Yuqiongyin

Xie Chenning stayed in Lingguang Temple for seven days before slowly returning to the palace in a carriage.

It was a sunny summer day, so she took people for a walk in the imperial garden.

In the clear pond, there are fields of lotus leaves and graceful lotus flowers. The breeze blows by, bringing bursts of fragrance.

After watching for a while, I saw a large group of people walking towards me.

The ceremony was quite grand, with many accompanying persons, and was no less grand than that of the Queen's outing.

Xie Chenning stopped and looked at the woman in the lead. Nanny Lu beside her whispered, "Your Highness, this is the Emperor's newly appointed Consort Ming."

She looked at the woman in the lead, who was wearing a white dress with intricate embroidery and a fancy head decoration.

Looking up slightly, one can see that she has a pretty face, a rosy face, affectionate eyes, a rosy cherry mouth, a pair of willow-shaped eyebrows that seem to be frowned but not frowned, and sparkling eyes, as if she wants to say something but cannot.

Her eyebrows are curved, and her every frown and smile is full of tenderness, as if she will cry at the next moment.

Ming Fei, is the woman that Wei Ming holds dearest in his heart?

According to the information obtained through investigation, the woman's name was Mu Ni, and Wei Ming met her by chance.

Unfortunately, Concubine Ming met Wei Ming at the wrong time, and was later discovered by the Queen Mother, who asked her to accompany her as a palace maid.

In this way, Mu Ni accompanied him year after year without any name, status or regrets, and it was not until a month ago that she was promoted to the position of concubine.

It can be said that what I wished for was fulfilled.

Xie Chenning naturally didn't think about anything, he just stood there quietly.

Ming Fei Mu Ni also obviously saw her. She twisted her body and walked over without bowing.

The maidservant who was serving Concubine Ming scolded her: "How dare you! You don't even show respect to my young mistress?!"

It was no wonder that they were not able to recognize that this was the Queen, because Xie Chenning was dressed extremely simply today.

She was wearing a purple robe made of fine silk, with a loose style and long flowing sleeves. There was exquisite embroidery at the neckline and white silk trim at the cuffs. The two colors set off each other, making her look more elegant and generous.

As for the chest, there is a pattern of blooming lotus flowers embroidered with golden silk thread, which is lifelike and seems to be emitting bursts of subtle fragrance.

Her long black hair was now tied up high and combed into a simple yet elegant bun. A jade hairpin inlaid with round pearls firmly fixed it, embellishing it just right.

From a distance, if Xie Chenning looked like this, and was said to be just an ordinary concubine in the palace, I'm afraid no one would suspect her.

"I have greeted Her Majesty the Queen. May Her Majesty be blessed with good health."

Before Nanny Lu could say anything, she was interrupted by a charming voice.

Xie Chenning turned her head and saw the jade pendant hanging around her waist swaying gently with her movements, making pleasant sounds.

It was Concubine Lu Daixi. With so many people gathered together, it was really noisy.

Mu Ni reacted quickly and saluted hastily.

"I greet the Empress and the Imperial Concubine. May your Majesty be blessed with good health. I have been feeling unwell recently, and the Emperor has specially exempted me from the formalities. I hope your Majesty will forgive me."

Xie Chenning didn't make any movement, but Imperial Concubine Lu Daixi was a little angry.

This bitch is really spoiled and arrogant, she has no manners at all, and now she is showing off and bragging.

"Oh, since Ming Fei is not feeling well, she should take good care of herself in the palace. But I see that Ming Fei's face is very rosy, and she doesn't look sick. Don't you want to pay respect? Don't you take the Empress seriously?"

As Lu Daixi spoke, his tone was filled with uncontrollable sarcasm.

Mu Ni's expression changed, and then she bit her red lips lightly, tears in her eyes trembling, "Your Highness the Imperial Concubine is right, please forgive me, Your Highness the Queen."

Xie Chenning, who didn't want to get involved in any scandal, immediately waved his hand and said in a calm tone, "If there's nothing else, leave. Since the emperor has given you the position of concubine, you should learn more about the rules to follow."

When Xie Chenning said this, wasn't he simply saying that she didn't know the rules?

Mu Ni looked unhappy, her eyes were red, and tears were about to fall.

Lu Daixi smiled ostentatiously and said, "Don't think you can do whatever you want just because you are favored by the emperor."

Xie Chenning raised a faint smile at the corner of his mouth. Looking at this scene, he felt a little bored. "Madame Lu, I'm tired. Let's go back."

"Yes, ma'am."

Lu Taixi looked at Mu Ni with disdain while holding a handkerchief, then left with a smile.

After the Queen, the Royal Concubine and their entourage left, the entire Imperial Garden immediately returned to its usual tranquility.

Mu Ni stared at Xie Chenning's leaving back, her eyes full of hatred. It was she who took her place.

*

There was peace and tranquility in the imperial study.

But the tranquility was soon broken by the sound of hurried footsteps.

Eunuch Chen walked hurriedly into the imperial study, looking a little panicked.

However, when he saw Wei Ming sitting at the table, frowning over the complicated affairs of the court, Eunuch Chen's heart sank, and he quickly suppressed his anxiety and spoke carefully:

"Your Majesty, someone from Minghua Palace came to report that... Concubine Ming suddenly fainted..."

When Wei Ming heard this, his originally furrowed brows instantly twisted into a deep "川" shape, which was big enough to hold a memorial.

"Hmm, have you asked for the imperial physician? How is Ming Fei doing now?"

Eunuch Chen hurriedly replied, "Your Majesty, the imperial physician has gone to treat her. Concubine Ming has regained consciousness. According to the imperial physician, it was because she was too weak."

Wei Ming's face became increasingly gloomy. After a moment's silence, he said coldly, "Pass on my order. Tell the imperial physician to stay in Minghua Palace. If there are any abnormal situations again, report to me immediately!"

Eunuch Chen nodded repeatedly in agreement, not daring to delay for even a second, and turned around and hurried out to give instructions on the relevant matters.

Wei Ming took a sip of herbal tea and continued to review the memorials in his hand.

Xie Feisi had won a great victory in the battle on the border and was about to return to the capital.

According to what his mother said, he must make plans early.

As night fell, Wei Ming hurried towards Minghua Palace.

When he stepped into the hall, he saw the pale-faced Mu Ni leaning on the bed. A palace maid was holding a bowl of black medicine and feeding her mouthful by mouthful. Mu Ni was swallowing the medicine with difficulty.

Seeing Wei Ming walking in, Mu Ni's originally dull eyes suddenly filled with tears, and tears flowed down like a flood breaking through a dam.

"Your Majesty..." She struggled to stand up and salute, but because her body was too weak, her movements seemed slow and laborious.

She weakly knelt down from the bed, folded her hands in front of her, and lowered her head to greet Wei Ming.

Before she could say anything, Wei Ming rushed forward and reached out to support the staggering Mu Ni.

"I've said that Ni'er is not in good health, so there's no need to go through these empty formalities." Wei Ming's voice was low and gentle, full of concern.

Hearing Wei Ming's words, Mu Ni just nodded weakly in response, but never spoke a word.