Shicui Hall.
Chang Ziyu stood at the door of the west wing of the rear hall.
She was neatly dressed, and everything was arranged perfectly.
Zhihui was the female official in charge of her. She was in her twenties and neither her looks nor her demeanor were particularly outstanding, but there was nothing wrong with her either.
Qing'ai was a palace maid of fifteen or sixteen years old, and she was much more straightforward: "Her Majesty is not well, so you are exempt from going to express your gratitude. Although Chang Chenghui lives in this wing room, you are the only one in Shicui Palace, which is better than Guo Liangdi's."
The eunuch deliberately spoke in a high-pitched voice: "Consort Guo liked it very much, but she didn't dare to compete with Chang Chenghui for it. Such good fortune belongs to Chang Chenghui."
Liu was in charge of farming, and she said in a vulgar way, "If Consort Di takes a liking to me, I won't be able to keep her."
Qing Ai said, "Di Liangdi likes it quite a bit too, and is thinking of making a swing in her own palace."
Zhihui called out, "Is all the work finished?"
It’s over!
It was already very tidy, and Chang Chenghui didn't have much stuff.
The front is mostly empty, so it's relatively easy to clean up.
Everyone found a place to sit and waited for dinner.
Seeing this situation, Chang Ziyu asked, "Where is His Highness?"
Zhihui said with a straight face, "His Highness ordered us to stay inside the palace."
Chang Ziyu went berserk: "I want to see His Highness!"
What's the point of giving her a large vegetable plot? She doesn't know how to grow vegetables! She's not a country girl!
Liu Shi chimed in cheerfully, "Your Highness should think about what to make for lunch. His Highness is so busy, he can't possibly invite you to lunch. The Empress is grateful that you saved His Highness, and she's giving you the same allowance as a concubine. But it's so hot today, the meat will spoil easily if it's not handled properly."
Chang Ziyu's eyes widened: "What did you say?"
The eunuch said in a soft voice, "His Highness likes your diligence and kindness, washing your hands to cook for him. Therefore, the inner palace also needs to be cleaned by the master himself. If the floor is not swept clean, His Highness probably won't come."
Liu handed Chang Ziyu a broom.
Qing Ai hurriedly took it, saying, "You're confused. Master needs to cook first." She then reminded Chang Ziyu, "The servants all depend on you. If Master doesn't cook well, the servants will be too hungry to work, and you'll still have to do the chores. You'll have to fetch water and stuff."
There were many dirty and tiring jobs.
Chang Ziyu is furious!
She has had servants serving her since she was a child, does she still have to serve these servants now?
The eunuch objected: "When I was a child, which village woman didn't work? Some even starved to death and sold me off. You, my master, live a life of luxury in the palace, and you're still not satisfied?"
Liu chimed in, "If it weren't for saving His Highness, how could we have let you into the Eastern Palace? Is the Eastern Palace a place anyone can just come and go as they please?"
Chang Ziyu roared, "I didn't want to go to the palace!"
Lady Liu scoffed, "Although you saved His Highness, you're still not satisfied if you want to be the Crown Princess."
Given Chang's ambitions, why wouldn't she want to enter the palace?
Although Liu was a rough woman, she had seen a lot in the palace.
Even a palace maid wanted to climb into that bed; seven out of ten died, and the rest didn't fare much better.
Lady Liu said, "Her Majesty is so kind-hearted. She was afraid you wouldn't be used to living in the palace, so she specially arranged all this for you. Everyone should have a conscience."
Chang Ziyu shouted, "I want to see her!"
Liu smiled. A fake dares to meet the real Feng Nu.
That's the destiny of a phoenix, favored by the Crown Prince and protected by the Emperor. It's said that even the patriarch of the Song Prince's Mansion was fond of it.
These counterfeit goods are universally disliked. They always think they're superior.
The palace is never short of self-important people. Wasn't Zhang Shu one? Wasn't Luo Yaohui one?
Luo Yaohui is in real trouble now.
**
Yankangfang.
There is a proper two-courtyard house.
