Selling wife for fame? Kick out the scumbag and marry the new emperor to enjoy the harem of favors

Chapter 122: We Won’t Join Forces

"Are you feeling better, Concubine?" Qingfang came in, cup in hand. "The imperial physician told you to drink more warm water. Please drink some, Concubine, to moisten your throat."

Xie Jiu was feeling a little thirsty, so he took the cup and took a few sips. When his throat felt better, he sighed.

"I always thought I was in good health, but now that I'm sick, I realize I'm no better than before."

"Your Highness, you sound so old-fashioned when you say that. You are only nineteen this year." Qingfang said as she helped Xie Jiu up.

Xie Jiu seemed to be slightly dazed. After he stood up, he muttered to himself, "It feels like two lifetimes have passed."

The marriage with Wu Que seemed to be something that happened in the previous life.

Qingfang's eyes were filled with worry. "Jieyu has a high fever. It's harmful to her health. It's better not to worry too much."

When she said this, Xie Jiu lowered his head slightly, narrowed his eyes, and responded.

After calming down for a moment, he asked, "How is your investigation into Concubine Yi's death going?"

When talking about this, Qingfang's face became much more serious.

"I believe the Emperor has already told the Concubine that it was the eunuch who delivered the meal who had evil intentions. However, after the eunuch was beaten to death, I secretly went to see his body. The Concubine had previously mentioned to me that the criminal had scratches on his hands and body, but I did not see any on him. This shows that the perpetrator was probably not him."

Just a scapegoat.

"But I really haven't found any other omissions." Qingfang said with some shame in her tone.

Xie Jiu patted her hands and said, "I don't blame you. Although the person who did it was hasty, he was decisive and efficient. There are no witnesses. If we want to find that person now, we can only start by examining the wounds. But with so many people in the palace, it's like looking for a needle in a haystack. We can only investigate this matter slowly in the future."

But with a clear suspect, it shouldn't be difficult.

"It's rare that the Queen allowed me to take good care of myself. I don't need to go to pay my respects this morning, so I won't bother myself. I'll take this opportunity to rest for a while." A dark light flickered in Xie Jiu's eyes. "Tell others that I accidentally witnessed the tragic death of Concubine Yi. I was terrified and uneasy."

Qingfang understood and immediately nodded in agreement.

In the next few days, Xie Jiuzhen closed the door and lived his own life.

During this period, the only disturbance in Anqing Hall was that a palace maid accidentally broke something given by the emperor, and was beaten with fifty boards by Xie Jiu and driven out.

This was a trivial matter and did not attract much attention. Even the Queen seemed a little unhappy, but she did not show it.

Apart from this, it is indeed rare to find peace in the palace.

The death of a concubine was a huge shock to everyone, after all, such a thing had never happened before.

The Queen took this opportunity to push Concubine Chen towards Zhao Xingjin.

Since Xie Jiu was ill and unable to serve, naturally other people squeezed to the front.

It happened that the end of the year was the time for performance appraisals of officials at all levels across the country, and the Ministry of Personnel became busy. Chen Cairen's father was the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Personnel, and he had done a good job in the court during this period, so Zhao Xingjin was happy to give Chen Cairen face.

Look, in October, on Concubine Chen's birthday, the Queen specifically mentioned how devoted she was in her service and how diligent her family was in the court. Zhao Xingjin understood the hint and promoted her to a fifth-rank beauty.

For a time, Lady Chen was very popular.

Of course, she is not the only one who is so popular. This time when Xie Jiu was in danger, Zhao Xingjin noticed Liu Baolin. In addition, Xie Jiu also encouraged Liu Baolin to compete for it during this period, so Liu Baolin also became favored.

Although she is a little inferior to Concubine Chen due to her family background, she is not much worse.

Especially after Xie Jiu heard that Zhao Xingjin promoted Concubine Chen, he specifically mentioned Liu Baolin's previous contribution in front of him, and after several acts of coaxing, he asked him to promote Liu Baolin as well, and he would be a sixth-rank talent in the future.

