"Hmm, you're very thoughtful. I think these peonies are quite lovely. How come there are three flowers blooming on just one branch?" Lady Geng exclaimed, looking at the potted plant. She had seen many exotic flowers and plants in the palace before, but she had never seen a single branch with three peonies blooming.
"Your Majesty," Qiu Yun said, "this is how I carefully cultivated this plant using grafting techniques. After numerous experiments, I managed to grow one or two flower buds. Then I cut off all the other single-bud flowers, leaving only this one! It was through repeated cultivation of this flower bud that I obtained this pot."
"Oh dear, that's really not easy. Qiu Yun, you've put in a lot of effort, I like it very much," Geng Shi said with a smile.
Suzhi slowly walked to Gengshi's side and saw that she was obsequious and pleasing to Gengshi, showing none of the distraught look she had seen in the room.
In the evening, after serving Geng Shi, Su Zhi returned to her room to prepare for dinner.
"Sister is back!" Qiu Yun had returned earlier than her, and saw that the meal was already laid out on the table. "I have brought back your dinner. You helped me get lunch."
"Thank you, Sister Qiuyun, you've certainly made a name for yourself in front of Her Majesty today." Suzhi stretched her neck and waist as she walked.
When Suzhi sat down opposite Qiuyun, Qiuyun smiled and said, "We're all servants, what's all this talk about being glamorous? Sister serves the Empress's clothes, while I'm just a gardener."
“That makes sense. Sister, at noon, I heard you shout ‘Don’t kill me!’ Who wants to kill you?” Suzhi picked up her rice bowl and asked.
"That was just a dream, how could you take it seriously, sister!" Qiu Yun chuckled awkwardly. "Sister, have you never had nightmares?"
Suzhi was taken aback. Indeed, she also had nightmares and dreamed of some terrible things. However, the housekeeper had instructed her to observe Qiuyun carefully.
"Hehe, I only asked because I was afraid you might have something on your mind. Qiu Yun, with your appearance, are you really willing to spend your whole life as a servant girl tending weeds in this palace?" Su Zhi changed the subject.
"After my father passed away, I had no more worries. Life in this palace is quite good. The Empress treats me very well, and I have plenty of food and clothing. It's much better than outside," Qiu Yun said "honestly."
"Then you can't serve the Empress for the rest of your life and never get married, can you? Qiu Yun, do you have any other family members? Don't you even have any relatives?" Su Zhi asked with "concern."
“No, I only have one father. Now I have no more attachments. Sister Suzhi, you are no longer married either. Do you have someone you like?” Qiuyun asked in return.
Seeing that she couldn't find out anything, Suzhi could only chuckle awkwardly and say, "I don't have anyone I like. It's just that I'm not as beautiful as you, little sister. Maybe the Empress will be pleased and arrange a good marriage for you."
"Sister smiled, but that depends on Her Majesty's mood." Qiu Yun said with a wry smile, "Sister, I've finished eating. I'll go fetch some water, then I'll wash up and go to bed early."
After that, Qiu Yun put down her bowl and chopsticks and went out to fetch hot water.
Seeing that she hadn't gotten any information, Suzhi felt uneasy about explaining it to the housekeeper, and she was secretly anxious.
Suddenly, an idea struck her. She got up and went to Qiu Yun's bedside to look through her personal belongings. Qiu Yun seemed to dislike others touching her personal items, so now that she thought about it, perhaps she was hiding something.
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