The First Empress - Chapter 64

Chapter 64 She Is the Uncrowned King
The Empress had already stopped. The palace gate opened and all the concubines outside Kun De Palace entered.

Ji Zhuhua sat in the painting hall. She did not lose her usual elegance and grace. All the concubines hurriedly knelt down to greet her. Only after kneeling three times and knocking nine times did they stand up one by one.

“Don’t stand there anymore. Today should be a day for fun. Everyone, don’t be so formal.” After he finished speaking, he waved his hand and the concubines sat down according to their seats. For a time, the inner hall was completely silent. This was rare. Ji Zhuhua coughed and spread out a booklet that he had already written. “There are as many concubines as there aren’t. It can be seen that the harem is much weaker than before.” With another wave of his hand, Pei Lan, who was beside him, received the booklet and handed it to Huang Quan.

Huang Quan recited the spots for the awards, and Linglong was undoubtedly ranked first.

Ji Zhuhua did not know if he was intentionally or carelessly wearing a string of beads from the South China Sea on Linglong’s neck in front of all the concubines. “Bu Jieyu helped me and Consort De. Although she is a fifth-grade Jieyu, this bead is not a disappointment.”

Linglong looked at the pearl carefully. The pearls were full and round. There was a bright luster in the light. Coincidentally, a bit of fluorescence appeared in the pearl. Linglong knew that it was all luminous pearls. Such a string of luminous pearls could not be said to be very precious. Perhaps even a city could be bought.

Linglong hurriedly knelt on the ground, took down the rosary, and respectfully raised it to the height above her head, “Your Highness, although Linglong helped Your Highness, it was just a fluke. This concubine did not dare to give birth to the bead, so I beg Your Highness to take it back.”

The corner of Ning Guta’s mouth tilted. “Sister Jieyu, don’t you hear the words’ The Venerable One bestows, you can’t leave ‘? Since it’s the goodwill of the Empress, even Sister Heshi Bi, Jieyu, can’t refuse.”

Linglong smiled bitterly. Ji Zhuhua nodded thoughtfully and said, “This concubine deserves it. Giving red powder to a beauty is not wrong. However, this concubine probably hasn’t reached such a stage yet. This concubine really doesn’t dare to bow down to her. Wait until this concubine …” ‘”I know what you’re thinking. Jieyu, you’re the first person to be rewarded. If you can’t accept it, then you’re the first person who can’t accept it. Doesn’t today’s matter make it difficult for me to ride a tiger?”

Linglong was inexplicably shocked. She did not understand Ji Zhuhua’s intentions at all. For a moment, she felt as if she was stabbing herself in the back. She could only nod her head when she heard this. “Then this concubine has no choice but to bow down. Please don’t give such precious things to this concubine next time. This concubine was originally a disgraceful person. When the time comes, it would be unfair to disappoint her phoenix intent.”

Only then did Ji Zhuhua nod his head, “This time, I will naturally know what to give you in the future.”

Linglong nodded and sat down on the seat. Chen Chongyi’s gaze fell. Seeing the worry and reminder in her eyes, Linglong secretly nodded.

Unexpectedly, after their gazes met, Ji Zhuhua waved his hand and stopped chanting, “There’s another person who needs to be rewarded, Chen Chongyi.”

Everyone knew that Chen Chongyi had always been in harmony with the rest of the world. It was as if she had completely disappeared silently. Yet, she was actually rewarded as well?

Linglong’s heart was like a drum beating. She didn’t know what Ji Zhuhua meant today, but Ji Zhuhua had her own reasons. “Chen Chongyi is virtuous and peaceful. She doesn’t participate in open and secret battles. This is naturally very good. I hope Chen Chongyi can continue to maintain it.”

Chen Chongyi worriedly received the reward. Linglong hadn’t figured out what this meant, However, she only felt a storm dragging her and the people around her into the depths of the sea. She adjusted her breathing and listened to Eunuch Huang’s recitation. Her voice was cadence. As expected, neither on the list of rewards nor on the list of final lectures was there a single person-Li Chongyuan.

