Chapter 83 The Legend of Zhen Huan, Nian Shilan 21
Side Hall of Qianqing Palace —
The mournful cries were muffled by the vermilion palace walls, barely audible. Nian Shilan was dressed in an elegant, simple outfit, with only a white silk flower pinned to her hair.
Currently, in Hongli's household, there is his primary consort Fucha Langhua, who has given birth to his second daughter, Jingshu; his secondary consort Nianjia Shuran; and his daughter Fucha Chuying, who has given birth to his eldest daughter, Jingyu.
Princess Ulanara Qingying, Princess Keliyetelan, also known as Hailan, Princess Jinyuyan, Princess Su Luyun.
Among them, Fucha Chuying, Hailan, Jin Yuyan, and Su Luyun were all princesses who served Hongli long before he entered the household as a Fujin (Prince Consort).
Now, Hongli's wives and concubines, dressed in plain clothes, stood on both sides respectfully serving him.
Empress Fucha Langhua smiled gently, her brows still showing the weariness of managing the funeral rites, and said softly, "Your Majesty, today's meal is what your children have each contributed. Please have a taste."
"Hmm." Nian Shilan nodded, her face expressionless. It wasn't that she was giving them a hard time; after crying for so long, she needed to give her face a rest.
Zhou Ninghai: "Empress Dowager, shall we drink the soup first?"
"Mm." He nodded again.
Qingying walked to the table and served soup to Nian Shilan. As soon as she opened the lid, Nian Shilan saw the plump chicken.
She really wanted to ask, was Qingying doing this on purpose? Or was she just plain stupid? She really wanted to pour this scalding hot chicken soup over her head!
Zhou Ninghai's expression froze. He straightened up, his original intention to introduce her gone, and stared at Qingying expressionlessly along with his master.
As soon as Qingying finished serving the chicken soup, she turned around and saw the strange look on the faces of the two servants. She assumed that the Empress Dowager was only treating her this way because she was the niece of the deposed empress.
Qingying placed the chicken soup in front of the Empress Dowager and said respectfully, "Please have some soup, Your Majesty."
Nian Shilan: I am the Empress Dowager, I am the Empress Dowager. I cannot get angry, I cannot argue with people. We are still in mourning. It would sound bad if word got out. I must hold back! I must hold back!
Nian Jiashuran was the first to notice something was wrong. As Nian Shilan's niece, she wasn't as reserved as the others and went straight to the table to look at the ham and chicken soup.
"Qing Gege, is this ham and chicken soup you're offering? I've often heard people say you don't know the rules, but I thought it was just an accident."
"I didn't expect you to be so clueless! Or are you deliberately trying to ruin my aunt's reputation?"
The phrase "often said" is an exaggeration; I've only heard Consort Li mention it a few times.
Fucha Langhua realized what was happening and quickly curtsied to apologize.
"It was my oversight." Turning to the palace maid, she said, "Quickly remove the chicken soup—no, remove all the meat dishes!"
Each person presented four dishes; everyone else served vegetarian dishes and pastries, while Qingying presented two meat dishes and two vegetarian dishes.
She should have asked her sisters what they were going to offer beforehand. Even if it was troublesome and busy, it would have been better than the current situation.
Nian Shilan waved her hand, not taking her anger out on Fucha Langhua, "This is not your fault. You have been busy with the funeral and have only given birth a few months ago. You are always too busy to manage."
Meat dishes, funeral rites—Qingying now realized what mistake she had made and quickly knelt down to beg for forgiveness, "It is my fault. I only thought that the Empress Dowager was too tired and needed to recuperate, and forgot about the funeral rites."
Nian Shilan originally intended to let the matter drop, since it would affect the Emperor if it got out, but Qingying's words amused her.
"Are you saying that all your mistakes were because of me? Stupid is stupid! What 'forgotten' and 'for my sake' are all just excuses to cover up your stupidity!"
"That's not what I meant. I'm guilty." Qingying bowed down, knowing that saying more would only make things worse, and dared not say anything more, only admitting her guilt.
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