The Empress of Zhen Huan Reborn

Concubine Su said in a respectful tone: "In reply to the Queen, I was indeed a little anxious and had nightmares tonight."

Nian Shilan sneered, "Since you are not feeling well, why don't you rest in the palace and come to Rongpin's palace?"

Concubine Su hesitated for a long time and didn't answer. Nian Shilan didn't care at all. She just glanced at Songzhi behind her and ordered, "Go and bring it to Concubine Su."

Songzhi obediently walked to Concubine Su holding the teapot in her hand. Concubine Su looked at Nian Shilan with a pale face, "I wonder what the Queen wants?"

Nian Shilan didn't even bother to look at her. She walked aside and sat beside the emperor, saying lazily, "Aren't you feeling unwell? I heard that brown rice and barley soup is the best for you, so I'll give you this pot as a reward."

Concubine Su said in a panic: "Empress, I..."

Nian Shilan raised her eyebrows and looked at Concubine Su sharply, "Why? I'm thinking about your health with good intentions, but you don't appreciate it?"

Lady Su shook her head repeatedly, indicating that this was not what she meant.

Nian Shilan seemed to realize that Concubine Su was still bowing to her at this time, and said in a joking tone: "Look at my memory. I forgot that Concubine Su was still bowing. Naturally, it is not convenient for me to drink the medicine. You should get up quickly."

Concubine Su stood up aggrievedly and looked at the emperor for help. The emperor felt a little flustered by her look, so he looked at Nian Shilan and said in a flattering tone: "Shilan, Su..."

Nian Shilan didn't wait for the emperor to finish speaking. She immediately looked at him with tears in her eyes and said, "Your Majesty, I am just worried about Sister Su's health. Do you think I will harm Sister Su?"

When the emperor saw Nian Shilan's expression, he turned to look at Concubine Su, and for a moment he was overwhelmed. Thinking that all this was caused by Concubine Su, he said in a serious tone: "Why do I miss you so much?"

Then the emperor looked at Concubine Su again, "Since it was given to you by the queen, just drink it. If you don't drink it, it proves that you are not sick and you are deceiving me!"

When Concubine Su saw that the emperor changed the subject, she knew that he was probably really angry at this moment, so she planned to drink the cup of brown rice and coix seed soup that Songzhi poured out.

As soon as the brown rice and barley soup entered her mouth, Concubine Su almost vomited it out. The brown rice was not cooked enough and was very difficult to swallow. Concubine Su felt like she had drunk a cup of pot washing water.

But Concubine Su also knew that she must not act rashly at this time, otherwise the emperor would really get tired of her, so she had to suppress her nausea and drank the brown rice and barley soup in one gulp. Then she looked at Nian Shilan and said with a fake smile, "Thank you very much, Queen, for your kindness."

Nian Shilan raised her eyebrows and said, "It's okay, Songzhi, continue to pour for Concubine Su, and let Concubine Su drink up the whole pot."

Songzhi was also very happy and continued to pour cup after cup for Concubine Su. Until the fourth cup, Concubine Su could no longer bear it and ran outside the hall to vomit.

The emperor, Nian Shilan and An Lingrong were in the bedroom, and could still hear Concubine Su's very uncomfortable vomiting sounds. Nian Shilan did not move, but a hint of pride flashed in his eyes.

After the sound of Concubine Su vomiting outside disappeared, Nian Shilan slowly told Songzhi, "Okay, don't let Concubine Su come back again. Bring this pot of brown rice and barley soup to Concubine Su as well, and tell her to drink a few more cups if she feels unwell."

Songzhi smiled secretly and went out with the brown rice and barley soup.

After Concubine Su left, Nian Shilan glanced at the emperor and An Lingrong, and said casually, "Okay, I'm going back now. Rongpin, please help the emperor go to bed."

The emperor was a little panicked when he saw Nian Shilan was about to leave. He quickly stood up and said, "It's getting dark outside and the dew is heavy. I'm worried. I'll go back with you."

Nian Shilan glanced at An Lingrong, but An Lingrong bowed calmly and said, "Your Majesty is right. I respectfully send you off, and the Empress."

Nian Shilan nodded and walked out of the Yanx Palace first, followed by the emperor.

The two of them rode in a sedan chair in silence all the way until they returned to the bedroom of Changle Palace. Nian Shilan still had a stern face and ignored the emperor.

The emperor hugged Nian Shilan with amusement, "Well, you have already punished Concubine Su, why are you still not happy?"

Nian Shilan sat in the emperor's arms, staring at him with burning eyes, and said seriously: "Your Majesty, do you know why I punished Concubine Su today?"

The emperor was stunned by Nian Shilan's question, and then asked jokingly: "Aren't you worried that she will snatch me away?"

(Nian Shilan rolled her eyes: You are just kidding. If it wasn’t for the legitimate promotion of An Lingrong, why would I bother such a person in the middle of the night?)

Nian Shilan shook her head. "I am not angry with her because I am worried that the emperor will be snatched away by her. I know how the emperor feels about me."

The emperor touched Nian Shilan's abdomen and said helplessly, "If that's the case, why are you still angry with her? Although she is a little superficial and arrogant, she is still lovely."

Nian Shilan said in a serious tone: "The emperor thought that he was just indulging Concubine Su a few times, but he didn't expect that everyone in the harem would follow suit in the future. People like Rongpin will inevitably feel resentful over time, and people like Concubine Su will become arrogant because of their favor. If one palace is not at peace, then the harem will not be at peace. If this goes on for a long time, it will lead to a disaster."

The emperor was shocked when he heard what Nian Shilan said, then he remembered Noble Lady Fucha tonight and nodded, saying, "Shilan, what you said is very sensible. As you said, I should give Noble Lady Su a light punishment and comfort Concubine Rong."

Nian Shilan didn't say anything else. The emperor pondered for a moment, "Shilan, what do you think I should give Rongpin to comfort her?"

Nian Shilan smiled and said, "Your Majesty will have to worry about these things. I have been feeling a little tired these days and want to take a break."

The emperor looked at her with amusement, and then said, "Now there are only Huifei, Jingfei and Mifei left among the four concubines. I should promote the old ladies in the palace and bring them more happiness."

Nian Shilan still didn't answer, and the emperor didn't care. He hugged Nian Shilan and returned to the couch.

Early the next morning, the emperor's decree came from the harem. Concubine Su was punished to copy the palace rules three times, while An Lingrong was promoted to Concubine Rong.

When paying their respects, the concubines in the harem looked at An Lingrong with eyes full of envy and jealousy. An Lingrong pretended not to hear anything and respectfully bowed to Nian Shilan before sitting back in her seat.

Coincidentally, just as An Lingrong sat down, she saw Concubine Su walking into the hall with a pale face.