Chapter 233 World 10 (4)
Yinhua and Baoshan sat in the waterside pavilion, taking out a handkerchief-wrapped emerald bean cake and sharing it. The emerald bean cake was emerald green and slightly cool to the touch. Because Empress Dowager Zhong preferred sweet foods, it was filled with two tsp more honey than usual. Baoshan only touched her lips lightly, taking a small piece to taste before stopping. The rest of the emerald bean cake went into Yinhua's stomach.
Seeing that Yinhua was in a hurry to use the water, Baoshan reached out and handed the water bag she had brought from the pavilion to Yinhua.
The water bag was filled with mountain spring water that Le Niang had specially found, which was refreshing and thirst-quenching. Whenever there was a banquet in the palace, the dancers from the Jiaofang Division were required to perform a dance.
Therefore, before Baoshan entered the Jiaofang Division, she listened to the music teacher's instructions: don't worry about food, only a graceful posture can make a graceful dance. If the body is clumsy, no matter how superb the dancing skills are, it will only make people laugh.
The young girls who had just joined the Jiaofangsi were forced to eat less and dance more, which led to a lot of hardship. Baoshan had her own solution: she asked someone to buy some dried fruit, tore it into small strips, and held it in her mouth. The taste in her mouth made her stomach less hungry. In this way, Baoshan gradually became accustomed to the Jiaofangsi's dining habits.
Holding the water bag, Yinhua angrily recounted how evil the young eunuch was for letting her in to pass on the message.
Yinhua looked at the treasured fan, her voice filled with relief: "Thank goodness you reminded me that if I were to kowtow to the Empress Dowager...
No matter how panicked you are, you must appear calm.
Today, I thought I would definitely be punished by the Queen Mother, but unexpectedly I walked out safely."
Bao Shan said softly, "The Queen Mother is not someone who acts recklessly. If you do everything properly, she won't find any fault with you and will definitely not punish you rashly."
As a dancer from the Jiaofangsi, according to the rules, Baoshan was not allowed to walk around the palace freely before she learned how to dance.
But Baoshan had a good friend, Yinhua, and from Yinhua she learned the temperaments and habits of many people in the palace, such as Empress Dowager Zhong.
In Baoshan's opinion, although Queen Mother Zhong had a strong temper and would not tolerate disobedience, she was not someone who would casually take her anger out on others.
Besides, Yinhua was just a little palace maid. As long as she fulfilled her duties, Empress Dowager Zhong would not take her anger out on her.
Since Yinhua is serving in the Empress Dowager's palace, sooner or later she will have the opportunity to meet Empress Dowager Zhong alone.
Baoshan was worried that Yinhua would behave improperly in front of the palace, so she reminded Yinhua in advance. Unexpectedly, it came in handy just a few days later.
When Baoshan first met Yinhua, he put in some careful considerations.
In such a huge palace, it won’t be so sad if you have friends to accompany you.
With Baoshan's deliberate kindness, Yinhua truly regarded her as a close friend.
After years of getting along, Baoshan has developed some feelings for Yinhua.
No matter what her purpose was, she didn't want Yinhua to die innocently.
After thinking about this, Baoshan gently reminded Yinhua of some taboos.
Although she did not leave the Jiaofangsi, she was more familiar with people's hearts than Yinhua, who served in the Empress Dowager's palace.
Yinhua nodded repeatedly, she naturally believed what Baoshan said.
"Your Majesty is well."
Outside the Empress Dowager's palace, many palace servants saluted in unison, and Yinhua lowered her head as usual.
Even though Chu Boyu came many times, Yinhua never saw Chu Boyu's face clearly.
She only remembered that the young Majesty was kind-hearted but taciturn.
