Chapter 125 Settlement
"Wild geese flying high, this is a good omen."
On both sides were tall vermilion palace walls. Walking on the flat palace path, watching the wild geese flying away in the sky, a trace of envy flashed in his eyes. He turned his head and smiled at Shen Meizhuang.
The Han army flags entered the palace on the same day, and the two men happened to meet at Shunzhen Gate. Led by a young eunuch, they traveled together for a while.
"Noble Lady Shen, please come this way."
"Please stay this way, Mr. Guan."
Soon it was time to part ways. This wasn't the time for words, so the two nodded to each other in tacit agreement, bidding a brief farewell. Then they followed their respective eunuchs to their respective palaces.
"My esteemed guest, this is your Changxi Hall."
Shen Meizhuang, with Caiyue's hand in hers, entered the side hall of Xianfu Palace. Looking at the elegantly decorated hall in front of her, Shen Meizhuang nodded slightly. Caiyue, who was beside her, cleverly took out a small purse from her sleeve and stuffed it into the hand of the eunuch leading the way.
"Thank you, sir. Our young master invites you to have some tea."
The young eunuch felt the thickness of the purse, smiled with satisfaction, and didn't mind revealing a little more information.
"Thank you for your generous gift. Besides you, the only other person living in Xianfu Palace is Consort Jing in the left side hall. She is kind and easy to get along with."
"Thank you for your advice, Eunuch." Shen Meizhuang smiled and nodded. Watching Caiyue see the little eunuch off, she looked at the quiet palace and couldn't help but feel curious. She wondered if this Consort Jing was really as easy to get along with as the little eunuch had said.
On this side, Zhen Huan followed the young eunuch who led the way to Xiaoyu Pavilion in Zhongcui Palace. As the residence of a concubine, it was not large, but it was still quite exquisite.
"It's so beautiful, but a little small." Looking at the residence in front of her, Huanbi couldn't help but mutter.
"Huanbi." Zhen Huan glanced at her lightly, as if to stop her. However, ever since she learned of Huanbi's identity from her father, Zhen Huan's emotions had been complicated, and she had become increasingly indulgent towards Huanbi.
Huanbi fell silent and said no more. Seeing this, Zhen Huan was about to meet the palace maids assigned to her when she heard a commotion outside. She took Liu Zhu's hand and went out, where she met a familiar face.
“Congratulations, this is your Ningxiang Residence.”
"Thank you, Eunuch, Zisu." An Lingrong instructed softly. The maid who was called by name recovered from the shock of the palace and handed a small purse to the eunuch.
The leading eunuch casually touched it; it wasn't thick, but it was decent enough. Judging from the young lady's attire, he hadn't expected her to receive a reward.
"Thank you for your generosity, Your Highness. Please make yourselves comfortable. This servant will take his leave."
"Zisu, see your father-in-law off."
"yes."
An Lingrong stood there watching Zisu escort the eunuch out of the palace gate. Although Zisu's actions were somewhat clumsy, there were no mistakes or omissions, so An Lingrong breathed a sigh of relief.
Zisu was the maid who, after arriving at the post station, felt a pang of pity for An Lingrong's well-behaved behavior and reminded her to buy a personal maid.
With the indenture in hand, although she couldn't match the tacit understanding with other maids she'd grown up with, her aunt was right—at least she was more trustworthy than the palace maids assigned from the palace.
An Lingrong was lost in thought when she heard a soft female voice call out, "Sister An."
An Lingrong turned her head in confusion and saw a woman with exceptionally beautiful features walking slowly towards her. "May I ask who you are, sister?"
"I am Zhen Huan." Realizing that the two had never actually met, Zhen Huan introduced herself with a smile.
Upon hearing the name, An Lingrong felt a slight sense of wariness, but a grateful smile appeared on her face. "So it's Sister Zhen. I haven't had a chance to thank you for your kindness yet..."
“There’s no need for such politeness,” Zhen Huan stepped forward and helped An Lingrong, who was about to bow. “Although my sister couldn’t stay at my house back then, it’s fate that we are now living together in Zhongcui Palace.”
"Yes, it is my good fortune to live with you, sister. I live in Ningxiang Residence. I wonder what you are doing here, sister?" An Lingrong replied with a smile. Looking at Zhen Huan's gentle and warm-hearted appearance, she didn't seem to have any bad intentions. Perhaps she was just a kind-hearted person.
