Chapter 24 Happy National Day, mwah, baba, gurgle, ...
Kunning Palace
"Your Majesty."
Nianqin, who had entered from outside the palace, bowed and approached Empress Wang, who was sitting in front of her dressing table, and quietly reported something.
Empress Wang, who had been casually fiddling with the phoenix hairpin, paused and raised an eyebrow at Nianqin.
"Did she really say that?"
"Yes, she's still waiting outside the hall."
Nianqin added, "However, she alone might not be enough, so I was thinking that the people in the tea room could also..."
After glancing outside the palace a few times, Empress Wang said, "I underestimated her ambition."
"I was so frightened when I served tea to the Emperor yesterday that my legs were trembling."
"After just one night, they're already eagerly thinking about currying favor with the Emperor?"
On second thought, a mocking smile appeared on Empress Wang's face. "Indeed, they are from the Jiang family. With hope so close at hand, how could they not do their utmost?"
"Alright, then let her go with the tea server."
"Oh, and if she asks the kitchen for anything later, give it to her too."
"yes."
Having received permission, Nianqin walked briskly out of the hall.
As soon as she came out, she saw Baba guarding Azhu at the entrance of the palace. Nianqin smiled and nodded at her.
"Her Majesty the Empress grants you permission to go to the Hibiscus Garden."
"I was worried that you might not be able to manage on your own, so I specifically instructed that you bring the other tea servants with you."
A-Zhu's eyes lit up, and she knelt down, repeatedly expressing her gratitude, saying, "Thank you, Your Majesty, thank you, Aunt."
"Since you're so kind, don't waste time here." Nianqin waved her hand. "Go on."
Watching Ah Zhu head straight for the tea room without hesitation, Nianqin smiled gently.
She chose A-Zhu after careful consideration because of A-Zhu's status as a convicted slave, Jiang, hoping that the Empress would be less resistant to her.
Empress Wang is now eager to see Jiang's daughter make a fool of herself, but Nianqin has not forgotten her original intention of selecting palace maids to serve the emperor.
Empress Wang was annoyed that A-Zhu's "good deed" with the Emperor was progressing too slowly, but Nianqin felt that haste makes waste, and matters before the Emperor should not be rushed... things were not bad as they were now.
With her unparalleled beauty and temperament, and her decisiveness and willingness to humble herself to serve the emperor, if the emperor finds her novel and doesn't find her offensive... then she would be quite useful.
The matter of "pillow talk" may sound despicable, but in reality, who dares to ignore it?
Nianqin squinted slightly as she plotted—once Azhu gained favor, she would move him to the back hall.
After serving her in bed, one must carefully watch over her as she takes her medicine.
Her most important task was to please the Emperor, not to let her have any wicked children or any other delusions that might cause trouble.
*
On the way to the tea room, A-Zhu was also carefully reviewing her plan to collect lotus dew—
Even though he thought about it all night, Ah Zhu didn't really have the guts to come up with some big project right away.
In the palace, it was common practice to collect dew from lotus leaves in summer and snow from plum blossoms in winter for brewing tea.
It was not considered presumptuous for the ladies of the palace to send tea, snacks, or soup to the emperor as a token of their affection.
Simply offering the Emperor some freshly harvested lotus dew from summer would be a more respectable excuse.
＊
waiter
The loyal Ah Zhu was only concerned with serving his master well, and didn't care much about the opinions of others.
As for Ah Zhu, who was acting as if she had a chicken feather as an imperial edict, the palace servants exchanged knowing glances and winks at each other.
The utterly immoral Ah Zhu acted with no sense of propriety or tact in the tea room, quickly offending all the palace servants. Who wouldn't want to see her make a fool of herself?
Clearly, Ah Zhu, who was determined to rise to the top, not only failed to do so last night, but also received a humiliating scolding, which everyone could see clearly.
They originally wanted to laugh at A-Zhu's wishful thinking, but then they heard that she was going to have the job of delivering tea and snacks to the emperor... Naturally, the palace servants in the tea room were all hoping that someone else would take the lead and test the waters first.
After all, Ah Zhu's current situation is unclear. Although she is so beautiful, she has no grace whatsoever.
Not only is she not a delicate beauty who only sheds tears in secret, but on the contrary, she is also a petty person who holds grudges, and even more so, a sly, mean-spirited, and shameless villain.
Of course, I may dislike it or look down on it.
