isn't it?" Fang Yuan'er scoffed. "The princess is afraid she'll send someone to investigate Concubine Lu, so it's a good opportunity for us to help her."

Qiu Kui and Qiu Xiang both looked puzzled.

Fang Yuan'er reminded: "Have you forgotten the news that Concubine An passed on to you two days ago?"

When Qiu Kui and Qiu Xiang were reminded, they immediately showed an expression of disgust on their faces.

This is also a coincidence.

Fang Yuan'er had planted a thread next to Concubine An, and she passed on a message two days ago, mentioning a rather funny thing.

Because Concubine Lu came to power in an ignominious way and was not favored by King Jing, the servants in the backyard withheld many of her things.

The most important thing is charcoal fire.

In this cold winter, how can we survive without charcoal fire?

If a normal person’s allowance is deducted, he or she will either endure it in silence or go to the person in charge to seek justice.

But Concubine Lu was neither of those two, so she found another way and chose to steal Concubine An's charcoal!

That’s right, stealing!

This is what Fang Yuaner found funny.

When Qiuxiang and Qiukui heard the news, they almost thought they had heard it wrong.

After confirming that I heard it correctly, I felt very uncomfortable.

She is a concubine after all, yet she did such a shameful thing!

Qiuxiang said, "This Concubine Lu is really a bully who only bullies Concubine An."

"She dared to steal Concubine An's charcoal because she was sure that Concubine An was good-tempered and would not make a fuss even if she found out. Just like when she dared to climb into the prince's bed, she was probably sure that Concubine An would plead for her."

"It's possible it's more than just charcoal. What thief is so used to stealing that he wouldn't be tempted by a house full of gold, silver, and jewelry and only steal coal?"

Qiu Kui also said: "It's also because Concubine An is too good-tempered."

"Her own slave girl betrayed her master and climbed into bed, yet she went to beg for mercy with her big belly. How could they not produce someone as bold as Concubine Lu?"

Qiuxiang sighed, "The princess prides herself on being lenient and kind to me, but if the story of Concubine Lu stealing charcoal gets out one day, she'll be slapped in the face."

Fang Yuaner glanced at the ruby ring on her hand.

A ruby ring of excellent color on the jade-like white fingers immediately adds a sense of wealth and elegance.

She said lazily, "Go find someone to pass on a message to the princess."

"Since we're going to investigate Concubine Lu, we might as well investigate this matter as well."

Qiu Kui asked in confusion, "Why would the master help the princess?"

Qiu Kui naturally knew that his master and the princess did not get along well.

Fang Yuaner smiled charmingly, "I'm not helping the princess, I'm just doing her a favor and trying to make Han behave herself."

Concubine Lu is Concubine Han's person. If she suppresses Concubine Lu, she will also be slapping Concubine Han in the face.

This is Fang Yuaner’s main purpose.

She didn't want to see Han Shiqie's arrogant face before she was promoted.

As for helping the princess...

As long as the princess's people investigate Concubine Lu, the charcoal theft will be revealed. Isn't it just a matter of time?

Fang Yuaner reminded the princess first, just to do her a favor.

The significance of the princess specifically investigating Concubine Lu's theft of charcoal is very different from the theft of charcoal caused by other things.

The former is a self-examination, which is somewhat embarrassing but does not damage the princess's dignity.

The latter actually slapped the princess in the face in front of the concubines in the backyard.

The two girls understood what Fang Yuaner meant and immediately went to do the job.

During lunch, King Jing also gave Concubine Li a lot of rewards, far more than what a concubine should get for being pregnant.

Everyone speculated that this was the prince's compensation and consolation to Concubine Li for missing out on the position of concubine.

Concubine Li happily accepted it, and King Jing was also quite satisfied.

Because a sacrifice was to be held in the palace on the winter solstice, after lunch, King Jing and the Queen prepared to enter the palace.

Before leaving, the princess received a message from Fang Yuaner, and her face suddenly darkened.

King Jing glanced at them nonchalantly, "What's wrong? What happened in the yard again?"

The princess did not try to hide her feelings, but her expression was not very good. "It's not a big deal. It's just that I have been the housekeeper for many years, and I am afraid that I will lose face once again."

King Jing was quite curious, "How embarrassing is it?"

His princess's ability to handle affairs is absolutely beyond reproach.

If it weren't for someone's plot, nothing embarrassing would have happened.

But from what she said, it seemed like I had made an oversight.

The princess didn't want to make a fool of herself in front of King Jing, so she just said, "Your Highness will know tomorrow."

King Jing was really intrigued by her.

But soon the two of them entered the palace, and all their good mood disappeared.