Persistence pays off. Finally, when the carriage entered the palace, Gao Yu found a good opportunity to be alone with Chen Yuwei.
Chen Yuwei: ...?
Chen Yuwei looked at Gao Yu calmly, thinking to herself that no matter how loyal a person is, in the end they will choose to consider their own survival.
This is human nature; not only Gao Yu, but everyone else does the same.
"Imperial Noble Consort"
"Grandpa Gao"
Chen Yuwei glanced at Xingkui, who was standing guard not far away and occasionally glancing over, and gestured for Gao Yu to speak frankly. She was pressed for time, as she still had to go to the Hall of Mental Cultivation to pay her respects to the Emperor after returning to the palace.
Gao Yu: ...
"Your Highness is too kind. His Majesty doesn't need you to come in person. He knows what's going on. Your Highness must be tired from your journey. You should rest well at Yikun Palace."
Chen Yuwei looked at Gao Yu, who had a fake smile on her face and kept trying to cover for the Emperor, and raised an eyebrow. "Has it gotten to this point? The Emperor doesn't even want to see me anymore?"
That's such a shame (okay).
Chen Yuwei, who had initially found the Forbidden City cramped and oppressive, suddenly felt much better.
"Since Eunuch Gao says so, then I will not bother His Majesty any further."
Eunuch Gao, I would like to trouble you to say a few good words for me to the Emperor.
"I've been in the Yuanmingyuan for too long; I know absolutely nothing about the situation in the palace now."
Chen Yuwei unconsciously raised her voice, giving Gao Yu a way out.
Gao Yu, being a seasoned opportunist, didn't see anything wrong with it at all.
He quickly offered a few words of flattery to Chen Yuwei, saying that these were all minor matters. Then he added that he hadn't been doing well lately and asked the Imperial Noble Consort for help.
"I'm helping you, Eunuch?" Chen Yuwei asked in surprise. "You must be joking, Eunuch."
Gao Yu bowed deeply, her fawning smile making Chen Yuwei feel nauseous.
"Your Highness, I have no choice. You are the only one in the entire harem who can lend a hand," Gao Yu said in an extremely humble tone, something she would never have said before.
This shows that Gao Yu's days by Hongli's side have been difficult recently.
"Your Excellency trusts me, so I naturally cannot let you down."
However, there are some matters for which my assistance comes at a considerable cost. I wonder what your intentions are, Eunuch?
When it comes to business, you have to do it properly; some things can't be taken lightly.
Otherwise, Gao Yu would think she was helping for free, and that she was losing money hand over fist. What kind of good person would want to do charity in the harem?
Gao Yu nodded quickly, "As long as Your Majesty helps, this servant will have no complaints."
At this point, Gao Yu dared not make any more moves; preserving her life was the most important thing.
Seeing that Gao Yu was so sensible, Chen Yuwei nodded in satisfaction and then asked what she wanted.
For Gao Yu, it was also very simple: keep an eye on Hongli, and everything would be completely resolved.
"Your Majesty, rest assured, this servant understands."
Gao Yu nodded in agreement before turning to leave.
"Your Highness, is Eunuch Gao trying to set us up or trick us into something?"
Xingkui came over, and the first thing she said was that she suspected Eunuch Gao had ulterior motives.
Chen Yuwei smiled, indicating to Xingkui not to be too nervous. Things are different now; Gao Yu wouldn't dare to do such a thing.
"Keep an eye on him and see if he behaves properly," Chen Yuwei whispered to Xingkui before taking her hand and walking towards Yikun Palace.
As for the sedan chair that came to pick her up, Chen Yuwei said she didn't need it for the time being, and walking back would alleviate the physical discomfort of riding in the car.
After all, she had gotten used to various forms of walking exercise while she was in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, and now that she had returned to the Forbidden City, she certainly couldn't abandon them.
She also wanted to outlive Hongli, otherwise, it would be too frustrating to work so hard.
The thought of having an annoying boss weighing you down for a lifetime is suffocating.
After walking for about fifteen minutes, Shen Yao returned to Yikun Palace, which had been idle for several months.
The palace servants responsible for taking care of the palace all stood at the gate early in the morning to wait for Chen Yuwei, having learned that she was returning to the palace today.
Upon seeing Chen Yuwei arrive, they all bowed and greeted her, making a show of respect.
There was no other way; everyone was hoping for their master's return. Without a powerful backer in the palace, it was impossible to move an inch.
"Alright, we can talk about it later. Master is tired from the day's carriage ride and needs to rest. Everyone, go and get back to work."
Xingkui coldly dismissed the others and escorted Chen Yuwei into the palace herself.
"I'll talk to the palace servants later about whether anything amiss happened during my absence, especially in Yikun Palace."
Being too far away makes it difficult to keep up with information in a timely manner, especially since all sorts of major and minor events happen in the palace every day.
Important matters would certainly be sent to the Yuanmingyuan to be reported, but minor, inconspicuous matters would basically be forgotten and ignored.
Small things can often be the trigger for big things; some people are good at hiding things and will do these things.
Chen Yuwei has been away for several months; we can't just ignore her completely.
With the lessons learned from the past still fresh in everyone's minds, Chen Yuwei didn't want to experience it again.
Xingkui nodded in agreement, making sure to assure everyone that she would also reorganize the storeroom.
They knew about the witchcraft beforehand and had everything under control.
If someone were to do it a second time, Chen Yuwei really wasn't confident she could escape from Hongli's grasp.
It was all because Hongli's attitude towards her was getting worse and worse, and there was no trace of their former affection.
"This matter is entirely in your hands. Remember, don't cause too much of a commotion."
"Yes, Your Highness, regarding the matter of the Imperial Household Department's authority."
"Let's leave it for now and see how the Emperor reacts."
If Hongli were willing to give it, he would definitely have Gao Yu return the accounts. If she remained silent, it basically meant that she had no access to the palace's power.
If you can't find it and still ask for it, that's just being ignorant, and that's the kind of person Hongli dislikes the most.
Chen Yuwei waved her hand, and after Xingkui left, she leaned back on the couch to relax.
call
I'm still too tired.
Fortunately, this kind of life didn't have to last too long, otherwise she was afraid she really wouldn't be able to endure it.
...
On the third day after Chen Yuwei returned, Hongli asked Gao Yu to invite her to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
On the way, Chen Yuwei asked Gao Yu to reveal a little bit of information.
Unexpectedly, Gao Yu was unaware of this, only saying that the Emperor had been in a good mood recently, and laughter and cheerful voices were often heard in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"According to Eunuch Gao's suggestion, my going there should not displease the Emperor."
When Hongli was in a good mood, even the people serving him felt a bit more relaxed.
The sedan chair alighted, and Chen Yuwei walked through the gate of the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
"Your Majesty, I greet you. Long live the Emperor!"
"Your Highness, please sit down."
After Hongli finished taking care of the child, he brought up the old matter again, mentioning the request to establish a crown prince.
"Does His Majesty have someone in mind?"
Their conversation sounded more like casual chat, and Chen Yuwei didn't say she dared not speak recklessly.
Hongli nodded, "Although my sons seem to be of little use, my grandchildren are quite good."
Recently, Mianjin has frequently visited the palace to keep me company, and I am very pleased with this.
Chen Yuwei smiled and slowly pushed the teacup she had poured to Hongli.
Mianjin is her grandson, with whom she shares a blood relationship, and there are some things she can't say.
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