"That makes sense. We are deeply grateful for Your Majesty's care and have been unable to find an opportunity to express our gratitude to you."
"Now I can finally see Your Majesty, Your Majesty! Your Majesty!" Her voice was choked with sobs, clearly due to her overwhelming emotion.
It's no wonder they were agitated, since Chen Yuwei had already stated that she wouldn't return to the palace, and even asked them if they wanted to return voluntarily.
In other words, if they voluntarily chose not to return to the palace, they could stay in the Yuanmingyuan Garden.
Who would want to go back to the palace and live in a cramped little house when they can live in a large garden?
No one was stupid. Not only would they not get anything back, but they would also be constantly harassed by the masters and servants in the palace.
After all, a new emperor brings a new court; they were merely the concubines of the previous emperor, not the current emperor.
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager, I am willing to follow you and stay in the Yuanmingyuan Garden."
"Your Majesty, I am the same..."
Everyone who came expressed their opinions, and even Consort Ning did not make any arrangements to return to the palace.
Consort Ning was someone who had a biological son raised outside the palace, and was able to leave the palace and be cared for by her son after she turned sixty-five.
Chen Yuwei sat in the main seat, her gaze sweeping over the concubines who had risen before her.
He waved his hand slightly to calm everyone down, and at the same time reassured them that it was fine not to return to the palace. "If we stay in Yuanmingyuan, we will have company. Although we all had our own little thoughts and conflicts back then, it was all for the sake of making a living."
Now that the late emperor is no longer here, I hope you can put aside your grudges and visit each other more often.
Whether in the palace or the garden, the days were all very difficult to endure.
Gathering in small groups to chat is a good way to pass the time.
It can be said that Chen Yuwei's advice was very reasonable.
At least it is visible to the naked eye that everyone has become much more peaceful after the late emperor passed away.
If you're not so competitive in your mindset, you won't have as many conflicts in your behavior.
As Chen Yuwei finished speaking, the others echoed her sentiments.
Regardless of what one is thinking, one must outwardly give face to the Empress Dowager.
The question of who is the head of the harem no longer needs to be debated.
"Alright, alright, you are still young. You are dressed in plain clothes now to observe mourning for the late emperor."
But there's no need to be so hard on yourself; if you don't wear some clothes, you'll never have the chance again.
"Don't worry, the late emperor wouldn't blame you even if he knew. After all, he liked you dressed like this when he was alive."
Not wanting to leave people empty-handed, Chen Yuwei simply had Xingkui fetch a batch of fabric.
They are all brocades suitable for making clothes, and the colors are not too outstanding.
Chen Yuwei made the decision that, according to the number of people, each person should take three bolts of cloth back to make clothes.
The concubines: ...What a generous gesture!
Look at what they wear now, all kinds of black and white patterned or plain-colored cheongsams, they don't even dare to wear earrings and bracelets.
They're all young people in their twenties and thirties, who could endure this kind of hardship?
As expected of the Empress Dowager, when she does act, it's astonishing.
Everyone thanked Chen Yuwei repeatedly, and hardly sat down at all throughout the entire event.
However, if they receive the same treatment and benefits every time they come, they would be more willing to stand.
Chen Yuwei: ...What are you thinking? You're just trying to sleep in the middle of the day.
Feeling a bit tired, Chen Yuwei asked Xingkui to see everyone off.
Of course, since Consort Ning was left alone, Chen Yuwei still had some feelings for her former helper.
His first words were to ask Consort Ning if she wanted to reunite with Yongyue and her son.
Consort Ning: ...?
"Does Your Majesty mean that I may leave the palace sooner?"
She was still young, and there were still a few years before she left the palace. Moreover, she preferred the palace to the outside world.
Oh, she can't talk about the palace now. She chose to stay in the Yuanmingyuan Garden, following in the footsteps of the Empress Dowager, and doesn't need to return to the palace.
"Consort Ning, if you have this idea, I can explain it directly to the Emperor."
Staying in the Old Summer Palace is one way out, but you can choose other paths.
There was no need for Consort Ning to live in the Yuanmingyuan and spend time with the other concubines; Chen Yuwei knew that Consort Ning preferred quiet.
She had previously wanted to release Consort Ning, but this person refused.
Now that the late emperor is gone, the palace where Consort Ning was imprisoned has been vacated for the emperor's concubines to live in, so Consort Ning has no choice but to come out.
Consort Ning shook her head, "Your Majesty, I am grateful for your kindness. Rather than leaving the palace, I would prefer to stay by Your Majesty's side."
Yongyue is a good boy, but he is inseparable from the Yehenara clan.
"I don't want Yongyue to be caught in the middle; it would be better if she stayed at the Yuanmingyuan."
This way, not only will Yongyue have an easier time, but she will also not have to deal with the families outside the palace.
Even if Yongyue misses her, she can come to visit. After all, Yuanmingyuan is not far from the capital, and it only takes half a day by fast horse.
Chen Yuwei: ...
Seeing that Consort Ning was so adamant, Chen Yuwei did not continue to persuade her.
He shrugged, indicating that he could communicate with her anytime if needed in the future.
She's still very willing to do small things like helping others achieve their goals.
Consort Ning smiled and thanked Chen Yuwei, then changed the subject to Consort Qing, who had not come.
"I suspect that Consort Qing really wants to leave the palace to recuperate. If this person stays in the garden, he will probably cause trouble for the Consort."
People have different temperaments. Consort Ning is the kind of person who can stay still and live well no matter where she is. Consort Qing, on the other hand, has been affected and has changed a lot, becoming paranoid and crazy in her actions.
Consort Qing and Consort Ning came out together because of the late emperor's death.
After Consort Ning was released, she behaved herself and didn't cause any trouble, while Consort Qing liked to jump up and down every now and then.
The Empress was most pleased that Chen Yuwei brought these imperial concubines out this time, as it allowed her to rid herself of Consort Qing.
When Consort Qing arrived at the Yuanmingyuan, she didn't entertain herself like the other concubines. Instead, she hid in the garden alone, wallowing in melancholy and making herself uncomfortable.
All the concubines came this time except for Consort Qing, who was lying in bed recovering from a cold.
That's right, catching a cold in the middle of summer, Consort Qing really brought it on herself.
"Consort Qing still doesn't use her brain. I never thought of causing her any trouble, but she likes to mess with me every now and then."
This time, we have a definite answer as to whether you will return to the palace, but I, the Empress Dowager, still do not know her thoughts.
"We'll see then. If he really wants to leave the palace to recuperate, I'll give Yongxing face, so as not to make things difficult for the Emperor in court."
Chen Yuwei tapped her palm, completely disregarding Consort Qing.
Consort Qing is just a small fish that she can easily manipulate; paying too much attention to her is a waste of time.
"Consort Ning, go back and get some rest. Come visit me more often when you have time."
As we get older, we miss the days when we were young even more.
At that time, we were all in the palace, and we had to go to Changchun Palace to pay our respects every day.
"I remember the Empress was like this back then." Fortune turns, the Empress has been gone for decades, and the burden has long since fallen on Chen Yuwei's shoulders.
Consort Ning smiled and nodded, "If Your Majesty doesn't mind, I will naturally come more often."
It's not easy to have a friend you can talk to, and Consort Ning cherishes it very much.
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