Chapter 257: An Unexpected Choice

An Unexpected Choice

Zhang Guifei's expression was gentle, and her still-charming appearance exuded an indescribable, compelling nobility. At this moment, upon hearing Zhang Guifei say this, Qin Yuxia was instantly overjoyed, but at the same time, it made Princess Qionghua, Jin Jingwen, on the side frown slightly, and although Princess Yun, Chen Yan'er, didn't say anything, a trace of doubt appeared on her face.

Only Nie Jinxuan, upon hearing Zhang Guifei's words, had a flash in her gaze and turned to look at Zhang Guifei. But just as Nie Jinxuan was about to say something, Zhang Guifei took a step forward and interrupted her:

"Alright, Jinxuan, it's settled! You must know that no matter what, they are Zhan'er's people, so regardless of anything, we cannot lose the dignity of the imperial clan. And although I am not a harsh person, the rules that should be followed must still be followed..."

At this moment, Zhang Guifei had an air of taking it for granted. Speaking of this, Zhang Guifei seemed to have remembered something, and suddenly turned her head to look at Qin Yuxia and Bai Meilan on the side.

"That's right, speaking of this, I actually forgot to ask... I don't know what your backgrounds are?"

Zhang Guifei asked naturally, her face still as gentle as before. But upon hearing this, Qin Yuxia, who had just been joyful, couldn't help but stiffen, and then lowered her eyes, speaking in a small, uncomfortable voice:

"Replying... replying to the Imperial Concubine, this concubine comes from the Qin family in the capital. My father is the Fourth-Rank Assistant Minister of the Ministry of Works, Qin Yuan..."

Generally, the backgrounds of women who become concubines are not very high. And in the capital, where officials are everywhere, a Fourth-Rank official is truly not worth mentioning! Moreover, the person in front of her was the most noble Imperial Concubine in the current harem, so Qin Yuxia, who cared about face, naturally found it hard to say!

But at this moment, Zhang Guifei acted as if she didn't see Qin Yuxia's embarrassment. Hearing this, she blinked and nodded slightly:

"Hmm, Fourth-Rank Assistant Minister... This official position is indeed a bit low. But it doesn't matter, it's still considered an official background, so I think after learning the rules later, you will be able to handle things with ease! Oh, that's right, I don't know if Miss Qin is the legitimate daughter?"

"Uh... no... not..."

Qin Yuxia couldn't tell if Zhang Guifei was doing it on purpose or not. But for some reason, Qin Yuxia intuitively felt that the Zhang Guifei in front of her was indescribably terrifying. Even though she was still gentle and kind, with gentle eyes, Qin Yuxia still didn't dare to look into her eyes.

So, Qin Yuxia couldn't help but lower her head slightly. Seeing her reaction, Zhang Guifei's expression didn't change, and she turned her eyes to look at Bai Meilan on the side.

"And what about you, Miss Bai? Can you tell me?"

"Yes! Replying to the Imperial Concubine, this servant comes from the Bai family of merchants in the capital. We make a living by selling tea, and this servant is the legitimate daughter of the family, but because my mother passed away early, I was not favored in the family before entering the Wangfu."

Compared to Qin Yuxia's discomfort, Bai Meilan, who had an even lower background than her, was much calmer and more natural. So, after Bai Meilan's words fell, Zhang Guifei couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly, looked at Bai Meilan twice more, and then couldn't help but sigh slightly:

"Sigh, I didn't expect such a wonderful person to be such a pitiful child... Alright, follow me into the palace later. As long as you are obedient, I will not treat you unfairly!"

Saying this, Zhang Guifei settled the matter on the spot. At this moment, Qin Yuxia and Bai Meilan, who had thought Zhang Guifei would say something else, were stunned. Seeing that they were still standing there blankly, Yuzhu, who was standing beside Zhang Guifei, frowned slightly:

"Two Misses, the Imperial Concubine is benevolent and lets the two of you enter the palace with her; this is a grace that cannot be sought even if you begged for it. Why don't you hurry and thank her?!"

Yuzhu couldn't stand it and reminded them. Upon hearing this, Qin Yuxia instantly swept away her previous discomfort, knelt on both knees, and said repeatedly:

"Thank you, Imperial Concubine, this concubine will never forget the Imperial Concubine's great kindness!"

Qin Yuxia's excitement was evident. Hearing this, Zhang Guifei, sitting in her seat, nodded with satisfaction... But just then, at the same time Qin Yuxia was kowtowing to thank her, Bai Meilan also knelt down, but afterward, she didn't rush to thank her like Qin Yuxia.

Bai Meilan didn't speak, her head lowered and eyes downcast, which attracted Zhang Guifei's attention. Zhang Guifei narrowed her eyes again instantly and asked slowly:

"What? Does Miss Bai have something else to say to me?"

"Yes, Imperial Concubine, this servant has something to say."

"Oh? What is it?"

Bai Meilan's reaction made Zhang Guifei a bit curious. At this moment, Bai Meilan, kneeling on both knees, looked up at Zhang Guifei and said:

"Imperial Concubine, this servant is grateful for your kindness, but this servant does not want to enter the palace..."

"Not want to enter the palace? What kind of talk is this? Could it be that you are afraid I will treat you unfairly?"

