After saying that, he dismissed them all, leaving Xiao Xizi and Luzhu behind.
The servants were overjoyed to hear that there would be a reward and meat to eat, and they went down happily.
"You two, especially Xiao Xizi, should pay close attention to those who have connections with other palaces and those who don't, so we can promote them accordingly. Thank you both for your hard work during this period."
"I wouldn't dare. I will do my best to serve Your Highness," Xiao Xizi said happily. This was the truth. Mingxiu had saved him before and helped him in many ways afterward. He had long since acknowledged her as his master.
Green Bamboo nodded repeatedly. They all knew that their well-being depended on the Empress's well-being, not to mention that this Empress was so kind to everyone.
After giving the instructions, Xiao Xizi was sent away, and Lüzhu was instructed to pack up the things that had been brought. Soon after, a large number of rewards arrived, with Liang Jiugong leading people to deliver the gifts first.
"This servant greets Your Highness Mingxiu," Liang Jiugong said, leading his men in a bow.
Mingxiu smiled and said, "You're too kind, Eunuch Liang. There's no need for such formalities between us. Please get up."
"Of course, these are gifts from His Majesty to Your Highness. These are gifts from palace maids who are specially assigned to serve Your Highness," Liang Jiugong said with a smile.
"Thank you for the Emperor's gift. I won't stand on ceremony, since we're on good terms. But please have a cup of water, Eunuch Liang." With that, he placed the purse in Green Bamboo's hand into Liang Jiugong's hand.
Liang Jiugong smiled and squeezed the purse in his hand. The silver notes were quite substantial. "Yes, then I'll take them away first. It's so hot today, everyone should go and have something to drink." After saying that, he left with a smile. Look how capable Consort Ming is! She gave them gifts, built a closer relationship, and even seemed friendly.
After smilingly seeing Liang Jiugong off, people from the Empress Dowager's palace came, followed by those from the Empress's palace and then Consort Tong's palace. They all said the same thing. Only after seeing everyone off did Mingxiu and Lüzhu breathe a sigh of relief.
Looking at the two palace maids in front of him, he asked, "What are your names? What skills do you have?"
"This servant, Yu Lan, is skilled at making desserts."
"This servant, Yu Qing, is skilled in embroidery."
Mingxiu nodded. It was exactly the choice she needed. The Emperor had gone to great lengths.
"Alright, from now on, Yu Lan will be in charge of the small kitchen, and Yu Qing will be in charge of the embroidery. You two just need to listen to Lü Zhu from now on. You can go now."
After watching the person leave, Mingxiu pouted and looked at her little purse, which was much emptier. The tips were really too expensive, and she felt bad.
Green Bamboo could tell what Mingxiu was thinking just by looking at her expression. "Your Highness, we still have a lot of income. Look at all the rewards we've received; we're not at a loss."
Mingxiu pouted. "What do you mean 'not losing out'? These things are just for looking at, not for using. They'll just sit in the storeroom gathering dust. They're nothing compared to my money. I wouldn't dare use the things they gave me, hmph."
Tell Green Bamboo to put everything away, and then take out and use all the usable items that Emperor Kangxi has bestowed upon you.
Mingxiu was busy packing until noon, and after lunch she lay down on the bed to watch. Moving was really tiring. Luckily she didn't have to go to pay her respects today, otherwise she would have been exhausted.
After waking up from his afternoon nap, it took Mingxiu a while to process the unfamiliar surroundings and realize where he was.
After rolling around in bed and getting up to wash, Mingxiu realized the weather wasn't too hot anymore, so she finally felt like taking a stroll to see what the place where she would be living for the rest of her life was like.
Mingxiu was a concubine and lived in the main hall. There were three rooms each in the east and west side halls in front, three rooms each in the east and west side halls in the back, plus five rooms in the rear hall and four side rooms, which was all there was. However, because no one lived there, it was all empty.
There was an osmanthus tree planted in front of the palace gate, and a large flower bed behind it. Putting everything else aside, Mingxiu really disliked the osmanthus because the fragrance of the osmanthus was too strong and pungent when it bloomed, and Mingxiu simply couldn't stand the smell.
When she was in school, there were osmanthus trees planted on both sides of the road from the teaching building to the dormitory. When the flowers bloomed, Mingxiu felt that she couldn't breathe in the air because the fragrance was so strong.
I don't know if this tree can be cut down, or if it can be moved.
After looking around, Mingxiu had a general idea of what to do with the courtyard and was ready to ask Kangxi before starting.
It's a tradition in China; she really feels uncomfortable if she's not allowed to grow something.
When Kangxi came on TV that night, Mingxiu was all ready.
"Your Majesty, please try this. It's delicious, and there's more." Mingxiu eagerly served food to Kangxi, taking over Liang Jiugong's duties.
Kangxi glanced at her sideways but said nothing, enjoying Mingxiu's attentive service. After all, it was a rare sight; they had been eating together for so long, and this was the first time she had been so attentive.
After finishing her meal and washing up, Mingxiu personally loosened Kangxi's braids and then diligently massaged the emperor's shoulders.
"Are you satisfied with the arrangements I made for you?" Kangxi asked while enjoying Mingxiu's service and reading a book.
"Satisfied, of course I'm satisfied, I couldn't be more satisfied. But is it alright for me to have such a high rank so soon after entering the harem?" Mingxiu asked, feigning guilt.
In reality, she wasn't scared at all.
"Don't worry, no one will have any objections. Just stay here comfortably, and let us know if anything seems inconvenient."
Mingxiu's eyes lit up; she had been waiting for these words. "Thank you, Your Majesty. You are so kind," she said, and then kissed Kangxi on the cheek.
Before Kangxi could speak, Mingxiu continued, "Your Majesty, if I don't like the tree at the entrance, can we move it? Also, I want to use the glass Your Majesty developed to build a shed behind the gate to grow fruit. Is that alright?" She then took Kangxi's arm and began to act coquettishly.
Kangxi's lips twitched. "Everyone else likes osmanthus, but you don't. And if you want anything to eat, just go to the imperial kitchen and get it. Why do you need to grow it yourself?"
"Oh, Your Majesty, I just don't like the smell of osmanthus. It's too strong for me. And of course, I'll plant some fruits that aren't in season right now. Please, Your Majesty, agree! I like them!" Mingxiu snatched Kangxi's book away and snuggled into his arms, acting coquettishly.
Speechless, Kangxi looked at the person in his arms. He didn't know why, but every time Mo Mingxiu acted coquettishly, Kangxi felt that it had a kind of shameless quality to it.
It was simply unbearable.
"Then how will you repay me?" he said, pinching Mingxiu's face.
Mingxiu stared wide-eyed, as if she couldn't believe that this required repayment.
After a long pause, he could only shyly suggest that he could only offer himself in return.
Kangxi was amused by her performance and laughed heartily. He picked up Mingxiu and carried her to bed. The night was destined to be long, and the repayment Kangxi spoke of was certainly not a simple one.
They tried every position they could think of that night, and Mingxiu's voice became hoarse. She ate a lot of things she shouldn't have, and her eyes were red as she was held in Kangxi's arms.
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