Yan Wan is reborn as a legitimate wife: Curing Ruyi's Douyi syndrome

Rong Pei had naturally heard the people's discussions. Seeing Ruyi's expression, Rong Pei quickly said, "Your Majesty, these things may be groundless and false. It's only natural that the people like to discuss the royal family's secrets."

Ruyi refused to listen and replied coldly, "Whether it's true or not, go back and ask the emperor and you'll know."

Rong Pei was startled and tried to stop him, "Your Majesty, no."

Ruyi insisted on her own way and stood up to return to the palace. Rong Pei had no choice but to follow Ruyi.

Hangzhou Palace

Ruyi was walking through the garden of the Hangzhou Palace when she heard Jinzhong and Fuheng talking.

Fu Heng: "Eunuch Jinzhong serves the emperor all day long, how could he not know such a thing?"

Jinzhong sighed and said, "What can I do if I know this? After nightfall, the Emperor followed Lord Hu onto the ship and did not allow me to serve him closely. He returned at sunrise.

Even if I knew something, I wouldn't dare ask. Master Fuheng, you are accompanying the Emperor."

Fu Heng sighed and said, "I can only guard the shore and cannot board the boat, but I see the boats going up and down to pick up that woman. I am worried."

Jinzhong: "Let's just keep this secret. We mustn't let it get out."

Fu Heng: "We didn't spread it, but the people are talking about it, which is really damaging to the emperor's reputation."

……

Ruyi hid behind a willow tree, listened, and left angrily.

Jinzhong and Fuheng looked at the pink and white figure going away and smiled at each other.

Residence of the Imperial Concubine in Hangzhou Palace

Ruyi was helped to sit down by Rong Pei and said bitterly, "Is this true? The Emperor's southern tour was to gauge public opinion. How could he cause such a scandal that would be ridiculed by his subjects and the people?"

Rong Pei consoled her, "Your Majesty, the people can discuss this matter as they please, but as long as the officials don't submit memorials to remonstrate with them and don't bring it to light, then it can only be regarded as hearsay and should not be taken seriously."

Ruyi angrily asked, "It's already become such a commotion, why don't the censors advise the Emperor to stop it?"

Rong Pei whispered, "Your Majesty, the Emperor is so powerful, it's hard for the officials to say anything. If they offend the Emperor, they might even lose their heads. Your Majesty, the Emperor today is not the one who just ascended the throne."

Ruyi said coldly, "Indeed, the Emperor is so complacent, who can offer advice?"

Rong Pei was speechless. You know this, too? Even the favored Han Xiangjian was severely punished for pleading for you. Who would dare to speak out?

Ruyi asked again, "Rong Pei, the Japanese palace asked you to go out and inquire. Did you find out?"

Rong Pei hadn't been there at all, she had just been strolling around the area. How could she possibly have found out? She didn't want to risk her life by asking Ruyi about these things.

Rong Pei whispered cunningly, "My Lady, I am incompetent and cannot get close to you."

Ruyi said coldly, "How come you can't get close?"

Rong Pei, worthy of being from Ruyi's side, decisively shifted the blame and said, "Your Majesty, although this servant cannot approach the Imperial Court, Jinzhong is a member of the Imperial Court and has always been on good terms with Concubine Yan... Concubine Yan. This matter may be a conspiracy between the two of them."

Ruyi agreed with Rong Pei's attempt to shift the blame and said coldly, "No wonder. On the day of the opera, Concubine Yan concealed the emperor's paleness in front of the empress dowager, and was promoted to Concubine Yan that night. I'm afraid Concubine Yan not only knew about this, but also arranged it."

Rong Pei nodded immediately and said, "Concubine Yan is trying to please the Emperor and has even disregarded his reputation. How despicable!"

Ruyi stood up angrily and said angrily, "Only if one is not upright can one fall for her charm. How could the emperor become like this over the years?"

Banquet at the Hangzhou Palace

When Ruyi entered, several concubines stood up and saluted, saying, "May the Imperial Concubine be well and safe."

There were six concubines on this southern tour. Yingpin and Rongpin sat on either side of Ruyi. Yupin, Yanpin, and Qingpin sat together. Because Lin Ruoyao was in high spirits, she was seated opposite Ruyi.

Ruyi sat down and asked, "Why hasn't the emperor arrived yet so late?"

