Chapter 005 Chapter 5

Chapter 5

The weather in early summer is inevitably depressing, and even ice in the palace cannot block the layers of heat waves coming from outside.

Yu Ronghua woke up from her nap, her beautiful eyes glanced at the ice cubes, and she couldn't help but frown and said, "Why is there only so little ice? Although it's not the hottest summer day yet, it's still a little too little."

Chen Lu looked towards Bing Jian, clenched the wooden comb in her hand, lowered her head and whispered, "Perhaps the eunuchs misremembered the quota. I will go there myself tomorrow."

Yu Ronghua paused as she applied nail polish. The hot weather and her restless mind made her sweep the tray on the table to the ground. All the maids in the inner hall knelt down. Yu Ronghua sneered and looked at the gilded, engraved, jade-inlaid pine incense burner slowly burning with green smoke. She wiped the tears from her eyes silently, "What's going on?"

Chen Lu's face was full of worry, "Master..."

Yu Ronghua's hand gently touched the incense burner, "Speak!"

Chen Lu was frightened by her sharp voice and held the handkerchief with her hand. "A new concubine will soon enter the palace. The Ministry of Eunuchs said that there is a shortage of ice cubes, so the master can use it."

Yu Ronghua raised her lips in a sarcastic arc. She turned around and looked at Hanyu Palace. It still looked magnificent on the outside, but inside, it was already cold and chilly:

"Really?"

Yu Ronghua spoke in a very soft tone, as if she had not said anything just now.

Since the Emperor left her palace a month ago, he has never set foot in it again. Even the food and consumption are not as good as before. Is it true that only a newcomer to the palace will have such an experience? Yu Ronghua did not believe it, and was unwilling to believe it.

She wiped away the tears from her eyes and said, "Put on some makeup. I want to go for a walk in the Yu Garden."

Chen Lu glanced at Tian'er outside, but ultimately did not say a word of persuasion. The hall was silent, and everyone was alert and serving, and no one dared to make a sound.

Ruan Yun was still working as a sweeper in the peach forest. She fainted in front of the palace that day. When she woke up, she and Tingxu were the only ones in the room. She used some silver to learn what happened next from the other palace maids in Hanyu Palace.

Yu Ronghua finally hired an imperial physician for them, but that was all he did. He only had them feed rice soup every day, and the rest was up to their own luck.

Ruan Jun sat under the porch and stretched out her hand to catch a leaf that had fallen from the tree. Now was not the season for peach blossoms to bloom, and her palm gradually shrank. The moment she agreed to Yu Ronghua, she had no way back. All the thoughts she had in the past could only be suppressed in her heart and could never be told to anyone again. But just like this flower, it bloomed and withered with the season, not to mention the branches that depended on the trunk of the tree. In the end, I'm afraid there wouldn't even be any stumps left.

Opening her palms again, Ruan Jun stared at the leaves that had been crushed to pieces. The green juice was sticky on her palms, making her feel very uncomfortable.

She took out a handkerchief and wiped her palms clean bit by bit. She heard a rustling sound beside her and looked sideways.

Ting Xu obediently put down the branch in his hand, wiped the beads of sweat from his forehead, then sat beside Ruan Yun and took out the things in his arms and gave them to Ruan Yun as if they were treasures.

Ruan Yun took it. The porcelain bottle in her hand was quite heavy. Ting Xu smiled and said, "Sister, you cherish your hands the most. I asked for this ointment from the Imperial Hospital. It is very effective in fading marks and removing scars. Sister Yun, remember to use it."

Slowly opening the porcelain bottle, a scent of flowers came out, the fragrance filled the air, and the fierceness of the hot summer seemed to have dissipated a lot. Ruan Yun's almond-shaped eyes gradually became moist, and her palms tightened unconsciously. A wave of wetness came over her, and Ruan Yun asked softly:

"Tingxu, is there anything you want to do now?"

Tingxu held her face in her hands and shook her head, "I was an orphan sent to the palace. Meeting Sister Ayun is the best thing that has ever happened to me. I dare not ask for anything else."

Turning his head to look at Ruan Yun, Ting Xu shook Ruan Yun's arm, "Where's my sister?"

Ruan Yun paused, her almond-shaped eyes slightly closed as she scanned the scene, the screams of men and women mixed together, becoming a nightmare that she had been haunted by for many years. Lowering her head and concentrating, Ruan Yun applied the ointment in the white porcelain bottle on Tingxu's hand:

"Don't hurt your hands."

