Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Poor
After Xu Delu finished speaking, he took small steps to follow the imperial carriage.
Qingzan stood up, holding an umbrella in one hand and a box in the other. She had no choice but to carry the basket of water gourds on her arm, and her sleeves drooped on the green leaves, and the damp feeling was cold and lingering.
Reminiscent of a bad night.
And there are so many tricky troubles that come with it.
Now we are at the mercy of others and don’t know how to find room for maneuver.
She did not linger any longer to look in the direction of the departing emperor. After this delay, her lunch break time seemed even less ample. Just as she was about to turn back, a sharp female voice sounded behind her.
"stop!"
Qing Zan was actually a little tired of performing the ritual. She numbly and mechanically turned around, bowed her head, and saluted: "Master, what are your instructions?"
Zhao Cairen came over aggressively, her eyes sweeping across the basket of water hyacinths before finally staring at the box in her arms. "What did His Majesty give you?"
Zhou Baolin and Yuan Xuanshi also followed, standing on Zhao Cairen's left and right, like two loyal bodyguards cheering her on.
Qingzan hurried back, not wanting to deal with them too much, so she said the truth: "Your Majesty did not say what was inside, he just asked me to deliver it on the way."
Zhao Cairen was slightly startled. She looked at the palace maid who kept bowing her head and asked, "Where are you sending her?"
Qingzan didn't want to involve Concubine Yang's name at this time, but the fact that the emperor gave Concubine Yang a box of jade materials alone would spread sooner or later.
He replied, "Huying Pavilion."
Zhao Cairen obviously didn't expect this answer.
Yang, it’s Yang again.
Ever since she was canonized, no, ever since the newcomers entered the palace to learn etiquette, when everyone was still a concubine, Yang relied on her background to gain the favor of the aunts. Her own family background was originally outstanding, but because she was overshadowed by her, she could only be lost in the crowd.
Last night, Yang was the first to serve in the imperial bed, and this morning, she beat her to the punch when she went to Ziquan Palace to recommend herself... I heard she's been trying to curry favor with the Empress Dowager lately. Her ambitions to enter the palace are almost ruined by Yang!
Concubine Zhao was gritting her teeth, and her jealousy and resentment towards Concubine Yang was transferred to Qingzan's face, which was replaced by an even more contemptuous and unkind look.
Without warning, she reached out and suddenly grabbed a handful of water hyacinths from the green hairpin basket. Then, as if she had touched something dirty, she quickly threw it to the ground in disgust, "Is this also what Lady Yang wanted?"
Most of the palace maids in front of the emperor were female officials of high ranks, and their clothing was more similar to that of the female officials of the Six Shangs. The woman in front of her was obviously working in the palace of the empress and concubines, so Zhao Cairen mistook Qingzan for someone from Yang Meiren's palace.
This time, without Qingzan's reply, she took it for granted. Glancing at the neatly arranged water hyacinths in Qingzan's basket, clearly meant for viewing, she scoffed, "What a lowly flower or grass! There are people who like it."
Perhaps it was the shadow of the emperor's affairs that had come before her that Qing Zan explained: "My Lord, this servant is not from Lady Yang's palace."
But Zhao Cairen knew she was wrong, and her expression didn't change: "I don't care where you are from."
Just a slave.
After saying that, he immediately stepped on the messy green branches that were as tender as dye and fell into the puddle, and rushed over with great momentum.
Only Consort Yuan, who was beside her, turned around to glance at the woman who was seeing them off in the rain-soaked corridor. She saw that the brim of the umbrella above her head was pulled down very low, so her face could not be seen clearly.
Since she is neither from Yang's palace nor a member of the imperial court, why did Your Majesty choose her to deliver the jade material?
However, she was quickly pulled by Lady Zhao's arm. After the arrogance wore off, Lady Zhao became worried: "I wonder if Lady Yang will whisper in His Majesty's ear and say something bad about me!"
Consort Yuan consoled her, "Concubine Yang's influence has been growing recently, but Sister Zhao is exceptionally talented and beautiful, and she also has a relationship with Zheng Xiuyi. Even if she constantly whispers in His Majesty's ear, His Majesty may not necessarily listen. Regardless, Sister Zhao will never be buried in His Majesty's sight."
Yuan was just the daughter of a doctoral student at the Imperial College. She didn't come from a high-class family, but she was quite smart and never talked much. That was why Zhao Cairen was willing to get close to her, as he seemed to regard Yuan as his think tank.
Hearing this, he relaxed again and only muttered, "My cousin can't even hold the power to manage the six palaces. I don't know if I can rely on her."
After they left, Qingzan squatted down and picked up the water hyacinths one by one and put them back into the basket.
Palace ladies were not allowed to throw things outside at will. If they left filth on the road, they would be punished with ten strokes of the cane.
In the distance, Xu Delu returned. He had originally intended to remind Qingzan that His Majesty had scheduled meetings with several other adults tonight and that he would likely return after dinner at Fengzao Palace. This would allow the Empress to be mentally prepared in advance.
