Chapter 34 (None)
Consort Liu wore no makeup, and fine lines appeared at the corners of her eyes. She was slender, gentle, and spoke in a soft voice; she appeared to be just an ordinary woman.
She leaned casually against the low couch, her gaze pressing down on Jiang Ling like a mountain, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
"Your Majesty, Consort De is unwell, and the Palace Attendants Palace has been taken over by the Palace Administration Department. There is no one in the Imperial Bedchamber, so His Majesty has asked me to temporarily take charge."
Jiang Ling knew that Emperor Yuanming's decision to put her in charge of the Imperial Bedchamber would be announced sooner or later. She wouldn't hide her emotions; pretending not to know would seem too fake, so she simply told the truth.
"Your Majesty's method is excellent. I also believe that it would be much easier and more convenient for the sisters in the harem to share the tasks."
Jiang Ling spoke with great confidence, supporting the separation of powers, with each department managing its own area and checking and balancing each other.
Consort Liu seemed a little surprised. She didn't say anything and just sat quietly.
Jiang Ling's throat tightened, and his heart felt heavy and suffocating, as if weighed down by a stone. He was restless and wanted nothing more than to run away.
Fortunately, Consort Liu remained calm and quickly nodded slightly, saying, "You were originally in charge of the candle and lamp department, so it's normal to put you in charge of the entire Imperial Bedchamber Bureau. This way, I can save my energy and stop worrying about this matter. I've never managed the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau before, and I'm not very clear about the duties there, so I dare not offer to help you for now. Just come to me if you need anything, and we'll figure something out together."
Jiang Ling had previously thought that applying makeup was like wearing a thick layer of armor on her face, hiding her true self behind it.
Like Consort Lin and Consort Zhao, Jiang Ling couldn't discern any emotion from Consort Liu. As if facing a peerless master who had reached the pinnacle of skill, she felt increasingly uneasy and said, "Thank you, Your Majesty. With Your Majesty's words, I will certainly not hold back when the time comes. I hope Your Majesty will not find me disrespectful."
Consort Liu smiled and nodded. She didn't stand on ceremony. "Alright, it's cold here. Go back and don't catch a cold."
While Chen Shanggong and the others were waiting outside the reed shed, Jiang Ling hurriedly got up to take his leave: "Your Majesty has worked hard, please take good care of yourself."
The Xiefang Pavilion was bustling with activity, the air thick with the scent of incense, candles, and paper money. Eunuchs carried charcoal, warm soup, and hot tea, which were quickly taken by palace maids and carried into the room.
Jiang Ling stood there for a while and saw that everyone was engrossed in their work, moving around silently, busy yet orderly.
All of this was due to Consort Liu's abilities, and Jiang Ling could only admire her greatly. She lowered her head and walked outside. Yuan Changsheng, who was patrolling around with his guards, stood respectfully to the side upon seeing her and nodded in greeting.
Jiang Ling had seen Yuan Changsheng a few times from afar before. He was tall and slender, with exceptionally beautiful features. However, Jiang Ling found his demeanor too effeminate and unsettling, and would only glance at him before leaving.
After walking for a while, Wenjuan quietly turned back, caught up with Jiang Ling, and whispered, "My lady, Yuan Daban and the others have gone inside. Speaking of which, Yuan Daban and Consort Liu are both from Yanzhou Prefecture."
Jiang Ling said, "Oh, Yanzhou Prefecture is so big, and we all come from the same place. Is there anything strange about that?"
"What you say is true, my lady. Many of the palace eunuchs come from Peifeng County in Yanzhou Prefecture. People from the same hometown often bring each other along, and many are related by marriage. They form cliques in the palace, causing quite a bit of trouble. Later, the late emperor ordered that people from the same hometown could not serve in the same place. Eunuchs from Yanzhou Prefecture were not allowed to serve in front of their masters and were only allowed to do rough and dirty work such as washing chamber pots. Since then, the number of eunuchs from the same hometown in the palace has gradually decreased."
Wen Juan smiled and looked back towards the direction of Xiefang Pavilion. "It's different when you're born well. Yuan Daban entered the palace at the age of thirteen. Not long after entering the palace, he became a errand boy in the Chuigong Hall. Later, when the emperor ascended the throne, he became the chief eunuch, guarding the harem."