Tingxu wanted to avoid Ruan Yun's action, but was firmly restrained by Ruan Yun's bare hands. "This is for my sister. I don't need it."

Ruan Yun pursed her lips and smiled, "What woman doesn't cherish herself?"

Ruan Yun covered the white porcelain bottle. She touched Tingxu's black hair and said calmly, "I just hope we can live well in the palace."

…

The flowers in the garden are in full bloom, with bright colors. The shy stamens standing on the branches also block the heat wave, and the breeze passing through the branches brings a sense of coolness.

Yu Ronghua waved a round fan with a mahogany carved handle and embroidered flowers and butterflies, her brows raised and her previous loneliness was gone.

This was the only place in the Yu Garden that was naturally cool because of the tall trees. Yu Ronghua was still thinking about her mother's letter and the attitude of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. She clenched the round fan tightly in her hand and was distracted for a moment before she noticed a gentle voice coming from the pavilion in front of her.

The concubine leaned in Yan Shiyu's arms, her voice was gentle and charming, she peeled a grape with her delicate jade fingers and put it into Yan Shiyu's mouth, her fingertips slid across the jade belt around his waist, "Your Majesty has not come to my palace for a long time to eat."

Yan Shiyu's dark eyes fell, his face was calm but used to being peaceful, he patted Concubine Shu's shoulder, "The government has been busy lately."

Concubine Shu sat up from Yan Shiyu's arms and placed her hand painted with bright red nail polish on the back of Yan Shiyu's hand, "I know, but Your Majesty cannot ignore his own health. My kitchen has just made some Jiangnan dishes. Your Majesty should come and try them when you have time."

"Yes." Yan Shiyu raised his eyebrows slightly, not as distant as he treated others, "My beloved concubine is thoughtful."

Shu Fei had just put on a smile, and before she handed the teacup to Yan Shiyu, she heard the sound of something falling not far away. Her delicate face suddenly stiffened, and the tea lid even shook a little.

Who is this vixen again? She must have heard that the Emperor and she were in the Yu Garden and came here on purpose to make her unhappy. She even wants to snatch the Emperor away from her!

Yu Ronghua had not expected to see this scene before her. She had always loved flowers, and when she was in a bad mood she would think of taking a walk around the Yu Garden. Unexpectedly, she ran into this scene between Concubine Shu and Yan Shiyu.

Concubine Shu put the teacup back on the table, not lightly or heavily, "What a coincidence."

There was no point pretending she didn't know since she had been seen. Yu Ronghua regained her usual demeanor and walked forward charmingly, "Your Majesty, Madam Concubine Shu."

Shufei was still leaning in Yan Shiyu's arms, while Yan Shiyu was leaning on the beauty couch, with one leg folded and his hand casually placed on it, looking nonchalantly towards Yu Ronghua.

However, his eyes did not fall on Yu Ronghua at first, but looked to her side. When he raised his eyes and did not see the charming and beautiful person, he calmly retracted his black eyes.

Yu Ronghua was happy for a moment when Yan Shiyu looked at her, but she clearly noticed where Yan Shiyu's black eyes were looking. He didn't see what he wanted to see, so he didn't say a word.

The sadness of the past few days suddenly surged into her heart. As the sun shone on her, Yu Ronghua's face gradually turned pale. No makeup could cover up her desolation.

Yan Shiyu originally wanted to take a good rest in the harem during his free time. When he went to Concubine Shu and listened to her coquettish words, he was willing to let her come to this garden. However, Yu Ronghua really made him unhappy. When he looked at her again, all the warmth in his eyes disappeared, causing Yu Ronghua to almost fall.

He didn't want to listen to their quarrel. When Wei Maoyuan saw the emperor stand up, he hurriedly called people to help the emperor tidy up his clothes.

When Concubine Shu saw that the emperor was about to leave, she wanted him to stay a little longer. Just as her hand touched the corner of Yan Shiyu's clothes, she saw his dark eyes passing by, mixed with a lot of coldness, so she had to take her hand back.

Without saying a word to Yu Ronghua, Yan Shiyu, wrapped in ambergris, left Yu Ronghua's side.

Yu Ronghua staggered, realizing that the emperor was still angry with her.

She was about to break the armor apart. Behind her, the ceremonial guards of Concubine Shu and Yu Ronghua stood together, and their ranks were clearly visible.

