Seizing the throne, abolishing the adopted son, the imperial concubine rose to prominence

"Hurry up and carry the man out. You didn't even know he was dead. If you bring bad luck to the Empress, you'll have enough heads chopped off."

At the palace gate, Madam Lu covered her mouth and nose with a handkerchief and urged the eunuchs in.

"Mammy, can I go and see her off..."

"What's wrong with you? Why are you sending gifts? You've gotten involved with something unclean and harmed the Empress. Do you still want to live?"

Nanny Lu grabbed the palace maid who was about to go to the palace gate and scolded her harshly.

"Don't keep any of Caiyue's things. Burn them all."

After giving a few more instructions to the palace servants, Madam Lu looked at the maid behind her and said impatiently, "Why are you crying? Don't make the Empress unhappy for no reason."

After saying this, Madam Lu went to the back.

The palace maid at the door looked at the closed bedroom, tears in her eyes could not be stopped, and she walked down the corridor with her head lowered.

Just as he reached the corridor, the door of the side hall creaked open and a thin figure came out.

"Caifu?"

Zheng Baolin called out hesitantly.

"Meet Zheng Baolin."

When Caifu saw people, more tears welled up in her eyes.

"Come in quickly, don't let others see."

Zheng Baolin glanced around timidly and said in a low voice.

"We don't have hot tea here, so please make do with it, Sister Caifu."

Zheng Baolin's maid Yun'er handed over a teacup.

"Thank you, Pauline."

Caifu held the teacup tightly in her hand, and her fingers trembled slightly.

"You and Caiyue grew up together, so naturally you have a good relationship. But the Imperial Concubine has been in a bad mood these past few days, and it wouldn't be good for her to see you looking so sad."

There was a timid worry in Zheng Baolin's eyes.

"I know. Thank you Zheng Baolin for the medicine I sent you a few days ago. I'm leaving now."

Caifu's expression had calmed down, and she had no intention of saying anything more.

"Go back and rest quickly. You have to get up early tomorrow to serve the Empress. It will be even harder for you without Caiyue here."

"Although the wound on your back has almost healed, your body must still be weak. Please drink this bowl of tonic first. This was sent by Madam Lu specifically for my recovery."

Zheng Baolin personally handed the bowl of still warm tonic on the table to Caifu.

"If you lose your health, how can you serve the Empress? The Empress already has Caiyue by her side, and she cannot lose you again."

Caifu was still hesitant at first, but when she thought about Caiyue not being able to survive this time due to her weak body, she couldn't help but reach out her hand.

After finishing the drink, Caifu moved her lips as if to say something, but finally whispered, "Your servant thanks Baolin."

"Caifu clearly harbored resentment towards the Imperial Concubine. Why doesn't Baolin take this opportunity to add fuel to the fire? Besides Nanny Lu, she's the most influential person around the Imperial Concubine."

After Caifu left, Yun'er whispered to her master.

"She has resentment in her heart, but it's not enough."

Zheng Baolin shook his head. Caifu and Caiyue were both illegitimate children of the Duke's Mansion. It was not easy for them to betray Concubine Zheng.

"Is the medicine ready?"

"Master, don't worry. I have already done it. Thanks to the medical advice given by Master and Auntie, we were able to get rid of Caiyue quietly this time."

"Caiyue has often used her status as the Imperial Concubine to torture you. This time, Master has avenged himself and can also do good to that person."

Yun'er nodded in the direction of Changchun Palace.

"When is the Master ready..."

Although it was late at night and no one was around, Yun'er still asked vaguely in a low voice.

"Wait a minute."

There was a coldness in Zheng Baolin's eyes.

……

Changchun Palace.

"No need to greet me now, Master, please get some sleep."

Tan Yin looked at her master who was so sleepy that she couldn't even open her eyes. She had already complained to the emperor in her heart. He had called for water three times in the bedroom last night, and the marks on her master's body were even more frightening.

