Chapter 147 Apricot Blossoms in Light Rain
"Sister, to put it bluntly, Zhen Huan only gained favor because she looks like you and has a bit of cunning. With your relationship with the Emperor, if you just show a little weakness, what chance will Zhen Huan have?"
Cao Qinmo's words still echoed in her ears, and Rouze felt they were very true. So, on a slightly tipsy evening, Rouze, dressed in a simple and elegant moon-white cheongsam, sat on a swing under an apricot tree, playing her jade flute.
A spring breeze rustled through the treetops, and fluttering apricot blossoms landed on Rouze's soft hair. Accompanied by the lonely sound of a flute, and bathed in the orange glow of the setting sun, the scenery was beautiful, and the people were even more beautiful.
Consort Wan is willing to put in effort for the Emperor. After accompanying the Emperor on another "chance" encounter with Rouze, Su Peisheng couldn't help but sigh, Consort Wan certainly has more tricks up her sleeve than the other concubines.
Compared to the previous dance under the red plum blossoms and moon, the flute playing under the apricot blossom rain now adds a touch of sorrow, making one feel pity for the fallen.
Yinzhen, who was just passing by on his way to Zhongcui Palace, stopped here. This time, no one else would bother him. He seemed to be enjoying Rouze's playing with great interest.
As the song ended, Rou slowly raised her eyes, and a crystal tear fell at just the right moment. Her eyes, which were originally full of loss and sorrow, instantly turned into surprise and longing when she saw Yinzhen's figure.
Rou gave a faint, helpless smile, her voice filled with deep sorrow and longing, and softly called out, "Si Lang..."
Yinzhen seemed moved by her words. He took a few steps forward, stood under the apricot tree, and gently plucked an apricot petal from Rouze's hair as she sat on the swing. "Why are you sitting here playing the flute?"
"Hearing that the apricot blossoms are in bloom, I was reminded of a poem by Wei Zhuang, so I thought I'd come and sit for a while." Rou Ze's eyes sparkled, her affection undisguised, as she looked at Yinzhen with a pitiful expression.
"What poem?"
"On a spring outing, apricot blossoms fill the air, whose young man is so dashing on the roadside?" Rouze recited the poem while reaching out to take Yinzhen's hand, seemingly unable to contain her emotions.
"I intend to marry him and live out my life. Even if I am heartlessly abandoned, I will not feel ashamed..."
After Rouze finished speaking, she bit her lip and slowly leaned into Yinzhen's arms, reaching out to encircle his waist. "Fourth Prince, do you know Rouze's feelings?"
Yinzhen paused, then embraced Rouze's soft, boneless body, as if she relied on him completely. "I understand."
And as Su Peisheng predicted, with a pained expression on his face, Consort Wan successfully stole the Emperor's favor. And it seemed the Emperor was quite receptive to this. Whether it was due to sensing Consort Wan's affection or her efforts, he did indeed summon her several times.
A light rain falls on the apricot blossoms, and gentleness brings success and favor.
...
"Sister Ning."
"Yuxiu, you've come."
"Yes, I'm here to freeload again, Sister Ning!" The charming and lovely Yuan Yuxiu took two steps forward and hugged Mei Qiyue's arm, acting coquettishly.
Mei Qiyue looked at her close sister and shook her head helplessly, "You, all you think about all day long is food. No wonder you get along so well with that Fang Jia."
Yuan Yuxiu and the newly arrived Fang Jiayichun lived together in Song Wan'er's Yanxi Palace. Song Wan'er was gentle and never restricted them. Although the two were quite different in age, they were similar in temperament, loved to eat and play, and were just like half-sisters. They got along very well, which made Mei Qiyue jealous.
"Oh, don't worry, sister, I'll definitely still be your best friend." Yuan Yuxiu smiled ingratiatingly and offered Mei Qiyue a piece of white jade cake.
Mei Qiyue, who had been pretending to be serious, couldn't help but laugh when she saw Yuan Yuxiu's pitiful expression. She tapped Yuan Yuxiu's head, took the pastry from her hand, and took a bite.
"Your temperament hasn't changed over the years. You can know a person's face but not their heart. There aren't any good people in the palace. You should be careful in your daily life."
Mei Qiyue gently persuaded her, not entirely out of jealousy, but because she didn't understand Fang Jiayi's character and didn't know whether she was good or bad. People's hearts are biased, and naturally she was afraid that Yuan Yuxiu would suffer.
After all, she and Yuan Yuxiu entered the manor together and had been together for so many years; their bond was unmatched by anyone else.
