A few days after the Western Mission left, General Pei took his men back to the Western Frontier, and Shen Lan also went with him. For him, the battlefield was much more intimate than the capital.
The day Shen Lan left, Shen Huan still didn't go to see her off. She was afraid that if she softened her heart, she would beg her brother not to leave, but she also knew that to make her brother happy, she had to let him go where he wanted to go. Can I silently wish my brother peace in my heart?
As soon as the army left, a heated discussion began in the court. The hot topic was whether to take the initiative to send troops to the Western Kingdom.
One group believes that the West is in peace talks in name, but has gone back on its word, which is an insult to our country. It should take the initiative to march and teach a lesson. The other group believes that it has finally stopped fighting and there is no need to fight again.
In the end, Xichen did not take the initiative to use troops against the Western Frontier on the grounds that "I will not invade others unless they attack me", but ordered General Pei to station troops on guard, while the Western Kingdom did not move its troops. They faced this far away across Huiyan Pass.
The border area returned to calm for a while, but the harem was turbulent. Since Xichen favored Xianya and named her an honorary concubine, he seemed to like her very much. He even summoned her for three days in a row. Everyone in the harem was stunned. Someone took the initiative to flatter her and wanted to We are on good terms with each other, but some people are so jealous that their faces turn green.
Three consecutive days of grace, this is an honor that the new emperor has never had since he ascended the throne.
However, only the person involved knows that Xichen Zhaoxing is elegant and has nothing to do with men and women. She is just drinking tea, chatting, reading and writing.
Shen Huan also knew about this matter. Xichen said that he liked the elegant and calm temperament and was indifferent to him. He was not as inviting as other concubines, which made him admire him very much.
Xianya was silent to others, but she also revealed her true thoughts about Xichen to Shen Huan. She smiled lightly and said: "The emperor treats me quite well, he is very gentle, and he does not force me to do anything. I am very grateful from the bottom of my heart." "
Shen Wen was very suspicious. If Xianya wanted to be favored in the first place, why didn't she invite him? Did she know that Xichen liked a noble woman? But based on her understanding of Xichen, if she saw the shadow of her sister in Xianya, Then he should see it too. Doesn't he dislike women like his sister very much?
After another month of observation, Xichen slept alone for ten days, and on the eighth day he summoned concubine Xing Rong, Concubine Fu four times, Concubine Pei twice, Concubine Qing twice, Li Wanyi twice, and Pang Guiren once. Qi Guiren, like Yang Chang, was waiting for her, and could not see Jun Yan even once, and Rong Concubine spent too many days in bed, which attracted a few people's attention.
In addition to the Emperor, the Queen Mother was also very satisfied with Rong Bin after being summoned. An old lady like the Queen Mother likes a well-educated lady like Rong Bin. In addition, her father has a high position and is therefore almost exclusively doting on her. Just turn a blind eye
On this day, Shen Huan went to Jingyi Palace to see Xian Ya. Outside the door were Xue Ling's two girls waiting. She knew that Xue Ling was also inside, so she slowed down slightly. As soon as she walked in, she heard Xue Ling's voice. With sobs, he said in a low voice: "Sister, please help my sister! My sister has not seen the emperor for this month. If my sister falls out of favor, my father will probably anger my mother..."
Shen Huan frowned. Xichen was originally very kind to Xue Ling and even took her with him when hunting. Now he is really tired of it. Although Xue Ling's temperament is weak, it is too... She now openly begs Xian Ya to help her. , but how can we help her?
Just listen to Xianya Rourou ask: "Sister, I don't know something. In fact, the emperor and I..."
Shen Huan hurriedly coughed lightly and walked in with a smile and said: "Who doesn't know that sister, you and the emperor have a deep friendship! The emperor often told me that sister, you are chaste, quiet and virtuous, and you are a model among women!"
Xian Ya glanced at her with a hint of anger, but when she saw her winking at him, she suddenly realized that she had almost told Xueling the truth just now. The emperor had warned her not to let others know about it. Shen Huan only knew about it. It is best not to know among the concubines
Xian Ya laughed sarcastically and hurriedly came over to greet her: "Ah Huan is here, come in and sit down."
Xue Ling wiped her tears quickly, stood up and said with a smile: "Sister Ah Huan, please talk to your sister, I will go back soon."
Shen Wen smiled and said, "Why is it that when I come, my sister has to leave?"
Xueling said forcefully: "I'm only halfway done with the sewing I was thinking about doing, so go and finish it now so that you don't worry about it."
Shen Huan didn't say anything. Xianya sent her out and came back and said to Shen Huan: "Fortunately you came in time, otherwise I would have told her."
Shen Huan said: "Although my sister regards Xue Ling as a sister, she still has a close relationship. If I tell her about this, I'm afraid it will hurt her."
Xianya pursed her lips and smiled and said: "I understand. You said we are close and close. You know this, but do you understand how close we are?"
Shen Huan held her arm and smiled: "My sister and I must be the closest."
Xian Ya patted her on the back, Shen Huan acted coquettishly for a while, and said seriously: "If you ask me, the emperor is too careless, putting my sister at the cusp of the wind, just in case someone else gets red-eyed and treats my sister. unfavorable……"
Xianya sighed: "I know what you are saying. This is also the reason why I didn't want to be favored before! I don't want to fight, but...it always reminds people of the saying that things happen when things don't work out."
Shen Huan held her hand and smiled and said: "Sister, don't worry too much. You should be more careful here, and I will help you with the load. If possible, I would advise the emperor not to take you too seriously." She paused He paused, his expression calmed, and said, "In this harem, the most hated person is the person closest to the emperor."
In the past, she was the person closest to the emperor, but after all she had the status of Shang Yi. Even so, there were still people like Xia Zhaoyi who wanted to kill her. Moreover, now Xian Ya is the favorite concubine of the harem, and her status is not too high, so, Just be more careful
Xianya thought for a while and said dullly: "I really can't figure out why the emperor would do this to me."
Shen Huan said in a deep voice: "Sister, have you ever thought that it was the concubine Fu who was the most valued by the emperor before?"
Xianya was stunned and said: "Indeed, before I was favored, the emperor's favorite was the concubine Fu."
Shen Huan nodded and said: "At that time, the emperor revealed that he wanted to support Concubine Fu to contain Concubine Qing and Concubine Pei, but now the emperor's attention is on my sister. After thinking about it carefully, I feel that my sister is indeed more powerful than Concubine Qing. Fu concubine is a more suitable candidate.”
"Why?"
"First, because my sister's father is very famous in the court, and the emperor can win over her. Second, because of the relationship between Concubine Fu and the Queen Mother. If the Queen Mother favors Concubine Fu, even if the emperor allows her to restrain the two concubines, she will inevitably Not easy to control”
Xianya was surprised: "You mean, the emperor wants me to replace Fu's concubine to check and balance the harem?"
Shen Huan nodded and said: "Based on my understanding of the Emperor, this should be correct."
Xianya lowered her head and said nothing, but then she saw Huazhi walking in. Seeing the two of them talking here, she said: "It's really strange. Xue Ling was still outside just now. I asked her to come in but she refused. She went back. Look. I don’t know what happened to my face that was full of tears. I thought Sister Xianya had rested, but it turned out that Ah Hui was here too."
Shen Huan and Xian Ya looked at each other, and for some reason, they felt a little uneasy in their hearts. When they were about to speak, Xian Ya smiled and said, "She was probably listening to our conversation and was too embarrassed to come in to disturb us. It's okay."
Since she said that, it was inconvenient for Shen Huan to say anything more and just let it go.
(ps: The fifth update is over today, thank you all for subscribing and supporting, good night)