Chapter 54 Undercurrent "Don't think too much."
Concubine Zhao hesitated for a moment, wondering whether to tell her cousin about Qing Zan. She wasn't completely clueless, and she couldn't fathom Qing Zan's revelation that the Queen was the culprit behind the mud snake.
Concubine Ying herself had a bad relationship with the Queen, so she wanted to do her a favor and let her and the forces behind her deal with the Queen.
But it is an indisputable fact that the queen did harm herself.
It was not difficult to guess what the queen was thinking. Before Zhao Tingguang got married, she was the center of attention among the noble ladies. All the noble ladies who often feasted with her were afraid of her. But if she was in a bad mood for two days, they would not even dare to get close to her.
The queen must have wanted to use this method to suppress her before she could come to prominence.
Zhao Cairen had always been disrespectful to her cousin, and now she acted like a young lady and said, "Don't worry about it."
Concubine Hui remained the same as before, not angry at all. "Even if you didn't tell me, I could still guess. Is it Ming Zhaoyi? Is it Ying Ronghua?"
Whenever she asked, she would look at her cousin's expression. For a straightforward person, her expression would always betray her first.
The vested interests in this matter are naturally the primary suspects of Concubine Hui.
Zhao Cairen had already shaken off the shame of not having washed properly for months. She had originally folded her arms and looked impatient, but when she heard Rong Hua's position, she turned her head back abruptly:
"Ying Ronghua?"
"Is she already Ronghua?"
Concubine Hui then remembered that her cousin was now living in the mountains, oblivious to the changing world. She patiently explained, "Not only that, but during the Autumn Hunt, His Majesty offered promotions as prizes for participating. Zhou Baolin was also promoted to Talented Person, but Yuan... it's a pity for Yuan."
Zhao Cairen has complicated feelings towards Yuan Xianshi, but she is at least a wise general on her side.
The worry he felt was real: "What happened to her?"
Concubine Hui: "She was left in the Buddhist temple in the hunting palace to pray for blessings."
When it came to praying for blessings, Concubine Hui seemed reluctant, because Yuan was, after all, just a young girl.
Concubine Hui quickly thought, "How much did Yuan know about your plan that day, and how much did she participate in it?"
"Cousin, do you treat me as a criminal now?" Concubine Zhao was feeling upset because she missed the chance to be promoted in the autumn hunt. Suddenly, she sat up straight on her knees and started to push Concubine Hui out.
Many palace servants stole glances over because of the commotion inside. Concubine Zhao, hoping to save some face with Concubine Hui, said forcefully, "As for the Empress, if I tell you today, who will be willing to confide in me in the future? Cousin, it's best not to ask. All you need to know is that the Empress is our common enemy—don't forget who supported you, and don't try to show off in front of me in the future."
So what if Concubine Hui is in charge of the six palaces? She will always be inferior to her.
The person accompanying Concubine Hui today was Xiangsu. She was feeling suffocated and aggrieved for her, and her words inevitably lost their temper: "Your Majesty, His Majesty didn't make you Concubine Hui just to let a mere talent ride on your head!"
Concubine Hui wanted to scold her harshly, but when she saw Xiangsu holding an umbrella for her while she herself was half soaked, she swallowed her words.
The autumn days in the palace are later than those in the mountains. Normally, the weather should be cool and refreshing now, but because of such a rain, the chill actually penetrates into people's bones.
Concubine Hui sighed, "Haste breeds chaos. I've taught you countless times. In this palace, don't think about how to make others' lives worse, but how to make your own life better. It's not difficult for me to win over a spoiled girl like her in verbal battle today, but my relationship with her, and that of both our families, will deteriorate because of this, and there will be endless troubles in the future."
Looking at all the women in the palace who were employed by the emperor, including Ming Zhaoyi, Zhen Jieyu, and her, most of them who held high positions understood this principle, so they would not cause trouble easily.
If possible, Concubine Hui really didn't want to be an enemy of anyone, especially the Queen.
But it was obvious that the queen did not understand this principle.
While Concubine Hui was pondering, Concubine Zhou also arrived at Chunhezhai. After leaving Wanghai Tower, she went back to her own Chenhuazhai to change into clean clothes. Unexpectedly, in her haste, she changed her clothes in vain.
However, she and Concubine Yuan originally lived together in Liyang Palace. Now when she returned, she saw that the steps of the Hongye Tower opposite were covered with dust and the person was no longer there. This made Concubine Zhou more determined to persuade Concubine Zhao.
Now that her status is equal to Sister Zhao's, she should have a chance to speak, right?
Zhou Cairen did not come empty-handed. She brought a set of tea sets that the Ministry of Internal Affairs had given her after she was promoted to Cairen.
"Sister Zhao, Sister Zhao, I'm here to see you! Look what I brought you?"
The more courtesy, the less blame there is. Besides, all the things in Zhao Cairen's room have been moved out, and it will take time to replenish them.
After such a separation, Lady Zhao still held her in contempt. Seeing the tea set, she sat in front of the mirror and sneered, "Oh, you used to be the one giving you things, but now you can't wait to give them to me?"
