Chang Hai bowed, called over a few palace maids, and served them the prepared snacks.

One plate was particularly special, containing cute little candies carved with rabbits, cats, magpies, and various flowers.

Helian Su looked over and picked up one, "It's quite exquisite."

Chang Hai quickly introduced, "Your Majesty, this is the newly made honey and winter melon candy from Fengyang Pavilion. The princess ordered that some be given to Your Majesty first. Your Majesty, His Highness is thinking of you in his heart, and his filial piety is obvious."

Helian Su chuckled with an ambiguous meaning: "Let's take the few pieces of Shu brocade that have just arrived from the Ministry of Internal Affairs to Zhaoyang to choose from first."

Just as Chang Hai was about to agree, Helian Su put down the candy, turned around and picked up a flower, "I remember the Ministry of Internal Affairs has just made a batch of Tianmeixiang."

"Yes, we will make a batch on the 20th day of the first lunar month and distribute it to the six palaces according to the quota."

"Give a portion of the reward to Chang'an and order him to serve Zhaoyang well."

Chang Hai nodded. He thought that His Majesty had guessed that this dish of honey and winter melon candy was not ordered by Princess Zhaoyang. Fortunately, Chang An was thinking about His Majesty for the princess. If there were no major mistakes in the future, he would definitely benefit from it. "I obey your order."

A young eunuch came hurriedly to report and whispered something in Chang Hai's ear. Chang Hai winked at him and asked the young eunuch to retreat.

"Your Majesty, Concubine Zhao and Miss Zhao from her mother's family have arrived at the Imperial Garden."

Helian Su turned around and sat in the pavilion. "She's really quick."

After a while, a group of beautiful palace maids surrounded the two people in gorgeous clothes and hairpins, and rushed to the front of the pavilion, performing the greetings in a proper manner.

"Your Majesty, I have seen you."

"Your Majesty, long live Your Majesty."

Helian Su raised his eyelids, showing the majesty of an emperor, which was frightening: "Stand up, today Concubine Zhao is very interested, come and sit with me for a while."

Concubine Zhao bowed and sat down below Helian Su. Her movements were graceful and dignified, and there was nothing wrong with her. She had a pretty face and clear eyes and eyebrows like a painting.

But although the Sixth Princess had already reached the age of marriage, she was not as beautiful and charming as Miss Zhao, who was in her prime.

"Your Majesty, please forgive me. I didn't know you were here admiring the flowers. I am sorry to disturb your leisure time." Concubine Zhao picked up the teapot and refilled Helian Su's cup with tea herself.

She held up the teacup with her white and delicate hands, and handed it to Helian Su with a slight smile, "Your Majesty."

Helian Su glanced at her, took the teacup, took a sip, and then put it down. He cast his eyes on Zhao Yuer, "Is this the new maid in your palace? She is quite good-looking."

He naturally heard her words "subject", but so what? Zhao Yuer put her hands in front of her and lowered her eyes. When she heard what Helian Su said, she boldly raised her head and said, "Your Majesty, I am the niece of your mother's family and the selected girl in this election."

"You have a hot temper." Helian Su looked at Concubine Zhao, his face expressionless, but his tone did not reveal his emotions. "This is different from Concubine Zhao."

Concubine Zhao quickly stood up and said, "Your Majesty, please forgive me. My niece grew up in the border areas when she was young. She was not well disciplined and did not know the rules of the palace. I offended Your Majesty."

Zhao Yuer was unwilling, but she still said the same thing as Concubine Zhao, "Your Majesty, please forgive me."

"Princess Zhao, please sit down." Helian Su played with the teacup and looked at Zhao Yuer leisurely. "Miss Zhao is in her prime, not fussy about trivial matters, and this is her first time in the palace. How could I blame her?"

Concubine Zhao breathed a sigh of relief. Even though she had been serving Helian Su in the palace, she often could not figure out what he meant.

"The Imperial Concubine presided over the election and worked hard for several days." Helian Su mentioned.

Concubine Zhao raised her eyes, not knowing what he meant, so she could only agree, "Yes, Sister Imperial Noble Concubine has been working hard recently and has become thinner. I miss you all the time."

"The Queen Mother will return to the palace next month. I hope you can prepare together with the Imperial Concubine."