Yuan Yuxiu smiled sweetly at Mei Qiyue, "I know, don't worry, sister, I'm not a child anymore."
"How can I be at ease with your carefree attitude every day?"
Mei Qiyue sighed helplessly. As if embarrassed by what she had said, Yuan Yuxiu lowered her eyes and touched her nose shyly. A shadow crossed her eyes for a moment, but when she looked up again, she was still the lively and innocent Yuan Yuxiu.
"Sister, have you heard the rumors circulating in the palace lately?" Yuan Yuxiu asked quietly, as if she had suddenly found a topic of interest, as she moved closer to Mei Qiyue.
Mei Qiyue looked at the gossipy Yuan Yuxiu with amusement, pretending not to know, "What rumor?"
"Oh dear, it's about Wan and Wan, isn't it? Wan is similar to Wan, so she's favored. Sister, do you think it's true or not?"
"You've been talking so much nonsense, I'm getting confused," Mei Qiyue chuckled, then reminded Yuan Yuxiu, "Whether it's true or not, just listen to it, but don't get involved."
"I was just saying it out of curiosity. I'm not stupid. I wouldn't talk to anyone other than my sister."
Yuan Yuxiu's proud little expression made Mei Qiyue both laugh and cry. "Yes, yes, Yuxiu is the smartest."
“Hehehe,” Yuan Yuxiu laughed shyly, and the topic suddenly jumped to other places, “If you ask me, Consort Hui is living a better life.”
"What do you mean?" Mei Qiyue didn't understand. Why did the topic of Consort Hui suddenly come up again?
“Sister, look, Consort Hui and Consort Wan were favored at the same time before, but later, because she became pregnant, Consort Wan became even more favored. But soon Consort Wan stole the limelight, and everyone was laughing at the two of them. On the other hand, Consort Hui is taking care of her pregnancy peacefully and is not noticed by others. How carefree she is.”
“What you say makes sense.” Mei Qiyue nodded. Yuan Yuxiu rarely analyzed things so thoroughly. Originally, Consort Hui, who was receiving a lot of attention because of her pregnancy, was able to escape the center of the storm after Consort Wan and Consort Wan made such a fuss.
“Oh,” Yuan Yuxiu leaned on the small table, a hint of envy in her eyes, “Consort Hui is so lucky, she’s both favored and pregnant.”
"Yuxiu..." Seeing her like this, Mei Qiyue didn't know how to comfort her. After all, she herself had children, and it would feel inappropriate for her to say anything without understanding the situation.
Yuan Yuxiu, however, didn't remain dejected for long. She sat up, her eyes sparkling as she looked at Mei Qiyue. "However, I still think Consort Hui is not as good as you, sister. The Second Prince is so outstanding! He's smart, sensible, filial to you, sister, and good to me, his aunt. Besides, you're now a concubine, your hardships are over, and you can raise the Second Prince yourself..."
Seeing Yuan Yuxiu meticulously listing Hongyun's merits on her fingers, Mei Qiyue couldn't help but smile. However, as Yuan Yuxiu uttered her last sentence, the smile on Mei Qiyue's face gradually faded, revealing her disappointment. Yet, she had no choice but to speak up and stop her.
"Alright, Yuxiu, stop talking. Second Prince... it's all thanks to Consort Duan's excellent upbringing..."
Yuan Yuxiu's eyes widened instantly. "Sister, how can it all be due to Consort Duan's upbringing? You clearly care about the Second Prince a lot too. You are the Second Prince's birth mother. Who could love him more than you?"
"Consort Duan's feelings for Hongyun are also genuine."
“I know, before, my sister's rank wasn't high enough, and Consort Duan helped raise the Second Prince. I was grateful to her on my sister's behalf. Now that my sister is a concubine, she can raise the Second Prince herself. When the Second Prince grows up, just tell him to remember Consort Duan's kindness.”
Seeing that Yuan Yuxiu's thinking was simple, Mei Qiyue smiled bitterly. What Consort Duan wanted was not just a simple favor; what she had always wanted was Hongyun.
"Yuxiu, you don't understand, Consort Duan regards Hongyun as her own son..."
“But you are the Second Prince’s biological mother.” Seeing Mei Qiyue’s heartbroken expression, Yuan Yuxiu seemed to realize she had said the wrong thing and quickly comforted her, “Don’t say it, don’t say it, sister, don’t overthink it. The Second Prince definitely favors you more… I mean, although the Second Prince is currently living in the West Third Palace, with you and Consort Duan taking care of him together, he will definitely be better off…”
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