Chapter 92 Comfortable
In early September, the heavy rain that had struck the three continents continued. When the news reached the imperial court, everyone was shocked and sighed with regret.
Lan Wu secretly breathed a sigh of relief.
Chu Mingheng knew much earlier and, after investigating, took the lead in settling everything, thus minimizing the damage caused by the heavy rain.
It was just a bit hot in the capital city in September.
All the palaces are using ice, but the lower-ranking concubines only receive the same amount. Consort Li, having finally gained the power to assist in managing the six palaces, and having previously received a reward from His Majesty because of the Zeng family's matter, is now even more arrogant. Needless to say, she always wants all the palaces to follow her wishes.
Yifang Palace
Consort Bai and Consort Wen sat on either side of the lower seat, casually sipping their tea, while Consort Shu above them was gently fanning herself.
The Yifang Palace was naturally cooler, and the ice provided by Consort Shu was sufficient. The temperature in the palace was just right.
Consort Wen was always afraid of the heat, and she was so hot and irritable on the way here in a palanquin. She finally calmed down, but when she saw that Consort Shu was not in a hurry, she became anxious again.
"Your Majesty, I heard that Consort Li ordered the Imperial Household Department to send ice to her palace again yesterday."
"Her Jinghua Palace is a bit hot, but it's not like she has to send people three times a day. She certainly knows how to order people around."
Bai Xiuyi chuckled softly, and couldn't help but fan herself with a cool breeze: "That's right, isn't it all because of these things that Consort Li has caused such a commotion these days?"
If the harem were truly handed over to Consort Li, then the other concubines would be doomed.
"However, none of her antics reached His Majesty's ears." Bai Xiuyi paused, seemingly lost in thought, "because they didn't involve any important people."
The two exchanged a glance, both knowing perfectly well who the important person was.
Consort Shu handed the round fan to the palace maid behind her, took the tea from the side, and took a small sip.
"How is Zhenxiuyi doing lately?"
"Her? For a while, His Majesty always liked to have her by his side, but later he became well-behaved, staying in his Yilan Palace and not going out. He would occasionally go to the Imperial Garden, and he was living a very comfortable life."
How could I not feel comfortable?
She was the only one favored in the palace, possessing both affection and status. Even when she threw a tantrum, His Majesty would only say she was cute and pitiful.
"Is she living so comfortably? Then I must find some fun for her." Consort Shu shook her head gently and said with a smile.
Consort Bai looked at her: "What does Your Majesty mean?"
"The last time I saw that little palace maid from the Zeng family's palace in front of the Emperor, her name was... Panxi, right?" Consort Shu narrowed her eyes slightly. "That little palace maid was beautiful. Even if she couldn't compare to the current Consort Zhen, I think she could rival the Consort Zhen who was a dancer before."
"Where is that palace maid now?"
Consort Wen couldn't help but laugh: "Your Majesty is right. After the Zeng family fell, the palace servants of Zhaoyun Palace were either punished or punished. Pan Xi was rewarded for her meritorious service in reporting corruption and was taken by Consort Li. She is currently in Jinghua Palace."
"Oh dear, what a coincidence," Consort Shu said leisurely, her smile radiant.
-
Lan Wu finally finished embroidering her purse. At first, she was very satisfied with it, but after looking at it many times, she felt that it wasn't so beautiful anymore.
The purse was black with indigo ribbons and tassels below. A white jade ring was hung on the tassels. Water and cloud patterns were embroidered on the black background, but the dragon that Lan Wu said she wanted to embroider was made with silver thread.
At first glance, the colors are harmonious and the patterns are clear, perfectly matching the imperial aura.
However, Lan Wu's needlework was indeed not very good. The silver dragon stitches were not fine to the touch and looked a bit crooked to the naked eye.
Lan Wu had already put in a lot of effort and time to embroider this dragon. She had piled up the fabric she ruined in the small hall of Taichen Palace, and her fingers had also developed some small cuts.
Thinking about these things made her feel satisfied.
"Mujin, go get me a brocade box." Lanwu carefully placed the purse on the table, then put the calming herbs that Physician Lin had prepared for her into the fine silk cloth and put them into the purse together.
Mu Jin took a dark red brocade box with floral and bird patterns and opened it for Lan Wu.
"Look, it fits perfectly." Lan Wu put the things inside and said with a smile.
Mu Jin glanced at it as well and echoed her words: "Your Majesty is right."
"Help me with my hair and makeup, I'm going to deliver something to His Majesty."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Ever since Chu Mingheng told her that Mu Jin was someone he had sent, Lan Wu felt relieved about her and asked her to serve in the palace.
Lianqiao sensed a growing sense of crisis and became even more efficient in her work, fearing that Mujin would take her place.
Seeing that Mu Jin was about to do Lan Wu's hair and makeup, she hurriedly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty, please let me do it. Mu Jin doesn't do a good job."
That's true.
Lan Wu remembered that last time she asked Mu Jin to comb her hair, but it took a long time and Mu Jin was so anxious that she broke out in a sweat.
Fortunately, she wasn't a mistress who was harsh on her servants, so she didn't think much of it and had someone else comb her hair.
Recalling this incident, Lan Wu was about to change her words when she saw Mu Jin step forward and respectfully say, "This servant will go and learn from you. This time, I will definitely be able to comb Your Highness's hair beautifully."
Lan Wu glanced at the two of them and coughed lightly, "Then you should do it. Let me see what you've learned."
Lianqiao's face puffed up with anger as she glared at Mujin.
But Mu Jin did learn how to comb hair, and she learned it very well. No one knew where she learned it from, but she combed hair not only quickly, but also very well. The bun she styled for Lan Wu also complemented her face.
Even Lianqiao was surprised when she saw it.
How long has it been? Where did she learn this skill?
"Is Your Majesty satisfied?" Mu Jin asked humbly.
Lan Wu looked at the bronze mirror and nodded repeatedly. Then she searched in front of the dressing case and found a jade hairpin, which she handed to Mu Jin.
"Okay, you can take this."
Mu Jin was taken aback, took the jade hairpin, and knelt down: "Thank you for the gift, Your Majesty."
Lan Wu smiled but didn't say anything.
She told Mu Jin to follow her, and they headed towards the Imperial Study.
Lianqiao was furious behind her, wondering what kind of magic Mujin had used to make the Empress value her so much that she had to take her everywhere she went.
As she approached the door, Lan Wu turned her head again, looked at Lian Qiao in the hall, and said softly, "Help me sort out the storybooks I've read recently, and separate the ones I haven't read from the ones I have."
Lian Qiao quickly replied, "Yes, Your Highness, this servant is the best at handling books."
It was afternoon, and although Lan Wu had taken a nap that afternoon, the sun was still blazing hot.
Lan Wu chatted with Mu Jin on the way, telling her not to worry about Lian Qiao, as she was the kind of person who would forget everything after a few days.
After all, Lianqiao and Mujin had a good relationship in their previous life. Although things have changed in this life, the people themselves haven't changed, so their relationship shouldn't be that bad.
"Your Majesty is right. I have observed Lianqiao in private and feel that although she is stupid, she has no bad intentions and does things properly. I will not take it to heart."
Lan Wu listened to her speak, hesitated for a moment, and then nodded gently.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com