Chapter 157 An Lingrong 98
Since the empress was not brought with her to the Old Summer Palace for summer vacation, Lingrong, as the highest-ranking imperial concubine, should have been in charge of all matters in the harem. However, Lingrong, who came here for vacation, refused to work overtime and simply discussed with the emperor to assign the affairs to several people above the rank of the main concubine who had a good relationship with her.
They happily accepted it and expressed their gratitude to Lingrong.
From then on, Ling Rong became a hands-off boss. She would invite one or two free people every day to take the children for a stroll, and she only visited two scenic spots in a month.
That day she had nothing to do, so she planned to go for a stroll in Taohuawu with Concubine Xiang. When she passed by Yingshui Xianglan, she heard a quarrel.
"I'm teaching my own palace people a lesson, and I want you to be meddling in other people's business." Qipin's pretty face was full of anger. She was holding the eunuch's whisk, and Jinpin pulled it. She almost lost her balance and fell to the ground, making a fool of herself.
Concubine Jin rolled her eyes at her, very impatient: "Who cares if you teach her a lesson? If you want to beat her or kill her, either drag her outside or close the door and gag her. This palace maid is screaming like a funeral procession, it's so noisy."
"You think it's noisy? Then ask the emperor to transfer you to another good place to live alone." Concubine Qi did it on purpose. She had finally followed the emperor to the Old Summer Palace, and the empress also advised her to seize the opportunity to have another child. Who knew that this unlucky star would follow her and live with her? It was really unlucky.
"Didn't you just rely on the Empress's good words and beg her to force you into coming here?" Concubine Qi said proudly, her hands on her hips. "If you have the guts, go and beg the Empress again now. You're unloved and childless, yet you're still staying in the palace. You shamelessly follow me here to take advantage of me. Do you think the Emperor would still want to see your face?"
Fucha took a deep breath, having given up all hope on this idiot. "Who told you that it was the Queen's will that allowed me to come to the Old Summer Palace?"
"Humph, that's understandable. Could it be that the Emperor suddenly thought of an old woman like you?"
Qipin's words were too much. Jinpin entered the palace only two years earlier than her, and their age difference was not much. However, Jinpin's appearance was dignified and elegant, but not beautiful enough. Coupled with the fact that she had suffered two miscarriages and had a bad foundation, she looked a little vicissitudes of life.
If she had heard this in the past, Concubine Jin would have refused to give up. But now, she just glanced at the palace maid kneeling on the ground, turned around and walked out the door: "It's up to you. If you really have the guts, beat her to death."
As soon as I went out, I saw the Imperial Concubine and the Concubine Xiang not far away. They were sitting in the octagonal pavilion, seemingly enjoying the scenery. Outside, a large group of people followed and surrounded the pavilion with curtains.
After hesitating for a moment, she took the initiative to step forward and greet Lingrong.
"Get up, Jinpin is getting better and better at behaving." Lingrong took a small sandalwood folding fan and played with it in her hand. The four palace maids behind her were holding fans and serving tea and water. Their every move was smooth and beautiful.
"Your Majesty is not as good at managing people as I am. I have only been in the palace for a long time and I cannot forget these rules."
"This is already done." Lingrong waved her hand, and a palace maid behind her immediately handed Jinpin a palm-sized jade bowl. The bowl contained not tea, but cool sour plum soup.
"Summer is truly a time to enjoy sweet drinks, isn't it, Sister Jinpin?" Xiangpin also held a bowl in her hand and smiled at her. "Thank goodness I'm with the Empress. Otherwise, even if I were to admire the scenery in this garden, I'd probably only be able to wander around in front of my own door."
"It would be boring to enjoy such a beautiful scenery without a few good friends to visit together. I should be the one thanking you." Lingrong and Xiangpin clinked their glasses lightly. They looked so carefree that Jinpin beside them felt a little envious.
The three of them chatted for a while in the pavilion, and Lingrong was the first to stand up. Xiangpin beside her quickly followed and said to Jinpin with a smile: "We were originally going to go to Taohuawu for a stroll today. If Jinpin has nothing else to do, we will take our leave first."
After saying that, the two of them stood up and left. A group of servants quickly packed up their things and finished everything in just two or three minutes. The group left as soon as they said they would, which made Jinpin a little stunned.
She had originally thought that An Lingrong and the others were waiting outside because they had something to tell her, after all, she had accepted a favor...
The enthusiastic Lingrong really didn't care about her. She just did it for the convenience of the moment. It could also cause trouble for the Queen, so why not do it?
When we arrived at Taohuawu, we saw the peach forest that stretched to the horizon. It was the season of falling petals, and it was truly a beautiful sight.
The queen always lived here before, and every time they came to pay their respects, they were in a hurry to come and go, so they could never enjoy the beautiful scenery as leisurely as they do today.
"The whole tree is in full bloom with red blossoms, and the branches are ablaze with crimson colors in the spring." Lingrong smiled and ordered people to prepare bamboo mats and set up rocking chairs. She and Xiangpin sat opposite each other under the peach tree and tasted peach blossom wine.
"I have tried to make Twelve Flower Gods wine before, but this peach blossom wine is the first time I have brought it out. Please have a taste." Ling Rong smiled and asked them to fill Xiangpin's glass. The two of them drank wine and admired the flowers. They were really happy and carefree.
"I've finally had a moment of leisure..." The two chatted and laughed, not noticing the daylight was getting shorter. It wasn't until Biqing reminded them that they realized it was almost dusk. "Back to Tianran Tuhua, those two Heavenly Demon Stars are going to give me a headache again."
Xiangpin picked up her round fan to hide her smile when she heard her words. "Your Majesty, I feel the same way. Although I think Wen Yi is very kind, she sometimes makes trouble and gives me a headache. These days, following Your Majesty, it's rare to feel free."
On the way back, a beautiful crow swooped over their heads and flew away into the distance.
"These sacred birds are fed by the palace people every day. Now they are everywhere. I am a little scared when I see them." Concubine Xiang was frightened. The crow was much larger than any she had ever seen. It was indeed quite intimidating when it flew low at airspace.
Ling Rong didn't react much, but smiled instead: "Really? I quite like these animals. Seeing them free and unfettered is quite enviable."
The two parted at the intersection. Lingrong returned to Tianran Tuhua and asked the servants to wait outside while she went into the room. Sure enough, the crow pried open the window by itself and was now standing on the table. It even flapped its wings when it saw her come in.
Ling Rong paid no attention to it, but instead focused her attention on another animal on the table.
It was an unprepossessing short-tailed viper, lazily coiled on the table. When it saw her come in, it just raised its head slightly, then lowered it again.
Ling Rong was not afraid, and even took out some feed from the space and fed it and the crow a lot.
When it was half full, the viper spat out its tongue at her, indicating that it was full and wanted to go back to sleep.
"How's the thing I asked you to do going?" Ling Rong touched the snake's body. The cool and slippery touch was really suitable for summer. She simply coiled the viper around her arm.
Ling Rong casually wrapped it around her arm, adjusted it slightly, and then nodded to indicate that she had completed it.
Sanbao, who rushed back later, also called out softly, indicating that they had confirmed that the man was definitely dead.
"Okay, this is the balance." As she said that, Ling Rong took out the food soaked in diluted medicine and fed the snake and the crow until they were very full. The rest was packed with a rope and hung on one of the crow's feet, and the snake was fixed on the other foot.
"Remember to take it far away and don't throw it in the garden." Ling Rong patted the crow's head and watched them fly away.
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