Chapter 184 Zhen Huan's Lifting of the Restriction
Not long after returning to the palace, Consort Zhen of Suiyu Pavilion was quietly released from confinement, reportedly at the behest of Consort Hui.
"Sister Mei."
"Lingrong, you're here! Please sit down. I was wondering why Moyaqi wouldn't sleep. So it was because she knew her aunt was coming and wanted her aunt to hold her, wasn't it?"
Shen Meizhuang warmly invited An Lingrong to sit down and, without any hesitation, placed her daughter in An Lingrong's arms.
An Lingrong skillfully took it, and looking at Moyaqi's adorable smiling face, she forgot all the questions she wanted to ask: "Moyaqi, Moyaqi missed me, didn't she? So good—"
Holding and coaxing her, Moyaqi soon drifted into a sweet dream, as if, just as Shen Meizhuang had said, she was waiting for An Lingrong to hold her before she would fall asleep.
Seeing the wet nurse take Moyaqi away, before An Lingrong could speak, Chen Meizhuang asked directly, "You came here to ask about Zhen Huan, right?"
An Lingrong nodded, looking at Shen Meizhuang with some confusion: "Why exactly did Sister Mei help her?"
“A few days ago, Cui Jinxi from Zhongcui Palace came to me for help. She said that Zhen Huan had caught a cold and had been confined to Suiyu Pavilion, lacking food and clothing. She couldn’t even get a doctor to see her, and the illness had dragged on for a long time. She couldn’t bear it any longer and begged me to put in a good word for her with the Emperor, just to ask for her confinement to be lifted.”
Shen Meizhuang's gaze drifted away, seemingly unfocused. An Lingrong bit her lip, somewhat indignant: "Affection? Huanbi offended my sister first, how dare she talk about affection? And this illness, I don't even know if it's real or not."
“Lingrong, I know you’re angry because of me,” Shen Meizhuang comforted An Lingrong by holding her hand. “I don’t care whether she’s really sick or not, I just want to make a clean break with her.”
“Huanbi is dead, and Zhen Huan has been demoted and confined for so long. Let’s just consider this a prayer for Moyaqi. I promise to say a word for her. But from now on, we two will be like strangers to her and need not have any further contact.”
"This is the condition for the exchange. I will spread the news after she is released from quarantine."
"Sister, I'm sorry you had to go through this." An Lingrong finally understood Shen Meizhuang's intention. In the past, the three of them went in and out together, even though their relationship with Zhen Huan gradually became distant. But those who didn't know the inside story always linked the three of them together, and some would say that they were "arrogant after gaining power." But this mainly referred to An Lingrong, since she gained power later.
This time, Shen Meizhuang used a complete separation as a condition for her decision, ensuring that whatever Zhen Huan did in the future would not implicate them.
"I don't feel wronged, I just don't want to get involved in any more trouble."
"Sister is right." An Lingrong nodded in agreement. In her mind, Zhen Huan was indeed a troublemaker, and she didn't believe that Zhen Huan would settle down after her confinement was lifted. But no matter what, it was no longer their concern.
"Jinxi, thank you for your hard work."
What Cui Jinxi and Shen Meizhuang said was a bit exaggerated, but it wasn't entirely untrue. Having become much thinner after recovering from her illness, Zhen Huan excitedly grasped Cui Jinxi's hand upon learning of her release from confinement.
"This servant is not tired. I am just passing on a message for Your Highness. After all, it is Consort Hui who has a lot of face in front of the Emperor."
"Yes, the Emperor still values Sister Mei, but unfortunately, we have become like strangers since then..." Zhen Huan thought of this, her eyes filled with loneliness.
“After the worst comes the best, Your Highness, it’s alright, everything will be alright,” Cui Jinxi comforted Zhen Huan with a smile. “Look, Your Highness, who’s here?”
"This servant greets Your Highness."