Zhou Cai came from a well-off family, her father was a fifth-rank official, and she had always been a pampered young lady. Her eyes welled up when she heard this: "Sister, what are you talking about? Sister Yuan is no longer in the palace, and you're all I have left. Naturally, all the good things should go to you. The tea set I use now is the same one I used when I was Baolin."
Seeing that she was indeed affectionate, Consort Zhao let the maid tie her hair while waving her hand, "Alright, you can take it back. I'm not used to it! If I need anything, my cousin will naturally send it to me. Compared to the things I used to have at home, a Consort's share is far from enough."
Concubine Zhou stepped forward and stood behind Concubine Zhao, putting her arm around her shoulders and saying, "Sister, I don't want to see His Majesty anymore, I don't want to be favored by His Majesty anymore. I just want us to be well. Please don't hurt anyone again."
Zhao Cairen raised her eyebrows: "Who did I harm?"
Zhou Cairen whispered, "Ying, Ying Ronghua... Sister didn't see how much His Majesty dotes on Ying Ronghua. If we touch the person dear to His Majesty, wouldn't we be asking for trouble?"
Zhao Cairen held her temples and said, "Who said I wanted to harm her?"
Zhou Cairen breathed a sigh of relief and was stroking his chest.
Zhao Cairen, however, said with a heroic and high-spirited voice, "A tree that stands out in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. I don't want to harm others, but they won't let me go. What we have to deal with now is—the Queen!"
The fact that His Majesty lifted her house arrest ahead of time was enough to show that her Zhao family was now very meritorious, and His Majesty might even support her family in ascending to the throne by stepping on the Yongning Marquisate.
Zhou Cairen screamed "Ah", his body went limp, and he almost collapsed to the ground.
This, this is worse than facing Ying Ronghua!
*
Chengluan Palace and Zhaoshui Palace.
Seeing that the emperor personally brought the master back, the palace maids naturally lined the streets to greet him. Initially, they were confused as to why His Majesty had carried the master all the way into the palace before putting her down. When they saw the woman emerging from the emperor's arms, her rouge was smudged, her hair was disheveled, her clothes were disheveled, and worst of all, her shoes were stained with water.
Then they looked at each other with clear eyes, and someone went in and brought out a cloak and a new set of clothes and shoes.
The emperor placed Qing Zan on the couch and wrapped her in his cloak. Turning around, he saw Dou Kou and several palace maids covering their mouths and laughing. He glanced at them and said, "What are you all guessing about?"
Most of her mess was caused by the fall, and she wasn't laughing in such a frivolous way like them. The emperor didn't do anything to her in that place, he just kissed and hugged her...
Doukou glanced at the emperor and saw that he was only looking at her master. He gently brushed the loose hair away from her face. Only then did she dare to act cute and said, "I think it must be raining outside and the master got caught in the rain. I have asked someone to prepare hot water."
Xiao Fang squatted down and personally took off Qingzan's sticky shoes: "You palace maids are quite clever."
The "smart" Doukou hurriedly handed over the lacquer tray containing the new and clean shoes and socks, but her eyes fell obediently on the ground.
Before the white silk stockings were taken off, Qingzan curled her toes inward and hid for a moment: "I want to take a bath first, otherwise it would be a waste of time to change."
Xiao Fang understood her meaning instantly and stood up decisively, saying, "Shall I carry you?"
"I can do it myself!"
Qingzan wanted to put on her shoes, only to find that her shoes were placed behind the emperor.
...She tried her best to wink at Doukou, but Doukou's eyes were fixed on the ground and she couldn't receive any of her signals at all.
The emperor noticed the woman's expression changing again and again without leaving any trace. Knowing that she was in a difficult situation, he did not say anything, but just smiled slightly.
Qingzan had no choice but to choose the latter between saying to the emperor "Your Majesty, please pass me your shoes" and "Then I'll trouble your Majesty."
The emperor was so happy and contented that he stopped teasing others.
When the person was carried into the hot spring room, the palace servants had already poured buckets of hot water into the pool. Flower petals, essential oils, and fruits and snacks to quench thirst during the bath were also prepared.
The ground was covered with water-absorbing blankets that could be walked on barefoot. After the emperor put the person down, he had no intention of leaving. He just stood with his hands behind his back and watched the palace servants busying around. Hot air gradually rose from the pool, turning the narrow room into a foggy fairyland.
On the clothesline hang bathrobes for bathing.
Qing Zan reminded: "Your Majesty, why don't you leave?"
Xiao Fang glanced sideways at the woman who had spoken. He suddenly pulled off his bright white bathrobe, slinging it loosely in his arms, and walked towards her. He then rubbed her waist and placed his rough hands firmly on her. "Is there anything I can't see?"
Qingzan bit her lip and said nothing. He was becoming more and more shameless and difficult to deal with, but her excuses had to be renewed every day, and they were never the same, which made it more and more difficult to think of.
His eyes were glued to her.
His hands roasted the skin on her waist like fire, as if to melt the fat there.
He was slow and measured, and could be at ease anywhere. But for Qingzan, the bathhouse was too small and too hot, so hot that his voice softened infinitely: "Your Majesty..."
