In December, heavy snow fell.
Cheng Lin, dressed in a palace maid's uniform, strode into the gate of Kunning Palace.
"Phew, it's rather cold today."
Unable to suppress a muttered complaint, Cheng Lin looked up at the sky above, then shrank back, hugged the plum branch tightly, and hurried to the central hall.
"Knock knock, knock knock knock"
There was a knock on the door, and after a moment, Tan Yun peeked out from inside. "Cheng Lin, is everything settled?"
Upon seeing Cheng Lin, Tan Yun's eyes lit up, and she quickly inquired about the progress of the matter.
Cheng Lin nodded upon hearing this, "Don't worry, sister. I've already asked around. The Imperial Household Department has already sent out the appropriate allowances as instructed by Her Majesty, especially for Consort Xitala, Consort Zhang, and Consort Nara. There's plenty of charcoal, so we won't give any people a chance to stir up trouble."
Tan Yun was satisfied. "That's good. The commotion outside lately has been quite outrageous."
It's also because our Empress is kind and pure-hearted that she only takes care of Prince Baocheng every day and doesn't care about these things outside the palace.
"Hmph, I'd better not let me catch who leaked the information."
As Tan Yun finished speaking, her eyes turned cold, and the killing intent emanating from her was particularly evident.
Seeing this, Cheng Lin slightly turned her head, using her stray hairs and the light to hide the expression on her face.
"Cheng Lin, Her Majesty and I have nothing to do here. You've been running around outside for so long, go back and rest first. By the way, what's in your arms?" Tan Yun hesitated, and before she could finish speaking, Cheng Lin handed the plum branch she was carrying to Tan Yun.
"Sister Tanyun, I passed by the Imperial Garden and found that the plum blossoms there were in full bloom."
"My master has been busy with the New Year's preparations all day and hasn't had time to go out, so I thought I'd cut a few branches to add some beauty to the scene."
Cheng Lin smiled brightly, and Tan Yun, despite her hesitation, accepted the plum branch.
“Plum blossoms are beautiful, but they are very cold. I understand your good intentions,” Tan Yun paused, but still wanted to tell Cheng Lin to be more careful next time. “If you like them, you can secretly pick a few branches and put them in the house.”
Cheng Lin understood the hidden meaning in Tan Yun's words, and she nodded, "Don't worry, sister, I understand."
Tan Yun sighed softly, looking down at the beautiful and dazzling plum blossom in her hand. "It's good that you understand. Go back now."
Watching Cheng Lin turn and leave, Tan Yun took a breath, then turned and led Mei Hua into the palace.
The warmth inside the hall was completely different from that outside. Tan Yun shivered slightly from the shock, then found a beautiful porcelain vase and placed the plum blossoms inside.
In a nearby room, Empress Hesheli Fangyi and Emperor Kangxi were discussing some arrangements for the New Year.
Hesheli Fangyi held the accounts in her hands, and would ask Kangxi for advice on anything she was unsure about.
Counting the time, it has been half a year since she came to this world. Hesheli Fangyi has learned how to be an empress. Although her actions are still somewhat immature, thanks to the fact that this body has never systematically managed palace affairs, even if some minor mistakes are made, no one doubts Hesheli Fangyi's abilities.
"...Your Majesty, shall we arrange the New Year's celebrations according to this plan?"
Closing the account book in her hand, Hesheli Fangyi looked up at Emperor Kangxi opposite her, and smiled as she pushed the teacup that her servant had poured to him.
Emperor Kangxi nodded slightly. "Liveliness has its advantages."
“You’re right,” Hesheli Fangyi smiled, her thoughts drifting as she mentioned Baocheng, who was fast asleep in the side hall. “He does nothing but drink milk and sleep all day. The imperial physician says he’s fine, but I’m still worried.”
Compared to normal children, she sleeps too much. Hesheli Fangyi had never raised children in modern times and did not know what a normal state of a baby of a few months old should be.
It was only because the imperial physicians kept saying the child was fine that Hesheli Fangyi would have been so anxious, calling the imperial physicians every day.
Upon hearing this, Emperor Kangxi reached out and gently patted the back of Consort Hesheli Fangyi's hand. "I saw Baocheng when I came in. You are recovering very well. There is no need to worry."
Upon being praised like that, Hesheli Fangyi couldn't help but smile unconsciously. Perhaps it was because they had spent so much time together that her handsome appearance, which she hadn't initially thought was enough to make her lose herself.
Taking a deep breath, Hesheli Fangyi felt her heart pounding, and her voice carried a hint of shyness that she herself was unaware of, "It is what I should do. Your Majesty is the one who works hard, dealing with state affairs every day. There is not much I can do to help."
"How could that be?" Kangxi picked up his teacup and took a sip. "You are in charge of the affairs of the inner palace, and you have already done a great deal for me."
A faint blush unconsciously rose to her cheeks. Hesheli Fangyi wanted to say something more, but Kangxi suddenly sniffed, "What's that smell?"
smell?
Hesheli Fangyi was taken aback, then looked up and saw the plum blossoms placed next to the Eight Immortals Table.
"It's plum blossom fragrance; it must have been delivered by one of the palace maids."
Emperor Kangxi nodded, a smile appearing on his lips. "In winter, placing a few plum blossoms in the room can indeed add a touch of beauty."
"..."
Small kitchen
"Oh dear, Sister Chenglin, your health is precious, how can you stay in such a filthy place as the small kitchen?"
When the young eunuch saw Cheng Lin arrive again, he couldn't help but mutter to himself while simmering the soup.
Cheng Lin remained unmoved, staring at the soup pot on the stove. "When will it be ready?"
The Emperor will be leaving soon; if we send it over too late, it will be too late.
Cheng Lin remained outwardly calm, but inwardly she grew anxious, her eyes darting around nervously.
The young eunuch, clutching a thick handkerchief, glanced at the pot of soup that was simmering perfectly and quietly gave Cheng Lin a time.
Cheng Lin frowned deeply, "So slow?"
If we wait another half an hour, the Emperor will probably have already left the main hall.
Biting her lip, Cheng Lin felt somewhat unwilling and began to scan the other countertops in the small kitchen.
Sure enough, she actually saw a pot of warming soup that was almost ready to be cooked.
"Little Deng, lend me the ingredients from the small kitchen. I'll pay you back with money later," Cheng Lin said, then rolled up her sleeves and got to work.
Of course, a simple warming soup couldn't be served to the emperor.
Cheng Lin added some tonics and ingredients to remove the fishy smell, then stirred and mixed it until it was about right. She then poured it out and put it away.
"I'm leaving now. Keep simmering the rest of the soup," Cheng Lin instructed the busy Xiao Dengzi before running to the main hall with the tray on both sides.
As luck would have it, Cheng Lin's soup ended up in Kangxi's mouth.
As an emperor who often drank a bowl of soup when visiting the Kunning Palace, Kangxi could naturally taste the familiar flavor in the soup.
"Hmm, this palace maid is quite good," he said, adding that the soup she cooked suited his taste perfectly.
He put down the soup he had only drunk halfway through. "Alright, let's proceed with the New Year's arrangements as agreed. There are still matters to attend to at the Qianqing Palace. I'll head back now. You should get some rest."
After saying this, Kangxi turned and left.
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