Ping Zhao Lu

"Ladies, please come in."

Qinghe bowed his head and saluted respectfully.

Xie Yushu raised the corners of his mouth slightly, rolled his eyes at Concubine Xian with a hint of disdain, and then stepped into the hall first.

The virtuous concubine's expression was slightly gloomy, but soon returned to normal. She stepped over the threshold with dignity and walked into the hall.

After all the concubines took their seats in turn, Xu Zhouye walked out of the inner hall slowly.

When the concubines saw Xu Zhouye appear, they immediately stood up and saluted.

"Your humble servant pays respects to the Queen, and wishes her the best of luck and happiness."

Xu Zhouye nodded slightly, then slowly walked to the main seat and sat down, waving his hand for them to take their seats. Then he looked at Lipin calmly, with a half-smile on his face, and said, "Is Lipin's face better now?"

Upon hearing this, Lipin's face suddenly turned gloomy. She clutched her handkerchief tightly, bit her lip and said, "Your Highness, my face is fine now."

Xu Zhouye raised his eyebrows, a barely perceptible smile playing on the corners of his mouth. He said, "That's very good. I was worried that it would damage Lipin's beauty."

Lipin's expression grew increasingly grim, but she still managed a smile and said, "Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I am fine."

"Even if there is something, you dare not say it." Xie Yushu sneered.

Lipin paused her folded hands for a moment, and looked at Xie Yushu with a hint of disgust. "Sister Imperial Concubine, you are joking. I know I am humble and lowly. Whether I live or die is entirely up to the Queen. I dare not say anything more."

Xu Zhouye sat there with an indifferent expression, as if everything happening around him had nothing to do with him. He didn't even look at her. His calm expression was hard to understand.

Xie Yushu's beautiful eyes seemed to be smiling, but the deep meaning in them was hard to fathom. She looked at Lipin meaningfully, and after a few seconds, she spoke lazily, "Lipin, you should be more careful with what you say. If you hadn't made any mistakes, why would the Queen punish you for no reason?"

When Concubine Li heard this, her face instantly turned very ugly. She opened her mouth to refute, but nothing came out. In the end, she could only choose to remain silent. She looked at Concubine Xian for help. However, Concubine Xian's expression was very cold, as if she didn't see her request for help at all, and turned a blind eye to it.

Seeing this, Concubine Li became disheartened and lowered her eyes without saying a word.

Xie Yushu, perceiving the subtleties between them, smiled even more deeply. She seized the opportunity to sarcastically remark, "Alas, Master Nanhua truly lived up to my expectations. Today, I've finally learned what it means to 'catch the fish and forget the net; catch the rabbit and forget the trap.' Don't you agree, Concubine?"

As soon as these words were spoken, all the concubines understood and dared not say more.

Xu Zhouye smiled faintly, knowing full well that Concubine Shu's words were a subtle veiled criticism of Concubine Xian's ingratitude. Without Concubine Li, Concubine Xian wouldn't have had the opportunity to approach the Empress Dowager. Back then, Concubine Xian was merely a minor noble, and her father and brother didn't hold the same prominent positions in the court that they do today.

The virtuous concubine's eyes fixed, and the sinister look in them disappeared in an instant. She glanced at the person in the main seat without leaving a trace, then looked at Xie Yushu and said in a deep voice: "My sister is not talented and knowledgeable enough, so she doesn't understand what you mean. But my sister... don't forget the reason for your honor today."

Zhilan, the maid standing behind Xie Yushu, heard this and looked even more worried. She understood the hidden meaning of Concubine Xian's words: she was reminding her master that her current situation was entirely due to His Majesty saving her life. She was also warning her master not to forget the scandal that had caused a sensation in the city with a guard.

Xu Zhouye's eyes changed slightly and his gaze fell on Xie Yushu.

He had also heard of Xie Yushu's experience.

In his previous life, he had never paid attention to her, and Xie Yushu had never troubled him. He accidentally learned from the palace that when Xie Yushu was still Consort Shu, she had been too close to an imperial guard. This was discovered by the noble lady Lin, now Consort Xian. She thoughtlessly reported the matter to the Empress Dowager, exaggerating the matter, which ultimately led to the guard's execution and Consort Shu's demotion to a concubine, stripping her of her title.

Later, with the assistance of Concubine Li and the appreciation of the Empress Dowager, Lin became a concubine. Her family also benefited from it, especially her father, who gradually rose from the position of Minister to the position of Prime Minister.

Xu Zhouye knew that behind all this, Empress Dowager Jiang was undoubtedly behind the scenes. To be precise, everyone was her pawn, and she was manipulating the outcome of the situation.

