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

Chapter 124: Discouraging
"Your Highness is too kind to praise me. I only know a little bit about the basics and cannot be called a good zither player." Lady Chen looked humble.

He paused, his eyes moved slightly, and then he smiled.

"Speaking of understanding music, the Emperor just mentioned that Concubine Jieyu plays the pipa very well. I wonder if I will be so lucky as to hear Concubine Jieyu's music today."

When she said this, Xie Jiu's eyes suddenly turned a little colder.
He lowered his eyes and said calmly, "Unfortunately, I didn't bring my pipa today. Lady Chen will be disappointed."

Upon hearing this, Concubine Chen immediately looked at Zhao Xingjin and spoke with a smile.

"Your Majesty, look, what did I say? These fine things all have owners. Your Majesty just told me that a fine pipa has just been received in the storeroom, made by a famous craftsman. And now Concubine Xie is here, and she happens to be an expert at playing the pipa."

When Zhao Xingjin met Lady Chen's gaze, he seemed to be in a good mood, with a faint smile on his face.

"You are quite good at talking. You don't ask for anything yourself, but you are trying to help others get my treasure."

After Zhao Xingjin finished speaking, Concubine Chen showed a bit of shyness and said a little embarrassedly, "I was just thinking about this rare opportunity to listen to Concubine Xie play the pipa. Concubine Xie said she didn't bring a pipa with her, and the emperor just happened to have one here. Isn't that a coincidence?"

As she said this, her eyes flickered over Xie Jiu, as if sizing up his expression.

Xie Jiu sneered in his heart, knowing that Concubine Chen was provoking him.

If Xie Jiu, a concubine of low rank, wanted to listen to her play the pipa, wouldn't that be like taking off her face for her to step on if she agreed?
It seems that after being favored these days, Concubine Chen has become quite arrogant.

Unfortunately, Xie Jiu really likes to do things that dampen people's enthusiasm.

She was being polite originally, but now it seems unnecessary.

So he chuckled and lowered his gaze, "Concubine Chen is very different now. After not seeing her for a while, she can even make decisions for the Emperor."

These words made Lady Chen's expression change immediately.

"Your Highness's words frighten me. How can I dare to be your master? But the Emperor just mentioned it to me, and I think that Your Highness is the one He loves the most, so it is only appropriate to give this pipa to Your Highness."

Having said that, he immediately stood up and bowed deeply to Zhao Xingjin.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I absolutely did not mean what Concubine Xie said. I was unruly. Please forgive me, Your Majesty!"

As he spoke, he looked up at Zhao Xingjin, and tears welled up in his eyes, as if he was extremely aggrieved.

This is not an apology, it's clearly pretending to be pitiful.

Xie Jiu looked at her with interest, then turned to Zhao Xingjin and said, "Your Majesty, you must be too serious in normal times. You dare not even joke with Concubine Chen in your presence. I, a concubine, must have frightened her with such a joke."

After she finished speaking, she stood up like Concubine Chen and saluted Zhao Xingjin.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I lost my temper and frightened Sister Chen by my words. Your Majesty loves Sister Chen, so please punish me if you want."

As a result, Lady Chen was immediately put under house arrest.

She was left in a dilemma.

I felt a little regretful for a moment, why couldn't I hold myself back and stir up trouble.

However, besides feeling regretful, she still had some expectation in her heart, thinking that the emperor had been very good to her these days, could it be that his favor was not as good as Xie Jiu's?

You know, Xie Jiu hasn't served in the imperial court for more than half a month. This new favorite is always better than the old one.

Under her expectant eyes, Zhao Xingjin actually stood up, but the next moment, Lady Chen's face froze.

Because the person Zhao Xingjin reached out to help up was Xie Jiu.

"You, you're still so playful. You're not feeling well anymore, so why are you being so formal? Hurry up and sit still."

"Yes." Xie Jiu raised the corner of his lips slightly, and squeezed Zhao Xingjin's hand lightly and imperceptibly. The way these two spoke seemed to have forgotten that there was a beautiful lady named Chen squatting beside them and performing a solemn ceremony.

Only after Xie Jiu sat down did Zhao Xingjin speak, "Alright, Lady Chen, you should get up too. There's no need to be so nervous. Concubine Xie was just joking with you."

Hearing this, Lady Chen forced a smile and then stood up.

"Sister Chen, please don't be angry with me. This is just my temper." Xie Jiu said with a smile.

There was something behind these words, and Concubine Chen also heard something of it. Although she was dissatisfied in her heart, seeing that the emperor was now on Xie Jiu's side, she could only suppress her unhappiness and express that she would not be angry.

After saying that, he was just about to sit down, but Zhao Xingjin suddenly ordered him to leave.

"You go back first. I will come to see you when I have time. Concubine Xie has just recovered from a serious illness. I want to talk to her."

"I obey my orders."

No matter how unwilling she was, Concubine Chen could only grit her teeth and say this, then left Chengming Palace.

After coming out, the expression on his face could no longer be maintained and finally collapsed.

"Shameless bitch! How could she have been favored and entered the palace with such a broken body? She is so coquettish and frivolous in front of others, but I wonder how she serves the emperor behind his back!"

"Don't be upset, my beauty," Shanhu said hurriedly, "How long can you keep using your beauty to please others?"

Concubine Chen's face was gloomy. "I don't know when she'll get better, but right now, the Emperor simply likes her more. Who can't see that? When she was ill, I only had the chance to show my face, but there was Liu who competed with me. Now that she's recovered, it seems that I'm going to be cast aside by the Emperor again."

Although she didn't want to admit it, Concubine Chen clearly felt that from the moment Xie Jiu entered Chengming Palace, Zhao Xingjin's mind was no longer on her.

Originally, when she came to Chengming Palace to serve as a writer, she felt like a mere tool, and the emperor didn't interact with her much. Now this feeling is even more obvious.

Because Zhao Xingjin's attitude towards her and Xie Jiu was completely different.

"Let's go to Weiyang Palace." Concubine Chen thought for a moment and gave the order immediately.

It seems that she is not the only one in the palace who doesn't want Xie Jiu to be favored.

At that time, in Chengming Palace, after Concubine Chen left, Zhao Xingjin teased Xie Jiu with a smile.

"Why are you so irritable now? It seems that recuperation hasn't softened your temper at all."

"Your Majesty likes dough?" Xie Jiu raised an eyebrow and snorted. "I refuse to be bullied. Your Majesty doesn't know what Lady Chen means? Even if Your Majesty makes her a concubine or a consort, and the position falls to me, I still won't play the pipa for her. Don't step on my spine and use me as a musician."

The words were spoken bluntly, and Zhao Xingjin found it refreshing to listen to.

In fact, how could he not know the little thoughts of Lady Chen?
Having been favored for some time, she wanted to show off in front of Xie Jiu, and use the favor he gave her to step on Xie Jiu, her former favorite concubine, so as to feel proud.

So when he saw Xie Jiu's hot temper, he smiled and said, "Then why don't you play the pipa for me?"

"Of course!"

Xie Jiu's eyes widened a little, with a matter-of-fact look on her face.

"The Emperor is the ruler of the world. It is a blessing to play the pipa for him."

It was clearly a flattering remark, but she said it with righteousness, which only made the smile on Zhao Xingjin's face grow wider.

This woman was always like this, making him happy easily, which was much more comforting than those deliberate flattery.

"You're so sweet!" Zhao Xingjin raised his hand and scratched Xie Jiu's nose. "Okay, let's get down to business. It just so happens that you came here today. I wanted to send someone to tell you that your father is sick and didn't come to the morning court today."