Five years after her death, she awoke on the dragon bed.

Chapter 59: Forcing her to steal the emperor's favor, conflict erupts.
Without giving Xie Zhijie a chance to refuse, Murong indeed issued an imperial edict, ordering Xie Zhijie to set off for Jiangnan the next day.

Having received the imperial decree, Xie Zhijie returned to the Xie residence.

Seeing his somber face, Lou Suya assumed something serious had happened: "What's wrong?"

"I will be heading to Jiangnan tomorrow to manage the floods, and I won't be able to return to the capital until June at the earliest," Xie Zhijie said, his eyes deep and thoughtful.

Previously, officials responsible for flood control had been delayed in being appointed, so why was he suddenly being sent to Jiangnan today? He suspected that the new emperor was deliberately sending him away.

"So sudden?" Lou Suya couldn't hide her surprise.

Xie Zhijie's eyes darkened: "His Majesty issued this imperial edict suddenly."

Lou Suya thought for a moment and was optimistic: "If this mission is successful, His Majesty will surely reward us handsomely, which is a good thing."

Xie Zhijie remained silent.

He didn't know when he would be able to return to Beijing after this trip.

If Su Yi stays in the palace, her fate is uncertain. If he were in the palace, he could at least look after her.

Now we can only wait until he returns to the capital to make further plans.

Xie Zhijie had mixed feelings, while Lou Suya couldn't hide her happiness.

Lou Suying is currently in the palace, and I've heard she's going to serve in the Emperor's court, specifically in the Qianqing Palace. Isn't the Southern Study also located in the Qianqing Palace?

Xie Zhijie left the capital, so naturally he had no chance to meet Lou Suyi, which was exactly what she wanted.

Inside the Qianqing Palace, Lou Suyi was completely unaware that Xie Zhijie, that eyesore, had already left the capital.

However, Yunmei, who served Consort De, suddenly approached her, saying that Consort De invited her.

Just then, Murong was discussing state affairs with court officials in the Southern Study, so she went to Changqiu Palace with Jinshu.

Consort De's unusual enthusiasm upon seeing her this time aroused her suspicion.

"I have something I'd like to say to Master Kongchen alone. You may all leave." Consort De dismissed everyone, including Jinshu.

When they were alone, Consort De took Lou Suyi's hand and said, "I heard that the nun has been by His Majesty's side these past few days, and His Majesty values ​​her highly?"

"This humble nun is merely acting on the Empress Dowager's orders to protect His Majesty; I cannot say I hold it in high regard," Lou Suyi replied politely.

“I understand His Majesty’s temperament to some extent. If he hadn’t been willing, you wouldn’t be able to stay and serve in the Emperor’s court. Recently, the Empress Dowager has also taken a liking to me and has even given me some rewards. Since the Empress Dowager values ​​you, we are in the same boat. As long as you side with me, you can have whatever benefits you want.” Consort De didn’t waste any words and directly stated her purpose.

Lou Suying silently withdrew her hand, lowered her eyes, and replied, "This humble nun is a nun, and it is not appropriate for me to get involved in the turmoil of the harem. This humble nun will soon be leaving the capital, and as for other matters, they are beyond this humble nun's ability. I'm afraid I will disappoint Consort De."

Consort De stared at Lou Suyi for a long while, then suddenly clenched her fist and coughed heavily twice: "Does the nun not want to help me win the Emperor's favor anymore?"

Lou Suyi quietly stepped back two steps: "This humble nun does not understand what Consort De means."

Consort De suddenly sneered: "Have you thought it through? Kong Chen, you should know that once you enter the gates of Changqiu Palace, it won't be so easy for you to get out unscathed."

Lou Suyi looked at Consort De with a blank expression.

Consort De suddenly pulled out her hairpin and slapped herself hard across the face: "How dare you, Abbess, poison me?!"

Lou Suying was stunned for a moment, then took two steps back and slapped herself twice in the face before falling heavily to the ground...

