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

Chapter 150 Won’t give up
"Your Majesty need not worry. How many people in the harem truly wish her well?"

Hongmei brought over some pastries and placed them beside the Empress.

"Let alone whether she is lucky enough to get pregnant, even if she does get pregnant, she still has to give birth to the baby."

The Empress had little appetite, only taking a sip of her tea. "That may be true, but since Your Majesty has been to the palace more often, she naturally has a better chance of having an heir than others. If she can conceive, she has a chance to give birth and then rise to a higher position because of her son."

Tingyun, who was standing nearby, immediately offered words of comfort.

"Now the Empress Dowager forbids her from serving the Emperor. You see, even when the Emperor visits her, he never stays overnight. You really don't need to worry about these things. However, I think there are few people in the palace. Who knows, there will be a selection of concubines next year. When new concubines are brought in, how long will she be favored? The most important thing now, Your Highness, don't forget, the two princesses are moving out of Weiyang Palace."

The Empress's face showed annoyance when the matter was mentioned.

“Yes, the people down below said that Ruiyu Palace has been repaired and cleaned up, and asked if anything else needs to be added,” Hongmei chimed in.

The Empress's eyes were displeased. "I am busy with other matters right now, and I have no time to care about these things. Tell them not to worry about it. I will make arrangements when I am done with my work."

Hongmei realized she had said the wrong thing, so she quickly lowered her head in response and immediately left.

After she left, Tingyun immediately tried to smooth things over.

"The people below also value our two princesses, Your Highness, please don't be angry."

"When I'm in a bad mood, I'm always impatient with people." The Empress raised her hand to her forehead. "You and Hongmei have been with me for many years, so you know my temperament. It's not that I'm deliberately trying to find fault with you."

Upon hearing this, Tingyun was somewhat moved and nodded, "Of course we know that Her Highness has always treated us very well."

"Among those around me, only you can truly confide in me." The Empress sighed. "Tomorrow, accompany me to the Baohua Hall to offer incense. I've been feeling uneasy these past few days; perhaps paying homage to Buddha will help."

As soon as Yun responded, a thought suddenly flashed through his mind, and his eyes immediately lit up.

Without saying a word, he leaned close to the Empress's ear and whispered a few words.

The Empress's expression gradually brightened after hearing these words, and then a slight smile appeared on her lips.

Ninghua Palace.

Upon hearing Chunrong say that the steward of the manor was gone, Xie Jiu chuckled softly.

“Look, someone who’s been with him for over forty years, he just throws them away like that.”

"It chills me to the bone to hear this," Chunrong said, pursing her lips.

As slaves and servants, they naturally hoped that their loyalty would earn them the protection of their masters, rather than being thrown out to escape disaster.

Xie Jiu raised her eyes, "But thinking about it, this steward's life is worthless. Later, I'm afraid someone else will have to give their life to make up for this disaster."

“But the Dali Temple has already closed the case.” Chunrong said, somewhat puzzled.

Everything was explained clearly during the morning court session.

However, Xie Jiu said calmly, "My father only sent out a steward to quell the matter this time, mainly because he really hasn't done anything to He Xunzhi in the past two years. He's clean-handed. The only thing he's involved in is the falsification of household registration. Otherwise, do you think the matter can be settled with just the steward's life?"

After speaking, he stood up and slowly walked to the window, his gaze following the window to look outside.

“He’s not one to suffer a loss. He’s been tricked this time, so he certainly won’t let it go easily.”

Chunrong frowned. "We will arrive in the capital at the appointed time from Xichi Kingdom. Master should be busy with this matter and won't have time to dwell on it anymore."

"Sooner or later, he'll make his move. Just watch." Xie Jiu lowered her eyes. "But sooner or later, I'll make him give my mother an explanation. The steward's life is not worth a fraction of my mother's to me."

Chunrong remained silent, knowing that this was Xie Jiu's unresolved issue.

After a while, Xie Jiu looked up again and asked about the state banquet dishes for receiving the envoys. "They should be arriving soon. I asked and they said everything is ready and they plan to serve it to Consort Jieyu during lunch," Chunrong replied.

Xie Jiu nodded. "This matter cannot be taken lightly. The Empress is keeping a close eye on things every day, probably waiting for me to make a mistake. Once the dishes are finalized, I should also consult her on other matters, lest I make a mistake on a minor detail and affect the overall situation."

Chunrong immediately understood and responded with a smile.

Unexpectedly, just as lunchtime was approaching, a message came from Fukang Palace that the Empress Dowager summoned him.

This was the first time the Empress Dowager had summoned Xie Jiu privately since she entered the palace, so there must be something important on her mind.

Qingfang was a little worried. "Why does he suddenly want to see Consort Jieyu? Should I go to Chengming Hall and tell the Emperor?"

"No." Xie Jiu shook his head. "The Empress Dowager agreed to let me enter the palace to serve the Emperor, so the Emperor must have said something to her. I think even if the Empress Dowager doesn't like me, she won't do anything to me. If I go to invite the Emperor immediately, it will seem like I'm afraid she will harm me and I'm taking precautions in advance, which will only make me more disliked."

Furthermore, the two of them are a mother and son, while she is just an outsider. She is not Zhao Xingjin's true favorite concubine; it's all just an act.

If one were to harbor any thoughts or schemes towards the Empress Dowager in front of Zhao Xingjin, wouldn't that be foolish?

Xie Jiu always kept his identity in mind.

Seeing that she said that, Qingfang had no choice but to give up.

Then Xie Jiu instructed, "Chunrong, stay in Ninghua Palace and keep an eye on the movements in Fukang Palace. If there is anything unusual, and there is really no other way, we will have to ask the Emperor for help. Qingfang, come with me to see the Empress Dowager."

We must leave ourselves a way out.

She bet that Zhao Xingjin still needed her and wouldn't let the Empress Dowager really do anything to her.

After giving these instructions, Xie Jiu changed her clothes and went to Fukang Palace.

When I arrived, the Empress Dowager was playing with a white-headed parrot in the corridor.

"Your Majesty, I pay my respects." Xie Jiu bowed and performed the proper courtesies.

As soon as she finished speaking, a bird's chirping came from the birdcage above her head.

"May Your Majesty live a thousand years and be well! May Your Majesty live a thousand years and be well!"

"You little thing, you know how to sweet-talk people." The Empress Dowager smiled, took a long-handled gold spoon, scooped some birdseed into the cage and fed the parrot. "But just knowing a few words isn't enough. If I get tired of hearing them, I'll have to replace you."

Xie Jiu lowered her eyes and listened clearly to the Empress Dowager's words.

This doesn't sound like a bird.

"Get up."

The Empress Dowager withdrew her hand, glanced at Xie Jiu, and said calmly.

Do you know why I summoned you here?

Xie Jiu stood up, still bowing her head slightly, "Your Majesty, I truly do not know, please enlighten me."

The Empress Dowager's gaze swept over her, her eyes carrying a hint of coldness.

"I told you that you are currently in deep mourning and it is not appropriate for you to serve me. Have you taken my words as a joke?"

"Your Majesty would never dare to do such a thing," Xie Jiu immediately replied. "It was Your Majesty who took pity on me and came to visit me at Ninghua Palace."

The Empress Dowager sneered, "His Majesty left because of his kindness, but you shouldn't have been so ignorant of etiquette as to keep him in Ninghua Palace for so long. Or are you secretly disregarding my words?"