Throughout history, it has always been the same: those who are good-looking have more opportunities than ordinary people. Yuan Changsheng's appearance got him into the Chuigong Hall. Combined with his intelligence, it brought him to where he is today.
Jiang Ling paused for a moment, then asked, "How many eunuchs from Yanzhou Prefecture are still in the palace?"
Wenjuan shook her head. "This servant does not know. However, this servant has heard that Huang Daban is from Yanzhou Prefecture. Cai Wanfeng of the Imperial Treasury is from Ganzhou, and the two have always been at odds. Huang Daban and Yuan Daban are not exactly on good terms, but since they are from the same hometown, they are quite polite to each other."
Jiang Ling hummed in agreement, looking thoughtful, and didn't ask any further questions.
Back at Fanying Pavilion, Jiang Ling took off her hood, which Wen Juan tucked into her bosom. She was taken aback when she saw the plum-green glazed jar on the table.
Wenjuan also saw it and exclaimed in surprise, "This jar is quite exquisite. I'll go ask A'ruo Fanghe who sent it."
Jiang Ling said, "No need to go, I know." She stepped forward and lifted the lid, and a sweet fragrance wafted out.
Wenjuan saw the pine nut candy in the jar and laughed, "So it was a gift from the Emperor to the beauty."
Emperor Yuanming was offering a few sweets after a beating, but Jiang Ling secretly rolled her eyes; she didn't care. Besides, sweets weren't good for her health, and she didn't want to eat too much. She was more interested in the jar.
"You can take them and divide them up later," Jiang Ling said, putting the lid on.
Seeing that Jiang Ling's expression was not good, Wen Juan advised, "This is something the Emperor bestowed upon the beauty, it is considered an imperial gift. I'll keep it for her. If she sees that we've done a good job, it's only fair that she occasionally rewards us with a few pieces."
Jiang Ling sighed and lay down on the couch, looking dejected. Wen Juan didn't try to persuade her any further, picked up the jar, and put it away along with the hood.
A'Ruo brought tea into the room, beaming, and said, "My beauty, His Majesty has bestowed upon you pine nut candy, and sent Zhang Shan to deliver it. I put it here... wait, where did it go?"
Wenjuan walked over and said, "I put it in the cabinet."
A'Ruo breathed a sigh of relief, poured some hot tea and placed it on the low table, saying, "My beauty, Qin Shanggong has been here for quite a while and is waiting in the side room. Do you have time to see her?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Ling quickly sat up and said, "Go and invite her in."
A'Ruo agreed and went out, quickly leading Qin Shanggong into the house. Jiang Ling looked her over; Qin Shanggong was about forty years old, slightly plump, with a round face, and always had a smile on her face. She stepped forward and knelt deeply, her movements meticulous, saying, "This servant greets Consort Jiang."
"Qin Shanggong, there's no need for formalities, please sit down," Jiang Ling said politely, gesturing for A'Ruo to pour tea. "Go to the storeroom, and if Qingwen isn't busy, have her come back."
Qin Shanggong, who was sitting on only half of the brocade stool, quickly stood up to express his gratitude upon hearing this.
Wen Juan led A Ruo outside, and Jiang Ling asked, "Where did Qin Shanggong work before?"
Qin Shanggong respectfully replied, "This servant has served Your Majesty since childhood. After Your Majesty's wedding, this servant went to serve the late Empress. After the late Empress passed away, this servant stayed in Kunning Palace and was in charge of the cleaning duties."
Jiang Ling thought to herself that she was an old servant of Emperor Yuanming. Judging from her age, she had been in the palace for at least twenty years.
Since she had been immersed in the palace for so many years and was personally appointed by Emperor Yuanming, Jiang Ling had a sudden inspiration and immediately became blunt, saying, "Qin Shanggong is an old hand in the palace and is deeply trusted by the Emperor, so I won't say more. In the future, I will trouble Qin Shanggong to take good care of the Imperial Bedchamber. If there is anything, you don't need to ask me; just go and report to the Emperor and ask him to make a decision."
Qin Shanggong was not familiar with Jiang Ling, and before coming, he had thought things through and prepared himself for being troubled by the newly emerged beauty. To his utter surprise, Jiang Ling immediately adopted a posture of abandoning him upon arrival.
