TV Series: When the Villain Chooses to Stand by

Chapter 165 Yixiu 34

Zhen Huan saw Huanbi's happy expression in the mirror. It was a face that was somewhat similar to her own, so it was no wonder that she had such thoughts.

"Huanbi, do you also want to be the emperor's concubine?"

The sudden words scared Huanbi so much that the comb in her hand fell to the ground with a crisp sound, breaking the silence for her.

Huanbi, who had reacted, immediately knelt down and forced the corners of her stiff mouth to move, "My lady, I am loyal to you and have no such intention."

"There are only two of us here. You should call me elder sister. Why don't you tell the truth?"

All the strength in Huanbi's body was gone. She looked at Zhen Huan in confusion, not knowing how she would treat her.

"Did father tell you everything?" Huanbi raised her eyes and asked anxiously and expectantly, "He...what did he say?"

"Yes, my father told me everything before I entered the palace. He has you in his heart."

……

She heard that Zhen Huan had already made plans for her, from her inclusion in the family tree to her mother's tablet, and she didn't need to worry about anything herself.

Only then did Huanbi realize how ridiculous her little thoughts were.

She cried and fell on Zhen Huan's knees to apologize, "Eldest sister, it was all my fault for the moment. I won't do it again. Please don't blame me."

After saying that, Huanbi expressed all her hatred towards An Lingrong.

"Eldest sister, I don't like the emperor, and I will never compete with you for him."

"I, I just think that I am also my father's daughter. An Changzai is just the daughter of a remote county magistrate. I am not as good as her in any way. Why can she punish me like a master?"

"I can not be reconciled……"

Zhen Huan touched Huanbi's hair with a complicated expression and listened to her express the grievances in her heart.

Some words are too hurtful, but if you don’t say them clearly, people will not be able to see their own situation clearly.

After thinking for a long time, Zhen Huan finally changed her words to one that was less hurtful.

"Huanbi, if you judge people by their family background, your family background and mine are just like this in this palace. So what am I like now?"

Huanbi frowned. In her heart, her eldest sister was the best. "The Emperor likes my eldest sister so much. She will be eligible for the position of concubine or noble concubine in the future. How can they compare to her?"

"You also said that the emperor likes it, but the emperor's heart is unpredictable. Who can guarantee what will happen in the future?"

"You look down on Lingrong? But she also won the emperor's favor with her own ability, for example, her studies."

"She was able to read through the boredom without feeling any self-deprecation even though she didn't understand. How about you? Have you forgotten the last time you said you wanted to study but fell asleep?"

The more Zhen Huan spoke, the more ashamed Huanbi became. Her head, which had been raised high, slowly drooped again.

"Lingrong is good at singing and embroidery, and she's also very studious. She used to be timid, but now she's changed a lot, becoming gentle yet sharp."

"Do you still think she's unworthy? Huanbi, it's not difficult to admit that others are excellent. You are my sister, and I always want to make you better."

Huanbi agreed with red eyes. She was not stupid, but she was too proud to swallow this humiliation.

How could she not understand when it was said so clearly? The higher Zhen Huan climbed, the better her future would be. She could choose a husband she liked, and his status would not be low. Who would keep an eye on the emperor?

"Don't worry, elder sister. An Changzai is on good terms with you. I will apologize to her and won't make the same mistake again."

Seeing that she understood, Zhen Huan felt relieved.

She was right about some things. There was no man in the family, and the whole family depended on their daughter. It would be best if Huanbi could have a good future.

Huanbi also put aside her pride, selected her most expensive jewelry, and knelt down in the courtyard to apologize to An Lingrong.

She cares about the respect of others, and of course she knows how to calm An Lingrong down.

"I have offended Concubine An with my words before, and I truly regret it. I have come here today to ask for your punishment."

An Lingrong was originally sitting under the grape trellis embroidering, and was surprised to see Huanbi like this.

She glanced at the open box in Huanbi's hand. It was a jade bracelet with very good water content. She remembered that it was given to Huanbi by Zhen Huan when she was promoted to the rank of Concubine Wan.

It seems to be Huanbi's most precious thing.

She could naturally tell whether Huanbi was sincere or not, so she didn't bother with her too much.

"Get up, it's not a big deal, there's no need to be so serious. I can't accept this apology. You came at the right time. I got a few bottles of cherry wine yesterday."

"Take it back and let Sister Wan try it."

Seeing this, Huanbi felt even more ashamed. Compared with this, her previous behavior was indeed too petty.

The two of them tacitly resumed their previous relationship, as if nothing had happened.

As the weather gradually turned cooler, people began to prepare to leave the Old Summer Palace.

Nian Shilan's health had not recovered and she was not suitable for traveling. At the advice of the imperial physician, the emperor suppressed his sadness and ordered her to recuperate in the Old Summer Palace.

The two met across the screen. "Shilan, you should take good care of yourself here. I look forward to seeing you soon."

"Well, I am fine here. But Your Majesty, you should be more careful about your state affairs and not stay up until midnight like before."

After saying this, she sighed softly, "There are many sisters in the palace, please don't forget me."

After they expressed their feelings to each other, the emperor left with satisfaction.

His feelings towards Nian Shilan are always complicated. His previous fear has faded a lot, and his love is mixed with guilt. He doesn't know how to face it.

Not meeting him at this time would make him feel more relaxed.

"Ugh, give me something to calm me down, I'm so nauseous."

Songzhi smiled and handed over a plate of perilla and plum cakes. "Your Majesty's acting skills are getting better and better. I almost shed tears listening to you."

"You girl, you even dare to tease me. Why don't you send Zhou Ninghai back to the capital?"

"Bring here all the things we packed before we came."

"Master, don't worry. Eunuch Zhou has already made all the arrangements. We are just waiting to live our leisurely lives. I heard that the opera troupe in this garden is quite good."

"It seems that they have arranged some new play. I will ask them to come to our palace and sing for Her Majesty in a few days."

Nian Shilan swallowed the last mouthful of honey and nodded with satisfaction.

She doesn't lack this little money. She will be the most distinguished person in the Old Summer Palace, so what's wrong with enjoying herself?

After receiving this news, Hongli quickly had an idea, but he had heard that Concubine Hua and the Empress had an average relationship, so he needed to confirm it.

He had been extremely busy these days, and previously his mind was occupied with returning to the Forbidden City and gaining the emperor's favor.

Now he wished he could live in the Old Summer Palace forever so that it would be more convenient for him to do things.

High hopes were placed on him at a young age, and this complete trust forced Hongli to grow rapidly. Both in his studies and in his interpersonal relationships, he was completely different from before.

This pressure made Hongli feel both painful and happy. He enjoyed the feeling of being in control of his life.