That day, a palace attendant had a fever, but due to his lowly status, he dared not ask for leave. He forced himself to serve in the palace, and unexpectedly fell before Chu Boyu. Appearing in an ill state before His Majesty was a serious crime. The palace attendant thought he would not have a good end, but Chu Boyu only sighed softly, so soft that it seemed to be blown away by the wind. Yinhua lowered her head as she heard Chu Boyu say, "Since you are ill, take good care of yourself and return to duty another day."
This is no punishment.
Sometimes Yinhua couldn't understand why, compared with Prince Gong Chu Shi, Chu Boyu was more kindhearted.
But only Chu Shi's kindness was known in the palace, but no one praised Chu Boyu.
Zhong Xianghan wanted to choose a concubine for Chu Boyu. As for the queen, Zhong Xianghan did not want to decide on it at this time.
Although those who were sent to the palace for selection were all good girls with a good reputation.
But Zhong Xianghan remembered that when the late emperor was alive, he doted on Concubine Shu, who was praised for her gentleness and virtue, and was worthy of the throne.
Zhong Xianghan had no interest in looking at any famous lady from a noble family with a good reputation.
Chu Boyu responded in a deep voice.
He has always been like this over the years, like a ball of dough that can be easily kneaded, not decisive enough and too lukewarm.
Zhong Xianghan acted as if he wasn't paying attention: "As for the injured civet cat beside you, I have already ordered someone to put it away.
The Grand Tutor has taught you many times that indulgence in pleasure will lead to loss of ambition, so I will not mention it again.
But Boyu, you must remember that you are the emperor. How can you let these cats, dogs and livestock distract you?"
Chu Boyu's expression moved slightly.
He was no longer as thin as when General Zhong brought him back to the capital from Shu.
Chu Boyu is now tall. When he stands in front of Zhong Xianghan, Zhong Xianghan has to look up at him.
However, because Chu Boyu suffered from hunger and cold when he was young, although he was carefully nursed back to health by the imperial physician, he was still thinner than the battle-hardened General Zhong.
Chu Boyu looks extremely like his mother, Empress Dowager Zhong. That's why, after Emperor Shuncheng imprisoned Zhong Xianghan in the cold palace, he couldn't like Chu Boyu's face at all.
Emperor Shuncheng was not unaware of the tricks played by children, but he took advantage of the situation and drove Chu Boyu away to Shu. From then on, he never saw this face again.
Zhong Xianghan's eyes and eyebrows were originally bold and unrestrained, like a raging fire, almost burning people's eyes.
Chu Boyu is similar to her, but there is a warm spring in his eyes and eyebrows, and he has changed from being extroverted to being restrained.
He was born with a very fair complexion, and even in the land of Shu, his skin had not become dark. But this fair complexion was shrouded in a bleak melancholy.
Chu Boyu's eyebrows moved slightly, but he remained indifferent when Empress Dowager Zhong mentioned the selection of concubines.
Now he just dealt with a civet cat, but it caused his expression to fluctuate.
"Mother."
Zhong Xianghan's voice deepened slightly, and her eyebrows knitted slightly: "Bo Yu, you should go back."
Chu Boyu closed his palms and then slowly lowered them.
He had never been so eager to leave the Empress Dowager's palace, so Yinhua had no time to lower her head. In a quick glance, she saw the face of the current Emperor Chu Boyu.
Yinhua seemed to have discovered some great secret, and she cautiously told Baoshan, "Your Majesty is so fair-skinned, and his features clearly resemble those of the Empress Dowager.
But the Queen Mother is intimidating, but Your Majesty is not."
After saying that, Yinhua mentioned another matter, completely unaware of the dark color in Baoshan's eyes when he mentioned Chu Boyu.
The palace was lonely, so the palace maid who served with Yinhua in the Empress Dowager's palace became a couple with the eunuchs and recently wore silver bracelets on their wrists.
Yinhua murmured, "I don't want to marry a eunuch. Those eunuchs are all smiling on the surface, but they're scheming and plotting behind the scenes. They're really annoying. But if I wait to leave the palace and get married, I'm fine with that. Baoshan, what do you think?"
