Chapter 132 A Peaceful Harem Life
"Huan'er".
"Sister Mei."
They greeted Shen Meizhuang, who had come to visit, and the two of them went to the inner hall together to drink tea.
"What is Huan'er doing?"
"I'm just passing the time by reading some books since I have nothing else to do." Zhen Huan casually flipped through the books on the table and smiled faintly.
"Yes, life is so leisurely." Shen Meizhuang couldn't help but sigh as well. She had entered the palace with great ambitions, and almost two months had passed in the blink of an eye. She knew everyone in the harem, but the emperor still hadn't summoned anyone.
Zhen Huan was also somewhat stunned. If it were because of Rou Ze's aggressive behavior at the beginning, she might have considered feigning illness to avoid the limelight. Of course, after learning that the imperial physicians in the palace required two people to accompany them for consultations and to keep records, she had no way to ask Wen Shichu for help, and her plan to feign illness was abandoned.
But now that she sees the Emperor still not entering the inner palace, she no longer has the intention to avoid him as she did at the beginning. She can't help but feel a little anxious, afraid that she will become an unknown member of the inner palace.
Zhen Huan always felt that things shouldn't be like this; with her talent and beauty, she shouldn't be in this situation.
"Huan'er, Huan'er?"
Shen Meizhuang waved her hand in front of Zhen Huan's eyes, and Zhen Huan finally came to her senses. "Ah, Sister Mei, what's wrong?"
Shen Meizhuang considerately didn't ask any further questions, and repeated what she had just said: "I heard that the Imperial Garden has recently cultivated many rare and exotic flowers and plants. Since we have nothing else to do, why don't we go and take a look?"
"Very well, I haven't strolled around the Imperial Garden since I entered the palace." Zhen Huan was no longer afraid of running into Rou Ze, but instead felt a little expectant. She had heard that the turmoil in the court had subsided a lot recently, and perhaps the Emperor would like to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden?
Shen Meizhuang held Zhen Huan's hand and smiled with relief. Although she didn't know Zhen Huan's previous plan to feign illness, she could tell that in order to avoid Wan Guiren's presence and trouble, Huan'er had stayed in Zhongcui Palace and hadn't gone out for a while.
Now that Zhen Huan is willing to go out, Shen Meizhuang is naturally much relieved. With her there, she will not let Consort Wan bully Huan'er anymore.
"Why don't we invite Lingrong along? Ever since that day at Jingren Palace, Lingrong has been staying in the palace and hasn't dared to go out." At Shen Meizhuang's suggestion, Zhen Huan became somewhat interested and thought of inviting An Lingrong along.
As for whether she ever felt, for a moment, that she wanted to set off the main flower from the sidelines, only she knows.
"Alright." After spending time together, Shen Meizhuang felt that although An Lingrong was somewhat introverted and timid, she didn't have any bad intentions. She was also willing to speak up for her when they first met, so in Shen Meizhuang's opinion, she was still worth befriending.
Although their relationship couldn't compare to that of Zhen Huan, which they had known since childhood, Shen Meizhuang and An Lingrong had a fairly good friendship compared to other people in the palace.
So the two of them went together to Ningxiang Residence, where An Lingrong lived. There they saw An Lingrong sitting by the window, quietly embroidering flowers.
"Sister An".
"Sister Mei, Sister Wan." Hearing the familiar voices, An Lingrong looked up and gave the two a gentle smile, as if a lotus flower had just bloomed, elegant and beautiful.
Seeing that An Lingrong's complexion had improved considerably since she entered the palace, Zhen Huan was momentarily surprised. However, she didn't pay much attention to it and, with a smile, helped An Lingrong, who was about to stand up and curtsy.
"Sister, there's no need for such formalities. We've come here to bother you."
"Sister Wan is joking. Lingrong is just passing the time." An Lingrong straightened up with Zhen Huan's help, asked Zisu to pour tea, and led the two to sit down. She seemed very relaxed and at ease.
Yes, it was comfortable. An Lingrong hadn't expected to live so comfortably after entering the palace. Although her rank wasn't high, she received all the proper allowances, and the Empress managed the palace well. In addition, the Emperor hadn't favored any new concubines, so there was little infighting among the harem members, and no one was putting others down. She was actually living much better than she had at home.
"You're just like Huan'er. She reads to pass the time, while you embroider. It makes me feel like I can't sit still," Shen Meizhuang said, making a rare, intimate joke.
"Sister Mei..." An Lingrong smiled shyly.
