After returning from the New Year's Eve banquet, Consort Hui threw a tantrum. The reason was that almost all the servants in the palace had received generous rewards this year, but the allowances for the concubines hadn't changed much. This really infuriated her.
Consort Hui said angrily, "Granny, I can't stand it!"
The old woman sighed, "My lady, please don't worry, I already have a plan."
Consort Hui: "Granny, speak quickly."
The nanny said, “I have a cousin who hasn’t lived in the capital for years. He lives in the south near the sea, where there are many docks and goods from other places come and go. I learned from him that there is a very beautiful plant called pineapple flower. Although the flower is beautiful, if you keep it indoors for a long time, it will make the people living in the house feel stuffy and nauseous, especially the children.”
Consort Hui understood; children are inherently weak, and they could easily die if something were not done carefully.
Consort Hui looked at the old nanny and said, "I remember you once said that you knew Eunuch Hua from the flower and plant room?"
The old woman replied, "Yes."
Consort Hui: "You decide how to handle it. Be discreet and, if necessary, leave no survivors."
The old woman replied, "This servant understands."
Hua Gonggong, the eunuch in the flower and grass room, was quite a figure there. He had received care from Consort Hui's nanny when he entered the palace, and was also helped by Consort Hui's nanny after entering the palace. Hua Gonggong was grateful for this.
Now that Consort Hui's nanny had given a hint, Eunuch Hua understood. However, understanding was one thing, but doing it was another.
Finally, Consort Hui's nanny offered a suggestion: "I remember there are other people in your flower and plant room, such as Li Song. He is close to the people in Consort Rong's palace, and Li Song is currently trying to climb the social ladder. You can just hand him a ladder, without having to do it yourself."
When Eunuch Hua heard this, he thought it was a good idea. This way, he could repay the debt of gratitude without having to take direct risks himself. If necessary, he could also have Li Song take the blame. It was a win-win situation.
Hua Gonggong smiled and said, "Thank you for your guidance, sister. You are right. If Eunuch Li really wants to advance further, we should give him a chance."
Hua Gonggong and Li Song are at odds, and this matter is too risky. If it is exposed, it could also eliminate an opponent.
Seeing that he was on the right track, the old woman gave him some more instructions to make sure he didn't give himself away before leaving.
Li Song and Eunuch Hua were both eunuchs of the same rank, and both were considered to be doing quite well in the Flower House, so they had their own single rooms. Coincidentally, their residences were next to each other.
The two often clashed.
Hua Gonggong chose a time and, feigning mystery, called the person he had trained into the house. Li Song, seeing Hua Gonggong's furtive movements, became curious and decided to eavesdrop. Hua Gonggong's voice wasn't loud; if he spoke too loudly, others might not believe him!
Li Song listened for a long time but couldn't figure it out, so he gave up. But he still took it to heart. Li Song secretly observed Eunuch Hua's whereabouts and, with Eunuch Hua's intention, Li Song inquired about a lot of things.
Then Li Song was tempted.
He was very interested in the pineapple flower that Eunuch Hua had mentioned, and the word "flower" contained the character "wind." If he presented it to the Empress, she would be so pleased that he might rise to a high position in the government!
With this in mind, and Hua Gonggong cooperating perfectly by falling ill, Li Song felt that his opportunity had arrived.
After what he thought was a secret operation, Li Song felt confident of victory.
Little did they know that they had already walked into someone else's trap.
Hua Gonggong did it very discreetly, even going so far as to make himself genuinely ill; he was quite ruthless to himself.
Now everyone in the palace can see clearly that the Emperor truly dotes on the Empress. Not only does he stay at Yongshou Palace every night, but he also sends all the new and interesting things he gets to Yongshou Palace.
Li Song had some connections and managed to acquire quite a few pineapple flowers. Because of the pineapple flowers' growing environment and habits, Li Song even went to learn how to cultivate them.
Song Qin, the servant in charge of the flowers and plants in Yongshou Palace, was cozyed up to by Li Song. After a long time of trying, Song Qin's attitude softened. This was a common occurrence; the goal was simply to get a good impression so that the Empress would remember him and he could gain some benefits. Song Qin had dealt with such people quite often.
In addition, Song Qin knew Li Song to some extent and knew that he didn't have such big ambitions, so he was happy to do things for him after receiving benefits.
Then the pineapple flowers were sent to Yongshou Palace.
More than a month after the New Year, the weather in the capital had not yet warmed up, and the pineapple flowers could not withstand the frost, so they were planted in the glass greenhouse of Yongshou Palace.
Glass greenhouses are a relatively recent invention, only emerging in the last two years. Glass has been around for many years and is no longer something only wealthy people can afford. Prices have come down, and more people are using them. As a result, some clever craftsmen have created glass greenhouses to please their masters.
The glass greenhouse has a glass roof and glass walls on all sides. In winter, it is very warm when enough charcoal is lit inside, and you can also grow some out-of-season flowers and plants.
The greenhouse in Yongshou Palace was meticulously built by Yinzhen, filled with all sorts of exotic flowers and plants. Now that the flower and plant room has sent pineapple flowers, Yongshou Palace has accepted them.
Ultimately, it's because pineapple flowers are indeed beautiful and vibrant, and the word "phoenix" sounds auspicious.
There aren't many flowers and plants in winter, so Yunrong likes to stay in the glass greenhouse, where it's neither too hot nor too cold, and it's very comfortable.
Yunrong not only enjoys going to the glass greenhouse herself, but also likes to take her son there.
Yunrong sat in the heated room drinking tea and sighed, "I wonder when this cold weather will end."
Ginkgo: "In previous years, the branches and leaves would have already sprouted by this time. This year, it's probably been cold for a longer period, so it should be soon."
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