The queen is sober in the world, and she is winning every step of the palace fight.

Fei Wan knew that Zhishu was speaking in anger.

Voting for the queen or something like that is absolutely impossible.

Regardless of whether they were the empress or the virtuous concubines, they actually didn't care about the little palace maids like them, and they only wooed them for use.

But being used by Concubine Xian brings benefits and hope, but being used by the Queen gives him nothing but a dead end.

Just look at what happened to Yu Tingjin and Yuan.

"We are so disappointed with each other that we stand under the tree. Although we don't rely on it, we don't want it to fall. But this big tree doesn't know that the wind and rain are coming, and it is still swaying loudly." Fei Wan understood Zhishu's feelings.

The key now is to let Concubine Xian know that things are not simple and that she must be on guard.

It is always better to take precautions beforehand than to clean up the mess afterwards.

"Noble Lady Zhao is here, making it easy for me to find her."

A soft and gentle voice, with a hint of joy, sounded not far away.

Fei Wan looked in the direction of the voice and saw Qiu Chang walking towards her in a scarlet gauze pleated skirt with a gentle smile on her face.

Her long black hair was combed into an intricate bun, and her golden hairpins swayed gently with her steps, flashing a warm and soft light.

After just one day of not seeing her, her entire temperament and spirit had changed greatly.

Most of the cautiousness, timidity and restraint from yesterday had disappeared. Although she was still a little shy, there was light in her eyes and her smile was genuine. Every step she took was full of vitality and energy, making people want to rejoice with her.

"Congratulations to Qiu Changzai."

Zhishu stood up and offered her seat. Knowing that it was Feiwan who asked Qiu Changzai to sleep with her last night, she took the initiative to show goodwill.

And the most important thing is that after Fei Wan was humiliated in public by the Queen Mother yesterday, Concubine Qiu did not change her attitude and was willing to get close to Fei Wan in public. Zhishu had a good impression of her.

But Qiu Changzai was a little afraid of Zhishu.

He walked up to her and was stunned for a moment, then quickly returned the greeting.

Zhishu dodged and said, "I am just a concubine, how can you perform full formalities with me?"

Chang Zai is three levels higher than Cai Nu.

"Oh..." Qiu Changzai stood up awkwardly.

She did forget.

It was her first time talking to Zhishu, and she was a little nervous. She only knew that Zhishu dared to challenge anyone and was a powerful person who had contradicted the queen in public. She forgot for a moment that Zhishu's position was very low.

"Changzai, please take a seat."

Zhishu pointed to the seat she had given up.

"okay."

Qiu Chang sat down subconsciously and obediently.

Suddenly, he remembered something was wrong and quickly stood up. "Sit down, this is your seat..."

"I have a place to sit."

Zhishu waited for the clever little palace maid from Changle Palace to bring over a new chair and sat down.

Only then did Qiu Chang thank him repeatedly and sat down next to Fei Wan.

Fei Wan couldn't help laughing when she saw the interaction between the two of them.

Tell Qiu Changzai: "Don't be fooled by Sister Ying's cold face. She actually has a warm heart. Once you get to know her, you'll find that she loves to chat."

"Oh."

Qiu Changzai gave Zhishu a shy smile.

Zhishu nodded slightly in response.

Ask directly: "Did everything go well in Chenqian Palace last night?"

Qiu Changzai's cheeks turned red instantly.

He lowered his head and whispered, "...I'm fine."

"What reward do you get when you wake up in the morning?"

"I didn't get any reward this morning... Eunuch Cao said the Imperial Household Department would send me the usual gifts later. But last night, I did get a pair of mutton-fat jade shoes, a cloud brocade dance dress, and a set of matching jewelry." Qiu Changzai's voice was soft as a mosquito, very shy. "Last night, His Majesty asked me to wear the new clothes and shoes and dance in the bedroom..."

"Have you been promoted?" Zhishu asked again.

"No."

"That's okay. After all, there are only a few people who can be promoted after accompanying the emperor once. Take it slow." Zhishu said.

Fei Wan interjected at the right moment: "If you ride in the Fangluan carriage more often and accompany the emperor for a long time, you will definitely receive favors and promotions."

Qiu Chang was delighted, knowing that Fei Wan had promised her future opportunities.

She quickly whispered her gratitude, "Thank you, Noble Lady Zhao, for your support. If you have any instructions, I will do my best!"

Fei Wan said modestly, "I'm just a benefactor, not a promoter. I just think Sister Qiu has a good impression of me and want to make friends with you. More friends mean more paths, more enemies mean more walls. I wonder if Sister Qiu is willing to be my friend?"

"Of course I would." Qiu Changzai nodded hurriedly.

Zhishu interjected, "Aren't you afraid that the Queen Mother won't like Sister Zhao and will punish you as well?"

Said in a joking manner.

Concubine Qiu replied sternly, "With time, the Empress Dowager will surely appreciate the kindness of Concubine Zhao. Even if she truly cannot please her... In my humble opinion, it doesn't matter who else sees Concubine Zhao, as long as she is in Your Majesty's heart."

That's really sobering.

