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

Chapter 45: Worried
Zhao Xingjin did not accompany Xie Jiu to clean up as he still had government affairs to attend to.

However, Concubine Zhuang and the Fourth Prince, mother and son, stayed in Fukang Palace for a while longer and talked with the Empress Dowager.

By the time the mother and son left, it was almost lunchtime.

"What's the reaction in every part of the palace?" the Queen Mother asked after taking a sip of tea to moisten her throat.

It has been some time since the imperial decree was issued. The news that Xie Jiu was named a concubine must have spread throughout the harem. The more well-informed high-ranking families in the capital must have known about it by now.

Tan Hui stood nearby and said, "The Queen seemed to have expected this. Although she wasn't very happy, she didn't show it too much. But I heard that Concubine Wei reacted strongly."

"Angry?" The Queen Mother put down her teacup. "That's understandable. Her father and Xie's father didn't get along, and now Xie has entered the palace as a second wife and is treated as her equal. It's understandable that she's unhappy."

But unexpectedly, the Queen Mother guessed wrong.

Tan Hui shook her head and said, "It seems that Concubine Wei is dissatisfied with the Emperor's actions. She thinks that the Emperor should not be so greedy for beauty and accept Concubine Xie into the palace. She thinks that the Emperor is not good at judging people and has been deceived."

Hearing this, the Queen Mother showed displeasure.

"This Wei is a bit confused about her identity. How dare she criticize the Emperor? What's more, the Emperor didn't marry Xie because he liked her appearance. This Wei is always worrying about things that she shouldn't worry about. Even if she means well, it's really presumptuous. There is still the Empress in the palace, and I am here too. How can she be allowed to criticize the Emperor?"

Tan Hui observed the Queen Mother's expression and whispered, "Your Majesty, don't you like Concubine Wei?"

"It's not that I dislike her, but I think Wei is too tactless. She's too nosy and always complains. Even if she's well-intentioned, she's annoying." The Queen Mother raised her hand and rubbed her temple. "She's too tactless. If she continues like this, she'll definitely never be able to match Xie. A child like her shouldn't have entered the palace."

Speaking of Xie Jiu, Tan Hui couldn't help but ask about her previous doubts.

"Your Majesty, you promised the Emperor that you would give Xie a title, and you also agreed to the Emperor's decision and gave her the position of Concubine. Why did you do that in this residence?"

"You've made things difficult for her again, haven't you?" The Queen Mother took over, her expression becoming more serious. "I'm also worried that the Emperor might despise this woman, thinking he has control and overindulge her. What if this sharp knife turns against her and stabs the Emperor along with her father? That would be disastrous."

After hearing these words, Tan Hui understood a little bit.

"So, Your Majesty listened to Concubine Zhuang and arranged for Concubine Xie to be in Ninghua Palace, next to Concubine Yi. She wanted to prevent Concubine Xie from getting too comfortable, to create crises and troubles for her, and to teach her that to live a peaceful life now, she must be obedient and wholeheartedly follow the Emperor."

The Queen Mother nodded slightly.

She was able to enter the palace alone, negotiate with the emperor, join forces with her husband's family to overthrow her husband's family to avenge herself, and then point the sword at her own biological father, planning every step. These things showed her courage, decisiveness and ruthlessness, and it seemed that she was determined to avenge herself.

When they met today, Xie Jiu acted so obediently that no one could find any flaws in him. This made the Queen Mother worried that Xie Jiu was too good at acting and deceiving people.

Furthermore, even heroes are tempted by beautiful women. When the Queen Mother saw Xie Jiu's appearance, she, as a woman herself, also thought she was quite extraordinary.

With such a face and enough scheming and tricks, the Queen Mother was also afraid that Zhao Xingjin would really be blinded by lust one day.

So even though Concubine Zhuang's methods were extremely simple, the Queen Mother still went along with it.

The purpose was to increase the pressure of survival on Xie Jiu, so that she would not be too relaxed and feel that she and Zhao Xingjin were equal allies rather than dependent ones.

