Chapter 3594 The Queen Was Wronged
Nan Yan said, "Every bit you can save is a bit you can save."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zhu Feng's voice, tinged with laughter, came from outside the door, saying, "Why, is my concubine so poor that she can't even afford a bowl of bird's nest every day?"
Nan Yan hurriedly stood up upon hearing the voice, only to see Zhu Feng walking in with his hands behind his back and a smile on his face.
He must have just left court and hadn't even had time to change his clothes. Nan Yan hurriedly led Aunt Tongyun and Ruoshui forward to pay their respects. Zhu Feng held her arm and took her back to the room to sit down. He glanced at the teacups that hadn't been cleared away and said, "Did they just leave?"
Nan Yan smiled and said, "It has been two years since I last saw you, sisters from the various palaces. I came here today to pay my respects to you."
Aunt Tongyun waved her hand, and immediately two young palace maids came forward to remove the teacups. Zhu Feng took a look and said, "You are so stingy. You only gave people some tea when they came to your house, and didn't even bring out any snacks."
Nan Yan said, "Am I still stingy? I even remember bringing gifts for everyone! What did the Emperor bring?"
Zhu Feng glanced at her and said nothing.
Aunt Tongyun went to make a cup of tea and brought it to Zhu Feng. Zhu Feng took a sip, then looked at the bird's nest next to Nan Yan and said, "This bird's nest is also good for you. Why don't you eat it? One cup a day, the palace can still afford it."
Nan Yan said immediately, "How could I have thought I couldn't afford it? It's just that I just announced today that the harem must practice frugality. I took the lead and cut my monthly allowance in half. My sisters, Concubine Yi and Concubine Li, also cut theirs by 30%. The rest of the sisters have also cut theirs significantly. From now on, everyone will have to live a little more frugally. If I alone still have to eat a bowl of bird's nest every day, wouldn't that be a slap in the face?"
Zhu Feng felt slightly touched when he heard this.
But he still said softly: "It's not that poor."
Nan Yan sighed and said, "In the past few years, due to the business with the countries in the Western Regions, we did make a lot of money. So everyone felt that they were rich and their money became loose. But no one knew that the emperor had done all these things to contain the Kingdom of Yue. The money was spent secretly. Now the family assets are really not much left. If we don't think of some ways to save money, we will really be broke in the future."
“…”
"So, a bowl of bird's nest is a small matter, but getting everyone to think about it is a big deal."
Zhu Feng glanced at her, a smile slowly forming in the corners of his eyes, and he said, "My concubine is becoming more and more virtuous."
Nan Yan raised her chin and said, "I have always been like this!"
The two were chatting and laughing when Ruoshui brought out a plate of snacks and placed it in front of them. Zhu Feng said with a smile, "It seems that I am still the one with great prestige. I can even eat a bite of your Imperial Concubine's food here."
Nan Yan said, "Hmph."
Seeing Ruoshui bow and turn to leave, Zhu Feng approached Nan Yan and said, "I just heard this girl outside seeming to be angry with someone. What did she do?"
Upon hearing this, before Nan Yan could say anything, Ruoshui, with her sharp ears, immediately turned around and said, "Your Majesty, our queen has been wronged."
Zhu Feng frowned when he heard this: "What's going on?"
Ruoshui was about to say something, but when she looked up and saw Nan Yan glaring at her with a sullen face, she immediately dared not speak and could only lower her head.
Zhu Feng sensed something and turned to look at Nan Yan, only to see her simply smile. She then said, "It's actually not a big deal. I just told the ladies in the harem about practicing frugality and cutting expenses. They didn't understand my intentions at first, thinking I, a stingy imperial concubine, was going to withhold their 'food and wages' after returning from a trip. Luckily, Concubine Li came to my rescue, saying it was for the Emperor's birthday. Only then did the ladies understand."
She smiled again and said, "They are naturally happy to be able to celebrate the emperor's birthday."
As she spoke, Nan Yan winked at Ruoshui, and Ruoshui could only lower her head and quietly retreat.
As soon as she left the room, Aunt Tongyun outside immediately shook her head and said, "Why are you so ignorant? It was originally a small matter, but you made a big fuss about it. Isn't it the Empress who will be offended?"
Ruoshui pouted and said, "At least we should let His Majesty know that Your Majesty has suffered for His Majesty."
Aunt Tongyun said, "You're still ignorant. This matter involves taking money from others, which is bound to offend people. The Queen has calculated the outcome and would rather offend people than not get things done. Now that you've brought this matter to the Emperor, won't it make the Emperor and the Queen worried? The Emperor already has to worry about the affairs of the previous dynasty, and now he has to bear the responsibility for saving a little money in the harem? What else does the harem need the Queen for?"
“…”
"Your Majesty, as a noble concubine, can't you even carry such a small matter?"
“…”
Ruoshui blinked, and only then did she seem to understand something.
After a while, he whispered, "The Imperial Concubine is not just here to enjoy happiness."
Aunt Tongyun poked her forehead with a wry smile and said softly, "Learn more. When you get married and become the head of the family, this is how you'll live."
Ruoshui blushed and turned and ran away.
Inside the room, Zhu Feng listened to Nan Yan's words without saying anything, but just looked at her quietly. After a long while, he said, "Concubine Li is quite sensible."
Nan Yan immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
In reality, she knew Zhu Feng wouldn't be able to hide her words from him. With his keen sense, he'd probably figured out what was going on the moment Ruoshui opened her mouth. However, if the Emperor personally investigated the matter, not only would it waste time, it would also create a reputation in the harem as a concubine who only knew how to complain to the Emperor when trouble arose. So, seeing Zhu Feng relent, she immediately smiled and said, "Yes, this time I've been accompanying the Emperor on his tour of Yongzhou. I've been gone for two years, and she's been running the harem."
As she spoke, she began to laugh and changed the subject, saying, "I can still remember her when she first entered the palace. She was so arrogant and domineering."
Zhu Feng thought about it and couldn't help laughing.
He said: "It is only through falling and being beaten that one can become sensible."
Nan Yan said, "She's quite sensible now. If it weren't for her and Concubine Yi, I really wouldn't be able to step down today."
Zhu Feng immediately frowned and said, "You are a dignified imperial concubine. If anyone dares to embarrass you, you should deal with them as you wish. Do you really need me to teach you?"
Nan Yan smiled and said, "I know, but the harem is just a small matter, there is no need to use those methods."
“…”
"In fact, as long as I have Concubine Yi and Concubine Li standing behind me, everything will be much easier. Your Majesty doesn't have to worry."
Zhu Feng nodded, then said, "How about this, I'll have lunch at your place today, and then go to Jingyang Palace this afternoon to talk to Concubine Li. She has indeed worked very hard over the past two years."
Nan Yan smiled and said, "That's right."
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