Chapter 169 An Lingrong 110
"Concubine Qi was demoted to a noble lady and moved to Jiaolu Pavilion?" Ling Rong, who was managing affairs in the palace, did not care about the news and turned to ask about Concubine Duan.
"These days, I've sent people to monitor Yanqing Palace, but I haven't seen anyone contact Baoque." Baojuan combed Lingrong's hair, her soft voice icy as she spoke, "But there was this person beside Concubine Duan, originally named Ruyi, but later changed to Shunxin by Concubine Duan. One day, he went to the Queen's Palace with Concubine Duan."
"I remember this Shunxin used to be in the Queen's palace?"
"Yes, it was too early then. I'm afraid no one in the palace knows about this now." Baojuan glanced at Lingrong cautiously as she said this.
Because it was such an old news, even elderly people like Concubine Jing and Concubine Xiang probably didn't know about it, but their Imperial Concubine had some kind of magical power to know about it.
"Given what she went through back then, if this maid still has any willpower left in her, she will definitely hate Concubine Shang Duan and the Queen."
"But...what if this maid is just a cowardly loser?"
Lingrong looked at herself in the mirror without makeup and smiled gently: "There is no such thing as a good-for-nothing in this world. She is a human being. I'm afraid the Queen has long forgotten this matter, and Concubine Duan may not remember it either."
"Besides..." Lingrong turned to look at Baojuan: "Don't we still have a good medicine to attack the heart?"
"My Lady, are you talking about the precious bird?"
"Now that she's recovered, we'll promote her to a higher position in the future, following the same rules as Bao Yuan and the others, so she can still follow you." Ling Rong yawned slightly, then helped Bao Juan sit on the bed. "Don't forget to remind her to spend time with her benefactor when she has time. After all, she came from Chengqian Palace, so she shouldn't be impolite."
"Don't worry, Your Majesty. I know what to do." Baojuan bowed solemnly and then quietly retreated.
"It's so lively in Lingrong Palace. Am I late?" As soon as Zhen Huan came in, she saw four or five children playing in the outer room. After she opened the curtain and went in, she saw Concubine Jing and... Concubine Xiang, as expected, they were both there.
"I was just wondering why you haven't come yet. If you don't come soon, I'm afraid our Imperial Concubine will have to go and invite you personally."
Concubine Jing, who was standing by, spoke humorously, and did not forget to welcome her in with Concubine Xiang. After everyone was seated, Zhen Huan looked at Concubine Xiang and sighed with emotion: "I never thought Lingrong and Sister Cao would end up together."
"You are praising me too much. It's just that the Imperial Concubine is magnanimous. She thinks it's pitiful for me to take care of Wen Yi alone, so she takes care of me occasionally. I am really grateful for all these years." Cao Qinmo has always been hard to match in public speaking.
Zhen Huan glanced at the oldest girl outside the curtain and knew that this was true. If she said there was any real affection between the two of them, she would be lying. If she said Cao Qinmo turned to Lingrong for her daughter, it would make sense.
"I haven't seen Wen Yi for many years, as well as Lingrong's three children and Concubine Jing's sister Kang Jia. Look, they even brought gifts for the meeting." Zhen Huan pointed to the several brocade boxes held by Jinxi, with a smile on her face.
Ling Rong asked the servants to bring in a few children. These children were used to playing everywhere, so they were not shy when they came in. They all ran to stand beside the imperial concubine, looking at the only unfamiliar face in the palace with curiosity.
"Hongyao came to see me yesterday. I'm afraid I won't be able to see him for the next two days. I'll ask him to pay his respects to you another day." Lingrong said, and then said to the little radish heads in the row below:
"This is your Empress Rou. She used to pray for the country at Ganlu Temple and has just returned. Why don't you go and pay your respects to her?"
The children stood in a row, looked at each other, and then were led over by Wen Yi.
"Empress Rou, be well~"
Four little kids, arranged from tallest to shortest, greeted in unison. Their clear, childish voices were drawn out and sweet, making Zhen Huan unable to help but smile lovingly, "Good, good, good children. Empress Rou brought you a gift. Come and see if you like it."
The children looked at the imperial concubine and only took it when they saw her nod.
When you open it, you will see that each one is a pure gold pendant and a necklace made according to their zodiac signs. Each child's is different in the details, which shows that a lot of thought has been put into it.
The collar was nothing new to them, but the zodiac pendant was extremely well made, with the animals appearing lifelike and quite childlike.
After being given the objects that suited her taste, the little elves became even sweeter with their words. They surrounded Zhen Huan and coaxed her into a daze in a short while, almost promising to give away all the good things in Yongshou Palace.
"Hongmin?"
Lingrong called out and immediately caught the vital point of the culprit among the children. The little guy paused and quickly showed a toothy smile. Several children also acted like birds and beasts, showing him to Lingrong very unkindly.
Zhen Huan naturally knew who was the smartest among the children. Seeing that the child stopped when Ling Rong called out to him, she was afraid that he would be punished because of her, so she smiled and said, "It's okay, it's okay."
"Sister, you don't know, he has always been the most mischievous of the children. He just likes to act coquettishly and cling to others. Even the Queen Mother can't do anything about him. If you don't keep a tight rein on him from time to time, he will soon even turn your Yongshou Palace upside down."
Lingrong's words were without a trace of water. She was younger and more cunning, always goading her sister into anything. Ever since her trip to Shoukang Palace, where the Empress Dowager had exposed her mischievous personality, she was practically being pampered by the Empress Dowager and becoming the harem's most powerful tyrant.
Somehow, this child clearly looked the most like the Emperor, only his features had been enhanced by Lingrong. Even the Emperor had previously favored him because of his appearance, but after his true nature was exposed, the Empress Dowager favored him, while the Emperor became indifferent.
"Mother, please don't expose my shortcomings in front of me. You have to save face for your son outside." Hongmin's words made everyone present laugh. Even Lingrong shook her head and stopped talking.
The children then ran out hand in hand to see the peacocks again.
"These children are raised so well. I wish my children could be like this in the future." Zhen Huan looked at the happy backs of the children with some reluctance. When she spoke again, she was no longer polite as when she first came, and her words were much more sincere.
"Since he's my sister's child, he won't be bad."
"Yes, not to mention what's in her belly, just look at Princess Longyue. She's truly a lovely girl. When Concubine Jing was pregnant, she didn't even want Concubine Hui to help take care of her. She still took great pains to raise her herself."
Xiangpin's words were very clever, and Zhen Huan immediately understood that this was not only an explanation to her that it was not Jingfei's intention that Longyue was taken away by Duanfei that day, but also an opportunity to pass on a message. At least, this matter should be brought up openly so that there would be room for cooperation in the future.
"Sister Cao is right. I have remembered all the care that Concubine Jing has shown towards Longyue over the years. Even I, her biological mother, feel ashamed of myself for not doing as well as she has. Please accept my greeting to express my gratitude for your kindness."
As he spoke, he bowed and half-knelt on the ground, his face full of sincerity without a trace of reluctance.
Concubine Jing was unwilling to accept this and quickly moved away to help Zhen Huan up: "Sister, what are you doing? Please get up quickly."
As he spoke, he wiped the corners of his eyes with a handkerchief and said, "I am already deeply ashamed of not being able to protect Longyue that day. How can I deserve your thanks?"
The two held hands and looked at each other, as if all the past events had disappeared into thin air and all their past grudges had been reconciled.
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