She paused for a moment, then said, "Your Excellency is in charge of the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau. As a servant working for Your Excellency, I will certainly follow the rules and obey Your Excellency's orders."
Jiang Ling saw that Qin Shanggong's words were watertight, implying that she would not disregard her master just because Qin Shanggong was sent by Emperor Yuanming.
"In Qin Shang Palace, I don't like beating around the bush; I always speak my mind. I'm in charge of the candle and lamp department because Consort De is unwell, so she asked me to lend a hand."
Jiang Ling said with utmost sincerity and earnestness, "The harem must obey the Emperor's decrees, and the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau is the Emperor's Imperial Bedchamber Bureau. Instead of Qin Shanggong coming to ask me for instructions, it would be easier to ask the Emperor directly."
Qin Shanggong couldn't see through Jiang Ling's true thoughts and hesitated to make a decision. She carefully replied, "This servant obeys."
Jiang Ling said cheerfully, "Qin Shanggong, Qingwen, who used to serve by my side, is now working in the storeroom. The Emperor has appointed her as the lantern bearer. I won't ask too many questions about the Shangqin Bureau's affairs, and I'll just give orders without much thought. In the future, I'll trouble Qin Shanggong to put in more effort. You can go and do your own thing."
Qin Shanggong hurriedly said that she dared not, and stood up to greet her: "This is what this servant should do. My lady is busy, so I will not disturb you any longer."
After seeing Qin Shanggong off, Qingwen returned from the storeroom, lifted the curtain and entered the side room. She stepped forward to greet him and said, "My lady, rest assured, everything is fine in the storeroom. I personally oversee the accounts of Qiaoxin and Lanyun."
Jiang Ling gestured for Qingwen to sit down and said, "I called you back not because of the storeroom. You've been overseeing things in the storeroom these past few days, so you should be quite familiar with the matters concerning the lamps and candles. From now on, you will work in the Lamp Keeper's Office and be promoted to Lamp Keeper."
Qingwen stood there stunned, her expression shifting constantly, a mixture of joy, confusion, and bewilderment.
Jiang Ling smiled and said, "Zhong Shanggong is no longer here, and the Shangqin Bureau has been replaced by Qin Shanggong. Go and pack your things, and from now on you will be working under Qin Shanggong. If there is anything, just report to her."
Qingwen's feelings were complicated. She slowly stood up, curtsied, and said, "This servant will go and tidy up right away."
She moved her feet, then stopped, knelt down again, and said, "During the time I served in Your Excellency's service, I was fortunate to receive Your Excellency's kindness. You did not despise my dullness and even recommended me to be the lantern bearer. I will never forget Your Excellency's great kindness and will definitely repay you."
Going to the place of lamps and candles is a gesture of support, which is enough to show how frustrated Qingwen must have felt serving by her side.
Qingwen usually speaks very carefully, so she must have been excited and lost her composure, blurting out her true thoughts.
Jiang Ling did not seek any reward from her. The Fan Ying Pavilion was too small to accommodate such a great bodhisattva as her, so it was best for them to each go their own way.
Qingwen went back to her room to tidy up. Wenjuan came in, and A'ruo was tidying up the teacups. Jiang Ling asked her to call Fanghe over and said, "Qingwen has gone to the Lantern Keeper's Office to work as a lantern keeper. From now on, the three of you will serve by my side."
Wen Juan already knew this and listened calmly. A'Ruo Fanghe both looked surprised. Jiang Ling looked at them and said seriously, "The Lantern Keeper's Office only has one lantern keeper, so it's impossible for you to become a female official. However, if you want to work in the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau, I can arrange it for you."
A'Ruo glanced at Fang He, shook her head rapidly, and said resolutely, "This servant will not go. This servant will only stay and serve by the beauty's side."
Wenjuan usually kept them in check, giving them instructions and guidance. A'ruo figured out the tricks of the trade and her little schemes were quick to run wild.
Since Jiang Ling has power, promoting Qingwen to the position of lantern bearer and keeping her by his side to serve him closely will definitely give her a better future.
Recently, things have been turbulent in the imperial harem. The once powerful Cai Wanfeng has died, and all his assets have been confiscated.