Zhishu looked at her with admiration.

Qiu Changzai whispered to Fei Wan, "I've already picked out two hairpins from the jewels I got yesterday. They have big, smooth pearls on them. I'll send them to you later."

"That's not necessary. You can keep what His Majesty has given you. If you have more rewards in the future and can't keep them all, you can send them to me."

Fei Wan smiled and declined.

She could see that Qiu Changzai was sincere.

Before going to the emperor's bed last night, Concubine Qiu sent someone to ask her what she should pay attention to as she had not been with the emperor for a long time and did not know his preferences.

Fei Wan told him to talk less, not to take the initiative, and to be gentle and accompany him first. Yesterday, before the Empress Dowager returned to the palace, when the Emperor went to Guanlan Courtyard during the day, Fei Wan sensed the Emperor's hidden unhappiness.

She didn't know why the emperor was unhappy, but she knew he needed relief, quiet company and comfortable entertainment.

Just like the first time she went to Chen Qian Palace to serve the emperor.

The more proactive you are, the more disliked you will be.

On the contrary, he likes quiet and gentle people more.

It seems today that Qiu Changzai should have performed well and the process was smooth.

"Sister, drink tea."

Fei Wan added some tea to Qiu Chang's cup and pushed it over to him.

"Thank you, sir."

Autumn is always like drinking wine, which you drink in one gulp.

Both of them understood what the word "noble" meant.

It doesn't refer to Fei Wan's position, but to her kindness in helping him.

After drinking this cup of tea, you will become a "partner" in Bo Jun'en.

A few people were talking in whispers here, and because there were so many people and it was lively in the hall, they didn't disturb others.

It was noon, the food tasting came to an end, and Concubine Xian was indeed tired, so everyone gradually dispersed.

Fei Wan didn't leave.

He stayed under the pretext of asking Concubine Xian for some medicinal recipes to nourish his body.

The virtuous concubine was very considerate and invited her to the inner room for tea.

"Your Majesty has worked hard, and you deserve to take good care of yourself. Only when you are healthy can our palace be at peace."

After taking a prescription, Fei Wan saw that Concubine Xian looked tired, so she gave her gentle advice.

The virtuous concubine loved to hear this.

She smiled and said, "Although I'm tired, I'm in great spirits, don't worry. I have a joke to tell you—"

She told Fei Wan that this morning an old minister who had retired but was still very prestigious, submitted a memorial to the emperor.

He severely criticized the extravagant lifestyle of the literati in Beijing, who used poetry competitions and garden parties to show off their wealth. At the parties, a wine glass or a seat was an antique worth thousands of gold, not to mention the expenses of delicacies from land and sea, singing girls and dancing girls. The fact that officials were involved in this was really a sign of the decline of social morals and a corrupting influence on public morals.

The old minister said, there are floods in the south of the Yangtze River, famine in the west, refugees everywhere, selling wives and children, and those pedantic literati are still living a life of drunkenness and dreams, they are worse than animals!

"Guess what? The initiators of those poetry competitions were none other than Mr. Huanhua and his gang, the 'Four Gentlemen of Kyoto.' Do they even deserve to be called gentlemen? Tsk!"

The virtuous concubine smiled with her eyes and eyebrows wide open.

Suddenly remembering something, she quickly added, "However, his handwriting is indeed quite good. I really appreciate it."

Both of them knew the truth about the calligraphy copybook.

But don't say it too obviously.

She had just asked Fei Wan to practice Huanhua Gongzi's calligraphy, and now she was mocking her again. It was obvious that she was taking advantage of Fei Wan, which made her feel embarrassed.

Fei Wan pretended to be indifferent and pretended not to notice her little embarrassment.

Following the thread of the conversation, he continued, "So that's the kind of person he is. He makes friends through poetry and values ​​integrity, but how did it become a show-off of wealth? No wonder His Majesty doesn't like him."

The virtuous concubine said, "That's right! I heard that His Majesty was very angry after reading the memorial and has ordered the officials whose relatives and friends were involved to reflect on their actions behind closed doors. He has also punished them by not allowing them to attend court for half a month and has also ordered them to donate money to help the Jiangnan region!"

Your Majesty, if they have money to hold poetry competitions and show off their wealth, why don't they use it to care for the victims of the disaster? Have they read all the sages' books and ended up with nothing?

Many court officials are in trouble this time, because the poetry competition was held with such grand fanfare and so many scholars..."

The virtuous concubine listed the names of the court officials.

Almost 30% of the people from Zhao Shoufu's faction were among them, as well as very influential figures such as the Minister of Rites and the Chief Censor.

They are not allowed to attend court for half a month. When they come back, many things may have changed.

There is no one around.

Only the confidant of Concubine Xian, Linglong, was waiting at the door.

Fei Wan said softly, "Congratulations, Your Majesty."

The virtuous concubine smiled leisurely.

The flower ornament between her eyebrows is dazzling, just like her peak beauty at that moment.

The court officials were punished, so why congratulate the virtuous concubine? In fact, everyone understood each other.

The more unstable Prime Minister Zhao's faction becomes, the more unstable the Empress will become.