Seeing the familiar Xu Zi and the others kneeling before her, Zhen Huan's eyes filled with tears: "Get up, get up, what brings you all here?"
"This servant is reluctant to part with Your Highness. Upon hearing that Your Highness has been released from confinement, I immediately went to serve Your Highness." Xiao Xuzi respectfully kowtowed to Zhen Huan, and the other palace maids beside him also kowtowed, which moved Zhen Huan deeply.
"Good, you have not let me down now, and I will definitely protect you well in the future."
"Then, young master, would you mind taking in one more person?"
Looking at Cui Jinxi's smiling face, Zhen Huan was both surprised and delighted: "Jinxi, you... but aren't you the head maid of Zhongcui Palace?"
"This servant is clumsy and is no longer serving as the head maid. Would Your Highness be willing to take me in?"
Cui Jinxi was a cautious person, so how could things turn out as she said? Zhen Huan knew there must be a reason behind it, and couldn't help but feel guilty: "Jinxi, I've dragged you into this..."
"What do you mean, my lady? I would be very content to stay by your side."
Cui Jinxi bowed gracefully to Zhen Huan, who quickly helped her up, saying, "With Jinxi here, I naturally feel more at ease."
At this moment, the dilapidated Suiyu Pavilion seemed to have been transformed by its owner's enthusiasm.
...
"The latest news from Lao Jiu is that Honghui and his group have met with the Russian delegation."
Yinzhi handed the secret memorial to Yinzhen, something no one would have expected. Besides the peace negotiation team sent out on the surface, Yinzhi and Yinzhen secretly infiltrated the border under the guise of merchants, constantly transmitting firsthand information.
"I think we should have a result before the end of the year." After reading the message from Yun Tang, Yin Zhen calculated the time and nodded in satisfaction.
"How could there be no results? Big Brother treats cannons like fireworks, firing one every now and then."
Upon hearing Yinzhi's words, Yinzhen smiled and said, "With my elder brother here, I do feel much more at ease."
"It's a hot potato, and Tsarist Russia can only watch from the sidelines without being able to get its hands on it, so of course they're anxious..."
As the two were chatting and laughing, Su Peisheng carefully carried in a food box: "Your Majesty, the Empress has ordered someone to send over some old duck soup."
"Put it here."
"yes."
Looking at the steaming bowl of nourishing duck soup that Su Peisheng had brought out, Yun Si raised an eyebrow: "Recently, my sister-in-law has been very concerned about my brother, sending him all sorts of nourishing soups and medicines every day."
"Su Peisheng, serve Prince Lian a bowl, so he won't nag about it every day."
"Yes, Your Highness." Su Peisheng deftly took out two small bowls and served one to each of his two masters. "Prince Lian, please."
"Since Your Majesty has said so, I cannot refuse your kind offer." Yinzhi picked up the soup bowl, took the white spoon, scooped up a small amount and put it in his mouth: "Not bad, it is indeed delicious."
"It's delicious, have a couple more sips."
Yinzhen ignored Yunsi's sentiments, gestured for Su Peisheng to leave, and then began to taste it as well.
Seeing that only the two of them remained in the hall, Yinzhi put down his bowl and said jokingly with a serious expression, "Honghui is away on a long journey, why is my sister-in-law so concerned about my brother again?"
"There are a few more small insects in the Imperial Hospital, disturbing your peace and quiet, sister-in-law."
Yinzhen spoke casually, but Yinsi's expression instantly turned serious: "Who is it? What do they need me to do?"
"It's just an ant that can swallow an elephant; it's nothing to fear, so don't worry. You should use your spare time to help me with some state affairs."
Seeing that Yinzhen still had the mind to joke, Yunsi felt relieved and immediately smiled: "Brother, didn't we also bring Hongyun out to serve? Isn't that enough?"
“Hongyun is inexperienced, so I think you are quite suitable to teach him.”
"Your Majesty, I think you're quite good at giving people extra burdens."
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