Concubine Zhao was delighted and was about to express her gratitude, but Helian Su's next words caught her off guard.

"The Queen Mother worships Buddha all year round, likes to recite Buddhist scriptures, and rarely goes out. I think Miss Zhao has a kind face and seems to have a connection with Buddha. I want to send Miss Zhao to serve the Queen Mother. What do you think, Princess Zhao?"

As soon as the words fell, Miss Zhao's face turned pale, and Concubine Zhao felt as if she had been struck by lightning.

The Empress Dowager left the palace to worship Buddha, and even after returning, she never interfered in the affairs of the harem. If it were not for the ancestral etiquette and laws, Your Majesty would never set foot in the Wanshou Palace.

Sending Zhao Yuer to serve the Queen Mother was clearly telling her that she would never be able to serve in the Six Palaces in her lifetime.

"Does Concubine Zhao have any objections?" Helian Su fed a piece of winter melon candy into Concubine Zhao's mouth in a dignified manner, "Concubine Zhao, try it. It's newly made by Fengyang Pavilion. It suits my taste."

Princess Zhao felt sweet in her mouth, but her heart was more bitter than if she had been soaked in bitter melon juice.

She was clearly bringing her niece to meet the emperor in advance to leave a good impression so that she would have a better chance of winning in the election. If Zhao Yuer was capable and got a position before the election, it would be even better.

But now, the concubines have become female officials, and serving the emperor has become serving the empress dowager.

No one would be willing to accept this.

Concubine Zhao swallowed the winter melon candy, pulled Zhao Yuer down to thank the emperor, and then left in order not to disturb the emperor's interest.

After the people left, Helian Su picked up a winter melon candy and said, "Chang Hai, ask Fengyang Pavilion to send a plate to the Imperial Master's Mansion, and ask the Imperial Master for a few Buddhist scriptures."

"I obey your order."

…

…

Qixiang Palace.

Inside Princess Zhao’s palace.

"Aunt, what should I do? If Yu'er really goes to serve the Queen Mother, wouldn't her whole life be ..." Zhao Yu'er panicked, "Aunt, you have to help your niece."

Concubine Zhao was upset and couldn't think of any ideas, when Princess Six happened to come in.

"Mother! I found a glazed amber cup and want to send it to Fengyang Pavilion. Do you think Xiao Yu'er will like it?" Helian Yaxing walked in excitedly, bowed to Concubine Zhao, and looked at Zhao Yu'er, "Who is this?"

"This is your uncle's daughter, so you should call her Sister Yu'er." Concubine Zhao looked sad and answered casually.

"Which word is Yu?" Helian Ya sat down next to Concubine Zhao, "Zhaoyang is also called Yu'er, what a coincidence."

Concubine Zhao suddenly looked at Helian Ya, "Yongle, what do you think Princess Zhaoyang's name is?"

Princess Zhaoyang returned to the palace in a hurry, and the ceremony was hurriedly arranged. In addition to the incident of Concubine Shu, the word Zhaoyang became more deeply rooted in people's hearts, and people could not remember her name for a while.

"I heard my father and my brothers call her Xiao Yu'er." Helian Ya glanced at him, puzzled, "Mother, what's wrong with you?"

"Nothing." Concubine Zhao sighed and suddenly laughed, "Your Majesty, it's always like this."

"Yongle, you must remember to spend more time with Fengyang Pavilion." Concubine Zhao put Zhao Yu'er behind her and looked at the glazed amber cups. "These two cups are in good condition. Mother also has a set of glazed hibiscus cups. You can send them as well."

"Mother, isn't that set of hibiscus cups your favorite? Why do you want..."

Concubine Zhao dismissed everyone in the palace, leaving only the maidservant who served her personally. She held Helian Ya's hand, her eyes moved, but also determined, "Yongle, your mother will never watch you go to marry."

"Although I can't find out Princess Zhaoyang's true colors, this is still a glimmer of hope."

"Now that my mother's niece has been sent away by His Majesty, he will be more tolerant of my mother. What's wrong with taking a gamble once?"

"Mother was wrong at first and almost hurt Princess Zhaoyang. Fortunately..."

(End of this chapter)