Fei Wan knew that the old minister's angry rebuke in the memorial must have been the work of the Duke of Zhenguo's Mansion.

This is also the combo after Concubine Xian recommended the calligraphy of Prince Huanhua.

First make the emperor disgusted with that group of cliques, then collect evidence of their illegal activities and look for an opportunity to attack them.

The Duke's Mansion's series of moves were clever.

Instead of attacking his opponent directly, he started with Prince Huanhua, who seemed to have nothing to do with officialdom, but he hit the emperor's sore spot everywhere.

The Duke's Mansion did not show up itself, and first used Fei Wan and then the retired old ministers.

Regardless of whether the emperor can see who is behind the scenes, he will punish the civil officials and make the Duke's Mansion happy.

This is a conspiracy.

This is the cautious approach commonly used by families with a rich history.

Unfortunately……

Sometimes, being cautious means being lukewarm.

Look at the Queen's methods——

Although Yu Tingjin and Yuan's various frame-ups were too foolish, that was because Fei Wan was favored enough and had the emperor's support.

If it were someone else, he might have died without a burial place.

Not even a chance to explain.

Therefore, foolish and radical actions can sometimes get to the point and produce immediate results.

Fei Wan said: "Your Majesty, there is something I want to say, but I don't know whether I should say it or not..."

The virtuous concubine raised her eyebrows and said, "Why are you hesitating? Just tell me what you want to say."

Fei Wan deliberately looked outside the door and window, moved closer, lowered her voice, and said mysteriously:

"Last night, the palace guards on night watch saw two figures from the Fu Clan's quarters. They quickly climbed over the wall and rushed into the Empress's palace. Not long after, they climbed back out. They thought the Empress was familiar with the Fu Clan and had summoned them late at night for instructions, so they didn't dare intervene. I accidentally learned of this matter, not knowing the seriousness of it, but I couldn't help but speak up and tell the Empress. I hope I'm not meddling..."

The virtuous concubine's expression changed: "What time did it happen? Who told you that?"

"It was the palace maids whispering about this, and I overheard it. The time when those two figures entered and left Changle Palace seemed to be... at the end of the Chou hour, just before the Yin hour..."

Fei Wan refused to reveal the source of the information in detail.

The virtuous concubine didn't ask any further questions, but simply called Linglong and instructed, "Investigate carefully to find out what happened last night. Be quiet and don't alarm anyone!"

Fei Wan reminded: "Maybe I am overthinking it... Because someone secretly hid forbidden drugs in my residence last time, so I am a little suspicious. Your Majesty is blessed with great fortune, so naturally she is not afraid of villains."

Linglong's face was solemn and she hurried to do her work.

The virtuous concubine took a breath.

He looked at Fei Wan deeply, and after a moment, he said, "Noble Lady Zhao, you are doing well."

In just a few days, Fei Wan had reminded her of dangerous situations twice.

At first, when Fei Wan was favored, she watched from the sidelines and then became jealous, planning to make Fei Wan and Yu Ting fight each other and suffer losses.

Later, it gradually developed to the point where she wanted to win over and use Fei Wan.

But I didn't expect that I would discover the benefits of Feiwan after using it.

It really can help her avoid disaster!

"Your Majesty, I am so grateful for your care. I just wanted to do something for you. I hope you won't think I am meddling."

Fei Wan leaned forward respectfully.

I thought to myself that the Empress probably didn’t know that I had made up stories both times I reminded her!

There is no Jiangnan Secret Stories, and this time, there are no actors from the Fu family troupe climbing over the wall at night.

It's nothing but alarmist talk, just to alert Concubine Xian and make her take quick defensive action!

Although the virtuous concubine is a big tree that cannot be relied upon, she is a very good shield that can block the wind and frost swords from Fengyi Palace.

Fei Wan can't let it fall.

God knows how much effort she put into making the tree stand firm.

Not only the people from Guanlan Courtyard, but also Zhishu and Wu Xiangrong had already mobilized all the reliable palace servants to keep an eye on all the movements related to Changle Palace and Fengyi Palace!

I hope Concubine Xian can investigate through her lies and find out the possible crisis.

When leaving Changle Palace, Fei Wan received another generous reward.

This time it was a box of jewels.

The box is not big, but the jewels are all exquisite.

The virtuous concubine was wealthy and generous. If Fei Wan had not had ambitions, she might have really wanted to join her and follow her to enjoy the fine food and luxury.

"May your Highness be well, my humble servant kowtows to you!"

On the way, a palace maid in gray clothes suddenly stopped in front of them and knelt down to pay her respects.

"who are you?"

Xiangyi quickly stood in front of Feiwan.

The palace maid raised her head and said, "This servant originally served Young Master Yuan."

Fei Wan remembered.

This was the palace maid who exposed Yuan's murder in public on the night of the banned drug incident, and Yuan's maidservant who came with her as a dowry.

The emperor then issued an edict to release all her relatives in the Yuan family from slavery.

"Yuan Shi committed evil and has been sentenced to death by His Majesty. What are you doing here looking for my young master?"

Xiang Yi asked cautiously.