The weather is getting hotter and hotter, and the sun is getting more and more scorching each day. The flowers and plants in the Imperial Garden, which were originally tended by craftsmen and were a good place to relax, have become withered due to the scorching sun these past few days.
As the most beloved princess of the Chen Kingdom, Rong Yue was given the Ice Silk Fan, a magical artifact from the immortal sect, by the Chen emperor. Therefore, while others were still suffering from the sweltering heat, Rong Yue's palace was still cool, and she even needed to wear a quilt late at night.
Meanwhile, in other unseen places, those in power had their palaces filled with ice basins, while those without power, under the scorching sun, waved their fans rapidly, yet still couldn't stop the sweat from pouring down their faces.
That day, just after the Imperial Preceptor finished infusing the Ice Silk Fan with magic, he saw the inner court hurriedly running into the Pearl Palace, as if checking something. As Rong Yue's chief palace maid, Zhang Xu naturally had to go and ask.
It was only after asking that they learned that Mingzhu Palace originally had three buckets of ice a day for summer cooling, but because the emperor had provided Rongyue with a magical artifact from the immortal sect this year, her palace no longer needed ice. However, the inner court discovered that the ice was not up to standard, and an investigation led them to Mingzhu Palace.
The weather has been hot these past few days, so Rong Yue hasn't gone out much. Zhang Xu has also been staying in Mingzhu Palace and hasn't received any ice. So how could the blame be placed on Mingzhu Palace? Zhang Xu told Eunuch Wei, who came to check the numbers, to wait while he went to talk to Rong Yue.
Because of the heat, Rong Yue leaned back on the chaise lounge to cool off, wearing a light, thin short-sleeved shirt that revealed her snow-white arms. A palace maid stood by, holding chilled fruit. Even after spending several days together, Zhang Xu was still occasionally stunned by Rong Yue's beauty; it truly was a beauty that didn't exist in reality.
After hearing the whole story, Rong Yue said to Eunuch Wei, "It was indeed received by our palace. You can just go back and report to the Empress Dowager." Rong Yue's tone was coquettish, making it impossible for anyone to be angry.
Hearing this, the person outside could only helplessly say, "You just rely on your father's favor to make me clean up your messes." Upon hearing this, the palace servants inside immediately knelt down, and Zhang Xu had no choice but to silently follow behind them.
Rong Yue's eyes lit up when she heard the voice, and she jumped off the chair, lifting her skirt. "Mother, you've come?"
Empress Yu of the Chen Kingdom was only fifty years old. Time had not left any harsh marks on her face, except for the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes, which told the story of the impartiality of time. But for a beauty like her, for Empress Yu, time had still been kind.
Empress Yu tapped Rong Yue's forehead, her voice full of affection: "Tell me, your father has found you such a wonderful summer retreat, why are you still thinking about a little ice? Even Consort Lin has come to my door to make a scene."
Rong Yue clung to Empress Yu's arm and said coquettishly, "You said Father Emperor is willing to give me even magical artifacts from the immortal sects, so why would he care about such a little bit of ice?"
Empress Yu pulled Rong Yue to sit down on the chaise longue, somewhat helplessly saying, "You! It hasn't rained for months, and the people's crops are almost dying from the sun. The people are already complaining bitterly. Don't bother your father with such trivial matters!"
Rong Yue pouted, "If it doesn't rain, have the Imperial Advisor pray for rain. Isn't the whole point of having an Imperial Advisor around to pray for rain?"
Empress Yu smiled, marveling at her daughter's innocent and naive nature, and chatted with Rong Yue for a while before leaving.
After Empress Yu left, Rong Yue called Zhang Xu and asked her to go to the storeroom and deliver a portion of the ice she had brought to Hua Li Palace.
Huali Palace was the most remote and dilapidated palace in the palace, and the only person living there was Yan Chenghuan, a hostage who had come from afar.
"Let me go?"
Rong Yue looked at her and said, "Otherwise, why don't you let me go?"
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com