Chapter 20 The Palace is Bright in the Morning Sun
Qingzan's hands holding the imperial edict trembled uncontrollably due to the surge of emotion in her heart.
She couldn't help but think, since the emperor was able to find the clue about her mother, he must know her life experience, and he also knew that she didn't want to have the surname Duan, so, did he also know how her mother died?
The noise in the hall suddenly became far away from Qingzan.
The Queen Mother left early, taking Xun Huan with her. The banquet was more relaxed towards the end, with lively and enthusiastic banter, as if there was endless excitement, and those beautiful women couldn't stop their lips and tongues.
"The niece of a servant is more impressive than ordinary ladies." This sentence is about Xun Huan.
"What is the background of this beauty Ying? How did she get the title and become a beauty right from the start?" This sentence is referring to her.
Qingzan looked up and saw the queen's eyes not far away, full of resentment as if they wanted to drill through her.
The Queen has lost some of her power now, and there are fewer people willing to follow her, but after all, the position of Empress is there, and a lean camel is bigger than a horse, so Concubine Wu still treats her as her master.
She quickly recognized that Qingzan was the palace maid from Fengzao Palace whom she had praised for her beauty in front of the Queen.
After glancing at the Queen's attitude, Concubine Wu walked up to Qingzan and said, "This must be Sister Ying, right?" She pulled Qingzan affectionately and led her in front of everyone.
"Tell me, forget about those of us who came from the Eastern Palace. Although we've all been granted grace and the lowest rank is a concubine, we've still managed to get through life. But when Sister Keying arrived, she was put on equal footing with Concubine Yang, the highest-ranking of the new concubines selected through the election. How much favor does that have to come from His Majesty? It seems those who find their way are different, huh?"
As she spoke, she looked around, and finally her eyes settled on Qingzan again. Concubine Wu had someone pour a cup of tea over: "Sister Ying, you must go and offer a cup of tea to the Empress. After all, you have worked in Fengzao Palace, and you must not forget your roots."
Concubine Wu's purpose this time is to solidify her identity as Qingzan and make all the new concubines whose ranks are lower than hers regard her as an enemy. Those are noble ladies from respectable families, but in the end, they are worse than a palace maid who sells out her master for fame and fortune. Who can swallow this humiliation?
The so-called finding a way is naturally finding a way to climb onto the dragon bed.
Qingzan didn't make Concubine Wu seem like she was talking to herself, and she cooperated by taking the teacup.
"Your Majesty, I offer you tea."
She walked in front of the people, and spoke softly and slowly so that the queen could hear clearly the word "concubine" when she called herself.
Perhaps because of this, even though there was no trace of satisfaction on her face, the Queen still felt extremely disgusted at the mere sight of her.
After having someone maintain the tea-serving posture for a moment, the Queen was about to raise her hand and sneered, "When did you change your surname to Cheng? Indeed, just like this dress, it's different now. You've dressed like a human being. Since I was once your mistress, I have a bond with you. Let's not dwell on what happened in the past. As a concubine in the future, you must abide by the rules of a concubine. I will also give you more advice."
When Qingzan heard this, she realized that the Queen didn't even know her mother's surname. It seemed that she hated her, and her contempt was also genuine. However, it might not be long before the Queen came to her senses.
"I will always remember your teachings, Your Majesty. I will always think of your kindness and will never forget it."
As he said this, the fingertips of the person opposite him stretched out nonchalantly had not yet touched the cup holder, but Qingzan let go of his hand.
The cup fell straight to the ground between the two of them, and the warm water splashed out in an instant, like snow, and neither of their clothes was spared.
"What are you doing!" The sudden change made the queen stunned for a moment, then she hurriedly stood up and shook off the water on her skirt. The maid also knelt down and wiped her with a towel.
Although the Queen had no intention of accepting the servants' tea properly, just like when she was at the Marquis' Mansion and in front of her grandmother, when she overturned the teacup and splashed it all over someone, it could still be said that she didn't hold it firmly.
But God knows, this time she hasn't even had the chance to take action!
