"Your Highness, what's wrong?" the palace maid asked cautiously.
Hailanzhu came to her senses, shook her head slightly, and then said, "Since breakfast has been served, I will eat it. But starting from lunch today, we will eat the same dishes as the concubines of each palace, according to their rank."
"This..." the palace maid hesitated.
"Is there something wrong?" Hailanzhu asked, raising her eyes.
The palace maid lowered her head and said, "But this is the Emperor's order, and this servant dares not disobey."
Hailanzhu frowned. She knew that Huang Taiji had given this order out of concern for her health, but if she wanted to survive in the palace, she had to refuse. So she said, "Are you serving me or the Emperor? Why can't you listen to what I say?"
Knowing that Hailanzhu was angry, the palace maid immediately knelt down and said, "This servant knows her mistake."
Seeing her trembling and frightened appearance, Hailanzhu could only wave her hand and say, "I know what you're afraid of. As for the Emperor, I will explain things to him myself. He won't punish you."
"Thank you, Your Highness," the palace maid said, kowtowing, and immediately breathed a sigh of relief.
Hailanzhu sighed inwardly. She didn't want to be so strict, and she hated this place where kneeling was a common occurrence and a single wrong word could cost you your life. But she had no choice. When everyone's thoughts revolved around the distinction between ruler and subject, and between superior and inferior, she alone could not change things.
Since that's the case, I might as well accept it.
"Get up!" she said, waving her hand.
"Yes!" the palace maid replied quickly, standing respectfully to the side.
"What's your name?" Hailanzhu asked.
"Your Majesty, my name is Qingluan," Qingluan replied.
Hailanzhu nodded and then let Qingluan serve her food.
It's clear that this Qingluan is much more honest than the original Huige; she doesn't talk much and is very humble towards her.
The meal was eaten quietly.
It must be said that this breakfast was very delicious, a kind of food she had never eaten before. Although modern society has everything, she was just a low-level worker earning a salary, so how could she afford to eat delicacies such as shark fin and bird's nest?
However, everything should be considered from the perspective of the bigger picture. She only enjoyed this one moment of bliss, but it was enough.
After breakfast, Qingluan helped Hailanzhu with her makeup. Hailanzhu looked at herself in the bronze mirror and couldn't help but stroke her cheeks.
Her fair face and delicate, baby-like skin were exquisite and flawless. But what was most striking were her phoenix eyes, bright and clear, like stars in the sky or twinkling stars in the night, breathtakingly beautiful.
She couldn't help but sigh: If such a face existed in modern times, she would definitely be spotted by a talent scout and become a dazzling female star. Why did she have to marry and become a concubine?
"Your Majesty, it's done." Qingluan said, bowing her head.
"Oh." Hailanzhu snapped out of her reverie. "If there's nothing else, you can go now!"
But Qingluan made no move for a long time.
"Is there anything else?" Hailanzhu asked, puzzled.
Qingluan pondered for a moment, "At Chenshi (7-9 AM), Her Majesty the Empress sent someone to say that if you feel better, you should go to Qingning Palace to pay your respects."
“Since it is the Empress who sent the message, I will go there,” Hailanzhu said, standing up.
But Qingluan was stunned, her mouth agape, and she didn't close it for a long time.
"What's wrong?" Hailanzhu frowned, finding Qingluan's expression exaggerated.
"No..." Qingluan came back to her senses and shook her head, saying, "It's been more than a year, and this is the first time that Master has agreed to go to Qingning Palace to pay his respects to the Empress."
The fact that he refused to pay his respects for over a year suggests that the original owner and Zhe Zhe had many conflicts.
No wonder Qingluan was surprised; who could react immediately to such a sudden change?
"Let's go!" Hailanzhu said. There was no other way; the pit created by the original owner of this body could only be filled by her.
"Yes!" Qingluan nodded and quickly helped Hailanzhu to Qingning Palace.
When Hailanzhu arrived, she found Zhe Zhe sitting in the main hall, sipping tea. She bowed and said, "Greetings to Your Majesty the Empress!"
Upon seeing her arrival, Zhe Zhe nearly spilled the tea in her hand.
"What? Auntie, are you not welcoming me?" Hailanzhu asked with a teasing smile, trying to make the atmosphere less awkward.
Zhe Zhe placed the tea on the table, forcing a smile, and said, "How could that be? I was just a little surprised." She pointed to the chair to her left, "Please sit down!"
Hailanzhu, without any hesitation, walked straight to where Zhe Zhe pointed and sat down. Only then did she look up at Zhe Zhe. She saw that Zhe Zhe had a dignified and noble appearance and elegant manners, with the demeanor of a mother of a nation. She was about the same age as Huang Taiji, so the corners of her eyes were already covered with wrinkles, but one could still vaguely see her beauty and stunning looks in her younger days.
Zhe Zhe picked up her teacup again and took a sip before slowly saying, "How could you bear to come today? I've always tried to be nice to you, but you've never come to visit me at all."
Hailanzhu smiled and said, "It was all Hui-ge's doing before. After what happened yesterday, I suddenly realized that I had been tricked by the enemy and was so stupid that I was beyond redemption and became your enemy and Yu'er's enemy."
"I've heard about what happened yesterday. If you hadn't pulled back from the brink, it would probably be Yu'er in the Cold Palace," Zhe Zhe said with a hint of luck.
"It was my fault," Hailanzhu said meekly.
“You are indeed terribly wrong. Otherwise, the three of us, aunt and niece, would not have ended up in such a state.” Zhe Zhe’s expression was very calm at this moment, revealing no joy, anger, sorrow or happiness. “Fortunately, you understand now, and it’s not too late.”
"Thank you for your kindness, Aunt." Hailanzhu stood up and curtsied.
Zhe Zhe waved his hand, indicating that she did not need to stand on ceremony.
Hailanzhu sat down again.
Then Zhe Zhe whispered in the ear of a palace maid, who immediately excused herself and left.
Hailanzhu smiled and said, "Auntie, what are you planning to do so mysteriously?" She knew that if it were something important, Zhe Zhe would not whisper with the palace maid in front of her.
Zhe Zhe remained noncommittal, "You'll find out soon enough!"
“Alright, then Lan’er will wait here for good news,” Hailanzhu agreed.
"Okay!" Zhe Zhe nodded.
Half an hour later, the palace maid who had gone out returned, carrying a food box in her hand.
"Give it to Consort Chen," Zhe Zhe instructed.
"Yes!" The palace maid accepted the order, handed the items to Hailanzhu, bowed to her, and turned to leave.
Hailanzhu took the food box, opened it, and found a bowl of blackened medicinal herbs being boiled inside.
She frowned and asked, "What is this?"
"This is a secret recipe that I obtained from the common people many years ago. As long as it is taken twelve hours after intercourse, pregnancy is guaranteed," Zhe Zhe said confidently.
"So amazing?" Hailanzhu looked on incredulously.
"Would I lie to you?" Zhe Zhe retorted.
“Of course not,” Hailanzhu said, her head bowed.
Zhe Zhe slowly stood up and walked in front of Hailanzhu, explaining, "To be honest, my child and Yu'er's child were conceived after taking this medicine. I originally wanted to give it to you sooner, but you always kept me at arm's length, which is why it's been delayed until now."
She spoke very sincerely, but Hailanzhu still kept some suspicion in mind.
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