When Concubine Chen learned about this, she was very unhappy. She was able to be promoted because her family had been very helpful in the court recently, and it was her birthday that day, so the promotion was reasonable.

"Why did Liu get promoted?" Concubine Chen said dissatisfiedly.

The Queen sat at the head of the table and said in a calm voice, "Why? Because she is close to Concubine Xie, and because the Emperor values ​​Concubine Wei. When she stepped forward that day, she was also helping Concubine Wei out of trouble."

Compared to Concubine Chen, the Queen was much calmer.

This time she acted hastily to kill Concubine Yi, and she had already decided to keep a low profile for a while, so as not to act too frequently and cause unnecessary trouble.

Seeing the Queen's indifference, Concubine Chen's eyes dimmed, and she said immediately, "I'm worried that Concubine Xie and Concubine Wei will become close friends because of this matter. If they become close, it will be bad for you, Your Majesty."

"No." The Queen picked up the teacup. "Although Wei Zhangcheng appears gentle and modest, he is determined to obtain the position of Prime Minister. He did have a good chance of getting it, but things change. Xie Mingshen's daughter has also entered the palace. Now Xie is much more favored than Concubine Wei."

After taking a sip of tea, a hint of sarcasm flashed in the queen's eyes.

"In the past, the Emperor disliked Xie Mingshen and wanted to remove him, but he never had the chance. During that time, our Prime Minister Xie was extremely cautious. Now, look at him. To gain his daughter's favor, he even disregards Princess Heng's family. During a court dispute, Prince Heng spoke up for his father-in-law, and he was even rebuked by him."

"Even so, the Emperor still protects him. He even gave him the responsibility of receiving the envoys from the Xichi Kingdom, which was originally the responsibility of the Ministry of Rites. Do you think Wei Zhang is happy about this? If Xie Mingshen is not removed, given the Xie family's reputation, Wei Zhang will probably be stuck as the Second Assistant Minister for the rest of his life. There's a big difference between First Assistant Minister and Second Assistant Minister."

After hearing what Queen Wan said, the gloom on Concubine Chen's face faded a lot.

Then he said, "The Wei family and the Xie family are at odds, so it is impossible for Concubine Wei to join forces with Concubine Xie."

The concubines in the palace are all affected by the will of their parents, so it is impossible for them not to listen to the wishes of their parents.

"I'm glad you understand. Now that the emperor is very interested in you, you should concentrate on serving him and don't worry about other things. As long as you grasp the emperor's favor, you will have everything you want in the future." The queen raised the corners of her lips and smiled gently.

Then he turned to the person beside him and ordered, "Tingyun, bring the supplements that I specially requested from outside the palace."

"Yes."

Tingyun responded, turned and went into the inner room, and soon brought out a brocade box.

Two porcelain bottles, one blue and one white, lay neatly inside.

"Take this and eat it." The queen said softly to Concubine Chen.

Concubine Chen didn't understand what was going on, but she took it anyway. "Your Majesty, what is this?"

The Queen looked at her gently, "This is a tonic to help you conceive. When you are not favored, take the pills in the white bottle for nourishment and warming. When you are favored, take the pills in the blue bottle to help you conceive."

Hearing this, Lady Chen's face first showed joy, and then she suddenly thought of something, a dark light flashed in her eyes, and then she immediately said.

"My Lady, how can I be worthy of such a good thing? My Lady, please keep it."

"I have no use for it even if I keep it." The smile on the queen's face faded.

Lady Chen suddenly realized that she had said the wrong thing.

The Queen was injured when she gave birth to Princess Lingyi in her early years and now she cannot get pregnant.

So she hurried to make amends, "Thank you for your gift, Your Majesty. I will take it well, take care of my body, and conceive a dragon fetus as soon as possible."

Seeing that she was obedient, the queen's expression eased a little.

"Getting pregnant soon will only benefit you. You are a beauty now. Once you are pregnant, I will ask for your promotion to Jieyi. After the child is born, I will also guarantee your promotion to Concubine. Then you will be the head of the palace with children. How many people have been in the palace their entire lives and still can't get over this hurdle."