C4

As he left the Xi'an Palace, the pain on Yao Yue's face was immediately hidden behind her eyes. Her calm and tranquil face was still sickly; it was hard to tell whether she was happy or angry. Xiao Man stepped forward to support her. The master and servant duo didn't stop and immediately headed out of the Xi'an Palace. Yao Yue's cold eyes stared straight ahead. After a long time, she lowered her voice, "Have you investigated thoroughly?"

"Yes." It was said that before the imperial concubine's funeral, one night the emperor went to the imperial concubine's spirit, and coincidentally met a noble Yi who was secretly burning paper money for the imperial concubine in the side hall. Not long after, Cheng Gan Palace's palace maids were buried, but for some reason, only the noble was left alive. Two months later, the emperor granted the promise of a noble, using his surname 'Song' as his surname. Two more months after that, Song agreed to become a noble, bestowing the emperor's royal decree 'Yi' with the name of 'Yi' to stay at the Yao Hua Palace by the side of Cheng Gan Palace. "Although it is a side palace, only Noble Yi is allowed to live in it alone. The main palace has been sealed by the Emperor, so this Cheng Gan Palace is now under his control."

Xiao Man asked about these things carefully, and became more cautious with her words. At this time, the master and the servant had already passed through the imperial garden. Xiao Man looked around and saw that there was no one around, so she leaned in close to Yao Yue, "I also heard that the emperor was lucky to see her on the night he met someone of nobility."

Yao Yue abruptly stopped her feet and turned her head to look at Xiao Man. Her expression was mournful, and she was unable to say anything for a long time. Half a moment later, he squeezed out a few words from between his teeth, "Where did you hear that from?"

"This matter seems to have been kept a secret, as only a few people in the palace have spread it. It is said that the source was an old eunuch who had lived for many years. The night that the emperor met with a noble was when he served in front of the imperial concubine's spirit. The emperor asked a few questions about her and then brought her out. From then on, the noble never showed his face again, until he was conferred the title of imperial concubine two months later.

Xiao Man was dubious. When she said those words, her eyebrows slightly wrinkled, and she was quite disgusted. On the other hand, Yaoyue felt a cold feeling seeping through her fingers, as if her heart was going to freeze.

She had been wondering why the empress dowager would have so many experienced eunuchs in the palace, even without the overseer for the time being. Why bother using her? Even if the empress dowager was fearful of a noble, a small noble who was born to a palace maid and had no family or background, just how big of a storm would it cause? It was worth it for the empress dowager to be so strict in her defense!

So it was like this.

Now that she thought about it, the Empress must have heard the rumor and believed it. She was afraid that the Emperor would be provoked by the death of the imperial concubine, and that he would pamper a servant who was born to be a palace maid in the heavens and cause great trouble. That was why he wanted her to control the noble men. Take her hand and get rid of her lover.

An ordinary eunuch would not be able to do this.

Yao Yue remained silent as she stood in place without uttering a single word. Xiao Man was a bit worried. It was only now that she remembered why the empress dowager had kept her here first. Yao Yue's pupils trembled as she took a deep breath. "The empress dowager told me to temporarily receive respect."

Xiao Man was shocked, her words rushed to her mouth and was swallowed back in her throat. After a long time, she finally caught Yao Yue's arm and whispered, "Miss, the empress dowager … Is there something I want you to do? "

Yao Yue's body trembled as she suddenly raised her head. At this moment, the sun had already risen high in the sky. The scorching rays of light were pouring down, but they couldn't dispel the coldness from her body. "No matter what, fortunately I'm a royal daughter-in-law, not a palace maid's concubine. Even if I'm not compatible with the empress dowager, she still wouldn't do anything to me. Don't worry."

Xiao Man thought about it. This was also what she meant by that. She gradually calmed down from her tense state of mind a moment ago. Since they had already taken over the job, Yao Yue couldn't help but to head over to the Priest Office. It was likely that You Xin hadn't left the emperor's side yet, and also to show how much Yao Yue valued this job.

The Priest Temple was located in the south corner of the palace. It was a large courtyard, connected to the palace and could be considered the first. When the young eunuch guarding the door saw that it was Yao Yue, he hurriedly went in to report to the supervisor. Not long later, a middle-aged eunuch wearing an indigo python robe hurriedly ran out from the inside, kneeling down on one knee in front of Yao Yue, smiling apologetically, "The Prime Minister Zhao Fuhai pays his respects to the imperial concubine, the imperial concubine Wan An."

The eunuch behind him also knelt down, calling out in unison, "Greetings to the imperial concubine. The imperial concubine, Wan'an."

He was the deputy, and he was the biggest, except for the overseer. Now that the overseer had been removed from office, he was left with a vast network of people. It was hard to say which palace or mansion this foundation was in. Thinking up to here, Yaoyue smiled faintly, sparing him the courtesy. Her words carried a trace of politeness. "The empress dowager ordered me to temporarily deal with this matter. I'm here to take a look and get familiar with it."

