Chapter 75 Ruyi's Plan (Part 1)
After watching their daughter enter the girls' school of the West Third Palace, Yun Tang and his brother Yun strolled over to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Being so close, it wouldn't be appropriate not to pay my respects to the Emperor.
"Your Majesty, I pay my respects."
"No need for formalities," Hongli said gently, and asked, "Ninth Uncle and Tenth Uncle, did you just send your two younger sisters to the girls' school?"
“Yes,” Yun Tang said, looking at the few people sitting in the hall. “We thought that since His Majesty attaches so much importance to girls’ education, we should also come and report to His Majesty on the situation. Who would have thought that there would already be so many people here?”
"Myna, thirteen, fourteen, seventeen, what a coincidence!"
Yun Tang gave a fake smile. The eighth son was the only child, and the seventeenth son was not married, so these two were out of the question. "Thirteenth and fourteenth, you two are not good fathers. Why don't you send my niece to school? I should have given her a ride when I was passing by."
Yunzhen smiled smugly, "Thank you for your kindness, Ninth Brother. The Emperor is benevolent. Last night, Thirteenth Brother and I sent our daughter to Cining Palace to accompany the Empress Dowager."
"Her Majesty the Empress Dowager is the kindest person imaginable," Yunli remarked casually.
Yun Tang narrowed his eyes unhappily. Fourteen is so arrogant, while Seventeen is like an old, aged Longjing tea.
"Cough cough..."
Yunxiang suddenly covered his mouth with his fist and coughed twice.
"What's wrong with Thirteenth Uncle?" Hongli asked immediately with concern. "Summon the imperial physician!"
"No need, it's just a minor problem," Yunxiang said with a gentle smile.
Hongli looked at him reproachfully: "Thirteenth Uncle has only recently recovered from his illness. I was counting on him to share my burdens. Even a minor ailment cannot be ignored."
Yunxiang smiled even more warmly, "Then I thank Your Majesty for your kindness. If it weren't for Your Majesty's concern in the past, I would have been bedridden long ago. Since Your Majesty still values my humble skills, I will certainly take good care of my health and try my best to share Your Majesty's burdens."
"Uncle Thirteen is very kind."
Yun Tang sized up Yun Xiang with a dark expression. "Well, Thirteenth Prince, how much have you learned from Seventeenth Prince? How come you're so cunning too?"
“If you’re not feeling well, Thirteen should go back and rest early,” Yinzhi said with a gentle smile. “I can help Your Majesty here; these are all things I’m used to handling.”
Yun Tang's eyes widened instantly. There's a master of tea among tea enthusiasts. No wonder he's called the Myna. Impressive!
Yun, who was quietly sipping his tea, was somewhat puzzled. He didn't know why, even though everyone hadn't said much, it felt like there was a tense atmosphere. And Ninth Brother hadn't said a word either, yet he found it a bit noisy.
...
Apart from Su Luyun, who was pregnant, and Ruyi, who had not enrolled at all, everyone else in the harem was attending classes at the girls' academy. Even Empress Fucha Langhua specially set up an etiquette class to teach these girls, most of whom were around the age of coming of age, court etiquette, how to greet and send off guests, and there were even special tutors to teach them court etiquette.
You can tell just by looking at his age how much Hongli wants to "harvest" him. He's just waiting for this wave of people to quickly learn during their three years of mourning so they can come out and shine for him.
If initially most people joined the girls' school to please Emperor Qianlong, for future rewards or to pass the time...
So, who wouldn't be excited and feel a sense of accomplishment when faced with pairs of eager, admiring eyes?
As a result, the palace servants became increasingly enthusiastic about the girls' education, and a lively atmosphere of learning permeated the entire palace. Even the Empress Dowager couldn't resist going from simply being a figurehead to personally leading the classes.
Of all the palaces, only Yanxi Palace remained as deserted as ever.
Yanxi Palace is close to Cangzhen Gate. Outside the palace, people come and go in a lively atmosphere, but inside the palace, it is completely silent.
Hearing the noise outside, the palace servants of Yanxi Palace became even more cautious, afraid of displeasing Consort Xian. But Ruyi was not displeased at this moment. On the contrary, she felt that the commotion outside was just worldly and proof that the concubines did not care about the Emperor.
Only she, only she, truly cared for Hongli. If Hongli didn't come, she'd rather Yanxi Palace be as quiet as a cold palace. Otherwise, how could she prove her feelings?
Just for the sake of her young lover to smile, I imagine Hongli would be very moved, wouldn't he?
"Your Majesty," Aruo walked in cheerfully, "today is your birthday. The Emperor has sent word that you will be dining at Yanxi Palace tonight."
Ruyi smiled knowingly. "I am naturally aware of His Majesty's intentions."
While Hongli was happy to be thinking of her, Ruyi was also well aware that Hongli had not entered the inner palace for a long time, and had even less frequently visited Yanxi Palace.
Ruyi used her busy schedule with court affairs to convince herself that she didn't know when Hongli would come again.
She couldn't wait any longer, so she ordered, "Aruo, go and call Hailan here. Tell her that I like her handiwork and have her mend a piece of clothing."
A'Ruo's expression twisted for a moment as she tried to dissuade Ruyi: "Your Majesty, Hailan is now Consort Yi's assistant at the Women's Academy, so it may be inconvenient for her to come over."
Ruyi slowly raised her head, her golden nail guard brushing against her slender eyebrows, and said softly yet authoritatively, "I am the master, she is the servant. I summon her, and she must come."
Ruyi was right. Even though Hailan was no longer a seamstress in the needlework room, she still had to go to the Empress's summons, no matter how arrogant she was, even though she knew it might not be a good thing.
"This servant greets Consort Xian."
Looking at Hailan, who was curtsying, perhaps she had been living a better life recently, her temperament had become more gentle and graceful, the timidity in her eyes had faded, and her beauty had increased considerably.
Ruyi was somewhat displeased, worried that Hailan would bewitch the emperor; yet she was also somewhat relieved, relieved that the summons had been timely, as Hailan had not yet fully transformed and was still a timid and easily manipulated Hailan.
Since Ruyi remained silent, Hailan was unable to rise and remained in a bowing posture, swaying slightly.
As if she had just noticed her discomfort, Ruyi said gently, "Get up. I was distracted for a moment and forgot about you."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
Hailan didn't dare to say anything more, her eyes lowered, her whole body tense.
"I admire your embroidery skills. Today happens to be my birthday, and I would like a painting of red plum blossoms reflected in the snow. I would be grateful if Hailan could embroider it for me."
Ruyi's tone was gentle but firm: "A'Ruo, take Hailan to the side hall to embroider. There's no need to rush. You're allowed to spend the night in Yanxi Palace tonight."
Hailan was at a loss. How could a painting of red plum blossoms reflected in the snow be completed in a day? She could only assume that she had somehow caught the eye of Consort Xian and that the other party was deliberately rubbing her.
Without thinking further, Hailan had no choice but to obediently follow Aruo away, thinking that she could just endure this day.
Watching Hailan's departing figure, Ruyi felt a pang of sadness. But there was nothing she could do; one person could not save the day. She thought of her aunt when she was Empress; hadn't she also cultivated several followers? By doing this, she was fulfilling the teachings of her family and her aunt.
This palace must be so lonely. She has indeed grown up. I suppose her aunt must be proud of her.
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