On the other side, at Lanfangyuan.
At this moment, Yaoji was completely unable to calm down. She had already decided to use the Western Regions Glass Rattlesnake to kill the Empress Dongfang Yi, who always spoiled her plans. However, when she went out today, she found that the entire Empress's Palace was surrounded by realgar. There was no gap for the snake to crawl in.
It seemed that they already knew that Concubine Lian had been killed by a snake, and they might even have suspected her. This was the first time she panicked. In the harem of the Dongsheng Kingdom, she was all alone, while that woman had the most powerful backing.
She admitted that she was jealous. Since she was born, she had been used by everyone. First, she was used by her mother concubine. Her excellence made her the most favored concubine of the emperor. Then, she was used by her father and sent to this strange dynasty. She had no choice but to strive to survive.
Thinking of this, the hatred in her heart deepened uncontrollably. Why could that woman easily get what she wanted without any effort, while she couldn't?
After a long sigh, she knew that even if she was extremely angry now, there was nothing she could do. The only thing she could do now was to come up with a foolproof plan to let the Western Regions Glass Snake poison the Empress without anyone suspecting her.
So she closed her eyes and thought for a while. Soon, she thought of a candidate, and a cruel smile couldn't help but curl up on her lips.
On the other side, in Concubine Chu's palace.
Concubine Chu had been quite honest recently. After the events at the hunting ground and Concubine Lian's death a few days ago, she knew she couldn't be high - profile anymore. So she could only quietly wait for Nangong Liuyun to return to the capital. By then, she would settle all old and new scores with whoever it was. She would never let go of the person who had plotted against her.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but let out a cold snort. She heard that Dongfang Yi was extremely favored recently. It seemed that she had even bewitched the emperor's soul. She wondered what was so special about that woman that the emperor liked her so much. Could it be that she had used some kind of sorcery?
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but recall that night when she was hurt by the aphrodisiac. She still couldn't forget the ugly face of that soldier. Just thinking about it made her want to vomit. She thought it was good that Concubine Lian was dead. In this way, no one would know this secret anymore. Let it be buried with that woman. So she stood up and took out the remaining aphrodisiac from the cabinet beside her and smashed it hard on the ground.
She would never use such a dirty thing again.
Concubine Chu still didn't know until now that her loss of virginity had been deliberately planned by Concubine Lian, and this secret had not been buried. Because Concubine Lian had told this secret to the Empress before she died.
Later, this incident would stir up a bloodbath, but these were all things to come.
Another night passed peacefully. There were only two days left until Chinese New Year's Eve. The atmosphere of the New Year in the palace became even stronger. Even the little maids tied a red string in their hair buns in order to bring good luck. Everywhere in the harem was decorated for the New Year.
There was a constant stream of people coming and going in Dongfang Yi's palace these two days. Most of them came to seek good fortune, and some had heard of the interesting poker game and wanted to play it.
Dongfang Yi deeply felt that the harem really needed some games. Just a simple poker game made them so excited. It was a pity that Mr. Shen wasn't here. Otherwise, she really wanted to make a few more decks of poker and some mahjong sets. Then the whole palace would be full of fun.
Thinking of this, she couldn't help but let out a long sigh and then said, "Hey, why doesn't Shen Fu want to stay in the palace anymore?"
Upon hearing this, Donghua couldn't help but burst out laughing, as if she had heard a joke. She thought to herself that the Empress still didn't realize that it wasn't that Shen Fu didn't want to stay in the palace. Obviously, the emperor had driven him out. As for the reason, wasn't it because the Empress was too close to him and the emperor was jealous?
"What are you giggling about?!" Dongfang Yi asked, squinting at her.
"Cough, cough. I'm not laughing at anything. I'm just happy because the weather outside is so nice!" She gave a dry laugh and replied. She didn't dare to say too much. If she said too much, she would offend the emperor. If she said too little, she would make the Empress unhappy. It was better to act as if she knew nothing and seek peace.
Suddenly, there came a shout from outside the palace: "The maids from the Laundry Bureau are here to pay their respects!"
Immediately afterwards, there was a rustling sound of footsteps. Then a group of people came in. They were all holding a tray in their hands, on which were all kinds of miscellaneous things.
"Your servant pays respects to the Empress. May the Empress be in good health and safety!" The leading old maid bowed and said.
"Get up. What's the matter, Granny?" Dongfang Yi asked, a bit puzzled.
"The Empress is joking. Every New Year, the Empress has to prepare new clothes for the New Year's banquet. Your servant is here to deliver the new clothes!" The old maid said, bowing her head respectfully. Then she waved her hand, indicating the maids from the Laundry Bureau behind her to unfold the newly - made robes.
As soon as Dongfang Yi heard about the new clothes, she felt a headache. Thinking of the heavy clothes she had to wear when she went to the court last time, she still felt a heavy pressure on her shoulders when she recalled it.
The newly - made robe was unfolded, and the granny stood on one side of it and began to explain.
"This robe has been sewn by the entire Laundry Bureau for a month. The emperor even gave us a strict order in advance that the robe must be light. Now this robe is all made of peacock feathers and gilded threads. It feels as light as nothing when worn on the body."
After listening to her introduction, Dongfang Yi immediately became interested. She immediately ran over and touched it. She only felt that the fabric of the robe was extremely thin, not as heavy as before. She was immediately overjoyed.
After all, she wasn't someone who didn't like beautiful clothes. On the contrary, she liked them very much. But she really couldn't bear clothes that were too heavy. Now that this robe was both beautiful and light, how could she not be happy?
So she waved her hand and said, "Reward the Laundry Bureau!"
Then the old maid led the others to thank the Empress and withdrew from the Empress's Palace.
Still standing in the same place, Dongfang Yi looked at the robes placed not far away and recalled what the old maid had just said. It was Helian Qi who had said in advance a month ago that he wanted to customize a light robe.
A warm feeling welled up in her heart. She knew that he always planned things for her early and always kept her in his heart.
Even Donghua beside her nodded and sighed with emotion, "The emperor is really dedicated to the Empress!"