Zhen Huan chuckled softly, "Alright, Lingrong is shy, Sister Mei, don't tease her. Lingrong, we're planning to take a stroll in the Imperial Garden, would you like to join us?"
Even the most patient person will eventually get bored after staying in one place for more than a month. It's just that she's used to being cautious, so she hasn't gone out.
Now that Zhen Huan and Shen Meizhuang both intend to invite her, An Lingrong naturally wouldn't refuse, "Alright, then Lingrong will respectfully accept your invitation."
Soon, the three of them, each accompanied by a palace maid, headed towards the Imperial Garden.
Upon arriving at the Imperial Garden, admiring the diverse and vibrant flowers, plants, and trees on both sides, breathing in the fresh air, and chatting and laughing all the way, everyone's mood improved considerably.
Passing by a pavilion, they saw two imperial concubines sitting inside through a curtain. Zhen Huan and the other two hesitated for a moment, unsure whether they should approach.
However, Shen Meizhuang, peeking through the faint gauze curtain, recognized one of the people in the crowd. "I think it looks like Consort Jing?"
"Consort Jing, who lives in Xianfu Palace with Sister Mei? Then we should go and pay our respects." Hearing what Shen Meizhuang said, Zhen Huan thought for a moment and decided that for Sister Mei's sake, she should go and see her.
So the three of them walked straight toward the pavilion, where the people inside noticed them. Before they got close, a palace maid pulled back the curtain, revealing two people sitting inside: Consort Jing, Feng Ruozhao, and Consort Ning, Mei Qiyue.
"Respect the noble person and wish them well."
After the five people met and exchanged greetings, Zhen Huan and the other two were invited to sit at the stone table and drink tea together.
"It's better to arrive at the right time than to arrive early. The tea I brewed is just right, so please, my three sisters, taste it together." Mei Qiyue's smile was gentle, perhaps because she had given birth, she carried a loving and tender maternal aura.
Without needing the maids to serve her, Mei Qiyue picked up the brewed tea and poured a cup for everyone.
"Thank you, Noble Lady Ning." Since they weren't very familiar with each other, the three of them were a little reserved, holding their teacups and silently sipping their tea.
“The three of you have a good relationship, especially Consort Shen and Consort Wan. I heard they’ve been friends since they were little.” Mei Qiyue’s gaze swept over Shen Meizhuang, and she exchanged a glance with Feng Ruozhao before suddenly speaking up with a sigh.
Mei Qiyue's tone was calm, but something seemed off. The three of them hesitated to reply, only able to smile. Feng Ruozhao, standing to the side, chuckled and tried to smooth things over: "What, aren't you satisfied with me? You're envious of them?"
"You always have to be such a nice guy," Mei Qiyue said helplessly, glancing at Feng Ruozhao.
"What, you look down on me now, this good old man?" Feng Ruozhao knew that Mei Qiyue wanted to stand up for her, but as a noble lady, she was just a titled lady. Shen Meizhuang bypassed her and didn't pay her respects. So what if she went to see Wan Changzai every day? She wasn't the head of Xianfu Palace and couldn't control Shen Meizhuang.
Besides, the new concubines haven't even served the emperor yet, and their futures are uncertain. Feng Ruozhao didn't want Mei Qiyue to offend a potential future favorite concubine for her sake. Anyway, it didn't involve her core interests, so she might as well play the good guy.
"Is our Noble Lady Jing jealous? It was just a casual remark. Have some tea, have some tea." Mei Qiyue smiled and skipped the topic, following Feng Ruozhao's lead.
Zhen Huan and the other two breathed a sigh of relief and looked at Feng Ruozhao gratefully. Among them, only An Lingrong roughly understood the meaning behind Ning Guiren's words. Looking at the oblivious Mei Jie and Wan Jie, and seeing that Jing Guiren really didn't mind, An Lingrong lowered her eyes and didn't intend to say anything more.
"Uncle Seventeen, hurry, hurry..."
"What's the rush? Honghui isn't going to run away..."
Suddenly, they heard two male voices, one tall and one young, coming from outside. Curious, they looked out and saw a tall young man carrying a five- or six-year-old boy, leading a group of people through the Imperial Garden and heading out.
"What is that?" Zhen Huan asked, unusually curious.
Mei Qiyue looked up and saw three curious faces. Sensing it wasn't anything serious, she explained, "That's Prince Guo and the Fifth Prince, Hongzhou. Prince Guo has always been personally raised by the Emperor, so he can freely enter and leave the inner palace. As for the Fifth Prince… he practically grew up under the Empress's care and is always attached to the First Prince. It seems the Fifth Prince begged Prince Guo to go see the First Prince again…"
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