Chapter 141: The Master-Servant Dispute
"I wonder why Concubine Xi has time to come to my place today? Is there something going on?"
Rou Changzai was very surprised by Zhen Huan's arrival. She knew very well that Zhen Huan and Nian Shilan looked down on her, let alone taking the initiative to come to her.
"Nothing, I just happened to be passing by and thought your palace was right here, so I walked in. I hope I didn't disturb you."
Zhen Huan looked at the elegant furnishings in the house and could tell that the owner paid great attention to details in every aspect.
"I've heard that Rou Changzai was gentle and virtuous even when she was still in the boudoir. Looking at the calligraphy and paintings in your room, they must be your handiwork. Rou Changzai not only dances beautifully but is also so outstanding in calligraphy and painting. She is truly a wonderful person."
"Thank you for the compliment, Her Majesty. How dare I compare myself to Her Majesty? I heard Her Majesty once tell me that when Her Majesty first entered the palace, she stunned everyone with her stunning dance. It's a pity that I entered the palace too late and didn't have the good fortune to witness it. I really feel very sorry."
Rou Chang always had a respectful smile on her face when facing Zhen Huan, but Zhen Huan knew very well how much jealousy Rou Chang had towards her in her heart. What she couldn't figure out was when she had offended her.
"We still have a lot of time together. Who knows, your dancing skills might even improve, and the Emperor might like you even more."
Zhen Huan came here today just on a whim, and she didn't really want to get anything out of her. She looked around casually.
"This is Xiaolan, who was brought into the palace from her mother's home by Concubine Rou. I heard Liuzhu mention her before, and after taking a closer look today, I see she is indeed very pretty."
"Your servant Xiaolan pays homage to Her Majesty the Concubine Xi and thanks Her Majesty the Concubine Xi for her compliments."
Xiaolan never thought that one day she would get the attention of someone like Concubine Xi. When she heard Zhen Huan mention her name, she felt like she was dreaming. After she came to her senses, she immediately knelt in front of Zhen Huan and saluted. Her flattering look made Concubine Rou, who was sitting next to her, pause.
"It's getting late, and I have other things to deal with, so I won't disturb Rou Changzai."
"Your Highness respectfully bids farewell to Her Majesty Xi."
After sending Zhen Huan away, Rou Changzai sat there with a gloomy face, looking at the person in front of her, and her words were cold.
"Xiaolan, how long have you been with me?"
"My dear, I have been with you since I was little, and it has been more than ten years now."
Xiaolan seemed to have not yet recovered from her excitement.
"It's been more than ten years already. It's been so long."
Rou Changzai didn't say anything else, but her gaze on Xiaolan became increasingly cold. It was a pity that Xiaolan, who was immersed in the joy of being noticed by Zhen Huan, didn't notice it at all.
After leaving Rou Changzai's palace, Zhen Huan did not go directly back to her own Yongshou Palace, thinking that she had not visited Sister Mei to see Princess Jinghe for some time. Unexpectedly, when she arrived at Shenmeizhuang Palace, she learned that she had gone to the Empress Dowager's palace to pay her respects.
"Let's go, let's go to Shoukang Palace too."
Zhen Huan took Liu Zhu and Jin Xi to Shou Kang Palace.
"Greetings to the Empress Dowager."
"Get up quickly and sit here."
Now the Queen Mother likes Zhen Huan more and more. She originally thought that Zhen Huan would become arrogant because of the Emperor's favor, but she didn't expect that she was such a dutiful person.
"You and Huipin are in perfect sync. You came right after she arrived."
The Queen Mother is very happy to see that the concubines in the harem are getting more and more harmonious.
"It shows that Sister Mei and I are both thinking about the Empress Dowager. Isn't it a coincidence that we have come together? The most important thing is that I feel very safe staying here with the Empress Dowager."
Zhen Huan's eloquence was already good, and now these heartfelt words made the Queen Mother smile even more.
"You are always good at making me happy, but every time you come, my place becomes extra lively. You are all sensible. With you by the emperor's side, I feel much more at ease."
"Queen Mother, please don't praise Sister Huan too much, otherwise her little tail will get cocky again."
Chen Meizhuang would come to the Empress Dowager's palace almost every day to chat with her, so she naturally became much closer to her and felt much more comfortable talking to her in front of her.
"Queen Mother, look, Sister Mei is teasing me again."
How could Zhen Huan not know Shen Meizhuang's intention? In this harem, if she wanted to find someone to rely on, the best candidate would be the Queen Mother.
For Chen Meizhuang, being favored by the empress dowager is sometimes even more important than the emperor's temporary favor.
Zhen Huan was naturally happy to see Shen Meizhuang catch the Empress Dowager's eye, so she was naturally willing to agree with Shen Meizhuang in this scene.
"Alright, you're all mothers now. If the kids see you, they'll laugh at you."
Although the Queen Mother was scolding, the smile in the corner of her eyes made it clear that she had no intention of blaming anyone.
"Your Majesty, lunch is ready."
Zhuxi walked into the room and said something softly in front of the empress dowager.
"You guys should just eat with me. I'm always alone, it's too lonely."
"In this case, I will bother the Queen Mother."
Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang looked at each other and said in unison.
Before Zhuxi could make any move, Chen Meizhuang helped the empress dowager to stand up and walked to the dining table together.
"My appetite is pretty good today. I ate a lot more than usual."
After the meal, when Zhen Huan and Shen Meiyu left, the Queen Mother and Zhu Xi sighed.
"The Empress Dowager is accompanied by Consort Xi and Consort Hui. She is in a good mood and naturally has a better appetite."
In the past, the Empress Dowager almost always ate alone in Shoukang Palace. The Emperor was busy with government affairs all day and seldom came over. The concubines who came to pay their respects would stay for a short while and then leave. Only Nian Shilan, Chen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan would come to accompany the Empress Dowager for meals from time to time.
"Huan'er, did you go to the Queen Mother's Palace today specifically to look for me?"
On the way back to the palace, Shen Meizhuang asked Zhen Huan.
"I really can't hide anything from my sister."
Zhen Huan was not surprised that Shen Meizhuang guessed this, so she told her her plan.
"Now the Queen and Rou Changzai rely on each other. Rou Changzai is very thoughtful, but I discovered something today. A maid named Xiaolan beside her may bring us a different surprise."
Zhen Huan was a very observant person. She had noticed today when Rou Chang was there that Rou Chang seemed to be wary of this Xiao Lan.
I heard before that Xiaolan came into the palace with Rou Changzai from her mother's home. Since she has been with her for so long, something must have happened to cause a rift between them as master and servant.
"Xiaolan? If that's true, it's a good thing."
Chen Meizhuang's hatred for the Queen is no less than anyone else. It would be best if she could really find a breakthrough.
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