In fact, even if Xie Jiu was not there, Zhao Xingjin would still get rid of Xie Mingshen step by step. It was just that with Xie Jiu as a medium, things could be done more easily.

The Queen Mother hoped that Zhao Xingjin would remember her words firmly and that if he found that Xie Jiu was out of control, he should kill him to prevent future troubles.

"Okay, I'm tired too, let's serve the meal." The Queen Mother gave the order in a deep voice without thinking any more.

Tan Hui responded and immediately went to make arrangements.

That afternoon, Xie Jiu packed his luggage and moved into Anqing Hall in Ninghua Palace. "Qingfang, take the others to pack your things here. Chunrong, come with me to pay our respects to the main lady, Concubine Yi," Xie Jiu instructed.

The two maids responded and went about their business separately.

In the main hall, as soon as Xie Jiu came over, he smelled a faint smell of medicine in the air.

The little palace maid who delivered the message took a long time to return, and Xie Jiu waited for a long time before finally seeing Concubine Yi.

She was dressed very simply, even more simply than the last time she was at Sun Baolin's place. Her clothes were the most ordinary everyday style, with no patterns on them. They were so plain that they made her look listless.

Come to think of it, there is a faint smell of medicine in the whole room, so Concubine Yi must not be in good health.

"Your concubine, Concubine Xie, pays her respects to Concubine Yi." Xie Jiu saluted.

Yipin was helped to sit down by a palace maid. Her face was indifferent and her voice was flat. "No need to be polite. Please take a seat."

After she gave the order, someone came up and brought an embroidery stool to Xie Jiu.

Just as Xie Jiu sat down, Yipin's voice rang out again.

"I am weak and prefer quiet. From now on, you will live in Ninghua Palace, so please do not make any noise. Also, I like people who know the rules. Although you come from a noble family, the rules of etiquette in the palace are different from those outside. Starting tomorrow, after you go to Weiyang Palace to pay your respects to the Empress, you will learn the rules from Ziqiao, my servant. Study for half a day every day for the first half of a month. This will prevent you from making mistakes outside and causing trouble. Others will say that I have not taught my own people well."

Her tone was very calm, and it was impossible to tell whether she was happy or angry. It seemed that this arrangement was just done according to the rules.

After hearing this, Xie Jiu agreed without any objection.

I still don't know the other person's true nature, so I won't act rashly for now.

After giving the instructions, Concubine Yi asked Xie Jiu to leave.

After returning to Anqing Hall, Chunrong said, "The Emperor means that the Concubine will have to continue teaching the Princess. The Princess will have half a day of lessons every day, and the Concubine will have to spend another half a day learning the rules. Wouldn't that fill up the entire day? There won't even be time to rest."

When saying this, Chunrong's face was filled with heartache.

"It's okay. Didn't Concubine Yi say that you should learn for half a month first? The etiquette and rules in this palace are not much different from those outside the palace. It won't be difficult for me." Xie Jiu patted her hand comfortingly. "It's better to learn it clearly. Otherwise, if you don't even know the palace rules, you will be more likely to suffer losses in the future."

After hearing this, Chunrong had no choice but to nod.

At this moment, the yard outside suddenly became lively.

Xie Jiu looked out of the window and saw that the leader was Zhang Liquan, the eunuch beside the queen. Behind him followed several young palace maids, holding a lot of things in their hands, which looked like rewards.

After straightening his clothes, Xie Jiu took his men out.

"Your servant pays his respects to the Concubine," Zhang Liquan bowed with a smile, and then said, "The Concubine's entry into the palace is a great joyous occasion. These are the gifts given to you by the Empress according to the custom. Please accept them."

"Thank you for the reward, Your Majesty." Xie Jiu smiled and nodded.

Order Chunrong and Qingfang to receive the gifts.

But this was not over yet, there was noise outside again, it was Concubine Zhuang's reward that arrived.

(End of this chapter)