What's more, it's obvious that His Majesty wanted to meet someone else when he went to Fengzao Palace this time, so he probably wouldn't stay with the Empress for too long. It's just that he couldn't remind her openly.
It was not appropriate to go forward and speak at this moment, so he had to go back and report what he had seen to the emperor.
For no other reason than to confirm once again the importance of this palace maid in His Majesty's heart.
Although this palace maid is obviously somewhat special, is it one point or two points?
The emperor calmly stepped down from the imperial carriage and walked into the Ziquan Palace. Just when Xu Delu thought he was wrong, he heard that cold voice.
"Is she so easy to bully?"
Your Majesty listened.
In Ziquan Palace, before the Empress Dowager sent someone to invite the Emperor, she had already made a preliminary decision on the candidates to host the Dragon Boat Festival banquet.
Nanny Lian looked at the names on the list and said, "It's only been half a day since you told me to pass on the news, and only Lady Yang, Lady Zhao, and Yu Baolin have arrived. Should we wait a little longer?"
There aren't many people who responded yet, which makes the Empress Dowager seem less respectable.
The Queen Mother said without batting an eyelid: "I can wait for them, but opportunities like this don't always come to me."
After hearing this, Lian Ma knew that the Queen Mother had made up her mind: "Yes, I understand. From this perspective, this Lady Yang is a pioneer. She even knew to send you wild ginseng. She is doing herself well."
As he was speaking, the Emperor arrived. The Empress Dowager heard him say "easy to bully" and stopped talking to Nanny Lian. Instead, she looked at the Emperor with amusement and asked, "Who is easy to bully?"
The emperor simply saluted and said, "Your son pays his respects to your mother, the queen."
Seeing that he didn't want to talk, the Queen Mother didn't ask any more questions. She showed him the two names written on the paper and said, "Originally, you wouldn't have to review such a trivial matter, but I thought that since they are new to your harem, you should pay more attention to them."
According to the Empress Dowager's wishes, Concubine Yang was chosen to be the host, with Concubine Zhao as her assistant.
The emperor glanced at it briefly and then let it go: "Let Yang handle it."
The implication is that there is no need for Zhao Cairen.
The Empress Dowager hadn't expected the Emperor to actually have other opinions. He had always refrained from interfering in such matters. She raised an eyebrow, "It seems Yang is quite to your liking."
In the Empress Dowager's view, Concubine Zhao had never seen the Emperor in bed, so there was no reason for the Emperor to be displeased. It must be Yang's fault.
The emperor didn't deny it, but Xu Delu had a guess...
He glanced at the emperor subtly.
At this moment, what Xiao Fang was thinking about was not Yang, but a pale and beautiful face.
Thinking of her holding an umbrella in the rain and squatting to pick up weak branches, they must have felt sorry for each other.
Lian Mama brought up tea and snacks and interrupted, "This servant sees that Concubine Zhao and her mistress, the beauty, have always been at odds, and it's not certain that she will wholeheartedly assist you."
"What do you know? Yang has been to Ziquan Palace several times. I am afraid that someone will say that I am biased after making this decision. From now on, everyone will just focus on me." As she said this, the empress dowager was still looking at the emperor.
This is exactly the purpose of Nanny Lian's talkativeness. It seems that she is speaking for the emperor, but in fact it allows the empress dowager to express her ideas and avoids the situation of direct argument between the empress dowager and His Majesty and her son.
Xiao Fang had come back to his senses and smiled faintly: "So what if I am partial? Where the Queen Mother is selfish, there is justice."
The Queen Mother laughed happily when she heard this: "You are really going to confuse me with your mouth."
Then he made the decision and said, "As you wish. After all, it's your own harem. It's settled. I'll send someone to inform Yang later."
In fact, Concubine Yang has the highest family background and status among the newcomers, and has recently been favored by the Empress Dowager. Even if His Majesty has not expressed any different opinions, any discerning person can see that when Zhao Cairen's name is put together, it seems more like a bonus to help Concubine Yang.
Nanny Lian had seen how Concubine Yang and the Empress Dowager got along. The Empress Dowager had always disliked the Empress Dowager. If it weren't for the fact that the Yongning Marquis's Mansion had saved the late Emperor's life, how could she have allowed a person who was dressed in gold and jade but was rotten at heart to become her daughter-in-law.
But Concubine Yang was different. She was as sweet-mouthed as a melon. The empress dowager didn't even say a word for her, but she won the first chance to sleep with the emperor on her own.
Even the nanny couldn't understand why the Queen Mother chose two people to do the job together.
After the Emperor left, she took advantage of the Empress Dowager's lunch break to chat with her and said, "I think this is a good idea. If two people work together, there will inevitably be some competition. They will definitely compete with each other in the small items they are responsible for. I don't think they can really work together."
