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

"The Holy Lord's oral order—"

"Harmony is the most important thing for the imperial family and the inner chambers."

"Since her promotion, Concubine Zhao has been a role model for the harem in terms of virtue and kindness. However, jealous women have often stirred up trouble and secretly harmed her."

"I once said that if Zhao Qing were harmed, I would grant him a higher rank. Your Majesty is not joking."

"I hereby promote the noble concubine Yu to the rank of Zhaoyi."

"To punish the arrogance of a jealous woman."

"I hope all the concubines will emulate Zhaoqing's gentleness and kindness, and avoid the treacherousness and stubbornness of the evil woman, so that the palace will be orderly and harmonious."

Cao Bin said a series of flowery words.

It doesn't seem like an oral order, it's almost a formal imperial decree.

Everyone has different expressions.

The only common emotion was surprise.

When Concubine Zhao was still a concubine, His Majesty said that if anyone harmed her again, he would give her a higher title each time.

At that time, Concubine Zhao was a newcomer.

His Majesty has always been very doting on his new favorites, and everyone thought that those were just angry words spoken while the novelty was still there.

Such a long time has passed, but I didn’t expect that His Majesty still remembered it and fulfilled his promise again?

If this goes on, when will it end?

"I dare not accept your order!"

When everyone was silent, Fei Wan was the first to raise an objection.

"Uh...Empress Zhao?" Cao Bin advised with a smile, "All the ladies and ladies are still kneeling. Please accept the decree, Empress Zhao."

Fei Wan shook her head firmly, "I will not accept it. I have done nothing for the country, and nothing for the succession of the Emperor. Serving you wholeheartedly is just my duty, and I dare not accept any further promotion. Please ask Eunuch Cao to go back and report to His Majesty. This time, I will definitely disobey your order!"

Having said this, he kowtowed and stood up.

He turned around and helped Concubine Qing and the others up, then said to Concubine Kang, "We are late today, so we have to disturb Your Majesty's meal here."

"I've already had it prepared." Concubine Kang smiled hesitantly, "But...sister, you still have to accept His Majesty's order, right?"

"Don't try to persuade me, my lady. I have made up my mind."

Fei Wan refused to accept it. She took Concubine Qing's arm with one hand and Concubine Kang's arm with the other and walked into the palace.

Cao Bin was at a loss whether to laugh or cry.

"Empress Zhao? Empress Zhao!"

Seeing Fei Wan walk into the door curtain, Cao Bin hurriedly shouted: "Your Majesty's decree has not been completed yet!"

Concubine Shun, who had not yet entered the room, asked, "Anything else?"

"His Majesty said that today's matter should be left to you all to decide. There is no need to report back. And whatever rewards and punishments the ladies have decided, His Majesty means that they should be doubled in execution."

what?

double?

Concubine Shun was stunned.

Cao Bin said, "His Majesty said that this must serve as a warning to the palace ladies, so that such things won't happen again and again in the future."

Since Fei Wan did not come out to receive the order, Cao Bin was helpless and could only flick his whisk, nodded to the concubines present, turned around and hurried back to Chenqian Palace to report.

Concubine Shun returned to the palace and told His Majesty that he wanted to double the reward.

"What should I do?"

Concubine Hui spoke quickly: "Whatever happens, it's just doubling the punishment. Concubine Jian was demoted from one level to two levels. The time for those who were sent to the cold palace and the Xinzheku will be doubled."

Fei Wan asked, "Since Consort Liu has made a meritorious report, should her reward also be doubled?"

Concubine Kang continued, "This is also simple. Originally, we only restored her treatment as a concubine and stopped her copying punishment. Since you want to double it, please ask for an order to give her double the amount of her concubine allowance."

Fei Wan looked at Consort Liu, who had entered the palace with the others and waited, and said gently, "Why not ask for permission to promote her to a higher rank?"

I thought to myself, anyway, our Majesty is very arbitrary in promoting and demoting concubines.

I should agree.