Meiruo replied, "Yes, we are all waiting for the emperor to have breakfast."

Han Xiangjian also said, "The Emperor rarely gets up so late."

Although the other concubines also had complaints, they did not complain to Ruyi, as it would be useless.

Ruyi stared fiercely at Lin Ruoyao opposite her.

Lin Ruoyao said innocently, "Why is the Imperial Noble Concubine staring at me? I don't know."

Ruyi said coldly, "Don't you know, Concubine Yan? It seems you've been telling lies so many times that they just come out of your mouth."

Lin Ruoyao smiled and said, "It seems that Your Majesty knows about this? If you know, just tell me directly. Why would I say that? You are not afraid to tell the Emperor, are you?"

Ruyi was furious and was about to scold him when Hongli staggered in. Ruyi had no choice but to give up.

Everyone saluted and said, "May the Emperor be well and safe."

Hongli waved his hand and said, "Get up and have dinner."

Ruyi suddenly asked, "Does the emperor have an appetite?"

Hongli asked in confusion, "What?"

Ruyi sarcastically said, "The Emperor's eyes are slightly red, with a blue tinge beneath them. His complexion is dull and he looks weary, evidently having had a bad night's sleep. He forced himself to eat, so naturally he has no appetite."

Hongli said perfunctorily, "It's nothing. I just didn't sleep well."

Ruyi suppressed her anger and said, "For breakfast, there is freshly cooked Nine-Thread Soup, the Yangzhou style that the emperor likes."

Hongli nodded, gave Ruyi a favor, tasted a bite and said, "Good, not inferior to what we ate in Yangzhou."

Ruyi said coldly, "The palace is close to West Lake, and the sound of the water, mixed with the string music, may have disturbed the emperor's sweet dreams. I will go with Concubine Yan today to investigate where the music is disturbing the emperor. We should go together."

Lin Ruoyao suppressed the upward curve of her lips. It was worth it that she had just scolded Ruyi. Ruyi really took out all her anger on Hongli.

Hongli paused while eating breakfast and asked, "The Imperial Noble Consort said this..."

Ruyi interrupted, "Rongpin, your Huxuan dance was fantastic last time. Would you mind teaching the palace dancers when you get back?"

Han Xiang understood Ruyi's meaning and echoed her, saying, "No matter how good the palace dancers are, they are not as popular as the wild dancers outside. I won't bother with that."

Hongli had no idea how the news of his trip to the flower boat had leaked out, so he perfunctorily replied, "I haven't been to Hangzhou for a long time, and I'm tired of touring West Lake at night. There will inevitably be singing and dancing on the imperial boat to liven up the atmosphere, so the Imperial Concubine needn't mind it."

Ruyi said sarcastically, "Such wonderful music and singing, I and my sisters would also like to enjoy it together. I hope Your Majesty will be generous enough to give us such a gift."

Hongli put the spoon in his hand down heavily, and the crisp sound of porcelain echoed in the empty hall.

E Yinzhu and the others didn't know why Ruyi was inexplicably using them as flags.

Lin Ruoyao quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, I have been feeling relaxed and happy since arriving in Hangzhou. I have been sleeping early every day, so I am afraid I cannot enjoy it any more. I will not disturb Your Majesty's leisurely mood."

E Yinzhu and the others also stood up and said, "Your Highness, too."

Ruyi's face turned pale, and she didn't understand why E Yinzhu and the others had to go against her.

Seeing that Ruyi was isolated and helpless, Meiruo was about to stand up and agree with Ruyi.

Hongli said calmly, "The Imperial Concubine's suggestion is good. If there is a bright moon and a clear breeze, I will definitely invite everyone to enjoy it together. You can do whatever you want. I have no appetite."

Hongli then stood up and left. Lin Ruoyao was about to get up and leave with him, but Ruyi called out, "Empress Yan, the meal is in a hurry. We can eat some more in Biwu Pavilion later."

Although Lin Ruoyao was reluctant, she couldn't refuse Ruyi's invitation in public, so she could only bow and say, "Yes, thank you, Your Majesty, for your kindness."

Jinzhong stepped forward to support Hongli, and Hongli left angrily.

Jinzhong consoled him, "Your Majesty, please don't be angry. The Imperial Noble Consort means well. She always speaks like this, so it's inevitable that she'll be a little forceful. She didn't mean to embarrass you in public."