Consort De was taken aback by Lou Suying's reaction. Jinshu and Yunmei, who were serving outside, rushed in and saw Consort De with disheveled hair and a handprint on her face. But Lou Suying was in a worse state; she fell to the ground, clutching her head and wailing, muttering, "This humble nun knows her mistake. Your Highness Consort De, please have mercy! I beg Your Highness Consort De to spare this humble nun's life!"

Jinshu was terrified and rushed forward to help the frightened Lou Suyi up. She then glared coldly at the stunned Consort De and demanded, "What does Consort De mean by this? Why are you making things difficult for Master Kongchen? Even though Master Kongchen is a monk, he cannot tolerate such bullying from Consort De!"

"It wasn't me, she clearly fell down on her own, what does it have to do with me?" Consort De finally came to her senses and defended herself.

She never expected that her attempt to extort Lou Suyi would backfire, and she would be outmaneuvered by this nun. Thus, she and Lou Suyi were now enemies.

At this moment, Lou Suying quietly tugged at Jinshu's sleeve, blinking her tearful eyes shyly: "Jinshu, it was indeed my own fault for falling down. It has nothing to do with Consort De. It's my fault..."

Consort De turned green with anger upon seeing this.

She's just a nun, yet she's even more tea-loving than her—how shameless!
How could Jinshu bear to see her master being wronged? She said in a deep voice, "Master, don't be afraid. His Majesty will stand up for you! You are His Majesty's savior, and even His Majesty respects you. You are also His Majesty's honored guest. How can you be wronged in the palace?"

As she spoke, she was about to lead Lou Suyi away.

Seeing this, Consort De quickly blocked Jinshu's path: "Jinshu, it's really not what you think. Look at me, I'm injured too. Just now, Abbess Kongchen and I only had a little misunderstanding..."

"This is called a misunderstanding?!" Jinshu looked at the disheveled Lou Suying with great heartache. "This servant will report this matter truthfully to His Majesty, and let His Majesty decide then!"

Consort De knew she had tried to steal a chicken but lost the rice instead. Now that things had come to this, she could only hope for Lou Suyi: "Master, do you really want to make a big fuss about this?"

Lou Suyi thought to herself that she hadn't said anything.

Consort De is Murong's beloved concubine. Going against Consort De might not necessarily bring her any advantage, but she won't suffer in silence either.

She hid behind Jinshu, remaining silent. Consort De was so angry at the sight that she almost laughed.

"Then let His Majesty be the judge! I have a clear conscience. After all, I didn't lay a hand on Abbess Kongchen, so I'm not afraid to confront him before the Emperor!" Consort De sneered.

So be it. It would be best if Murong could see what kind of person Lou Suyi really is. Keeping a nun like that around might just lead to this woman taking her place one day.

It's better to get rid of this thorn in our side as soon as possible!

And so, Consort De and Lou Suyi went to the Qianqing Palace.

After Murong and his ministers finished discussing state affairs and came out of the Southern Study, Jiqing came forward to greet them and told them about the conflict between Lou Suyi and Consort De.

Murong remained silent and slowly walked to the West Warm Pavilion.

As soon as Consort De saw Murong arrive, she immediately stepped forward with tears in her eyes and said, "It is my fault for causing trouble for Your Majesty."

Lou Suyi secretly grumbled at the sight, thinking that Consort De was so good at acting coquettishly, something she could never learn.

She stood gracefully to the side until Murong looked over.

Murong's eyes darkened slightly when he saw the handprint on her face.

He walked past Consort De and took his seat in the main seat: "What happened?"

Consort De was the first to admit her mistake, tears welling up in her eyes: "It was my fault. I originally wanted to ask Abbess Kongchen to talk to me, but who knew that a misunderstanding would arise... Abbess Kongchen actually thought that I was going to harm her and slapped me."

As she spoke, she moved closer to Murong so that he could see the palm print on her face.

(End of this chapter)