This was originally the residence of wealthy and powerful families, and even a seventh-rank official in front of the prime minister could have a mistress here.
The people being resettled now are the group from Baishi Village.
Living in such a house in the capital, everyone's hearts gradually settled down, and they began to fantasize again.
Chang Shibao couldn't resist the urge to run out and play.
Chang Erniu coldly reprimanded, "If you're caught and your head is chopped off at the yamen, don't ask why the blood is flowing. Why don't you learn from Chang Ziyan?" That's the proper future imperial brother-in-law.
Chang Ziyan was also ten years old, but he had more experience than Chang Shibao, so perhaps he was just naturally honest.
Chang Rui is teaching Chang Ziyan and Chang Zihan to read and recognize characters.
Although Chang Rui was only a child student, he had no problem recognizing characters.
Although the people from Baishi Village are farmers, if they are to meet someone important, knowing a few characters will not be a mistake.
Chang Ziyan is clumsy.
Chang Zihan is very pretty and learns to read much faster.
Chang Rui was happy.
Several village women were secretly pleased to see Chang Zihan, whose older sister had become the Crown Princess; she was sure to have a bright future.
Chang Rui lectured Chang Ziyan: "Even if you rely on your sisters, they won't be part of the Chang family anymore once they're married. Think it through; you still have to rely on yourself. If someone is capable, they can be helped up easily. If they're not, they're like mud that can't be plastered on a wall. If a girl wants to be better off after marriage, it's even better if she has support from her family. It's a two-way street."
The villagers of Baishi Village listened attentively.
When everyone comes to recognize their relatives, we can't rely entirely on the Empress.
Besides, the Empress hasn't acknowledged them yet; acknowledging family isn't something that can be done on a whim.
Mrs. He asked anxiously, "When will you finally acknowledge it?"
Chang Rui admonished: "Next life!"
Chang Erniu was so angry he wanted to beat her again: "Who do you think you are? Has the Empress ever eaten a bowl of rice or drunk a bowl of water from you?"
He Shi protested, "Third Sister is here."
Chang Zihe returned.
Mr. He was particularly excited.
Chang Zihe said menacingly, "Do you want me to beat you up?"
Madam He's face turned pale, and she suddenly said, "It seems there are rumors outside that Her Majesty drove someone to their death?"
Chang Erniu punched her to the ground: "What do you know? If you want to die, go die now!"
He Yuexian said from the side, "It's being said outside that an old lady was forced to her death."
Chang Zihe slapped her: "Who are you to talk about the Empress!"
He Yuexian seems to have gone deaf. She's really scared.
Chang Rui asked gravely, "Big Brother, do you know what happened?"
Chang Zihe said, "I heard that a man surnamed Zeng cursed the emperor in court and was beaten by the empress. His mother didn't teach her son a lesson, but instead cursed the empress. An official in court spoke out about it and was punished by the emperor with eighty strokes of the cane."
Oh dear! Everyone, stop talking nonsense.
It seems the Crown Princess didn't suffer any loss.
An imperial envoy arrived.
Everyone was busy, respectful, and expectant.
As for whether or not you can see this gift, don't force it.
The palace eunuch relayed the order: "Chang Ziyu has rendered meritorious service in saving the Crown Prince and is hereby granted the title of Chenghui. Be prepared before dawn tomorrow, and someone will escort you into the palace."
A group of people from Baishi Village didn't understand.
Isn't it to see the Empress?
Chang Rui asked, "Just Chang Shuigen's family?"
The envoy nodded.
He Yuexian called out, "What about me?"
The village woman slapped her hard. Then she apologized profusely to the eunuch, saying, "We country folk are ignorant and have made you laugh, father-in-law."
The eunuch's attitude was quite good: "Your Highness remembers Baishi Village; there will be a reward."
The villager said, "Actually, we've never seen it before, it has nothing to do with us."
Of course, I'd like a reward; no matter how much, it's all free.
Someone whispered, "Chang Ziyu isn't from our Baishi Village."
When can we bring the Empress back to us? That would be a great benefit.
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