Huo Qinghe wasn't used to eating bird's nest, and her expression showed some discomfort. She couldn't force a blush, so she could only lower her head and say, "Yes, I called for water twice last night."
Despite her suspicions, Huo Yiyun almost lost control of her expression at this moment.
Even though she was the one who asked the question, hearing Huo Qinghe say it herself made her feel uncomfortable and uneasy again, as if she had swallowed a fly.
She was no longer young, but her half-sister was different. She had a young and beautiful body, and most importantly, her half-sister was able to give birth easily, unlike her...
Huo Yiyun stared at the bowl of rock sugar bird's nest in front of Huo Qinghe, speechless for a while.
It was Cuiqiao who came forward and added a bowl of rock sugar bird's nest for Huo Yiyun, which broke the silence in the inner hall.
Huo Yiyun stirred the bowl, making a crisp sound as it touched the rim. "It seems His Majesty is extremely pleased with you. You must strike while the iron is hot and firmly grasp His Majesty's favor. As your older sister, I am genuinely happy for you. Now that you've made a good start, things will naturally become smoother and smoother in the future."
As she spoke, she suddenly grasped Huo Qinghe's hand.
Huo Qinghe sneered inwardly, and after a long while, she responded in a low voice.
Huo Yiyun's hands were a little cold. Touching Huo Qinghe's soft and delicate hand, a hint of jealousy flashed in her eyes, and she couldn't help but say, "Qinghe, you must remember this. In this palace, whether you are as secure as the Empress or rely on your maternal family, Consort Chi or others, none of them will wish you well. Only your sister has always been of one mind with you."
In Huo Yiyun's eyes, Huo Qinghe was a coward, but her face was undeniably beautiful.
She wasn't too worried about Huo Qinghe having any ulterior motives now, but she was afraid that Huo Qinghe, being timid as she was, might be instigated by someone and end up fighting like dogs, which would make her want to vomit.
She was a former servant of the Prince's residence and knew the people in the palace all too well.
Huo Qinghe naturally understood, and she echoed Huo Yiyun's words, "Yes, I will listen to my sister in everything."
Huo Yiyun smiled and said, "Okay, okay. Mother sent a letter a couple of days ago saying that my two younger brothers are doing well, but they have a lot of classes at the Imperial Academy these days and they haven't been home yet. I'm afraid they'll have to wait until the Dragon Boat Festival."
Huo Yiyun suddenly brought up her two younger brothers out of the blue, which was naturally another warning and admonition.
This is the tactic of those in power to combine kindness and severity, employing both soft and hard approaches.
But Huo Yiyun and her daughter had indeed found her weakness. Huo Qinghe lowered her eyes, a mouthful of bird's nest stuck in her throat, which she swallowed with difficulty.
One bowl of bird's nest wasn't enough. Huo Qinghe was given another bowl of bird's nest for breakfast. She had to admit that she had never eaten anything so precious before. In the end, she ate half a bowl before Huo Yiyun stopped staring at her.
When Huo Qinghe came out of Xianfu Palace, she felt a wave of nausea. She suppressed the urge to vomit and waved her hand, saying, "Back to the palace."
With her hands full, Lü Huai could only follow closely beside Huo Qinghe.
Upon returning to Yanliang Pavilion, Huo Qinghe went into the inner hall and drank two sips of tea, forcefully suppressing the nausea and vomiting.
Green Locust first put away the gifts bestowed by the Empress, and waited for Huo Qinghe's instructions.
Huo Qinghe took a while to recover: "Tell Lvyun to register all these things, including the ones that Lady Yi sent over a few days ago. Lvhuai, you keep them."
Green Locust stopped and helped Green Cloud carry the gifts to the storeroom.
"Wife?" Green Locust called out in confusion.
Huo Qinghe stared at her intently, then sighed, "Lvhuai, you'll understand my current situation once you come with me to Xianfu Palace. I have something to ask you, or rather, I need your help. If you reveal anything... you haven't gone to the Shenxing Division to see Jinzhan yet, have you?"
Who can't use a combination of kindness and severity?
Green Locust swallowed hard: "This servant will never divulge a single word. What you, my lady, need to do is what this servant should do."
Huo Qinghe said "okay," but she kept staring at the green locust tree; a person's eyes cannot lie.
This is why she usually keeps her head down when she's in front of Huo Yiyun at Xianfu Palace.
"Is there any contraceptive medicine available in the palace? Can you get your hands on it?" Huo Qinghe's eyes were clear as she awaited Lü Huai's answer.
Green Locust hadn't expected Huo Qinghe to ask her to do this. Before Huo Qinghe even spoke, she had already thought of plotting against Lady Yi. Naturally, she didn't dare risk her own life and was thinking about how to persuade her mistress.
When she heard her wife say she wanted contraceptives, she didn't think it was a big deal anymore.
But after a long pause, she shook her head: "I've been in the palace for several years now, but I've never heard of any contraceptive medicine... When I worked in the Imperial Household Department, I did hear from the old nannies in the palace that a concubine in the previous dynasty was unfortunately murdered and forced to take a contraceptive medicine. Not only was she poisoned and rendered mute, but she also didn't live long. I think the so-called contraceptive medicines are all made with harmful drugs. My lady, I'm afraid it's not appropriate."
Her words were, of course, sincere.
Huo Qinghe understood. If there really were contraceptives, the eldest mistress would have given them to her when her stepmother was still alive, and there wouldn't be Jinghe now...
"But I really don't want to get pregnant right now..." she whispered.
Today's breakfast at Xianfu Palace was filled with all sorts of nourishing foods, including many that Huo Qinghe had never seen before. Why would Huo Yiyun ask her to supplement her diet?
Huo Qinghe had to be on guard: "Lvhuai, go to the Imperial Hospital and ask. If they really can't find it, then forget about it."
There will always be things she can't predict.
Green Locust nodded slightly. Seeing how much her wife valued it, she vaguely realized something and solemnly agreed.
Having eaten too much for breakfast, Huo Qinghe was feeling a bit weak for a while. Before Lvhuai could leave, she heard Lvyun and the others outside say that His Majesty had bestowed gifts upon her.
However, noticing that Green Cloud's tone was a bit off, Green Locust, after receiving a signal from Huo Qinghe, went to see what was going on.
The day after a new concubine is summoned to the emperor's bedchamber, the emperor and empress will bestow rewards upon her; there's nothing more to say about that.
The gifts on both sides were fabrics, tea, jewelry, and the like.
A short while later, Green Locust returned from outside, and her expression didn't seem quite right.
“My lady, His Majesty sent someone to deliver the rewards, but they were stopped by Lady Zhou in the main hall... Lady Zhou said that she is the mistress of Yanxi Palace, and since you live here, you should naturally go to express your gratitude for His Majesty's favor.”
This argument is completely illogical. If it were just a simple greeting, that would be one thing, but this is His Majesty's gift. Why go to Lady Zhou to express gratitude?
Moreover, Madam Zhou is currently under house arrest, which clearly indicates that Madam Zhou is causing trouble for her husband.
Thinking this, Green Locust became even more worried.
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