Steal my marriage? Turn around and marry the tyrant to take the throne

Chapter 1266: Concubine Zhuang has been tortured by these trivial matters (189 million)

Imperial Concubine Zhuang walked into the hall, bowed deeply with impeccable posture, and said in a gentle and respectful voice: "Your Highness, I pay my respects to Her Majesty the Imperial Concubine. May Your Highness be blessed with good health!"

Handan, who was standing beside Shen Zhinian, looked at the scene in front of her and suddenly felt a little dazed.

Once upon a time, when the queen first entered the palace, she was just a humble concubine.

The one before them was one of the four high-ranking concubines. With a distinguished family background and a noble temperament, she was someone they looked up to.

Now, as time goes by, she needs to prostrate herself respectfully at the feet of the Empress!

The ups and downs in the deep palace are truly like a dream.

Shen Zhinian accepted the greeting from Concubine Zhuang, then raised her hand, her tone gentle but distant: "Concubine Zhuang, there is no need to be so polite. Stand up and talk."

"Give me a seat."

"Thank you, Your Majesty the Imperial Concubine."

Concubine Zhuang stood up as she was told and sat sideways on the embroidered cushion brought by the palace maid, her posture still dignified.

Her slightly drooped eyelashes barely concealed her fatigue, and even her meticulously applied makeup couldn't seem to hide the faint shadows beneath her eyes.

Concubine Zhuang began to report the affairs she had taken over one by one.

From checking the distribution of allowances to each palace to arranging retirement for elderly eunuchs.

Then check a batch of newly arrived brocade to see if there is any inferior goods being passed off as good ones...

Her logic was clear and her responses were cautious, and at first glance, there seemed to be no mistakes or omissions.

But Shen Zhinian just listened quietly, with a very faint curve at the corner of his lips.

She has been in charge of the harem for a long time and is no longer as awkward as when she first took over.

Today's palace affairs are so complicated and intertwined that a seemingly simple matter may be linked to years of old social conventions or interests that cannot be easily touched.

Among the things that Shen Zhinian distributed, which one seemed easy but actually contained hidden secrets?

Although Concubine Zhuang was born into a noble family, well-versed in poetry, literature, etiquette, and had her own set of management skills, the operation of power in the deep palace was far more complicated than that of the rear quarters of noble families.

If she wants to really get a piece of the pie, the title of assistant manager and the position of imperial concubine are far from enough. She also needs thundering tactics, a keen mind and enough confidence to break the inherent chain of interests.

Obviously, Concubine Zhuang has been tortured a lot by these trivial matters in the past few days.

"...Regarding the Ministry of Internal Affairs' proposal to reduce the expenditure on flowers in the Palace this spring, I have reviewed the old regulations and find their suggestion to be reasonable. I have drafted a preliminary plan for Your Majesty the Imperial Noble Consort to review."

Concubine Zhuang took out a thin booklet from her sleeve, and You Ruoli took it and presented it to Shen Zhinian.

Shen Zhinian opened it casually, glanced at it a few times and then closed it.

The regulations were written with flourishes and cite classics, but they completely failed to take into account the special preferences of certain important palaces. Furthermore, after the reduction, how should the shares of each palace be balanced to avoid resentment?

All of these require real authority and knowledge of human relations to suppress and mediate.

"Thank you for your hard work, Concubine Zhuang."

Shen Zhinian put the booklet aside, his tone still gentle, even with a hint of approval: "Your rules are well written and clearly organized. Let's try them out."

"If you have any difficulties, just come back to me."

With just a few light words, she perfectly kicked the ball, which was most likely to offend people, back to Concubine Zhuang's feet.

Trial?

If any palace has complaints at that time, the first person to bear the brunt will be the newly appointed imperial concubine who assists in managing the six palaces.

Concubine Zhuang paused for a moment, the gentle smile on her face seemed to freeze for a moment, but she could only bow her head and reply, "Yes, I obey your command."

How could she not hear the deeper meaning in the Imperial Noble Concubine's words?

But the Imperial Noble Consort had a gentle attitude, and her words were full of trust and empowerment. If she complained or shirked responsibility at this time, she would appear incompetent.

Concubine Zhuang forced herself to hold on and reported a few unimportant matters before getting up to leave.

Her back remained straight as she left, but for some reason she looked a little haggard and powerless.

Watching Concubine Zhuang disappear outside the palace gate, Handan couldn't help but whisper, "Your Majesty, look at the Concubine...it's clear she can't take it anymore."

Shen Zhinian picked up the warm tea at hand, took a sip, and a cold smile flashed in his eyes.

She naturally knew it, but she would not point it out, nor would she help.

Since Concubine Zhuang has accepted the power of assistant manager, these open and secret attacks, and the fickleness of human nature are the trials she must go through.

If she can get through it, maybe she can really become her own opponent; if she can't... then she'll just be a decoration with the title of imperial concubine in vain.

Shen Zhinian said calmly, "Let her go."

Her gaze returned to the book about reducing expenses, and she lightly tapped it with her fingertips: "Fuqiu, go and get the detailed records of the flowers used by each palace last spring."

"Yes."

Fuqiu immediately took the order and left.

Shen Zhinian's lips curled slightly.

Even if Concubine Zhuang could handle it well, she would offend many people.

If not handled properly...

At that time, I will come forward to clean up the mess. Everyone will naturally have a scale in their hearts to judge who will have a more secure hand over the power of the six palaces.

……

On the way back to Changchun Palace, the palace was quiet, with only the sound of footsteps and the slight creaking of the sedan chair.

Ruoli followed Concubine Zhuang's sedan chair, with a hint of relief still on her face.

She leaned closer and lowered her voice, "Your Majesty, I thought that today, since we were reporting palace affairs to the Imperial Noble Consort for the first time, she would at least show off her power or find a reason to punish us."

"I didn't expect that the Imperial Concubine would be so gentle and easy to talk to, and she even gave you a lot of authority."

"Could it be that because the Grand Tutor has returned to the court, even the Imperial Noble Consort is wary of you?"

Imperial Concubine Zhuang sat upright in the sedan chair, and upon hearing this, the corners of her lips curled up in a bitter and sarcastic arc.

She tilted her head slightly, her eyes sweeping across Ruoli's face, which still held a hint of innocent confusion: "Gentle? Decentralize?"

"Do you really think so?"

Concubine Zhuang shook her head slightly, and with a few words, she revealed the key to the silent confrontation: "The policy of reducing flower expenses may seem glamorous, but it's actually a hot potato."

"Which of the palace masters is easy to get along with? Any increase or decrease in the allowance affects the entire body. The slightest mistake will lead to widespread complaints."

"The Imperial Household Department brought up this matter, and the Imperial Noble Consort simply said, 'Let's proceed accordingly,' and thus completely pushed this offending task onto my head."

"If it goes well, it's because she led well and delegated power appropriately; if it fails, it's because I'm incompetent and have failed His Majesty's grace."

The relaxed look on Ruoli's face froze in an instant, turning into shock. Then, she was filled with anger: "How could the Imperial Concubine be so treacherous?! She smiles so kindly on the surface, but underneath she's full of calculations!"

"No wonder she was able to win His Majesty's heart!"

Ruoli's cheeks flushed with anger, and she said anxiously, "Then, Madam, what should we do next? This is clearly a trap!"

Concubine Zhuang closed her eyes, took a deep breath of the cold air, and opened them again. A calm coldness was in her eyes: "What should I do? Of course I have to continue."

"Could I still go to Zhongcui Palace and cry and complain that the task given by the Imperial Concubine is too difficult and I can't do it?"