Chapter 399 Yixiu 77
Another three years have passed so quickly, and before I knew it, another spring is coming to an end.
Yixiu looked at herself in the bronze mirror. She was not much different from three years ago, except that her aura was more peaceful, like a deep well without ripples since ancient times.
She smiled her usual smile, which concealed her deep and mysterious aura. Holding Buddhist beads and wearing plain clothes, she looked like a compassionate Bodhisattva.
"How is Concubine Hua's health?"
She held the long string of beads in both hands, stood up with her eyes downcast, and walked to the window.
The peonies in the yard outside are in full bloom, Yao Huang, Wei Zi, and a pinch of deep red. Perhaps it was the immortal Han Ling who created this flower cluster in an instant. Note [1]
Jianqiu stood by with his hands hanging down, and heard the words and said softly, "The wound has almost healed, but the imperial physician said that the knife wound will not heal completely, and I'm afraid it will leave a scar."
"In that case, tell the imperial physicians to come up with more prescriptions. Don't be stingy with any rare treasures. As long as you can restore Concubine Hua's skin to its original state, the Emperor and I will reward you handsomely."
Yixiu raised her hand to pick up the fallen leaves on the desk, and observed the veins in them in the light: "She was injured for the emperor, so the royal family cannot treat her unfairly."
"Yes, I understand."
Jianqiu responded and then laughed, "It's a pity for those fresh flower buds. Only two have shown signs of blooming in the month since entering the palace. Concubine Hua was injured this time, and the Emperor has been accompanying her every day, not even visiting Concubine Qian who is pregnant."
"Ever since the Emperor dealt with those people, his power has grown even stronger. The other day, Prince Xun was reported by Nian Gengyao on Qinghai affairs, and the Emperor gave him a severe reprimand. All his responsibilities were rescinded. Do you think the Empress Dowager even begged for mercy?"
Yixiu was referring to the attack on the Emperor during the Mulan Autumn Hunt the previous year, which subsequently implicated the deposed Crown Prince and a number of other ministers. There were many hidden plots involved, but the final outcome was a resounding victory for the Emperor, who had finally resolved a thorn in his side.
In addition, Concubine Hua, who was accompanying the emperor when the attack occurred that day, blocked a flying knife for the emperor and her life was in danger several times. Now she has survived. Everyone in the palace understands that if nothing unexpected had happened, she would have secured all the glory and wealth in her life.
But to Yixiu's surprise, her efforts were ultimately in vain.
It was because she saw that Concubine Hua's move was actually to gain a favor so as to save the Nian family, but judging from the emperor's actions in recent times, he obviously separated Concubine Hua and the Nian family.
"Forget it, let's not talk about this. How is Concubine Qi's health? Although Hongshi's plea for Prince Xun displeased the Emperor, he didn't punish him in the end and even appointed him a new wife. Hongshi himself is fine, but she, as his mother, fell ill first."
Yixiu casually wrote a large calligraphy piece, and when she mentioned Concubine Qi, she could only sigh. Jianqiu, standing by, changed the paper and, upon hearing the Queen's question, quickly replied, "I'm still unable to get up. I'm afraid I won't be able to go out on the Dragon Boat Festival. Cuiguo, who works for Concubine Qi, just came today to ask for leave on her behalf."
"She just can't get over it. Although the new wife is from Mongolia, she is a proper noble lady, no less than the previous one. What is she dissatisfied with?"
Moreover, because the emperor gave Hongshi a new Mongolian wife, he had already made it clear to everyone that he would expel her from the candidate for the throne, so he was not so strict with this son.
When he pleaded for Prince Xun, the emperor got angry on the spot, which showed that he didn't bear a grudge. Isn't this better than being adopted out?
Yixiu wrote a few more, thinking that Concubine Qi's years of confinement might have damaged her temperament. She wasn't angry, after all, they had been together for many years, and now that Concubine Qi was seriously ill, she would send the imperial physician to treat her diligently, but there was nothing more to say.
"Have you packed your things?"
Yixiu put down her pen, washed her hands when she saw Huichun come in, and went to the warm room in the east.
Huichun replied, "Everything is packed."
"That's good. The Empress Dowager has decided not to go to the Summer Palace for the summer vacation this time, and Concubine Yu will stay. I'm only taking Jianqiu and Randong with me. You and Xiuxia will look after the house. If anything happens, go find Concubine Yu."
These were all clichés, but Yixiu still patiently reminded them one by one, and only felt relieved when Huichun nodded.
Five days later, there will be an auspicious day for traveling.
After arriving at the place, Yixiu still lived in Taohuawu.
Concubine Zhen, Noble Lady Fucha, and An promised to continue living in Qingliang Palace. Concubine Hua, Noble Lady He, and Concubine Wan moved to Bitong Academy, while Noble Lady Shen lived alone in Xianyue Pavilion.
There are also Concubine Xin, Concubine Ke, and Concubine Xian, who also live in their old places.
When paying respects the next day, Yixiu looked at the familiar faces below. Although she had seen them many times in the palace, she still felt dazed at this moment.
The emperor came to the Old Summer Palace to escape the summer heat this time. It was clear that he wanted to relax and have some fun. The concubines he brought with him from the harem were basically all favored. Yixiu naturally followed the emperor's tone and said with a smile while sitting at the top:
"We've always been following the rules in the palace, which inevitably restricts the nature of you children. Now you can wander around the garden as much as you want, but don't be so playful as to forget to take care of your health. From now on, I'll stick to the old rules and only come once every two weeks. More than that and I'll get impatient."
Zhen Huan is naturally cheerful. In the month since she entered the palace, she has gotten along well with the main concubine, Concubine Hua. She has good friends by her side and has gained the emperor's favor.
The Empress was extremely kind and amiable, so she felt that life in the palace was not much different from life at home, except that there was less freedom.
But she had not expected that coming to this garden would be like a fish taking to water. When she heard that the time for paying respects had been extended to once every two weeks, a smile appeared on her face, which was noticed by Concubine Zhen who was sitting opposite her and she chuckled, saying:
"Why, Concubine Wan is so happy to hear that we don't have to pay our respects to the Empress?"
Zhen Huan secretly regretted that she had been living so smoothly that she had forgotten about it for a while. She quickly explained with a smile, "I just listened to the Queen's words and was yearning for it for a while."
"Really? Why do I feel like it's Concubine Wan who's being disrespectful to the Empress?"
Noble Lady Fucha has always been a flatterer to the powerful and looked down upon the weak. Especially among the three newcomers who entered the palace this year, Zhen Huan was the most favored, and she was even more arrogant.
"It's just a child playing around. Is Concubine Zhen going to care about that?"
Concubine Hua's lips were a little pale, but that didn't diminish her beauty. Her gentle voice left no room for doubt, and with just one sentence, Concubine Zhen was so stunned that her face turned pale.
"Yes, Wan Changzai is only in her teens, so you don't have to be too restrained. Young girls are cute when they are talking and laughing. I think you must be tired after talking so much today. If you have nothing else, please leave."
"I, your concubine, will take my leave."
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