The other women sitting on the bed were also women who had gone mad for various reasons. Qingyin and the sober Alan and A'an gave them a bath, and only then did they regain their normal appearance.

Just as Qingyin had thought, these women were deliberately dressed in a dirty manner because of Eunuch Jia Yuan. Of course, there were also women who simply didn't have time to tidy up their appearance.

However, now that Qingyin has installed hidden surveillance in the Cold Palace, there are no problems. Besides, the Cold Palace is very cold in winter, and if left unattended, there will probably be a few more rotting corpses in the spring.

Looking at the women gathered together like obedient children, Qingyin's smile grew even gentler. In ancient times, human life was the most despised thing, and women were the least valuable. That's why she disliked the ancient world the most. But society can change.

Qingyin smiled.

He Zhulan looked at Qingyin, who was smiling gently, and muttered under her breath, "You said I'm the most soft-hearted, but you're clearly the most soft-hearted one. I only took care of Chen Xiuyu, that little fool, but you..."

"Sister, I'm back!" Song An's voice interrupted everyone else.

Qingyin turned her head and smiled, "You're back?"

"Um!"

"Sister Alan walks so fast, I couldn't catch up even though I tried my best," Song An said to He Zhulan with a hint of resentment.

He Zhulan pouted: "Your short legs can't possibly catch up with me!"

He Zhulan, who is 1.76 meters tall, can indeed speak to Song An so easily.

Song An scratched his head, "Hehe, it's because Sister Alan's legs are all up to my waist."

He Zhulan was taken aback by Song An's honest words and casually rolled her eyes.

"Alright! Stop talking, let's eat hot pot." Qingyin looked at the two of them with amusement, and then called out to the silkworms wrapped up on the bed.

Lunch was a hot pot served on a stove. Most of the ingredients in the pot were grown in Qingyin or exchanged from outside. The vegetables were fresh and crisp. Side dishes were placed on the side to serve as side dishes and main courses. Steaming hot air floated over the bubbling pot, and the aroma of hot pot filled the air when the wind blew through the window.

The silkworms, who had been restless from the warmth, finally got up and sat obediently on their stools, picking up their bowls and chopsticks to eat.

"Happy New Year!" Qingyin said with a smile.

"Happy New Year!" This greeting came from Song An, who would forever follow Qingyin.

"Yes, Happy New Year." He Zhulan said to Qingyin, who had almost transformed the Cold Palace, in a voice so soft that it was almost inaudible.

...

The New Year is a New Year for everyone. Outside the Cold Palace, there is noise and bustle, but inside the Cold Palace, there is still warmth.

(By the way: The New Year is almost here, so I'd like to wish you all a Happy New Year in advance!!! ( ? 3?)?)

Outside the Cold Palace, at the Cining Palace.

Sitting at the head of the table, watching her son Fulin, who was behaving so restlessly in the room, the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes deepened. This son of hers didn't value or favor the empress she had chosen for him, but instead doted on that Dong E woman, spoiling her to an unruly degree. The day she overheard someone saying that Dong E woman had said something about "one life, one love" to Fulin, she was so angry that she wanted to chop that woman up. If you only want to find one person, don't marry into the royal family! Do you want the empress's position? Heh, she really has ambition.

However, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang knew his temperament; the more she opposed him, the more enthusiastic he became.

However, since it was the New Year's Day, and the Empress had pleaded with her, she still had to persuade the Emperor.

"Your Majesty, today is a New Year's Day, yet you still need to visit the Empress tonight."

"Empress Mother, has the Empress been gossiping about you again..." Emperor Shunzhi said angrily, recalling the dark-skinned, stout Mongolian woman.

"emperor!"

Seeing his mother's stern gaze, Fulin swallowed the words of complaint he was about to say and remained silent.

Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang observed Fulin's expression and said, "As the emperor, the rule since childhood is that you must be with the empress during festivals. Lin'er, you are the emperor now."

"Hmm...I understand." Fu Lin finally agreed.

Seeing Fulin nodding as he spoke, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang nodded in satisfaction.

Fulin said stiffly, "Then, Your Majesty, I have other matters to attend to and will take my leave first."

"Yes, go ahead." Seeing that Fulin had agreed, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang could no longer pressure the emperor, so she nodded and said.

Before long, Empress Dowager Xiaozhuang watched Fulin's hurried departure and her face darkened.

Standing to the side, Su Ma La Gu quickly tried to smooth things over: "Your Majesty, please calm down. His Majesty must have some official business to attend to, so he left early."

"Ha, what official duties could he possibly have to attend to? All he does every day is seek out that Dong E clanswoman, and he avoids the topic of official business..."

"Forget it, don't try to persuade me anymore. I'll rest for a while."

"yes."

...

Chengqian Palace is luxuriously yet understatedly decorated, with white carpets on the floor, sandalwood beams, and windows made of wide, transparent glass, offering a clear view of the outside scenery.

Glassmaking techniques existed during the Qing Dynasty, though they weren't very refined, but that wasn't a big deal for the imperial family.

"Your Majesty, the Emperor has arrived!" A pretty young palace maid ran into the hall with a smile.

Consort Dong'e suddenly raised her head. "What? Come with me to fetch the Emperor! Oh, no, she hasn't properly washed and dressed up today. A-Lian, look at my clothes. If they don't look good, I need to change. A-Lian, quickly do my makeup. It's the white lotus makeup I taught you last time."

"Yes, Your Majesty!" Ah Lian replied crisply, quickly following the Empress into the house.

Having finished her makeup and even changed into a fitted white dress, Consort Dong'e, or rather, Dong Mingyue from her previous life, looked at her pitiful reflection in the mirror and nodded in satisfaction.

That's right, Consort Dong'e was a time traveler. She was originally a modern female college student who had just been admitted to university, but she died suddenly from staying up all night before she even attended a day of college and was transported to ancient times, where she became the daughter of a minister.

Just as she had imagined, she met her true love in ancient times, who was none other than the emperor. Thinking of the emperor who doted on her so much, Consort Dong'e couldn't help but smile sweetly.

Originally, she thought His Majesty would go to the Empress's place today for the New Year, but unexpectedly he came to her place instead. Consort Dong'e was both proud and a little guilty.

What good is it for that old woman to scold her when the emperor loves her? The emperor still doesn't like her.

"Your Majesty!" With that, Consort Dong'e fell into Fulin's arms like a butterfly.

"What's wrong, Yue'er?" Hearing his beloved woman's trembling voice and pale face, Fu Lin felt extremely distressed.

Consort Dong'e raised her head delicately, "I thought the Emperor wouldn't come today and would go to accompany my sister, the Empress."

"Hmph, if it weren't for my mother, I wouldn't have gone to her place. Never mind, Yue'er, I'll stay here with you for a while and go over later."

Hearing that the Emperor still wanted to go, Consort Dong'e's face stiffened, but she quickly covered it up and smiled with her eyes lowered, "Then this concubine will keep Your Majesty company for now."