The queen suddenly realized that she did it on purpose.
Qingzan did it on purpose.
Since no matter what she did, the Queen would say that she was not sure, why not do as she wished?
She knew the Queen's tricks too well, but the Queen had never seen hers.
The sufferings of the past will not be in vain. From now on, as long as the queen makes a small move, she can make others think it is ten points.
The right and wrong in this palace is a pool of extremely sad and muddy water, which can be stirred up by anyone.
"Is your Majesty okay?" the maid asked the queen.
Dong'er also ran over and asked Qingzan: "Did the beauty get burned?"
When the two sides confront each other, outsiders cannot tell who is right and who is wrong, or who should be blamed. However, on the surface, they can only blame the person of lower status.
Concubine Hui came over and asked: "Why are you so careless?"
Qingzan lowered her eyes and apologized to the queen.
Seeing this, Concubine Hui whispered to her, "I know I've wronged you. Go back first, take a look at your new home, change your clothes, and put your things in order. If you need anything, feel free to tell me."
The Queen, being close by, heard it all and was nearly paralyzed with rage. She quickly labeled the two accomplices, saying they were working in cahoots to cause her trouble.
How is Concubine Hui showing off her power as the temporary manager of the six palaces?
Unexpectedly, after the two left, Concubine Wu also put on a timid smile and helped up: "I will accompany the Queen to change clothes? In my opinion, she will not amount to anything. Look, the Queen just gave her a little trouble and she immediately tucked her tail between her legs."
The Queen almost gnashed her teeth and said, "It's not me."
Are they both blind?
*
Qingzan walked out of the hall and saw the imperial carriage parked not far away.
Outside the canopy were two teams of guards, wearing armor and holding sharp weapons. Therefore, even though the emperor stopped here, outsiders did not dare to approach and disturb him.
When Xu Delu saw someone coming out, he waved to her slightly.
As soon as Qing Zan got in the car, Xiao Fang said calmly, "I was worried you didn't know the way."
Qing Zan sat down beside him and said, "It's not my first day in the palace."
Xiao Fang quickly noticed the tea stains on her dress.
Without him asking, Qing Zan said, "My hand trembled."
If he had not been thinking about escaping from the suffocating environment as quickly as possible, perhaps he would have offered the entire cup of tea to the Empress in her noble Luojin Zhai dress.
She doesn't need those people's jealousy and resentment to crown herself and add embellishment.
Upon hearing this, Xiao Fang immediately stretched out his arms, pulled her close, and whispered to her, "If you really want to talk about it, isn't it my fault?"
He chuckled, with a hint of meaning.
Qingzan's hand, which was being held by someone, suddenly seemed to become weak and powerless.
When the carriage started moving, Concubine Zhen had just come out of the palace. The Linde Palace was composed of three main halls connected together, with corridors running crisscross. She heard that the emperor was outside and it was too late to chase after him.
She pursed her lips and said to the palace maid beside her, "It feels like it's been ages since we last met. We have to fast and offer sacrifices again, and now he's gone."
Downstairs, a maid found Consort Yuan standing beneath an octagonal silk-painted palace lantern. "I saw it happen. Consort Wu did follow the Empress to Fengzao Palace. I hope she'll return to Qingdu Palace later and stop causing trouble here. We already have Consort Ying in our own palace, and she's already irritating us enough..."
The Hongye Tower where Yuan Xuanshi lived was located in the Liyang Palace. There was no main seat there and it was close to the Qingdu Palace. A few days ago, Ying Cairen always used the excuse of rehearsing music for the Empress Dowager's birthday banquet to block Concubine Wu. So Concubine Wu changed her place of leisure and came to the Hongye Tower every few days.
Concubine Wu didn't do anything too extreme. It seemed that she just enjoyed having people pay their respects to her and drink tea with her.
Only when she could no longer see the emperor's dazzling procession in the night did Concubine Yuan look away.
She remembered Qingzan. They seemed to have met not long ago.
"It's really a great method."
