dognovel Chapter 132: Eliminating the Emperor's Suspicion
Chapter 132: Eliminating the Emperor's Suspicion
Shen Zhinian looked at the charming beauty in the bronze mirror and raised the corners of his lips gently: "I didn't expect that His Majesty would ask me to learn to assist in the management of the six palaces after I entered the palace for only three months. Although this is a challenge, it is also an opportunity for us! After all, the emperor's favor is erratic, but the power in our hands is real!"
"Since I have decided to take this step, how could I not have thought that this move would make His Majesty suspicious? Don't worry, I have my own way to eliminate his suspicion."
Upon hearing this, Madam Xiao felt relieved: "My young lady is always smart, I was just worrying too much."
Shen Zhinian smiled and said, "Madam is an old lady in the palace. There are many things I haven't thought of, and I still need to rely on Madam to give me some advice."
"It is my honor to serve you, young master. You are embarrassing me by saying that."
At this time, Fuqiu came in and reported: "My lady, Miss Cuizhu from Yongshou Palace is here."
"Please."
Knowing that the Imperial Concubine now values Lady Rou, Cuizhu's attitude was much more respectful than before: "This servant greets Lady Rou, may the lady be blessed!"
Shen Zhinian said in a gentle tone: "No need to be polite. The Imperial Concubine asked you to come here, but what do you want?"
"My dear Lady Rou, His Majesty has ordered you to learn how to handle the affairs of the six palaces. The Imperial Concubine has specially ordered this servant to come here and invite you to the Yongshou Palace."
"Got it. Handan, help me change my clothes."
Every time she went out and looked at the snow-covered scenery outside, Shen Zhinian couldn't help but sigh, how could she not compete for favor after entering the harem?
With her position, if she didn't have the emperor's favor, she could only walk step by step in the cold to go to a distant place. How could she sit in a comfortable warm sedan chair and be wrapped in warmth wherever she went?
Therefore, the lives of concubines of the same rank, whether they were favored or not, were very different. Some unfavored concubines might even live a less comfortable life than the noble ladies.
After entering Yongshou Palace, Shen Zhinian took off her cloak and let Handan take it. She bowed and saluted: "I pay my respects to the Imperial Concubine. May the Imperial Concubine be blessed with good fortune and happiness!"
Shen Zhinian had been in the palace for so long, but this was the first time that Concubine Liu spoke to her in such a gentle manner: "Sister Rou, there is no need to be so polite. Please take a seat and serve tea!"
"Thank you, noble concubine."
What Concubine Liu cares about most is the emperor's sincerity and favor. Whoever can make the emperor treat her more intimately will be a meritorious official!
"I was a little worried at first. If I broke the Queen's arm, His Majesty would be suspicious of me. But yesterday, I acted according to your words, and His Majesty really didn't suspect me. He even valued me more than the Queen!"
"Sister Rou, I will treat you as my own sister from now on. You must help me win the heart of His Majesty!"
How can someone who can hold a high position in the harem be a fool? Shen Zhinian didn't think that Concubine Liu would completely trust her. The other party just felt that her value was far greater than imagined, so she used this rhetoric to win over allies.
As for Concubine Liu saying that she treated her as her own sister, only a fool would believe it.
However, since they were allies, they naturally had to maintain unity before eliminating their common enemy: "Thanks to the Imperial Concubine for not abandoning me, I will do my best to help you!"
One should not be too greedy. Since what Concubine Liu wants is the emperor's favor and sincerity, let her gradually erode and take over the power in the harem!
Concubine Liu was using her, and she was also using Concubine Liu, so each of them got what they wanted.
"Sister Rou has only been in the palace for a short time and is not familiar with the affairs of the six palaces. How about I hand over the management of the Ministry of Rites to you first? Once you are familiar with it, you can help me and His Majesty in other areas. What do you think?"
The Ministry of Rites is under the Imperial Household Department and is responsible for palace rituals and music, as well as the assessment of eunuchs' grades. It is an extremely important department in the harem!
After all, which eunuch doesn't want to climb up? The person in charge of the Ministry of Rites controls their life!
Concubine Liu understood that if she wanted her allies to help her with all their strength, she had to show her sincerity first and let the other party taste the sweetness.
Shen Zhinian stood up and said, "I am grateful for your kindness, Your Majesty, but Your Majesty cannot do this. Just let me manage the cold palace."
Concubine Liu was very puzzled: "The head of the Ministry of Rites is an important position in the palace, and the cold palace is not only located in a remote place, but also holds people who are disliked by His Majesty. It is extremely unlucky. What does Sister Rou mean by this?"
Shen Zhinian did not answer directly, but asked: "Why did your majesty let me learn about the affairs of the six palaces?"
Concubine Liu was not stupid and she figured it out instantly.
Your Majesty promoted Concubine Rou because the Queen was weak and worried that the harem would become the domain of Duke Dingguo's Mansion, so he wanted to support someone to check and balance himself.
If Concubine Ruo Rou defected to her camp, His Majesty would be extremely disappointed and would also suspect that they had joined forces to plot against the Queen.
Therefore, even if she and Concubine Rou are allies, they cannot let people see it openly. This way, she can seek more and undermine the Queen step by step!
"Sister Rou is thoughtful, but this will ultimately wrong you."
Shen Zhinian lowered her eyes and said, "For the sake of your majesty's great plan, this concubine will not be wronged."
The road must be walked step by step, and the meal must be eaten one bite at a time.
If she took over an important department right after being allowed to assist in the management of the six palaces, she would definitely become a living target in the harem. The emperor would be suspicious of her, and Concubine Liu would be even more wary of her.
It is better to retreat in order to advance and plan for the future!
Anyway, the power to assist in managing the six palaces has been allocated to her. Is she still afraid that there will not be a day when she will truly hold power?
……
There are countless eyes staring at Shen Zhinian in the harem right now. She had just left Yongshou Palace, and these things spread at an extremely fast speed!
The emperor in the Hall of Mental Cultivation naturally also heard about it.
"…It is said that when Concubine Rou left Yongshou Palace, her eyes were red. She must have been wronged by the Imperial Concubine. It is true that the cold palace is such a gloomy place that the concubines dare not even approach. It is no wonder that the Imperial Concubine gave Concubine Rou the responsibility…"
The emperor originally thought that it was Concubine Liu who proposed to promote Shen Zhinian to a noble lady, and Shen Zhinian often visited Concubine Liu. She had already joined the camp of Duke Dingguo's Mansion in private.
If that were the case, he would be truly disappointed with that young woman, and would no longer trust and love her as before.
Now it seems that he was overthinking.
That young woman has always been kind and pure, and has been making friends with the concubines in the harem. Not only has she visited the imperial concubine, she has also often visited other people's palaces. How could he suspect her because of this?
"The Imperial Concubine has always been arrogant. Now that she is willing to change herself and share the power in her hands, it is not easy. Let's take our time. Since I have asked Concubine Rou to learn from her, it is not good to offend her at this time."
Li Changde observed the emperor's expression and said, "Yes. Compared to before, the Imperial Concubine does understand His Majesty's thoughts better, but in the end, Concubine Rou was wronged."
Thinking of how that little girl never said anything every time she was wronged and always thought about him, the emperor suddenly felt a little distressed.
"Go to Tingyu Pavilion."