It's clear that this snow will be falling for some time.
When I woke up in the morning, the room was warm, so I didn't feel cold.
But you can tell what it feels like just by looking at the outside.
Yan Nangui clicked his tongue. He could only eat something warm to keep warm, but he still had to go and pay his respects.
She was in a good mood when breakfast was served. Clearly, the kitchen had taken good care of her; the food was still piping hot.
The same goes for soup.
"Send someone to the kitchen later to deliver ten taels of silver to Steward Zhuang. Also, give some loose silver to the food delivery staff to share."
Since she's been so attentive in serving him, she should show that she appreciates it; otherwise, wouldn't all that service have been for nothing?
In the middle of a snowy day, early in the morning, who can eat something so hot?
This is true. In Qihua Pavilion, not far from Yihu Residence, the food Zhang Chenghui received was already cold. Unfortunately, she was not favored by the emperor, so she couldn't say anything.
It's good enough if I can just heat it up myself; thankfully, there's a stove. It's fortunate I can eat before paying my respects; if it's delivered late, I can only eat after I've finished paying my respects. Then it'll be even colder.
After having breakfast, Yan Nangui changed into thick clothes, including a large red cloak trimmed with fox fur.
On her feet were a pair of thick boots lined with duck down.
Although you have to walk there, the roads along the way are cleared by people, and even if the snow keeps falling, the snow on the walkable roads is not thick.
Starting from Jiyue Pavilion, it's not too far to the main courtyard, but you have to cross a bridge.
Cross the Magnolia Bridge and you will reach the Bright Moon Pavilion.
This pavilion is inhabited by Ning Chenghui, the Crown Princess's half-sister.
She came out at that moment, wearing a light purple cloak. She smiled at Zhuang Jiaojiao from afar and greeted her, "Good morning, Sister Yan."
Her appearance was comparable to that of the Crown Princess, though they were different, she possessed a serene and tranquil quality.
"Sister, please don't stand on ceremony, it's too cold, let's go," Yan Nangui said with a smile.
The two of them walked together and entered the main courtyard, where they were invited inside.
The Crown Princess wouldn't put on that kind of show of making people wait outside in this weather; that's too low-class.
Inside the main hall, people had already arrived; it was Zhang Chenghui and the two ladies-in-waiting, Wang and Liu.
Upon seeing them, he quickly rose to greet them.
Next came Luo Liangyuan and Han Chenghui. Han Chenghui also lived in Luo Liangyuan's Tingfeng Garden.
They greeted each other again.
Su Liangdi arrived a little earlier than Ding Zhaoxun, followed by Xia Fengyi.
Ye Liangdi was the last one again.
I wonder if she's addicted to Shanshan being late.
However, today, Ye Liangdi's dislike was not directed at Yan Nangui, but at Xia Fengyi.
Xia Fengyi arrived late to serve the emperor, which naturally made her unpopular.
Xia Fengyi was a typical Jiangnan woman, speaking with a soft, gentle Wu dialect. She was also petite and delicate in appearance.
In Ye Liangdi's eyes, that was a vixen.
Because of her low social status, Ye Liangdi disliked her terribly every time she saw her. However, she was worried about incurring her cousin's wrath and dared not take drastic measures.
She didn't dare, so the Crown Princess naturally had to use Xia Fengyi to annoy her, and the cycle just kept going on.
When the Crown Princess came out, everyone paid their respects.
"No need for anything else, please have a seat."
After everyone sat down, the Crown Princess said, "The weather is not good today, so I'm sorry to have troubled you sisters to come."
"If you care about us so much, why didn't you tell us not to come earlier?" Ye Liangdi couldn't help but say.
“Sister Ye, what you say is true. Paying respects early in the morning is the proper etiquette. Don’t the ladies in the palace also have to pay their respects to the Empress every day?” Consort Su said with a smile.
“Sister Ye is right, it was my oversight. Although that is the custom, it doesn’t mean that one is less devout if one misses a day of paying respects. Well then, since you have already come today, you can skip tomorrow and the day after. They say it’s not cold when it’s snowing, but it’s cold when the snow melts. It will definitely be colder tomorrow and the day after, so we’ll excuse you from paying your respects,” the Crown Princess said with a smile.
"Thank you, Your Highness the Crown Princess," everyone said hastily.
Ye Liangdi's original intention was to embarrass the Crown Princess, but she didn't expect the Crown Princess to say such a thing, which made her even more aggrieved.
"Consort Xia, I'll have someone send some Silver Pine Tea to you. His Highness loves this tea the most, but it's not in your allowance. It wouldn't be good if we didn't serve him properly when he goes," the Crown Princess added.
Xia Fengyi quickly stood up: "Thank you, Your Majesty, I understand."
Xia Fengyi was filled with resentment, but due to her low status, she could only endure it.
"Little Sister Xia, you'd better serve His Highness well. If you don't serve him properly, you won't have another chance in the future," Ding Zhaoxun said sourly.
"Sister Ding is still talking about her? How long has it been since you last served her?" Luo Liangyuan asked with a smile.
"Sister Luo is laughing at me? What about yourself? Ever since Consort Yan entered the manor, have you ever served her?" Ding Zhaoxun sneered.
"Is Ding Zhaoxun implying that I stole Sister Luo's favor?" Yan Nangui found it amusing and naturally had to chime in.
“What are you saying, sister? You’re overthinking it. People are different, what’s this talk of scrambling? Wherever His Highness wants to go is His Highness’s own choice. It’s a blessing to be able to serve him, and it’s a sign of incompetence not to be able to. I never think that way.” Consort Luo spoke directly, leaving Consort Ding speechless.
The Crown Princess listened to everyone talking, and when it was almost time, she announced that everyone was dismissed.
Ye Liangdi glanced at Xia Fengyi and sneered, "If Xia Fengyi has nothing to do, come to my place and draw me a flower pattern. Your craftsmanship is the best, and I like it very much."
Xia Fengyi's face turned pale, but she dared not refuse and had no choice but to go.
Yan Nangui raised an eyebrow, indicating that this wasn't his first time; he must have suffered a lot there.
On the way back, Jiangxiang explained, "Consort Xia often serves the emperor, and sometimes Consort Ye invites her over. Although I don't know what she does, it must be unpleasant. Consort Ding suffered the same fate before. She doesn't go too far anymore, and the Crown Princess doesn't care."
"Since Consort Xia is favored, has she not complained to His Highness the Crown Prince?" Yan Nangui asked.
"It seems not. However, after Consort Ye makes things difficult for her, she often still has to serve the emperor in bed." Jiangxiang laughed and said, "Actually, I think... it's really pointless for Consort Ye to do this."
"These things are hard to say. I've been in the manor for almost a month, and Consort Ye hasn't served me even once. You tell me..."
Yan Nangui smiled and asked, "Is this cousin simply unloved, or too favored?"
“I suppose Liangyuan already knows what’s going on,” Jiangxiang said.
"I'm not entirely sure either, but whether one is out of favor or over favored, it's all quite tragic."
It goes without saying that he is not favored.
Being excessively favored might mean being protected. But this kind of protection...
Tsk.
His Majesty gave the Ning family's daughter to the Crown Prince as his primary wife, but gave the Empress's niece to the Crown Prince as his concubine.
This thoughtfulness...
This is truly an open attempt to disgust the Empress's lineage.
You just couldn't say anything, only that it was for the Crown Prince.
It would be a miracle if the daughters of two families of almost equal social standing could get along.
Ye Liangdi may seem a bit naive, but which of the people serving her isn't shrewd? In less than two years, although she's not very bright, she hasn't made any major mistakes.
Wow, that's really interesting.
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