Concubine Chen was in high spirits after obtaining something good. After causing a ruckus in the palace, she found an excuse that she was feeling unwell and summoned the imperial physician to examine the prescription.
Unexpectedly, the imperial physician was greatly shocked after seeing it. "My lady, why on earth do you want to delay your menstrual cycle? It's not good for your health."
"This is a prescription to delay the menstrual cycle?" Concubine Chen's eyes lit up, and she asked again.
Seeing that she really seemed to want to use it, the imperial physician quickly tried to dissuade her.
"Yes, this prescription is used to delay a woman's menstrual cycle. It's generally used to regulate women with irregular periods. You, my lady, are in good health. You don't need this."
Concubine Chen held the prescription, a smug smile creeping onto her face. "Imperial physician, there's no need to panic. I won't use it. I'm just curious."
"That's good," the imperial physician heaved a sigh of relief. "After using this prescription, you have to take the medicine continuously. Otherwise, your menstrual cycle will become even more irregular. You can only stop taking the medicine on a specific day."
"So that's how it is. Thank you, imperial physician." Concubine Chen tucked the prescription into her sleeve.
"I haven't been sleeping well these days. Please prescribe some calming medicine for me, imperial physician."
She couldn't let Concubine Jia be on guard. It was safer to get a few prescriptions.
"Yes, I'll write the prescription right away."
The imperial physician responded and left the main hall. Only after he left did Concubine Chen take out the prescription for delaying the menstrual cycle from her sleeve.
Concubine Jia, just wait. The Dragon Boat Festival banquet will be your doom.
False pregnancy to gain favor. The evidence is conclusive. Once you're sent to the Cold Palace, I'll have countless ways to torture you!
With this crucial evidence, Concubine Chen eagerly anticipated the arrival of the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.
Everyone thought they were in control of the situation, but little did they know that they were just marionettes manipulated by those in power.
...
No one knew why, but this year's Dragon Boat Festival banquet was more grand than last year's.
Concubine De often took the list to the Palace of Gathered Elegance these days.
The queen frowned deeply when she saw the account book. Her dissatisfied gaze was fixed on Concubine De. "These expenditures are completely unnecessary. Those concubines of low rank have neither favor nor family background. There's no need for them to eat such fine food."
"Moreover, these fruits are all fresh. There's no need to give them to those concubines. Just pick some ordinary fruits and put them on the table."
"Why use such high - quality mahogany for the palace renovation? The Azure Cloud Palace is renovated every year. Ordinary wood is enough for the repair. Why go through so much trouble?"
In just a short while, the queen had pointed out many problems in the account book. The more she talked, the deeper Concubine De frowned.
Was this the demeanor of the mother of the nation?
Such stinginess. It was really unseemly.
Seeing that she was about to say more, Concubine De coldly spoke up. "Your Majesty the Queen, how much more expenditure do you want to cut?"
The words the queen was about to say got stuck in her throat. She squinted her eyes dissatisfiedly. "When I'm speaking, you seem to have gotten addicted to interrupting me."
"Your Majesty the Queen, although concubines have different ranks, they are all the emperor's wives and the objects served by the imperial kitchen and the Household Department. Why cut off the fruits and food that are due to their ranks?"
"Moreover, why not use good wood for the renovation of the Azure Cloud Palace? By being so stingy and renovating it every year, there will be this expenditure every year. Why not use the best wood from the beginning so that there's no need to allocate silver for renovation in the following years?"
"Your Majesty the Queen, it's no use making the account book look good. Since the money has been spent, it should be spent properly. Otherwise, it's all in vain. I'm afraid the emperor won't be happy."
Concubine De was not at all afraid of this queen. If she had wanted to, the phoenix throne would have been hers back then.
Doing such things now, she really didn't deserve to be the queen.
Seeing her unfriendly tone, the queen was so angry that her chest heaved. Her hand painted with bright red nail polish pointed straight at her.
"Concubine De! How dare you be so disrespectful!"
Concubine De smiled faintly. Her eyes were as cold as ice formed from snow - water. "I'm being disrespectful today. I'll surely strive for what the sisters in the palace deserve. And of course, I'll also save money for the emperor when it's appropriate."
"Your Majesty the Queen, why not just listen to me? Such a grand Dragon Boat Festival banquet can't afford any mistakes."
Concubine De rarely smiled on normal days. Now, looking at the queen, a mocking smile curled up on her lips.
It was just like many years ago when she and Gu Qingluo had subtly targeted her. But she never took these clowns to heart. It would only waste her time.
Now, it was the same. In her eyes, although the person in front of her was the queen, she still couldn't shed her selfish and ruthless nature from back then.
The queen was about to say something when Concubine De got up with a smile and took the account book out of her hand. "If Your Majesty has nothing else to say, I'll take this bill to the emperor for his review."
Without giving any face, she took the bill and left.
Watching her departing back, the queen was so angry that she threw a teacup. Concubine De paused and said with a smile. "Your Majesty the Queen, don't get too angry. Don't be like back then, fainting from anger when you knew I was going to be the Crown Princess."
The queen's eyes widened, and she couldn't help but recall what had happened back then.
It was embarrassing. That was the most embarrassing moment of her life.
Qingzhu quickly came in to clean up the mess. She didn't dare to offer any consolation and could only silently clean up and prepare to leave.
"What a Concubine De, using what happened back then to anger me. She really doesn't put me in her eyes at all!" the queen gritted her teeth.
So what if she was the Crown Princess back then? She still lost her reputation. Now, sitting on the phoenix throne was Gu Ruoli!
On this side, Concubine De took the bill to the Hall of Heavenly Peace.
When Li Dahai saw her coming, he announced her arrival and led her in.
As soon as she entered, when she saw the two familiar figures, Concubine De froze on the spot. The account book in her hand fell to the ground with a dull thud.
The people in front turned around to look at her when they heard the sound.
It seemed as if the world had fallen silent. All Concubine De could see was the person she had been longing for day and night. After not seeing him for so many years, his once green and innocent face had become mature and three - dimensional, and his frail scholar's body had transformed into a tall and imposing one.
Concubine De's eyes were red with tears streaming down like broken beads. She didn't dare to move or blink, afraid that it was just an illusion.
"Greetings to Your Majesty Concubine De."
"Greetings, elder sister."
The familiar voices pulled her back to reality. Hearing the address of "Your Majesty Concubine De", the painful sobs in her chest almost burst out, but she managed to hold them back.
"Greetings to Lord Sheng," she choked back her sobs and then looked at her younger brother Xia Yuan beside him. "How have you been these days?"
"Don't worry, sister. I'm doing well." Xia Yuan saw that she wasn't thin and felt relieved.
After saying that, she didn't dare to speak anymore, afraid that her voice would be filled with uncontrollable sobs if she did.
Concubine De bit her lip, picked up the bill that Li Dahai had picked up, and took a step forward.
Under the burning gazes, her feet felt as if they were filled with lead and were difficult to move.
"Your Majesty... This is the account book for the Dragon Boat Festival banquet that I discussed with Her Majesty the Queen. Please take a look." Concubine De presented the account book. She didn't dare to look up at anyone's expressions.
Di Yunjian glanced at Sheng Guqing beside him and reluctantly took the account book from Concubine De's hand. He had finally managed to get him into the capital, and this was what he did?
Di Yunjian's eyes fell on the account book, and he nodded in satisfaction. "Very good. Have someone quietly send this account book to the Guanghan Palace for the imperial noble concubine to take a look. I have important matters to attend to later. I've prepared a feast for you. Consider it a family dinner. Don't be拘束."
This was deliberately creating an opportunity for the two of them.