Chapter 34 An Lingrong's Instigation
Zhen Huan’s favor kept many people awake at night, and An Lingrong was one of them.
"My lady, you have been embroidering these in the palace all day long. Watch your eyes carefully."
An Da Ying has been depressed since she learned that Wan Changzai was favored. Except for paying her respects to the Queen, she spends the rest of her time embroidering handkerchiefs in the house. Baojuan is worried about her master seeing her like this.
Unexpectedly, An Lingrong just smiled faintly: "Baojuan, don't worry, I'm fine. It's just that there must be a lot of people coming and going at Sister Wan's place during this period, so I won't bother you."
Having said this, An Lingrong paused for a moment. "However, I haven't visited Sister Mei for a long time. The weather looks nice today, so let's go to Sister Mei's place."
As she spoke, she picked up the embroidered handkerchief beside her and looked at it carefully. She knew that Shen Meizhuang liked chrysanthemums, so she specially embroidered a chrysanthemum in the corner of the handkerchief.
After a while, An Lingrong arrived at Xianfu Palace. It happened that Chen Meizhuang did not go out today.
"How come Sister An has time to come here today?"
Seeing An Lingrong, whom she hadn't seen for many days, Shen Meizhuang felt a little strange. It was said that An Lingrong had been going to Jingren Palace very frequently these days. She originally thought that she would not have time to come to Xianfu Palace.
Even though she had doubts in her heart, she quickly welcomed the person over and then asked Caiyue to bring tea.
"I've been bored in the palace these past few days, and I thought Sister Wan would be busy, so I decided not to bother her. I'll look for you, Sister Mei. I hope I didn't bother you."
An Lingrong looked at Chen Meizhuang with apology, and her every move was still as cautious as when she first entered the palace.
"Why would you bother me? I'm so happy that you can come here and chat with me."
Chen Meizhuang didn't have deep feelings for An Lingrong to begin with, and with Nian Shilan's previous secret reminders, she was somewhat wary of An Lingrong, but on the surface she was still smiling and talking as usual.
"Sister Wan has been very favored recently. I'm really happy for her. Ever since sister came to the emperor's bedchamber, he has been staying at Suiyuxuan. I heard that apart from the previous Empress Chunyuan, no one else has ever enjoyed such honor and favor. It's really enviable."
An Lingrong said she was envious, but her words were actually trying to sow discord between Shen Meizhuang and Zhen Huan.
Everyone knows that before Zhen Huan entered the emperor's bedchamber, Chen Meizhuang was the most favored among the new concubines, but now it is difficult for her to even see the emperor.
As An Lingrong said these words, she carefully observed Shen Meizhuang's expression, as if trying to find something unusual.
As a lady from a noble family who was carefully nurtured by her family, how could Shen Meizhuang not know about this trick that could be seen through at a glance? She chatted and laughed with An Lingrong with a normal expression.
"I'm happy for Huan'er too. We entered the palace together. Now that Huan'er is favored, it's a good thing for us."
"Yes, but I was thinking that among the three of us, I was the only one from a humble background. Even though I had already served in the emperor's bedchamber, I still could not be favored by the emperor. I guess I was the only one like this.
An Lingrong was so sad when she spoke that tears were about to fall from her face.
Hearing her say this, Chen Meizhuang subconsciously wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes: "Sister, don't be sad, you still have us, and things will get better and better in the future."
"Sister Mei, you are so kind. By the way, I don't have anything valuable. This is a handkerchief I embroidered myself. I hope you like it."
An Lingrong took out the handkerchief she had prepared earlier and handed it to Shen Meizhuang.
Looking at the lifelike chrysanthemums on it, Shen Meizhuang was very happy.
"Sister An's cooking skills are truly amazing. Since it's such a kind gesture from you, I wouldn't refuse it."
Chen Meizhuang happily asked Caiyue beside her to put the handkerchief in her hand away.
As she turned her head to look elsewhere, she didn't notice the deep meaning in An Lingrong's eyes at all.
The two chatted idly like this, and soon it was time for dinner.
Chen Meizhuang smiled and called Caiyue to serve the meal, and told An Lingrong to stay for dinner.
"Thank you for your kindness, sister. I ate a little too much this morning, and now I don't feel hungry at all. So I won't eat with you here. I'll come over next time when I'm free."
Having said that, An Lingrong stood up and was about to leave.
Chen Meizhuang did not force her to stay. She said goodbye to her and let her leave.
"My lady, why did An promise to come over so suddenly today to give you a handkerchief?"
Caiyue took a closer look at the handkerchief when she put it away. Although there were only a few chrysanthemums embroidered on it, if you look closely, you will know that the silk threads used on these chrysanthemums are extremely careful and the embroidery method is very delicate. It can be imagined that the person who embroidered it put a lot of effort into it.
"Although Miss An has occasionally given you some embroidery before, this is the first time I've seen such a thoughtful embroidery like today's."
Chen Meizhuang looked outside the house and smiled, but did not answer Caiyue's question. Her eyes seemed to look elsewhere through the door at the entrance, but An Lingrong's leaving figure was no longer there.
"Caiyue, I'm feeling a little unwell. Please ask Doctor Wen to come over tomorrow."
"My lady, where are you feeling unwell? I will go to the Imperial Hospital right now."
When Caiyue heard what Chen Meizhuang said, she could no longer sit still and wanted to leave in a hurry, but was stopped by Chen Meizhuang.
"It's nothing serious, don't worry. I'll go get Doctor Wen tomorrow."
Seeing the serious expression on Shen Meizhuang's face, Caiyue felt relieved. Although she didn't know why the young lady gave such an order, she would be relieved as long as the young lady was really fine.
After leaving Xianfu Palace, An Lingrong changed her previous sad expression, and her eyes were full of calculation.
So what if he had a high position, so what if he was favored before, now he is still forgotten in the corner by the emperor like her.
Looking up at the tall wall in front of her, An Lingrong sighed slightly, not knowing what she was thinking about.
"Baojuan, why do so many people know they are trapped inside this high wall, but still can't help but rush in?"
Baojuan didn't know how to answer this question, and An Lingrong seemed to have just said it casually and didn't really want to get an answer from Baojuan.
Surrounded by high walls on all sides, people feel inexplicably depressed. Under these red walls and yellow tiles, who knows how many people's bitter pasts are buried.
An Lingrong walked and walked, then left quickly. Her life here had just begun, and she would never let herself become a prey of others.
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