"It's okay. The emperor stayed overnight yesterday, and all six palaces know about it. We must go to Fengyi Palace to pay our respects today."

Gu Youning said vaguely.

In order to save the face he lost at dinner yesterday, the emperor tormented her for half the night.

Although the Queen was exempted from paying respects due to the previous fall into the water, she would probably feel uncomfortable if she did not go today. She was already openly opposed to Concubine Zheng and could not afford to offend the Queen again.

"Concubine Gu is here!"

Fortunately, he could now travel in a sedan chair. Gu Youning took a nap in the sedan chair for a while. When he entered the main hall of Fengyi Palace, there was no sign of fatigue on his face.

"The royal concubine!"

Concubine Zheng is already sitting at her seat today.

"Is Concubine Gu all right now?"

Concubine Zheng fiddled with her armor slowly and leisurely, and had no intention of asking Gu Youning to stand up.

"Thank you, Your Majesty, for your concern."

Gu Youning smiled and stood up by himself.

Her legs were still sore, but she couldn't help but maintain the bowing posture.

What's more, the emperor openly suspected Concubine Zheng in front of her, so she didn't need to be so "naive" as to think everyone was a good person.

"Gu Jieyu has been recuperating from her illness for a few days, and she has become even more powerful in front of me."

Concubine Zheng's cold gaze fell on Gu Youning.

"Your Majesty, your compliment is too great."

Gu Youning chuckled and sat down beside him.

Everyone in the hall saw the open and covert confrontation between the two, and their expressions varied. When they saw that Concubine Zheng did not continue to attack, many people showed disappointment in their eyes.

"If I were to say, Concubine Gu is really lucky. Not only did she escape death, but even the Emperor has shown more pity for her."

A melodious voice sounded from the opposite side.

"In the time it takes to brew a cup of tea in the cold lake water, would you like to give this blessing to Lady Lu?"

As soon as Gu Youning opened his lips, the people around him mocked him.

Noticing Gu Youning's surprised gaze falling on her, Lady Wen snorted coldly, making everyone in the hall wonder whether Lady Wen was helping others or was just upset.

It is common knowledge outside the palace that the Wen and Lu families have always been at odds with each other.

"What blessing?"

The queen came out of the inner hall holding the hand of a palace maid.

"Is Concubine Gu here too? Is she alright? She scared the Emperor and me quite a bit that day."

After everyone paid their respects, the queen looked at Gu Youning gently.

"Thanks to the Emperor and the Empress, my health is better now than before."

Gu Youning responded with a smile.

"I didn't do anything, it's just that the emperor pities you."

"You are now in good health, and your mother has also benefited from your blessing and has been promoted to a co-wife. It will be much easier for you and your daughter to meet in the future."

The queen still smiled gently.

"It's all thanks to the grace of His Majesty the Emperor and His Majesty."

Gu Youning's smile did not fade, and he seemed unaware of the jealous gazes in the hall.

An ordinary official’s concubine is nothing, but it represents the emperor’s preference.

Especially the beautiful lady Lu opposite, her charming eyes showed changes of emotions several times.

"You, don't let your excitement run out just yet. There will be unexpected surprises in a few days for the Queen Mother's birthday."

As soon as the Queen said this, the gazes that had been somewhat restrained suddenly became piercing.

The Empress Dowager had a precedent of bestowing favors on the concubines in the harem on the emperor's birthday. Concubine Gu was one level higher and became one of the nine concubines. At that time, she was the real master of the palace.

The path to promotion in the harem is already difficult. Since Xiao Heng ascended the throne, except for Lin Cainv who was promoted one level, the other concubines have not been promoted.

But Lin Cainv was not favored, and her position as a royal concubine was of the lowest rank, so she was really nothing and could not be compared with Gu Youning at all.

But Gu Youning, who wore a puzzled expression, knew that the emperor had no intention of promoting him. He felt a chill creeping down his spine.

When did the Queen change her mind?