Was this person forgotten just like that?

Linglong was searching for the forgotten Li Chongyuan in the crowd. Li Chongyuan was even wearing festive clothes today, but the corner was as if she hadn’t seen the light for a long time. It seemed that the festive clothes were so out of tune, as if black hair had fallen into the dust. He clearly knew that there was a strand of hair inside, but he couldn’t find it.

Li Chongyuan’s eyes also saw Linglong’s side. Linglong nodded, and Li Chongyuan nodded as well. However, she quickly lowered her head.

If it weren’t for today’s routine, Li Chongyuan probably wouldn’t have gone out. Such a failed mother would have been forgotten very quickly.

Thinking of this, Linglong felt that her humanity was cold and thin. After the Empress reprimanded her, she let out a sigh of relief.

Ji Zhuhua also looked tired, sweating profusely as he was supported into the inner hall by Pei Lan and Zhu Qing.

Everyone was about to leave. Linglong arrived at Chen Chongyi’s place. Chen Chongyi sighed helplessly. Linglong shook her head slightly. Both of them felt a little helpless.

Chen Chongyi reached out to grab Linglong’s wrist and slightly increased her strength. It was as if she was reminding Linglong that it was good to have a high position and weight. It was even better to have people’s green eyes. If the two were fused together and fused into one person’s body, it would be the worst of all.

Linglong naturally knew that there was a little too much of an uproar today. After her reward had passed, everyone’s reward was so dull. Ji Zhuhua’s words were full of favoritism and exaggeration towards her. Linglong was helpless. She had already prepared to be regarded as a thorn in her side.

However, Chen Chongyi was innocent.

Linglong didn’t dare to imagine whether the Empress had unintentionally rewarded him or not. When Huang Quan waved Fuchen and prepared to leave, Linglong immediately called Huang Quan. She looked at the book and saw that Chen Chongyi’s name was not there. At this time, her hands and feet couldn’t help but turn cold. What exactly did all this mean? Linglong didn’t dare to think …

“Empress Jieyu hasn’t left yet. Fortunately, Empress Jieyu sent word for her to go into the inner hall.” Perrin came out to send a message. Linglong could only let go of Chen Chongyi’s hand and enter the inner hall.

The Empress lay high and could tell that she was exhausted. Yesterday, Ji Zhu Hua went to bed late and got up early today. But she had so many things to do in the morning. She was so busy that she couldn’t hold on any longer and almost fainted.

“It’s good that you’re here,” Ji Zhuhua forced himself to sit up, and Pei Lan placed a pillow behind Ji Zhuhua. “Sit down.”

Linglong felt uneasy and could only be nervous. Ji Zhuhua waved his hand and said, “Sit down. There are only me and you here. I know what you’re thinking.” Ji Zhuhua’s eyes were like diamonds, and she could see what she was thinking at any time.

“Do you think the reward just now was too extravagant? The Emperor warned you not to be too extravagant. Are you worried that you won’t accept it?” As expected, Ji Zhuhua was decisive. Linglong nodded her head repeatedly. “Of course, I like beads. However, I don’t know how long it takes for so many small night pearls to be collected by fishermen from the South China Sea. Furthermore, I have to polish them exactly the same. I know that these beads are worth more than ten million gold, so I don’t dare to bow down to them.”

Ji Zhuhua nodded. His expression was as gentle as a gardenia blossom. “Your considerations are good. I just want people to know what kind of rewards and punishments are. You don’t need to feel guilty anymore. Just take it.”

Linglong naturally knew that she couldn’t return it, so she could only nod her head. However, Ji Zhuhua said, “This palace still wants to tell you. Little sister Jieyu, put on that bead properly and let all the concubines have a look.”

