Yinzhen originally wanted Hongli and Foerguochun to accompany Qian Shengyan, but after hearing the last sentence, he realized that she wasn't looking for fun at all; she just wanted him to rest.
Yinzhen felt a warmth in his heart and couldn't bring himself to refuse, but said, "The three-year mourning period is not over yet, and the capital won't be too lively."
"Then let's go see how the New Year is this time of year, and then see how the New Year is after the mourning period ends in a few years." Seeing that he wasn't angry, Qian Shengyan became bolder and circled around him, pleading, "Please, please, I want to go, please, please..."
Finally, after much pleading, Yinzhen had no choice but to actually set aside an afternoon to take Qian Shengyan out for fun.
The two of them didn't even tell their two children. They simply took Su Peisheng and some guards and left the palace, only returning in the evening.
It wasn't actually that lively, but for Qian Shengyan, who had been "imprisoned" for many years, it was shopping! It was shopping!
Although it was an ancient street, and although it wasn't decorated with lanterns and colorful decorations for some reason, and although the things were simple and crude, Qian Shengyan still had a good time shopping and bought a bunch of random things.
The original bodyguards had to become visible because they had to help Qian Shengyan carry her things. Yinzhen also had no choice but to follow behind her, watching her excitedly looking around, and he felt sorry for her.
On the way back, Yinzhen suddenly said, "Why don't we have someone tidy up the Yuanmingyuan when we get back? If you don't like being in the palace, you can go to the Yuanmingyuan to escape the summer heat next year."
That's good. Qian Shengyan was hoping he could rest more, so she immediately agreed, "That's fine, the garden is more spacious."
Speaking of spaciousness, Yinzhen had more to say: "If the Eastern Six Palaces are also vacated, I have already ordered people to renovate them, and it is expected that they will be ready for people to move in within a month or two. You previously said that some principals were crammed together in one palace, but in the future, they will be able to have more space."
Qian Shengyan turned her back to him, smiling as she walked away, "Then thank you on behalf of all the sisters, sir~"
Yinzhen couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.
Back in the palace, apart from Fuerguochun and Hongli, no one else noticed that the Emperor and Consort had gone out for a stroll. As usual, Yinzhen had to return to the Hall of Mental Cultivation for a while. After seeing him off, Fuerguochun looked at Qian Shengyan with a pitiful expression: "Mother..."
"Ahem," Qian Shengyan said, glancing at her daughter with a hint of guilt, "today was too sudden, I didn't have time to call you and Hongli."
"Next time?" Folgochun raised an eyebrow. Seeing Qian Shengyan nod, she snorted, "Mother is such a liar. Who knows when next time will be? I'd better go find Fourth Brother. At least he keeps his word!"
Qian Shengyan: ...
What kind of image does she have in the children's hearts...?
After discussing the relocation of the main palace, Qian Shengyan began preparations. The repairs that Yinzhen mentioned for the Eastern Six Palaces were simply dusting and fixing any broken bricks and tiles. It wouldn't take too long. However, just as she was hesitating about whether to assign Guo to Yanxi Palace or Jingren Palace, someone came to report that a palace maid from Guo's side was requesting an audience.
Qian Shengyan curiously met the little palace maid, who was tearfully begging Qian Shengyan to save the person, saying that Consort Guo was being punished by Consort Nian to kneel on the palace road!
Qian Shengyan: ...
What exactly is Shan Xiu trying to do?!
Before the Lunar New Year, Shan Xiu had been confined to her quarters for three months, only emerging for the New Year's Eve banquet. After the New Year, although she didn't completely stay out of the palace, she rarely saw anyone. So why did she have a conflict with Guo Shi again?
Speaking of the entire harem, Qian Shengyan only really liked Consort Guo. The young girl was unassuming and clever, and very skillful. Now she could even help Qian Shengyan with some official duties. She was both useful and beautiful, which made Qian Shengyan want Yinzhen to serve her—no, to favor Consort Guo.
Why are these two facing off now?
As they walked out, they heard the little palace maid beside Guo sobbing as she recounted that when Guo and Shan Xiu passed each other on the palace road, Shan Xiu suddenly stopped Guo, accusing her of being disrespectful and disrespectful to her superiors, and made her kneel as punishment on the palace road!
The palace road was bustling with eunuchs and palace maids. How could Shan Xiu make a concubine kneel as punishment? What was she thinking?
Qian Shengyan rushed over and found that Guo was not only forced to kneel on the ground, but also had a faint handprint on her face.
Qian Shengyan immediately became angry: "Consort Nian has quite the airs."
"Not as good as Consort Xi." Shan Xiu scoffed, showing no mercy. "What, Consort Xi, did you come for Consort Guo?"
"Yes, even if a concubine makes a mistake, she should be punished by the Emperor or Empress. I didn't know that Consort Nian could punish concubines at will?" Qian Shengyan sneered. "Qingxue, why don't you help Consort Guo up?"
She spoke without any apparent guilt, and Shan Xiu pursed her lips, offering no rebuttal, only saying, "Consort Guo was disrespectful to me, so I'm just giving her a small punishment!"
"I...this concubine didn't do it!" Consort Guo was truly wronged. "This concubine doesn't know how she offended Consort Nian, and begs Consort Nian to enlighten me."
"Hmph! You know perfectly well what you said!" Shan Xiu didn't elaborate. She looked at Qian Shengyan with a half-smile. "Even if the Emperor doesn't have the power to assist me in managing the six palaces, I am still a Noble Consort. I was only slightly punished as a Consort. Does Noble Consort Xi intend to show off her power and do something to me?"
"I cannot do anything to Consort Nian, but I will report today's events in detail to the Emperor and Empress for their decision." Qian Shengyan's dark eyes swept over Shan Xiu and the people following behind her, and she couldn't help but laugh. "The Emperor is concerned for Consort Nian and just sent some well-trained palace servants to Yikun Palace. Why didn't Consort Nian take them with her when she went out?"
After she finished speaking, Shan Xiu's face twisted slightly.
That's the group! They've been disrespectful and have imposed many restrictions on her!
She wanted to go out, but those lackeys dared to stop her! And they kept spouting off some high-sounding platitudes—it's so annoying!
At this moment, Shan Xiu took advantage of their inattention and brought her trusted confidante out. She didn't actually have a destination in mind; she was just wandering around aimlessly when she happened to run into Madam Guo.
She knew that Guo was Qian Shengyan's person, so naturally she didn't like her. She didn't dare to do anything to Qian Shengyan, but she believed she could still discipline a mere concubine.
Just then, Guo was saying something like "It doesn't matter if she doesn't receive favor," which made Shan Xiu feel like she had been stabbed in the back! All she had done was make her kneel for a while and slap her once, so how was that wrong?
Dan Xiu was indignant. She raised her head and said, "Fine, fine, Consort Xi is sharp-tongued. I won't argue with you. It's a fact that Consort Guo was disrespectful to me today. I don't believe the Emperor will side with you! I'm going to find the Emperor to reason with him right now!"
Let's make a scene! Shan Xiu refuses to believe that, under the watchful eyes of everyone, the Emperor won't give her, given her status, any face!
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