The Destiny that Hasn't Ended
CHAPTER 22 "SANDIWARA"
The morning blind residence of Nu Huang has been crowded. There were 3 servants kneeling in front of Lin Zi who was still wearing a layer 1 hanfu.
"Your Majesty, thank you for freeing us from slavery" said a 23-year-old girl prostrating herself with her two friends.
"Stand up" said Lin Zi who had received their respects.
"We promise to be loyal to you" said Xing Nan who had represented you since speaking.
"Right, from now on our lives are yours Your Majesty" Yi Wei added.
"You guys talk like that as if I sent you to fight" said Lin Zi who now chuckled.
Hearing those words, the three maids immediately looked at Lin Zi's face. They felt that his master this time must be very good. Although never knew him but can be felt from his warm smile welcoming them.
The sun is above. But the heat was like a head stab. Summer has just arrived, a day feels very long. Concubine selection some time ago has passed 4 level 8 concubines and 2 level 7 concubines. They started from a low level before they finally made progress and raised the level of their concubines.
The sun had just risen, but Lin Zi had prepared. Because every morning the concubines would gather in his residence and greet him.
"Honor the empress" said the 6 concubines while welcoming Lin Zi in the meeting room.
With great elegance Lin Zi walked with 2 servants to her seat which was higher 2 steps from the concubine's seat. Hanfu dangled to the floor, but now he seemed accustomed to it. Slowly he climbed 2 steps and sat on a chair as high as 40 cm.
"Wake up" Lin Zi said to the 6 concubines who were still bowing in salute.
The 6 concubines sat back on the floor with thin pads.
"Since I don't know you yet, please introduce yourself" said Lin Zi starting her role as Empress.
"Hamba the 7th concubine, Wei Liu Ying" Liu Ying said.
"We've met so many times before, it's funny to see you introduce yourself here again" said Lin Zi with a sarcastic smile.
"I heard Consort Wei got the highest score during the selection, I became very curious about her skills" Lin Zi continued making things awkward.
"If you're so curious, I can show you now" Liu Ying replied unwillingly.
"no need. Summer is here, I'm afraid you'll get hot on your way back if this meeting is too long"
The other five concubines held their laughter. How not, Liu Ying's face looked extremely annoyed as she lost the talk from the Empress.
"The 7th level concubine, Zhen Yiyi" said a concubine sitting beside Liu Ying.
"Yiyi..a good name.." murmured Lin Zi.
"Tier 8th concubine, Wang Da Yue"
"Tier 8th concubine servant, Zhen Qing"
"Tier 8th concubine, Li Chang Yi
"Tier 8th concubine Servant, Feng Xuan Yin"
"alright.. At our first meeting, I just wanted to make it clear. Since you will be in the inner palace, you must obey the rules of the inner palace. And don't forget that I am the Empress who presides in the inner palace!" firmly Lin Zi showed his power.
"Alright, you can go back" said Lin Zi allowing the 6 concubines to return to their respective residences.
"It's arrogant, don't know yourself!" liu Ying muttered softly but was heard by Lin Zi.
"Concubine Wei please stay, others can return" Lin Zi said.
The other five concubines saluted and then came out together.
"Concubine Wei was very presumptuous" Consort Wang said to 2 concubines who were with him.
"There seems to be a personal grudge between them. Didn't the queen say they met often?" concubine Li started the gossip.
"Yes!"
"You don't have to think about it, all you have to think about is how to get the Emperor's affection and give birth to offspring. Why take care of other people's business, so funny!" concubine Zhen said as he walked over and smiled insinuatingly.
Meanwhile, inside the meeting room was Lin Zi who was now standing in front of Liu Ying.
"Level 7th Concubine Wei Liu Ying! Remember position!" said Lin Zi sternly who then passed away leaving Liu Ying who was holding back his anger by clenching both hands.
"Zi'er" said a man stopping Lin Zi's steps right in front of the meeting room door.
"Jing Xuan... Why are you here?" said Lin Zi.
"I wanted to be with you at your first morning meeting. But it seems I'm late" Xuan explained.
A woman walked with a limp out of the room. Her cheeks were wet with tears.
"Honor Your Majesty the Emperor" Liu Ying said after wiping away his tears.
"What happened to your leg? And why are you crying?" tanya Xuan made all eyes look at Liu Ying.
The theatrical huh?
"So servant.." muttered Liu Ying while occasionally staring at Lin Zi.
"Tell me, it's okay" Xuan urged.
Liu Ying immediately knelt down with tears returning.
"So I accidentally said something that the Empress did not like. After the other concubine left, the Empress pushed the servant down and sprained the servant's leg. Please Your Majesty the Emperor give justice to the servant" he explained.
His words made Lin Zi and Xuan shocked.
"lik! Your Majesty, Consort Wei lied to Your Majesty. The Empress never touched her, the servant accompanied the Empress since earlier" Ruyu said while kneeling.
"Your Majesty, she is the Queen's servant. Of course will defend his employer even though his employer is guilty. While serf..."
"Zi'er?" xuan said demanding Lin Zi's explanation.
"My servant has said it, do I need to repeat it?"
"Please give your servant His Majesty justice" Liu Ying said, making Xuan go awry.
"stand. Eunuch Gong, immediately prepare a stretcher and escort Consort Wei back to her pavilion. And also immediately call the healer to treat his leg" Xuan ordered.
Eunuch Gong immediately went to carry out Xuan's orders.
"Ruyu, stand. Let's go" said Lin Zi.
Meanwhile, in a special room inside the Wangmu pavilion, a female servant was kneeling in salute.
"Have you done it?" asked a middle-aged woman wearing a robe dangling to the floor.
"Hamba has done as you have commanded Her Majesty the Queen Mother. The servant mixed the ingredients you gave the food and drink that was delivered to the Empress's residence" the young maid reported.
"This meal is colorless and odorless. Even though it was tested with silver it would also not leave a mark like poison. Because actually what I give is a health tonic, but if the use is too much will endanger the content... Resume your duties, I will release your family immediately if this task is completed"
For the sake of aborting Lin Zi, the Queen Mother committed a crime. But in such an era the use of poison or herbal medicine is very common. And without realizing it, Lin Zi ate the potion every day and every time. Sometimes he felt his stomach hurt. But he thought maybe because it is still early in pregnancy so his digestion is often disturbed. Who would have thought if it turned out to be caused by a poison in disguise.
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