TICIEC Chapter 6.1

Wang Degui served with trepidation.

Although His Majesty usually has a blank expression and his mood is unrecognizable, he has been serving His Majesty since he was young, so he can clearly feel that His Majesty’s expression today is particularly cold.

And this bad mood started after leaving the Mozhu Pavilion.

Could it be that Song Meiren wasn’t serving him well?

But he didn’t dare to inquire. 

After His Majesty finished his court session and began to review memorials, he had no choice but to step forward and ask.

“Your Majesty… I have a request for your instructions. Should Song Meiren be rewarded according to the standard reward for a meiren?”

This is common practice.

Any concubine who serves the emperor for the first time will be rewarded the next day.

Different positions have different specifications.

If the Emperor particularly likes her, he can add more.

Helian Qi frowned slightly. 

Song Meiren was well-read, but she was inflexible, didn’t understand his implied meaning, and didn’t have a long-term vision.

Unworthy of reuse.

But after all, she is the daughter of his trusted and important minister, and she has feelings for him.

Although he was a little annoyed, he wouldn’t vent his anger on her.

“Yes.” Helian Qi responded.

Wang Degui immediately bowed and withdrew to prepare. 

It seemed that Song Meiren truly didn’t meet His Majesty’s liking. Otherwise, with His Majesty’s clear-cut approach to rewards and punishments, he would surely have rewarded her more.

***

Although Song Meiren was favored, she wasn’t the least bit arrogant and arrived at Jingxi Palace early.

Shu Fei, always the most virtuous and generous, asked a few questions with concern.

Zhuang Fei, still treating everyone with disdain, uttered a few sarcastic remarks.

Xue Jieyu and Cen Jieyu didn’t say anything. It was a surprisingly peaceful scene.

Everyone gathered and went to the Cining Palace to pay their respects to the Empress Dowager.

“You are Song Meiren, who served in the Emperor’s bed yesterday. You are truly beautiful. No wonder His Majesty favors you. I am also very fond of you.” 

Empress Dowager Xue glanced at Song Meiren and said calmly, “You will stay and read the Buddhist scriptures with me. Everyone else, please leave.”

The other concubines bowed and took their leave.

Song Meiren spent an entire day copying Buddhist scriptures in the Cining Palace…

She had just been favored last night and was already delicate. When she came out of the Cining Palace, her body staggered and she almost fell to the ground.

The personal maid quickly supported her and said, distressedly, “Master, you have suffered. The Empress Dowager is clearly deliberately making things difficult for you…”

“She’s just setting rules for me. Your Majesty didn’t choose Xue Jieyu, so the Empress Dowager is naturally displeased.” 

Song Meiren shook her head slightly and said, “Let’s go back to the palace.”

The maid said angrily, “Your Majesty didn’t even bother…”

“Stop talking nonsense!” Song Meiren scolded her coldly, with a hint of disappointment in her lowered eyes.

***

Everyone in the palace watched quietly to see whether the Emperor would go to rescue Song Meiren.

But until dusk fell and Song Meiren returned to Mozhu Pavilion, His Majesty remained silent.

Ning Wanyin was also paying attention to the news outside, her brows tightly furrowed. 

What was going on?

If His Majesty wanted to cultivate his own people to suppress the power of the nobles in the harem, he would definitely protect Song Meiren.

Unless… 

His Majesty had given up on her.

But he just chose her to sleep with him last night, and gave up on her today? 

Were there any other reasons?

Your Majesty is truly capricious and unpredictable.

“Your Majesty took a fancy to Song Meiren yesterday, but today he’s ignored her. With such a hurtless temper, you will…” 

Lian Rui’s eyes were filled with worry for her master.

Ning Wanyin came back to her senses and said, “How could the Emperor be so sentimental?”

Whether or not His Majesty cares about Song Meiren has nothing to do with being heartless.

It all depends on the position he places Song Meiren in.

To pamper someone doesn’t mean he loves them. To ignore someone doesn’t mean he doesn’t care about them.

The Emperor’s heart is unpredictable.

…

Earlier, in Qianxin Palace.

“Your Majesty, Song Meiren was left in the palace by the Empress Dowager to copy Buddhist scriptures…” Wang Degui reported softly.

Helian Qi’s eyes were gloomy. He had long known that the Emperor’s grace could bring trouble. 

Therefore, only those who are smart can become a favorite concubine.

If she is not smart, leaving her aside for now is a way to protect her.

 

 

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