Hongli was still furious and said, "Wang Qin, go to the kitchen and get some cakes and bring them to the Imperial Noble Concubine's Pavilion, and then pass on a few words for me."

Wang Qin: “Yeah.”

Residence of the Imperial Concubine in Hangzhou Palace

Wang Qin brought his men in, and each eunuch held a food box in his hand.

Wang Qin: "I pay my respects to the Imperial Noble Consort. Your Majesty, the Emperor has sent me some snacks for you."

Rong Pei asked in confusion, "We just had dinner, why are you sending us snacks?"

Wang Qin: "They are all famous Jiangnan snacks, thousand-layer fried cakes, double sesame crispy cakes, crab roe steamed dumplings... The emperor said that the imperial concubine has been working hard these past few days, so he specially found some local snacks for her to taste as a token of her gratitude."

Rong Pei was puzzled and said, "These snacks are exquisite and delicious, but they are sticky. How can we finish so many of them?"

Ruyi said coldly, "You're asking me to close my mouth and keep my teeth shut, right?"

Wang Qin smiled faintly and said nothing.

Lin Ruoyao came in and bowed, saying, "Your Highness greets the Imperial Noble Consort."

Seeing this, Wang Qin quietly left.

Ruyi sat on her seat, not even saying excuse me, and said sarcastically from a high position: "To become a concubine, she is indeed extraordinary."

Lin Ruoyao, unlike Wei Yanwan, did not kneel down all the time. She stood up directly, glanced at the snacks on the table, and said with a smile: "It is said that when a man has been away for three days, he should be treated with new eyes.

"After all these years of trembling under Your Majesty's hand, I think I've made some progress. I wonder what Your Majesty wants me to do? Is this meal not to your liking again?"

Ruyi was furious at Lin Ruoyao's action and said coldly, "The brothel girl favored by the emperor was arranged by you, right?"

Lin Ruoyao said indifferently: "Imperial Noble Consort, are you talking about this? All men in the world are romantic. As a wife or concubine, it is only natural for me to please my husband and the prince."

Ruyi sneered, "So you're using a prostitute to curry favor with the Emperor? You've caused public criticism, damaged the Emperor's reputation, and disrupted palace discipline. Where's your responsibility as the head of the Six Palaces?"

Lin Ruoyao sarcastically said, "I assist in managing the six palaces, hoping that there will be someone more suitable to serve the emperor, so that he won't be depressed when he goes out to inspect the humiliation. Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine can't relieve the emperor's worries, and won't allow me to make him happy?"

Ruyi said coldly, "Just to please the Emperor, can you do whatever you want?"

Lin Ruoyao looked straight at Ruyi but did not say anything. It takes two to tango. Ruyi was determined to use this incident as an excuse to punish her. No matter how much she said, it would be useless.

Ruyi stood up and said coldly, "Concubine Yan, you have disregarded etiquette and corrupted the inner palace. You have failed in your duty to manage the six palaces. You have also made the Emperor greedy for beauty and exhausted his body, which has damaged his reputation. Sanbao, you can imprison Concubine Yan and await the Emperor's decision."

Lin Ruoyao listened to Ruyi's regretful punishment and retorted, "I remember that you don't have the power to punish concubines, right? I am the Concubine Yan appointed by the Emperor himself!"

Ruyi shouted angrily, "I am the Imperial Noble Consort appointed by the Emperor himself!"

A strange young eunuch came in and interrupted Ruyi's ridiculous competition for position, saying, "Your Majesty, the emperor went back to his bedroom to sleep for half a day, and then went to the boat again."

Ruyi's anger had not yet subsided, and she pressed on, "Is it still the Shui Linglong from a few days ago?"

The young eunuch nodded and said, "Yes... and her six sisters. This servant saw that it was really not in good shape, so he hurried to report it to the Imperial Noble Consort."

Ruyi: "Who's waiting on the boat?"

The young eunuch said, "Eunuch Jinzhong, Madam, although Shui Linglong sells her art but not her body, she is not innocent, and the same is true for the women around her."

Rong Pei was stunned and said in shock: "I have never heard of this!"

Ruyi activated her traditional supernatural powers again, pushing the blame onto Lin Ruoyao, and said coldly, "This is what you did! It seems there's no need to imprison her; strangle her immediately!"