‘”This” Linglong was too embarrassed. Wearing such pearls every day was simply a kind of abnormal show-off. She could not and did not dare to openly make enemies with all the women like this.

Ji Zhuhua did not seem to feel Linglong’s slight protest. He nodded and said, “Do you think this is inappropriate?”

Linglong nodded heavily.

Ji Zhuhua smiled and said, “Do you really think this pearl is meant for me alone? Think about it, how could I give you such a valuable item without the Emperor’s instructions?”

Only then did Linglong understand what she had been thinking all along. She also said that if it wasn’t for the Emperor’s instructions, who would dare to give gifts like this, but wouldn’t it be a bit too much to show off every day?

Sure enough, Ji Zhuhua still had some words to say, “Don’t be afraid of others talking nonsense. You should learn more from them if you have the time to talk nonsense.”

Linglong could only nod. Ji Zhuhua looked at Linglong’s delicate face and asked, “Does the Emperor often stay in your palace these days?”

Linglong nodded and Ji Zhuhua continued to ask, “Did you serve the Emperor well?”

Linglong stared back in astonishment. Was there someone else who was spouting nonsense?

“I will do my best. I do not dare to disobey.” Linglong was a little scared. The Empress’ eyes were still as clear as water just now, but now they were as cold and fierce as stars.

Ji Zhuhua nodded. “This palace doesn’t mean that. What this palace means is that there hasn’t been any movement from you. It’s been such a long time, haha.”

It was rare to see Ji Zhuhua smiling, so Linglong was relieved and nodded, “Perhaps it’s not the time yet.” As he spoke, his face flushed fiercely, and he hurriedly turned his face away.

Ji Zhuhua fell into a brief contemplation again, but the shadow of his contemplation quickly disappeared. “Yes, there are people who are happy and there are people who are worried. What happens in the new year should also make people happy.” At this point, Ji Zhuhua’s dark eyes glowed, “Have someone send something good to Concubine Heshu in the prison of the Ministry of Justice.”

When Linglong heard this, she raised her eyes slightly and said, “Imperial Concubine He Shu is still in custody?”

Ji Zhu Hua had intentionally or unintentionally mentioned that He Shu Fei had already made Ling Long a little surprised by Ji Zhu Hua’s intentions. At this time, she had actually shown a kind and detached nature, so she was naturally even more puzzled.

After a while, Pei Lan came back, and presumably the items had already been delivered. Ji Zhuhua asked, “Are you back?”

Pei Lan nodded. “If I return to the Empress, Imperial Concubine He Shu has seen that food is really wolfing down. This is the Buddhist scriptures and the Female Analects of Confucius that Imperial Concubine He Shu copied over the past few days.” The Empress took it over and handed it to Linglong. Linglong looked at the paper. The paper was so rough that it made Imperial Concubine He Shu’s handwriting look crooked. It should be written in the darkness.

The handwriting seemed to be very hard to write, and there was a hint of hay mixed with sandalwood fragrance on the paper.

“It’s also good for He Shufei to copy the Diamond Sutra. The Diamond Sutra, Wukong. If He Shufei had known the subtle method of reality without form earlier, she wouldn’t have reached this stage today.” Ji Zhuhua sighed and placed the Diamond Sutra on the table.

She didn’t dare to ask the Empress whether it was enough to punish He Shufei like this. She just felt that the Empress was doing this as if it was a coincidence, but it was also a bit dramatic.

“What’s on your mind?” Ji Zhuhua asked.

“This concubine is thinking that Concubine Heshu will definitely regret it.” Linglong quickly prevaricated.

“Whether you regret it or not is her business. If you have time, you can visit Concubine Heshu. It’s just that the dungeon is dirty. Don’t dirty yourself.” Ji Zhuhua’s tone became so cold that she nodded her head.

However, the Empress changed the topic and said, “It’s better not to go. The dungeon is still dirty. I’m afraid you will dirty yourself.”

“Yes.”