Hearing Bai Meilan say she didn't want to enter the palace, Zhang Guifei's face instantly darkened. But at this moment, Bai Meilan explained repeatedly:

"No, Imperial Concubine, you have misunderstood! This servant does not mean I don't want to follow you into the palace, but that this servant has never thought about living in the palace..."

"Uh... this... what does this mean?"

"Yes, Imperial Concubine, actually, the reason why this servant came with Yuxia today is to tell the Princess about this matter... This servant does not want to enter the palace, nor does this servant want to return to the Chen Wangfu."

Bai Meilan spoke with a serious face. Upon hearing this, everyone in the room was stunned, and even Nie Jinxuan was taken aback.

Because Bai Meilan's meaning was clear: she would no longer be a concubine and would leave the Chen Wangfu forever!

So for a time, everyone was stunned. Because everyone really didn't expect Bai Meilan to say this. But after a brief moment of shock, Nie Jinxuan was the first to come to her senses, exchanged a look with Zhang Guifei on the side, and then turned to look at Bai Meilan:

"Miss Bai, you just said... you don't want to enter the palace and don't want to return to the Chen Wangfu. Is this true?"

"Princess, every word this servant said is true!"

Bai Meilan's face showed determination. Speaking of this, Bai Meilan paused, lowered her eyes, and said in a low voice:

"Princess, this servant has a lowly background and knows what my status is. Over these days, this servant has thought a lot at the villa... Actually, to tell the truth, when this servant heard that the Prince was going to ascend the throne as emperor, I was indeed happy. But later, after repeatedly wanting to return to the residence and being repeatedly rejected by the Prince... no, by the Emperor, this servant finally understood... In the Emperor's heart, there is only you, Princess. So my existence will only make the Emperor feel annoyed. Although this servant understands that you are a good person, Princess, and even if I don't say anything, you will treat me well in the future, but this servant feels that rather than being like this, it's better to just leave!"

"Then, have you thought of where to go after leaving the Wangfu?"

Bai Meilan was a concubine; leaving the Wangfu meant she could only return to her maiden home. But Nie Jinxuan didn't know the situation of the Bai family. Besides, Bai Meilan just said that she wasn't favored in the Bai family before, so could Bai Meilan really return to the Bai family?

Nie Jinxuan was very skeptical. At this moment, seeing that Nie Jinxuan was actually worried about her, Bai Meilan couldn't help but smile:

"Thank you for your concern, Princess. But please rest assured, Princess. Although this servant hasn't thought of a place to go yet, this servant believes that the world is vast, and there will always be a place for this servant!"

Bai Meilan often smiled. But for the first time, Nie Jinxuan saw such a pure smile on her face. So hearing her say this, and seeing her firm expression, Nie Jinxuan exchanged a look with Zhang Guifei on the side again. Zhang Guifei sighed and said slowly:

"Sigh, you child, you really are... But since you have said so, I cannot say anything more! But just now, hearing what you meant, you cannot return to your maiden home after leaving the Wangfu. Although you say the world is vast and there will be a place for you, you are a woman, and it is ultimately dangerous! So, let's do this: you return to the villa today, and tomorrow I will send someone over! After all, although you are only one of Zhan'er's concubines, now that you are leaving, I cannot just wash my hands of it! So rest assured!"

Bai Meilan's move was very sudden, so neither Zhang Guifei nor Nie Jinxuan had any preparation! Therefore, Zhang Guifei had her return first and would make arrangements later!

After arranging Bai Meilan's affairs, Zhang Guifei gave a few instructions to Qin Yuxia and had her wait at the villa early tomorrow morning, saying she would have someone pick her up to enter the palace early tomorrow.

The matter was settled. Afterward, the two kowtowed to thank Zhang Guifei and then retreated... But after the two walked out of the inner courtyard and out of the moon gate, Qin Yuxia immediately stopped Bai Meilan:

"Bai Meilan, what do you mean? Wasn't it your idea to come to the Wangfu today? But why did you change your mind temporarily just now?"

It turned out that although it was Qin Yuxia's idea to return to the Wangfu some time ago, ever since she was threatened by Yin Fengzhan last time, Qin Yuxia hadn't dared to! Although she was anxious in her heart, she was even more afraid that Yin Fengzhan would really take harsh action. So, she could only be anxious at the villa.

And two afternoons ago, Bai Meilan found her and told her that Yin Fengzhan was busy with government affairs in the palace during this period, so only Nie Jinxuan should be in the Wangfu. Therefore, it would be better to take advantage of this opportunity and use the excuse that the end of the year was approaching to return to the residence directly. In this way, even if Nie Jinxuan wasn't happy, there would always be a way to make her agree. At worst, they could just say they would leave after the New Year!

Therefore, it was because of Bai Meilan's words that Qin Yuxia had been moved. It was just that Qin Yuxia never expected that the matter which had been agreed upon would have Bai Meilan back out when the time came, and she even said she wouldn't be a concubine anymore! This made Qin Yuxia completely unable to understand!

But at this moment, facing Qin Yuxia's questioning, Bai Meilan smiled and said slowly:

"That's right, it was my idea to come to the Wangfu today. But Qin Yuxia, the situation has changed now, and I have no other choice!" ===== CHAPTER 258 =====