The Queen Mother did not hide the truth from her, "Zhao is indeed more frivolous than her cousin. I know this. I was originally thinking that if I let Yang handle it alone, I was afraid Zhao would be dissatisfied and develop other ideas. Yang's failure to fulfill her responsibilities would be a small matter, but ruining the grand banquet would be a big deal. It would be better to give Zhao a fair chance to compete."
Lian Ma understood what was going on: "Your Majesty is wise. Let Concubine Zhao also take on the responsibility of hosting the banquet. Then she won't be able to cause trouble and harm me."
"Even though it was Talented Lady Zhao, she didn't have this blessing."
The Empress Dowager smiled, leaning back on the couch as she ordered the records of the Empress's management of the harem's miscellaneous affairs over the past month to be brought over. "It's too early to tell. But right now, it seems that Yang is indeed more fortunate. Wang has the title of Zhen, but she's only interested in love affairs, spoiled and incapable of taking charge. Shi, despite being a Zhaoyi, is arrogant and aloof, and equally unsuitable for such a big responsibility. As for Zheng... she's not ambitious enough. I hope Yang can be employed. This small banquet isn't small at all. If it goes well, promoting her to assist in the management of the six palaces in the future will be a great achievement, and I can enjoy a peaceful and peaceful life."
*
Qingzan first delivered the jade material to Huying Pavilion, but didn't enter. She simply handed it to the eunuch at the door. The eunuch, grinning from ear to ear, escorted her all the way to Guanju Palace. "I knew this jade material was reserved for the ladies, but I didn't expect our beauty would also have a share, and it was specifically ordered by His Majesty! I'm sorry to trouble you so much, young lady."
Qingzan felt guilty the more she heard this. She picked up the basket that was temporarily placed by the wall and said, "Sir, please stay. Your Majesty values beautiful women. I am just stopping by. It's not a big deal."
When they returned to Fengzao Palace, it was too late to have lunch. Even the water hyacinth was only placed at the gate of the lower courtyard. After telling the palace maids in the main hall that the emperor was coming to have dinner with the empress, Qingzan returned to her post.
When the Queen woke up from her nap, she heard this unexpected good news. She jumped up from her couch in surprise and said, "Am I still dreaming?"
Just as Jin Yu was about to say something soothing, the Queen pinched her arm and twisted it hard: "How is it? Does it hurt?"
"It doesn't hurt... it hurts! Your Majesty, it hurts a lot. You are not dreaming. His Majesty is thinking of you." Jin Yu subconsciously did not dare to cry out in pain at first, and only quickly changed her words when she saw the Queen's unhappy expression.
The Queen had no time to comfort a maid. She had woken up from her nap and got up in her slippers. "Quick, call them in. I need to wash and dress."
Jin Yu hugged her arms and rubbed them again and again. She always thought that she was loyal to her master, but at this time she couldn't help but feel jealous of Qing Zan. Why did she only need to work in the warehouse, but she had to live in fear in front of her master every day... After her master entered the palace, his temper became worse and worse, and he was so moody!
Yes, how could she forget Qingzan? She couldn’t let Qingzan have it too easy.
Seeing that no one moved, the Queen gathered her silk nightgown and glared at him: "What are you still standing there for? Heir."
Jin Yu hurriedly sent for help, then stepped forward to help the Queen put on her pearl shoes properly: "Your Majesty, there is one more thing..."
It was a rare occasion for His Majesty to come to see her today, so the Queen magnanimously didn't argue with him: "If you have something to say, just say it quickly. Why hesitate?"
Jin Yu approached her, "The news that His Majesty was coming was passed on by Qing Zan."
Without Jin Yu saying anything more, the Queen was shocked and angry: "How could it be her? How dare she do this to me——"
Among the palace maids who came in to serve as makeup staff was the young maid who had previously been given the ointment for the green hairpin. At first, she didn't understand why the Queen was so angry, but then she thought, the Queen seemed to always be on guard against them from contacting the Emperor without permission. Even most of the palace maids retained in the front hall were not very good-looking.
She suppressed her fear and said, "Your Majesty, please don't get too angry. You will be receiving the Emperor soon. I heard that she met someone from the Imperial Court on her way back, and the Imperial Court eunuch informed her."
In order to reduce unnecessary trouble, Qingzan deliberately avoided mentioning the emperor when she reported the matter to him. After all, the news was indeed told to her by the eunuch in front of the emperor.
As for the little palace maid, she was not stupid since she could stay in the front hall for so long. When she spoke, she tried to conceal her motives by saying that she just wanted the queen not to be angry.
Even if she repays the favor of the bottle of ointment!
The queen's expression indeed softened, and she gave Jin Yu a cold look.
When did her right-hand men and left-hand men stop being devoted to the master and start having impure intentions?
Before Jin Yu could even glare at the young maid, she knelt down fearfully, "I dare not lie to your Majesty!"
Unexpectedly, the Queen smiled again and said, "Never mind, it's all the same. Go and call Qingzan."
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