Chapter 378: The Concubine Who Was Buried with the Emperor VS The Ruthless and Romantic Emperor 26
The news that Concubine Li went to the Imperial Study to find the Emperor spread throughout the harem at an astonishing speed, like autumn wind sweeping away fallen leaves.

In each palace, the concubines were whispering to each other, showing expressions of either mockery or gloating.

"Humph, this Concubine Li really can't sit still anymore. She ran to the imperial study to find the emperor so eagerly. It really brings shame to a concubine of a high rank."

Ning Zhaoyi sat in the pavilion of the imperial garden, gently waving a round fan in her hand, her words full of sarcasm.

Wen Zhaoyuan was sitting next to her, holding an exquisite round fan in her hand and fanning herself gently. It was obvious that the weather was a bit hot.

"That's right. He was so arrogant on weekdays, but now that he has fallen out of favor, he is panicking and at a loss as to what to do."

Wen Zhaoyuan echoed, her eyes full of disdain.

In every corner of the harem, such discussions were heard one after another. The concubines were secretly laughing at Concubine Li.

In the East Palace, Yu Yao also heard about this. Although she didn't know why Concubine Li fell out of favor for no reason, she was happy in her heart.

Because she was in the limelight during this period, she was often bullied by the concubines in the palace when she paid her respects. She was criticized for all kinds of jealous words, unpleasant words, and even disgusting words.

Every morning when paying respects to the Fengyi Palace, there would be a heated debate.

At this time, Liuli came forward and asked in a low voice: "My lady, it's been a whole month, why haven't you had your period yet? Do you want to ask an imperial physician to come and take a look?"

When Yu Yao heard this, her heart moved. She gently stroked her flat belly without leaving any trace. "It's okay. My period has never been regular. Maybe it was delayed this time."

It was only a month, and the time was still young. It was also a dangerous time, and she didn't want to expose herself too early.

Liuli heard this without any doubt, and then said worriedly: "My lady, irregular menstruation is not a trivial matter. It is very likely to affect the master's pregnancy of the royal heir. How about I ask an imperial physician to take a look at you?"

She quickly reached out to stop him, frowning and saying, "No need, maybe I've been too tired these days, I'll get better after some time."

After that, she continued to instruct, "Don't let anyone know about this. From now on, you will be the one washing my quilt and pants yourself. If you do anything with them, don't let anyone notice. If one of you has your period, you can secretly wash yours. In short, don't let anyone find out."

She paused, and then continued, "Also, Liuli, go and inform the Jingshifang that I have my period these days and cannot serve the emperor. Ask them to remove my green card."

Liuli was confused and thought of a possibility. Suddenly, her eyes widened and she said in shock, "Master, are you pregnant?"

At the end of her words, she hurriedly covered her mouth, looked around, and when she saw that there was no one in the room, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Yu Yao blinked and smiled mysteriously, "I'm not sure either, but let's keep it a secret for now. Okay, just do as I say."

When Liuli heard her master's answer, she knew that the matter was almost true and she was very excited.

But she also knew that this matter was of great importance and should not be disclosed too early, so she quickly calmed down and said seriously: "Yes, my lady, I will act with caution."

As soon as she finished speaking, Amber pushed the door open and walked in, "My lady, Lady Shu who lives in the west hall is here."

Yu Yao was slightly startled. Lady Shu, why did she come here suddenly?

Although Concubine Shu lived with her in Yihe Palace, the two actually did not have much interaction.

Except for the first day she moved in here, when Shu Meiren, Liu Baolin and a few others came to visit her, no one had ever set foot in her east hall since then.

Although they often met, they never talked much.

"Please invite Miss Shu in."

She spoke calmly to Amber, but in her heart she was thinking about Lady Shu's purpose of coming.

After a while.

Lady Shu walked into the east hall, wearing a light purple dress embroidered with orchids. She had a gentle smile on her face, but there was a hint of imperceptible melancholy in her eyes.

Seeing Yu Yao, she bowed slightly and said in a gentle voice: "Hello, Sister Qin. I hope you won't mind my intrusive visit."

She quickly stood up, took a few steps forward to support Lady Shu, and said with a smile: "Sister, you are too polite. Please take a seat. My east side hall is usually deserted. It is rare for a sister to visit. I am so happy that I can't express it in words."

The two of them sat down as host and guest, and Liuli served them fragrant tea.

Lady Shu took a sip, her eyes fell on her gently, and she spoke slowly: "Sister has been favored by the emperor recently, and I am very envious. I think sister must have something unique, so I took the liberty to come and ask for advice."

Yu Yao looked at Lady Shu with a smile on her face, "Sister, you are too kind. I am not that special. I am just the emperor's occasional favor. If there is any experience, it is probably to keep your heart, not fight or compete, and let nature take its course."

Hearing this, Shu Meiren's eyes flashed with a complicated expression. She sighed softly, "Sister is really open-minded. I, your younger sister, cannot do that. In the harem, favors are easy to pass away. If you don't fight for it, I'm afraid you won't even have anyone to rely on in the future."

She gently consoled him, "Sister, don't worry too much. The Emperor will make his own decisions. We just need to do our best and wait for the right time."

The two chatted about some trivial matters in the palace, and the atmosphere gradually became harmonious.

