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

Coming so soon?

Fei Wan sent the soup to lure the emperor over, but she didn't expect him to come so soon.

Having just finished a social event with Concubine Xian, Fei Wan wanted to take a break.

"How long does it take to arrive later?"

Xiao Hui replied, "Xiao Linzi brought the soup in, and he was the one who came out and told me that His Majesty was talking to some adults and was almost done. He would probably be here after he finished his soup."

Fei Wan calculated the time.

After thinking for a moment, he asked Xiang Yi, "Among the concubines who have come to us recently to give gifts and make friends, which one is lower in rank than me, less favored, and has never done anything bad or said anything bad?"

Although Xiang Yi was in the Xinzheku, she was familiar with the people and affairs in the palace because of her cleverness.

A quick reply came, "Mrs. Qiu of Yuxiu Palace sent the young lady two cans of tea, the new tea from her hometown this year. And Qian Gengyi of Anning Palace sent a painting of a beautiful woman with peonies. Her father was a painter in the palace's art academy, and she has been learning to paint since she was young. She gained favor two years ago for her paintings. Both of these young ladies meet your requirements."

"Who is more beautiful?"

"Autumn often makes the features more beautiful, and money makes clothes more elegant."

"What is Qiu Changzai good at?"

"I don't know about this, I will go and find out right away."

Fei Wan stopped him, "Don't bother. Tell Xiao Mazi to go and invite Concubine Qiu directly. Tell her that there's an opportunity for her to accompany the emperor. Have her put on some beautiful makeup and change into some nice clothes quickly. If she comes too late, she won't have the chance."

Xiao Mazi, as his name suggests, is a fast runner and is responsible for delivering messages and running errands.

Xiangyi went to pass on the message.

When he came back, he asked in confusion, "My lady, are you trying to promote Concubine Qiu?"

Fei Wan hummed, "These days, enough people have come to Guanlan Court to show their goodwill. Seeing me rising steadily, if I don't pick one or two of them and lift them up, everyone's desire to cling to me will gradually turn into sour jealousy. Jealousy will breed hatred, and hatred will cause trouble, and I will make enemies for no reason."

But if it exalts people, that’s a different matter.

Other people's jealousy will be transferred to the person who is being promoted, and they will secretly wonder why she was able to curry favor with Concubine Zhao, and why I can't.

Fei Wan not only promotes others and strengthens her own power, but she also helps others. However, she also needs others to help her and share the hatred and risks with her.

Xiao Mazi went to Yuxiu Palace and came back to report soon.

"My lady, Concubine Qiu is overjoyed and very excited. She is getting dressed and said she will be here soon."

This really is happening right away.

In just over a quarter of an hour, Qiu Changzai arrived.

He was accompanied by only a maidservant, and both the master and servant were panting, with beads of sweat visible on their foreheads.

As soon as she entered the room, she bowed deeply to Fei Wan: "This concubine pays homage to the noble lady Zhao! Your kindness is so great, and this concubine will never forget it."

It takes at least an incense stick of time to walk from Yuxiu Palace to Guanlan Courtyard of Chunxi Palace even if you take a shortcut.

Add to that the dressing and makeup, and you can see how rushed she is.

Fei Wan asked the maid to help her up.

"Why be so formal? In terms of seniority, I'm the newcomer, so I should call Chang Zai "Sister." Sister, when you come to my place in the future, there's no need to be polite. We should just get along well with each other.

His Majesty will be here soon, so please don't be polite. Xiaohui, help Concubine Qiu touch up her makeup."

Xiaohui quickly helped Qiu Changzai to Feiwan's dressing table, wiped the sweat off her face, and reapplied powder.

Fei Wan took out a new box of lip balm: "This color suits Sister better."

The soft, sweet and rosy lip balm brightens up Qiu Changzai's delicate face.

She has the appearance of a beautiful girl next door.

Today she wore a light smoky yellow chiffon dress, simple hairpins and jewelry, and casual makeup. She didn't dress too brightly, which was in line with her overall temperament.