Not only that, perhaps Xie Yushu's father did not commit any corruption or bribery, but was deliberately framed and died unjustly.

The reason Queen Mother Jiang did this was simply to eliminate a political enemy who posed a threat to her. The Xie family had always been loyal to the royal family, and for Queen Mother Jiang, who was determined to undermine the imperial power, they were undoubtedly a disaster. Since she could not win them over, she had no choice but to eliminate them as soon as possible.

He is a poor man after all.

Xu Zhouye withdrew his gaze and couldn't help but feel pity for him.

Thinking about it carefully, he felt a little guilty again.

In his previous life, Xie Yushu had also unintentionally helped him a lot. However, they seldom interacted with him, and he was indifferent to everything, so he didn't pay much attention to the fact that there was someone speaking for him.

Xu Zhouye sighed inwardly.

It's really ridiculous that I only now realize how good others are.

The atmosphere was silent for a long while. Concubine Xian showed a worried look on her face. She asked Xie Yushu with concern, "What's wrong, Sister Guifei? What did I say that made you unhappy?"

This voice brought everyone back to their senses. They all looked at Xie Yushu, expecting something to happen. However, Xie Yushu simply glanced at Concubine Xian indifferently, his tone full of contempt: "I just suddenly remembered something... You should have heard a little bit about it. Ye, who used to be close friends with Concubine Xian's sister, was not only banished to the cold palace overnight, but also..."

I won’t continue here.

The perfect pause is really thought-provoking.

The concubines began to whisper, all speculating about why Ye had passed away.

Even Xu Zhouye was stunned for a moment.

If Xie Yushu hadn't mentioned it, he would have thought that Ye was just imprisoned in the cold palace, and never thought that she was dead. He had thought of sending someone to the cold palace to "entertain" her properly when the time came, after all, this person had been giving him a lot of trouble.

Xianfei's face darkened slightly, and a hint of resentment flashed in her eyes, but she quickly concealed it and said with a smile, "Ye's fate is her own fault. She has set her sights on Your Majesty, so death is a blessing for her."

Xie Yushu sneered and ignored Concubine Xian.

The other concubines couldn't help but sigh when they heard what Concubine Xian said. It was as if Ye was nothing more than a discarded piece of trash to her, completely disregarding their past friendship.

Lipin, in particular, finally saw the true face of Concubine Xian. Both Ye and herself were merely tools to pave the way for her.

After using it, they will abandon it like trash, or even kick it when it's down.

The saying of crossing a river and then destroying the bridge is not false.

Concubine Li gnashed her teeth secretly, and a trace of anger and hatred flashed in her dim eyes.

Xu Zhouye raised the corner of his mouth slightly, taking in the whole scene.

He looked around at the concubines and said in a deep voice, "The matter of Ye is over now, so let's not talk about it again. The most urgent matter is the Queen Mother's birthday. I hope you will do your best to please the Queen Mother."

Xie Yushu echoed, "Your Highness is absolutely right. However, in previous years, the banquet was always hosted by Consort Xian. This year, Your Highness is here, so I wonder if this..."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Xian's face darkened. She glanced at Xie Yushu with dissatisfaction, then raised a perfectly appropriate smile when she looked at Xu Zhouye. "Since Your Highness is here, all matters should be decided by Your Highness."

Xu Zhouye smiled slightly and said slowly, "In previous years, the banquet was always organized by Concubine Xian. I'm sure the Empress Dowager was very pleased. This year's banquet... I'm also going to trouble Concubine Xian."

Everyone looked confused.

The queen declined such an opportunity to show off her skills in public.

Xie Yushu seemed to understand something and chuckled, "It's just right. When the prince returns in a few days, he can show his filial piety to the queen mother."

Xu Zhouye nodded, "What do you think, Concubine Xian?"

The virtuous concubine's expression remained unchanged. She stood up and bowed, "I am willing to share your worries, Your Highness."

Xu Zhouye nodded with satisfaction, and then said to everyone, "Let's stop here for today."

Seeing this, everyone stood up and said, "Your servants, take your leave."

After everyone left, Xu Zhouye rubbed his temples tiredly and murmured softly, "I might as well get some more sleep."

Qing He couldn't help laughing, "This servant knew that Your Highness couldn't bear it."

Xu Zhouye shook his head helplessly and sighed, "I still overestimated myself."

He still dislikes such occasions.

Qing He expressed his understanding, "Your Highness, if you are tired, go back and rest."

"I'm not tired." Xu Zhouye waved his hand and refused. "Look at the time. Big Brother is almost leaving the court. Go ask the kitchen to make some food."

"Yes, slave, go right away."