Gao Shurong took her hand and said, "Don't worry, Sister Sheng, I will definitely do what you asked me to do."
"Thank you, Sister Gao. By the way, I've already written down the recipe for the black hair you and Sister Lin wanted. Come to my place someday to make the hair oil, and we'll pick some flowers and make it together."
Gao Shurong took the prescription, stood up and said:
"That's great! I'll send this warm throat lozenge to His Majesty right now, so that your kindness will not be in vain."
Sheng Xiyan leaned against the window and watched her leave the yard, feeling that she finally had a good sister in the palace.
Gao Shurong didn't ask the reason and didn't worry that she would do something bad, so she readily agreed to help.
A sense of belonging probably comes from two or three good friends and a small courtyard. I have both of these now, but what I lack is a lover who cares about me.
Sheng Xiyan recalled that when she was in Jiangnan, her father was drying herbs in the yard while she lay in a rocking chair, holding her kitten in the sun, and smiled as she lifted her little feet.
The father asked, "What are you laughing at?"
Sheng Xiyan raised her chin and grinned, "I don't know, my daughter is just happy and wants to laugh."
The father doted on her and said, "Little girl, you are content with just basking in the sun. It's too easy to be complacent. It's good this way. Live a simple and happy life. I wonder if my future son-in-law can give you the capital to relax."
"Father, do girls have to get married when they grow up?"
"What are you going to do if you don't get married? Become an old maid?"
Sheng Jingheng came in from the gate carrying a pile of newly bought books. Sheng Xiyan saw that he was also holding a paper bag in his hand.
"Brother, what's delicious?"
Sheng Jingheng pretended to say, "Cat food."
"No, I can smell it, it's Begonia Cake!"
Sheng Xiyan ran to grab the bag, and Sheng Jingheng deliberately raised it high to tease her.
"You greedy girl, you have no future."
"Didn't bro buy it just for me? It was clearly bought for me."
Yue Niang followed Sheng's mother over from the backyard. Sheng's mother was very pregnant and muttered, "Why hasn't the baby been born yet? Did you calculate the due date correctly, Dad?"
My younger sister Sheng Xitang went into labor four or five days late, which made the whole family anxious for several days.
. . . . .
Hua Xia came in with a glass plate.
"My lady, please try the Poria cocos cake made by Meixiang. As you said, they also added yam, black sesame, dates, and walnuts. It smells delicious."
Sheng Xiyan sat up and took a piece to taste. "Not bad, with Meixiang's cooking skills, we can open a shop in Beijing."
"I wonder how Snowball is doing at home."
Hua Xia thought for a moment, "When you got married, my lady, Xueqiu was just one year old. He must have already paired up and had a litter of puppies by now."
"It's a great joy that my eldest brother can take the imperial examination this year. He must be reading books and writing articles day and night. My sister-in-law is busy with the store and taking care of the family, so she is very tired. I wonder if she listened to me and hired some people to help."
Hua Xia comforted her, "Don't worry, my lady. Your family must have received your letter. Madam, the eldest son and the others must be very happy to know that you are doing well in the palace."
Once you enter the palace, it's like entering a deep sea. I really want to go home and take a look. When will my wish come true?
In the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
Above the three gilded ice mirrors, a fan was turning, bringing coolness to the hall.
"Your Majesty, Miss Gao sent me some loquat throat lozenges. I've had them examined by Magistrate Wu, who says they're good for your throat. Please try them."
Eunuch Fu carefully placed the blue and white porcelain jar next to the dragon table.
Xuan Ling coughed, put down the report, and drank a sip of hot tea.
"Change to something cooler."
"Your Majesty, your throat is sore right now. Judge Wu told you to drink some hot tea and it would help."
Xuan Ling said coldly, "You are becoming more and more daring. Are you my servant or his?"
Eunuch Fu knelt hurriedly and said, "Of course I am the emperor's dog servant. I only talk too much because I feel sorry for the emperor."
Xuan Ling's throat was itchy, so he opened the blue and white porcelain jar and saw small brown squares neatly arranged. He picked up a piece, smelled it, and held it in his mouth.
A cool and sweet taste arises in the throat.
"The throat lozenges are nice. Where did Gao Shurong get them?"
"Mrs. Gao said she bought it from Jiu'an Hall outside the palace."
Xuan Ling nodded and put the blue and white porcelain jar aside.
Liu, the chief steward of the Imperial Household Department, came to the court with the booklet in hand.
"Your Majesty, this is the list of tribute that has just been delivered. Please take a look."
Xuan Ling looked at them one by one. The most eye-catching one was Luozidai, which was paid as tribute by Persia, with an annual tribute of ten hu.
However, this year, due to the low harvest, only six hu of rice were paid as tribute.
"The rest of the tribute will be placed in the national treasury. One hu of Luozidai will be sent to Cining Palace, one hu to Jingren Palace, and one hu to Zhongcui Palace."
Chief Steward Liu bowed and asked, "Your Majesty, should the remaining three hu be put into the national treasury first?"
Xuan Ling closed the register and said solemnly, "Send the remaining three hu to me."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
Chief Steward Liu was puzzled. The emperor had never asked him to send tribute before. Was he going to reward the concubine separately?
After a cup of tea, three hu of snail ink were delivered to the Yangxin Palace.
Eunuch Fu opened the box, and Xuan Ling picked it up to admire it. The handle was inlaid with various gems.
“This thing is really well made.”
"Yes, Luozidai is worth a fortune. The copper enamel that the emperor bestowed upon the ladies last year is also valuable, but it's a level lower than Luozidai."
Eunuch Fu saw Xuan Ling get up and go to the bookshelf, and took out a large mahogany box, which contained the portrait of him made by Sheng Xiyan.
"Bring the things here."
Eunuch Fu understood and carefully handed over the box of Luozidai.
See Emperor Xuanwu put the box into the big mahogany box.
Eunuch Fu suddenly realized that the emperor wanted to reward Lady Sheng with three hu of snail ink, but because Lady Sheng had displeased the emperor, he would not give it to her for the time being.
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