However, she did not hate this beautiful lady Ying. A woman from the lower class had to grow up against the oppression of patriarchy and husband power. The pain she went through was needless to say. It was unknown how she could have the special favor she had today by being tactful and begging in front of the emperor.
Since it is so difficult for everyone, let her borrow a little help from this beautiful lady Ying.
Consort Yuan turned back and found Consort Zhao in the palace. She was chatting with Zhou Baolin. She hadn't yet realized the emperor had left, and she was eagerly hoping that after the front hall was over, he might come to the back hall. So, having finished her meal, she still sat there, idly waiting. She also dragged Zhou Baolin along, refusing to leave herself or anyone else.
Consort Yuan walked over with a faint smile and said, "Sister, I heard that His Majesty has left. Should we go back too? The water hyacinths on the Taiye Lake are blooming. We can see them on our way back."
"Gone?" Zhao Cairen poked the maid's forehead. "Useless thing, why didn't you come to tell me?"
She grumbled impatiently again: "What's so good about a lowly floating grass?"
Consort Yuan said calmly, "Sister, don't you remember? The Concubine Ying we met today was the palace maid we saw when we first met Your Majesty on the palace road that day."
Zhao Cairen had almost forgotten the incident, but after this reminder, her memory of that day immediately came flooding back. The emperor had walked straight past her that day, as if she didn't exist!
So it was that palace maid?
Consort Zhao was startled. She was already displeased with this sudden appearance of Consort Ying, and now she was even more indignant: "It turned out to be her! She was clearly hooking up with His Majesty at that time, and she still dared to lie to me!"
Consort Yuan pondered for a moment, then said with some concern, "Although I am a humble servant, I have earned the emperor's favor. My sister even threw her things away back then. I hope she won't hate me once she gains power."
Zhao Cairen pretended to be strong and said, "How dare she?"
*
In Chengluan Palace, there were already six palace maids and four eunuchs waiting. Originally, a beauty should have been served by eight palace maids, but Xiao Fang specially left two positions empty for her to place her own people.
After he sent her to the outside of Chengluan Palace, he leaned on the throne of the chariot with a haughty and arrogant look, watching her get off without going with her.
Qingzan turned around to look at him. Just now in the car, she actually wanted to ask him about her mother, but she was a little timid and didn't dare to listen.
Besides, he had already helped her so much.
So she just curled up in his arms, letting him take his interest in her, and gradually became limp like water.
As he said, she was burdened with debts that she could no longer pay off, yet she was destined to scheme and seek more.
Seeing the person lingering and looking back at him, Xiao Fang raised his eyebrows and asked with his eyes, "Hmm?"
Qingzan smiled and took a few steps back.
Until he was sure it was far enough away that he couldn't see clearly.
She finally stopped with red eyes.
Xiao Fang realized that she was seeing him off respectfully, and he was still a little uncomfortable with her gentleness and politeness.
The emperor set off again, and Qingzan turned around and entered Chengluan Palace.
But the moment she entered, the lights inside and outside the side hall on the east side lit up at once.
The shock at this moment is like lying on the top of a mountain and seeing the east suddenly turn white and the morning sun shine brightly. The chaos is gone, and the world is renewed just for you. Every step is bright and grand.
The building that was dark just now changed from a faint outline like a mirage to a Dan Pavilion with golden and colorful buildings that could be seen clearly.
Qingzan hesitated, and when she hesitated to move forward, a smiling face of Zhang Xin came to greet her in front of Baoyuyou Pavilion: "Your servant (slave) respectfully welcomes the beauty!"
*
On the return journey, Xu Delu followed beside the carriage and suddenly asked cautiously, "Your Majesty, why is Miss Qingzan... and Lady Ying so anxious to move out? In my opinion, during the few days of your fasting, even if it's just to have Lady Ying by your side to serve you with writing materials, that would be very good."
Xiao Fang opened his eyes and looked at the person, then turned his gaze back to look at the palace path in front of the car, where the night scene was scattered all over the ground.
"How can I meditate while I am fasting while she is here?"
After that, he added in a deep voice:
"Too noisy."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