After the emperor left, Concubine Shu changed her expression and put on a cold look as she touched the gorgeous armor on her hand.

Yu Ronghua and Concubine Shu have never been on good terms. In the past, Concubine Shu was not as favored as Yu Ronghua in the Qian Mansion. However, she did not expect that after the Emperor's victory, Concubine Shu was among the four concubines and received more and more favors. Unwilling to pretend with Concubine Shu, Yu Ronghua bowed and was about to leave, but Concubine Shu stopped her, "Stop, do you want me to let you go?"

Forced to stop, Yu Ronghua still did not turn around. As soon as Concubine Shu raised her hand, the palace maid immediately understood and helped Concubine Shu to stand up straight.

Concubine Shu was in the pavilion, while Yu Ronghua was exposed to the sun, with beads of sweat rolling down her clothes. However, she could not leave and could only wait here for Concubine Shu to speak.

Holding the handkerchief tightly in her hand, Concubine Shu couldn't help but think of the happy look on the emperor's face when he was still here just now. It was all because of this little bitch in front of her!

Concubine Shu was furious and said in a stern voice, "I am here with the Emperor to enjoy the flowers and take a rest, but you barged in without even telling me what to do and ruined the Emperor's and my mood. You don't take me seriously!"

Yu Ronghua knelt down and said, "I dare not. I was careless just now. Please forgive me, Your Majesty."

Concubine Shu sneered and looked down at Yu Ronghua, "If that's the case, then kneel here for an hour. This is your punishment for disrespecting the superior and offending me."

Yu Ronghua was stunned. Chen Lu wanted to plead for her master but was stopped by Yu Ronghua. She took a deep breath and said, "It was indeed unintentional. If the emperor heard of your majesty's actions..."

Concubine Shu smiled brightly, "Really? Then you have to meet the emperor too."

When paying respects a month ago, Yu Ronghua relied on the fact that the emperor went to her place last night and ignored her. Shufei couldn't swallow this, so her punishment of Yu Ronghua this time was justified.

The mauve-colored palace with golden patterns made Concubine Shu look very imposing. Seeing Yu Ronghua kneeling in a wolf's clothing, she felt much more relieved and personally pointed to the maid beside her:

"Watch Yu Ronghua. Don't let her get up for less than an hour."

Liu Jin responded and stood in front of Yu Ronghua, without a trace of pity on his face. He just watched Yu Ronghua's face gradually turn pale. After an hour, he said, "Master Ronghua, the time has come. You can return to the palace."

Yu Ronghua was helped up by Chen Lu, and looked at Liu Jin with hatred, "Remember this!"

Tears welled up in her eyes, and it was a hot summer day, so Yu Ronghua couldn't bear it. However, the position of Concubine Shu was higher than her, and she was charged with disrespecting her superiors, so how could she not be punished?

Liu Jin bowed politely and watched Yu Ronghua leave and return to the palace to report.

Concubine Shu asked someone to remove the hairpin. She closed her beautiful eyes and placed her hands on her head. The palace maid carefully massaged her legs. "How is Yu Ronghua?"

Liu Jin said respectfully: "It doesn't look good. Maybe it's because you've been kneeling for too long."

Concubine Shu sneered and slowly sat up straight. "Long? I thought she knelt for too short a time and disturbed me and the emperor. She dared to show off in front of me after having slept with me once. Did she really think I couldn't do anything to her?"

Liu Jin said: "Yes, Yu Ronghua will definitely learn a lesson this time."

Concubine Shu lay back on the couch and suddenly remembered something. She hooked her finger at Liu Jin and said something in her ear.

…

Yu Ronghua took the sedan chair back to Hanyu Palace. Chen Lu immediately sent someone to invite the imperial physician. Yu Ronghua held Chen Lu's arm tightly, "Where is the emperor? Does the emperor know about this?"

She was stubborn and didn't want to shed tears. If the emperor knew, he would definitely not forgive Concubine Shu. After all... after all, they still had feelings for each other.

Chen Lu knelt down with tears in her eyes, "Master, I will send someone to Zichen Palace to ask for help..."

Yu Ronghua pushed her and said, "Speak!"

Chen Lu said: "General Yu sent away the people he sent earlier. The emperor is unwilling to come."

Yu Ronghua closed her eyes, and tears finally rolled down her little face. She seemed to have lost all her strength, and all she could think about was the look of Yan Shiyu's eyes falling behind her.

That curiosity and that thought were no longer on her.