Like the girl next door, shy and timid, she is very approachable.

Applying a lip balm of a slightly brighter color instantly brightens your look.

Fei Wan also picked a few golden flowers from the imperially gifted weeping cherry tree and dotted them in her hair.

Concubine Qiu's maid couldn't help but applaud and praise: "My young lady Zhao looks even better dressed than usual!"

"Sister, do you have any talents?" Fei Wan asked with a smile.

Qiu Changzai lowered her eyes and whispered, "I can dance a little bit."

"Has Your Majesty seen this before?"

"One Mid-Autumn Festival, I was ordered to perform a dance, and Your Majesty gave me a glass of wine."

When talking about this, Qiu often shows a hint of sweetness and a hint of melancholy on his face.

That year, she danced the role of Chang'e flying to the moon. The day after the banquet, she was summoned to the emperor's bedchamber. His Majesty treated her well, doting on her for over a month. Her rank rose from sixth-rank concubine upon entering the palace to full-rank concubine, and she was given the title "Qiu."

That time was like a dream.

But, then...

There's no after that.

There were so many beauties in the palace that His Majesty gradually forgot about her.

"There are many people in the palace who dance better than me. I was probably just lucky enough to win your Majesty's favor..."

she sighed.

"Why underestimate yourself? You must have astonished His Majesty back then." Fei Wan encouraged with a smile, "Sister, please dance for a bit, and I can think of a way for you."

"I obey your command."

Qiu Changzai waved his wide sleeves and spun around.

Her figure is light and her lotus skirt is lightly rolled.

The cloud and water patterns on the hem of the skirt sway gently with the dance steps, like a stream flowing in the autumn morning mist.

Beautiful and smart.

"Sister, you dance well."

Fei Wan praised sincerely.

It can be seen that Qiu Chang has not stopped practicing dance in private, otherwise her gestures would not be so smooth.

When she danced in the abandoned Buddhist temple, she stunned the emperor. That was due to the night and the unique dance moves of the Nuo dance itself. If she had danced in a bright venue with her frail body and untrained posture, she would have hardly won the emperor's favor.

However, Qiu Changzai's dancing posture has a solid foundation.

"Sister, do you know 'Xiao Luan Shan'?"

Qiu Chang was stunned: "...That dance is too difficult. I only know one part."

"Proficient?"

“…Not bad.”

Qiu Changzai was obviously a very cautious person in her daily life. If she said it was okay, then she must be sure of it.

Fei Wan said, "Then we'll just dance this part. Sister, please move to the courtyard."

The courtyard in front of the main hall of Guanlanyuan is not big, but it is surrounded by small bridges and flowing water, and the scenery is elegant.

Fei Wan was greatly favored, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs did a lot of work for Guanlan Courtyard.

Today, the yard is full of luxuriant flowers and trees, arranged in an orderly manner. A lush grape trellis stands in the corner, and bees and butterflies fly around it, creating a beautiful scene.

Fei Wan had two bamboo and rattan lounge chairs moved in and placed them next to the grape trellis. There were fresh fruits on the stone table and the aroma of tea filled the air.

Before Xiao Yu entered the courtyard, he heard a soft flute sound.

Accompanied by women singing.

It is a piece of "Bodhisattva Man".

"Behind the crystal curtain lies a red pillow, and the warm fragrance stirs dreams of mandarin ducks and brocade. Willows on the river are like smoke, and wild geese fly in the sky with a waning moon..."

The flute and singing, though not outstanding, were pleasant to the ears.

"Who is singing this? It doesn't sound like Zhaoqing's voice."

Xiao Yu casually asked the followers around him.

Cao Bin was very familiar with the voices of the favored concubines in the palace, and he was also familiar with the important servants around them.

But when I listened carefully, I couldn't hear anything.

"Your Majesty, I am stupid..."

Xiao Yu waved his hand and didn't let him report it.

Walked directly into the courtyard.