Fanghe was determined to leave the palace. Even if she could earn more money at the Imperial Bedchamber Bureau, she might lose her life.
"This servant doesn't want to go to the Imperial Bedchamber, please don't send me away, Your Excellency. I will be obedient and do my job well from now on," Fanghe said anxiously.
Jiang Ling said, "Alright, since you're not going, I won't force you. Although it's one person less, I don't usually have much to do, so I'll try my best not to tire you out."
They all knew Jiang Ling's temperament. He didn't need them to keep watch at night, and during the day he did nothing but eat and sleep. He never made things difficult for them or treated them harshly.
Wen Juan laughed and said, "This servant is not tired at all, Your Excellency is joking. However, according to the rules, Your Excellency should have four servants by your side. When will the Ministry of the Interior send new servants?"
Although he had told Emperor Yuanming that he would not add any more people, the emperor had repeatedly gone back on his word. Jiang Ling was not sure what would happen and said, "I don't need anyone for now. As for what will happen in the future, we'll see then."
Wenjuan said, "This servant will rearrange the duty rosters."
Feeling relieved, Jiang Ling lay down again. She stretched out her body, leaned against the soft cushion, and rested comfortably.
The following day, Consort Gao's remains were moved to Fengxian Temple. The Imperial Household Department was managed by Jiang Ling; Qin Shanggong handled the affairs of the Imperial Household Department, and everyone in the harem knew this.
There have been many incidents between the inner palace and the court recently, and everyone in the inner palace is in danger. This matter is like a pebble thrown into water, creating tiny ripples that quickly fade away.
The winter solstice was fast approaching, and the palace began preparing for the festival well in advance. Flowers and plants were sent from the gardens, and the Imperial Bedchamber was busy decorating.
Qin Shanggong came to see Jiang Ling: "My lady, the weather is cold. The gardens are cultivating daffodils, daphne, wintersweet, camellias, and other flowers and plants. Li, the garden's official, said that this year the daphne is blooming less, and there aren't many daffodils or camellias either. They are mainly needed for the Taiji Hall and the Chuigong Hall. The Dowager Consort and the ladies of the palaces are requested to send more wintersweet to make up for the shortage. Daphne, camellias, and daffodils are all quite valuable, while wintersweet is not worth much. There are also wintersweet in the Imperial Garden, which bloom in late October. Each palace is permitted to cut a branch or two to take back for enjoyment. In previous years, several palaces, such as Chonghua Palace, Fuqing Hall, and Ciyuan Palace, have requested more daphne and camellias. This servant dares not make the decision, and requests Your Ladyship's instructions."
Upon hearing that it concerned Consort Li's elder brother, Jiang Ling dared not arbitrarily change the flowers and plants belonging to Consort Lin, Consort Zhao, and Consort Liu. She immediately said, "I know nothing about Qin Shang Palace, how it was in previous years, or what flowers and plants the ladies of each palace preferred. The Dowager Consort is an elder, how could I dare to make decisions arbitrarily? Besides, the imperial gardens are managed by the Ministry of Works, and you must consult the Emperor for decisions regarding matters of the previous dynasty."
Seeing that Jiang Ling was determined not to do anything, Qin Shanggong was also very troubled and had no choice but to go to Emperor Yuanming.
During the winter solstice, the emperor performed sacrifices, paid homage to ancestors at the Imperial Ancestral Temple, and received envoys from foreign countries. In addition, there were constant affairs in both the court and the harem, keeping Emperor Yuanming extremely busy.
After hosting the envoys at the Taiji Hall, Emperor Yuanming returned to the Chuigong Hall. After drinking a few cups of wine, fatigue overcame him, and he was too lazy to even change out of his court robes, so he leaned back on the couch and closed his eyes to rest.
When Qin Shanggong came to pay her respects, Emperor Yuanming listened attentively to her report and became so angry that his face turned ashen.
That scoundrel, he's really good at cheating and slying!
The things she was supposed to manage were actually pushed onto him.
It's one thing to make excuses, but as the person in charge, she was nowhere to be seen, only sending her servants to find him!
Emperor Yuanming gritted his teeth and cursed, so angry that he forgot his fatigue and stormed into Fanying Pavilion, ready to settle accounts with Jiang Ling.
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