Chapter 3624 Waves
On this day, everyone went to Yiku Palace to pay their respects to the imperial concubine early in the morning. As soon as they entered the palace, they smelled a pungent smell of medicine. When they walked in, they saw that Aunt Tongyun had someone put a bamboo mat in the middle of the yard and put some medicinal herbs on it to dry.
Several concubines couldn't help but cover their noses.
They all whispered, "What does it look like?"
"That's right, she's still a dignified imperial concubine."
"The Emperor ignored her, and she humiliated herself like this? After all, she is still the head of the harem."
Under normal circumstances, the concubines in the palace would never dare to speak ill of the imperial concubine in the Yiku Palace. These days, they saw that the emperor had neglected the imperial concubine, and they had some concerns about her. Even so, they spoke very quietly.
But the rustling sound still attracted Concubine Yi, who was walking in front, to turn around and give her a cold glance.
Several people immediately lowered their heads.
Concubine Yi said, "When you arrive at Yikun Palace, my sisters should be more careful. The Imperial Concubine never likes people who talk too much."
“…”
"I don't like those with extra hands and feet."
Although a few people were resentful, after all, their rank was only concubines, so they did not dare to argue with Concubine Yi.
So he said, "Yes."
Only then did Concubine Yi turn around and walk into the main room.
Everyone went in to pay their respects to the Imperial Concubine with various thoughts in their minds, but they found that the Imperial Concubine did not look lonely after being ignored, nor did she look for someone to vent her anger in anger. On the contrary, she seemed more peaceful and gentle than usual. Although it was obvious that she did not rest well, she still forced herself to be energetic and perfunctory to them, and even chatted warmly with Concubine Yi.
Concubine Yi was probably also confused, so she took the opportunity to ask, "Why did your Majesty dry so many medicines in the yard?"
Nan Yan smiled and said, "I asked Delu to go out of the palace to buy some medicines before, so that we can take them as a supplement after the autumn comes. However, it has been raining continuously for the past few days, and these medicines are almost moldy. So, while the weather is good these two days, I quickly took them out and dried them in the sun."
Concubine Yi looked at her and said, "Your Majesty's health...does it require so many tonics? Are you feeling unwell?"
Nan Yan just smiled and didn't say anything.
Everyone looked at each other, not knowing whether the imperial concubine was as secretive about her illness as the emperor, or simply didn't want to mention it and make everyone worry. But since she didn't want to talk about it, everyone naturally didn't ask too much. After chatting for a few more words, everyone stood up and said goodbye.
After leaving the Yikun Palace, the newly appointed Concubine Kang, Guo, immediately let out a long sigh: "Ah, the smell in there is really suffocating me."
Several concubines around also said: "Isn't it true? Concubine Yi is really good at flattering. She doesn't even let us complain."
Concubine Guo sneered, "Everyone in the palace knows that she is close to the Imperial Concubine. Even her daughter was given by the Imperial Concubine's grace. She treats the Imperial Concubine like a bodhisattva. But now she is just a clay bodhisattva."
Several people were also cautious and immediately said, "Keep your voice down."
Concubine Guo rolled her eyes at them and said, "What are you afraid of?"
Everyone smiled awkwardly and didn't say much. They just reached the place where the roads parted, so everyone went back to their respective residences. However, after Concubine Guo returned, she did not rest. Instead, she looked in the mirror and asked the palace maid to tweeze her temples and add two pieces of jewelry.
Then he asked, "Is the snack ready?"
The maid Rulan behind him whispered, "It's done."
Guopin immediately said, "Then, let's go."
She had already found out that His Majesty the Emperor did not go to the Yiku Palace last night, but stayed in the Imperial Study. After attending the morning court today, he went straight back to the Imperial Study to handle government affairs, and he is still there.
She planned to use the excuse of sending some snacks to the emperor to see if she could get closer to him.
Rulan hurried out to pass on the message, and another senior palace maid Mingyue came in holding a box of snacks.
Unlike Rulan, the maid from the Guo family who followed Guo into the palace, Mingyue was a maid within the palace and knew more about palace affairs than the others. She was accustomed to seeing concubines eagerly vying for the emperor's attention and a little favor, but over the years, these concubines had passed like flowing water, leaving behind the seemingly steady and unfazed Imperial Concubine, regardless of favor or disgrace.
Mingyue thought it over again and again, and said softly, "Empress Kang, please don't send this snack. The Imperial Concubine never likes people from the harem to go to the Imperial Study."
Concubine Guo gave her a cold look and said, "Your Highness, if you don't like it, you won't let me do it?"
“…”
"If the imperial concubine doesn't like me, then will I still be alive?"
Mingyue was so frightened that she quickly knelt down and said, "Your Majesty, you are too kind. I just wanted to remind you that the Emperor is not used to having things delivered to his study."
Concubine Guo said coldly, "The Emperor is not used to it. I'm afraid it's because the Imperial Concubine doesn't like it, and everyone is afraid to go there, so they are not used to it. Now that the Emperor is also cold to the Imperial Concubine, there is no need to take her words as an imperial decree."
After saying that, he was too lazy to pay attention to her anymore and just said to Rulan: "Go get it."
Rulan immediately went over and took the snack box from Mingyue's hand, and the master and servant walked out the door in a proud manner.
Mingyue looked back at their backs and just sighed deeply.
Soon, Concubine Guo brought Rulan to the imperial study. As expected, the door was closed and only the window was open. The study was quiet with only a few guards standing outside. Xiao Shunzi was guarding the door. When he saw her coming, he subconsciously frowned.
But he immediately stepped forward and said, "Empress Guo."
Concubine Guo smiled at him politely and said, "Eunuch Shun, the emperor is still busy."
Xiao Shunzi said, "Yes, the emperor has been reading memorials all morning and has specifically ordered that no one is allowed to disturb him."
“…”
These words were clearly meant to stop her.
Concubine Guo's face darkened slightly, but she also understood that the imperial concubine had been favored in the palace for so many years, so her foundation was naturally deep, and most of the people around the emperor were her spies, so they would naturally help her with her calculations.
So, she said calmly, "Eunuch, I don't mean to go in and disturb the emperor. I just heard that the emperor has not had a good appetite recently, so I specially asked the kitchen to make some snacks."
As she spoke, she took the box of snacks and personally handed it to Xiao Shunzi.
Then he smiled and said, "I heard that the emperor likes chrysanthemums, so he specially asked someone to prepare chrysanthemum crisps inside. Eating them at this time can improve eyesight and clear heat."
Xiao Shunzi glanced down.
A hint of coldness flashed across his eyes, but he still smiled respectfully and said, "Empress Guo is thoughtful."
“…”
"However, the emperor has ordered that no one can go in and disturb us."
“…”
"Your servant, you must not disobey the emperor's wishes."
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