Concubine Kang and Concubine Shun naturally had no objection, Concubine Qing also agreed, and Concubine Hui was indifferent and said nothing.

That was it.

Concubine Liu was secretly very happy.

I never thought that even after listening to Consort Yu's private advice and reporting Liu Gengyi's misconduct, I would still be promoted. I had been out of favor for a long time and had no hope of promotion. Otherwise, why would I have cursed the favored Concubine Zhao in a moment of confusion behind her back?

He immediately knelt down to express his gratitude.

"Thank you, Your Highnesses! Thank you, Your Highnesses! I have personally experienced the magnanimity and kindness of Your Highness Zhao. I have cursed you behind your back, yet you have forgiven me and asked for my promotion! I will be a good person in the future and will not speak nonsense again!"

Fei Wan said softly, "Okay, get up and stop praising me like that. It's because I'm not blessed enough that people are talking about me behind my back. I'll do more good deeds and worship Buddha more often in the future to accumulate merit."

Concubine Liu stood up obediently and looked at Fei Wan with stars in her eyes.

Yu Sujin thought to herself, my elder sister is so powerful, she has conquered another one.

"It's just right. There are so many people here today. Don't leave. Stay here for dinner. One of my friends has just learned a popular opera and will sing a few excerpts for you."

Concubine Kang persuaded all the concubines present to stay.

Concubine Qing smiled and said, "You are in such a good mood. I can't bear to disappoint you."

"Then please stay, Madam. I would be honored!"

Concubine Kang happily ordered the palace servants to set the meal in the side hall, and also sent someone to the kitchen to inform them to add more dishes.

Concubine Hui didn't give any face and said goodbye and left. No one dared to keep her, for fear that no one would be able to eat well if she stayed here.

Soon the dinner table was set, and the concubines who assisted in the palace, the concubines of lower rank who came to testify, and the few concubines who lived in the Lincui Palace all took their seats.

More than ten people were sitting around the big table.

Concubine Kang loved listening to operas, and many of the palace maids around her could sing.

While everyone was dining and toasting each other, the palace maids put on long sleeves and started singing in the hall.

"I've never heard of this play. What is it about?" asked Concubine Shun.

Concubine Kang was very proud: "The most popular play in the capital now is 'The Phoenix Returns to the Nest'!"

Chen Cairen was extremely surprised and enthusiastic. "So this is 'The Phoenix Returns to the Nest'? Even I, a concubine who doesn't usually listen to opera, have heard of it! It's said that this opera is the new hit in the capital this year. Even opera troupes from nearby prefectures have traveled all the way to Beijing to learn it. When they return home and perform, their performances are packed. Who would have thought that Concubine Kang's palace maids have also learned it? Concubine Kang is truly an expert!"

The praise made Concubine Kang's face full of smiles.

That's just what she likes.

Frequently asking everyone: "Does it sound good? Does it look good?"

Everyone nodded.

Concubine Kang was very happy.

Fei Wan smiled and drank the soup silently.

Of course it looks good and sounds good.

The script of this play cost her three hundred taels of silver. Lan'er asked a future great writer to work hard on it for half a month before it was completed!

Fortunately, the literary giant is still a poor scholar selling calligraphy in the capital, otherwise it would not have been possible to accomplish this with just three hundred silver coins.

Knowing that Concubine Kang was obsessed with drama, she would have asked someone to learn this play. However, Fei Wan had never expected that Concubine Kang would bring out this play today when there were many people around.

This would save me the trouble of having to go through so much trouble to get Concubine Kang to spread this drama in the palace in a roundabout way.

"You guys are having a great time."

The sound of gongs and drums and the melodious singing.

No one could have imagined that the emperor would enter the palace to the beat of gongs and drums.

Everyone was frightened and left their seats in a hurry, bowing to welcome the emperor.

The palace maid who was singing also knelt down hurriedly.

The emperor raised his hand and said, "Don't stop. Keep playing and singing. Let me hear it too."

As he said that, he walked forward, took Fei Wan's hand and pulled her up.

He laughed and said, "Let me see how bold you are to disobey my order!"