As the snow fluttered and fell, the Forbidden City was covered in white snow. The weather was originally cold during the day, but now it was so cold that even talking made people exhale white mist.
As the weather gets colder, the demand for red radish charcoal in the palace increases.
It was not so bad for the concubines of high rank. The red charcoal distributed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs was just enough for them to use, so their rooms were warm every day.
It is not so good for those of lower status, especially those below the rank of talent. They have to stay in their rooms all day long with doors and windows closed. They will not open the door during the day if possible. They will only use precious things like red charcoal when they sleep at night.
Speaking of it, red charcoal is not very expensive. At least the concubines' families are rich and can always afford it if they are willing to spend money on it.
For someone like Shi Qiang, except for her father, no one in her family had any prospects. Her father was just a minor official who ate light food on weekdays. It was difficult for him to even come to the Forbidden City.
Not to mention giving the extra money to Shi Qiang for her living.
Therefore, when she realized that it would be difficult for her to be favored because of her beauty and that her monthly salary was deducted by the Ministry of Internal Affairs, she prepared herself mentally to endure the cold and freezing for the entire winter.
However……
In the main hall of Yanghe Palace, Hong Xing grunted and put away the two bags of red charcoal that Xiao Wuzi had given her, stuffed them into a corner, and covered them with something. A happy smile appeared on her round little face:
"My lord, with these, we can sleep well this month."
The weather was too cold, Hong Xing had already left the soft couch outside and went back to sleep in the bedroom as agreed.
She kept in mind her status as a servant and did not sleep in the same bed with the young lady, but moved in a new bed.
The bed was too heavy for her to move into.
I asked Xiao Wuzi to help move it, and that was the only dormitory he agreed to enter so far.
At that time, Shi agreed with a blushing face, as if Xiao Wuzi had not entered her dormitory, but had met her.
Anyway...
How could an ordinary eunuch get so much red radish charcoal? Not to mention that his monthly allowance was not enough to buy it, even if it was enough, he would not have the connections to buy so much.
You have to know that the supply of red charcoal in the palace is limited, and ordinary eunuchs and palace maids have no right to buy it without the permission of their masters. Even if there is extra, it has already been reserved by the masters.
"Hong Xing, do you still remember when Xiao Wuzi first met us? His arms were covered with purple scars, and he looked so pitiful. What do you think he paid to get this Hong Luo Charcoal?"
Shi Qiang frowned slightly and spoke softly.
Hearing this, the joy on Hong Xing's face froze for a moment. She was stunned for a moment and stammered, "Xiao Wuzi said that this was a reward from Eunuch An..."
"Then, what did he do to deserve Eunuch An to reward him with so many things?" Shi Qian still frowned.
Hong Xing hesitated and said, "Then... we won't accept it?"
Shi Qian was silent for a moment, thinking of Xiao Wuzi's stubborn expression every time he rejected her, and she sighed secretly in her heart and said:
"I still have some winter fabrics in my dowry. How about I make him some winter underwear?"
After all, we have already received it, so why would we return it?
Besides, given his stubbornness, he would definitely refuse.
Hong Xing's eyes lit up: "That's a good idea!"
They dare not confront him directly about the source of the things, for fear of hurting his feelings, but if they give him something in return as a gift, it is just a good way to express their feelings.
After all, Shi Da Ying had no relatives with Xiao Wuzi, so he couldn't just keep taking his things for free just because the other party liked them.
Of course, giving clothes was not only a return gift, Shi Qian also had a little bit of her own thoughts in it.
Although he can't be with Xiao Wuzi, if he wears the underwear that he promised to make for him, how can it not be counted as having spent time together?
So, she stayed in the house every day to sew warm underwear - the reason why it was underwear was because eunuchs had to wear the same eunuch clothes even in winter, and they could only wear their own clothes inside.
Fortunately, the eunuch's uniform is loose enough, so he can wear something else underneath.
As the Chinese New Year approached, the Silijian had more work to do. They were busy clearing the snow from the aisles and scrubbing all the buildings in the palace in order to seek the auspicious meaning of "saying goodbye to the old and welcoming the new".
In addition, it is also necessary to set the scene for the New Year.
In just seven days, all the visible buildings of the palace and the leafless branches were hung with festive red lanterns and ribbons.
In the winter when everything is withering, only the plum blossoms that are not afraid of the bitter cold are in full bloom.
The gorgeous red plum blossoms in full bloom in winter are unique and a rare sight.
The gossip about Silijian has been updated again.
It is said that when Emperor Yanqing went to Yiyuanmeili to admire the plum blossoms, he saw a concubine dancing in the winter sun, and her beauty instantly captured Emperor Yanqing's heart.
The emperor was so pleased that he not only took off his dragon robe and covered the concubine with it to keep her warm, but also made an exception and promoted her from a concubine to a talented person on the second day of serving her.
What does it mean for a concubine to be named a talented person? There is a strict system for the ranks of concubines in the harem. Above the concubines are nobles, and above the nobles are talented people. She is the first concubine in the harem to be promoted twice in rank.
As soon as this successful encounter with the emperor happened, many of the concubines who were not very favored, or even had been favored only once, began to have evil thoughts.
On a snowy day, she would not stay indoors and dance to save her life, but would wear cool clothes and dance in places where the emperor might pass by.
In just five days, three concubines died.
One of them has a close relationship with Shi Da Ying.
When Hong Xing went to get her daily breakfast, she heard the palace maids discussing the death of concubines on the way. She listened curiously and heard that "Qing Changzai, who was once favored for three days, has died." She was stunned and felt that "Qing Changzai" sounded a little familiar.
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