Baoshan shook her head slightly, perhaps because of the mention of her lifelong event, a blush appeared on her face, and she looked more beautiful than a flower, which made Yinhua stunned.
She said timidly: "I don't know either."
Yinhua said hurriedly: "You are so beautiful and gentle and considerate, so naturally those eunuchs in the palace are not worthy of you.
If I marry an ordinary person, it will naturally not work out. Treasure Fan——"
Yinhua suddenly remembered something, her eyes sparkling. She grasped Baoshan's delicate hand and suggested, "How about you become the Empress? I've been watching the palace maids during the recent beauty pageant, and even among them, you, Baoshan, are the best."
Yinhua thought, "The precious fan is like a delicate flower, needing careful care. In this world, who is more noble than the king? If the precious fan could become a queen, it would be better than being touched by ordinary people."
Baoshan's black eyelashes trembled slightly, and she lowered her eyelids with a meek look: "You are talking nonsense again. I am of humble status. The girls sent to the palace are all from wealthy families. How can I compare to them?"
Upon hearing this, Yinhua couldn't help but sigh softly, blaming herself for not being reborn into a wealthy family and instead being able to serve as humble palace maids.
Only Yinhua didn't realize that although Baoshan claimed to be of humble status, she didn't deny her desire to be a concubine in the harem.
After seeing Yinhua off, Baoshan snuggled alone in the waterside pavilion, gazing leisurely at the calm lake.
Deep down in Baoshan's heart, there was a thought that he had never mentioned to anyone.
Ever since Baoshan entered the palace, this idea gradually took root and grew wildly in her heart.
She liked the magnificence of the palace, its pavilions, towers, and rugged rocks, all of which were exquisite and luxurious.
The musician of the Jiaofangsi was rewarded by Empress Dowager Zhong for her dance and the hairpin on her head was given to her.
Baoshan looked at the exquisite and gorgeous hairpin, and his eyes flashed slightly.
Baoshan wanted to own a magnificent palace, be served by many palace maids, and have boxes full of exquisite jewelry.
Baoshan knew what this idea meant. She was just a lowly dancer who could be stepped on by any high-ranking palace servant or eunuch, yet she actually dreamed of becoming the emperor's concubine.
But Baoshan never forgot this idea. She practiced dancing diligently and controlled her diet for many years.
Now, she has a soft body and a graceful waist, so that she can win His Majesty's favor when she meets him.
Bao Shan naturally knew about the selection of concubines. She knew very well that with her humble status, she could not compare with those legitimate concubines.
Even if she used some tricks to make His Majesty take her in a hurry while he was confused and infatuated.
In the future, she would certainly be ridiculed by other concubines, who would laugh at her for being a dancer who could only serve men with her beauty and gain favor with her body.
But Baoshan had made up her mind. Before entering the palace, she had seen the lives of many ordinary people.
The couple lived frugally, ensuring their young children's academic success and arranging a marriage for their daughter.
Everyone else praised the couple for their harmonious relationship and mutual support, but Baoshan just felt annoyed.
She didn't want to live such a hard life, and she had to rely on her own efforts to win favor.
Baoshan has already made a plan. On the day of the emperor's selection of concubines, a banquet must be prepared, and the Jiaofangsi will definitely be needed to perform a dance.
Although the dancers each have their own talents, the best among them is the treasure fan.
Therefore, the leader of this dance performance is none other than Baoshan.
With this dance, Baoshan will attract the emperor's attention.
After practicing for a long time, Baoshan returned to the maid's quarters. After bathing, she applied a light perfume. Baoshan believed that the idea of a charming body emitting a fragrance was real. However, she did not have this natural talent, so she could only cultivate her own fragrance through external means.
Only when his body was filled with the elegant fragrance did Baoshan fall into a light sleep.
In her dream, she dreamed of her own calculations, and the plan she thought was carefully planned seemed fragile.
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