Chapter 5 The Imperial Concubine's Provocation
The eunuch who was serving below had a round, fat, white face without a single wrinkle, like a smooth and slippery white pancake.
He curled his lips in a cunning, flattering smile. "I'm useless and haven't heard the truth about what's going on inside. But the news coming out of Changchun Palace is true. No sooner had Concubine Meng woke up than the Emperor passed away. He only stayed for less than a cup of tea before returning to the Yangxin Palace. People outside were wondering why the Concubine had suddenly changed her ways. And another thing... the Concubine's green card has been hung up."
"Playing hard to get."
The beautiful woman picked up a drunken plum from the gold-thread crystal dish and put it in her mouth. She took the handkerchief from the palace maid, wiped her hands, and said calmly, "Meng Yan's fainting has made her smarter. She now knows that being too hard can easily break her." As she spoke, a cold smile appeared on her gentle and beautiful face. "It's easy to change the country, but it's hard to change one's nature. I just don't believe that Meng Yan can really change her temper and personality."
The eunuch asked tentatively, "What does the Madam mean?"
The beauty straightened up and smiled. "We are sisters after all. Since she is ill, of course I have to go and visit her. Bailing, I remember Curry still has some old mountain ginseng tributed from Jilin. I'll take it with me later. I'm sure the precious Imperial Concubine will appreciate it."
The maidservant named Bai Ling, standing by, showed a look of pity on her face. She whispered, "Your Majesty, that old mountain ginseng was sent specially by the Emperor last year. He said you were weak and wanted to keep it for your vitality. There are so many good things in Changchun Palace, why are you..."
The beauty glanced at her and smiled slightly, "This drama must be played to its fullest. After all, I am the most virtuous concubine in the harem. Go ahead."
When the Yiku Palace group arrived outside the Changchun Palace, Meng Yan was enjoying yellow sprout chicken porridge in the inner room.
According to her, the eight-treasure duck could not be prepared in an instant, but the meat porridge would always be quick.
Yunxiang couldn't persuade her, so she had to go to the small kitchen and bring a bowl over. Fortunately, these foods were prepared and served day and night in the small kitchen of Changchun Palace, so they were always available when you wanted them.
Meng Yan ate two bowls of meat porridge and still felt hungry. Yunxiang was worried that she would have indigestion and tried to dissuade her from having a third bowl.
Just as the master and servant were arguing, someone outside came in to report: "Your Majesty, the Imperial Noble Consort is here to visit and is waiting outside the gate."
Meng Yan took the handkerchief from Ruizhu's hand and wiped her mouth. She asked in a rather unpleasant tone, "What is she doing here?"
The visitor said, "He said he came to visit the patient."
Visiting a patient?
I'm afraid you're here to laugh at her!
Imperial Noble Consort Liang Chengbi was also an elder in the Crown Prince's residence. They had entered the palace together. She was older than she, so she often treated herself as the elder sister in their daily interactions.
The storybook described how she was gentle, respectful, frugal and modest. Although she was the imperial concubine, she was bullied by her own concubine everywhere. She always tolerated her own difficult behaviors and was very considerate of the emperor's wishes. She even served as a good assist between the heroine Lin Yanrong and Lu Haozhi, and was known as the most virtuous concubine in the harem of the Great Zhou Dynasty.
The ending of the story was tragic, Lin Yanrong became the queen, and the imperial concubine was able to live a stable life, being treated as a sister by Lin Yanrong, enjoying all the glory and wealth.
Thinking about how Lin Yanrong claims to be deeply in love with Lu Hao and is devoted to him, yet she treats the woman she shares a husband with as close as sisters, and she doesn't find it disgusting.
"Mother?"
Seeing that she didn't respond for a long time, Yunxiang couldn't help but remind her gently.
"Um?"
Meng Yan muttered a lot in her mind, then came back to her senses after a while and replied calmly, "Then ask her to wait in the side hall. I'll go after I've packed up."
After sending the messenger away, Ruizhu combed her hair while muttering, "This Imperial Noble Consort didn't come earlier or later, but she came right after the Emperor left. It's obvious she's here to gather information. According to this servant, it's better for the Empress not to see her. After all, the Empress is ill, and it's normal for someone sick to not see anyone."
Looking at her pretty face in the mirror, Meng Yan picked up a box of goose egg powder and deliberately rubbed her face pale.
She laughed. "If I don't see her now, and word gets out, it'll cause a big uproar. Everyone'll say, 'Look, the Imperial Concubine is turning the Imperial Concubine away.' I don't want to be the bad guy."
Ruizhu chuckled and shook her head. She hadn't heard the Empress make such jokes for a long time.
Following Meng Yan's suggestion, Ruizhu combed her hair into a bun and changed her into a smoky-colored, chest-length skirt.
Looking in the mirror, she saw a frail beauty.
Meng Yan nodded with satisfaction and led her people to the side hall.
Imperial Noble Consort Liang Chengbi was sitting in a side hall. The tea that the palace maid had just served was emitting wisps of smoke and the fragrance of tea filled the air, but she had no appetite to take a sip.
She originally thought that based on Meng Yan's previous hot-tempered temper, she would definitely not be willing to see her at this moment.
If she really gets rejected, she will have something to say.
Unexpectedly, Meng Yan not only invited her in, but even the palace maids under her were respectful to her, which was completely different from her arrogant attitude in the past.
Of course, she didn't know that the first thing Meng Yan did after waking up was to issue a strict order to control the words and deeds of the palace maids in Changchun Palace. If anyone abused their power to act recklessly again, they would be sent to the Ministry of Punishment for severe punishment.
Meng Yan has always been strict in enforcing orders in Changchun Palace, and no one dares to disobey.
Therefore, in just half a day, the atmosphere of Changchun Palace was completely renewed.
Liang Chengbi's apricot-colored nails tapped lightly on the armrest of the chair, and he felt more and more uneasy.
She couldn't tell where this strange feeling came from.
"Thank you for waiting, Your Majesty."
A clear female voice sounded, and Meng Yan walked in from the back.
Liang Chengbi stood up and was about to respond, but after seeing Meng Yan clearly, he couldn't help but widen his eyes.
Why is she like this today?
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