Xiao Fangping's words reminded him of the spring water in her eyes.
A smile appeared in Yuanhei's eyes: "I won't tease you anymore, I still have to go see Huaixuan."
Qingzan thought about it and realized that the emperor had not seen the eldest prince for a long time and must have been worried about him for a long time. It was time to go and see him. However, she originally wanted to find Ming Zhaoyi, but now it was inconvenient.
Of course, there was no need to tell the emperor these things. She just nodded calmly: "Okay."
Seeing her lost in thought, the emperor gently but forcefully pinched her upper arm and said something unusual:
"Don't overthink it."
Amidst the emperor's heavy and steady steps as he walked away and the noisy voices of the palace maids reminding him that the water was ready, Qingzan had no time to ask anyone...what was he thinking about?
She wouldn't.
*
In Chaoyun Palace, Ming Zhaoyi was making tea herself.
The cold fragrance extracted with ice cubes is different from the tea aroma stimulated by fire. Those buds and leaves will unhesitatingly donate their most thorough fragrance in the extreme bitterness and heat, and then become weak, old, decadent and worthless.
As soon as the emperor entered the hall, he closed his eyes and felt the mysterious and unique scent coming from above.
Ming Zhaoyi put down the utensils in her hands and walked in front of the emperor, but did not say a word to greet him.
After the emperor had savored the tea fragrance enough, he naturally opened his eyes and went deeper into the hall. From the tea kettle on the stove, he saw two ceramic cups with lotus-shaped handles placed together.
His fingers tapped the table gently, "Zhaoyi has been waiting since early morning. Did she know I would come?"
Ming Zhaoyi spoke in an official tone, "If any of the women in this palace could prepare tea before the emperor's arrival, it must be because she prepares fine tea every day, waiting for your majesty's arrival."
These words not only save people from the sin of presumptuously speculating on the emperor's will, but are also said in a decent and impeccable manner.
Xiao Fang knew that his Zhaoyi was very eloquent, but she was also boring. Sometimes he appreciated her unruly side when she was too lazy to deal with him.
Ming Zhaoyi pursed her lips and smiled: "However, I am not waiting for Your Majesty today. I originally wanted to invite Ying Ronghua to taste tea."
"You two seem to be on good terms now," Xiao Fang said, somewhat surprised. "In that case, I should bring her along."
Ming Zhaoyi was also surprised. His Majesty actually came from Ying Ronghua?
The favor this favorite concubine received was so great that it was really unreasonable.
However, if she could really maintain the emperor's favor and make the emperor have no eyes for anyone else, it would be very helpful for Huaixuan's future path to becoming the crown prince.
If the emperor favored only one person, then naturally there would be no other princes and princesses in the harem. For example, if someone like Concubine Hui had a child, even she would not be sure of a complete success.
Before he knew it, a palace maid led the eldest prince over from the side hall.
The eldest prince was still holding his clay tiger talisman. Little Tuanzi, from a distance, waved and called out, "Father, Father, Huaixuan misses you so much!"
The emperor smiled and strode towards him. He took the little boy's arm and lifted him up: "Let me see you, father. Are you stronger now?"
The eldest prince chuckled, "Of course! For the past month, the Empress Dowager had people prepare delicious food for Huaixuan every day!"
The eldest prince felt as if his body was being lifted into the air, and he wanted to raise his arms and shout. While he was having so much fun, he accidentally dropped the clay sculpture to the ground.
He hurried down to see if it was broken.
The eldest prince remembered that he had shown this tiger talisman to his father before. However, this time, the look in his father's eyes when he looked at the tiger talisman was as if he was seeing it for the first time. There was a deep and long contemplation in it, and even the young prince could sense that it was unusual.
The emperor bent down to pick up the clay tiger for someone. It was a whole piece, without any gold inscriptions, and had nothing to do with the tiger talisman except the word "tiger".
He looked at it for a long moment, then suddenly smiled. "The tiger talisman is a military contract. It's divided into two halves, one with the mother and the child. One half is kept in the Imperial Palace and is now with me. The other half is kept by the highest-ranking general."
He asked Ming Zhaoyi, "Huaixuan has never seen it?"
What the emperor was asking about was naturally the half of the tiger talisman that was kept in the general's house and managed by the eldest prince's maternal grandfather and uncle.
Ming Zhaoyi couldn't understand the emperor's intention in asking this question. With sweat dripping down her back, she spoke calmly, "The tiger talisman is such a valuable item. Without Your Majesty's permission, how could you give it to a child as a joke? My family would never have such thoughts."
The emperor lifted his robe and sat down: "Very good."
He waved his hand and returned the clay sculpture to the child.
"So it should be. If this thing is divided, the world will be at peace. The generals will not move without orders. I can rest easy in the deep palace."
Ming Zhaoyi immediately stood there with her whole body cold.
What does Your Majesty mean? Are you saying that her mother's family is too powerful, so Huaixuan is not a suitable choice for the crown prince?
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The author has something to say: Happy Chinese Valentine's Day, babies~~
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