Chen Yuwei went out, refusing to let anyone accompany her, and only took Xingkui with her.
To be precise, Chen Yuwei didn't even want to bring Xingkui along, but Xingkui insisted on going anyway.
"Your Highness, if you need anything along the way, I can lend a hand if I'm here."
What if the Empress is alone and accidentally bumps or falls?
Xingkui rarely stood firm on this matter, even when facing her master, Chen Yuwei.
Chen Yuwei: ...
What could Chen Yuwei say? Naturally, she agreed to Xingkui's request to go out and accompany her.
Also for her own good, as she got older, Chen Yuwei could feel her body becoming increasingly weak. Was this just her pretending? It was simply that Chen Yuwei's bodily functions were gradually declining.
"I don't know how to say this, but in these last few years, I really don't want to concern myself with the intrigues and conflicts in the palace."
Chen Yuwei walked slowly along the path of Yuanmingyuan, passing by flowers in full bloom.
“From the time I entered the palace until I saw off the late emperor and became the Empress Dowager, I stayed in the palace for fifty years.”
How many fifty-year periods does one have in a lifetime, especially in the Qing Dynasty when the average lifespan was only 50 years?
In these fifty years, countless women have lived out their lives.
Chen Yuwei can only say she's incredibly lucky. Whether through external advantages or offspring, she managed to survive to the end. Now that she can finally live for herself, she's determined to live life to the fullest.
"Xingkui, what are your plans for the future? Tell me and I will help you."
Chen Yuwei was not a harsh mistress, nor did she need her servants to be constantly running around serving her.
Xia He and Xia Yu have already gone to live a life of retirement outside the palace. Now that Xing Kui is getting older, she will definitely take this path before her.
Xingkui shook her head, "Your Majesty, this servant only wishes to serve you forever."
Chen Yuwei smiled and said, "Foolish me, how many more years can I live? Go back and make plans for yourself as soon as possible."
Whether one stays in the palace or leaves to live, this must be taken into consideration.
This wasn't Chen Yuwei pressuring Xingkui for anything; it was simply a matter of duty and obligation between mistress and servant.
Upon hearing this, Xingkui pursed her lips but ultimately nodded in agreement.
"Yes, Your Highness, I understand. Please rest assured, I will consider it carefully when I get back."
"Yes, once you've figured it out, remember to tell me. Don't feel embarrassed about this. You've been by my side for many years, so you have the confidence to do this."
After speaking, Chen Yuwei continued walking forward, without looking for her daughters who had gone boating on the lake. She simply chose a stone step to sit down and rest.
Beside the stone steps is an artificial hill, and in the distance is a clear, transparent lake.
This is a stream of fresh water introduced from outside, running through the entire Yuanmingyuan Garden.
Some lotus and water lilies are also planted on the water.
They arrived at just the right time; the breeze carried the delicate fragrance of lotus blossoms.
Chen Yuwei became interested and asked Xingkui to send someone to pick some flower petals for her.
"Your Majesty"
Xingkui held a handful of lotus flowers, with a few crisp lotus pods on them.
Chen Yuwei smiled, took out a lotus pod, peeled it open, revealing the lotus seeds inside.
"Lotus seeds taste bitter, but have a sweet aftertaste. Take them back and have the palace servants process them. They are excellent for making porridge or soup."
Xingkui should be right, and she also mentioned a few elegant dishes made with lotus flowers and lotus pods.
“There are many flowers in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, which Your Majesty likes. I have asked them to prepare more.”
Otherwise, once the flowers have faded, they'll just fall to the ground and turn to mud. It's better to make use of them and please the master.
Chen Yuwei was unaware of Xingkui's thoughts, but she nodded in agreement with her suggestion.
"There are an exceptionally large number of flowers in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, so we usually ask them to send more over."
Having a few potted plants in the room regularly is a pleasant way to brighten one's mood.
After resting, Chen Yuwei got up and continued along the path with Xingkui.
As for the lotus flowers that Xingkui presented as a gift, the palace servants in the garden can simply send them back to her bedchamber.
People had already been left in the left and right sleeping quarters, and given Chen Yuwei's well-known status in the Yuanmingyuan, there was no fear that these people would outwardly comply but inwardly defy her.
Chen Yuwei has been staying at Yuanmingyuan for several months at a time for the past few years.
To be honest, Chen Yuwei was extremely familiar with the flowers and plants in the Old Summer Palace.
The willow branches on the bank swayed from side to side, like slender young girls, graceful and charming.
In the middle of the river, several covered boats glide on the lake, and bursts of laughter can be heard from time to time.
As Chen Yuwei walked, she looked around and asked about the concubines who had come with her.
“They are also pitiful people. After the late emperor passed away, they could only squeeze into the Shou Kang and Shou An Palaces and slowly get through their days.”
These concubines were all childless and had no chance to leave the palace to retire in the future.
Xingkui replied softly, "Your Majesty, you have already treated these concubines very well."
If it were anyone else, who would care about how the imperial concubines were living?
"No one is in charge of the garden, and those servants are just doing their jobs for money."
This morning I heard that the imperial concubines all enjoy going out for strolls in the garden.
Whether it's genuine affection or just an excuse to take a walk and vent, only the person involved knows the truth.
"Yeah, it's good to go out. If you're always stuck in one place, you don't look energetic."
Chen Yuwei intends to retire outside the palace, not limited to the Yuanmingyuan or the surrounding imperial palaces, as long as she is not in the palace.
If she doesn't return to the palace, it will be difficult to make arrangements for the concubines who were originally of the same generation as her.
If we ignore them and let them go back to the palace, it will only cause trouble for the Empress.
Besides, Chen Yuwei lives alone and feels lonely without anyone to keep her company.
"If there is a chance, please invite these imperial concubines to my palace for a visit."
Now that the late emperor has passed away, there is no longer any deep-seated hatred or resentment among us.
Regular outings might just lead to making one or two new friends you get along with.
Humans cannot live without interacting with others; prolonged isolation can also affect one's character.
Chen Yuwei believes that if everyone stays away to retire in the future, they should all work together towards the same goal to make the most of their remaining years.
Xingkui noted down her master's words and began to consider when would be the right time to invite the person over.
Having lived in the palace for so long, everyone started to let loose as soon as they arrived at the Old Summer Palace.
Compared to the relatively small Shou Kang and Shou An palaces, visiting the Yuanmingyuan is much more interesting; we should at least wait until the novelty wears off.
"Your Majesty, please rest assured. I believe these imperial concubines also wish to interact with you more."
"We were able to go out this time thanks to Her Majesty's help."
If Chen Yuwei doesn't speak up, these imperial concubines will most likely have to live a miserable life in the palace.
The emperor was busy observing mourning and handling state affairs, and the empress was extremely busy after taking over palace affairs. Which of these two seemed like the kind of people who could think more about things?
I guess it's just that if others don't mention it, he'll pretend he doesn't know anything about it and let these imperial concubines fend for themselves in Shou Kang and Shou An.
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