On her way to pay her respects to the Empress Dowager, Yi Hua followed the same rules as in the Prince's Palace, where the concubines were only summoned collectively on the first and fifteenth of each month. However, she herself went to greet the Empress Dowager every day, which was a matter of filial piety.
"Your Majesty, the Changchun Immortal Pavilion has been quite lively these past few days. The Empress Dowager said she likes the company of young girls and has met all the daughters of the ministers. Now everyone in the garden is saying that the Empress Dowager is planning to select a concubine for the Emperor." Yu Xue spoke quickly, holding back her anger.
"Why is our Miss Yuxue so angry?" Yihua breathed in the fresh morning air, ignoring Yuxue's words.
“Your Highness! Not only the young ladies from official families outside the garden, but even the best-looking girls inside are starting to make moves.” Yu Xue counted on her fingers, “This servant has received four or five bracelets and seven or eight pairs of earrings in the past few days, not to mention all sorts of strange and wonderful things.”
"Why did you ask me to keep it, Your Highness?" Yu Xue asked, puzzled.
Yi Hua shook her head: "Firstly, I cannot openly oppose the Empress Dowager, otherwise what kind of person would the Emperor become? Secondly, it also allows you all to save up your dowries, which is a win-win situation."
Yu Xue blushed and stamped her foot. She was always shy when talking about her marriage.
"This servant will not marry," Yu Xue said sullenly.
"Don't give me that. Your sister Yu Xiao said time and again that she wouldn't get married, but now she has a son and a daughter, and it's great for her to be the matriarch. Don't worry, I will make sure you both find a good home." Yi Hua chuckled as she thought of Yu Xiao's children. The two kids were both incredibly mischievous, completely unlike Yu Xiao's composure, which was quite amusing.
"Your Majesty, what if the Emperor really takes a concubine?" Yu Xue was still worried.
“Silly Yuxue, you didn’t see it clearly. According to the Emperor’s personality, he won’t mention the selection of concubines in the three years since the late Emperor passed away. As for those who didn’t come through the selection process, either their background is so powerful that the Emperor has to compromise, or the Emperor really likes them.”
"No matter which one it is, there's nothing I can do. Let's just wait and see."
After saying this, the master and servants arrived at Changchun Immortal Hall. Although it was still early, the room was already bustling with activity.
When Yi Hua entered, she saw several unfamiliar women. She recognized the one sitting at the very end; it was Wu Ya Hui Xia.
It seems the Empress Dowager still wants to take care of her maternal family, but Huixia is a blockhead. She just lowers her head and doesn't try to curry favor with the Empress Dowager, making her uncooperative attitude obvious.
Yi Hua gave out the gift, and without disturbing the Empress Dowager's observation of the girl, she took her leave.
Back at Bitong Academy, Yihua sat in front of the dressing mirror and touched the corner of her eye. There were already some slight lines there, a gift from the years, which no one can escape.
Compared to those young and tender women, Yihua was indeed not young enough, while Yinzhen was still in his prime, the most charming time in everyone's eyes. So when the Empress Dowager gave just a hint, countless people flocked to him.
Although Yi Hua said she would wait and see, she was still a little annoyed. After thinking for a moment, she gave the order that she would go boating to the pavilion in the middle of the lake today.
The servants were quick enough that Yihua had lunch at the pavilion in the middle of the lake. What she saw was lotus leaves that stretched out across the entire lake. These were the ones that Yinzhen had planted with his brothers in their playful antics back then, and now they had grown into a beautiful sight in the Yuanmingyuan Garden.
"Are there still dancers in the garden? Let them go on the painted boats, and pick the best singers." Yi Hua leaned back in her chair, enjoying Yu Ling's massage.
"yes."
Yinzhen was touring the garden with the current Prince Yi (the thirteenth prince) and several trusted ministers when they happened to hear the sound of drums and music. They all went to the lakeside to join in the fun.
Although they were some distance apart, Prince Yi recognized the Empress in the pavilion at a glance, and looked away, saying, "The dancers trained in the garden have a unique charm; no wonder my sister-in-law likes them too."
The others then realized what was going on and quietly went to see what the Empress, who was the most favored concubine in the harem, looked like, but unfortunately they couldn't see her clearly from the angle.
Yinzhen waved his hand, indicating that they could go home and rest, and then boarded the small boat and headed towards the center of the lake.
Two people suddenly appeared on the lake. Yi Hua could still see them. She reached out and pulled Yin Zhen up. Su Peisheng settled the small boat and stood properly beside Yu Ling.
Yu Ling took two steps, and Su Peisheng noticed, immediately offering a forced smile.
He knew that he had offended the Empress because of Qianqian's matter last time, and he could see that the palace maids around her were no longer enthusiastic.
A gentle breeze blew in from all directions, and Yinzhen felt very relaxed. He reached out and touched Yihua's hand, which was a little cool: "The wind is strong on the lake. If you want to come and play, you should wear more clothes."
"Your Majesty, rest assured, I know what I'm doing." Yi Hua felt the warmth in her palm and suddenly smiled mischievously. "Speaking of which, I've been looking for some peace and quiet."
Yinzhen looked at her with a puzzled expression.
"Nowadays, the palace is full of beauties, each more beautiful than the last. The Emperor must find me an eyesore. I am well aware of that."
Yinzhen suddenly realized, and he gave Yihua a meaningful look: "Jealous?"
"Who's jealous?!" Yi Hua exploded like a cat whose tail had been stepped on.
"Fool." Yinzhen pulled up Yihua's collar. "How long have you been sitting here? Go back. I want to take a nap."
Looking at the small boat moored on the lake, Yi Hua suddenly had a whimsical idea: "Your Majesty, how about we rest on the small boat? Think about it, the lake water is gently swaying, and there are large lotus leaves all around. We can drift wherever we want, free and unrestrained."
"Hmm." Yinzhen said thoughtfully, "It's not impossible."
Although it was described as a small boat, the boat that Yinzhen was sitting on was not the kind of lone boat that could only carry one person. Instead, it had an inner room and a deck, and was almost a miniature version of a painted boat.
Just as Yi Hua had imagined, the inner room had a single bed and a coffee table. Although it was a bit simple, it was quite interesting.
Yinzhen gestured for Yihua to lie on the inside, which was actually against the rules. Logically, Yihua should lie on the outside so that she could easily serve Yinzhen tea and water.
However, Yi Hua was indeed tired, and without being polite to Yin Zhen, she took off her coat and crawled into bed.
Seeing this, Su Peisheng stopped the maid who wanted to follow him in to serve, and quietly closed the cabin door.
The light in the room dimmed instantly. Yi Hua yawned and was about to close her eyes when she suddenly felt a warm, large hand on her waist, and the hand was slowly moving upwards.
Yi Hua immediately came to her senses and looked up at Yin Zhen.
With a swift movement, Yinzhen pinned Yihua beneath him, letting out a low chuckle. He leaned down and silenced Yihua's lips as she tried to protest.
From a distance, the small boat swayed gently on the lake.
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