"Yes," Zhao Fuhai gave a solicitous smile and led Yaoyue into the office. "Esteemed Empress Dowager has a unique eye. This servant had long heard that the Empress was the first quick-witted person in this palace, and also had the trust of the Emperor. If the Empress has anything, feel free to say it. The servants will not dare to slack off in the slightest. "

Zhao Fuhai's words were rather fawning on him. Although it was just flattery, it sounded like it. She took out a small purse from her bosom and handed it over to Zhao Fuhai with a sweet smile, "Eunuch Zhao, our Empress will be relying on you to take care of her from now on. Don't think that it's too little."

Zhao Fuhai's eyes lit up as he replied, "I dare not," and pushed her aside a few times. He happily accepted her into his arms. "Little Miss' words are bad. The empress dowager has great fortune and has the empress dowager point it out on her behalf. How could the lowly servants dare say they'd take care of the empress? "I beg the Empress not to despise us servants' stupidity, if we want to give some pointers, we servants will be unable to enjoy it!"

After some false courtesy, Zhao Fuhai sent Yao Yue to the supervisor's room. The room was extremely large. The left side of the room was separated by a carved arch, while the left side was a study. The right side was a side room, which had been tidily arranged. In the middle of the room directly opposite the door was an incense table. There were two armchair, one on the left and one on the right.

From the looks of this outfit, it didn't look like it was used by the overseer. Without waiting for her to ask, Zhao Fuhai politely introduced, "After the original overseer was ousted, this house is temporarily empty, and the official business is also temporarily with the servant. Two days ago, the Emperor suddenly sent someone to renovate the room. This servant saw that the furniture did not look like it could be used by servants, and was even wondering, yesterday, there was an imperial decree, so this servant finally understood! How can the noble body of the imperial concubine be used by servants! "

Zhao Fuhai was beaming with joy, as if everything was his fault. Yaoyue couldn't help but laugh at him, saying, "Eunuch Zhao must be joking. This is also the favor the emperor has bestowed upon me. I am deeply grateful."

"This is the emperor's favor, but it is also because the Empress's identity is precious that the emperor values her so highly." This servant has sent people to clean up this place overnight. The esteemed wangfei has everything she needs, and all of the documents and seals have been placed in the study room. If there's anything else that the esteemed wangfei needs, please do not hesitate to instruct her. "

After some idle chatter, Zhao Fuhai bowed and left, leaving the space to the master and his servant. After Zhao Fuhai left, the smile on Yaoyue's face faded, leaving behind a hint of caution. Xiao Man looked at Yao Yue's expression. Even though she was used to disorderly behavior, she didn't dare to act impudently here. She involuntarily restrained her mischievous nature and obediently followed Yao Yue into the study room.

On the table, all the documents and collections were neatly placed. Behind him, there were also many bookshelves, and there were many booklets, which clearly depicted the identities of the concubines and their families. Yaoyue touched the book on the table with one hand, looking a little dazed. Even now, the Emperor has yet to issue a decree. Could it be that he doesn't have any objections to the fact that I am in charge of the Rites of Rites?

Being in charge of the ceremonies meant that she had control of the imperial concubines' lifeline. Yao Yue had a nagging feeling that the empress dowager wouldn't give this matter to her so easily. Perhaps, being able to control noble and noble people was the most important part of it. However, on the surface of these thorns, perhaps there were other intentions.

The imperial harem was connected to the previous dynasty. If a family was favoured by a lowly family, their family might soar into power and become an official. If a family was favored by a noble family, it would naturally be like adding wings to a tiger. The duty of a concubine was no longer as simple as to give birth to a child and give birth to an heir. The concubine entered the palace, becoming the bond between the emperor and his subjects. The empress dowager had actually handed over such an important position to the crown prince's main imperial concubine. Wasn't she afraid that she might have second thoughts and gain honor and favors for You Xin?

Yao Yue's mind was in a mess. She couldn't come up with a conclusion no matter how she thought about it. Gradually, a paste appeared in her head. Helpless, he could only put these things aside and take things one step at a time.

At this moment, sounds came from outside. Yaoyue glanced at Xiao Man, and she immediately walked out. After a while, he turned around again, "Miss, Zhao Fuhai sent someone to tell me that Miss has taken care of this place recently, you should do a handover with the Minister of Palace and Mansion."

"Yes, I will go in a while," Yaoyue nodded as if she didn't care at all. Xiao Man however, shook her head and smiled, "No need Miss to go. Zhao Fuhai said that the Palace Head will come to see Miss in a while."

Yao Yue was slightly surprised and couldn't help but stop her hands from moving. Speaking of which, ever since Imperial Consort Ju, You Xin had been removed from the Palace, she really didn't know who was in charge of the Palace. But no matter who it was, the Palace Head was the master, and the Chief Officer was the servant. Even if she was the Crown Prince's consort, there was no reason for her to be so arrogant.

Yao Yue wrinkled her brows. She felt that this matter was a bit odd. Just as she was thinking about it, she heard a creaking sound from the outside, as if someone had entered. With a serious expression, Yaoyue guessed that it should be the Minister of the Palace, so she hastily walked out from behind the desk and took a few steps out of the study. When she raised her head, Yaoyue was about to speak. However, when she saw who it was, she felt her breathing tighten and immediately froze on the spot.