Chapter 148 Apology Doesn’t Matter

In Xu Lanshan's view, the mission had been completed anyway, so an apology was not important to her.

Why would you bother to save face and suffer when the problem can be solved with just a few words?

Concubine Yu opened her eyes wide and was stunned. She was caught off guard by this!

The queen and the concubines were also stunned.

What, what is this?

There aren't many cases of intercepting someone in the harem, but it does happen.

However, it is unprecedented to see someone apologize publicly after intercepting someone...

This is the first one for Chen Zhaoyi!

The concubines were speechless: What is this?

Xu Lanshan didn't care and said humbly, "I apologize to Concubine Yu. I'm sorry, Concubine Yu!"

Concubine Yu: "..."

She looked somewhat embarrassed and at a loss.

Concubine Shu covered her mouth and burst out laughing. She said to Concubine Yu, "Sister Yu, look how scared Concubine Chen Zhaoyi is! In that case, please be magnanimous and forgive her this time!"

Concubine Yu snorted and gave Xu Lanshan a cold look, full of disgust: "Stop pretending in front of me! I don't want you!"

Xu Lanshan is used to hitting the snake with the stick, and this skill is not just in front of the emperor. She immediately smiled and said: "Yes, I thank the Queen Concubine Yu. I will follow the Queen Concubine Yu's instructions."

Concubine Yu: "..."

The Queen smiled and said, "Alright, this isn't a big deal. Look at you guys, what a mess you've made! You even made a scene right in front of the Emperor! Never do this again! Concubine Yu, you're an old lady in the palace, why are you so petty? Concubine Chen is young and naive, so it's natural that she's a little spoiled, but that's okay. You should be more lenient."

Concubine Yu was angry, but since things had come to this point, there was no way she could move forward. She could only bite her lip and replied respectfully, "Yes, I will remember this."

Xu Lanshan sneered in her heart, thinking that the Queen really knew how to make her hate her.

Everyone paid their respects, but the queen did not keep them and soon ordered them to leave.

As the weather was cold, the concubines were not in high spirits, so they said goodbye outside Fengwu Palace and went their separate ways.

Xu Lanshan felt that the winter was too stuffy, so she went to her place with Bai Jieyu. The two talked for a while before leaving.

Within two days, it started snowing heavily and the weather became increasingly cold. Yuchan and the others said that this year's snow fell earlier and heavier than in previous years, and it was also colder than in previous years. With such heavy snow and such gloomy skies, I'm afraid it won't end so easily.

Sure enough, heavy snow continued to fall intermittently for several days. The queen, out of pity for the concubines, simply forgot to pay her respects.

Emperor Yuan Yong did not enter the harem for several days, saying that he was busy with state affairs.

Xu Lanshan thought to herself, with such heavy snow, it's likely that the north will have a hard winter this year. She didn't know whether they would need disaster relief or not. She wondered if the emperor was busy with this matter.

She wanted to go to Ganyuan Palace, but was afraid of attracting too much attention.

Unexpectedly, just at this moment, the system gave her another task: to raise donations for the snow disaster.

That's too much...

Xu Lanshan called the system several times, but the system pretended to be dead and ignored her, which made her very angry!

She was just a small Zhaoyi, and she was asked to raise donations for the snow disaster? Donations were no problem. If the mission required it, she could donate all her property!

Moreover, in such weather, I don’t know how many people are having a hard time at home. If I can help them a little, it will be a merit.

But - raising funds? Is this something a little Zhaoyi like her can do?

Even if donations are needed for disaster relief due to the snowstorm outside the palace, it is the Queen who is in charge of fundraising. At worst, there are Concubine Yu, Concubine Shu, and Concubine Gui. How could it be her turn?

This system is so good, in this harem where status and power are ranked the most, it allows her to interfere in other people's affairs?

No matter how much the emperor favors her and likes her, he would never agree to such a thing, right?

Previously, he had intercepted Concubine Yu to compete for favor with Concubine Yu alone. If he did this again, wouldn't he be in conflict with all the high-ranking people?

How many heads does she have...

After a long while, the system said weakly, "Honey... Come on... Honey, you're so smart, there will definitely be a way!"

Xu Lanshan: “Haha!”

She didn't want to talk to it now.

Complaints aside, the task still needs to be completed. Just think of her as having obsessive-compulsive disorder! I won't feel comfortable if I don't give it a try.

Xu Lanshan thought about it for half a day and finally came up with some ideas.

So she waited until dark and then disguised herself as a palace maid and quietly went there.

Fortunately, Dong Zhi was used to seeing her dressed like this, so he welcomed her in without waiting for anyone to look or ask anything.

Emperor Yuan Yong, who was sitting at his desk with a frown on his face, heard the noise and looked up. Seeing her bright smile and clear eyes, he felt refreshed. He put down his pen and smiled, "Why are you here in such a cold weather? Come quickly!"

Xu Lanshan took off her cloak and handed it to the maid. She stepped forward, smiling, and said, "I've been thinking about the Emperor for a long time, but I was afraid of being seen. I finally waited until dark. It's not far, so it's not cold."

It was even less cold in this hall, as it had floor heating and thick carpets, making it cozy and warm.

Emperor Yuan Yong took her into his arms and sat her on his lap. A faint fragrance lingered in his nose, making him feel relaxed and happy. He held her hand and chuckled softly: "I have been thinking about you too. I had planned to visit you after I was busy these few days."

"In a few days? Is the emperor so busy recently?" Xu Lanshan opened her eyes wide, and there seemed to be a coquettish accusation in her beautiful eyes, as if she was complaining that Emperor Yuan Yong took so long to visit her.

Emperor Yuan Yong smiled, kissed her cheek gently, and sighed, "Such heavy snow, the snowstorm in the north is severe, even near the capital, many people are seriously affected and need disaster relief. I have been busy with this matter these days, so naturally I don't have time."

"The snow is really heavy this year, no wonder!" Xu Lanshan nodded in sudden realization, and continued, "Don't those ministers know how to help the emperor with this kind of thing? They even burden him! Your Majesty, I am willing to help you with this. I do have some silver and other valuables, and I am willing to donate them all to save as many families as possible."

Emperor Yuan Yong was startled, but his heart softened. He smiled and said, "Keep your things for yourself! I love Lan'er for a reason. Compared to those ministers who complain about poverty and make excuses, Lan'er is much more reliable."

Xu Lanshan smiled sheepishly: "I am now loved and pampered by the Emperor. I have no worries about food and clothing, and I live in warmth and comfort every day. I would like to help the Emperor in any way I can. Please don't refuse me! Could it be that the Emperor dislikes my lack of money?"

Emperor Yuan Yong was both pleased and angry at these words. Normally, he would not tell his concubines about matters at court, not even the empress. But now, he longed for someone to vent his complaints to, so he sneered and complained about the officials in the Ministry of Revenue.

To sum it up, the Ministry of Revenue cried poor and couldn't come up with money for disaster relief, and argued with him in the court. He actually knew that the treasury was indeed empty, but as an emperor, how could he ignore the lives of the people under his rule?