Even though people secretly criticize Ah Zhu behind her back, calling her filthy, shameless, and obsequious, on the surface, the people in the teahouse no longer dare to offend her.
Sure enough, not only did no one stand up to A-Zhu, but on the way to Furong Garden, there were even people who came up to her and flattered her with soft words.
To be honest, Ah Zhu is just a superficial person who likes to hear nice things.
She smiled so broadly that her eyes crinkled when she tasted success again.
*
Before 3:45 AM, Empress Wang had already dismissed the other concubines who came to pay their respects.
Just then, as she was enjoying the bird's nest and milk soup, Huiyue came to report: "Your Highness, the young prince has come to pay his respects."
Upon hearing that Prince Rui had arrived, Empress Wang hurriedly called him in and repeatedly instructed the kitchen to quickly prepare more of Prince Rui's favorite snacks and dishes.
Upon entering the hall, Prince Rui promptly offered his greetings.
"Your subject greets Your Majesty."
It must be said, even though some people in the palace almost demonized Prince Rui, he did indeed have a handsome and dignified appearance.
With a straight nose and thin lips, his features were delicate and handsome. Due to his frail health, his complexion was slightly pale and his lips were also light in color, giving him an air of gentle and refined elegance, like a gentle and noble young master.
"Get up, get up quickly." With that, Empress Wang pulled Prince Rui closer to take a good look at him.
Even though I have asked about Prince Rui's daily life and diet several times in the past two weeks.
But looking at him, Empress Wang couldn't help but remark that he had lost some weight.
Prince Rui was very obedient when Empress Wang showed concern for him.
He responded with a smile, while twirling around to amuse the Empress Wang: "Mother, look, your son is perfectly fine."
The mother and son, who tacitly avoided mentioning anything unlucky or ominous, spent a heartwarming and joyful time together.
This harmonious atmosphere lasted until Empress Wang mentioned the Crown Prince.
"...Your elder brother has been thinking about you these past few days."
“Zhen’er, you’re all grown up now, and you can see the true nature of the treacherous people in the palace.”
"Those restless scoundrels only wish they could kill the crown prince..."
Prince Rui, who had been smiling the whole time, suddenly froze when Empress Wang mentioned the Crown Prince.
Her mother held his hand, her expression concerned, yet her words were a veiled instruction to him to be obedient, to be sensible, and to stop causing trouble for his beloved brother, the esteemed Crown Prince...
Prince Rui's smile deepened, but the smile in his eyes vanished completely.
*
Guifu, who was guarding outside the palace, watched as Prince Rui walked out of the palace and keenly noticed the cold displeasure hidden beneath his master's faint smile.
Who is Guifu?
She wished she could cherish Prince Rui in her heart, pondering day and night, trying every possible way to please her master.
Seeing that Prince Rui was somewhat displeased, and thinking about the information he had just gathered... Gui Fu's eyes darted around, and he bowed and leaned close to Prince Rui, smiling, "Your Highness, it's still early, why don't we go and take a look at the Hibiscus Garden?"
“Hibiscus Garden?” Prince Rui glanced at Guifu coldly: “What’s so interesting about that place?”
"Your Highness, the scenery in Hibiscus Garden is absolutely stunning today."
Seeing the cold look in Prince Rui's eyes, Gui Fu felt a chill in his heart and gritted his teeth, repeatedly making promises.
It was because Guifu had always gone to great lengths to curry favor with the prince that, upon hearing his assurance, Prince Rui was indeed somewhat tempted.
"Very well, then I shall go and see just how beautiful the scenery of Hibiscus Garden is."
Looking coldly at Guifu's delighted expression, Prince Rui smiled knowingly.
"But what if I waste my efforts and end up disappointed..."
Hearing Prince Rui's seemingly casual words, Guifu, who was thinking of something, couldn't help but shudder.
"If this servant has spoken recklessly and disappointed you, master, then you, you should punish this servant however you see fit."
Seeing Guifu trembling, pale-faced, and bowing with a fawning smile, Prince Rui shook his head with a smile and turned to head towards Furong Garden.
A note from the author:
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Guifu: God bless me! I've sacrificed an SP-level beauty, I hope it brings good luck!
*
It's National Day holiday, so I'm sleeping in first, hahaha. Hope all my lovely friends who woke up well have a happy holiday, muah! [heart][heart][heart]
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