My elder sister is so noble, this time it's my turn to strike back

Qiu Ning already had an idea about this matter.

"Since ancient times, there has been no such thing as a thousand-day defense against thieves. In two days, if nothing unexpected happens, news from the Ge family should be arriving soon. Let's wait and see."

"There is one more thing. Your Majesty needs to deal with it as soon as possible."

Wan Rongyue rarely heard Qiu Ning speak in such a serious tone, and couldn't help but feel a little curious: "Oh? What's the matter?"

"Your Majesty should still remember the palace's selection held every three years. This time, Your Majesty wants to keep an eye on a certain woman."

"Who is this woman?"

"This person's name is Liu Qingqing. She was once a top prostitute at Anxiang Lou. I don't know what she did to make General Guo fall deeply in love with her. He was so devoted to her that he was willing to redeem her and replace her with the niece of a fifth-rank official.

From what I've observed, this woman is quite scheming and manipulative. If nothing unexpected happens, she must have reached some sort of agreement with the Guo family to target you, Your Majesty, when she entered the palace."

There was a hint of doubt in Wan Rongyue's beautiful eyes.

"Since she is Guo Yian's favorite, why would he be willing to send her into the palace? Or is it that the real purpose of this woman is actually..." The Emperor.

When he thought of this, Wan Rongyue's eyes couldn't help but become more solemn.

Liu Qingqing must be no ordinary person, as Aning specifically told her to be careful.

"I see. Thanks for the reminder, Aning. I'll keep an eye on it."

Qiu Ning stopped at the right time. As for the means of competing for favor in the harem, she believed that as long as Wan Rongyue was willing to do it, she would be able to do it well.

The two were chatting happily when they suddenly heard a voice from outside:

"What are you looking out for?"

Immediately afterwards, the tall figure of Emperor Shengjing was seen walking in from outside the door with brisk steps, and Su Qinian behind him was jogging to catch up.

Wan Rongyue and Qiu Ning were both stunned and looked at each other briefly. Qiu Ning immediately stood up and stood respectfully aside, minimizing his presence.

I was careless. Why didn't Qingye inform the emperor when he was coming? Fortunately, his previous words were not heard, otherwise both he and the imperial concubine would be finished tonight.

After Emperor Shengjing sat down, he saw the empty wine glasses and bowls on the table, and his eyes naturally turned towards Qiu Ning.

"I had no idea when the servants in this palace became so unruly that they dared to eat at the same table with the imperial concubine."

The emperor spoke these words with a sense of authority without even being angry, and his meaning was directed at Qiu Ning.

In fact, it was also a test for Qiu Ning.

The emperor knows which concubines in the harem the imperial concubine likes to interact with.

He was just worried that Wan Rongyue was simple-minded and would be deceived and exploited by someone without knowing it.

After hearing this, Qiu Ning was stunned for a moment, then she knelt on her knees and explained, "I have indeed overstepped my bounds. I beg Your Majesty to punish me."

It was nothing more than a beating with a stick. I was thinking about whether I should take the opportunity to give some silver to the eunuch who was carrying out the execution so that he would go easy on the caning.

Emperor Shengjing snorted coldly, then ordered: "You, raise your head and let me take a look!"

Hearing this, Qiu Ning raised her head, revealing her truly stunning face. Bright eyes, white teeth, and skin as white as cream. Even in an ordinary palace maid's dress, it still highlighted her graceful figure.

"Who are you?" Emperor Shengjing couldn't help but wonder.

When did such a beautiful woman appear in the harem? How could he, the emperor, know nothing about it?

"I am Qiu Ning, your servant, honored to meet your Majesty." When Qiu Ning heard the emperor's question, she quickly replied neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Qiu Ning..." The emperor muttered the name silently, as if recalling something.

At this time, Wan Rongyue explained: "Does the emperor still remember the former Prime Minister Qiu?"

When Emperor Shengjing heard this, he quickly remembered Qiu Chengde, who previously held an important position in the court.

"Of course I remember that Qiu Chengde and his eldest son were involved in a conspiracy against the king. The evidence was irrefutable, and they were later stripped of their official positions and exiled to the border."

After saying this, the emperor seemed to suddenly think of something and asked, "Could this woman be?"

Wan Rongyue personally handed the brewed tea to Emperor Shengjing and explained, "Your Majesty is right. Qiu Ning is the second daughter of the Qiu family. After the Qiu family was convicted, she was assigned to the Crime Bureau."

The emperor understood, tapped his fingers lightly on the armrest of the chair, and asked:

"I see. But why would he be associated with you, my beloved concubine?"

Hearing the emperor's question, a hint of sadness flashed across Wan Rongyue's eyes, disappearing in a flash, but still caught by the sharp-eyed emperor.

"My beloved concubine, do you have any unspeakable secrets?"

Wan Rongyue slowly shook her head, as if with a hint of melancholy: "Nothing, I just remembered that if it weren't for Aning, I would have frozen to death in the Ye Ting Palace. How could I have been able to spend my days with Your Majesty today? Not to mention being able to see Zhier again..."

Emperor Shengjing: “…”

The emperor seemed to be suddenly frozen. Seeing the tears in the beauty's eyes that were about to fall, and endless sadness and sorrow between her brows, his heart seemed to be broken.

Guilt and regret surged in his heart, and he had no time to care about Qiu Ning. He immediately gently embraced Wan Rongyue in his arms and coaxed her softly:

"It's all my fault. Yue'er has suffered so much in the cold palace. I deserve to be beaten."

After saying that, he really took Wan Rongyue's hand and patted it lightly on his face.

Wan Rongyue only brought up the past to divert his attention. How could she really let the emperor hit her?

She only glanced at the emperor, as if pleased, and subconsciously said, "Aning is still here, Your Majesty is not afraid of being laughed at."

The emperor paused slightly, as if he just remembered that there was someone standing next to him, and immediately laughed.

"Your Majesty, Your Majesty, I am blind and deaf. I saw and heard nothing. If there is nothing else, I will take my leave now." Qiu Ning added hurriedly.

"Wait!" The emperor suddenly called her.

"Since you have been kind to the Imperial Concubine, I will grant you the privilege of serving her in the Pepper Room."

Upon hearing this, Qiu Ning looked up suddenly, his eyes full of surprise.

There is nothing wrong with serving the imperial concubine, but if I do this, everyone will know the relationship between me and the imperial concubine, which may make it inconvenient for me to act in the future.

Qiu Ning wanted to refuse, but doing so would be disobeying the emperor's order, so she hesitated whether to speak up.

At this time, Wan Rongyue seemed to have sensed something and spoke before Qiu Ning, "Your Majesty, I treat Aning like a sister. How can I allow her to come to the palace to serve me? I have an idea and I beg Your Majesty to approve it."

After Wan Rongyue finished speaking, he knelt down and saluted the emperor.

"My beloved concubine, if you have anything to say, feel free to speak."

“To be honest, Aning deserves the most credit for Zhier’s brilliant performance in front of the Chu envoys.

I have been thinking that it is time to find a good teacher for Zhier. I have observed her for a long time and I know that Aning is gentle and kind, not arrogant or impatient. She has been well-read since she was a child. I would like to ask Your Majesty for a favor on Aning's behalf, so that she can be Zhier's female teacher.

As Wan Rongyue finished speaking, two pairs of eyes fell on her.