"I live in Xiaoyu Pavilion on the left, and I'm only a few steps ahead of you, sister. Now that your maid has returned, I won't bother you any longer. Once you're settled, I'll chat with you again."
When Zhen Huan saw Zi Su return, she took her leave with great consideration. Upon seeing this, An Lingrong's smile became even more genuine. She curtsied slightly to Zhen Huan and said, "Thank you, sister. I will definitely visit you once I have settled in."
"Then I'll wait for my sister."
The two said goodbye with smiles, and Zhen Huan took Liu Zhu back to Xiaoyu Pavilion, where Huan Bi was directing the palace servants to clean the room.
“Your Highness is back,” Huanbi said with a smile, turning her head to look at An Lingrong not far away. She couldn’t help but mutter, “That An Lingrong is just a concubine. Why did Your Highness have to go over there? She should be the one to greet you.”
"Huanbi," Zhen Huan gave her a reproachful look, "I didn't befriend An-mei because of her rank, so don't say that again."
"Yes." Under Zhen Huan's gaze, Huan Bi could only reluctantly shut her mouth.
...
Ningxiang Residence wasn't large, and An Lingrong didn't have much to begin with, so she quickly tidied up and got to know the palace maids around her. Zisu naturally became her personal attendant. As for the assigned maid Baojuan and the eunuch Xiaolinzi, they seemed to be doing well so far, but An Lingrong didn't immediately trust them.
Holding the gifts she had prepared, An Lingrong, accompanied by Zisu, arrived at Zhen Huan's Xiaoyu Pavilion. Upon entering, they found Zhen Huan sitting on a soft couch, drinking tea.
An Lingrong's gaze swept lightly over the decorations in the hall; they were larger and more exquisite than her own.
"Greetings, Sister Zhen." An Lingrong bowed to Zhen Huan. Now that she knew Zhen Huan's rank, she couldn't be impolite.
"No need to be so polite." Zhen Huan smiled and pulled An Lingrong to sit on the soft couch, where Liu Zhu brought her a cup of warm tea.
"Thank you." An Lingrong smiled and nodded to Liu Zhu, then took the wooden box that Zi Su was holding and pushed it in front of Zhen Huan.
"Lingrong has nothing of value, but her embroidery skills are quite good. She has embroidered some silk handkerchiefs, and she hopes that her sister will not find them offensive."
"You're being too polite, little sister," Zhen Huan said, but seeing that her good intentions had been rewarded, even with the smallest reward, she was satisfied.
"Since I'm here to visit you, sister, I should be prepared. This is a handkerchief I embroidered according to the colors of December. Sister, take a look and see if it's to your liking."
Hearing An Lingrong's words, Zhen Huan gently opened the wooden box. Inside were twelve silk handkerchiefs neatly stacked. She randomly picked one out, and it was embroidered with a blooming begonia, so lifelike. It just so happened to be his favorite flower, and Zhen Huan couldn't help but show a look of surprise.
“Sister, you are too modest. This embroidery is exquisite. I liked it at first sight. Sister, you are really willing to part with it.”
"I'm glad you like it, sister." Seeing that Zhen Huan showed genuine liking for it, An Lingrong was also very happy.
"Then I thank you for your kindness, sister."
The two exchanged a smile, the atmosphere was wonderful. Just then, Huanbi's voice came from outside: "My lady, Consort Shen has arrived."
"Sister Mei is here." Zhen Huan stood up, her face beaming with surprise, and introduced her to An Lingrong: "Sister Mei and I have been friends since childhood. She is a kind person. I will introduce her to Lingrong later. I'm sure you will like her too."
"I heard Huan'er's laughter from outside. What good thing happened?" Shen Meizhuang's voice came, and she lifted the curtain to reveal a dignified beauty to An Lingrong.
"Sister Mei." Zhen Huan stepped forward, took Shen Meizhuang's hand, smiled at her, and then turned to introduce the two.
"Sister Mei, this is Ling Rong."
"Lingrong, this is Sister Mei whom I just told you about."
Zhen Huan was enthusiastic, but Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong were not familiar with each other and were still somewhat reserved when they were together.
"Greetings, Noble Lady Shen."
"An agrees."
Zhen Huan pulled Shen Meizhuang to sit on the soft couch and chatted happily with the two of them.
An Lingrong observed that the two were clearly closer and had more to talk about, so she didn't feel excluded. She responded casually, but her heart was full of confusion.
Even if they have a good relationship, this is still her first day in the palace. Why is it Consort Shen visiting Consort Wan? Isn't this against palace rules?
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