Seeing that the time was right, Concubine Shu mentioned the main purpose of her visit: "Sister, I came here today to ask for a favor. I have not been favored for a long time, and I am very anxious. I wonder if you can give me some advice so that I can also gain some favor from the emperor?"

Yu Yao looked at Lady Shu in surprise. Was it a bit too direct to ask like this?
How could Lady Shu be sure that she had a way to gain favor? And how could she be sure that she would tell him?
You know, all the women in the harem are enemies?

She couldn't figure out what Lady Shu was thinking. "Sister, you are too kind. I don't have any advice for you. However, if you are interested, you might as well pay more attention to the emperor's preferences and let him notice you. Only if he notices you, you will have the opportunity to sleep with him, right?"

Lady Shu has a good appearance, but her personality is too reserved and introverted. She can't let go and isn't proactive. How can she be favored?
Shu Meiren looked grateful and said, "Thank you for your advice, sister. I'll take note of it."

After a conversation, she stood up and said goodbye.

Yu Yao escorted Shu Meiren to the palace gate and watched her leave, thinking to herself. In this harem, there are no eternal enemies or eternal friends. Only oneself is the most reliable support.

In the Chenxiang Hall, the flickering candlelight illuminated Concubine Yun's fair but slightly nervous face.

She gently stroked her flat belly. Her period had not come yet and it had been more than a month since her last time to sleep with the emperor.

When Yunpin thought of a possibility, her expression became excited.

But because it was so short a time, she did not dare to ask the imperial physician for fear of alerting the enemy.

Because she had lost a child in the Eastern Palace, Yunpin became more cautious and did not even tell the close palace maids about it.

He only sent someone to inform the Jingshifang that she had been feeling unwell recently and was not suitable to sleep with the emperor.

Even her diet became extremely cautious, for fear of eating something she shouldn't and causing the baby in her belly to die.

In the imperial study, palace lanterns were swaying gently under the eaves, and the warm yellow light flickered.

The night wind blew gently, causing the gauze curtains under the corridor to flutter slightly.

It was time to turn over the cards again. Emperor Jing was about to turn over Yu Yao's card, but after looking around, he didn't see her.

He immediately became angry, thinking that it was An Hai, the dog servant, who was causing trouble again. He pointed at him and cursed, "You bold servant, where is the name card of Concubine Qin? Are you doing something wrong under my nose again?"

An Hai was so scared that he immediately knelt down and kowtowed, "Your Majesty, please calm down. I dare not do that. It was Liuli, the maidservant beside Concubine Qin, who came to me and said that Concubine Qin was not feeling well these days and had her period, so it was inconvenient for her to sleep with you. That's why I took down Concubine Qin's nameplate."

Emperor Jing frowned, feeling an inexplicable irritation in his heart.

He was no longer in the mood to flip the cards, so he waved his hand and signaled An Hai to leave.

He turned back to the imperial desk and picked up a memorial at random, but found that he could not concentrate on reading it.

My thoughts couldn't help but drift away.

Is this Concubine Qin really unwell and unable to serve, or is there another reason?

Thinking of this, I couldn't sit still anymore and wanted to go over and take a look.

Before he reached the Yihe Palace, he saw a beautiful figure when passing by the peach forest in the Imperial Garden.

She was wearing a light blue dress, with a graceful figure and a pretty face. She closed her eyes slightly, gently sniffing the fragrance of peach blossoms, with a peaceful smile on her face, gentle and soft.

Emperor Jing was slightly startled and stopped involuntarily. He felt that the person in front of him was more beautiful than flowers. The more he looked at the beauty under the moon, the more beautiful she became.

He coughed twice and asked, "Who's there?"

When she heard the voice, Concubine Shu knew that the emperor had arrived. This was the only way from the Imperial Study to the Yihe Palace.

Every time the emperor goes to visit Concubine Qin, he always takes this route.

She deliberately waited here early just to attract the emperor's attention.

Lady Shu pretended to be frightened and quickly turned around to salute, "I greet the emperor. May the emperor be blessed with good health."

The moonlight shines on the peach forest in the imperial garden. The pink peach blossoms are like dreamy clouds, contrasting with Shu Meiren's light blue dress.

The night wind blew gently, and peach blossoms fell, as if it was raining peach blossoms.

Miss Shu lowered her head slightly, her hair fluttering gently in the wind, and she looked gentle and moving.

Emperor Jing looked at Lady Shu in front of him with a slightly changed expression, "Who are you? Why are you here?"

Concubine Shu replied nervously, "Your Majesty, I am Concubine Shu from the Yihe Palace. The moonlight is just right tonight, so I wanted to take a walk in the peach forest. I didn't want to disturb Your Majesty."

There was a hint of shyness and uneasiness in her eyes, like a frightened deer.

Emperor Jing nodded slightly and his gaze lingered on Concubine Shu for a moment.

Lady Shu? Still living in Yihedian?
He had never noticed this person and didn't remember him.

"It's cold at night, Miss Shu should go back early."

He left a few words and went away.

Although Lady Shu caught his attention, he had no intention of favoring her at this moment. He just wanted to look at a certain woman.

When Concubine Shu saw the emperor leave, she was a little disappointed, but her attitude was still good.

At least the emperor remembers her, right?

If they meet by chance a few more times, the emperor will eventually invite her to sleep with him.

Lady Shu did not stay in the peach forest for long and went back soon.

(End of this chapter)